Trakke Bairn Review - The Near-Perfect Messenger
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- This is our fourth Trakke review. Looking over the Trakke Bairn, a near-perfect messenger made of dry-finish waxed canvas, cobra buckles and excellent materials.
trakke.co.uk/c...
Dude Trakke is so dope. I ended up accumulating almost their entire lineup. Got even the pen, itsa Fisher Space Pen Cartridge in the Wingback. They treat their workers right, they treat their customers right, I hope they treat themselves right too. Your reviews are great!
Thanks, man. Yeah. Sometimes I feel like I should just buy their whole lineup and calling it a day. One day my goal is to go out to Glasgow and visit them in person.
I watched your review of this bag two months ago whilst I was considering the trakke. Now owned since then and I love it. For me size is great as I don’t carry a laptop in it. Waiting for a downpour to see if it does leak through the top if closed quickly. Verdict out. And the cobra clasps whilst fiddly are super tactile. I did find the lack of internal pockets a little annoying, but have since gone down the route of an edc kit in there for random things. The lochby venture pouch works well. Cheers.
Hey Ian, thanks for sharing! Glad you’ve been enjoying the Bairn. It’s been my daily driver for a bit now unless I’m reviewing something. I agree, internal pocketing would be nice for some, but for me, I have pouches that I use for different things. I am eyeing the Bairn Pro!
How waterproof is the fabric?
@@metteby I wouldn’t say it’s waterproof. It’s certainly water resistant, enough for a light rain or accidental spills. But, I definitely wouldn’t want to take it out in a downpour or even for extended periods in light rains. Especially since the holes it leaves because of the flap would allow some water to get in.
These are my favorite every day bags. I have 4 of them.
I don't agree with you on the handle though. It's just placed wrong! I usually want to grab and move the bag quickly in order to pass through between narrow spaces or other people in the bus or the train and I can't simply reach for the handle when I wear the bag because it's placed on the back side that comes in contact with my body, so I have to pick up the whole bag like I'm carrying a baby. Totally weird looking and uncomfortable. Also, when someone picks up the bag by using the handle, changes the center of gravity and makes the bag lean towards. It's completely counterintuitive to carry it this way.
You didn't even mention the bag's most negative point: The straps get discolored after 6-8 months of every day commuting use (I'm not talking about just wearing the bag for only 10-15 mins till you get to the car, but using it regularly for over 2 hours a day by touching the strap and walking on the street). This makes it look worn out and not good for any office situation. Furthermore, the straps can't be replaced. Fortunately, the guys at Trakke have told me that they plan to replace the material of the straps in 2024, but they still use those problematic cotton straps, preventing me from buying more recent models like Bairn Pro. Maybe that was the reason they removed those straps from the lid on their latest revisions. It's a place that you touch very often and it gets exposed to the sun. The rest of the materials are seriously good.
Good insight here. The beauty of Carry is that everyone can have different experiences based on their use and circumstances. I am eyeing a Bairn Pro as I plan to get a 14 inch laptop at some point, plus a bottle pocket for me would be amazing. Would be interested to see what material they use for the straps. Thanks for being here.
I think its a very nice looking bag
I wonder if their portobello briefcase has been on your radar and what your thoughts are on it.
I kinda dislike their price hike to the bairn pro and the normal bairn being stuck in 13" land while the 13"mbp they refer has been long replaced by a 14".
It’s been on my radar for sure since I do love Trakke stuff, but I’d probably get a Bairn Pro before a Portabello, mainly because I currently use my Bairn all the time for a number of applications, not just business.
I agree, though, I wish they’d widen the Bairn to allow for a 14 inch.
Bedouin Foundry just dropped the Barbarossa in Navy/Cognac. I’m really tempted!
Ha! I bought one within minutes of it becoming available. Also got a Delireis in the same colorway.
@@ofthetraveler oh man, this doesn’t help! I think it looks really nice in the Navy. Funnily enough, I have the Barbary, Genghis and Delireis in Black, Olive and Khaki, but the Navy is calling my name with the Barbarossa. Then I’ll have one of each colorway… haha.
Looking forward to the review?
@@ghas4151 how do you like the Delireis? Not a lot of info online about it.
@@ofthetraveler as with all Bedouin bags, beautiful craftsmanship, though I have one main gripe, and that is the open external pockets. In the rain they fill up with water, so I wouldn’t put anything you don’t want to get wet in there.
They should’ve either had a way for water to exit at the bottom of the pockets or include a flap, but then you’re messing with the aesthetics.
Internally, it is essentially a sack with a laptop sleeve. I don’t mind the lack of organisation as I tend to use packing cubes.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. The Barbarossa is already in my cart, and probably will be on the way soon…
@@ofthetraveler have the bags come and do you have any initial thoughts?
What's the other bag you will replace it with that you talked about?
I am a sucker for waxed canvas stuff; the only bag I could replace the Bairn with is the Bedouin Foundry Barbarossa. My only hesitation is that I am not sure if I can fit my Surface Book in there. It’s possible, once I get a smaller laptop that I’ll pull the trigger on it and see for myself. The Navy/Cognac version is just so beautiful.
bedouinfoundry.com/products/barbarossa
@@ofthetraveler the Barbarossa is a beautiful bag indeed. That waxed canvas/leather combo makes me feel a certain way. 😅
How’s the padding for electronics in that bag? I agree with you, it might be a bit too small for my needs. Nice looking bag though. Probably about perfect for an iPad and a few other edc items.
It's not raised and it's not padded on the back. It barely fits my 13" MacBook Pro (and I'm getting a new one and they're now 14."). I would definitely need a sleeve - and then it really wouldn't fit. And because it doesn't fit well, the flap doesn't provide enough protection from the elements. Don't get me wrong. It's a great bag. I love it to death. It's super sturdy, well-built, a little heavy but gets softer and starts to conform to your body the more you wear it. Very happy with purchase. I would like a key leash and another pocket or two but it works for me, sans tech. Your IPad might be happy. I don't know if you will if it bangs against you. Make sure it wears a sleeve. But you'll definitely be able to use it for EDC if you don't need too much (if you need a water bottle, and want it to stand up, 18" max but make sure it doesn't punch your IPad).
@@seechangenyc280 This is an excellent response. Thanks!
@@ofthetraveler glad you were pleased. Couldn’t help myself. I was just about to take it out for a walk…
Great video, thanks. I love trakke too, their Finnieston tote is my current favourite. Just out of interest what's the other possibility that you mentioned for best messenger in your opinion?
Hey Simon! You’re the first to ask. The Bedouin Foundry Barbarossa would be the bag. It’s so beautiful, just don’t know if it would work for me. Wish I had the funds to just buy one to try.
@@ofthetraveler never used the bedouin, expensive bag, not sure it looks twice as good as the bairn. I've just got my first Tom Bihns, a synik 22 and tristar and I think I'm converted!
@@sipmed Ha! The Cult of Bihn is a known phenomenon in the carry community. I am sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.
@@ofthetraveler haha, I'm sure they will. I'm not letting go of my trakke finnieston, though!