Harold’s Messenger bag

This bag made of velvety, waxed cowhide can be worn as a backpack as well as over the shoulder or by the handles. With its unusual, at the same time businesslike-functional design and a padded laptop compartment inside, it becomes the perfect business bag and is moreover suitable for any means of transport, especially for short bike rides. For this, only the shoulder strap (made of equally supple cowhide) is repositioned by means of a carabiner. In addition, the volume is variable thanks to the envelope, i.e. expandable, whereby the bag can still be closed even when filled to the maximum. For convenient "loading and unloading" of the backpack, the flap is equipped with two zippers that can be used to enlarge the opening. Saddle leather straps with cartridge pocket closure close main compartment and laptop compartment. Inside, the bag is lined with a grayish lining made of equal parts cotton and recycled PET. Outside on the back, the backpack has a wide zippered compartment and a smaller one on the front, which integrates two small slip pockets.

Harold’ has its leather goods designed in Germany and manufactured in a Colombian manufactory. The fruitful cooperation goes back to the mid-1980s. Eventually, it involves more than usual: Based on legal employment contracts, the collaboration provides the Columbian workers with reliable working conditions, ensures their coverage in health and accident insurances, and contributes to a pension scheme. Therefore, many of the employees have been working in the company for more than 20 years. Over the years, they have accumulated relevant expertise and experience in leather processing. That’s not a given in South America’s leather goods industry: Typical for the sector is a high proportion of migrant workers and fluctuations in the workforce. No less impressive is Harold’s conscientious handling of the extensive safety regulations: The working conditions meet European standards, for example, by putting forward muffled acoustics, adequate floor space and exemplary cleanliness. A large part of the machinery originates in Europe as well. The leather comes from nearby kept cattle grazing outdoors all year round, as is customary in South America. The tanned leather’s surface still shows the natural grain and traces of the animal’s life, such as mosquito bites or small cracks, and soon the patina typical of leather will form on it. Harold’s has the lining fabrics and metal parts produced by partner companies based close to the Colombian manufactory.