In 1989 San Francisco bike messenger Rob Honeycutt purchased a sewing machine and got to work, creating what would later become the foundation for Timbuk2. In the beginning though, Honeycutt called his brand Scumbags—a not so subtle nod to life as a grimy messenger in gritty cities worldwide. To pay homage to these early days, Timbuk2 has released a special Scumbags re-release, available exclusively through Beams in Japan, and Urban Outfitters stateside. (Learn more about Timbuk2's History here)
With only the slightest adjustments made, the stealth Scumbags messenger is effectively a direct revival of the original bag first produced in a SF garage. Rad thing is, each is still manufactured by hand in San Francisco’s Mission District. Though the brand has grown significantly since the early Scumbags years, the DIY spirit still remains, as does a commitment to domestic manufacturing, and clearest of all, to the city they represent.
The product itself is certainly a looker, but built to take a beating and never quit. Heavy duty Cordura makes up the body, with contrast red ripstop nylon interior for increased durability and to aid in finding stuff jammed in each corner (ever try finding keys in a bag with a black interior?). The main compartment secures with two sturdy buckles with reflective tags, and the whole thing hangs with a padded shoulder strap, as per usual.
Truth be told, we're not massive fans of messenger bags. But this one? This one might have just changed our minds...
