Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ Review

The Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is a sleek and professional messenger-style bag that effortlessly transitions from shoulder bag to messenger bag to briefcase. It’s made from eco-friendly recycled materials, which gives it a unique aesthetic that easily blends in anywhere. In addition to being environmentally conscious, it is also quite durable and water-resistant. Its premium leather accents and high-quality metal hardware give it a sophisticated touch.

External Components

The Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is made with Bellroy’s Baida Nylon, which is entirely made of recycled materials like plastic PET bottles, industrial offcuts, and fishing nets. It has a unique crinkled texture and a distinct look that is stylish, professional, and durable. The material is water-resistant, which adds protection for your gear inside. Despite the sturdy materials, the bag is still lightweight, malleable, and flexible.

In addition to the durable external materials, several high-quality elements contribute to its professional aesthetic. Leather accents around the bag and zipper pull tabs help elevate the overall look while also being functional. Using metal hardware for the clips, carabiners, and adjusters ensures durability and longevity. The only attachment points are the dedicated loops for the shoulder straps on the back, though you can attach external gear to the briefcase-style handles on top in a pinch.

The briefcase handles on top are dense nylon webbing that feels strong and sturdy but is also surprisingly soft and comfortable despite the lack of padding. Thanks to their dense material and layered construction, they maintain their shape. They are long enough for you to get a hand through easily but not so long as to get in the way when not in use. This contributes to the versatility, allowing the bag to transition from one carry style to the next.

The shoulder strap is thoughtfully designed and fully removable. It clips onto the dedicated attachment points on the back with metal carabiners and is incredibly comfortable to wear over the shoulder or crossbody. 

An interesting design choice is the attachment of the shoulder straps to loops on the back of the bag rather than its side. This unique configuration allows the bag to sit nicely on the back and hang more naturally at the side, improving overall comfort and weight distribution. The shoulder strap’s material is incredibly smooth and soft to the touch, similar to a high-quality seatbelt. The metal adjusters are minimal and work decently, although they are not the smoothest to use while out and about. Their minimal design requires precision to adjust because of their thinness. The shoulder strap also includes a padded sleeve, which not only provides an extra element of padding and comfort but also slides easily for quick adjustments. Its dense padding prevents the strap from digging into your shoulders when the bag is packed with heavier gear.

The last carry method includes a luggage pass-through made from the same durable materials as the exterior. Due to the design, it blends in and sits flush against the bag when not in use, maintaining a sleek profile. When in use, it allows the bag to sit securely upright on top of your luggage. This could also serve as another attachment point for larger clips or carabiners, although your gear will be between the bag and your back, which may not be the most comfortable.

Fit Notes

The Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ has an inconspicuous and professional all-black aesthetic with leather and metal accents that add a touch of high-quality sophistication. Its minimal face allows it to blend in seamlessly without drawing unwanted attention, making it suitable for a wide range of settings, from formal office environments to more casual spaces like coffee shops or libraries. The bag offers impressive versatility in terms of carrying methods, providing a comfortable and easy transition between all three modes. Notably, when the shoulder straps are detached and stowed away, it transforms into a stylish briefcase that can be securely fastened on top of luggage, effectively functioning as a dedicated attachment. This feature is particularly convenient as it allows easy access to all contents, even when the bag is on rolling luggage.

Inside The Pack

The only secondary compartment on the Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is a front zippered compartment that occupies most of the bag’s front face. It is in front of a leather Bellroy accent tab. The interior is light gray, providing excellent contrast for easy visibility. This compartment is divided into two sections, with an attached key clip in the middle. The key clip, made of nylon webbing with a triangular carabiner, is a decent length and can be used without having to unclip.

One side of this compartment has an empty space without organization, ideal for larger or bulkier items requiring quick access. The other side is similar but includes two pen or stylus pockets towards the top. While this separation maintains minimal organization, the size of both pockets means smaller items like lip balm, gum, or hand sanitizer may still get lost at the bottom.

This front compartment is an excellent storage space for items such as a wallet or travel wallet, a portable power bank, or a small tech pouch. However, it may not be the best place for smaller items like AirPods or delicate items such as sunglasses since this pocket lacks any kind of padding.

The main compartment is where the real fun lies. One of the standout features of the Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is the magnetic FIDLOCK closure, which securely fastens its fold-top design, ensuring the bag stays closed. This also helps provide weather resistance. The leather tab used to grip the FIDLOCK is intuitive and easy to use, requiring only a slight pull to unlock it. When folding it down, it snaps closed with ease. Little to no conscious effort is needed as it tends to default to this position naturally. Additional magnets and a thin core work together at the top of the bag’s opening to keep the top securely closed before it is folded down. These magnets are pretty strong and result in a secure hold.

Inside, a lightly padded laptop sleeve can easily fit devices up to 16 inches. This sleeve boasts a unique zippered design, allowing users to either secure their device in a zippered compartment or leave it open for quick access, adapting to different needs and preferences. It is a nice touch, but we rarely found ourselves actually zipping it closed.

Opposite the laptop sleeve, a medium-sized floating zippered pocket offers convenient organization and security for smaller items. Additionally, in both corners of the bag are what Bellroy refers to as “pop pockets,” which are ideal for storing water bottles or umbrellas. These versatile pockets also accommodate other gear, such as tech kits or medium-sized battery banks. Their floating design allows them to sit flush against the bag’s side when not in use, staying out of the way but still there when needed. For easy visibility, the openings of these pockets feature a nice black accent around the rim, which is always appreciated. It is important to note, though, that larger or taller water bottles may prevent the bag from closing all the way.

In keeping with Bellroy’s recent design trends, an Apple AirTag slip pocket is concealed in a corner at the bottom of the bag. This little gem goes unnoticed unless you know where to look or what to look for, adding an extra layer of security for those who wish to track their bag with an AirTag. The rest of the main compartment is a standard storage space, offering flexibility for various packing needs, including larger or bulkier items. This area is perfect for storing a sweater or a tech pouch.

The Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is a thoughtfully designed bag that seamlessly blends eco-consciousness with versatility. Made from recycled materials, this bag offers a distinctive texture and water resistance, giving it a unique aesthetic without drawing too much attention. You can carry it as a briefcase, wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody, or slip the pass-through over a rolling luggage handle. We find the magnetic FIDLOCK closure on the main compartment intuitive and straightforward to use. The zippered laptop sleeve is secure while providing quick access, and the remaining space has a fantastic amount of organization and functionality, including the divided front compartment, pop pockets, and discreet Apple AirTag pocket. Whether you’re navigating busy city streets or transitioning from office to evening plans, the Bellroy Tokyo Messenger Bag 16″ is a reliable, stylish bag that adapts to your needs without sacrificing aesthetics.