The messenger bags used by messengers for their daily deliveries come in various forms, from sling (cross-body) styles to backpacks. While they are highly durable, years of heavy use often led to breakdowns. A while back, it was standard to import bags of a professional caliber from overseas, which meant that if one happened to break, it was impossible to go through the trouble of sending it back abroad for repairs. After all, they are tools of the trade. You could end up without your bag for a month or two if you weren't careful.
For this reason, they took matters into their own hands, performing their own repairs and using their gear until it was worn out. Naturally, the skills they gained through repair and modification led them to the philosophy of “if it doesn't exist, build it yourself,” and thus, a Tokyo-based messenger bag brand was born: RESISTANT. Even today, they continue to produce messenger bags by hand in Tokyo and offer made-to-order services where you can choose your own colors and materials.
We had requested a few bags from them to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Circles. We’ve been waiting with bated breath, and now that they’ve finally arrived, I’d like to introduce all of them at once. The only things we specified to them were the models we wanted to order. Aside from having the “Circles” tag added, we left the color combinations and materials entirely up to them. It was meant to be a surprise when we opened the shipment, but I’ll let you in on a secret: the moment we unpacked them, we were so blown away that our consumer impulses were immediately triggered.
They did a wonderful job finishing them, skillfully incorporating our corporate colors, red and green.
First, these are the most suitable for everyday use in the RESISTANT backpack lineup—in other words, they are "non-professional" backpacks. Their simple design blends into city life without sacrificing functionality, making them very popular models. The smaller one (30L) is the BOND, and the larger one (45L) is the HOPE; the only differences are the size and the fact that only the HOPE comes with a waist strap. Otherwise, they share the exact same design.
By using nylon for the outer shell and a lightweight tarpaulin for the inner, they achieve durability, weather resistance, and waterproofing while keeping the weight down. Messenger bags often tend to be heavy-duty, but the fact that they’ve managed to address that while focusing on daily use feels like a signature RESISTANT touch.
The wide-mouthed rolltop allows you to stuff things in without worrying about capacity, and the discreet hidden pocket on the side is surprisingly spacious—enough to hold not just a wallet or phone, but even a digital camera or a plastic bottle. The crossed straps serve to compress the main compartment when you don't have much inside, and they are excellent for lashing things like cardboard boxes, frames, or wheels to the bag when they won't fit inside. The fact that both ends are easily detachable with snaps is another nice touch. Everything is well thought out, from the padded back panel and the included document frame to the chest strap buckle that doubles as an emergency whistle.
Next up is the familiar sling-style messenger bag.
The Wheel King Modified has a capacity of about 30L, and the Reporider Modified has about 20L, but in reality, you can fit much more if you utilize the flap and straps creatively.
The soft, thick shoulder strap can be tightened securely using the easy-to-adjust original RESISTANT buckle, making it fit your body so well you’ll forget the weight of your load. A pro tip is to fold the excess strap in half and tuck it away for a cleaner, more expert look.
The interior is a simple design with just one divider pocket and a key anchor. Only the Wheel King Modified has a removable inner liner, making it easy to clean.
Since both models come with straps as standard, just like the backpacks, you can lash on anything that won’t fit inside. The "Modified" in the model names marks the addition of these straps to the original "Wheel King" and "Reporider" models, as well as the reinforcement of the tarpaulin base corners—the areas most prone to wear—with nylon. These models are built to withstand even the toughest use by messengers.
And actually, this is the one I really wanted to introduce.
The Aerial Wallet could be called the ultimate wallet or coin case. I’ve personally been interested in this very simple little wallet (?) for a while—it’s just enough to hold your bare essentials and can be hung anywhere—so I had them make it in our corporate colors. It’s like, simple is the best. It seems perfect for festivals or rides, too!
I felt an instant spark the moment I saw it, and I’m definitely intending to get one, but I wanted to introduce it to you all first. We only have one of each bag color in stock, so if any of these grabbed your attention after seeing the photos, act fast!
While we’re on the topic of messenger bags, one more announcement.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. As a day to convey our daily gratitude, Circles has prepared gift sets in collaboration with PFM. For a flat rate of 500 yen within Nagoya City, our Daisy messengers will deliver your thoughts faster than Amazon, with zero emissions and maximum speed. Please check this blog for details.
There are many forms of service out there and diverse ways to use goods and experiences, but I believe it is ultimately people who make the best use of them. It’s not too late. Please take advantage of this!