Freitag is special and unique and weird and different! It's just one of those places you really need to see. I remember I'd take the train from Schaffhausen to Zurich every morning, and we'd pass the massive Freitag store (shipping containers stacked on top of one another quite high up in the air), and I always wanted to know what it was. They're really unique bags, wallets, backpacks..etc. made from truck tarps. They're different, but cool. And Swiss prices... of course ;) . You'll notice a lot of people walking around in Zurich with them. The place is also in a cool location, right next to the prime tower, Garold's Garden, and Viadukt... you could spend an entire afternoon exploring the area. Also make sure to visit the top to overlook Kreis 5. If you stand still enough, you can feel yourself swaying... wooooooOoOoOoOoO read more

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I was super intrigued about these shipping containers and didn't know it contained a popular bag brand! So naturally I ventured in and was in awe about all the signs they had an mostly fairly reasonable prices for what it's worth. Also I had notice almost everyone Zurich rocked one of their bags as well. I ended up doing some shopping here, and my only complaint was I wish I could of found more solid dark colors. read more

FREITAG - Outside of Freitag - Luggage Near Me - Zürich, ZH

I'm not going to be that jackass who pulls the 'yeah, I was into Freitag back in the late 1990's'. Instead I've only been buying their products for the past ten years. Am I still kind of a jackass for writing that? Probably. Anyway, I've recently had the pleasure of visiting the 'mothership' Freitag shop here in Zuerich. I've only ever visited the super bitchin' Hamburg shop that, in the spirit of Boxpark in LDN, is housed in a large freight container. Of course, Freitag sells at other shops around the US like Flight 001, a shop I used to frequent on Berkeley's 4th St., but going to the source and having a good poke around has a certain satisfaction. I went with the hubs a few days back and perused the wallets. They have at least three different types plus a credit card holder resembling a small bi-fold. The wallet model called 'Miranda' caught my eye as it seemed to be built especially for a the mounds of change that one accumulates here in one's pockets. It was ungodly expensive (I'm embarrassed to write how much, but let's just say it was purchased for me as a birthday present as that's the only way I could marginally justify the cost). Beyond the tarp/seat belt/bike tire concoctions, Freitag have branched out into quite fancy-looking women's shoulder bags and totes. I am impressed by their ability to render tarpaulin-made objects into something so refined, but I didn't dare look at the price tags for these Park Avenue-looking wonders. The structure of the shop is a marvel made out of a cluster of freight containers. -get a gander of this wonder as you pass by on the train coming into town. I found the service at Freitag to be fairly casual; the shop assistant who dealt with me was quite warm and friendly. After a bit of struggle trying to understand her 'rein' Dialekt, I mentioned that I hadn't caught all of what she'd said. 'Ah! Sie moechten, dass ich Hochdeutsch rede?' Yes, please. And on we continued. read more

FREITAG - Blick vom Viewingdeck - Luggage Near Me - Zürich, ZH

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Love the brand, love the sustainability concept the brand pursuits. But not the vibe that some staff created in the store. I had some friends already visited this store and recommended me this cool place. As a tourist, when I was taking some random pictures in the store (wanna show to my friend), a staff used a very cold voice not even giving eye contact, felt like she was talking to the air: "No pictures", she said when she passed me. To be honest, it spoiled the visit in the store that day. I was just reading others' reviews with all those pictures (which I was trying to take), I'm curious if anyone being treated like that when taking those photos? Or if I'm just not lucky enough and ran into a staff like that? I'm totally fine with some store's "no photo" policy. But I just can not accept the attitude like that. In general, the vibe I experienced is unfriendly, all those cold, "not care" attitude. read more

Freitag is a company synonymous with eco-friendly (their hand-sewn bags are made of used truck tarps, bicycle tires and seat belts), so of course its flagship store in Zurich is made of discarded cargo containers. All four stories of it, incredibly. They have all their bag models here, and you are free to browse and try on any or all of them. After much deliberation I finally decided on my "Dexter" messenger bag, which got me through the rest of my Switzerland trip in true eco-style. These are quality handcrafted items, so they ain't cheap, but it turned out to be slightly cheaper for me to buy them here than to order online and have it shipped, so I just "had" to buy one on the spot, oh darn! The two salesgirls in the store were very nice and helpful, and one even took a pic of me with my new bag--super! read more

FREITAG - with new "Dexter" bag--wunderbar! - Luggage Near Me - Zürich, ZH

I love that the Freitag store building is an external statement of the company's own vision and product. The store building itself is worth going to check out if ever in the Zurich area. I finally was able to go and visit during my recent trip. Like the bags, the Freitag store is built out of recycled materials - shipping containers. Once inside the store be ready to be patient to wait as the store is narrow and the products are displayed on three different levels, and the place was constantly busy with people. You can view the store map located on each floor to find the location of the bag style you are looking for. The Freitag bags are made out of recycled products and last forever. They aren't cheap, but they aren't going to melt in the rain either. These bags are made to last, and each bag is unique. When I was taking pictures of the outside of the store I noticed the heads of people popping out the top. I hadn't known that there was a viewing platform at the top of the store. Be sure to store up some energy to climb the stairs all the way to the very top to catch a different view of Zurich. Not everyone can say they saw Zurich from the tippy top of a stack of old shipping containers. read more

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So, after a number of mishaps, I finally arrived at the Freitag store. Apparently the hotel did not know the best way to get there, so I ended up getting off of a tram and walking approximately 2 miles through a residential neighborhood. My only complaint was that the weather was miserably hot as I typically enjoy wandering cities and seeking out unique sights. I did manage to see a really cool swimming area that was set up along the water as well as some lovely homes. As I walked along the main road that leads to Freitag, I realized I could have taken at least 4 other trams in order to skip the walking...but hey...what fun would that be? Once I got to the store, I found it not air conditioned...(argh!) and I proceeded to walk all the way to the top viewing area. The sights aren't that great considering it's an industrial zone, but it was a unique spot that I'm guessing not everyone gets to see. As to the purses and bags - there were some really cool items, though some of the really large and nicer items are quite pricey (especially the 'fancier' ones that are all one color). I did purchase one from what I like to call the 'fancy' line - though it was more of a wallet/clutch. I also purchased two smaller wallets (one as a gift). The woman working even gave me a bunch of literature to put in with the gift for my sister! The staff was really friendly and the store was pretty cool. How can you not have fun in a store made out of shipping containers and full of unique and interesting finds! read more

Bring your tourist friends here ! The concept store is really cool. It is build in containers and is a few floors high. you can go up to the top container. From there you have a view over Kreis 5 (the industrial zone of Zurich). And you even have free goggles to overlook the city. The staff is very friendly and helpful. And they always have the latest Freitag accessories. If you don't find your bag or colour, ask a staff member - they have hidden items a bit everywhere. You can use old fashion phones on every floor to call some shop assistance. If you are in the area you should for sure go to Frau Gerold Garten (behind the Freitag Store). read more

FREITAG - Free bikes !! - Luggage Near Me - Zürich, ZH

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"I don't care if Monday's blue Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too Thursday I don't care about you It's Friday, I'm in love" (The Cure, 1992) I recently received my new FREITAG bag in the mail from Europe! Glorious thing about tax refunds is you get to frivolously spend it and perhaps stimulate some economy. I decided to contribute mine to the neutral alpine country of Switzerland, the German speaking part. These bags are insanely expensive, yes. But what you get is an individual recycled freewaybag, ja genau! These bags are made from previously used bike tires, seat belts and truck tarpaulins that may appear worn from natural aging due to acid rain and ozone-hole sunlight. Honestly, these bags are a piece of recycled art that is edgy and stylish all in one. They've even appeared in modern art museums as no one is ever the same, all incredibly unique pieces to admire: http://www.seedsandfruit.com/2009/10/freitag-customized-bags/ This is my second bag and I'm still loving my first one like it was the day I got it. Like a Swiss friend, these bags are reliable and always there when you need it. Wunderbar! Ich liebe diese Säcke! FREITAG: The Story: In 1993 we were two bike-riding designers [Daniel & Markus Freitag] living next to the truck route in Zurich. Looking out of the kitchen window one day, we thought it would be nice to have a custom messenger bag made from one of those dirty, 100,000-mile truck tarpaulins. It would be unique, made only from recycled materials, and because tarps are tough and waterproof, the bag would be tough and waterproof, too. And so it happened. First we made bags for ourselves, then for our friends, then shops came asking, then museums, and then more shops. Today FREITAG products are still designed, cut by hand and packaged here in Zurich, Switzerland, next to the same truck route (the hall has gotten a bit bigger). And they are still unique and made from original, used truck tarpaulins, bicycle inner tubes, car seat belts and new, used airbags. It's hard to kick old habits. Danke für Lessen! read more

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Stack of shipping containers on the outside, boutique truck tarp courier bags on the inside. I'm still undecided on the Freitag bags; too many zippers, and too many seams. My own rig's a Pac Designs, and I still have an old Timbuk2 without too many holes in it; both have nylon outers, which I prefer to tarp against my back. Still, Freitag is apparently the thing to have around Zürich. Inside the shop, there's about two floors of boutique experience, with bins full of bags so you can rifle through and find a tarp pattern that grabs you; above that, it's simple containers up to the top, which opens up on a view of Züri West. Still not sure on the bags, but the observation deck on top of the container tower is too much fun to pass up. read more

I love the brand and the products. And the store is pretty cool. But I have to temper my review with the fact that the observation deck stairs are slippery when wet, and dangerous! They have no apparent traction (non-skid non-slip) added to them... They are just bare metal, and as a result I slipped (despite having quality shoes) and cracked a rib and arm in the process! Granted I could have been more careful, but the stairs are fundamentally dangerous! read more

So glad I splurged on my Freitag! Love having an authentic, unusual bag that is not seen very often in the US. Easy to get to from Hauptbahnhof. There are several (small) levels and it does get a little crowded. Make sure you go to the top floor and step outside to get a view of the city. As always in Zurich, closed on Sundays. read more

This is a must hit spot for me every time I am in Zurich. I always seem to end up finding something that i have to have. Keep it up guys read more