Yes, Crumpler Bags Are Going To Be A Thing Again

The Aussie bag brand that ruled the ’90s gets our needs today. In partnership with the label, here’s everything you need to know.

For all their practicality, Crumpler bags never fail to stand out. Credit: Crumpler

By FEMALE Staff , 24 Mar 2025

Even if you’ve not heard of Crumpler bags, it’s hard not to notice one when you see it: roomy, pop coloured messenger bags made of hardy nylon with a quirky stick figure for a logo. That’s Crumpler – the cheeky, somewhat irreverent accessory label from Melbourne, Australia, that defined cool in the ’90s for fashion-curious students and creative industry types as much as they did for bike couriers, whom its bags were originally designed for.

What started as a way for these couriers to carry their gear effortlessly turned into a full-blown style statement, thanks to the indestructible build of Crumpler bags and the brand’s offbeat attitude. Fast forward to today and Crumpler bags are making a steady comeback not just due to Gen Z’s love for nostalgia, but also because their mix of function, durability and unapologetically fun personality still hits.

crumpler basketball hoops — Started by a trio of bike couriers in Australia, Crumpler is all about bags that are tough, practical yet hella fun too.
Crumpler

Where are Crumpler bags from?

The company Crumpler was founded in 1995 by three Aussie bike couriers based on the principle that great bags should be tough, practical yet fun. Over the two decades that followed, these guys retired or moved on to other ventures, but in 2021, its OG co-founder David Roper returned to helm it, bringing along his creative director/fashion designer daughter Virginia Martin along for the ride.

More than a nostalgia trip, their return has signalled a homecoming to Crumpler’s roots that made it such a cult classic in the ’90s and 2000s. Its first international stockist then was in fact the now-defunct, hyper-progressive multi-label retailer Ambush in Far East Plaza (yes, right here in Singapore) that was opened by the fashion entrepreneur and local godfather of cool, Earn Chen. At the same time, the father-daughter power duo are doubling down on quality, personality and that unmistakable sense of adventure signature to Crumpler bags that will have you ready for all that life throws at you.

What’s special about the design of Crumpler bags?

All Crumpler bags can be said to be designed with serious wit, practicality and playfulness. For instance, the Savoury Jug tote bag reimagines cooler bags into a paper bag-style tote roomy enough to fit 12 cans so one can keep drinks and other groceries chilled while on-the-go. Or consider the Fruiterer, a wide, gorpcore-esque pouch with a crossbody strap that can be tucked away so that it can be attached to the handlebar of most bicycles, thanks to a pair of velcro straps on its back – no extra hardware needed.

One of our faves? The Froglet in small – Crumpler’s take on a compact carryall built with both tote-style double handles as well as backpack straps for versatile carrying, water bottle-friendly pockets on both sides, and even an internal sleeve for a 14-inch laptop.

The same functionality-meets-fun formula extends to the brand’s collaborations. Up next is a special edition of its popular City Loop flap backpacks designed jointly with the Australian skater Morgan Campbell while a partnership with The Salvages, the Singapore street wear brand co-founded by Earn Chen, is in the works.

How long can Crumpler bags last?

Crumpler bags are often described as “indestructible”, which might sound like hyperbole except they have been proven to be extra-durable. The brand’s signature heavy-duty Cordura nylon, for example, is tear-resistant and has been coated to shrug off water while the ripstop varieties it uses – all made from eco-conscious materials such as recycled plastic bottles – are military grade and ensure your bag contents stay protected.

And should – against all odds – one of your Crumpler bags needs fixing, fret not: Every one comes with a lifetime repair warranty. Word has it that dads have been known to walk into Crumpler boutiques to purchase a brand new bag because their Gen Z daughters nicked theirs.

Are Crumpler bags handmade?

And should you spot a handwritten label on a Crumpler bag, you’re looking at something extra-special. This indicates that the design is part of the brand’s Made in Melbourne line, which is akin to Crumpler’s answer to couture: Each one is hand-stitched and assembled.

All of this craftsmanship takes place at Bag House – Crumpler’s recently opened headquarters and workshop located in a 19th-century Victorian-style building in Melbourne. Scrawled onto each label: an archive number, the name of the person responsible for putting it together, and the date it was completed – all making one of these Crumpler bags truly one-of-a-kind.

crumpler australia — Bag House, the new brand HQ in Melbourne is where Crumpler’s artisans handcraft special edition Made in Melbourne bags with precision and a touch of old-school cool.
Crumpler

Are Crumpler bags sustainable?

Now Crumpler isn’t dedicated to making only its bags last – it wants the earth to last too. As part of its sustainability efforts, the brand has redeveloped its 400D Full Dull nylon fabric to be made with Seawastex nylon yarn – a nylon that’s produced from recycled fishing nets.

It’s also committed to making several of its signature styles from 100 per cent recycled fabrics. Among them: the small Froglet; the utilitarian chic Goose – a camera bag-style crossbody – in large; the Clam Chowder, another crossbody with a large zip opening across its front so it opens up like a clam; and the minimalist Ornamental Pond backpack (yeah, Crumpler bags have really cute names too).

Ultimately, one can say that Crumpler isn’t just a bag brand. It’s a way of life. Just check out its creative, fun-loving campaigns such as Out The Window, which was literally shot from the window of Bag House and features what looks like passersby armed with Crumpler bags. There’s also the Life Zone series that comprises cinematic vignettes of life in Tokyo and similarly shows how Crumpler bags are – and can be – integrated seamlessly into our every day. And to accompany Crumpler bag owners on-the-go, the brand launched Crumpler Radio in 2023, a boutique digital station with mixes by established and emerging DJs and selectors.

Like Crumpler bags, Crumpler campaigns are often unexpected, playful and rooted in the every day.

Crumpler

Where to buy Crumpler bags in Singapore?

This all brings us to the big question: Where can one get Crumpler bags here? After consolidating various locations across Singapore, Crumpler opened its flagship boutique at #B3-62 Ion Orchard in 2023.

Every such store in the world has its own standout colour and the one here is a punchy purple – one of the key shades Crumpler bags can be found in – with walls and pillars in the bold hue. Just like at other branches, the furniture pays homage to the street scape in urban cities (think tabletops resting on what look like bicycle racks, and lights in the shape of lampposts) as well as local culture. For seating, for example, the brand has installed a table and chairs that resemble the kind used at hawker centres.

crumpler store — The Crumpler flagship store at Ion Orchard pays homage to streetscapes as well as local culture – clock the table and seats inspired by those found at hawker centres as well as the tiled flooring.
Crumpler

In short, the Crumpler flagship store at Ion Orchard is one vibey fun house – the perfect environment for its vibey yet ultra-reliable bags. Drop by to experience it yourself, or head to the brand’s e-store to see and shop the full range (shipping is free for orders above $100).

Below, we present you more products from Crumpler that reflect its fun, thoughtful, high quality and durable ethos.