Carrying treasured cargo
Cargo bags are one of those accessory trends that always seem to reappear every few years or so to the delight of all us lovers of practical fashion. Utility-inspired, boasting an excess of pockets, and the functionality to become an everyday go-to without even trying – there’s a lot to love about cargo bags. But there is one such design that bypasses any notion of being a trend and instead has the coveted label of a classic. Hint, it’s a limited-edition Birkin bag.
The Hermès Birkin Cargo debuted in 2020. Made from lightweight canvas and finished with exterior pockets and leather handles, sangles and trims, this utility-inspired design is every bit a functional fashion find. But, it’s also so much more than simply a practical cargo bag. Famously dubbed the most functional Birkin yet, the Birkin Cargo is a tribute to the practical ingenuity and style of Jane Birkin herself and the namesake bag she helped create.
My Birkin Cargo 25 in very dark navy (it almost looks black) is one of my most used and beloved Hermès bags, no question. An icon in both the maison’s offering and my personal collection, it’s about time we take a closer look at this limited-edition Birkin find. A deep dive into the design’s origins, comparisons with the original Birkin and other rare Hermès picks, how to secure one for yourself, plus the kind of styling inspo that your pinterest board is longing for. I’ve got it all in this post.
HERMÈS BIRKIN CARGO DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Classic Birkin style with cargo-style exterior pockets
Typical Birkin Retourne construction
Dual top handles
Flap opening with classic sangles across top secured by touret turnlock closure
Accordian-style sides
Clochette with padlock and key
4 feet on bottom
Made from canvas with Swift leather handles, sangles and trims
Available in sizes – 25, 35 and HAC 40
Crafted in France
Shop Birkin Cargo Bag
Founded In Functionality
When Jane Birkin inspired her now world-famous namesake design back in the ‘80s, it was her penchant for practicality that made the bag stand out. She envisioned the Birkin as a functional tote that would slot into the wearer’s everyday routine, worn over and over again … instead of just looked at as a thing of beauty. And what Birkin better encapsulates this style ethos than the Birkin Cargo?
Typically constructed from Toile canvas to make it lightweight and durable, the Birkin Cargo’s practicality comes built into its construction more than any other Birkin ever created (and there have been A LOT). Swift leather handles, sangles and trims give it a classic finish that feels closely aligned with the original, while elevating the canvas material and adding a luxury feel.
The design feature that sets the Birkin Cargo apart most is, of course, the prominent cargo-style outer pockets. My Birkin Cargo 25 has four exterior pockets in total – one flap pouch at the front that’s super handy, along with one on either side of the bag and a card slot on the back. This proves more than enough for me, it gives uniqueness and added functionality to the Birkin 25’s compact size (you guys know the love I have for Birkin 25 bags), without making it too bulky to carry everyday. But if you love an excess of cargo pockets and want a bigger style that you could use as a work or travel bag, the Birkin Cargo 35 makes a great option. It’s finished with five exterior pockets – one rectangular flap pouch and a card slot at the front, one side pocket plus a coffee or water holder on the other side (I absolutely love this novelty touch), and a flat flap pocket across the back.
The Hermès HAC Birkin Cargo 40 has even more cargo pockets but notably has a much more oversized, luggage look and feel. So in terms of strictly bags, I would suggest that the Birkin Cargo 25 is best as an everyday utility-inspired style, while the 35 is a great option for a super-practical travel or work bag that you don’t have to be too precious with (which is always a plus).
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Let’s Compare …
Despite not being made from a rare exotic leather skin or having a sky-high price tag disparate even to the typically high price tags of Birkin bags, the Birkin Cargo has still managed to earn a reputation as one of the most unique Hermès designs. The material is simple and the bag is typically seen in neutral colours. But it’s this design’s embrace of utility-inspired functionality and casual style that beautifully pay homage to the original style ethos which Jane Birkin proudly championed. And after all, what feels more luxurious than toting around a durable accessory you love everyday?
I find myself reaching for my Birkin Cargo 25 a little more than my classic Hermès Birkin 25 bags for the simple reason that, in terms of functionality and durability, the Birkin Cargo can’t be beaten. But when I want something a little more formal that can transition from day to night, I opt for the classic version over the Cargo.
The Birkin isn’t the only bag which Hermès have given the cargo treatment. The Picotin Cargo is another rendition of Hermès’ utility-esque creations. But the Picotin version is missing the unique abundance of cargo-style pockets that make the Birkin Cargo such a fun piece. There isn’t a Kelly Cargo, instead the closest design comparable is the limited-edition Kelly Lakis. It features two exterior zipped pockets at the front for a slightly edgier take on the original design. It’s certainly a fun update on a classic but it’s also missing the pared-back style of the Birkin Cargo.
Birkin Cargo 25
Birkin 25
Picotin Cargo
Kelly Lakis
Time to sum up my thoughts on this rare Hermès gem. The Hermès Birkin Cargo is not only one of my favourite Hermès bags of all time, it’s also one of the styles I end up reaching for the most. With the kind of sought-after appeal that’s typically reserved for decades-old Hermès collector’s pieces, like the coveted So Black or Shadow Birkins, the Cargo take on this iconic design is the ultimate tribute to the Birkin’s roots. And it’s an absolute treasure in my collection.
Styling Inspo
