When IAMRUNBOX introduced their Garment Bag it paved the way for wrinkle-free clothes storage on the go. And now this Swedish brand is set to deliver even better packing efficiency with the IAMRUNBOX Origami Organizer.
The Origami Organizer is an upgraded take on their Garment Bag, offering a number of improvements including an understated, stylish look with more business-ready aesthetics and minimalistic branding.
The Origami Organizer also has improved organization to accommodate a 15″ laptop or papers and to keep smaller items tidy. Launched as the brand’s third Kickstarter campaign, the Origami Organizer has already smashed its target, surpassing its funding goal in just five hours.
A clever carry double act
So what exactly is it? In essence, a hard-shell garment bag that doubles as an organizer. It’s designed to simultaneously prevent wrinkled clothing and protect gear while you’re on the go.
The Origami Organizer comes with a Clothes Folder, a step-by-step folding guide that helps you neatly store your clothes so they can emerge wrinkle-free at your destination. Suitable for shirts, trousers and more, the Origami Organizer adapts to a range of loads as your day-to-day or travel needs change.
Water and impact protection comes courtesy of the hard-shell case, built with polyester covered EVA. The exterior shell is waterproof, with a water-resistant YKK zipper to help protect the contents from exposure to the elements or accidental liquid spills.
Greater carry freedom
And the larger picture? It aims to provide a smarter, easier way to pack so you can look sharp in work settings and benefit from ready gear organization across different carry options. The Origami Organizer comes in small and large sizes and can easily switch between everyday bags and luggage. Or you can even use it as a standalone carry case. Flexible, wrinkle-free storage and protection that works around your existing carry setup.
It’s also designed to be lightweight to keep your packing weight down. The small size weighs 405 grams, while the large size weighs 435 grams. Additionally, you have the freedom to embrace more active commutes, cycling or running to work without worrying about how your change of clothes will come out at the other end. A key aspect of the original Garment Bag, designed as a wrinkle-free clothes storage solution for commuters who run to work.
A smarter way to pack
The IAMRUNBOX Origami Organizer ultimately aims to deliver a sound combination of carry convenience and peace of mind. The convenience of not having to hunt down an iron in your hotel room. Not worrying about staying presentable without sacrificing an active commute. Not getting flustered by folding techniques. And being able to easily alternate between bags while still enjoying its benefits. The convenience of an all-in-one organizer that goes beyond clothes storage and continues to keep your work or travel tools in check and protected throughout the day. If you’re keen to add the Origami Organizer to your travel setup or active commute, check out IAMRUNBOX’s Kickstarter campaign which runs until 14 May 2019.
Note: this is a sponsored series, but only the best candidates are given this feature placement.
Above are the facts, but there’s always a little risk when backing a crowdfunder, so keep that in mind before you decide to back/purchase.
Troubadour are known for their beautifully minimalist yet functional carry pieces. Bags that exude that fine balance of refinement and reliable practicality. Elegant silhouettes, premium materials, and expert craftsmanship for everyday and travel use. But scaling cliffs with your rock climbing gear in tow? Taking in the sights from the summit of your day hike? Or cycling down endless stretches of winding rural roads? Not the sort of activities you’d typically associate with Troubadour bags. But they can be courtesy of the new Troubadour Explorer Collection. And we’re giving three lucky winners the chance to score their own piece of luxurious adventure-ready carry…
The Prizes
Three winners will have their choice of one bag from Troubadour’s stellar Explorer Collection. A performance-ready range of four backpacks that blend clean aesthetics, technical fabrics and urban/outdoor functionality. The range is designed to move smoothly from work to play. Keeping you stylish in the office during the week, while relishing the active weekend. To achieve such diverse functionality, the range is crafted with lightweight, durable and waterproof matte nylon that looks suitably understated in formal settings but is ready for the demands of more adventurous use. In addition, waterproof antimicrobial linings and water-resistant zippers provide that added layer of protection, so you don’t need to worry about the elements when you’re out and about. And since these bags are built to perform in a range of settings, carry comfort is a priority too. Breathable back panels and specially engineered shoulder straps that prevent pressure points keep you moving comfortably throughout the day.
The 23L Explorer Apex Rucksack is a smart work-ready pack that includes a padded 15″ laptop pocket and a removable pouch for organizing smaller items. Quick-access pockets keep water bottles and other frequently used items within easy reach.
The 19L Explorer Off Piste Rucksack offers an even sleeker exterior that looks right at home in a business meeting but is tough enough to roam in wilder settings too. Like the Apex Rucksack, the Off Piste Rucksack also features a padded 15″ laptop pocket and a removable organization pouch.
The largest piece in the collection is the Explorer Quickdraw Rucksack. A great option if you like flexible storage space, the rolltop backpack can expand from 22L to 26L to suit a variety of changing loads. Like the bags above, you’ll also find padded storage for a 15″ laptop and a removable pouch, with quick-access pockets to keep essentials at the ready.
The 16L Explorer Bivy Tote Rucksack is a savvy pick for those who like adaptable portability. The bag includes top handles and stowable shoulder straps, allowing it to alternate between tote and backpack mode as required. Retractable bottle holders and zippered pockets take care of exterior organization too.
Want to scoop your choice of one of these premium pieces? Enter our giveaway below…
How To Enter
To put yourself in the running as one of three lucky winners, here’s what you need to do.
Our Carry Classifieds community love to geek out on all things carry. From unearthing great brands, to finding better ways to carry. So we’re starting a new series drawing on their solid insights, experience and expertise. Gathering tips, knowledge and wisdom to share with others to help them carry better, whether in their day-to-day lives or on their travels.
Compartmentalize, be it pouch or organizer
Simply: I carry my office in a Knomo Knomad organizer: laptop, pens, chargers, mouse, cards, Kindle, business papers. Everything I need in one spot. And then I simply just place that inside my briefcase.
Andrea Cherubini
Since I work at home I don’t technically qualify as an expert on this issue. I am totally into carrying as little as possible though. So for when I do have to work outside of home, or give a talk or something, I have a pouch (Bellroy Classic), which is just big enough to hold what I need for my laptop and phone to work, filled and ready to go with a battery pack, backup hard drive, USB to USB C adaptor, an extra pair of emergency reading pince-nez glasses, Fisherman’s Friends etc. So I can just grab that and throw it in my backpack without thinking.
Änne Troester
For me it’s about using the right size pouches for the right things and not stuffing too much into them. If you have to dig too much through a pouch to find what you need, it defeats the convenience point of pouches in the first place. You might as well have it all in the bottom of your bag. In my opinion, a bunch of small pouches are better than one massive one.
Brandon Baecker
Make a list to trim down to your essentials
Most of us work in cities or developed areas, so it’s important to avoid falling into a ‘just in case’ mode when carrying. Just bring the essentials and buy those ‘just in case’ items when you need them. To help work out which items land in this category take stock of what you carry with a list and revisit that list in a month. The items you haven’t reached for in that month are obviously redundant and are most certainly ‘just in case’ items.
David Dessus
Keep flat items in flat pockets
This might seem simple but putting flat items in flat pockets has really helped me in keeping a smaller daily bag. Case in point: I wear a Bellroy Duo Totepack almost daily. It is box-shaped and the quick-access pocket’s volume is between the shell fabric adjacent to the wearer’s back and the laptop padding (also close to the wearer’s back). I used to keep my wallet, phone, and keys there until I noticed something poking me. I relegated the contents to another pocket and moved my Kindle to the quick-access pocket and it was immediately the right choice. Keeping lumps in flat pockets, especially close to the shell textile, creates a concentrated wear point if you ever lay the bag on that side and this could result in extra wear in the liner, deforming the bag’s sewn shape etc. Goodness, I could go on but that’s the point I wanted to make!
Saikat Karmakar
Any hooded jacket can be ‘packable’
This is a simple one, but I’ve always done it this way. If your jacket doesn’t pack into its own pocket, keep it compact by rolling it into the hood. Simple, but effective.
Alec Farmer
Bundle pack to save time (and stop wrinkles)
As a traveler, one bundle packing cuts down on wrinkles, and the ensuing time required to prepare for meetings once I arrive at my destination. That always affords me more sleep when I am fighting jet lag.
Jon Custis
Control your cables (with this easy hack)
Cable wrap: Start at USB end. Wrap around four fingers until there’s a little bit left. Pass remainder through loop. Ta-da!
Alan Mayne
No suspension on your laptop compartment, no worries
If for whatever reason you bought a pack without a suspended laptop sleeve or padded base, and you cannot manage setting it down gently when you do so, roll up a sock of sufficient thickness lengthwise and stick it at the bottom.
Jon Custis
Don’t be afraid to mod a great bag to make it better
Sometimes it’s as simple as finding someone with a heavy-duty sewing machine or a local outdoor clothing repair shop. If you love a bag, and feel it’s missing a key feature, add it if you can! Most of the time if done right it won’t void your warranty (always check with the manufacturer if this is a concern). My water bottle will never fall out again!
Brandon Baecker
Invest in an extra strap
When traveling in winter with a full carry-on backpack and your jacket won’t fit, bring an exterior strap (like the DSPTCH Utility Strap, Add-A-Bag Luggage Strap Jacket Gripper from Amazon, or make your own). It’s cold outside but airports are hot, and your gate is always on the complete other side. If you don’t have a spot for a strap, but have a rolltop bag (and the space), you can put it under your rolltop or its strap.
Brandon Baecker
Learn some bag packing basics for everyday
It’s pretty simple: pack your dense/heavy items closer to your back, lighter items farther out, lesser used items toward the bottom, and things you want to get to quickly/often on top or in outside pockets.
On adjustment for comfort: the first thing to learn when stepping beyond the mindset of saggy high school backpacks is to shorten the shoulder straps so that it sits more squarely across your middle/upper back, and then tighten the sternum strap across the middle of your chest to pull the shoulder straps out of your armpits so that the tension is more evenly distributed across your torso, along the length of straps (disclaimer: there may be different considerations for women that my experience doesn’t inform).
I’d also like to add that both of these may need to be tweaked when on a bike – heavier items are often less forgiving when pressed up against your back while you’re bent forward on a bike, so they may need to be moved outward in the pack, and you may want to slacken the shoulder straps a bit so that they don’t dig in when your shoulders move forward reaching for the handlebars.
Per Ellingson
Stay prepared (for $1.99)
Stay prepared for anything by packing a shopping tote like this $1.99 IKEA KNALLA. I added it to my travel pack when someone here shared the idea of “decanting” his bag if gate agents challenged his carry-on’s weight. It works for unexpected shopping at my destination too.
Jon Custis
We hope you picked up some useful tips and if you’ve got a handy hint to share too, let us know in the comments!
Jonny Scrimgour is a 22-year-old from the south coast of England. He is currently teaching English and loves to travel, having visited The Philippines, Mongolia, Russia, and Europe. Now in Mexico and heading south, he takes a “pack light” approach to travel that allows for more freedom and alleviates stress caused by too much baggage. Since he also travels on a pretty tight budget, light packing is ideal as he can easily take his bag on all local transport and never pay hold at the airport. To help inspire your travels, see what Jonny packs for Mexico and Central America below…
This trip will take me through Mexico and Central America (Guatemala – Panama). Throughout those countries I’m bound to face beaches, big cities and mountainous regions. This leads to a wide range of scenarios such as surfing, swimming, fancy bar-going, hiking, sweaty buses and a lot of sun.
I need clothes that suit all of these occasions without screaming tourist. I also make sure all my clothes are anti-odor and dry quickly.
In short I’m going on a backpacking trip but instead of a 65L Osprey I’m opting for a 25L Tom Bihn.
. These t-shirts are great! A comfortable loose fit and plain design, what more could you want? Merino is the obvious choice for me because they stay odorless and are fast-drying. This allows me to wash them in a hostel sink and wear them the next morning.
. This shirt also drys very quickly (a theme throughout the items I pack) and isn’t prone to wrinkles. In reality a merino shirt would be ideal but this costs a fraction of the price and does the job for me.
Standard swimming shorts. The Uniqlo pair are my go-to’s but sometimes I need to wash them and haven’t got time to wait for them to dry before using them again. That’s when the spare pair comes in handy.
A synthetic down jacket for cold climates and extreme air conditioning. It isn’t the warmest and doesn’t pack super small but I got it for £25 online with a big discount. If you couldn’t already tell I’m quite frugal.
PackTowl is a great towel choice as it has anti-odor technology which really works. I’ve used a standard microfiber travel towel before and they smell after one or two uses. This towel also has a drying loop which allows me to hang it, very useful!
A semi-minimalist wallet. I’ve used very minimalist wallets in the past but they’re normally nothing more than card carriers. This wallet allows me to store local notes and coins as well as cards whilst still keeping a slim design.
For me this is essential for washing your clothes by hand. The majority of my washing is in sinks and they rarely have a sink plug. This is a super simple design that covers any sink.
1 x Lock
For hostel lockers.
1 x Tote Bag
This is a simple cotton tote bag. I like to use it for shopping, or as a quick day bag mostly in cities. If I’m carrying more in the day or need more comfort I revert to the Tom Bihn.
This bottle folds up really small when I don’t need it. This is ideal as there is not always free drinking water and I often have to opt for plastic bottles. When that’s the case this can sit in my bag taking up very little space.
Shampoo bars last forever! They don’t take up much space and weigh a fraction of what a bottle of shampoo would. They also double up as a laundry detergent if I’ve run out of laundry powder.
Quite cheap on Amazon. It’s got two USB ports which means I can travel with just USB leads and save space! A very simple product but it’s held up for me so far.
This bag is perfect for me. The organization being on the outside of the pack makes it so easy to use. I’ve used this pack for over a year and it’s been on multiple long trips and has no signs of damage. I intend on using it for many, many years to come.
From premium to budget-friendly, there are plenty of options when it comes to everyday backpacks. But what about when it comes to great value for money? Does the 5.11 Tactical RUSH12 Backpack offer the best ‘bang for your buck’ as an EDC pack? Jump into the details below…
April welcomed in a wealth of enticing new offerings to suit travelers, EDC enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. Luxuriously suave work bags stepped into the spotlight alongside sleek EDC companions and savvy travel clothing designed to help you pack less and explore more. See what stood out as we get into April’s best new gear…
Don’t need to carry a lot? The Brown Buffalo Special Delivery helps you shed the load while keeping essentials secure in a functional, durable design. Made with abrasion-resistant and water-resistant 420D nylon, the bag includes a removable shoulder strap, an interior microfleece sleeve and a key hook for organization on the go.
Trakke aren’t ones to sit back when they can push their designs forward. And that’s exactly what they’ve done with their updated range. A re-release of original designs such as the Arkaig Backpack sit side by side with organization updates to classics such as the Bairn Mini Messenger and Wee Lug Messenger. Not to mention new bags and accessories joining the family too, including the Foulden Tote, Foulden Clamshell Packing Cubes, Vorlich Backpack, Pencil Case and Travel Dopp Kit.
Travel-savvy Tortuga have ushered in updates to their popular Setout Backpack including a new 35L version. Additionally, new colorways including black and navy are available for both sizes. The black and navy color options are crafted from 100% recycled polyester. And for improved carry comfort the Setout Backpack also now comes with load lifter straps.
Keeping clean and dirty clothing separate on your travels can become a bit of a chore. But not with Outlier’s Experiment 156 Supermarine Doublebag. The bag features two separate compartments, one made from DWR-treated Supermarine Cotton sourced from Switzerland, while the other is USA-made mil-spec poly mesh. One side is designed to shrink as the other expands in order to accommodate your changing mix of clean and dirty clothing.
Multiple carry options, thoughtful storage and all in an ambidextrous design that’s quick and easy to use? The Bellroy Sling steps up to offer all of this in sleek, adaptable style. The water-resistant bag features a self-compressing expandable gusset that allows the bag to expand or slim down according to the current load. There’s a front quick-access compartment as well as a soft-lined pocket in the main compartment for sunglasses or a phone. The sling can be worn across your back, chest or on your shoulder. And the magnetic buckle on the strap makes it easy to attach or remove the bag on the go.
Minimalist style meets considered practicality in Aer’s new Travel Duffel. The clamshell design allows for simple packing and access to gear in the main compartment, while exterior quick-access storage keeps items such as a 15″ laptop, water bottle, tickets, passport, phone, and other smaller travel essentials at the ready. The duffel includes compression straps which can accommodate bulkier items such as an outer layer. And it’s made with tough, water-resistant 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon to endure demanding travel use.
Hydration backpacks aren’t a new thing. But a pack that can keep water cold for over four hours? Hydro Flask rise to the challenge with their Journey Series of insulated hydration packs. The bags feature Hydro Flask’s Cold Flow System including an insulated 3L reservoir and a reflectively lined neoprene sleeve to keep water cold, as well as an articulated back panel to prevent the transfer of body heat. The packs come in 10L and 20L options to accommodate smaller or larger loads.
Looking for compact protection for your AirPods while adding a dash of style to your EDC? The NOMAD Rugged Case for AirPods ticks both boxes with its elegant, two-piece design. The case is made with premium vegetable-tanned Horween leather that will develop a unique patina over time while providing drop and scratch protection for your tech.
Travel is tough on your body and your gear. But BauBax’s Travel Pants are designed to make trips easier and more comfortable thanks to their thoughtful feature set and versatile aesthetics. The pants are crafted with a blend of bamboo viscose and merino wool that offers a host of handy travel benefits including itch-free comfort, moisture wicking, odor control, stretch, stain resistance, temperature regulation, lightweight and quick-drying construction, and much more. They offer five pockets to stash essentials at the ready. And with four styles for men and women, you’ve got enticing options to suit your own tastes too.
Looking for a shirt that lets you get active, is easy to travel with and offers eco-friendly construction? The Seadon Regenerative Tee 2.0 is made with bluesign® approved Air-Knit material that’s lightweight, moisture wicking, breathable, quick drying, stretchable and odor resistant. The sustainable fabric is made with recycled plastic bottles and the designs feature comfortable and strong Merrow seams. The shirt comes in long-sleeved and short-sleeved styles to suit men and women.
Simple, functional and ready for a day in the city or outdoors, the Topo Designs x Madewell Hip Pack is a practical choice for securing small loads on the go. Made with 12oz cotton canvas, the limited edition design revives a Topo Designs archived piece and can be worn around the waist or across the back or chest. The Hip Pack includes an interior pocket, key clip, leather lash tab and external gear loops to accommodate a range of load setups.
Rugged and built to perform day in and day out, Dango Products have designed their M1 Maverick Tactical Wallets as multifunctional tools to keep you prepped on the move. And they’ve introduced raw leather versions of both the bifold and single pocket styles. The wallets pair the leather with CNC machined 6061 raw aerospace aluminum for a tough and handsome aesthetic. And both styles also come with an MT04 Multi-Tool offering 10 functions to meet a variety of emergency and everyday needs.
The tough and trusty Greenroom136 Metrodrifter tackles a variety of day-to-day carry needs while keeping gear organized and protected from the elements. The bag offers an adjustable strap, webbing to secure external items, a front zippered compartment and a choice of pockets in the main compartment. The extended inner shell helps keep the contents inside and the weather out, while the durable build is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Clean sophistication and luxurious functionality are front and center with KILLSPENCER’s Esquire Collection. The understated three-piece collection is designed to move smoothly from work to play, keeping you stylish every step of the way. The quality pieces are made in the USA with full-grain leather and scratch-resistant Alcantara® linings to protect tech devices. The Esquire Briefcase includes a luggage passthrough strap and fits up to a 15″ laptop. The Esquire Satchel steps up for smaller loads and accommodates travel or EDC essentials and an iPad Pro. The Portfolio Case securely stores a 15″ laptop and includes space for extra items such as notebooks, as well as a carry loop.
Travel packing space is often limited, but this collaborative collection helps you maximize your travel wardrobe while keeping your packing bulk down. The Descente x DSPTCH Packable Collection features five pieces that combine understated urban styling with compact packability. The packable jacket, vest, shorts, long-sleeve t-shirt and short-sleeve t-shirt fold down into pockets for easy packing. The pieces also offer various benefits such as stretch and water repellency to keep you comfortable on the move.
This collaborative project was born through a happy accident when one of Heimplanet’s founders lost his James Brand Chapter during a hike. He got in touch with The James Brand to organize a replacement, which began a conversation that ultimately resulted in this striking collabortive piece. The limited edition The James Brand x Heimplanet Chapter combines S35VN blade steel with a tanto blade shape and a laser-etched Heimplanet Cairo Camo geometric grid pattern for added grip. The knife is paired with a custom Heimplanet Monolith pouch that protects your essentials from the elements.
Need a bag that’s super rugged, 100% waterproof and designed to take a beating pretty much anywhere while keeping your gear safe from the elements? Colfax Design Works have jumped on the challenge and delivered the impressive Project T.O.A.D. DryBag. Whether you’re exploring deserts or racing down rapids, the Tactical Operations Amphibious DryBag keeps the elements out thanks to its RF welded construction, YKK Aquaseal zipper and TPU-coated 500D Cordura nylon exterior. The bag also includes a locking buoyancy valve to inflate or deflate it as required. The USA-made bag is submersible and can be carried as a backpack or duffel, as well as lashed to vehicles.
Want the freedom to embrace wet adventures on your travels while keeping your dry gear safely separated? Patagonia’s Planing Duffel Bag rises to the challenge with its two-compartment design. The top compartment holds dry or clean gear, while the bottom compartment stores wet or dirty gear separately. There’s also an exterior mesh pocket to store wet items while allowing them to dry. Made with 100% recycled polyester, the duffel includes grab handles and top straps that can double as backpack straps.
Fancy wet/dry carry convenience in backpack mode? Meet Patagonia’s Planing Divider Pack. The backpack features a main compartment to store dry gear, while the front mesh compartment stores wet gear separately while giving it the chance to dry. The pack includes a padded interior 15″ laptop sleeve, along with a padded back panel and breathable hydrophobic shoulder harness to keep you carrying comfortably throughout the day.
If you’re an adventure photographer you need a pack that will embrace demanding environments while giving you quick and easy access to your gear. And the Think Tank Photo MindShift PhotoCross 15 Backpack meets both needs in a sleek, function-packed bag. It’s made with abrasion-resistant, weatherproof materials and zippers and a tough, waterproof tarpaulin base. The pack fits an ungripped DSLR, three to five lenses, and has dedicated padded storage for a 15″ laptop. The full-length side panel lets you quickly and conveniently reach gear throughout the bag without needing to remove the pack from your body. And with straps to secure a tripod or jacket and a choice of pockets on hand, you can keep gear tidy and secure while scouting out that ideal shot.
Slim, versatile and low-key, the CamelBak Pivot Sling Pack is a lightweight bag designed to secure essentials while you’re out and about. The 3L bag can be worn as a waist bag or sling bag and offers a range of pockets to organize small items. The bag is made with 70% recycled materials and is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Luxurious, performance-ready and able to leap across the urban/outdoor chasm at will? Troubadour’s new Explorer Collection does all of this while coming in at affordable price points too. The Explorer Apex Rucksack and Explorer Off Piste Rucksack offer chic work-ready silhouettes, while the Explorer Quickdraw Rucksack adapts to changing loads through its rolltop design. And for flexible portability look to the Explorer Bivy Tote Rucksack which can be carried as a tote or backpack. Made with lightweight, waterproof matte nylon, water-resistant zippers and waterproof antimicrobial linings, the collection finds a great balance of urban styling and outdoor-embracing adaptability.
Getting more from your gear helps you carry less. And the Finisterre Altum Insulated Jacket is designed with this principle in mind. Finisterre’s lightest insulated jacket weighs just 330g and packs into its interior zip pocket, making it a compact option for your luggage or stashing in a day bag. The jacket is made with 100% recycled fabric and is water-resistant, windproof and breathable. And an added bonus? It’s fully reversible, so you get the benefit of two jackets in one.
Working away from a desk is becoming increasingly frequent, whether you’re a digital nomad always on the move, or catching up with some unfinished tasks while enjoying the sunshine in your local park. But finding a place to successfully set up a workstation isn’t always easy. However, the Nomahawk Urban Nomads Bag solves this problem, providing a workstation wherever you are, all in a conveniently portable format. The bag easily transforms into a work space that accommodates your tech or activities such as writing or sketching. Multiple pockets are on hand to keep gear organized, with storage for a laptop and a tablet. If you’re keen to learn more, the bag will be launched through a Kickstarter campaign on 2 May.
Old-school aesthetics, eco-conscious construction and modern-day functionality come together in United By Blue’s Westward Collection. The bags feature a recycled polyester and organic cotton canvas exterior with a double wax coating for durability, water repellency and handsome styling. Adding to the functional design is a water-resistant recycled ripstop nylon lining for tear and stain resistance, as well as durable and lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum hardware. The collection includes eight pieces ranging from backpacks to duffels, a tote, Dopp kit and more. And for added peace of mind, they’re backed by a lifetime guarantee too.
With its clean style and simple, grab-and-go functionality the Away Weekender is an appealing carry choice to reach for, whether you’re heading on an overnight trip, weekend getaway, or have mastered the art of minimalist packing. Suitable for carry-on use, the Weekender is crafted with cotton canvas paired with a leather base and detailing. It offers top handles and a removable shoulder strap and can also be secured to wheeled luggage with the luggage passthrough strap. A padded 15″ laptop pocket protects your tech, while a dedicated shoe pocket stores your shoes separately from the rest of your gear.
Shoes take up a fair amount of space in your luggage. But what if you could pack just one pair that adapted to a multitude of environments? The Tropicfeel Canyon Travel Shoe is a highly versatile shoe designed to move from urban to outdoor environments. Plus it can be used on land and in water for enhanced multifunctionality. The quick-drying and comfortable shoe is sustainably made and weighs just 8.5oz. The slip-on design is easy and quick to use, impact absorbent, breathable and can be worn with or without socks. And with its slip-resistant soles you can leap into adventure with added peace of mind.
Modern meets classic in the Vermilyea Pelle Tech Messenger, a dapper messenger bag that’s built tough to handle demanding use, while looking suave in a work setting. The bag is handcrafted with Horween Black Essex leather, 1050D Cordura ballistic nylon, and an X-Pac lining. Top-notch AustriAlpin Cobra buckles round out the rugged yet stylish design. The messenger fits up to a 15″ laptop in a padded pocket, with further pockets available for storing smaller items.
Japan has long been a top innovator in the carry world, releasing high-quality products that explore new dimensions of functionality and design. Unfortunately for consumers outside of Japan, getting your hands on Japan’s most coveted gear and clothing is often a difficult process.
Many Japanese retailers — Bape, Amazon Japan, Beams, just to name a few — don’t ship overseas and, even if they do, their process is complex, expensive, or both. And that’s assuming they even accept international credit cards and you were able to navigate a poorly translated Kanji-to-English website and find the product you want to buy.
However, there are ways to buy and ship gear overseas from Japan. In this article we’ll go over three main methods:
Then, scroll on to get a full list of recommended Japanese brands to shop from, and the best way to buy from each.
So, if you have your eye on a Japan-exclusive release of a new backpack, or a highly-technical sweatshirt by a small Tokyo-based designer, here’s how to take your gear from digital wishlist to physical mailbox.
Using a Proxy Service to Ship Items from Japan
A proxy service, which acts as a middleman between you and Japanese retailers, is the best and easiest way to buy items from Japan and ship them internationally. Part mail-forwarding service, and part marketplace, these websites will order items on your behalf, ship them to a warehouse in Japan, and then handle the process of shipping them to you — wherever you are in the world.
How it works
While there are several proxy services for ordering items from Japan, ZenMarket is one of the largest and most trusted. For this article, I tested ordering a few items from ZenMarket, which ended up being far less painful than I expected. Here’s how it worked:
Find your item
Find the item you want to purchase, either on the retailer’s site or through a larger marketplace, like Zozo or Amazon.
Add it to your cart
To do this on ZenMarket, you’ll enter the URL of the product you want to buy in the search bar, select the size and color, and hit “add to shopping cart”.
Add funds to your account
Once you have all the items you want to purchase in your shopping cart, add funds to your account. You can do this via PayPal or with a credit card.
Purchase
After adding funds, you can finally click “purchase”. After that, you’ll see your items’ status change to “awaiting buying”. You’ll then wait about 1-2 business days for your items to be bought, then another week or so (depending on merchant) for them to arrive at ZenMarket’s warehouse.
Approve shipping method
Once they have your items, you’ll then have the opportunity to select your shipping method. While there are a lot of options, EMS is the standard method and each proxy service has a full guide to help you navigate your options. They usually ship within 2 days of receiving your item.
Shipping to Australia? Watch out: you’ll be charged a 10% customs fee for any purchase under $1,000 AUD. Unfortunately, this is a fee controlled by the Australian government, and you’ll encounter it on all proxy services, not just ZenMarket.
Receive your item!
Finally, the last and most exciting step: receiving your purchase! While shipping times vary, you should receive your item within 1-2 weeks.
Benefits of using a proxy service
There are three main benefits to using a proxy service when ordering from Japan. First, these websites are in English and a lot easier to navigate than local marketplaces and retailers.
Second, these services take care of everything — placing the order with a local retailer, shipping, parcel insurance, clearing customs, and ensuring that your order ends up on your doorstep.
And finally, they’re set up to receive international payments, either directly through your credit card or via PayPal.
Downsides to using a proxy service
However, this service isn’t cheap and you’ll encounter a number of fees on top of your standard shipping costs. For example, when I went through the process of purchasing two bags from Japan and shipping to Australia, I received the following fees:
Shipping within Japan: 200 JPY ($1.80 USD) per item. 400 JPY ($3.60 USD) total.
Shipping cost to Australia: 4,814 JPY ($43 USD) for the whole parcel.
10% customs tax for Australia: 1,598 JPY ($14)
In addition to the cost of the bag, I ended up paying an additional 7,412 JPY or $66 USD for my order.
PRO TIP: To cut down on your overall cost per item, wait until you have a couple of items in your cart before shipping them to yourself, since shipping costs are calculated per package, not per item.
Best proxy services to use
There are a number of proxy services out there. While we went with ZenMarket (which supposedly has the fastest shipping) for this article, DEJAPAN is good if you don’t want to deposit funds in advance. Depending on what you’re ordering, DEJAPAN and From Japan might also end up being more affordable in the end — especially if you’re only ordering from one seller or brand.
ZenMarket was launched in 2014 and has quickly become the best and most versatile proxy service for shipping items from Japan. Through it, you can order from just about any Japanese store or marketplace.
From Japan, like ZenMarket, is versatile and allows you to purchase items from just about any website. They charge fees per seller/store, not per item, but charge an additional fee for consolidating items across multiple sellers. They’re best if you’re ordering multiple items from a single store/seller.
Buyee is Zozo’s dedicated proxy service but it limits you to the products available on their international website — which doesn’t include everything in their Japan catalogue.
Buy Smart Japan partners with Tokyu Hands, one of Japan’s largest retailers, to help international customers order and ship items from this marketplace.
DEJAPAN, like ZenMarket and From Japan, allows you to purchase and ship items across a number of different retailers. They have a better search functionality on their platform, and are said to be one of the most affordable and responsive proxy services out there. Also this is a service approved by Beams Japan (one of our favorite retailers!).
Parcl is not technically a proxy service but a mail-forwarding service. With Parcl, you’re responsible for ordering the product via the store’s website, then shipping to a warehouse address provided by Parcl. Then, they’ll forward the package internationally. They ship to and from 80+ countries.
While you’ll most likely end up using a proxy service to purchase goods from Japan, there are a few brands you can purchase from directly via their website. There are also several online marketplaces, or websites that facilitate shopping from many different sources (sort of like how REI is a marketplace for multiple different outdoor brands), that support international customers.
In these cases, you’ll be able to add a product to your shopping cart, hit “buy”, and select a shipping method — aaaalmost just like you would if you were shopping on a website in your home country.
Benefits to shipping directly through online marketplaces and brand websites
The biggest pro of this method is its simplicity and, if you’re only buying one or two items, it can seriously cut the cost of using a proxy service — especially since you won’t encounter any additional service, packaging, or consolidation fees. On large marketplaces, like Rakuten, at least, it’s also a pretty straightforward process, easy enough to navigate in mixed Kanji/English via Google Translate, and you can pay via PayPal.
Just note that the shipping cost won’t be calculated until after Rakuten has received confirmation from the seller you’re buying from, in a follow-up email. You then have the opportunity to accept the cost or cancel the order. For example, for a small Mystery Ranch bag, I was faced with the following cost:
Bag: 1,836 JPY ($16.40 USD)
Shipping: 1,864 JPY ($16.60 USD)
Total: 3,700 JPY ($33 USD)
The shipping cost, which was roughly $17 USD, ended up being about half of what I would have paid on a proxy service.
Disadvantages to direct shipping through marketplaces
Of course, there are a few downsides to this method. First, not all products listed on these marketplaces are available to international customers and, even if it seems possible, the shop may deny your request to ship internationally.
Second, these websites don’t have native English versions, so you’ll need to rely on Google Translate to navigate them.
Finally, while it’s often cheaper than a proxy service, it’s still not cheap — though, I guess what can you expect from buying items from abroad?
Also, pay attention to what international shipping means with each of these marketplaces. Some of them don’t technically offer international shipping, but have partnered with a proxy service to provide this for you.
Best Japanese marketplaces to use:
First, there are a couple of marketplaces that support international purchases, like:
Rakuten is Japan’s eBay and, like eBay, has items for sale either through auction or direct buy. Although not guaranteed, many sellers will ship direct to international addresses.
Yahoo!Auctions is another large auction retailer in Japan. Like Rakuten, it’s up to the seller as to whether or not they want to ship internationally. But it’s worth checking if the item you’re searching for isn’t available on Rakuten.
Zozo.jp is Japan’s largest Japanese retailer. They don’t directly ship internationally, but they have their own dedicated proxy service, Buyee. Just note that not every product available on Zozo.jp is available for purchase on Buyee.
Tokyu Hands, like Zozo, don’t technically ship internationally but partner with Buy Smart Japan as their preferred proxy service.
There are also some individual shops/sellers of brands we like who will ship to international customers:
Blue Lug, which sells bike bags and gear, ships internationally, accepts international credit cards and PayPal payments, and processes all orders in USD.
Resistant, a bike-centric carry brand, now ships directly to overseas customers.
Unby, while I was unable to find any specific documentation around international shipping on Unby, they do have an “outside Japan” option on their checkout page and support international payments. Also worth noting this is a kind of hybrid marketplace/brand website, as AS2OV owns this website and sells both their and other brands on Unby.
Hire a Traveler
The third and final way to receive items from Japan is to use a person-to-person delivery app that connects shoppers with travelers going between the country you’d like to order a product from and the country/city you live in.
How it works
These apps connect you with travelers who are going between the country you want to buy something from (i.e. Japan) and your home country (i.e. Canada). You then pay them a small fee (around $20, depending on the item’s size and cost) plus the cost of the item you want to purchase, and the traveler will deliver the item for you.
Benefits to person-to-person delivery
This method only makes sense if you’re looking at exorbitant shipping costs or, for whatever reason, aren’t able to buy the item you wanted through the previous two methods.
For example, when I attempted to purchase a B Jirushi Yoshida from Japanese retailer BEAMS through ZenMarket, I was hit with an error message saying “this item is blocked by our system because we had a negative experience with this seller.” However, I was able to request the item through the person-to-person delivery app Grabr, and easily paid with my American bank account.
Disadvantages to person-to-person delivery
Of course, there are some obvious cons to this method. For one, you won’t be able to return or exchange the item you received. Second, you do have to meet the traveler in person or pick the item up from a public location — which really limits this option just to people living in larger metropolitan areas, and is less convenient than door-to-door shipping. And finally, you’re not guaranteed to match with a traveler in a timely manner — or at all.
Best apps to use
Grabr is really the only platform that fosters person-to-person deliveries. It’s easy to use, get set up, and request items. The one thing I don’t like about it, though, is that you need to link up a bank account — not a debit/credit card or PayPal, which makes me concerned about privacy and security.
Best Japanese Brands for High-Quality Carry
Now that you know how to navigate Japan’s online shopping process as an international customer, what are you going to buy? To start, here are a few of our favorite Japanese brands — large and small — at Carryology:
1. The North Face Purple Label
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
Like many major brands, The North Face’s product line in Japan, Purple Label, is different than what you’d find at home. Led by Japanese designer Eiichiro Homma, The North Face Purple Label blends urban street style with outdoor, technical fabrics to create a compelling line of clothes and bags.
2. PORTER by Yoshida & Co.
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
PORTER, the 57-year-old child brand of parent company Yoshida & Co., is well known in Japan and internationally for its meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful designs. Look to them for carry across a number of different categories — from business to travel and everyday carry.
3. BEAMS
How to buy: Through a proxy service (ZenMarket doesn’t support BEAMS).
BEAMS is a prominent Japanese department store and fashion label, with a wide range of clothing, carry, and even furniture and homegoods. While most of their products are created under their own labels, they also have some extensive collaborations with brands like Arc’teryx, Manhattan Portage, Mission Workshop and Yoshida & Co. (B JIRUSHI YOSHIDA).
4. master-piece
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
master-piece’s bags blend functional design and high-quality craftsmanship with a unique, fashionable aesthetic. As the Carryology team said in our roundup of favorite Japanese brands, master-piece “places high value on superior craftsmanship, creating each of their bags by hand in their BASE OSAKA workshop and taking great pride in showcasing the skills of Japanese artisans to the world.” They’re worth the effort to get your hands on one.
5. Resistant
How to buy: Directly through their website.
Born in the back of a bike shop in the early ‘00s to solve for Japan’s lack of messenger bags, Resistant has now grown into a full-fledged brand creating all-weather gear you can rely on. From backpacks and messenger bags to belts and, yes, even a coffee koozie for your bike, Resistant’s line of bike-centric gear is worth a look. Bonus points: they ship direct to overseas customers.
6. Blue Lug
How to buy: Directly through their website.
A bicycle shop with experience in the bike carry world, Blue Lug carries a great range of totes, backpacks, pouches, and bike bags made from quality, water-resistant materials. You can also purchase a variety of other brands, such as bike bags from Fairweather via Blue Lug.
7. HERZ
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
Rather than Gore-Tex and outdoor-ready designs, HERZ focuses on beautiful, handcrafted leather bags and accessories; a more chic kind of carry. Both long-lasting and designed with a meticulous attention to detail, HERZ’s timeless bags and accessories are a wonderful example of quality, Japanese leatherwork.
8. Postalco
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
From totes to backpacks and wallets to pouches, Tokyo-based brand Postalco brings its minimalist designs to life through traditional Japanese craft skills. Using unique materials such as textured leathers and Farmer’s Felt (a durable paper material), their bags and accessories may look simple, but they’re far from ordinary.
Specializing in everyday carry, FREDRIK PACKERS creates versatile gear designed to take you from business meetings to relaxing afternoons in the park. Their line of handcrafted, nylon messenger bags, backpacks, hip bags, and accessories have an urban aesthetic with a nod to retro outdoor gear. They also have a kids’ line, for little carriers.
10. and wander
How to buy: Directly through their website. They accept international payments via Square. They do not ship to Hong Kong.
and wander’s designs sit between EDC and outdoor-ready. With a wide range of clothes, shoes, and carry made to resist the outdoors, yet give its users a street-ready look, and wander’s product line is an excellent blend of modern, minimalist style and technical features.
11. Briefing
How to buy: They recommend using the proxy service Tenso, but you can use others as well.
Specializing in both carry and wear, Briefing creates classic styles with a modern twist. Although crafted with tough, durable, and lightweight “military-grade” quality in mind, they don’t necessarily retain a military aesthetic (though a number of bags come in camo). Instead, they make use of fabric and design technology developed by militaries to produce classic EDC, travel, and golf bags and clothing.
12. Rofmia
How to buy: Through a proxy service.
Rofmia, a small, lesser-known fashion brand is worth checking out for quality Japanese carry. In addition to their fine leather jackets and bags, they’ve also released the minimalist, understated Shift series of bags made from Dyneema Composite fabrics.
13. Beruf
How to buy: Use a proxy service to buy Beruf items via 1197store.
Tokyo-based bike carry brand Beruf makes sleek, urban-ready bags for any environment. From messenger bags you can toss over your shoulder on a bike ride, to backpacks ready to take you from commute to travel, Beruf’s slick selection of adaptable, weatherproof EDC stands out for both their simple look and functional design.
Japanify Your Carry
While buying Japan-exclusive goods takes a few more steps than your average online shopping experience, it’s not impossible. By using a proxy server, specific marketplaces, or even a person-to-person delivery app, you’ll be able to buy and ship any of the Japan-only carry you’ve been daydreaming of.
Thanks to an ever-increasing array of tech and gadgets, you’re no longer restricted to working in one location. If you want to get things done while out and about, a mobile workstation can help you do that, giving you the freedom to take care of tasks wherever the day takes you. This mobile workstation can be carried every day and might just inspire you to get started on setting up your own…
Got a flight coming up? Whether you’re heading on a business trip or a holiday, having a good carry-on bag by your side will help keep gear tidy and accessible. And if you’re looking for a new travel companion, this roundup of four awesome carry-on bags might hold one that’s just right for you. So take a closer look as we unpack an overview of the OPPOSETHIS Invisible Carry-on, the EVERGOODS Civic Transit Bag, the North St. Bags Weekender Backpack and the Aer Travel Duffel…
Whether you’re traveling, going to work or packing your laptop for a weekend away, tech is some of the most expensive gear you’re likely to be carrying. So you want to be sure that your bag will give it the protection it deserves. And since laptops can be fairly heavy, a backpack is a good choice for helping distribute that extra load. But there’s no reason you can’t enjoy a little style with that tech protection too. And you don’t need to spend a small fortune to get it. These 8 stylish laptop backpacks under $250 will protect your tech in urban-friendly style…
Slim, elegant and practical for work or the weekend, the Knomo Southampton Laptop Backpack is a suave choice for carrying the essentials in style. It’s made with herringbone twill polyester and PU trim in a lightweight, compact design that easily navigates through crowded commutes or busy travel locations. The pack offers two compartments and a variety of pockets to organize your gear, including a dedicated padded 15″ laptop compartment. And at this price, it’s great value for money too.
Partial to timeless style, simplicity and straightforward functionality in your carry? The updated Bellroy Classic Backpack will see you right with its clean silhouette, useful organization and all-day carry comfort. The pack securely holds a 15″ laptop within an interior protective sleeve, with further interior pockets and two exterior pockets on hand to neatly store smaller essentials. Crafted with sustainably produced fabric and environmentally certified leather, the Classic Backpack offers a dialed-in mix of lumbar support, contoured shoulder straps and improved back padding to keep you comfy on the go.
Can’t decide between a backpack, shoulder bag or briefcase? Why choose when you can get all three courtesy of the Aer Flight Pack 2. This thoughtfully designed bag includes stowable backpack straps, a removable shoulder strap, padded top and side handles, as well as a luggage passthrough sleeve. The front organization compartment provides plenty of pockets for smaller work, travel or EDC essentials, while the main compartment accommodates larger items such as a 15″ laptop within a padded pocket. The durable, water-resistant 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior will easily stand up to the demands of travel or everyday use, while the low-key looks suit office environments and urban sightseeing trips equally well.
Fancy a bag designed to fly under the radar, adapt to a variety of work and play environments, and all with a lightweight, weatherproof build? The OPPOSETHIS Invisible Backpack Three should definitely be on your shortlist. Combining a gym bag and laptop bag in one, the pack provides a dedicated 15″ laptop compartment, a separate shoe pocket, as well as additional pockets for smaller and quick-access items. Made with a 800x600D weatherproof nylon-polyester blend, the bag’s considered mix of minimalist styling and functional design makes it a savvy choice for weekdays and weekends alike.
The striking silhouette of RYU’s Locker Pack LUX makes this a great choice for users seeking a sporty chic statement piece that blends work and workout adaptability. The molded internal shell maintains the pack’s shape whether it’s full or empty, while the drop front opening lets you easily pack and retrieve gear throughout the main compartment. The water-repellent bag has a range of exterior and interior pockets to keep items tidy, including an externally accessed laptop sleeve that fits up to 15″ devices.
Inspired by the Mars Saheki crater, the Sormonne Saheki Black Backpack combines eye-catching aesthetics with everyday practicality. It’s crafted with a combination of braided black nylon, polyester and cotton yarns, combined with a black EcoYarn back panel. In the main compartment is a padded 13″ laptop pocket and four additional storage pockets, while the exterior provides two discreet quick-access pockets. If you like fashion-friendly style balanced with functionality, this is a fine pick.
Want a luxurious look and feel without the luxe price tag? Troubadour’s Explorer Apex Rucksack offers their signature minimalist aesthetics and premium quality, all for a reasonable cost. Plus with its versatile urban/outdoor design, you get good multifunctionality too. The pack is made with waterproof matte nylon, a waterproof antimicrobial lining and weatherproof zippers to protect the contents from the elements. And the sleek, durable design lends itself to office environments and exploring the trails too. The Apex features a padded interior 15″ laptop pocket, along with a useful removable pouch to securely store smaller items.
Durable, weatherproof and exuding pared-back, urban styling, the Granville 16 Zip Backpack offers an excellent blend of technical construction and understated functionality. The pack features Arc’teryx’s highly water-resistant AC² construction, with taped seams, WaterTight zippers and N400r-AC² nylon 6 ripstop. Ready for a range of elements and everyday use, the pack opens wide for easy access to the main compartment, where you’ll find a padded 15″ laptop sleeve, document sleeve, and stretch mesh zippered pocket. Externally there’s also a quick-access pocket for smaller, frequently used items.
Welcome to our Seventh Annual Carry Awards! One of the most exciting times in the carry calendar, these awards celebrate the best carry across a host of niches, from travel bags to pocket-friendly EDC. And we’re pleased to welcome a new award category this year, Best Sling Bag. So there’s even more opportunity to single out solid gear for the praise it deserves.
This is my first editorial for Carryology and I couldn’t be more excited! We have been getting a lot of questions on the different opening methods for EDC knives, so I wanted to break it down for you: the good, the bad, and the awkward. I hope you dig it.
The Nail Nick
The nail nick is most commonly found on the slip joint and manually opened knives, like the Swiss Army Knife. The milled groove allows for your nail to dig in and provide enough purchase to open the knife. If you want to get even fancier, there are nail nick tools that are like small prybars that fit into the nick and assist in the opening. Nail nicks can be found in many forms, from short crescent grooves, to longer cuts that mimic a fuller down the length of the blade. This opening method is best for when you don’t mind using two hands, and don’t want to scare your non-collecting friends the next time you need to cut a piece of pie.
Pros:
Easy to learn
Traditional, non-threatening
Non-locking blades are typically legal in more places
The thumb stud, second on my list of preferred opening methods (second only to the fidget factor of the front flipper), comes in two flavors. First, you have the true thumb stud, which has one lug protruding from the blade. In order to open this, hold the knife so that your fingers are not on the lock bar. Then, apply pressure with your thumb and follow the opening path of the knife while applying pressure to the stud. You can slow open the knife, allowing your thumb to ride the stud all the way until the lock position. Alternatively, using your flexed thumb on the thumb stud, you can build slight pressure and then quickly move your thumb in the opening motion without following the track. This will give you that satisfying flick open and subsequent lock sound.
The Dual thumb stud, like that on the Efros Ice Lite and Chaves Ultramar, is the same in concept to the traditional thumb stud, but this one has two lugs protruding from both sides of the blade. This allows you to use your thumb, as stated above, or your index or middle finger on the bottom lug. The concept is the same, but you can do it from underneath the knife, while maintaining a solid grip.
Pros:
Sturdy one-hand opening option
Dual Thumb Studs allow for thumb or index/middle finger opening
Good for rapid or slow deployment
Cons:
Can be tough to master for the beginner
Sometimes harder to use with work gloves given the closeness of the stud to the frame
The flipper tab is probably (I know I am making someone angry) the easiest quick-open technique to master. A flipper, like a thumb stud, is generally found on a knife with a locking mechanism. For instance, the Pat Hammond Mini Scout is a frame-lock folding knife with a flipper tab. These types of knives are great for one-hand deployment – which is necessary for any number of scenarios from needing to cut fishing line while maintaining a taut line, to needing to cut a seat belt while your other arm is pinned. Additionally, flipper tabs are easier to use with gloves on, which is why they are my go-to for my boot knife.
To deploy a flipper knife, hold the knife in a way (for instance when a frame-lock is used) where your fingers are not on the lock bar. Typically, I will place mine on the clip. Using your index finger, create some pressure on the knife’s detent and then quickly push down and in, causing the blade to fire out. There! You have mastered the flipper tab!
Pros:
Fun to learn, easy to master
One-handed opening
Ambidextrous
Fast deployment
Cons:
Protruding flipper tab
Hand placement – sometimes the way you hold your hand to open the knife is not the same position you would be in to use the knife
As I mentioned earlier, the front flipper brings with it a lot of fidget factor, in my opinion. Being able to roll your thumb over the top of the knife and quickly knock the tang in to create a swooping open motion is pretty epic. This is why I’m hooked on the Baby Barlow designed by Justin Lundquist.
There are two common methods to opening a front flipper. Just like with the other locking knives mentioned, you will want to ensure that your fingers are not putting any pressure on the lock bar. The first method is to choke down a bit on the knife, place your flexed thumb on the tab and roll your thumb quickly over the top. The second method requires (if you have smaller hands like I do) to choke up on the knife a bit. You then arch your index finger over the top of the knife and pull the tab back towards your hand quickly, firing out the blade. Like thumb studs and flippers, front flippers are great for one-handed opening. However, I wouldn’t recommend them for use while wearing gloves, as it is important to get the correct purchase on the knife.
Pros:
Increased fidget factor
Upward protrusion of the flipper tab to be inline with the knife, rather than out the side
Can be operated by the thumb or index finger
Cons:
Hand placement for opening is sometimes not the same for use, requiring adjustment
Great design keeps pushing forward, aiming to improve on what’s come before. Not only by changing what doesn’t work so well, but also by making the good even better. And Trakke are a brand constantly embracing that push. Building on their experience, honed skills, learning curves and customer interaction to evolve as a brand and enhance their offerings. Learnings they have applied to their new collection, providing dialed-in redesigns alongside new product launches. Here are five reasons why you should check out their new collection…
A pattern for improved construction
Trakke are a close-knit team that clearly love what they do. And that enjoyment shows through in their commitment to continually improving their craftsmanship. Over the years the Glasgow-based team have honed their skills and improved their production process. The new collection welcomes more complex patterning and improved structures. The bags are handcrafted in a way that maintains their shape even when empty. No unsightly slumping or flattening out here. Simply put, they’re making today what they couldn’t three years ago and that evolution in construction is evident.
Tougher and more luxurious
After listening to customer feedback, Trakke decided to swap their wet-finish waxed canvas for a heavier weight fluorocarbon-free waxed canvas with a dry finish. This fabric provides enhanced durability while also offering a more luxurious feel. Not to mention that the dry finish is easier to clean. Dirt can be brushed off, so you can worry less about cleaning and embrace those outdoor adventures. Essentially, you’re getting all the benefits of waxed canvas without the waxy feel. The dry-finish waxed canvas also creases less than the original fabric, helping the bags look newer for longer. Additionally, the collection offers more minimalist, subtle branding with black labels on the bags and small pops of orange on the accessories.
Easy weather protection
In addition to its hard-wearing durability, waxed canvas is a great fabric choice for providing protection from the elements. But reproofing the fabric is good practice in order to maintain its effective water repellency. And the collection is easily reproofable with a spray you can purchase from Trakke. Straightforward to use, you simply spray the bag where required and leave it to dry overnight. No hard wax or hairdryer required. Reproofing once a year should be sufficient for most bags, though this frequency will depend on individual use and weather conditions. Plus not only do the bags have weatherproof exteriors, but weatherproof linings too for added peace of mind.
Carry with environmental consideration
Trakke have valued sustainable construction from day one and have worked throughout the years to minimize their environmental impact. The more eco-friendly collection transitions from polyester webbing to cotton webbing, removing a significant source of synthetic product from the bags. The collection is almost entirely plastic-free apart from the weatherproof zippers. And the majority of their materials and hardware are sourced in the UK from British manufacturers, supporting local businesses and increasing supply chain transparency.
Updated styling and more user-friendly designs
Trakke’s collection features a range of design improvements encompassing access, organization, comfort and versatility. More structured silhouettes up the stylish feel of the bags. And three colorways make up the core range. Black, navy and olive were chosen for their timelessness and ability to adapt to the great outdoors. But guest colors and fabrics will be dropping in to keep the core range fresh. Currently the Cumin colorway is stepping up to shine, bringing a dash of vibrancy to your carry setup.
Delving a little into individual pieces, the Wee Lug gets an organization update with improved interior organization and externally accessible pockets. Paired with the bag’s quick-release strap, you can now get to essentials in a jiffy. The updated design also sits more comfortably on the hip and high on the back, with a grab handle at the ready too.
The redesigned Bairn Mini Messenger takes inspiration from the Bannoch and welcomes a laptop sleeve, grab handle and expanding front pockets.
The Bannoch Backpack is now compatible with Trakke’s padded waist belt, while the Arkaig rejoins the ranks and is a slightly smaller re-release of the original. The Fingal gets the updated treatment too with a laptop sleeve, improved pocketing, enhanced strap comfort and a sleeker silhouette.
The Storr’s volume has been increased to 35L, with a small front zip pocket added too. The increased capacity makes this a solid one-bag travel companion, and with the ability to attach a Laggan accessory pouch you have modular organization options too. Interior pockets on the flap can be accessed without fully opening the clamshell. Top, bottom and side grab handles enhance maneuverability, and you can pair the pack with an optional padded waist belt for heavier loads.
In addition to thoughtful design updates, the collection introduces new pieces such as the Foulden Clamshell Packing Cubes to keep gear tidy on the go, as well as the packable Foulden Tote that’s handy for a grocery shop or storing in your luggage as a day bag. The Vorlich Backpack, Pencil Case and Travel Dopp Kit also join the Trakke family. The Vorlich was inspired by the Óg, which Trakke initially intended to update and re-release. But it developed into its own distinct design ready to conquer wilder terrain. Positioned as an expedition bag, the Vorlich offers rolltop and front access to get to gear throughout the pack.
Bags for life
Trakke’s new collection is made to get out there and help you carry confidently, whether that’s a commute to work, strolling to the beach, tackling the trails or zipping through airports. Encompassing urban, outdoor, travel and cycling bags and accessories, it’s the kind of gear that caters to your multifaceted lifestyle. Even better, it comes with a generous dose of versatility to move between spheres if it needs to, so you can do more with less. And since their gear is built to last a lifetime, you can enjoy its style, functionality and durability for years of adventure to come.
Let’s be honest. A lot of briefcases can be a little, well, lacklustre. Sure, they’ll carry your work supplies. But they don’t elicit any strong emotions from their users. However, Stuart and Lau’s Cary Briefcase is different. Immediately it draws the eye with its suave yet professional aesthetics. A bag that isn’t boring but instead adds a dapper touch to your day. Then to be backed up by premium materials, excellent craftsmanship and a practical design with a range of useful features? What’s not to like? The thing is, why stop with a good thing when you can improve it? So Stuart and Lau didn’t stop. Instead, they got to work on making their award winning briefcases even better…
Sized to suit your needs
You might need to carry a fair amount to work each day. Alternatively, you may commute with a minimalist load. So doesn’t it make sense to have a bag that suits your personal setup? That’s why Stuart and Lau have welcomed a slimmer version of their Cary Briefcase and now offer their renamed briefcase collection in three sizes.
The Cary Briefcase – Slim is a sleek and stylish option for carrying the essentials. The full clamshell design enables easy packing and access, while the slim size also offers weight savings over the two larger sizes. If you like the style and function of an attache case with understated aesthetics and a sophisticated feel, the Cary Briefcase – Slim is a smart choice.
If you need to carry a little extra, look to the collection’s two larger offerings. The Cary Briefcase – Single and Cary Briefcase – Double both offer an extra two inches of depth over the Slim. These briefcases are the same size but differ in their organization, offering single and dual compartments respectively to suit different setup preferences.
Rolling with travel use
If you’re traveling with multiple bags, the ability to secure them together for all-in-one portability makes things a lot easier. Now you can easily attach Stuart and Lau’s briefcases to wheeled luggage courtesy of their add-a-bag sleeve for suitcases. This feature is available on the Cary Briefcase – Single and Cary Briefcase – Double. The sleeve has a hidden opening on the bottom, walled off in a way that prevents items placed in the top from falling through the bottom.
Added packable storage at the ready
Want to make a quick grocery shop after work? Or need more carry space for your travels or a larger work load? Stuart and Lau have designed a packable shopper tote that folds into itself and neatly stores away in a concealed sleeve on the back of the two larger briefcase sizes (note, this feature is not included with the Cary – Slim).
The tote is made from lightweight, highly water-resistant nylon and designed with long-lasting quality in mind. So no more need for single-use plastic bags or throwaway travel storage.
And for added functionality, the concealed sleeve doubles as a water bottle pocket for quick-access storage. The sleeve is also lined with the same water-resistant material as the tote.
Improved internal organization
The briefcases’ interior organization has undergone a revamp, providing slip pockets on one side and two zippered mesh pockets on the opposite side. These changes reflect customer feedback requests, as well as increased efficiency in construction which reduces material waste.
Tagging daily and travel practicality
Following customer feedback, Stuart and Lau learned that their luggage tag pen wasn’t really widely used. So they’ve altered the luggage tag with a more universally useful design. A quick-access card slot with a thumb cutout on the back allows you to store a frequently used item such as a metro card or the likes of a name tag or business card. Additionally, if you want to add that personalized touch there’s space on the front for embossing your initials.
A classy key addition to EDC
Stuart and Lau will also be offering an add-on upgrade for their key fob. A stylish key ring crafted from stainless steel and an attractive leather wrap.
The standalone product pairs well with the magnetic docking tab in the briefcases and will be made in leather colors to match the bags. The key ring comes with an ID tag that can be engraved with contact information or initials.
Stuart and Lau’s collection of updated briefcases are available to pre-order now and will ship on 15 June 2019.
This article was published in partnership with our curated sponsor, Stuart and Lau
Few names in the world of carry are as respected as Arc’teryx. So when they released not one, but five new bags as part of their new Granville line I was eager to see what these packs could do. While the efficient design and clean aesthetic of these bags is immediately apparent, I reached out to Katie Mah, Lead designer of the Granville line and Vincent Beasse, Pack and Hardgood Product Line Manager at Arc’teryx to really get a sense of how the Granville line works.
The Lineage
As Katie explains, the predecessor to the whole Granville line was the Granville Pack. Part of a series of three urban bags, the original Granville was the most technically minded pack. It’s from this bag that the new Granville line evolved.
When building the current Granville line, this backpack was the starting point and built out from there. Long-time Arc’teryx fans will recognize the new Granville 20 Backpack as an evolved version of the original pack. And for those wondering, the name Granville refers to a major thoroughfare in Vancouver and the original name of Vancouver pre 1886.
While the bags are all fairly distinct, there’s a lot of commonality between their design. The most obvious is in the construction. All the bags use Arc’teryx’s AC² (Advanced Composite Construction), which combines a waterproof and durable 420D bondable fabric with custom components that can be laminated to the fabric, avoiding the constraints of traditional cut-and-sew construction. The seam-sealed bags are tough, lightweight and weatherproof, boast WaterTight zippers, and are decked out with similar hardware. However in talking with Katie and Vincent, it becomes clear how many requirements beyond keeping a consistent appearance these five bags were designed to meet.
“Our offerings for the urban environment have definitely evolved,” explains Vincent. “Years ago you could see people around the [Arc’teryx] office using the Alpha FL backpack [a hardcore alpine pack] because there were no small daypacks in our product line.”
Design DNA
With the new Granville line Arc’teryx is now designing daypacks with a worldwide audience in mind. Katie tells me that while the material and construction on the Granville line remains identical to that of Arc’teryx’s dedicated outdoor bags, the design goals have definitely shifted.
For the Granville line Katie explains there were six key design points. First, how can these bags be designed to allow for movement and efficiency while keeping a clean aesthetic? Second, how can the organization of all the bags be simplified while, third, allowing for ease of access? Fourth, and the team is very proud of this, how can high-quality suspensions be built that work for all body types, regardless of gender? Fifth, how can the security of the bags be increased? And finally, how can this all be done while maintaining high-quality touch points throughout the line?
Sounds simple, right?
Granville 20 Backpack
20L, 30 oz, $229
If a suave messenger bag (we’ll say the Granville 16 Courier Bag) had a love child with a sleek backpack (perhaps the Granville 16 Zip Backpack), the Granville 20 Backpack would be the result. The bag is first and foremost a backpack, no question there, but the layout and access of this bag make it feel like a messenger bag.
In talking with Katie and Vincent, it becomes clear how many requirements beyond keeping a consistent appearance these five bags were designed to meet.
Opening up the bag one-handed thanks to the Arc’teryx release buckle reveals the classic messenger bag layout – a flap concealing a small zippered compartment and the main, also zippered area. Curious about why a zipper would be placed beneath the flap and not just zip the entire flap, Vincent explains that “the APAC (Asia Pacific) region wanted more security in their bags while the American region wanted ease of access.” This design is the result of artfully catering for both markets.
Personally I’m a big fan of building a zipper into the flap design of this bag as I’ve never fully trusted traditional messenger bags to prevent my gear from falling out. It’s a very sharp design, even incorporating a grab handle to help get into the bottom of the bag.
Inside the Granville 20, it feels like I’ve got a mobile office on my back. There’s a frame sheet in the back to help the bag carry and add support. On top of this there are two sleeves, one for a 15″ laptop, and a zippered pouch for cords. Due to some great design the laptop sleeve floats in the bag. It’s surprisingly protected despite the apparently minimal padding.
I enjoy how this bag carries, though it rides high on the back. For a day when I’ve got a computer, files, and lunch with me I’m reaching for the Granville 20 Backpack. Furthermore, if I had to choose just one bag from the Granville line to use on a daily basis, the Granville 20 Backpack would be it.
Granville 16 Zip Backpack
16L, 26 oz, $249
While owning an Arc’teryx Veilance Nomin 2.0 pack is a dream we all share, it’s going to remain a dream for most because of its $800 price tag. Enter the Granville 16 Zip Backpack, the next closest bag in the Arc’teryx lineup (appearance-wise) at a third of the price.
Side note, I asked Vincent about the similarities between the Nomin 2.0 and Granville 16. As he explained, while they both use the same AC² construction, the Granville 16 has a much more cushy suspension and totally different organization system.
That said, the Granville 16 Zip Backpack is a workhorse of a bag. I find it very easy to use in the sense that all of its pocketing fits my EDC without having a bunch of unused or pointless pockets. Likewise its access points are all extremely logically placed. The main pocket holds a pair of zippered pockets and sleeves. The forward pocket can also be accessed from a side zipper which I appreciate when biking with this bag, as I can easily sling it over one shoulder to get inside. Finally there’s a top zippered pocket to hold keys and a wallet.
At 16 liters I’m not exactly carrying heavy loads with the Granville 16 Zip Backpack, but whatever I am schlepping is carried very effectively thanks to the addition of a frame sheet. This frame sheet adds enough rigidity to the backpack so that biking in a hunched over position won’t put that force on my laptop.
The Granville 16 Zip Backpack is a workhorse of a bag.
For both the Granville 16 and Granville 20 backpacks, the frame sheet is sewn into the shoulder panels of the bags. While astute Carryologists will notice a zipper concealing the frame sheet, Vincent explains that this zipper is there only for the construction of the backpack, which is why it’s inside out.
While for most bags a frame sheet is the literal backbone of the suspension system, Katie describes that with the Granville line the frame sheet is just one component of an effectively carrying bag. “To allow these bags to fit a wide range of bodies, a lot of form had to be built into the packs. In addition to a rigid frame sheet, this can be done thanks to the properties of the AC² construction.”
What this means when wearing the bags is that they fit better into the lumbar and wear closer across your back. What’s more, the entire Granville line has been designed to have a non-gendered fit. The bags will all fit comfortably whether you’re a 1.6-meter tall female or a 2-meter tall male. The suspension on these bags is really something special that has spoiled me during my few months of testing the Granville line.
Granville 16 Courier Bag
16L, 23 oz, $199
The messenger (courier) bag. For being such a ubiquitous piece of carry, so many messenger bags frankly just don’t carry all that well. While the Granville 16 Courier is a fairly simple bag as far as features go, there’s a lot that went into the patterning of this bag. The result is a bag that is absolutely dialed in with its fit and carry.
Starting with the back panel, there’s one piece of molded foam with a pair of creases on both sides. When I’m on my bike, instead of this bag wanting to rotate around my body, the Granville 16 Courier is naturally sitting in the contours of my back.
There’s then a reversible chest strap with a nice touch of metal hardware that further secures the bag where it’s needed. Katie points out that a big reason why this bag wraps so closely around the body is the way in which the panels of the bag have been shaped during the construction process.
While for most bags a frame sheet is the literal backbone of the suspension system, with the Granville line the frame sheet is just one component of an effectively carrying bag.
Flipping the bag over there’s a zippered flap that conceals the main compartment and a separate smaller exterior pocket. Spoiler alert, if you’ve read the section about the Granville 20 Backpack, the layout of the Granville 16 Courier is nearly identical. The only difference being the lack of a frame sheet and an array of pouches laid out slightly differently. Still, a 15″ laptop will fit comfortably inside along with a day’s worth of gear.
A common theme throughout the entire Granville line is the use of high-quality touch points. All the latches, zipper pulls, harnesses, etc. were designed in-house with an impressive amount of iterations, from designing out of clay to 3D printing. Arc’teryx gear heads will recognize the latches as similar to the belt latches found on Arc’teryx pants.
Of all the bags in the Granville line, I find the padding on this strap (and the Granville 10 Courier) to be the most comfortable. It’s much thinner and wider than the straps on the two backpacks and in turn it sits easier across my chest. If these bags weren’t so expensive and I actually knew how to sew, I would be tempted to Frankenstein these straps onto the backpacks. They’re that good.
Granville 10 Courier Bag
10L, 18 oz, $179
The Granville 10 Courier Bag can best be summed up as follows. Take the Granville 16 Courier Bag, shoot it with a shrink gun (with the volume dial set to 10 liters), and boom, you’ve got the Granville 10 Courier Bag.
To be fair, the design process was a bit more nuanced than that. As Katie explains, “the Courier 10 Bag evolved directly from requests from APAC customers to meet the market desire for small sling bags.”
Yes, the two bags are identical save for an ever so slightly different interior pocketing layout. That and the space for a 15″ laptop is now designed for a 12″ laptop. I do appreciate Arc’teryx keeping dual buckles on this bag (as they did for the 16L version) as these are very pleasing to use and keep some perspective on the bag from looking too small.
Granville 18 Tote
18L, 12 oz, $119
In the world of carry, a tote is the equivalent of the egg test in a restaurant – can a chef prepare a simple egg to perfection? Totes are ubiquitous, simple and sold at Ikea for $1. So what does a $120 tote bring to the table?
Simply put, the Granville 18 Tote is a splendid piece of carry. As all totes are, it’s straightforward. There’s two compartments, the main zippered body and a smaller pouch for a wallet and keys. On the exterior there’s a pair of grab handles and a detachable shoulder strap. That’s it.
But let’s talk about how the Granville 18 Tote carries. Walking with the empty tote at my side it’s got this immaculate balance as it swings effortlessly in my hand. When loaded, the five panels of this bag give it both an eye-catching cross hatch pattern and the ability to carry surprisingly heavy loads. The Granville 18 Tote has become my go-to grocery getter and a perfectly sized carry-on when traveling.
Wrapping Up
After a few months using all five of these bags I’m genuinely impressed with the overall line. Not just based on how excellent they are to carry with, but how well they’ve stayed true to the six design points put out for the Granville line. Design points that aren’t just marketing jazz, but really built into the DNA of the bags.
Sure, on the surface they’re sharp-looking bags accented with some really good touch points. But as you get more familiar with the bags those design points really start to stand out.
With the new Granville line Arc’teryx has created an exceptional line of everyday bags. Yes, they’re expensive and the size is on the smaller side. That said, if you’ve got your carry dialed in and are looking for a bag that carries well, looks stunning and is built as good as they come, the Granville line is it.
When you’re adventuring, be it a multi-day trek or catching a flight for a weekend trip, there are certain small items you’ll want within easy reach. Perhaps emergency supplies for outdoor use, a charging cable to juice tech on your travels, or small everyday items like a flashlight or toiletries. And storing these items in a pouch is a great way to keep them together and quickly accessible rather than wasting time hunting for them. Plus the added benefit of pouch storage? You can swap gear between bags in a jiffy or simply use the pouch as standalone storage.
And if you really want to step up your adventure pouch game, Nite Ize (the awesome sponsor of this post) delivers innovative waterproof protection with the RunOff 3-1-1 Pouch. Not only will it protect the contents from the elements, accidental spills or river dunkings, but also protect the rest of your gear from leaks if you’re storing liquids inside. See what sort of things you can carry in this versatile pouch.
My next big trip is an Olympic Peninsula traverse in July. Sixty-eight miles on foot. Thirty-five by raft. The idea is to make it east to west from the Puget Sound to the Pacific Ocean. The Nite Ize RunOff 3-1-1 pouch is a perfect place to keep my maps and nav gear protected and easily accessible as me and my buddy slog it out over five days and 20k feet of vert hiking in the wonderfully unpredictable Pacific Northwest weather. Once we hit the rafting leg, it should be smooth sailing, but I’ll still have my necessities close at hand with the RunOff 3-1-1 strapped around my waist as a fanny pack. ‘
*Note–you can fit a 1″ buckle and a 1.5″ piece of webbing through the loops for mounting options*
This is my grab-and-go kit for anytime I am taking a short weekend trip or a flight with checked bags. It has all my essentials I don’t want to forget and it’s easy to have it all in one waterproof pouch.
-Leatherman Free P2 – ever since Leatherman announced this game changer, I have been counting the days ’til the release. I finally got a P2 in my hands and the magic of magnets is real. With 19 tools including a combo knife, scissors, screwdrivers and of course the signature Leatherman pliers, this is a great all-in-one tool solution.
-Inventery Interchangeable Mechanical Pen + Pencil – I am a big fan of Inventery’s writing instruments and this is no different. Milled from brass, this is a combination mechanical pen and pencil. Both utilize mechanisms from Schmidt including the 9000 EasyFlow refill which is one of my favorites because of the smooth writing. Swapping components in and out is a breeze while maintaining the smaller size that you can’t get with a normal multipen setup.
-Zebralight SC64C 18650 Flashlight – I’ve always been a fan of ZebraLight’s headlamps but after reading much praise about their full-size lights, I picked up this 18650 light. The standout feature here is the use of a Samsung LH351D emitter which has a high CRI (90+) while being really efficient. I love the 4000K color temperature and the size is super compact; not much larger than the battery itself.
-Aukey 10000mAh Power Bank with USB-C and Power Delivery – this is probably the best power bank I have ever used. It not only has two USB-A ports including Quick Charge 3.0 but also has a USB-C port with 18W of PD in both directions. It’s also energy dense for the size and has enough juice to charge my smartphone 2-3 times before calling it quits.
-TinyPi Pro – This Kickstarter project is the tiniest RetroPie setup I’ve seen. It runs off a Pi Zero W and can play any system up to Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advance, with ease. The case is 3D printed using a SLS process which has far more detail than traditional FDM printers. The screen is super sharp and even small text is easy to read. The speakers are the mobile phone variety but get quite loud at full volume. I can literally carry around thousands of games on a device that I can technically carry on a keychain.
-Amazon Basics USB Type-C Cable, 6 inches – Long cables are a dime a dozen but short charging cables are a godsend when you need to hook up to a battery pack but don’t want a bunch of slack; this is the one to get.
I’m a film editor by trade and so having the right tech tools on hand is super important. And everything else I carry helps keep me prepared for little challenges that might pop up, from gaffers tape to a plain ol’ lighter.
I travel quite a bit for work, both domestically and internationally. I find the Nite Ize pouch to be the perfect carry companion for my basic EDC survival/boo-boo kit. It holds all of the contents nicely and there are two things I love about it. First, it lets me travel without any concern of leakage contaminating the rest of my kit. Second, it is long so it keeps everything relatively flat, making it perfect for flat pockets that don’t have dedicated volume.
Here is what I carry daily, regardless of where I am going:
We’re lucky to have an exceptionally passionate community who know their stuff and are always seeking better ways to carry. And that includes constantly researching, tweaking and honing their daily setups. Enter Edwin Kuo, an EDC enthusiast who was determined to tackle the widespread problem of single-use plastic with a dialed-in DIY kit…
If you haven’t noticed, we are drowning in single-use plastic – shopping bags, cutlery, straws and cups – and it’s affecting the world and wildlife around us. For the sake of the planet and all its inhabitants I thought it was vital that I do something to combat this problem. But recycling alone isn’t enough. I needed to take steps towards removing single-use plastics from my life. But, let’s be honest, using single-use plastic is convenient. And that convenience is hard to resist.
And so my ‘Reusable Kit Challenge’ was born, and the editors at Carryology asked me to share it with you all.
I wanted to put together an EDC pouch setup that made it easy for me to carry reusable products when I was out and about: cups, straws, cutlery, all reusable. So I wouldn’t be forced to collect any more plastic that’ll end up in landfill, streets or our waterways.
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I narrowed it down to the HYDAWAY and the HydraPak Stash because of how flat they compressed and how easy they were to clean. Choosing products that were easy to clean was essential to my process.
. . .
The Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Straws were selected because their colorful and removable silicone flex tips made them easier to clean after use.
I also recently backed the Rain Straw on Kickstarter. These are straws that split apart into two interlocking pieces. These might work better, but as of this writing, the campaign has not ended yet.
Finding the right pack and straw pouch were the hardest part of assembling the kit. I wanted to find unique pieces but still keep within a reasonable budget. The straw pouch came from an Etsy shop, ForTheLoveOfApronsCo. The shop offers an excellent range of colorful styles, and the pouch is well made. Plus it comes with a nice zipper opening and a waterproof lining. This helps keep any liquid on the straws in the pouch.
Choosing the main pouch was the most challenging aspect. The sweet spot was finding one that’s wide enough for the straws and tall enough for the cup/bottle, but small enough that it’s not a burden to carry. My wife and I usually carry a tote with other children’s entertainment stuff or a backpack, so it would be added to those bags.
The first choice was a Dopp kit by Dapper & Done. This piece that I found on Amazon ultimately didn’t work out. Its triangular shape made it too tall to fit in our tote bag comfortably.
I tried a few other pouches, one from WaterField Designs, an older Timbuk2 pouch and one from tomtoc. I also researched and created a long list of other Dopps, pouches, and pencil cases, but none brought on the Goldilocks moment.
That moment came when an eBay algorithm directed me to someone making pouches from X-PAC and LiteSkin. Finally the perfect size pouch, made from great material to boot. And the pouch loop was an added bonus, allowing it to hang by the door.
This was a unique EDC challenge and journey. This process pushed me to solve a different, but unavoidable, EDC problem. It can help reduce our single-use plastic and I hope inspire others to make their own Reusable Kit.
Chrome Industries is a name linked inextricably with bombproof backpacks and messengers toted by those who rely on their bags day in, day out. But the Avail Backpack represents a different direction for Chrome: enhanced comfort. So much so, they decided to attach the tagline: “the most comfortable backpack you will ever wear.” It’s a lofty claim to say the least, so over a period of two months the Avail accompanied me on a variety of missions from photo shoots to everyday commuting and cycling, to really put it to the test.
Who It Suits
If you’re looking for a high speed, low drag backpack for urban commuting and active pursuits, the Avail is a great contender.
If you’re after that all-black, slightly aggressive, no BS look, that Chrome does so well, again, this is totally your jam.
Who It Doesn’t
The Avail isn’t for those who may require absolute waterproofness or the ability to expand to varying loads.
If you want soft lines and finer details, this isn’t for you. This is Chrome after all.
The Good
The first thing that stands out about the Avail is its profile. Strapped onto your back it is low profile, tapered from top to bottom and doesn’t have any dangling straps. This is great for sliding through crowded areas such as public transport or when you’re cycling – allowing you to focus on the task at hand instead of worrying about getting snagged.
Now for the main attraction: the harness. Chrome has utilized some unique technologies to create a supremely comfortable harness and back panel.
The back panel utilizes custom-molded dual-density EVA foam covered with a poly mesh, which is incredibly plush and provides a tangible increase in comfort when carrying heavier loads. During the review period, some days edged into 40ºC+. Whilst the columns and air channels didn’t completely alleviate a sweaty back, it was certainly better than most backpacks I have carried during the height of summer.
Strapped onto your back it is low profile, tapered from top to bottom and doesn’t have any dangling straps.
Admittedly, the harness is quite a departure from most daypack harness systems available. Using an engineered knit over two-layer perforated EVA foam, the straps are pre-formed to match the body’s natural contours, are ribbed to help keep the pack stable, and provide great comfort when loaded up. An advantage of the engineered knit is it seems to breathe noticeably better than most straps I have experienced – minimizing some of the sweaty marks at contact points. There is also an adjustable sternum strap that comes with the bag – I removed this for the review period to minimize any dangling straps.
Is it the most comfortable commuter backpack ever, though? I’m not sure about that claim. It is certainly Chrome’s most comfortable pack, I have no doubt about that. And it certainly excels when compared to a number of airmesh or moulded backpanels I’ve used. If I were to make a comparison, I’d say it compares really well to the old Boreas cycling packs and their trampoline suspension but with even more comfortable straps.
This is really backpacking technology, placed on a wicked streamlined bike pack, and it’s done supremely well.
And now onto access and organization. Entering the Avail via its top-loading design you will find a relatively minimal interior. The main compartment is tapered, forcing you to load larger items toward the base and placing progressively smaller items towards the top. The rear panel of the main compartment has a small suite of organizational pockets to keep your daily essentials in check – think pens, wallets or small hard drives. Behind these quick-access pockets there is a larger zippered compartment suitable for flat items such as your passport (within this pocket there is also a key clip). The Avail also provides a well padded laptop pocket suitable for a 13″ laptop, which is suspended off the base of the bag, something I was really glad to see.
On the exterior of the pack you will find an elasticated water bottle pocket (which maintains a low profile when not in use) and a small D-lock holster. In use I found the holster to be a little too tight for my Palmy lock to be of use – making insertion/retrieval of the lock a little slow. On the top of the bag you will find a small zippered compartment suitable for small items such as earphones, keys or the like. Adjacent to this compartment is a minimal grab handle comprised of simple webbing.
Using an engineered knit over an EVA core, the straps are pre-formed and provide great comfort when loaded up.
The overall build quality and material selection for the Avail is quite comprehensive, complementing the overall design philosophy of the backpack. High-wear areas utilize 1050D nylon while the face of the bag is a sleek 420D TPU laminated nylon (in the black colorway) – this really helps moving through snaggy areas as it is very low friction. The interior is comprised of a grey ripstop nylon, providing a little more contrast for finding smaller items.
The Not So Good
Whilst I enjoyed using the Avail there were a few design features which ended up being double-edged swords. First and foremost is the tapered design and top-loading main compartment. Whilst the bag maintains a sleek profile, access can be difficult when trying to retrieve items towards the base of the pack – a full clamshell opening would have been a great addition to improve organization and access.
On the harness front, whilst being super comfortable, I was somewhat concerned about the long-term durability of the harness/shoulder strap connection. Comprised of a single bartack stitch, it would be nice to see a double bartack or similar.
Whilst the bag maintains a sleek profile, access can be difficult when trying to retrieve items towards the base of the pack.
In comparison to other packs with articulating harnesses (Peak Design Everyday Backpack for reference) I found the harness to be slightly constricting for those with broader shoulders. This is nitpicking as it wasn’t a huge annoyance, however it may be useful to note for those with broad shoulders.
Also, there’s no waist belt. To address this, Chrome designed a sloping back panel which hugs the lumbar and presses it in place. It worked fine for my needs, but others might like the addition of one.
For the people out there with shorter torsos, you may find the Avail a little too long for standard carry. I am 180cm and I often felt I was on the edge of finding the Avail too long. However, this feeling disappears when riding a bicycle as you tend to round your back, allowing the Avail to stretch out.
Verdict
To sum it up, the Avail is a great option for daily commutes in the urban world, transitioning from on-bike to off-bike adventures seamlessly whilst being super comfortable.
If you love Chrome and are keen to try this, you’ll be blown away by the increase in comfort. It’s certainly worth a run.
If you need more capacity, rapid access or absolute waterproofness, you may need to look elsewhere.
This guest post is written by Howard Brittain, photographer, cyclist and all-round gear nut.
The HURU H2 Backpack is designed with multiple compartments and pockets to organize your gear, along with a clean look for versatile EDC use. How does it perform when put to the test? Find out in the review below…
System including an insulated 3L reservoir and a reflectively lined neoprene sleeve to keep water cold, as well as an articulated back panel to prevent the transfer of body heat. The packs come in 10L and 20L options to accommodate smaller or larger loads.
