Customized bags are great – they look how you want them to look, they carry what you need them to carry, and they’re styled to suit your personal tastes. Maybe you want a sleek, black messenger with enough pockets to foil even the Artful Dodger. Perhaps you want a giant luminous-orange maw of a backpack that swallows whatever you throw in it and momentarily dazes all who gaze on it. However, there is a limitation with customized bags (and most non-customized bags as well) in that though they will serve the function they were originally designed for very well, they may have trouble adapting to other functions. You may end up with too much or too little space depending on what you’re using your bag for on a varying basis.
Imagine if transformers turned into bags instead of cars…now you’re kind of in the right mindframe when it comes to contemplating the Mission Workshop Arkiv Field Pack. There’s customization and then there’s the Arkiv Field Pack. This pack offers a range of accessories that can be attached or removed to alter the pack to your specific needs at any one time. These accessories include a folio organizer, a laptop case, a tool pocket, a utility/cell pocket, a vertical rolltop pocket and a vertical zippered pocket. The accessories vary in shape and size and can accomodate a range of items, including a laptop, iPad, cell phone, wallet, water bottle and everything in between. The accessories can attach to several different surfaces on the bag, as well as to each other, and they are weatherproof so you know your possessions are protected.
The Arkiv Field Pack is constructed using either waxed canvas or a 1000 denier nylon for the exterior, and incorporates a weatherproof urethane coated nylon liner. Come rain, hail, snow or winds, this pack can handle whatever nature can throw at it. The pack utilizes military-spec thread and an LDPE frame sheet to provide added support and protection.
Yep, MOLLE systems have been achieving a similar thing for years with military and tactical packs, but it is neat to see an alternate system to the PALS webbing. We’re keen to have a play and see how it compares in use.
Every Arkiv Field Pack is made in the USA. The pack is available in Black Cordura, Dark Gray Cordura, as well as Waxed Canvas. You can opt for the small pack (1,200 cubic inches) at $209 or the large pack (2,200 cubic inches) at $229. Accessory prices range from $28 to $86, with an additional $6 if opting for Waxed Canvas accessories. You can pre-order your own pack now, and the first batch will be sent out on 15 June 2012. If you want to see the pack in action, check out the clip below
Catherine
Latest posts by Catherine (see all)
- Week In Review ~ 18 May - May 18, 2013
- 5 Minutes With roztayger - May 16, 2013
- Week In Review ~ 11 May - May 11, 2013
Subscribe via RSS Feed
Great modular pack, but for over $600 fully loaded I will can grab a Rambler, Rummy and a set of their clipless SPD shoes.
I cant wait for the article on how much packs really cost.
Yeah i’m gonna have to agree with Tony on this one. 600 seriously?? The concept is really great i’ll give em that. And it looks like the build of each bag/accessory pack is right there, but i can’t stomach that cost, ever! I really think that a bag that is small when you leave and can ‘grow’ upon your return is highly overlooked (i.e. a sleek backpack/messenger on the way to the office . . . . and expands to hold some groceries and maybe stuff your jacket in on the way home). Same with an interchangeable backpack to messenger straps thingy.
I LOVE Mission Workshop, but the price point is way too high, even for their quality. I upgraded from a CHROME Metropolis to a MW Vandal about 2 months ago and It’s truly the best bag I’ve ever owned. Whether its on the street riding my bike, hauling ass on my motorcycle or taking it on a weekend getaway, the Vandal has been able to handle it all! I’m taking it to San Francisco at the end of June for another weekend adventure, so I will definitely be stoping in at the SF Hub to check the bag out in person and see how it compares.
That’s almost double Kifaru price. Looks good, but too rich for my blood.
I ran up the spec of what i would want – Large bag, laptop and folio case, plus strap for the laptop/folio case and it can to $400 which I didn’t think was too bad.
At least not too bad in comparison to the combination of ipad, laptop and bag that I would look at anyway.
The entire system approach is appealing for a number of reasons…different combos for different uses. The problem though is the ergonomics…a bag that just keeps adding additional layers of fabric in pocket upon pocket upon pocket is overkill on weight for volume. The canvas option is gorgeous and it’s all very intriguing, until I consider that I can buy a top-performing day-trail pack that will cinch down and expand as needed, comes with built in rain cover, and supplement the compartments with lightweight and even padded components, like a Tom Bihn Vertical Brain Bag laptop sleeve, (and their vertical office organizer) and various smaller zip bags, even color coded for accessories…and a padded camera insert…and mix and match all of this, while still having a bag actually designed to comfortably carry all manner of loads for trail use….at half the price or less? And I thought GORUCK was overpriced and overweight….
I was excited too when I saw the teasers and finally the video for it, but the price gutted any excitement I may have had. I already have a Vandal so it is difficult to justify even further. Still, the concept is great and I hope to see a full fledged review soon.
What an excellent, customizable pack. With the durable CORDURA® fabric in this, the Arkiv Field pack looks like it will make it through some pretty tough spots! Thanks for the review!
Tina Ingle
CORDURA(R) Brand
Account Manager
Mission Workshop bags really appeal to me, but I always balk at the weight. 4 lbs of empty pack seems like it would really add up quick. Does it? Weight never seems to be addressed in any reviews of these bags I read, but when I see the Especial Tres is 4.3 lbs or the large Arkiv field backpack starts at 4 lbs I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger. What is the advantage of all that weight?
After some research I ordered a Cilo Gear Commuter Bag because it only weights 2 lbs. (BTW It would be great if you guys could do a review of this pack).
As far as I’m concerned, weight is of less importance than comfort and functionality…especially with a bag that is going to be carrying heavy loads anyway.
When you’re carrying heavy loads, a couple of extra pounds of bag weight on a very well designed, very comfortable bag will be less of a concern than a 2lbs lighter bag that supports its load badly or just isn’t comfortable.
It depends on how much durability and weather proofing you need in my opinion. My own bags are triple layered with metal main hardwear and designed to last a LONG time…you’d struggle to find any really light bags that are multi layered, extremely durable, and support their load well.
The system looks very cutting-edge. Multiple-configurations offer versatility. I don’t know of any other companies offering this type of flexibility right now.
My gripe against Mission Workshop are it’s unreasonable high price points and it’s very poor Customer Service.
The second part may surprise you since most casual observers have been overwhelmed with comments about the company’s attention to detail and customer satisfaction.
In reality, it’s deceptive. They’re diligent when it comes to selling their products or writing soaring prose about its advantages over its key competitors. However, when the sale is completed and the customer is not 100% satisfied, they will simply ignore you. I’m speaking from experience.
A common selling point you hear most often about MW is their “Lifetime Guarantee”. Well, when their Customer Service Department fails to respond to basic inquiries/problems with their product, this should alarm potential customers out there.
This is tip-of-the-iceberg stuff. If this is how Mission Workshop treats paying customers now, I imagine it would will much worse down the road should something on their bags break and you’re force to remind them of their “Lifetime Guarantee”.
My view: I’m a stickler for quality and service. I can justify spending an exorbitant amount of cheddar on accessories if I know its backed by solid fundamentals. By that, I mean Customer Service.
This is why I’m a lifelong customer of Patagonia. And this is why I will never ever spend penny on anything Mission Workshop produces.
Don’t be duped by the videos or internet praises of excellent customer service. If the high prices aren’t a hindrance, the poor Customer Service should be.
By nature, I’m usually even-keeled and for the most part, rational. However, if some nitwit deliberately cuts me off in traffic in his gaudy SUV or an amateur bartender serves me a Budweiser instead of Pabst, I’ll lose my cool and abandon all sense of reason. Sort of but you get what I’m saying.
I don’t usually reply to my own comments or refer to myself in the third person but I feel the scales require a just, objective balance.
After my scathing review of Mission Workshop, Bart Kyzar personally wrote me a letter of apology and a convincing explanation. While acknowledging the lapse, he assured me that improvements to their business model would be immediately implemented and even offered a personal tour of their spiffy shop along with a free beer. Pabst, I hope.
So what could be better? The owner of this small business accepting responsibility, an inebriated tour of his shop and a level of consumer-satisfaction in being heard.
No, I didn’t get any freebies, hand-outs or bribes. Note to Mr. Kyzar: Not too late to send a Rummy stuffed with Cash or Pabst. You have the address.
But in all seriousness, I was a bit trigger happy on the keyboards. Mission Workshop listened and more importantly, fixed the problem. Now that’s what I call Customer Service.
I actually had a very positive experience with MW when my Rambler had some stitching coming undone on the shoulder strap. I was so unhappy to be without it for a while, but they did send it back to me good as new. I’m glad to see they made it right with you, this was the first time I have ever even seen anyone unhappy with Mission Workshop.
I’m very interested in the Arkiv Field Pack, the price of the bag doesn’t bother me at all considering I’m only looking at the small bag, laptop sleeve, and tool bag — but they have an amazing field jacket that is waaaay out of my reach these days!
I’m on the fence between getting the field pack or the rambler. If i get the field pack, i’ll only pick a few accessories so the price isn’t too much higher than the rambler’s. I’m going to be using it for the everyday urban commute and for school. Any suggestions?
I have a Rambler and it’s great. A couple of observations though that may help you:
- the front pocket with a zipper can hold an iPhone and not much else.
- the outer compartment will bulge if you have things that aren’t flat in it when you open the middle compartment up to full size and stuff it full of loot.
I find that the part closest to your back, the tallest part of the bag, is good for a laptop and iPad, I feel that the front zipper compartment, while able to hold my MacBook Air 13″ is hard to get in and out of because it’s narrow. It works it’s just requiring more effort than I’d like. If you carry a camera bigger than a point and shoot it can be nerve-wracking because if you have the center cargo part opened upt o carry groceries, you’re not going to want your camera or other electronics in the bottom or bouncing around in there, and the front section gets crowded fast if you have to move everything into it to make room for bottles, cans and produce.
It’s my favorite bag, without a doubt, but invest in a GridIt organizer for the odds and ends you’ll have rattling around in there. With that (or pouches like the ones from Waterfield Designs) headphones, adapters and anything else you carry smaller than your hand will be hard to locate inside of it.
My only complaint is that in my opinion carrying a camera with it is awkward. I use a dry bag to at least keep moisture off it if I have to carry it in the middle along with groceries.
Well, an arkiv field pack would solve the rambler’s lack of organization, but I doubt it has even half of the rambler’s carrying capacity.
I have a vandal
6 different pockets to choose from provides quite a bit of organisation.
The front pockets on the Vandal can hold my Galaxy Note 2 and my wallet without any issues.
The thing I love about the vandal is I can expand it to carry unexpected items, or if I need to pick up groceries last minute.
I’m sure no matter which bag you buy (or bought) you’ll be happy with it.
Furble- It’s been a while since my inquiry. I opted to get a rambler, and it has surpassed my expectations. I still do feel that the arkiv field pack is the better pack in all features save the expanding feature of the vandal/rambler, but I don’t regret my decision one bit.
I love it!!! Personal Customizable bags what an idea. The price is hefty but the concept is awesome.
I love the concept, But like everyone said before the cost is ridiculous.
Pingback: Mission Workshop shop visit :: San Francisco, CA | Carryology
Pingback: Week In Review ~ 3 November | Carryology
Great pack! Better, cheaper and more customisable: MOLLE.
I’m not sure why everyone is saying this is soo expensive, I wouldn’t compare this to a MOLLE system because I wouldn’t be going to work with such a bag.
You gotta remember this is north american made, well designed for the office and with some heavy duty materials. And this modular system is pretty advanced tech which you rarely see besides the special forces type bags. I’ve seen girls spend $1000+ on a handmade handbag that barely holds 3L of stuff and no molle
. Looking at this field pack and comparing it to the purchases the wife did, dang this is reasonable!
Just for comparison Louis Vuitton bags are just vinyl backed canvas. and their cheapest tiny bag is like $600+ and it’s not even rainproof.