About Carryology
What a ride. From a very humble start just a few years ago, Carryology is now a truly global resource, sharing countless insights and learnings.
We thought we should try and actually explain a little of what we’re doing and why we exist. So here we go…
What is carry?
When we started, there wasn’t really a broadly accepted term for bags, wallets, cases, luggage, and all the products we use to carry our things. To us, this is ‘carry’.
Why does Carryology exist?
Essentially, we’re here to discover, discuss and disseminate new and better ways to carry. We figure if we can act as something of a campfire for the carry community to gather around, then we should all win from the insights we gain.
Who’s involved?
You are. As are a huge number of readers around the world. Lots even leave comments, which are often as good as the posts themselves.
Then we have our contributors, who generously volunteer their time and expertise to share knowledge and insights. These guys are professional carry designers, carry retailers, or just carry nuts that have abused more than their share of carry goods.
And then our bills are paid for by Bellroy, our sugar daddies who ask for little in return other than objectivity (and the occasional ad).
And finally, through our eyes, what makes a great carry piece?
Fitness for purpose, and then some. It has to suit its core task really well, but then also have a little versatility.
Function AND emotion: There is lots of carry with one or the other. There is not much that nails both. We believe a bit of style and personality makes solid functionality all the better.
More than a product: The brand and the experience matter. If you do a GORUCK challenge, a little piece of that experience lingers on with the bag. If a brand uses toxic materials or crap labor practises, a little piece of evil also lingers. Products are more than their physical manifestation. Call us hippy, but the other shit matters.
You can get in touch with us through the comments, or at blog@carryology.com
New to Carryology?
To get you started on your quest to Carry enlightment, here’s five hand-picked posts we think will help get you up to speed:
#1 – Slimming your wallet – 5 Steps to reduce the bulk in your back pocket.
#2 – Backpack or Messenger? – A guide to help you choose the right bag for your day to day use.
#3 – Leather Care Tips – Essential care advice to keep that hide looking as good as new.
#4 – Choosing Good Rolling Luggage – If it’s wheeled travel bags you’re after, start here.
#5 – What makes a great wallet – The basic fundementals of good wallet functionality and design.
And here’a quick hit at one of our favourite posts – a neat head to head between two amazing backpacks, Chrome and Mission Workshop.
admin
Latest posts by admin (see all)
- Road Test :: Poler Excursion Pack - April 22, 2013
- Wilboro Leather Molding and the Victory Case - March 18, 2013
- Insights :: Wilboro - March 15, 2013
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Hi guys at carryology,
I’ve been working for the past couple of months on a wallet that I just completed and think you guys are going to like. It’s incredibly simple, yet is still completely functional; a flap to tuck folded bills and a pocket for cards. It opens along a diagonal to splay in your hand and is stitched by hand in Philadelphia.
Check out the website for details.
Jon Wilson
Lithic Goods
Thanks Jon, it looks great. We’re big fans of undyed veg tans. Good luck with it all.
If anyone is interested, check out http://lithicgoods.com
Hey guys,
From one bagologist to another I love what your doing. Check out wwww.Tucker-bloom.com and let me know if you have any interest in doing a feature. We’re always looking to get the word out.
Have a good holiday,
David Bloom
Thanks David. It’s pretty rad seeing how awesome the Carryology community is becoming. It’s getting kinda big!
Looks like you have some neat bags. Let us know if you do want anything tested going forwards. Our contributors are usually up for more action.
Carryology,
We have a “carry” product that takes playing to new places. It is a little different than your typical Carryology bag, but that is what makes it so cool- there is NOTHING like it on the market. Not only does it provide a much better way to carry, but it also provides a better way to play, clean and store as well! It’s a 4 in 1 bag. The LITE is designed for families on-the-go (ie restaurants, airplanes, trains, hotels, beaches,etc…).
To learn more and see just how “cool” it is to carry around your LEGO bricks or any small toy collection, check us out at http://www.layngo.com.
Playfully yours,
Amy Fazackerley
Founder
Thanks for letting us know Amy. You’ll find very similar products from surf/water companies as a way to change and then carry their wetsuits (only their’s a water-tight). But I haven’t seen it applied to kids play before. Good luck with it all.
Hey Guys! We are a new men’s bag brand just launched last year and currently on our 2nd season. we’re a husband and wife team located in NYC with a British heritage twist on refined take on industrial chic. You can see our current season on our website http://www.insubordinatelads.com and we’re showing at Project right now in NYC.
Our bags are made locally in NYC using premium leathers , military waxwear, and wool from England.
Would love to send you some bags to wear and trial if you’re interested!
love the canvas messenger, stunning. but, its the one product you dont have for sale in your store? also, the canvas iphone wallet, great look! would a passport fit in it? i’d love to buy it, if it doubled as a passport wallet! great stuff!
Looking for a contact/email address for you. I’ve been a longtime reader/follower (more “lurker” than “contributor”). I just saw an ad for http://www.maxmirani.com/ on the sidebar on LinkedIn and (uncharacteristically) clicked on it… interesting luggage. It looks like they only have two pieces that they sell — both molded/formed — one is hard-sided and the other a “collapsible” version (looks like one side is hard, the other flexible). All told, much to “girly” for me, but always interesting to see a new line rolling out (excuse the pun). Keep up the good work, and feel free to delete this “comment” on your “About” page — I just used it as a way to send that info to you. Cheers, Jim
Love the site! I train mixed martial arts and looking for a dedicated backpack to carry all my gear. Besides the backpacks offered on http://www.dsgear.com, can you recommend something that will hold a gi/kimono, sparring gloves, shin guards, knee pads, etc? Also, can you review the bags from Datsusara? I dig that they are huge and made of hemp. I’m interested in getting one but wanted to get more opinions on it.
Thanks!
Ro
Heya Ro, thanks for saying hi. We hadn’t seen Datsusara before, but it does look like they’re running tactical formats that have been pretty heavily inspired by 5.11. You can check the 5.11 stuff at:
http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Bags-Backpacks/Backpacks.html
From the web images, they look like the patterns are not 100% resolved, so they might bulge a little and look a touch fat and chubby when filled. I’d go 5.11 instead, unless you really dig these guys.
Hi
We are final year students at Brighton University doing product design and we looking to get in touch to ask some questions about our projects.
We are both designing bags, one for paramedics and another for young professional women to keep organised and feel it would be great to have your opinons on our projects.
We would like to know about the different manufacturing processes that go into assembling a bag.
Any information that you can provide would be a great help.
Thank you once again
Kind regards
Isaac & Eric
Hey Guys,
Best bet is to email us at info@carryology and we can answer all your questions.
Thanks for checking in.
Lincoln
I was wondering if you have any stats on website hits or views? Thanks.
Hi Tami,
Best bet is to email us at info@carryology and we can answer all your questions.
Thanks for checking in.
Lincoln
Hey ya. Love Carryology.
Thought you guys might be interested in this piece of historical fun:
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/013732.html
Ummm, wow. Speechless. Epic find. That’s a post there for sure!
Hi Carryology team
Your site is a great (and beautiful!) ressource – love the tips, diagrams and reviews.
Two suggestions:
1) On Etsy, I’ve recently come across a shop with absolutely stunning covers and wallets – check out Joe V. Leather (etsy.com/shop/joevleather).
2) It would be great if you could do a wallet review for more coin-intense countries. In Switzerland, the smallest bill is about 10 $, in Euro countries it’s ~7$ – it would mean a lot of coins in my pocket if I couldn’t carry them in my wallet.
Cheers Tim
Why thanks TIm. So nice of you to say…
1) Yeah, nice find. He sure works the leathers pretty heavily, but some interesting looks.
2) Yep, good call. We’ll work on a post over the next month or so. Well worth doing.
I Love Carryology,
Hey guys, I would love to see you do a feature on carry solutions for someone planning to do a round the world trip. It would be great to get your thoughts on the essentials but more importantly what bag would you choose?
Ive stayed in lot of hostels as of late and seen a huge selection of bags used from top loading backpacks to suit cases. What would you take?
Much respect,
John
Heya John, we love the site too! But that’s mostly because of how rad the community who reads it is.
I hear you on the round the world trip. The tricky thing is that it’s all about the sort of places you are hoping to go. The more developed (and concreted) they are, the more wheeled bags make sense. The less developed, the more it’s about a big pack that can climb mountains. Usually, we find the hybrids make great sense, as you can wheel them across a city, or carry them up a mountain.
Also consider how to pack the least possible. Are you crossing hemispheres and needing to go from hot to cold? If so, get something like a down sweater from patagonia which packs up tiny small, and take that approach with all your clothes.
Here’s a few posts you might find interesting:
http://www.carryology.com/2010/06/21/choosing-good-rolling-luggage/
http://www.carryology.com/2010/08/29/our-favourite-wheeled-bags/
http://www.carryology.com/2011/01/28/talking-wheels-hard-cases/
http://www.carryology.com/2012/04/02/road-test-rip-curl-global-f-light-wheeled-bag/
Some of the best hybrids come from crew like Osprey, so be sure to check them out too.
Hey guys,
during my bachelor thesis (productdesign) I designed a kitebag which you may find interesting.
I dont know if you also share student work (haven´t seen it on here until now i guess) but if you´re interested I would like to send it to you and then it is up to you if you want to share it on your blog or not.
Just write me an email or reply here…
All the best,
Marc
I’d love to have you guys do a review on my wood wallets. I just launched the website a few days ago (www.slimtimber.com) so you would be the first to cover it. I love your site and think my wood wallet would be a great product for you to cover. I can send some high quality pics for you to use if you decide to cover it. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Thanks Shane, they look interesting, but quite bulky. For wallets, we’re really keen on slimming down and reducing pocket bulk. I don’t think we’d be the best ones to review it…
I appreciate your site, but much of your content seems geared towards hipsters and office workers. What backpacks best match more traditional/preppy aesthetics?
I’m a newbie to this site as well. It’s actually a great source for reviews on high-end bags. The market already caters to the mainstream. Go to any outdoorsy site and you’ll find a panoply of brands and styles.
The term “Preppy” seems to evolve with time or however Lisa Birnbach defines it. If you’re willing to spend the money, I’d go for the Bedouin Barbary Messenger Bag. Pick a neutral color and it will match nicely with your Preppy outfits. If you want something more cutting-edge, check out Mission Workshop’s Waxed Canvas or V/X lines.
If you want function, clean aesthetics and a sport cool hip outdoorsy look, I’d order the Patagonia Fuego in black. With the money saved, you could buy Preppy Fall outfits from J.Press or the Andover Shop.
Hey guys!
Stumbled across your site a few days ago and think it’s fantastic! A great resource for all types of carry accessories with wonderful in-depth reviews.
We’re also passionate about such matters but from a slightly different perspective. We manufacture and sell vegetable tanned Italian leather products from wallets to travel bags to toiletry cases and more! Take a look at our complete collection and find out more about us over at http://www.maxwellscottbags.com … we hope you like our stuff!
We would really love to be featured if possible and are always looking to spread the word! Please let me know if there is a specific contact / email address I can get in touch with to discuss being featured?
Hope to hear from you soon.
All the best and keep up the good work,
The Maxwell Scott Team.
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for reaching out, best bet it to send us an email at info@carryology.com
Rad
Awesome! Just sent a email over – hope to hear from you soon.
I love this site. I hope you guys keep it going/updated. I really wish I knew about this site years ago!
Hi Guys,
Love the site. I was wondering if you could help my bag search. A little background: my preferred vacation style is renting a house in the country and preparing a couple large feasts. Every time my wife and I go away we lug a shopping bag full of kitchen staples (spices, oils, skewers, etc.) and every time the bag comes home torn and a mess. I’m wondering if there’s a flat-bottom tote bag out there that’s better suited for the job. Ideally something that wipes clean and even has dividers to better organize the contents like a camera bag.
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work.
John
The best stuff I know of in this space is:
http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?categoryId=45
Check out their modular series. Really neat.
I just bought the Bellroy Travel Wallet and can’t wait for it to arrive.
Anyway, I was wondering if you have seen the bags made by Artifact Bag Co., I think they would be a good fit for this blog.
http://artifactbags.com/
Disclosure: I made the Artifact Bag Co. website.
You may be interested in the beautiful bags of Peg and Awl (pegandawlbuilt.com)!! Their wide mouthed weekender is sure to please.
Hey, love the site. Just curious why I never really see brief cases, either here or on other gear sites. Are they out of fashion?
Haha, they’re going to make a comeback!
They are really not very practical for carrying, having been superseded by messengers and satchels that deal better with the weight of a laptop, and leave your hands free for keys, coffee, and picking your nose.
However like all things, we see cycles. Personally in our office, one of the gang has started sporting a pimped up briefcase that he has added a padded interior to, as well as a sweet leather shoulder strap. It’s not very practical on a bike, but it looks killer.
Search for ‘attache’, check Globetrotter for expensive versions, Henk for even more expensive versions, or wait for us to find a neat one to talk about that doesn’t cost a bomb.
Good to hear! If you manage to dig any up, I’d love to see a feature in the future
What other commuter/gear sites are there? I’ve been looking for something with reviews similar to Carryology but with a wider range of products, anyone know any?
Kat from Redoxx.com pitched in with a bunch. Here’s where we got to so far…
The Wirecutter
Outdoor Gearlab
Gear Junkie
Gear Patrol
Cool Hunting
Uncrate
Werd
Cool Materials
Gilt MANual
The Awesomer
Hi Ando,
I just starded now my tumblr about bags, using photos from my reserch on the web, my personal samples, business trips, etc…. please check it and let me know if you like!
I really really like carryology, I’m follower since 2010!
My tumblr http://okbag.tumblr.com/
Thank you,
Daniel
Love it. Great stuff. There’s always loads of goodness we miss, so make sure you share (and we’ll keep an eye on your’s anyways).
Hi Ando,
I have a luggage-related infographic which you may find interesting. You can check it out here: http://press.expedia.com.au/infographics/evolution-luggage-155
I hope you like it! I thought it was great.
Audrey
Thanks Audrey, we do indeed like. Great stuff.
Love the site and the features but you need to cover more stuff for girls as well- check out the fabulous bags at moop in the USA. Looks way more stylish than what you have on your list.
Thanks for the kind words and suggestions. We hear you, and like your link!
Hi Ando,
Nice job with a cool site that does a great job illuminating products that affect so many different aspects of our lives.
I wanted to share our interesting study of the ongoing endeavor of “Exploring Better Ways to Carry”.
We looked at a specific market – General Aviation. (You know – the guy who flies his little Cessna out of the small local airport) and found that pilots, who ought to be really organized, simply WEREN’T because of the available pilot flight bags. I know this first-hand because I’m a Helicopter Flight Instructor. It was my own frustration with the existing bag choices that caused me to take a stab a designing my own bag. I showed my ideas to my buddies and my Chief Pilot and they all immediately wanted one. And suddenly I was saying to myself, “Okay! Now what?”
Long story short, I figured out how to get bags made, and one thing led to another and BrightLine Bags was born. It was clear we had struck a nerve because we quickly became the #1 selling flight bag in the US, and it carried over to the rest of the world. We now have pilots in 65 countries using our bag. And then the Airline pilots started buying it, and the Military started buying it. – It has been fun.
But that isn’t even the story that will be most interesting to you. Because from there we expanded on that success (literally) by taking the basic premise of that one original BrightLine Bag and developed an entire modular system that allows any user to pick from 11 interchangeable parts and build any bag they want, from extra large to extra small. And the real power of this is that for the first time, any user can create a series of bags that allows them to add or remove space, to carry more or less gear from day to day, and they don’t have to repack and reload their gear each time. We call it The FLEX System. Aspects of the design are even patent pending.
But of course, the job that The FLEX System does for Pilots is only representative of how it can help pretty much anyone. It’s just a great bag with a lot of pockets and interchangeable components that can be used in unlimited ways. We have TONS of non-pilots using the bag for almost any purpose you can think of.
There are great videos and descriptions on our website at BrightLine Bags. You’ll be able to to quickly see what the FLEX System is all about.
I’d be interested in your thoughts and impressions and observations. I hope this is an interesting and useful addition to your world of Carryology. And I’m glad for questions and comments from anyone.
Cheers,
Ross Bishop
Thanks Ross. Looks like an interesting system, although perhaps a little daunting with so many options! I can imagine pilot brains deal better with so many compartments though. I’ve seen how many controls and toggles are in a cockpit.
I just happened to come across your blog and I must say you had some great write ups with the gear I read up on. I live in Portland, Or where you know the bike scene is big in all shapes and forms. Point is I’m writing to let you guys now there’s a guy out here making great bags out of boat sails. I could go on and on about his bags but I really think you guys should check his work out, hopefully he sends you a bag to review as well. I attached the website below.
http://www.trucedesigns.com/
Thanks Dante. We’ve seen Truce pop up occasionally, but never had a chance to check out the bags in person. We’ll keep our eyes peeled…
Hi Ando,
Great site, I came to read one review and ended up staying for quite a while. Anyway, i was reading your excellent review for the Slicks Suit 25 bag from a couple of years ago as I need a quality bag to ride to work with with suit and laptop. Anyway, I tried to follow the link to the slicks.cc website but it came up with a ‘System Offline’ notice. I have only tried today so it may be a minor glitch but do you know if Slicks are still around and selling this bag? Just that it looks like a really nice bag and I can’t find anywhere else to buy one.
Thanks,
Tom
We’ve sent them an email. We’ll see if it’s just a site glitch.
So Chris (the Slicks owner) is transferring the Suit25 design back to the design house who helped create it (http://www.flinkgmbh.com/en). Word is we’ll see the pack getting sold by Flink in coming months.
Hello,
I am the Owner and Founder of a new men’s handmade leather goods company by the name of Avallone, We are based in Jersey City, NJ, and have history of artisanship originating in the Campania region of Italy. Our leather products embody style and originality, suitable for any working professional or world traveler. Every product is handmade with a minute attention to detail and a lifetime guarantee. I really like your site, and I was wondering if you can check out my company at http://www.avalloneluxury.com and possibly do a review. I look forward to hearing back.
By the way, all of our contact information can be found at: http://www.avalloneluxury.com.
Best Regards,
Chris
Would just like to say that I have been greatly enjoying this site since I came across it last year. As a hobbyist who spends a lot of their spare time making bags, and other carry accoutrements this is a great place to see new designs, companies and glean insight from some truly great makers.
I would really love to see some posts on the various closure systems employed in the carry world both historical and current. What works what doesn’t etc. Lift the dots, snaps, buckles (I know you have already looked at cobra buckles), and all sorts of other closure methods.
P.S. Here is a carry project I made last year and am especially found of http://www.steelwoolbicycles.ca/blog/victory-case.html
Cheers,
Will
Yeewwww. That looks killer Will. Love how neat you’re getting that leather forming. I’ll email you to see if we can share your project somehow.
And yep for closures, we agree. You have to check out http://www.fidlock.com/ in the meantime. We’ve been playing with some, and they are incredible.
Hi,
I like the style of this blog! That infographic showing both backpacks and messenger bags are awesome! I’m the founder of a messenger bag company located in Southern California. Ando, could you please check out http://www.serbags.com and let me know, if any of your contributor would be interested in making a review for one of our canvas messenger bags? I appreciate your help!
Dear Carryology
I wanted to let you guys know about a new Brand we have launched in the UK. We are a London based camera and accessory bag brand called Coordinate Gear.
We have developed a solid range of six modular bags. This is the brainchild of my partner and I who have a keen interest in photography and all things outdoors.
We are just getting started although we have put close on two years into development. Always looking for new ideas and feedback to help improve our bags.
Regards
Paul
Coordinate Gear
Thanks Paul. Good luck with it all!
Hi, Ando
I Would like you to answer my questions.
I am student in Toronto majoring in design degree.
Would you able to help me which is the most suitable bag for carrying a lot things.
I also would like to know what bag its durabilty and good for the back posture
These are the items I put inside my bag. (Depends on the Day)
•Water Bottle
•Food Container, Lunch Box, etc.
•Camera DSLR
•Apple Inc
◦ Macbook Pro 15″ – Adaptor
◦Iphone + Charger
◦Ipad Mini
•Wacom Tablet Medium
•11 by 17 Pad
•Journal
•Sketchbook
•Book to read
•Pencil Case
•Canvas
•Groceries
•Binder
•24 by 18 Bond Paper can be rolled
Thank You
Zaid
Try the Camelbak TriZip in black: http://shop.camelbak.com/Military-Tactical/trizip/d/50134_c_3350_cl_2754
So pleased to have come across a blog like this! I’m backpack obsessed so I look forward to pouring through your pages. If I’ve got the time I’d also love to contribute a piece!
You guys rock, thanks to you I found out about Mission Workshop’s Shed and it’s all I’ve ever asked for in a commuting messenger! tough as nails. Anyway, I’ll be embarking on a 45 day journey across America all by train and will be staying with hosts via couchsurfing; my question to you is what backpack would you recommend to have as my right hand man, and what small luggage case would you recommend as well
My backpack would hold:
-Nikon D40 dslr with 2 lens
-2 standard books
-Chargers
-A notebook
-Sunglasses
-Samsung Chromebook
-water bottle
Luggage would hold:
-towel
-6 tshirts
-a pair of jeans
-shorts
-7 days of underwear and socks
-Toiletries
-a change of shoes
-a small sweater
Check out our carry awards. You should find plenty of our favorites in there.
Also consider running a shoulder strap for your small luggage, as you can then sling it over a shoulder while carrying your daypack. Something like a Patagonia MLC might even be large enough.
Hey All, I just sent an email but thought I would post here as well to introduce the GearPull. Besides looking awesome It’s sole purpose is to enable more satisfying carry of all key chain sized tools and gear.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/872996112/the-gearpull-a-revolutionary-dangler