Outdoor Retailer Show 2012 Pt II

Following on the first part from Wednesday, we can now show you the rest of what John saw, found, drank at the Outdoor Retailer Show last week…

Hyalite:

LTW small pannier- the dawn of a new age of panniers,  these front panniers come in at 18oz/pr and are made from Panniers made from durable RF welded nylon.Not much more information available on tech specs or prices. Web site not currently up.

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Jansport:

Jansport didn’t have a ton to say about these bags. They are simple heritage bags that harken back to their roots in the late 1960s and early 70s.

(Apparently the American Flag bags were not selling very well. Cannot imagine why…)

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Kelty:

Kelty is celebrating their 60^th year making backpacks with their heritage line of bags. Inspired from the 60s, 70 and 80s, these bags feature modern design elements such as pen and computer pockets.

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Mile High Mountaineering.

This photo was taken on “the streets” of the show. The company didn’t have a booth, but the bags look great, if not groundbreaking. I am sure we’ll see more of this company in the future.

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Mystery  Ranch:

Dana Gleason’s venerable Mystery Ranch is releasing the Blackjack for this season- an avalanche airbag backpack. This pack features some great new technology in fabrics including Super Fabric, which is a contains thousands of armor plates which protect against abrasion. Also featured is Demension Polyant’s VX 21 fabric, which has proliferated across the industry in the last few years. Made in the US, Mystery Ranch backpacks are some of the best in the world.

Photos above an below featured are the Saddle peak, Naya Nuki and Fuze in assorted colors.

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Onyx ITW-nexus:

New buckles from ITW, the Onyx feature lighter weights to their fully shielded, and simpler counterparts with equal strength. For the stealth backpack in your life.

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Osprey:

New rolling luggage from Osprey features a lightweight thermo molded frame slimming overall weight without sacrificing durability. Ozone 28@ 5lbs 24@ 4.5lbs 18@ 4 lbs.

Full press release here…

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Seige Gear:

Found walking around. This man successfully built the most overblown and over sized messenger bag ever conceived. His website appears to be down.

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Wheelman and co:

Related posts:

1. OR Show 2012 Pt I
2. Carry Wishlists :: Ando
3. Trade show season is upon us…

Year of the Pig Snout

Heritage has flooded the world with pig snouts. The little leather lash tabs are everywhere, with most users not even knowing what they are for. So we figured it would be fun to have a look at the basics of lash tabs, and share a few examples of them.

White Mountaineering.

The classic lash tab was a leather patch that let’s you pass a bit of webbing through it, and then fasten items to your pack. It let’s you run a minimal weight, with broad flexibility. The outdoor crew soon started making them from hypalon and plastics and all sorts of tech, but with the return to all things grandpa, leather (and imitation leather) is once again the material of choice.

They can be run with vertical slots (pig nose), horizontal slots (letterboxes), or 4 way slots (windows).

Topo Designs

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Porter

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Up There

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Beams Plus x Kelty Vintage

And of course their are variations to the pig snout look. Here’s a couple…

Rivendell Mountain Works

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Related posts:

1. Carry Wishlists :: Ando
2. Incognito laptop cases
3. 9 Amazing Bags Available Now

Carry Giveaway | Carry Hack Photo Contest

So the comp’s been up and running for a week or so now. Remember? Here, jog your memory…  We thought it might get a few of you excited to see what hacks others have been sending in. So below is the details on how to enter and also some photos that have been sent in already..

Hurry up and get your photo in, one week left!!

Ain’t hard to enter, all thats required is for you guys to submit photo entries of your best examples of a Carry Hack via email to CarryHacks@carryology.com (include your name, location, and a brief description of your hack)

The prize, a Chrome Falcon backpack:
18″ wide, 19″ high, 6″ deep (35L volume).  Made from 1050 denier nylon for the outer shell.  Retails for $150 USD.  The independent floating 18oz truck tarp liner eliminates any seams to the outside elements to keep your interior stuff nice, safe, and dry.  A molded EVA foam backpanel is a pretty trick detail and comfortable I must admit.  You normally see this kind of feature on more expensive packs due to the costs involved with manufacturing.  Constructed with nylon 69 thread and 3M reflective compression straps, it’s solid, and will make you visible.  Read up online for more info.

Some examples of Carry Hacks;
- Ripped backpack shoulder straps?  Duct taped the entire shoulder strap, with lots of duct tape.
- Some webbing comes undone?  Stapled it back together… a hundred times to be sure it stays put.
- Rolling luggage wheel fell off?  Replaced it with a Big Wheels plastic wheel… spray painted gold.
- Hole in your 1000D Cordura nylon fabric?  Ha, that’s impossible!
- Hole in your 600D polyester fabric?  Patched it up with hot glue and dirty aluminum foil.
- Re-purposing your old 1990s beige computer tower into travel luggage.

What we’re looking for;
- Authentic real hacks (but even made up hacks can be funny)
- Homemade & sloppy (think “Thereifixedit.com”)
- Attempts to serve some sort of purpose (even if if doesn’t actually succeed)
- Creativity, humor, absurdity
- Doesn’t need to be a “bag” or “pack”, but probably
- Here’s an example of a great Carry Hack that works well, but isn’t too funny, and is still absolutely valid
- And here’s another example of a Carry Hack not absurd or funny, but totally creative

(Try not to focus on people carrying “too much stuff” with something that isn’t made for it… we’re already working on that post!)

Related posts:

1. Carry Hack Photo Contest
2. 5 Neat Things Happening in Carry Today
3. Choosing a Carry Quiver

Recently, a few of us here at Carryology were throwing around some lists of bags we’d buy if money wasn’t an issue. Rather than keeping the lists to ourselves, we figured it would be rad to ask our main contributors to write their list up, and share it with you guys. So here is the first of our top 3 backpacks and messengers lists (in this case 4 and 2 3), from one of the Carryology contributors, Taylor.

Taylor’s carry wish list: I’m a minimalist.  I’ve spent hours upon hours (and a bit more cash than I care to admit) in the pursuit of slimming down my keychain so it fits perfectly in my jeans pocket.  The same goes for me and carry in general.  I like minimalistic designs.  Simple, bold, solid colors.  Honest tough materials.  Not too much flare.  But a detail or two that draws you in. Bags and packs that carry my minimal amount of gear perfectly, with refinement, comfort, and durability.  Durability is probably my most sought after trait when it comes to carry, refined style comes second.  When it hits that sweet spot of both, while being comfortable, well, here are the ones that I think do that well. Email me for my personal mailing address, I’ll happily accept any of these items for testing, abuse, love, and a carefully written Carryology Road Test review.  Yes, I’m serious.

Backpacks:

VISVIM: 20L and/or 22L This backpack is a backpack.  It nearly defines the word “backpack”.  If you took a Jansport backpack from the 80′s or 90′s, had an artist draw a wildly exaggerated caricature of it, then have an Industrial Designer who studied Cubism refine down that caricature back down to its most simple elements using only the highest quality materials and hardware available, with a off-center point of view, you’ll get the Japanese brand Visvim, and the 20L and 22L backpacks.

There is quite a cult following to this brand, but like many highly specific great things, the brand is relatively unknown by the masses.  In my opinion, that is a good thing, as it keeps the quality high.  They even try to be sort of a mystery in the world.  Go ahead, look up their business phone number.  Like the Volvo slogan goes “the thinking man’s BMW”, I feel like Visvim is “the thinking man’s Jansport”.  Or something like that.  Free International Laboratory/Cubism.  Enough said.  (I’d opt for one in the black colorway… if you couldn’t guess that already).  Keen to buy?

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KILLSPENCER: Special Ops Backpack This guy has it figured out.  Masculine aesthetic without excess gaudy military extras.  His designs walk the line between military and a well-tailored men’s suit.  Professional and rugged.  Well thought out compartments, not too much extra.  Again, the highest quality construction, materials, and some of my favorite hardware details on the market today.  Check out the buckles on the messenger they offer, AstriAlpin, made in Austria for life of death situations.  I was on a roller coaster about a year or so ago, they were using the same exact brand/model of buckles on the shoulder harness.  No joke.  KILLSPENCER even offers mil-spec hardware to hang each of his product’s on your wall when you get home at the end of the day.  Thoughtful and bad ass. There are three versions of this backpack available.  My favorite two are the wax cotton black and the repurposed olive drab truck tarp version.  Keen to buy?

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peace4you (all his messenger bags) I’ve already wrote a review on Carryology on peace4you’s mouth-watering messengers if that tells you anything.  Read the entire review here for much more information and photos.  Re-purposed military material and hardware (looks like WW2 era to me) brought back to life in the form of beautifully tailored messenger bags, made by hand, by the owner in Germany.  Everything about this company and their products embodies my favorite aspects of carry design.  This is high fashion meets military, in a quiet, calm, thoughtful method.  Keen to buy?
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Triple Aught Design: Dispatch Bag I love Triple Aught Design. Their company is amazing, as well as their products.  I love browsing through their accessories, their clothing, even their knives (and I’m really not a knife kind of guy).  Everything is the utmost highest quality.  Simple, honest, bold materials.  Where TAD really shines is in the carry department.  I personally own a TAD FAST Pack Litespeed, and it is my favorite backpack I own.  I feel confident saying this pack will last the rest of my life.  1000D Cordura nylon, all the right military accents, yet very refined.  Now that the Dispatch Bag is available again, in multiple colors, I may have to think about a messenger for myself.  Go to the site and check out the features and details on this pack.  I know from experience, it is very difficult to design a military messenger that works well.  From everything I have read and viewed, they nailed it.  (Obviously, for color I would go for the bla… you get the idea).  Keen to buy?
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UPDATE: Hard Graft: Flat Pack 11″ OK, I admit it, I cheated.  We were supposed to have 6 items on our wish lists.  But, I added another item on my wish list here, after the post was up already.  Then again, I had to add this.  It was beyond my own control.  Look at this piece of art.  There isn’t even much to say about this one, it speaks for itself.  The finest Italian leather.  Perfect stitch lines, that almost make music.  Beautiful design.  Handmade in Austria by people who love what they do.  Holds stuff.  Holds stuff really well.  I would use it to carry my gear every day… and probably use it as my pillow at night as well.  Honestly… I lust for this item.  Keen to buy?

Related posts:

1. Carry Wishlists :: Ando
2. Carry on Etsy
3. 9 Amazing Bags Available Now

Carry Wishlists :: Ando

Recently, a few of us here at Carryology were throwing around some lists of bags we’d buy if money wasn’t an issue (especially with Xmas here) Rather than keeping the lists to ourselves, we figured it would be rad to ask our main contributors to write their list up, and share it with you guys. So here is the first of our top 3 backpacks and messengers lists, from one of the Carryology founders, Ando.

Ando’s carry wishlist:

“Here’s a truth about me and carry… for all the time I’ve spent in the world of carry, I carry too much. I always have. When I used to hit the high country for weeks at a time, I’d do it with a monster pack and every fun thing I could think to bring. When I go backcountry, I have the group first aid kit and every bit of avy gear you can imagine.

It means that my carry is usually on the large side, and so you’ll see that my dream list is also that way. I tell myself that at least it makes me demanding, as I’ll really notice when a waist belt is not right or a strap too narrow.

So here are some bags I love. Some I’ve already stretched for. Some I might one day. Each has a personality, a high level of refinement, and is just a little bit expensive.”

Backpacks

Goruck GR2

When you travel, you want a versatile carry that will blend into any environment. The GR2 fits that bill perfectly. It will let you fill it to one bag your trip, but also slim it down to take only the essentials to a work meeting. The quality is top notch, and the pocketing and features are clever and precise. This is a cracking pack. Keen to buy?

image via Context Clothing

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Visvim 20L

Visvim is cooler than your grandma. Everything they produce has a personality that cuts through. The 20L is reminiscent of many bag forms before it, and it has inspired many since. But each time you see it, it still stands out. The fabrics are better, that bottom bevel is better, those grid zips add uncertainty and imperfection that only make it better. I could own 4 of these and still see ones I wanted. Keen to buy?

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Mystery Ranch 3 Day Assault

Dana Gleason is one of the world’s great Carryologists. After founding and selling Dana Designs, he moved on to found Mystery Ranch, where he makes incredible packs for military, hunters and adventurers. While I don’t dig the guns and deer heads, I do think that he understands odd loads and comfortable carriage better than most. I’ve been using the Camelbak version of this pack, and hope one day to go the whole way with the Mystery Ranch version. Keen to buy?

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Wildcard >> Mission Workshop Vandal Mk II VX

This bag does not exist. Yet. But knowing how Mission Workshop keep improving things, and knowing the awesome direction they are taking their Advanced Projects series of bags, I’m sure it soon will exist. The Vandal breaks lots of awesome new ground, but it just needs a little refining (read our thoughts on it here) and some beautiful VX style fabrics. When they do that, I’ll be first in line.

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Messengers

Nike ACG Messenger

After seeing the Hardgraft 2Unfold a few years ago, I’d really wanted to take those principles to a more bike inspired messenger. Then in a gallery-like Nike store, down a lane in Tokyo, I saw the ACG. It had loads of the ideas I’d wanted, and added some more. It has since been evolved into the welded NSW range, however in my mind the original is still the pick of them. Keen to buy?

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Porter Protect Messenger

For me, a messenger should really be for lighter loads. Rather than catering for long trips to far flung places, the Porter Protect lets you get easily to work and home again, with perhaps a small detour on the way. It is simple, clean, and really dialed. It works on bike, train or car, and looks good in almost any environment. Keen to buy?

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Mission Workshop VX

For most bag designers, roll-tops are a styling statement. For the MW guys, they are one part of a dialed access and protection arrangement. Just as Hardgraft are inspiring fashion bags around the world, MW are inspiring bike bags, pushing new formats and breaking new ideas. I’d still love them to better provide for digital toys, but all that will come in time. Keen to buy?

Related posts:

1. Carry Wishlists :: Taylor
2. Brooks Carry Range
3. 5 Neat Things Happening in Carry Today

We’ve been amping to get our hands on a 5.11 Tactical for a while now, just look at the image above – what’s not to drool over. The bag looks made for abuse! Fortunately one of our contributors, Taylor Welden, had the opportunity to test one out for a while. Here’s the results of a couple of months of flogging it.

5.11 Tactical‘s handsome RUSH 24 backpack ($139) is easily my number one go-to everyday carry (EDC) backpack.  And here’s why.  The compartmentalization is perfect for me, my EDC gear, my activities, and my brain.  Most people don’t think  about their brains (pun intended) when they’re buying a backpack.  But I do.  Then again, I’m a bit of a fanatic about backpacks.

Think of your backpack like your computer’s hard drive.  You have the drive, then the folders, and then subfolders within each of the primary folders, finally down to the individual files.  Everyone creates their own unique system that works best for their lifestyle, their thinking patterns, their brains.  Simply put, how they organize things.  When you’re wearing a backpack on your back, either consciously, or subconsciously, you’ve mapped the locations of every item you’ve put in it.  Ideally, you should be able to take off your backpack and grab whatever you need out of it with a blindfold on, knowing exactly which area and which pocket each item is located.  With the RUSH 24, I absolutely can and do just that.  If I need to find my keys in zero light situations, no problem.

The organization of this pack just makes sense to me.  There are an ample amount of pockets, and each one seems to fit my everyday carry gear perfectly, like a glove. It seems to find this balance between a lot of pockets, but not too many.  Often military packs can just be overloaded with pockets, which adds weight, cost, complexity, and more.  In this case, each pocket and compartment is laid out in a way that is logical.

My favorite two pockets on the 5.11 Tactical RUSH 24 backpack are the top two smaller pockets, dubbed “book end pockets”.  We all end up with unexpected items throughout our day, all about the size of your palm.  We have either just used this item, or just acquired it, etc.  There are so many examples, they’re endless.  For me, at several different points during one day I found myself looking for a Bic lighter, moustache wax, a slip piece of paper someone gave me that provides me a free drink at a local bar, small digital camera which needs to be accessible for a quick photo, spare change, and more.  These front two pockets are perfect for these items, they’re like bigger and better front jeans pockets, without the bulge.

Then inside those two pockets, additional pockets.  So your digital camera will have a snug little spot behind the internal drop pocket (not to mention that little zone is micro fleece lined), and you can put in a fist full off pecans into the zippered mesh pouch on the back of the flap-side of the pocket, so even loose items have their own little zippered spot.  Easily my favorite features on the pack, at least organizationally speaking.

Also, not to be forgotten, the upper top zipper pocket, which is located just behind the nylon webbing top grab handle.  Why, for what?  I wear glasses.  I took out the RUSH 24 to Austin City Limits 2011 for some testing and abuse.  If you’ve ever been to ACL or a music festival like this one, in 110+ degree heat, with nearly 75,000 people there each day… the event stresses your body, your mind, and your gear.  Here in Austin, the sun is the enemy, so we all wear sunglasses as a necessity.  I keep mine in a semi-soft case, switching out for my normal seeing glasses when it gets dark.  I’ve spent years of tossing cases at the bottom of packs, ending up with broken glasses that cost way too much to replace 2 or 3 times a year.  This upper pocket is fits my glasses (and their case if you prefer like I do) just snugly enough to know they’re safe.  Oh, and it’s also micro fleece lined.  Perfect.

Durability wise, the RUSH 24 is an Abrams tank on steroids.  But still relatively lightweight and fits your body comfortably.  Utilizing YKK #10 and YKK #6 zippers (if I’m not mistaken), means no broken zippers at that perfect time when you really don’t need a broken zipper.  All that tough fabric between each zipper, that’s military-spec 1050D ballistic Cordura nylon with water-repellent PUx2 coating, which the best stuff on the market.  I’ve written about my love for Cordura before, and I’ll probably do it again, I’m not ashamed of it.  5.11′s color offerings for the RUSH 24 are also appealing, with Sandstone, TAC OD, and Flat Dark Earth.  There is no scientific evidence to support this theory, but I also firmly believe the black color is much tougher.  You decide.  Buy two packs in different colors, make the two colors fight, or be friends, however you want to do it.  Send us an email to let us know what happens when the dust settles.

Some minor highlights that don’t really need to take up an entire paragraph themselves…

*The use of Hyaplon fabric patches (the same stuff the NAVY SEALS inflatable boats are made from) on the backpanel.  That stuff is tougher than Rhino skin, and pricey.
*The top grab handle is simply made from military grab nylon webbing.  Simple, constructed very well.  Can’t ask for more than that.  The handle also has built in Velcro lift-up panels on both sides (for rightys and leftys) to pull your hydration tube out of.  Very trick.
*The minimal branding on the pack.  I’ve been known to (and I’m sure there are many other readers out there who do the same thing), remove labels and tags from things I own.  Especially when they’re just over the top.  Not here.
*The access panel to the rear hydration bladder / laptop compartment.  Either or.  You won’t be using both at the same time.  Hiking = water bladder.  Going to a coffee shop = laptop.  It is it’s own zippered compartment under the shoulder straps, and opens up nice and big.  This way you can refill your water bladder, or pull out your laptop, without having to empty out the entire contents of the main compartment first.
*Shoulder pads and backpanels are nice and cushioned, as expected.  3 days, 7 hours a day, plus 6 two-mile bike rides… filled with gear, my back and shoulders were fine.  If that doesn’t say something about comfort, I don’t know what will.

Also, let’s talk price.  $139 for this backpack is a steal.  For these expensive fabrics, durable hardware, countless hours of design and testing, and overall superior quality construction completed in China, that $139 is an extremely high value. Comparable packs, with the same features (potentially less actually) and relatively same construction, can easily double the cost of this pack.  Go on, do some research, I’ll wait here while you check.  Seriously, go ahead. …..

See?  $200, $250, even $300-$400.  Not that they may not be worth that cost, but the RUSH 24 delivers, despite the affordable cost.  The bottom line is, don’t think that because it’s priced less, that it is missing something.  It isn’t.  In fact, in same cases, it may be the other way around.

And if you’re brain is heading towards the current trend of thinking >  ”not made in the USA, tsk, tsk”.  As a full-time softgoods Industrial Designer with plenty of experience working with Chinese and US manufacturers, let me dis-spell this idea of poor craftsmanship coming from the Far East. Yeah, that’s right, I don’t stray away from these delicate topics.  China is a super power of quality well-made bags and packs.  Sure, some factories crank out $10 WalMart backpacks that are full of cheap polyester and PVC, but some of the factories focus on serious technical construction.  For this example, the latter is true.  I’m not saying I don’t love my “made in USA” products, but “made in China” is right up there and should not be discredited.

Is the RUSH 24 (2,000 cu in) right for you?  I’d say it is just right for me and my EDC needs.  Do you need a little bit bigger pack?  Or is the RUSH 24 a bit too big?  Check out the rest of 5.11 Tactical’s MOLLE backpacks.  They carry a RUSH 12 version which can handle 1,296 cu in of stuff.  Perfect for a small EDC daypack.  They also have a titan of a technical backpack, aptly named the RUSH 72, designed as a Bug Out Bag for extended trips, whether its 3 days trekking/camping in the woods, or 7+ days overseas.  The RUSH 72 can swallow up a mammoth 2,639 cu in of your gear.  Pick the right size for you.  For me, like I said to open this up, the RUSH 24 size is perfect for me, my EDC gear, my activities, and my brain.  Think about it.

Related posts:

1. Road Test | Incase Nylon Backpack
2. Road Test | Rip Curl Search Backpack
3. Road Test | Incase Nylon Backpack | Part 2

QWSTION Washed Black Collection

The nice gents over at QWSTION sent us a neat little email this morning announcing the arrival of the Washed Black Collection. A collection of their finest, most popular pieces that now have a rad washed look.

The five styles that got the Washed Black treatment include the Backpack, Travelkit, Office Tote, Office and Weekender styles. Kinda love the worn, loved look that the wash gives the bags. All the washed styles are available now in the QWSTION online store and are running with FREE SHIPPING. Early xmas present anyone?

We really need to road test one of these, wink wink haha…

Related posts:

1. HÆRFEST | Collection B
2. A Canvas Collection
3. Road Test | Qwstion Weekender

Backpacks @ SVPPLY

Svpply is an interesting site, have you been/checked it? It’s like retail version of Digg. An online bookmarking and recommendation service. Their backpack catalog is crazy, come take a look…

You can seriously get lost on Svpply for hours if not days looking at products you’d like to buy. I guess the easy way to describe it as your online wish-list with the added benefit of being able to purchase.You can use Svpply to keep track of the things you want to buy, or browse a personal feed of products from across the web, curated and filtered by the people and stores you find interesting.

The things we found interesting? An extremely large curated collection of backpacks on there. There’s probably a percentage that are actually great at helping you carry better, but the selection is amazing and the various bags/styles you come across range from hilarious to really well thought out.

Here’s a bunch of the ones that jumped out at us for various reason…

Related posts:

1. Packable Backpacks for the Snow
2. Our favourite versatile backpacks
3. Changing backpacks

School bag w/LED light & GPS

This is a cool/weird/scary-but-still-interesting concept that might find an appreciative audience given a bit more attention – both aesthetically and functionally. A bag maker in China (Ruizhi Children Intelligent Safety Products.,LTD) has got in touch to share a series of backpacks for young kids that include LED lights and GPS systems built in.

So the concept behind this is to increase safety for children at school and other areas they roll round with bags – which invariably involves cars, dusk, etc. Two main functions; LED lights & GPS tracking.

GPS positioning: parents will track the precise location of the children to make sure of their child’s safety.

The product’s full name is “Parents’ Love Child Intelligent Safety Schoolbag.” Yep, a bit of a mouthful. The key is the intelligence and security features -the exclusive LED lighting system and patented technology of 360-degree reflective materials and the intelligence mainly system of the precise GPS positioning system (or so they tell us).

The two-color intelligent LED chips on the right side can emit red ray, blue ray and flashing. The red and blue light is the most penetrating, so the visual effect is pretty rad. The distance can reach to 50 meters under the sunlight, 100 meters under cloudy conditions, and ensures drivers can get more reaction time for braking, etc. Oh, and we figure you’d also get a chance at tracking down any schoolbag thieves as a nice bonus.

Pretty cool/scary/weird!

Related posts:

1. Back To School Bags
2. F-Light Series from Rip Curl

9 Amazing Bags Available Now

Last week we worked with High Snobiety to help create a buyers guide for them based around bags – backpacks, messengers, weekenders, etc. Pretty rad fun to be honest, it was like we just threw together our wishlist haha. Peek it all below and let us know what you’d like to buy or what you think should have been included…

So what do we think is happening in carry right now? A whole lot of heritage. Probably too much. It’s letting brands strip features off and sell it for more, often with a total disregard for any of the functional lessons we’ve learned in the past 40 years. Which is a pity, because done well, a heritage vibe can be neat. It gets the focus away from straps and features, and back to great textures and fabric interest on a clean silhouette. There’s also a resurgence of tactical, which is showing up more in an EDC vibe, but that has been swamped by the heritage thing.

In terms of formats, roll-tops, fold tops and half fold bags are everywhere. Designers are stoked to get away from zip openings which have dominated since forever, but we’re going through a bit of overkill with the roll-top thing. They often create an opening that is hard and slow to use.

If you want a bit more of a classic format, helmet bags and weekenders are entering more people’s lines. It’s a nice change from the standard totes which were the new black for the previous couple of years, adding a bit more manliness to your carry.

So that’s enough yap. What should we be buying right now? We’ve tried to pick out some carry gear that represents some of these vibes, but won’t leave you feeling like a victim when strawberry shortcake pink backpacks make a return.

Messengers:

Mission Workshop VX Messenger

The MW guys are killing it. After setting up, then selling Chrome Bags, they’ve continued on evolving their ideas into some really sweet formats. Their Rummy Messenger has started a format that will be copied by many, and now their Advanced Projects range takes this format to another level of fabrics and finish.

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Tailfeather Nightjar

On the opposite end of the tech spectrum is Tailfeather, a tiny craft brand based in the cold parts of Australia. The Nightjar covers a triple layer canvas in a big whack of top grain leather. Super clean and minimal, this messenger nails it on the details.

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Teddyfish Bleu 1.5

A small fold-top with tube opening, the Teddyfish takes a basic small messenger and just nails the details. A heavy washed canvas with latex dip and sweet strap placement, this French brand is moving from simply quirky to simply rad.

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Backpacks:

Topo Designs Daypack

If you’re really keen to get into the whole heritage backpack vibe, do it with something of good quality. Topo designs keep it simple but make it well, sell for around a hundgie, and have color options.

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Goruck GR-1

Sure, this is not new for this season, but the Goruck GR-1 is building an incredible cult following for stripping back the EDC/Tactical thing to just the minimum, while taking nothing away from that functionality. It’s bomb-proof, versatile, and should be broken in like a good set of jeans.

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Lexdray Boulder Pack

Taking a form that feels familiar (from packs like the Visvim 20L), the Boulder pack takes the EDC vibe to a crazy new level. With pockets for every toy you’ll ever want to carry, the Boulder mixes nylon with leather and neoprene to give you multiple shades of black.

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Weekenders/Duffels:

Kill Spencer Weekender

This is one of those bags that the more they work on it, the more they manage to take away. It’s available in a number of materials, and is made about as well as a bag can be.

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Hardgraft Square1 Holdall

Hardgraft’s influence in the carry world is mega. Their 2Unfold has influenced countless fold-over shoulder bags, their leather and felt look has helped create a felt shortage around the world, and this is their new duffel, which as always has a few tricks up it’s sleeve.

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Buco Helmet Bag

While they rarely actually carry helmets around, helmet bags work great as an oversized tote for hauling your daily bits. This Buco version is not at all subtle, but it does fit the vibe of your vespa and dainty moustache.

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