First Look | Sharpen Up With Topo Designs X The James Brand New Utility Capsule

Having collaborated with both Topo Designs from Colorado, and The James Brand from Portland, we know that these two companies have a wealth of experience, knowledge, and talent when it comes to the carry world. They have become trusted names in both the outdoor and everyday realms, with good reason. Today we look at their new Utility Capsule and see what have they whipped up this time.

The Utility collection is a combination of two EDC favourites, a carry pouch and a pocket knife. These are essentials we find ourselves reaching for regularly and these two items are an easy way to elevate your carry. Inside a wonderful presentation box you will find…

The Redstone Knife

A recent addition to their impressive catalogue, the James Brand have made a perfect daily folder at an excellent price point. The Redstone has been well received by enthusiasts, and it’s a natural choice for this collaboration.

The 2.5” drop point blade is made from Sandvik 12C27 steel and is partially serrated, this makes it useful for most daily tasks from cutting food, to opening boxes and everything in between. Don’t be fooled by its minimal style though, this will also do well as a pocket knife for the wilderness and day hikes when you aren’t bringing a full kit with you. 

The polypropylene handle is comfortable and contributes to the incredible 2oz weight, which is impressive considering its strength and capabilities. Carry wise there is a clip perfect for pocketing or using in tandem with the mini shoulder bag. It also has an included lanyard that not only looks magnificent in its red tone, but allows attachment to key rings, bags and the like.

The Redstone is a nimble pocket knife that is easy to use and carry, just as all good EDC items should be! It balances well in hand and is a great middle ground between a full size hunting/expedition knife and a mini blade.

The Mini Shoulder Bag

The mini shoulder bag is, well, mini! At 1L, this bag is designed for your essentials and nothing more. Made from one of our favourite materials, XPAC, this bag is durable and can be taken on many adventures. Not only that, the XPAC itself is 100% climate neutral, so you can feel good about using this for years to come.

With YKK® AquaGuard® Zippers on both the main opening and the front angled pocket (with contrasting red key loop included), your essentials should stay moisture free. Internally, there are two simple slip pouches – ideal spots for hand sanitizer, a snack, or even the Redstone! I’ve found this bag to be a great pouch for active use, on the ski lift, while hiking, as well as EDC. It provides quick an and easy access to the essentials without having to unpack your larger bag. The Mini Shoulder Bag has comfortably held my phone, the Redstone, a multitool, hand sanitizer, tissues, and snacks, all while keeping them in easy reach.

You can either carry cross body with the detachable shoulder strap, or you can use the velcro on the rear of the bag to attach to a bike or a larger bag. I like this touch, it just makes it a more versatile addition to my carry, and it also means that it can move between bags easily if you use far too many like I do! The hearty paracord looks excellent in a contrasting red, to match the Redstone, but is also makes for easier opening on a smaller bodied bag. A collaboration patch sits on the right corner of the bag, while a webbing loop sits on the top left above the front zipper should you want to personalise or add on further.

The Utility Collection is an excellent value capsule that will become a cornerstone of your carry, I’ve been really impressed with how useful it has been for my EDC, in the multitude of situations that I mentioned. The mixture of hiqh quality materials, simple design, and excellent functionality make this a worthwhile pick up – either for yourself or as a gift!

The James Brand x Topo Utility Capsule is available now at www.thejamesbrand.com and www.topodesigns.com