Best New Gear: September 2017

From lightweight travel bags to slim and minimalist EDC, the past month has seen a host of great new gear step up for consideration in your carry collection. Could your perfect piece be amongst it? Find out as we dig into the Best New Gear in September… 

Billykirk x Uncrate Stopover Collection

Billykirk are all about quality gear with a timeless aesthetic that’s built to last. And their collaboration with Uncrate celebrates these values in three handsome pieces. The Billykirk x Uncrate Dopp Kit, Commuter Tote and Carryall are designed to work together for a long weekend away but also as standalone pieces for daily use. The pieces are trimmed in American Bison hide and include a durable Ranger Tan nylon lining for easy interior visibility. Each piece is cut, sewn, and trimmed by hand in Billykirk’s New York studio, and ready to roam at home or further afield for years to come.

Vans x Mission Workshop Collaboration

What do you get when you combine skateboarding heritage with sleek urban carry? A slick collaboration between Mission Workshop and Vans featuring the Vans x Mission Workshop Backpack, Vans x Mission Workshop UltraRange MTE shoes and Vans x Mission Workshop Sk8-Hi MTE shoes. Crafted with ballistic weave Cordura and a coated internal lining for convenient cleaning, the Vans x Mission Workshop Backpack features Mission Workshop’s Arkiv® system that accommodates a range of Mission Workshop accessories, as well as a system to secure a skateboard, snowboard or bike wheel. The 20L pack can be used in flap-down or rolltop mode and also includes a removable tool pocket.

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L – Huckberry Exclusive

Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack is one of the most versatile EDC offerings on the market, with customizable organization, expandability, awesome top and side access, and a weatherproof build. But what it hasn’t offered is a black colorway option – until now. Huckberry and Peak Design have come together to create an exclusive version of the 20L Everyday Backpack in black with tan leather detailing. A sleek piece for daily and travel use that’s available only through Huckberry.

Tortuga Homebase Collection

Are you a digital nomad living out of your bag? Or maybe a traveler looking for lightweight yet durable carry-on bags suited to a range of environments? Meet the Tortuga Homebase Collection featuring the 32L Homebase Backpack and 45L Homebase Duffle Case. Both pieces are built with lightweight, weather-resistant and durable custom sailcloth, complemented by lockable weather-resistant YKK zippers. The backpack features a clamshell opening and includes a packing cube, a 15″ laptop sleeve and 10″ tablet sleeve, a front organization pocket, and a water bottle pocket. The shoulder straps are stowable if desired, with top and side grab handles offering additional portability. The duffle also offers a clamshell opening for convenient packing and access, interior mesh pockets and an exterior pocket. The top straps can be stowed away or removed, with further carry options including a padded shoulder strap and top and side grab handles.

Mission Workshop Mission Jean and Unagi Knife

Looking for a quality knife that will last the rest of your life and beyond? The Mission Workshop x Kingdom Armory Unagi Knife is just such a knife. Designed by knife maker David M. Rydbom of Kingdom Armory, the limited edition framelock knife features a durable yet light 6AL-4V (Grade 5) titanium frame, while the blade is crafted from CPM154 stainless steel. Each knife is made by hand by Chad Nichols and the crew from Mississippi-based Nichols Damascus, before being inspected, tuned, and sharpened by Dave. Produced in a limited production run of just 200 and guaranteed forever, this is an heirloom-quality piece that can be passed down through the generations.

For utility of a different kind, turn to the Mission Workshop Mission Jean, a fine addition to a one-bag travel packing list. Made in Los Angeles, the Mission Jean combines extreme four-way stretch with a water-repellent finish to create a flexible wardrobe piece that works in a range of settings. The Mission Jean is crafted with custom fabric developed exclusively for Mission Workshop by Mectex S.p.a. and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Tanner Goods Varsity Wool Collection

Tanner Goods are known for crafting durable and handsome gear. Their new Varsity Wool collection lives up to their reputation with a suave combination of durability, weather protection and eye-catching style. The collection includes the Wilderness Rucksack, Everyday Tote, Voyager Daypack and Drifter Dopp Kit, each featuring a water-repellent Shetland wool from the renowned Halley Stevensons fabric mill. The wool is complemented by 18oz waxed canvas and vegetable-tanned Cambara English bridle leather, creating bags that are ready whatever the weather has in store.

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker

Having music on the move is great. However, small and easily portable speakers can often fall short when it comes to good sound quality. But not the Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker. This highly portable speaker offers excellent sound for its size, a battery life of up to 6 hours, and a wireless range up to 9 meters, all in a compact and lightweight design weighing only 290.3 grams. A tear-resistant silicone strap lets you easily attach it to a bag or bike as part of your EDC or outdoor gear setup. The completely waterproof speaker exceeds an IPX7 rating so you don’t need to worry about rain or accidentally dropping it in water. Plus with a durable silicone rubber exterior it’s built to embrace adventure.

Farrah Design Weekender and Duffle

Passionate about quality materials, handmade craftsmanship and timeless luxury? So is Tom Farrah, well evidenced by beautiful and functional carry pieces such as the Farrah Design Weekender and Duffle. The Weekender is crafted with durable vegetable-tanned leather that will stand the test of time and only look better with age. The bag is available in a choice of colorways and offers an interior pocket for storing smaller items. The Duffle comes in 29L and 80L options, with a hard-wearing construction featuring Australian-made waxed canvas and vegetable-tanned leather detailing. The Duffle secures with a rolltop closure and includes an interior loop for attaching keys or other small items.

Aer Flight Pack

Smart looks, versatile carry options and useful organization make Aer’s Flight Pack a great companion for work travel as well as everyday use. Suitable for carry-on use, the bag can be carried as a backpack when you’re on the move or as a shoulder bag or briefcase-style bag when a more professional appearance is called for. Multiple pockets keep your work and travel items tidy and easily accessible, while the water-resistant 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon exterior easily handles the demands of travel. And with a luggage passthrough on the back panel you can conveniently attach the bag to wheeled luggage for all-in-one portability.

Airpaq

Many car airbags, seat belts and buckles are relegated to the scrapyard when they still have years of potential use left in them. But the Airpaq Backpack aims to change this, upcycling these materials to create a bag that’s durable and functional. The Airpaq uses airbags for the body and rolltop, a seat buckle for the closure, and seat belts on the back panel and shoulder straps. Due to the nature of upcycled products, each pack will also differ slightly in the details, making each one unique. The pack offers a choice of interior compartments including padded storage for a 15″ laptop, while an exterior pocket provides handy storage for small quick-access items.

ARKTYPE Dashpack

Whether you’re enduring the commuter crowd crush or roaming on your travels with the essentials in tow, the ARKTYPE Dashpack’s slim profile and durable, water-resistant build will keep you right. Made by hand in the USA, the 15L pack also offers a choice of useful options for organizing your gear, such as a concealed vertical front pocket, two side water bottle pockets, front webbing and an interior mesh pocket. Your tech is also well protected with a 15″ laptop sleeve in the main compartment and a separate compartment that fits a 13″ laptop and includes a pocket that holds up to a 10″ tablet.

Triple Aught Design Azimuth Duffel

Packable, lightweight and multifunctional, the Triple Aught Design Azimuth Duffel works well for both travel and everyday use. Stash it inside a larger travel bag until needed, or have it by your side as a daily carry companion. The duffel can pack down into its own pocket for compact storage, and offers top and side carry handles along with a removable shoulder strap that can also be configured for backpack-style carry. An exterior pocket keeps small essentials within easy reach, while the interior offers a zipped pocket and four attachment points for TAD accessories or other organization options.

Arc’teryx Veilance Leather Goods

Arc’teryx Veilance always strives for technical performance and innovation. But their collection of ultra-thin leather wallets introduces these elements in a category that’s uncharted territory for the brand. The collection features a card wallet, a billfold in a choice of two sizes, as well as a passport wallet. Arc’teryx Veilance utilized an innovative laminated construction process to create leather wallets that are incredibly slim yet strong. Constructed with Horween full-grain combination tanned leather, the wallets will be available in November 2017.

Grovemade Minimalist Tough Case

Tough phone cases often sacrifice style in the quest for durability. But Grovemade follow a different path with their Minimalist Tough Case. The case is shatterproof, shock-absorbing and lightweight, combining an aluminum frame and elastomer bumper that provides solid protection with sleek aesthetics. Your phone can be slid easily in and out of the case, which comes in a range of options to suit your personal tastes and is available in a choice of sizes to fit the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X.

Topo Designs x REI National Parks Collection

Want to support the great outdoors while enjoying great carry too? Topo Designs have teamed up with REI to offer a collection of bags featuring custom patches in support of U.S. National Parks. And for each collection product purchased, 5% of the wholesale cost will be donated to the National Park Foundation. The collection is available from REI’s website and select REI Co-op stores.

Bellroy Bags Collection

After honing their craft and delighting folks with items that sit in pockets and on desks, our buds over at Bellroy have finally entered the bag world: 3 collections. 6 new bags. All with Bellroy’s considered design detail, and geared for everyday use. From a backpack that doubles as a tote, to a weatherproof work bag with expandable sides to a classic daypack with surprising detail on the inside, there’s a lot to like here. Check out our write-up of the full collection here.

Mismo Legacy Collection

Mismo gives a respectful nod to the past while celebrating timeless design with their Legacy Collection. In 2008 the Danish brand launched bags in a durable tight-woven cotton canvas originally developed for the Italian military. Following several years of exploring other materials, that premium fabric is now available to enjoy again across a range of understated pieces in a choice of attractive colorways. Combining quality materials and construction, the Legacy Collection caters elegantly to a range of day-to-day and travel carry needs, all with Mismo’s refined minimalism ensuring these pieces will remain stylishly functional for years to come.