First Look | Huckberry and 1733 Adventure Ready Collection

At Carry HQ, we think that our friends at Huckberry are some of the best curators in the game. They have a great understanding of adventure, and all the tools needed to get there. Over the last few years, their collaborations have paired with some of the biggest and the best in the industry. However, this year, they’ve been digging under the surface and have collaborated with a growing force in the Carry Community, Chicago’s 1733.

Let’s dive into the Huckberry x 1733 Duffle and Dopp Kit Collection.

The duffle and dopp kit fortuitously arrived just in time for a work road trip to Montana, and as such I was able to give both of them a pretty rough workout in a short space of time. We’ve been fans of what we’ve seen from 1733, but personally I had previously only handled their excellent sidepack (read our review here) so I was excited to get my hands on some of their larger and burlier products, and boy is this collection burley.

Constructed from a mix of Cordura® (base and lid) and X11 XPAC® this duffle is designed to go with you on all of your adventures, and matter where you take it, it’ll handle the abuse. Cordura® is well known around these parts for its robust nature and X11 is a wonderful compliment to that. X11 XPAC® is the perfect blend of old and new. By using an organic cotton base (similar to that you’d see in a duck canvas work shirt) and laminating it you get the tactile experience of a traditional material, with the durability and weatherproof benefits of a modern material. In hand that feels like an update to your Dad’s old duffle.

The duffle itself is a joy to use. At 37L this is the perfect grab and go bag for up to a week on the road. I found the X11 XPAC® to be more pliable than traditional laminates, it allows you to squeeze one more pair of trousers when you need to. Featuring a large U shaped opening, this is very much styled like the traditional duffle. Internally you’ll see an unlined cavity that gives you an unobstructed view of that glorious X grid!

There is a flat zippered pocket on the lid, and a zippered pocket on one end of the main compartment. I found these to be good spots for a book, an extra layer, or a wash kit. While the whole bag isn’t lined, the lid and end pocket are constructed in a bright yellow packcloth to add some contrast to the interior of the bag.

Externally you have a removable shoulder strap with featherweight hardware, two straps that snap together for hand carry, and two exterior zippered pockets with volume, one on either side. These proved to be very useful while travelling, I stored my “plane kit” (with the usual hand sanitizer, wipes, snack, etc) and memobottle flat water bottle in one pocket, and my tech kit in the other.

I can quickly get access to must-haves without having to go into the main compartment. From a travel standpoint, I enjoyed that functionality and as an avid window seat fiend, it saved me the dreaded mid-flight get up to grab something from my bag. All the zippers on the bag are YKK® coil, which are very water resistant to match the fabric construction. I had no concerns about my belongings in both snow and rain.

The duffle carries very well, and comfortably, either over the shoulder or in hand. I do think for extended periods of carrying (going from one terminal to another perhaps) some kind of grip handle would be welcome, I did notice the snap on the handle and I can imagine that would become a nuisance on longer jaunts. Your mileage may vary of course, but worth noting.

The aluminium hardware is light, durable, and exceptionally well colour matched. I think Huckberry and 1733 have chosen a very nice palette for this collaboration. From the body and zippers contrasting in coyote/black and then pairing with a mountain orange, this bag looks great. It is equally elegant and outdoorsy, which will suit many styles.

I found it to be a Goldilocks size for airline travel, with it fitting underneath the seat in front of me when less full, and in overhead bins when stuffed to the gills.

The Dopp Kit is a natural companion to bags like this duffle, as it affords you a bit more organisation or separation of goods internally. Constructed from the same X11 XPAC® as the duffle, it too is durable and weather resistant. In my time with the collection, I used it in three ways: underwear packing cube, gimbal transport, and pouch mode for my EDC to stop it rattling around in my bag. It features a zipper pocket on the lid, and at 6L it is a great size to help with your carry organisation.

Huckberry have done it again with this collaboration, and it’s really great to see them celebrating such a fantastic maker like 1733. This is an updated heirloom bag, and one that will service many adventures. If you’re looking for a high quality, American Made, and functional gear hauler and dopp kit – look no further than the Huckberry x 1733 Collection.