Week In Review ~ 18 October

A chic messenger that works hard in the office and on your travels, a rugged hauler for road trips and daily use, plus a cozy collaboration that will leave Topo fans feeling warm and fuzzy. Learn more in our Week In Review…

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When good looks meet functional form

You get bags that work well and bags that look good, but why settle for either/or when you can get both? The Ideal & Co. Alcaide Messenger Bag delivers on style and functionality, with an attractive and versatile design that will age gracefully and look smart for years to come. A combination of water-repellent selvedge canvas and vegetable-tanned leather provides a great visual and tactile contrast. Three interior compartments including a padded laptop compartment, as well as a front and back pocket help keep your gear organized. There are also three handy carry options to suit different environments. Carry it over the shoulder as a messenger, use the top carry handle for a work-friendly briefcase style, or convert it to a backpack for easy portability on the go.

Streamlined hauling wherever the adventure takes you

Road trips, work tools, unbeatable deal on tins of soup at your local food store…whatever you need to haul, the Tom Bihn Yeoman Duffel is up to the challenge. Made from durable upcycled 1050D ballistic nylon, the Yeoman offers plenty of space with its 71-liter volume and is a burly companion for camping, checked luggage trips, as well as general daily use. In addition to side grab handles, the duffel can be carried using the padded top handle, with webbing straps that some may also be able to use as backpack straps. There are also designated shoulder strap attachment points if you want to add your own strap. The tough #10 YKK double slider zipper and large opening provide easy access to the contents for fuss-free packing and retrieval of gear. The duffel favors a minimalist design with no pockets, though there are five O-ring attachment points for keeping your keys and the like within easy reach.

Suave style built for life on the go

Woolrich are well-known for their tough outdoor clothing, and Topo Designs has built up a solid reputation for hard-wearing carry gear that’s right at home in outdoor adventures. Combine the two together and you get something pretty special. The new Topo Designs X Woolrich collaboration pairs classic Topo pieces with Woolrich fabrics that look great and feel even better. The Topo Designs X Woolrich Rover Pack features a handsome combination of Woolrich Mill wool and 1000D Cordura in an attractive and versatile design that will do double duty in the outdoors and on urban streets. The Topo Designs X Woolrich Duffel Bag boasts a Woolrich wool exterior with leather detailing and is a great choice when you need to haul a little extra. Heading on a trip? The handy self-standing triangular design, beautifully durable Woolrich wool exterior and leather base of the Topo Designs X Woolrich Dopp Kit make it well worth taking along for the ride.

Lighten your load and light up your way

When you’re backpacking and camping, hauling heavy gear is a drag. The Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern is designed to help shed the load whilst shedding light. Weighing only 8 ounces (226.8 grams), the rechargeable lantern offers 210 lumens and a run time of up to 500 hours on its lowest setting. In addition to providing light, the lantern can also keep your devices juiced with an inbuilt USB port and 3000mAh battery that can charge phones and other USB items. When you need to recharge the lantern itself, you can use Goal Zero’s Nomad solar panels or a USB port or alternatively replace the internal 18650 Goal Zero battery.