Week In Review ~ 19 October

Yes, another weekend is halfway over but don’t be sad. There’s too much awesome stuff going on in the world of carry to be down, so sit back, put your feet up and check out what’s been happening recently…

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Messenger meets backpack with city styling

Some brands just always seem to nail the aesthetics and The Property Of are such a brand. Staying true to form, their chic Freddie Utility Pack looks like it’s ready for a day at work followed by some drinks and laidback downtime. The Freddie Utility Pack offers some carrying flexibility either as a messenger or as a backpack, with a padded interior section that will accommodate a 15-inch laptop. If you like the looks but want more of a briefcase style, check out the Freddie Work Bag.

Timbuk2 gets down to business with a new collection

Some things get better with age…whisky…classic cars…and according to Timbuk2, their Distilled Collection. This collection is a rather different aesthetic to Timbuk2’s previous offerings, working a combination of 14oz waxed canvas and leather with a distinct office-friendly vibe that’s quite a departure from their other pieces. The collection incorporates a briefcase, messenger and backpack and each piece is designed to carry a 15-inch laptop.

Topo Designs goes for a woolly twist

An outdoor clothing brand does a collaboration with a bag brand that’s all for getting out and about. A match made in heaven? Well sometimes apparel and carry collaborations just don’t work. However, that isn’t the case with Topo Designs who have been getting cosy with respected outdoor clothing maker Woolrich to put a new twist on their dopp kit, duffel and klettersack. Each piece incorporates Woolrich’s woolen fabrics for some pretty sweet-looking results in various colorways.

Bright bags for color-crazy carry fans

Japanese retailers are really good at getting exclusive colorways for the brands they sell. Such was the case with Alite Designs, one of the brands founded by Tae Kim. However, rather than forking out a plane ticket fare to get hold of these colorways, you can now buy them through Alite’s website. There’s a limited number of bags available in seven new colorways, one colorway for their Shifter pack and three colorways each for their Ochiba and Hikari packs. So if you’re keen to bust out of dull carry combos and brighten up your EDC, these packs will certainly do the job. As a bonus they come with a lifetime guarantee, plus in the unlikely event you need to return one, Alite reimburses your shipping cost. That’s pretty darn cool customer service.

Tasteful Japanese carry candy

Southern Field Industries make some fine-looking products from their base in the Saitama region of Japan.  One such piece is their Waxed Rucksack, available in a wide choice of colorways and constructed by hand from waxed canvas, vegetable-tanned leather and brass hardware. At Japanese ¥39,900 (around the US$400 mark), plus shipping, this rucksack is an investment piece to be sure, but if you’ve got the cash to spare then it might be an investment you’d like to make.