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Hall of Fame Finalists – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards
…______________ visvim Ballistic Backpack The visvim Ballistic, designed by Japanese fashion royalty Hiroki Nakamura, features an instantly recognisable active silhouette, defined by the aggressively upward angled base. But then it delivers a twist with luxurious materials and a pig snout as the nod to carry heritage. This bag that few can afford has inspired dozens of designs from Lexdray to Herschel and plenty of others in between. ______________…
Best Work Shoulder Bag – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards
…ntaineering × Porter × B Jirushi Yoshida Urban Supply 3Way Briefcase Smart Japanese urban styling, adaptable portability and an abundance of options for keeping gear neat and tidy makes this a great piece for work and beyond. The bag can be carried as a shoulder bag, briefcase or backpack, and packs in the organization with multiple compartments and quick-access pockets to ensure your work supplies are always within easy reach. ___________________…
Best Everyday Bag – The Sixth Annual Carry Awards
…______________________________________________ meanswhile Outside Backpack Japanese fashion meets outdoors. The meanswhile Outside Backpack offers a front rolltop compartment and two further compartments. Whether you’re carrying an outer layer, tech, documents or bulkier items, the multiple compartments and exterior attachment points will keep your gear secure and tidy. Additionally, the pack can be combined with an optional hip belt and hip bag f…
Best New Gear: April 2018
…aster-piece and MIZUNO, a slick capsule collection that combines excellent Japanese craftsmanship with killer street style. The collection features three backpacks, a shoulder bag and a crossbody/hip bag, based on master-piece’s POTENTIAL series. Two of the packs offer a host of storage options for organizing daily or travel gear, while the third pack offers a nifty base opening for storing shoes and includes antimicrobial fabric for part of the i…
Best Work Messenger Finalists – The Fifth Annual Carry Awards
…ure Shoulder Bag The Porter Future Shoulder Bag stands out with its superb Japanese craftsmanship and elegant unisex silhouette. A quick-access exterior pocket keeps frequently needed items within easy reach, and bulky items can be secured with the external compression straps. _________________________________________________________ côte&ciel Kalix Tote côte&ciel are experts at creating striking carry silhouettes that will turn heads, and the Kal…
Week In Review ~ 11 December
…s are crafted with 16oz. cotton canvas, US full-grain leather accents, and Japanese YKK Excella zippers. Travel, shop, work and play Sleek simplicity is the focus of a new collaboration between QWSTION and Swiss product designer Sibylle Stoeckli. Designed to be lightweight, understated and versatile, the QWSTION + Sibylle Stoeckli Travel Shopper can be carried as a shoulder bag, tote or backpack. Its packable design makes it easy to store inside l…
Week In Review ~ 29 March
…me Upright 55 wheeled cabin bag which makes life a lot easier. Designed by Japanese design studio Nendo for Italian bag brand Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano, the bag features a durable polycarbonate body and a fabric lid that can be rolled as you open it – handy for getting to your gear in restricted spaces such as overhead luggage bins or plane aisles. The lid can also be unzipped from both the top and the side, so there’s no need to open it complet…
Drive By :: Seventy Eight Percent Katz
…he Katz has some stellar materials. The bulk of it is a nice, hard-wearing Japanese canvas with Italian leather accents – think base, zip pulls, handle and strap adjusters. The canvas will hold up to a lot and the leather looks like it’ll age well. There’s an external zipped pocket for your to-do needs. I put my keys in there but you’re probably more exciting than me. To top it all off, it features splash-proof zips from YKK. It’s a small detail,…
Buyer’s Guide :: Best Work Messengers (Part 1)
…e to have around. It’s ready for business during work hours and can slip into leisure mode when you’re done. This is a solid offering from an iconic Japanese brand. Check out our road test if you’re keen to learn more. …
The Best Briefcases for Dapper Professionals
…The Dimitri’s contrasting materials – vegetable-tanned Italian leather and Japanese cotton canvas – give the bag great visual appeal. However, there’s plenty of functionality too with space for pens, documents, a 15-inch laptop and other small items you may need, along with a detachable shoulder strap. If you want a slim and eye-catching briefcase for minimalist work carry, this is a fine choice. . Oppermann London Palissy . Sometimes you want the…
Design Heads :: Jedd Rose (Topo Designs)
…I think are genius. . Who does rad stuff (brands or designers)? For me the Japanese brand And Wander does some seriously cool stuff in the tech/fashion/outdoors space which we love here at Topo. I’m also continuously impressed by Andrea Westerlind (who runs Westerlind). I think she’s one of the coolest voices in the new outdoor world and she does a bit of everything – from retail to product design. . . Are there any trends or things folk do in car…
Week In Review ~ 24 May
…ase with the new ro x Milk Design Lasso Crossover Collection. High-quality Japanese cotton canvas is showcased beautifully in two unisex designs, the Shumai Tote and Gyoza Dumpling Bag. The collection’s name stems from the creative use of brass tubes and ropes that serve as the fastening system for the bags. When the rope handles are lifted, two brass tubes are drawn together, thereby closing the bags. Haerfest breaks the mould It’s good to develo…
Road Tests :: Alchemy Equipment AEL002 30L Daypack
…ld see. From sea level to the hills. Despite the relatively slow season by Japanese standards, I’d timed my run just right and landed the plane surrounded by a little under a foot of fresh. If it was this good at sea level, I could only imagine what it was like up in the mountains. Lugging snow gear is usually a pretty shitty experience and I was expecting the next few weeks to be a little uncomfortable at the least. But the AEL002’s harness was f…
A Carry Adventure through Portugal Part III :: Ideal & Co.
…ool, almost ancient method involving antique looms. Selvedge is actually a Japanese custom, typically made with 100% cotton yarn: heritage looms weave the twine so strongly that the edges simply can’t unravel, and the variation and imperfections of the weaving process lend special character to the final product – beautiful irregularities that make them extra unique. Like vegetable tanning, it’s a complex process. “Just to prepare the loom takes on…
Drive By :: Lexdray Vienna Pack
…me, more about the backpack below. The Lexdray Vienna Pack is inspired by Japanese craftsmanship, designed in California, and made in China. Lexdray advertise the Vienna as being ‘Built for modern life’ and an ‘ultimate travel companion’, although my wife might have something to say about the latter! So I put it through its paces in West Africa, in what is deemed from a security perspective a semi-hostile environment. I’ve used the Vienna backpac…
Week In Review ~ 9 August
…in the style game When Europe’s leading manufacturer of design textiles, a Japanese icon and a stylishly functional Danish brand put their creative heads together, the results are going to be interesting – and the new collaboration between Norse Projects, Head Porter and Danish textile manufacturer Kvadrat doesn’t disappoint. The collaboration features five pieces available in navy and khaki colorways inspired by Porter’s renowned Tanker series. T…
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2015 :: Recap Part I
…big points with the carry tribe by releasing a number of packs from their Japanese lines into the US market. Our accountants have advised us that the money saved by not having to buy a plane ticket across the Pacific is best spent on those bags. Working on their much lauded Baltoro pack, Gregory has pulled off an integrated solar panel design quite nicely by sewing a Goal Zero device into a top flap. Definitely one of the smoothest integrations o…
Cuba, Kayaks and Carry :: Cotopaxi Challenge 113 (Part I)
…eality. I’m hoping that my second round of hallucinations involves lots of Japanese bags. “This is the stupidest thing I have ever done” The minute we push off from Cuba we’ll be fighting a losing battle, a leaking boat if you will. The only way for success will be to perform constant maintenance and self-preservation. No matter what we do, whether concocting mixtures of coffee, Tums, and zebra cakes in our stomach, or singing Bob Seger, we’ve got…
Carry Giveaway :: Away Carry-On
…features to help make your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable? Japanese Hinomoto spinner wheels enable easy movement in any direction, ideal for maneuvering in tight or crowded spaces. A TSA-approved combination lock provides peace of mind that your belongings are safe and secure. Last but certainly not least, a durable shell designed to withstand the demands of travel. The shell is flexible enough to bend under pressure without breaki…
Drive By :: Seventy Eight Percent Jurgen
…ercent. With beautiful, minimalistic design complemented by stunning woven Japanese cotton canvas, vegetable-tanned Italian leather trimmings and a polycotton lining, Jurgen ticked all the boxes. Visually, I was in love. I usually don’t gravitate towards backpacks but the clean lines and quality materials and construction made me overlook my preference. Who It Suits Anyone wanting a bag that looks equally chic in the office and about town at the w…
The Best Wallets for Carrying Coins
…lus cash and coins. Crafted by hand using Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather, Japanese marl grey cord and fine Italian wool felt, this is a wallet that looks as good as it feels. Great for: …adding a luxe feel to your pocket carry, with quick access to frequently used cards. Comme des Garçons Zip-Around Leather Wallet This stylish leather wallet is crafted in Spain and balances looks with usability in work and leisure settings alike. With a range of…
Packing List :: A Month on the Road, Skies and Trails
…batteries has risen considerably in the past few years but I still prefer Japanese made high-density battery packs from Yodobashi in Shinjuku. I spend a fair amount of time at the edge of the cellular/power grid, and its the one thing that can’t be bought and relied upon locally. Solar is becoming more efficient (and works as the primary power source in many of the communities we work in), but isn’t yet practical for field work. Adapter The m…
Haglöfs HQ Visit
…nd a fresh technical direction, the company landed in 2010 in the hands of Japanese multi-national, ASICS. Encouragingly, Wiktor Haglöfs’s 100-year-old ethic still thrives beneath the ASICS umbrella: that unerring quality, and free creative license. Essentially, ASICS bought Haglöfs because they love the brand. “Wiktor Haglöfs’s 100-year-old ethic still thrives beneath the ASICS umbrella: that unerring quality, and free creative license.” “When it…
Best Work Backpack Finalists
…_______ Descente ALLTERRAIN x Porter Daypack This pack really defines what Japanese carry is all about. If you haven’t seen Descente’s ALLTERRAIN collection, it’s a strikingly minimalist range of technical apparel and skiwear. When they got jamming with Porter on carry items, the two brands created more than the sum of the parts. In the flesh, this pack is a piece of art and darn well rocked our world. A prime example of pared-back carry goodness….
Best Active Messenger Finalists :: Fourth Annual Carry Awards
…der is one of those cult brands that you either get, or you don’t. They’re Japanese, they often use UHMWPE fabrics, and they run with a fun 80’s tech vibe that brings modern performance in on the act. Their 20L has all of that brand charm housed in a well-proportioned and very useful messenger bag, giving you capacity without weight. The strap accommodates both left and right shoulder setups, while the detachable stabilizer strap keeps the load in…
Week In Review ~ 12 June
…new release is practical art for your pocket, taking inspiration from the Japanese Higonokami and designed for everyday use. Made in the USA, the Grovemade Pocket Knife features a single-piece core of machined 303 stainless steel complemented by a choice of Maple or Walnut wood. The blade is premium Elmax steel and the knife remains open during use through a combination of friction and thumb pressure on the back of the blade. Refined to an elegan…
The Noble Legacy of Böle Tannery
…, I can say ‘I am a tanner’ in eight different languages.” (His favourite, Japanese: 私はタナーです, or ‘Watashi wa tanādesu’). Post-sauna, post-river plunge, my manhood slowly convalescing, we return to the showroom with Anita. Aside from online (the result of Anders’s Gen-Y nous), you can only buy Bōle’s goods here, and a handful of the most prestigious stores around the world. Exclusive UK department store Harrods jumped at the chance to stock them (“…
Best Bags for Architects
…guide specifically designed with architects in mind. Designed by renowned Japanese design studio Nendo, it can adapt according to what it holds inside. From its base A4 format it can extend to hold full-size A3 drawings and samples, as well as working as a ‘sling’ for large-sized rolled drawings. Made from high-quality leather it is a beautifully designed bag that will really appeal to architects who don’t mind the price tag! Topo Designs Commute…
Week In Review ~ 16 October
…exactly what the Bellroy Card Holder delivers. Inspired by meishi and the Japanese ritual of presenting business cards, the Card Holder provides a bifold design for organizing different cards and features a magnetic closure for secure storage and fast access. It can also serve as a minimalist wallet for daily cards and cash, and is crafted with vegetable-tanned leather in a variety of stylish colorways. Bellroy have also wheeled out another new r…
12 Best Dive Watches Under $500
…dy to dip a toe in the dive watch scene. Orient Kamasu II (US$255) Quality Japanese watchmaker Orient offers a classic but still affordable dive watch option with the Kamasu II. The watch has an automatic Orient F6922 caliber, a stainless steel case and bracelet, and luminous hands and indices for visibility in low-light conditions. Water-resistant up to 200 meters, it’s a handsome choice for everyday wear. Dan Henry 1970 Automatic Diver 44mm Date…