Search
Search results for “mtn approach”
Feature
Reviews
Filson Small Rugged Twill Duffle Bag Review
…your street, this duffel is for you. Premium materials and a no-shortcuts approach to construction ensure this bag will go the distance, making it a great candidate for anyone looking to buy for life. Filson designed this holdall with compact proportions for carry-on luggage restrictions, making it an excellent cabin companion for frequent flyers. If you like the design but want something bigger, Filson also makes this duffel in Medium and Large…
Best New Gear | August 2023
…côte&ciel AVON “Robin Grey” Backpack is a prime example of their creative approach. Designed to mimic the natural structure of a carapace, the AVON expands and transforms through unzipping various sections to suit a variety of different carry needs. The pack is made using the “Robin” fabrication, which offers vibrant and contrasting colors and materials. However, if you like your packs a little more subdued, the AVON also comes in Black Ecoyarn a…
Best New Gear | April 2023
…erformance coolers operate, the team at Oyster decided to take a different approach. Instead of using plastic shells filled with polyurethane insulation, the Tempo Cooler is modeled after a vacuum chamber, not unlike a Thermos flask. This allows it to achieve excellent temperature-keeping performance without requiring ice, as well as allows it to be 100% recyclable. This approach, which they call DLTA, allows the cooler to deliver three times the…
ULA Ultra Dragonfly Review
…e will notice is that U-shaped front panel. ULA takes a slightly different approach to panel-loader packs here, and what we end up with is something more akin to accessing a duffel. In practice, this makes packing in and out really simple, especially if you’re just using packing cubes or large pouches. The only downside is that due to the positioning of the panel, it does make quickly accessing individual items a bit of a bother, as they can drift…
Tom Bihn Paragon Design Lab and Guide’s Edition Review
…ch a bottle with a carabiner. Anyone who needs the bag ASAP. The pre-order approach taken recently by Tom Bihn coupled with limited bag production (the company is committed to make and donate reusable face masks) means that you can’t just order this bag and have it mailed within a few days. The wait can potentially take months which is a serious consideration for any buyer. Design Looks The Tom Bihn Paragon is basically as simple as a backpack can…
SLNT Delivers Peace of Mind for the Modern World
…ay lives, and they don’t scream “steal me”. SLNT has taken an eco-friendly approach by utilizing Challenge Sailcloth’s ECOPAK line of fabrics, which as our readers know is 100% recycled. SLNT even breaks down how many water bottles were utilized in the creation of each pack; 10 for the Backpack, 7 for the Tote, and 4 for the Crossbody. Challenge’s ECOPAK makes each of these bags slick and urban-forward, tied together with very subtle branding than…
An Interview With H&K Leather Workshop
…d path to refresh myself and come across new ideas. I like to observe. The approach would be something like: 1. Observe. 2. Find a new need. 3. Come up with a design solution to meet the need. Creating and running your own brand can be challenging and time-consuming. How do you maintain a productive work/life balance? Are there any routines you follow each day or particular hobbies or activities you do when you need to take a break and recharge? T…
The Level Collective Logan Day Pack Review
…might have to plan your packing rather than relying on the chuck-in-and-go approach. Apart from the pockets, the pack offers additional options for carrying gear. Compression straps on both sides of the pack provide external carry options for securing an outer layer or items like a tripod. And for added quick-access carry, the shoulder strap webbing is stitched at intervals so you can secure items like a carabiner or small pouch onto the straps. P…
Best Gym and Workout Clothes for Women
…ll product circularity, Houdini is pushing a more progressive, sustainable approach to clothing and is an impressive example for others to follow. So what’s their gear like in use? Well, I think the Houdini W’s Tree Tank is one of the softest, most comfortable tanks I’ve ever worn. You feel the softness as soon as you pick it up and once you put it on, it’s like (and I don’t mean to be hyperbolic here) what I imagine wearing a cloud would feel lik…
Best Summer Shoes for Men In 2021
…fic Crest Trail) has made a great impression on me, and has become a go-to approach shoe for me. The 2650 comes in multiple variations, but I think the GTX is the most versatile and the most trustworthy for those adventuring in varied climates and conditions. As a lightweight hiker (26oz per pair), the TPU shank gives you good comfort and stability on long day hikes, supported by Danner’s excellent OrthoLite footbed. The GORE-TEX membrane is breat…
Peak Design Field Pouch V2 | First Look and Giveaway
…s. That made them stand out to us and our readers. They’re famed for their approach to refining designs and making functional products that you actually want to use. They choose to keep a small catalog full of excellent products and take customer feedback into the design process when updating their products. Which is exactly what they’ve done with their newest product – the Field Pouch V2. We’ve had one in our hands for a week now, so let’s see wh…
Best New Gear | April 2021
…ently introduced their Outdoor Kitchen collection – a fresh and functional approach to camping and dining outdoors. The collection includes reusable serving and dining essentials, and features an all-new TouchShield double wall insulation to keep foods at their ideal temperature while shielding hands from temperature transfer. The stackable design with press-in lids makes transport simple. The collection includes serving bowls in three sizes (0.3,…
5 Reasons Why BUILT TO SEND Should Be on Your Radar
…starting to sound like an understatement.” By taking the ‘evidence based’ approach to pack making, Built To Send isn’t just building bomber bags, they are fighting back against a lot of the over-the-top marketing claims that pack makers make to sell packs, but can’t always back up in the field. The team even keeps a private catalogue of some of the most wild and ridiculous claims that some bag makers are making as inspiration; nothing leaves the…
The Best Winter Hardshell Jackets, Tested 2021
…dth (depending on where it’s applied) to minimize weight and bulk. Such an approach maximizes the total breathable surface of the jacket even more. So the Alpha SV with reduced seams, dry-membrane technology, and a generous cut provides the most excellent breathability. The manufacturing quality is really remarkable. I examined every inch of the hardshell and was not able to find the slightest mistake or deviation in quality. A weight of 510 grams…
Outlier: the Constant State of Experimentation
…ple different ways, with the Paper Nylon Totes reflecting both approaches. Approach one was to build bags that stay within hand/eye range, so you have some sort of awareness of fabric change as it happens. Approach two was to keep the bags quite open on the top so you don’t get this psychological expectation of water resistance. “Paper Nylon and Ultrahigh Dyneema Composite both share one commonality, which is that they allow making fabric bags tha…
The Evolution of the Elements :: Bellroy Interview
…on bikes. We love Rapha, and got inspired by their simplicity and timeless approach. The beauty and the geek, if you like. (D): What was different about this project was that we looked in different sports markets and cross-over sports areas that really affected how these products were going to be used. That was another layer on top of what we normally research with products, which is interaction, problem-solving and researching construction. We we…
Best Accessory :: Third Annual Carry Awards
…eclectic mix – but each one is here thanks to a thoughtful and functional approach to serving a specific carry need. Now it’s time to apply that same thoughtful approach to deciding who gets the gold. You have two votes to use as you will… Allocate your 1st choice with 2 points And your 2nd choice just with the 1 point. – Côte&Ciel Lagoon Spa Pouch Comes with a transparent pop-out pouch to easily display liquids at airport security checkpoints, w…
Drive By :: Aarn Guiding Light Backpack
…carrying in the front as well as in the back; simple, right? This balanced approach allows you to stand up straight and fully rest the load onto your hips – bye-bye bruised shoulders. Having some of your kit on the front also gives you very welcomed access to more gear than you’re used to having access to on the trail: camera, water bottle, whiskey flask…whatever you desire. Aarn is a New Zealand brand with a surprisingly large range. They’ve got…
Drive By :: Linjer Soft Briefcase
…with previous shoulder straps, I was pleasantly surprised by the no-frills approach Linjer paid to make a comfortable strap that doesn’t wear on your shoulder. The structure of the handles provide extra rigidity, helping them nestle perfectly into your hands. There’s even a handy small passport (or smartphone pocket) on the exterior for quick access on-the-go. The Not so Good I’m a little bit old school. As much as I love the Kindle, it’s hard for…
Bodypacks :: Interview with Aarn Tate
…ng with the front carry pockets that have come to define his balanced load approach, before finally starting his own brand in the early 2000’s. . So what is body-centred load carrying? This is where the centre of mass of your load perfectly matches the centre of mass of your body, both horizontally and vertically. So as you walk, turn, pivot or step, the load moves reasonably intuitively, rather than like a piggy-backing gremlin with a mind of its…
Drive By :: Côte&Ciel Bowler Bag (Giveaway)
…bag features a really interesting design mix, a kind of fashion designer’s approach to something with soft drapey fabrics and interesting expression, in combination with a designer’s approach to quite clear organizing sections. Most of the technical aspects of the bag are hidden away. There’s a quick-access external pocket which is great for a wallet or phone. The bag has classic Côte&Ciel hardware, which unfortunately means it just needs the edge…
5 Minutes with Winter Session
…leading a productive and sane daily life, and these priorities inform our approach to designing wallets, bags, and small accessories. Beyond addressing functionality based on our own daily lives, we consider the range of our customers’ needs and lifestyles when we’re designing. We get orders from all over the map and from very different environments. It’s pretty exciting to know that one of our bags will be living in rural New England, while anot…
Week In Review ~ 24 August
New camera carry from Incase, a streamlined approach to guitar and bass cases, plus a means to protect your iPhone while doing away with charging cables – just some of the fun and handy things the creative folks in the carry industry have been getting up to recently… – Incase gets poised for action Get ready and get set to launch into action, the director behind your own grand adventure courtesy of the Incase Action Camera Collection. The collect…
Interview with Francli
…h weather and terrain so needed to be protective and durable. We were also approaching the surf market, one that’s particular about how things look so the overall design had to be desirable. For the first sample we visited the Driftwood studio to both learn how the hand planes are made and discuss the specifications needed. We also combined some of his working techniques with ours to make toggles from reclaimed wood that fasten the adjustable roll…
Gorilly :: The World is your Showroom
…ucts to the people without the limitations of a brick and mortar shop. The approach is right there in the name. Gorilly was “originally a play on the term ‘guerrilla marketing’” because they were “hustling around talking with people on the streets” about the products they were showcasing, says Hollis Kelley, Gorilly’s co-founder. “We wanted people to try great products that they typically could not find in stores. So we invented a promo code model…
5 Minutes with Attitude Clothing
…kind of social situation and this can be achieved with a plain, minimalist approach to their aesthetics. 2) Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important? The world of carry goods is really dynamic at the moment. Japanese brands like Fredrik Packers or Beruf with their S Collection, new outdoor names like Boreas, tactical-inspired staples like Goruck or the new brand Able Archer, bicycle-related Mission…
Interview with Dave Munson :: Saddleback Leather Co.
…‘How to Knock Off a Bag’ video on YouTube. What inspired this reverse-sell approach for you? Our filmmaker in residence sent me a Barbour process film to watch on making their jackets. Everything Barbour does is high quality. And it was really nice and sweet. So I thought, “Man, we should do one, but very educational with information that will help people become more aware of quality in all things they buy in leather”. And, of course, we wanted it…
Week In Review ~ 12 October
…. Freezing the winter blues For those in the Northern Hemisphere winter is approaching and in many places some serious snow is coming with it. Yep, time for that snow shovel and there’s nothing quite like digging a path down your driveway when you’re already late for work. However, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Far from it, in fact. Black Diamond takes the approach of celebrating that snow with some kickass backcountry pursuits. When i…
Road Tests :: Timbuk2 Especial Messenger
…2: Messengers designed around a flat back panel This single difference in approach makes a huge change to the vibe of a messenger. The Timbuk2 takes a flat back panel (type 2), and then creates form out from that. It means it’s a reasonably square messenger, but with some tapering elements to break that up. It won’t wrap and form around you as well as some classic messenger forms, but it will deal better with laptops and square things. There are…
Interview with Tae Kim :: Part 2
…job is and try and work out how it should be done. It’s a really different approach. Tae: So then that approach in a saturated area, like you could easily innovate, like good designers you give them the right amount of time, they could make better products. Ando: Yeah, totally. Yeah, it makes a lot of sense. And so you’ve had, you’ve come out of – so time with Ford, time with North Face, kind of moved into Timbuk2. Tae: A little bit, yeah, part-ti…