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An Interview With The Founders of Outlier
…often very minimal backpacks. Whereas I guess a lot of your customers are commuting with a laptop, with a bit of tech, with a bit of other stuff. How have you balanced that? Abe: We did another pack with them this Summer. It was a version of the Windrider, we kind of stripped – the same thing we do with the Minimal. Well, the Minimals actually were the ones we told him to make in that fabric. We knew he was making bags but we were like, “Take the…
Road Tests :: Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack
…foam, and removable. I used it when traveling, then removed it when riding/commuting (it can lock your bending a little on the bike). Look: Yeah, I’m still a sucker for a good-looking pack. Roll-tops just look more grown-up and better, and the Vandal is probably the most evolved roll-top of any. The fabric was a little techie for my initial taste, but it has really grown on me when I see the upsides to its water-resistance and reflectiveness (visi…
Road Tests :: Timbuk2 Especial Messenger
…e than anything (is more, or less, more…?). This bag also reminds us of the Kona in the ‘more is more’ approach, but this is a much more resolved bag than the Kona. You should also check the Bedouin, which has more style but fewer features. Verdict This is a really solid messenger if you are commuting. It misses some of the style of other brands, but fills that void with features. It deals better with tech and toys than most bike brands, and the w…
The Quest for the Perfect Pack
…lways loses my stuff? “The GR2 worked awesomely, it was comfortable on the bike, friendly in the office, and could swallow a lot of stuff which was great for overnight trips.” On my first day of the new job, which I was commuting to via public transport, I realised very quickly that the GR2 was simply too massive for a crowded bus, and I had to find something new ASAP. This is when I found Tom Bihn. I spent a few days researching their gear and ta…
Best Active Messenger Finalists – Second Annual Carry Awards
…th the smaller format. This is the messenger that can move between polo or bike polo without unbuttoning it’s top button. 5.11 Tactical RUSH Delivery Lima The messenger format has had trouble transitioning beyond bike brands. When outdoor, surf, or most other lifestyle brands try, they end up too structured, or with fabrics that are all wrong, or just not bringing new thoughts to the table. Thankfully, tactical brands are starting to find a new rh…
Week In Review ~ 26 July
…ake on the expected and not-so-expected twists and turns of traveling. Bag bikes that offer a smooth journey from the start A lot of bike bags can be fiddly and time-consuming to attach to your bike – and that’s if they fit at all. The new CarryEverything range from Restrap chucks out the hassle and instead offers a versatile and rackless system for touring, the daily work commute or simply enjoying your time off on two wheels. The collection feat…
Week In Review ~ 20 July
…oes. Intrigued? Well you can discover more via their Kickstarter campaign. Bike to boardroom Fancy a bike bag that looks chic enough to walk into a corporate boardroom? Hard Graft’s Frame Folio is more than up for the challenge. Constructed out of vegetable-tanned Italian leather, the folio is suitable for carrying tech gadgets such as the iPad Air along with notebooks, pens, maps, phones, wallets or any other small items you want to have with you…
Best of ISPO MUNICH part 1
…aces you never thought you could store stuff. Additive Also jumping on the bike bag scene, Additive takes a different approach and focuses more on protection and less on lightweight. Also, their bags will sort of curl around your bike frame. DMM Duffels with backpack straps often have in common that the back panel doesn’t offer any rigidity, making it only usable for short distances. Plus the straps are mostly not suitable for the weight inside th…
Carry Evolution :: YNOT Cycle Pan-Yay
…The “trick” with the Portage and Kassi was how to make the bag morph from bike to body mode in a way that’s super easy. The solution was super easy too, once it hit us. We mounted the hardware on a flap that can be “flipped” backwards for off-bike use. What were the biggest challenges? Definitely one of our biggest challenges was getting the pannier hardware right. And we’re proud to say our new hardware works with almost any rack. It mounts on r…
Week In Review ~ 15 February
…all right here in our Week In Review… – Henty rolls out a new bag for the bike scene If you love getting active on your bike but aren’t so enamoured with your current bike carry, Henty’s new Tube Backpack has just rolled onto the scene and is ready to win converts with its array of handy features. The pack’s volume can grow or shrink to suit your needs, while there’s plenty of pockets to store a variety of gear, along with a separate section for…
Week In Review ~ 29 March
…. A bike pannier to suit working professionals Getting yourself to work by bike is great. Getting your suit or work clothes there by bike…not so great, unless you favor the “crumpled chic” look. Two Wheel Gear’s Classic 2.0 Garment Pannier aims to change this, letting you carry like a boss with its garment-bag-meets-pannier design. In addition to storing items of clothing, the bag also has space for keeping small items organized and a padded pocke…
Week In Review ~ 24 April
…r tech. A commuter bag that goes beyond the bike Bags that work well for a bike commute often hit a speed bump when it comes to your work environment. The JAAR LA001 Bike Commuter Bag is not one of them. This sleek commuter bag looks good both on and off the bike, and is designed to securely carry the essentials during a commute and then accompany you into work too. Great if you have a fairly minimal carry setup, the bag fits up to a 13″ laptop in…
10 Essentials for Carrying in Amsterdam
…our computer equipment or work-related documents in one place.“ 8. Bookman Bike Lights The Dutch law prescribes the use of bike lights in the evening, however a lot of people don’t use them. I love to use these little bike lights from Bookman because the small size is very convenient for transportation and they are very easy to mount and detach. Safety first! 9. Magazines & Books During my day, I always try and find time to chill out on the canals…
Best New Gear: August 2018
…ist strap for added comfort with heavier loads. Tailfin AeroPack Bike Bags Bike bags can be a tricky business, time-consuming to attach to your bike (if they fit at all), and restrictive in what they can carry. But Tailfin delivers an impressive solution with their AeroPack range, designed to fit virtually any road, gravel or mountain bike. The range features three options. The AeroPack Carbon and AeroPack Alloy feature an integrated, all-in-one b…
Chrome Industries Kadet Review
…ing their market had seemed to pay off. They had found a way to pair their bike messenger roots with mainstream offerings. The idea behind a sling goes counter to the usual bike messenger “bigger is better” mindset but they managed the marriage beautifully. Who It Suits I scoffed at slings when they were just popping back up. I lived through the 80’s so I remember the first wave of fanny packs and wasn’t looking forward to a comeback. Last year wh…
This 3-Way Bag Transforms to a Carry-On Travel Pack
…bags he discovered in Tokyo. Bags that serve as a backpack for comfortable commuting, then transform into briefcases for work settings and can also shift into shoulder carry mode for more casual environments. But they aren’t without drawbacks, often restricted in packing volume and compromised in their shoulder strap design because of limited space. So Black Ember got to thinking, what if you could do more with such a bag? Enjoying its commuter pr…
Road Tests :: KILLSPENCER Special Ops Backpack
…and had to buy the thing. Will the Special Ops Backpack pass his thorough commuting and “special ops” tests? Read on! Ordering and unpacking At first, it didn’t seem like the bag would be able to be sent to the Netherlands, so I e-mailed and was helped promptly by Danielle Nikosey, KILLSPENCER’s marketing manager. After some weeks of customs delays (no surprise if something is called “special ops”) the unpacking party began! This is where KILLSPE…
A Quick Guide to Dry Bags
…against rocks requires a rugged and heavy-duty construction. But if you’re commuting during the occasional drizzle and just want some peace of mind for tech or documents within a larger bag, a lighter and more easily packable dry bag will suffice. More demanding environments will require reinforced construction that can handle both external forces as well as internal abrasion and pressure from the contents. Think about what you’re doing (kayaking,…
Drive By :: GORUCK Echo
…and spare film for memories, pencil case for drawing, storybook for spare commuting, tissues and snacks and an insulated Klean Kanteen (16 oz). I do not like to pack much tech into the weekends so the iPad Mini stays at home during the weekends. when it’s time for the beach and the sun, everything else can wait. The backpack format ensures that my hands stay free for holding her hand or for an ice-cream cone. The Good Regular girly bags come in a…
What to Pack for Winter in Tokyo
…milder weather or during those sunny December afternoons when you might be commuting from a client’s office in Yoyogi to work in a cafe around Harajuku. The part I love most about this “shacket” (I suppose this is a portmanteau of “shirt + jacket”) is the pockets: the satisfying way they snap and seal with a magnetic buckle when I pull out my hands. The internal pocket is big enough to contain a pair of sunglasses and, for these times, a mask when…
Best Active Messenger Bag Finalists – The Eighth Annual Carry Awards
…s. Timbuk2 Especial Stash Timbuk2 have been helping people carry better on bikes since 1989. Three decades later and they’re still dedicated to the mission of helping people move agilely and freely through urban settings, with burly bags that handle demanding daily use. The Especial Stash is a rugged weatherproof messenger designed to protect your commuting essentials from the elements, while keeping gear secure and well organized whether you’re o…
Top 5 | Best Work Backpack
…ler sibling of the Transit line. Coming in at 20L, this bag is perfect for commuting and hides a lot of functional features in its smaller frame. The Baida Nylon that it is constructed from is recycled from industrial nylon offcuts – a nod to Bellroy’s commitment to circularity and minimal waste. Not only does it do well for the environment, it performs well too. The crinkled finish is the result of heat treatment during the manufacturing process…
Eight Versatile Office Bags
…this John? As an IT project manager, John is well up the corporate ladder. Commuting from Antwerp to The Hague daily, he is personally responsible for thousands of e-mails processed, documents read and paperwork carried. Did we mention he attended over 700 meetings last year? In his free time, John likes to carry stuff up mountains, on bikes and through airports. Although superhuman in many ways, John remains a really nice guy, and modest too! Unf…
Road Tests :: Ignoble Lenore Capsule
…ffle with the flick and tuck of a strap, this bag adapts to the demands of commuting and travel with ease and provides ample storage and versatility. My initial concerns about the structural integrity of the back panel design were dispelled with use. With a soft pack the contents determine the shape and when fully packed the bag was comfortable to wear. It fits snugly and the load doesn’t shift when walking or riding. When half-filled, smaller loa…
YETI Crossroads 27L Backpack Review
…the Crossroads scrubs up really well. While this is primarily designed for commuting, travel, or weekend trips, don’t be afraid to trust it out in the wild either! What can it do? This pack is versatile. YETI have done an excellent job of striking a balance between thoughtful organization and usable space. Sometimes I find EDC bags can get caught in the middle there with too much or too little either way. Using the Crossroads reminds me of my inte…
The Only Backpack You’ll Need for Your Run Commute
…sh in work settings but performs when you’re hitting the pavement at pace. Commuting in comfort Key to the pack is the considered carry comfort and ergonomic design. The lightweight bag features a sternum strap, waist belt and load lifters, allowing you to dial in the fit for secure, anti-bounce carry. This not only keeps you comfy during your run but also helps avoid impact on the bag’s contents. A ventilated back panel adds to the comfort, helpi…
MiiR x Carryology Essentials Water Bottle
…bottle, something that could adapt to almost any situation, whether you’re commuting on a subway, in the office, working out at the gym, or bouncing around on a new adventure. A design classic, clean and timeless. We wanted innovation: real design thinking put into those daily interactions with such a ‘simple’ piece of kit. Like magnetic-closing mouthpieces, 360 degree drinkable lids, carryable handles, leakproof threads, and Hardshell™ powder co…
Best Heritage Bags | Guide to Timeless Style
…ions, Billykirk’s No. 609 Standard Issue Backpack Tote is a savvy pick for commuting, day-to-day use and weekend adventures alike. As the name suggests, it moves easily between backpack and tote mode as required. The slim design transitions between work and play, with an assortment of interior and exterior pockets to organize your gear, including space for a 15″ laptop. Made in the USA with 10.10oz waxed canvas and vegetable-tanned, full-grain lea…
Bellroy X Carryology | Forging the Chimera
…the base, there to add an LED flashing light for cyclists to be seen when commuting. We took these two loops and created a custom folding patch to wrap over and around, using a molded hook to attach securely. Want to flash your Owl/Kangaroo/Rattlesnake Chimera patch? Attach it in just a second. Or keep your Chimera clean, pop your patch into a pocket, and have the option to add a bike light (or whatever else you’d like). PREMIUM POCKET COMPANION…
ORBITGear R103 Review
…I fit and secure it with the elastic sternum strap. This is critical when commuting on a fixie in Tokyo’s traffic. Alternatives to Consider This is a tough one. We have a unique pack, designed for a specific environment and with a defined user in mind. Even if I believe there is a lot of room for improvement, it is difficult to define an alternative that somehow rings the same bell. If we consider the materials and the similar tough, bike-messeng…