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BRIEFING Expands With Their New Made in USA Collection
Instantly recognisable by their red stitching and detail, Japanese fashion brand BRIEFING have been making high quality and minimalist luggage and bags since 1998. Chances are that if you’ve spent any time in Japan you’ve seen their carry-ons in terminals, their golf bags on the green, and their briefcases in boardrooms. At the core of their design identity is mil-epic toughness that can walk the line between city slicking and outdoor exploration…
Exclusive Release | Tactile Knife Co x Carryology, Bexar Kōyō
…me. Auxikko is a coming together of two distinct inspirations: the ancient Japanese Kikkō pattern based on the nested hexagons of turtle shells. And the modern engineering concept of auxetics – structures or materials that transform under pressure, making for incredible strength and performance. Combine the two and you have tradition and innovation, science and art. A perfect balance. The Name As mentioned, we used the Bexar knife model as a jumpi…
Tactile Knife Co x Carryology | Bexar Kōyō
…me. Auxikko is a coming together of two distinct inspirations: the ancient Japanese Kikkō pattern based on the nested hexagons of turtle shells. And the modern engineering concept of auxetics – structures or materials that transform under pressure, making for incredible strength and performance. Combine the two and you have tradition and innovation, science and art. A perfect balance. The Name As mentioned, we used the Bexar knife model as a jumpi…
GORUCK x Carryology | Kaidan V2.0
…ts”. TRADING OF STORIES, OF KAIDAN “Hungry Ghosts” is a comic based on the Japanese Edo-period game called “Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai”. The quickest explanation of this game is traveling samurai from all corners of the country would cross paths on their adventures and share a small rural shelter along the road before continuing on their quests. Once the sun was fully set and darkness controlled the evening, they would light dozens of candles in th…
Exclusive Release | Carryology Community Challenge Coin
…) in a ring around the bottom. The border around the outside uses asanoha, Japanese hemp leaves geometric pattern, famously used on our recent Big Idea Designs pen collaboration. And for those with a razor sharp eye… we added a little Easter Egg. The ultra micro “CC” letters are there for a little fun and an homage, mimicking the “mint mark” on common currency coins. Example; the US Washington Quarter has either a tiny D, S, P, or W near Washingt…
Exclusive Release | BIGiDESIGN x Carryology Bolt Action Pen and Mini Bolt Action Pen
…ion. Raiden, from the Mortal Kombat universe, was directly inspired by the Japanese god of lightning and thunder, Raijin. And so we had our codename. Titanium and Rolling Stones Now back to the pen itself. The Bolt Action Pen and Mini Bolt Action Pen are both already so damn nice and complete… we joked that there was almost nothing to “improve”. But that’s where the challenge and fun are! First, materials. Maybe brass? Brass is cool. Maybe copper…
BIGiDESIGN x Carryology | A Lightning Bolt for Everyday Carry
…ion. Raiden, from the Mortal Kombat universe, was directly inspired by the Japanese god of lightning and thunder, Raijin. And so we had our codename. Titanium and Rolling Stones Now back to the pen itself. The Bolt Action Pen and Mini Bolt Action Pen are both already so damn nice and complete… we joked that there was almost nothing to “improve”. But that’s where the challenge and fun are! First, materials. Maybe brass? Brass is cool. Maybe copper…
Best New Gear: May 2020
A wave of new Japanese releases, a carry icon gets pimped, and an all-weather Merino jacket set to shake up the industry. Discover all this and more as we take a closer look at May’s best new gear… Urban hobo Spectra X-Gridstop Nylon Backpack hobo delivers a sleek, technical twist on everyday urban style with their Spectra X-Gridstop Nylon Backpack. The pack features a contrasting grid pattern and offers excellent tear resistance. The wide openin…
Ojeito Go-kit Backpack Review
…lobe including numerous trips to Japan, the founders took inspiration from Japanese culture and their sensibilities in creating the brand. Much like Japanese design, every detail has been considered. From the choice of material to the functional design language of their system. The Go-kit backpack system is complete with a backpack, three go bags, and a single go-strap. What makes this unique is the modularity and versatility that the system offer…
7 Minimal All-Black Backpacks for Urban Commuters
…ough the streets headed to an after-work gig. nunc Daily Backpack (US$269) Japanese brand nunc (which means “now” in Latin) focuses on necessity in modern-day use, creating gear that is utilitarian yet still delivers an understated urban sleekness. Dual top and rear access to the main compartment, a front organization compartment, and a choice of quick-access pockets make retrieving gear nice and easy. In all-black, it’s a nailed minimal silhouett…
Week In Review ~ 7 December
…ure without weighing you down? How about a fresh collection from an iconic Japanese carry brand? Add to the mix an urban-friendly pack and a rugged yet sleek phone pocket that will protect your important EDC as we round up what’s been on our radar in the Week In Review… – Outlier takes their carry lineup to new heights If you like the freedom of movement that comes with a lightweight piece of carry but you also want the ability to expand your bag’…
Our Favorite Makers (Rest of the World)
…ch is why they’re our favorite makers from around the world… – Roberu This Japanese brand has made a name for itself through its meticulously handcrafted leather goods. Roberu offers a variety of pieces that elegantly merge style and function including wallets, camera straps and holders, phone cases and bags. Thisispaper Thisispaper is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Warsaw, Poland. Their intriguing carry pieces give a nod to fashion-fr…
Top 10 Back to Work Bags
…ercent Dimitri The Dimitri Briefcase features an attractive combination of Japanese cotton canvas and vegetable-tanned Italian leather. Available in a variety of colorways to suit personal tastes, the briefcase fits a 15″ laptop and comes with a removable shoulder strap. côte&ciel Riss Inspired by Japanese armor, the Riss is guaranteed to turn heads with its eye-catching silhouette. The messenger can be worn across the back or over the shoulder, a…
How to Choose the Right EDC Pen :: Buying Tips
…he right type of ink is key. The ever-popular gel pens from all the famous Japanese brands have always been popular. And why not? They offer a huge variety of colors and they are so smooth to write with. They are made by suspending pigments in water. Motionless gel inks are thick like ballpoint ink but once you start writing, they flow smoothly while delivering crisp lines. Make sure your ink is high in viscosity and matches your paper too; it’s t…
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2015 :: Recap Part II
…US site but nobody bought them so they removed them. Interestingly, their Japanese distributor had great luck with them and suddenly Americans are clamoring for them, so for the new season Mystery Ranch is bringing them back. The Streetfighter features waterproof zippers, and a bottom MOLLE attachment (which is really for show). The Gunfighter has more functional MOLLE on the sides, different padding, and a Stick-It front pocket designed to hold…
Indonesian Craft :: Riding with Rafheoo (Part 1)
…g they will not be on the industrial or technical level of the much lauded Japanese manufacturers. Though perhaps it is for the better. As Hendi points out this strengthens the Indonesian conviction that, “if there is no machine, I can make it with my hands.” To demonstrate exactly what they mean by this, the Rafheoo crew has decided to craft a new bag highlighting the craftsmanship, skill, and art found across Indonesia. Staying true to the convi…
Modern Office EDC Essentials
…our to-do’s on a real piece of paper. The Mnemosyne line of Notebooks from Japanese brand Maruman offers some of the highest quality paper you’ll find in a portable notebook, resulting in a smooth writing experience every time. Other features like its sturdy cover and dual-ring binding system ensure it’ll hold up at, to, and from the office. Plans, notes, and ideas you’ve jotted or sketched can also be easily shared thanks to the Mnemosyne’s micro…
Week In Review ~ 25 January
…ek In Review… – master-piece celebrates two decades in the industry Iconic Japanese brand master-piece are celebrating their 20th anniversary in one of the best ways possible – with the release of limited edition model pieces that will have fans itching to get their fingers on them. Constructed using master-piece’s MASTERTEX-CAMO™ fabric featuring Cordura nylon that is treated for water resistance, along with JES quality-controlled leather, these…
Making Custom Packs with Rucksack Village
…an actual 3D object. Doing some hand stitching of seams to do the very old Japanese boro fabric justice. Boro means scrappy, so these days, when you say boro, you’re looking for ragged Japanese fabric things (blankets, shirts, gloves) that are all patched up by hand. So before, when I said I make the packs one at a time after sewing the straps was not entirely true. I did cut all the panels to all 3 backpacks first. Then I started actually sewing…
Week In Review ~ 15 June
…. The pack incorporates the Black Fog print which stems from a painting by Japanese artist NOA-. The painting is based on a phrase which can be phonetically translated as Kuro Mu – which sounds like Chrome. Fun in the sun Heading off on a summer adventure? Well if you’re keen for some equally cheerful carry to match your cheerful mood then look to the newly released Ethnotek Summer 2014 Travel Collection. The collection incorporates the Cyclo Slin…
Week In Review ~ 2 March
…whether it’s the right pack for your needs and budget. Attention-grabbing Japanese streetstyle Fans of visvim can get stuck into their new 2014 Spring/Summer BALLISTIC collection featuring a backpack, messenger, two waist bags and a wallet. Each piece features a contrast of ballistic nylon and brown suede. The pieces are available through visvim’s online shop but don’t expect to grab a bargain – as anyone familiar with visvim will tell you, this…
Week In Review ~ 16 November
…age across for rugged street style Boasting a bagful of attention-grabbing Japanese street style, the Y-3 Messenger Bag 2 stems from a creative collaboration between adidas and the award-winning Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. The messenger is constructed from CORDURA® Ballistic and UltraLite fabrics with leather trim, with aesthetic tweaks that give it a slicker appearance than many standard messenger designs. A simple and stylish solut…
Barrett Alley shop visit :: Dallas, TX
…evilish wallet sitting on his side of the table. Visually the 19th century Japanese (Barrett explains, “from the Edo to Meiji periods“) hand-loomed hand-dyed indigo cotton fabric lining jumps off the table. That bold high-contrast pattern is hard to miss. Barrett is really interested in super unique and super rare materials that no one else is using. This fabric is a great example of that pursuit. He opens up his wooden trunk of lining fabric for…
Interview with Atelier de l’Armée
…for instance mixing a German military mail bag from 1939 with a dead stock Japanese selvage denim. Although the materials have nothing in common, mixed together they make a whole. – 2) How hard is it to scale when each item is so unique? – We are not really sure what you mean exactly, but if you mean to expand, it is difficult on one side and not so difficult on the other. Since all our products are very labor intensive, it is difficult to do big…
Drive By :: Topo Designs Daypack
…lity and a style that’s very approachable. I can’t help but feel a vibe of Japanese influence and when I asked Mark about it, he admitted that they are fans of the way the Japanese take American products and put a spin on them. The bag measures 16 inches tall, which is at the upper limit of what I prefer for my 19.5-inch torso. Wearing it feels slightly larger than a normal JanSport backpack, but not at all uncomfortable or too large. It has a vol…
Best New Gear: February 2020
…e hours Capsule Collection What do a San Francisco-based carry brand and a Japanese capsule hotel have in common? The understanding that city travel requires a reliable, compact foundation done well. And that’s what Aer and nine hours have created with the Capsule Collection. Inspired by nine hours’ dedication to doing the simple basics right, the collection features the 40L Capsule Pack Max and the 35L Capsule Pack. Two carry-on packs designed to…
Maker Series :: Yonezawa Leather
…, bag or an artistic 3D picture. . What are your tools of the trade? Yasui Japanese Leather Knives (various sizes, vintage tools). *Yasui is a discontinued Japanese leather tools brand. . . What spurred you to make stuff? Tell us the story. Sixteen years ago, I really wanted to buy a carved leather wallet but could not find one that had everything I was searching for – something aesthetically beautiful with a functional design and a price that ref…
Same same, but different…
…thers, but these are our pick – Chrome, Mission Workshop, Sag & T-Level. – Japanese Street If you’ve never been to Japan, you’ve never seen the real evolution of the human race. They have technology, systems and a culture that makes the west seem prehistoric, and they usually keep it to themselves. We yap a lot about Porter here, but you should check out some of the more street oriented carry brands… Brands like Master-Piece, Visvim, Hobo and Nike…
Best Work Backpack Finalists (Pool A) – The Fifth Annual Carry Awards
…own, the Porter Hybrid is a lightweight and durable backpack made with the Japanese brand’s legendary attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship. The bag provides multiple pockets for organization and a flexible design that works for the commute, overnight trips and casual outdoor roaming. _________________________________________________________ Bleu de Chauffe Woody Inspired by old climbing bags, the Woody is a handsome piece that can be c…
Best New Gear: May 2019
…tion of chinos and shorts. The collection is made with breathable and soft Japanese Toray twill that keeps you comfortable on the go and also provides two-way stretch for greater movement. A concealed zip pocket offers discreet storage for valuables such as a passport or phone. And with two chino styles to choose from, including straight and slim fits, as well as a range of colorways for all pieces, you can dapper up your EDC and travel wardrobe t…