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Best Running Vests of 2020
…ta 5.0 is a perfect choice for race day, or people who prefer a minimalist approach, while still having a bit of extra food and water onboard. At $125, it might not be what you reach for as a beginner just getting into the sport (I am a huge fan of the Adventure or Mountain Vest for more flexibility in Ultimate Direction’s product line), but if you’re looking to up your race-day game, this might just be the ticket you need. Pros: Super light, grea…
First Look: Heimplanet’s Transit Line V2, Motion Series and Commuter Pack
…troduced the Motion Series in 2017, with its rather active and lightweight approach, they wanted to focus on their urban travelers again. Back in 2013 they did the Monolith Series with a set of packs and bags which they pictured to be their Jack of all trades – covering all kinds of travel relevant to Heimplanet. Despite some of them being successful and much appreciated by customers and reviewers alike, they had to learn that a system like this m…
A Decade of Heimplanet: Interview
…we started realizing how much this pattern actually represents our design approach and aesthetics. From then on, this pattern appeared more often in our products, like on the three-dimensional back panel of our Motion Series. We then decided to make it part of our design DNA and our signature pattern. Nowadays, you can find it in most of our products in one form or another. How much does customer feedback affect future designs? A lot. The develo…
Best Specialist Champion 2020
…ailor organization to your needs. Durable and comfortable enough for the approach while serving up great gear access when you get there, this is a dependable and functional crag pack you’ll keep reaching for again and again. Highly impressive, Mystery Ranch! ________________________________________________________ Highly Commended These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High C…
Top 5: Best Active Messenger Bags 2020
…e front of the bag (this is dubbed the “atMOS Grid System”). This “system” approach is what makes the M100 so versatile for the user and also helps define the aesthetic that ORBITGear is trying to create. If you strip away all of those extra options, the base itself is still quite functional in that you have one large main compartment to drop your things into, and if you’re already one to utilize pouches for your gear you could quickly drop them i…
Mission Workshop Khyte Review
…tested designs and infuse them with more of a daily carry and tech-forward approach. You can also see this new design language in the Khyte’s partner bag, the Rhake. As someone who’s owned and used quite a lot of messengers over the years, including some from Mission Workshop, I was very curious to see how the Khyte would perform in the real world because at least on paper, they’ve got a clever bag here. Specifications: Name: The Khyte Brand: Miss…
Quick Look: Groundtruth RIKR 24L Backpack
…The Groundtruth RIKR 24L Backpack uses 100% recycled post-consumer plastic. While an eco-conscious approach is great, does the bag perform well in terms of features and build? Let’s find out… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-PlIsjrT94 Liked this article? You might enjoy these too: My Favorite Bags of 2020: Top 5 Backpacks Travel-Friendly Camera Gear: Moment Lenses and Peak Design Travel Tripod Review…
What to Pack for Winter in Tokyo
…utdoor trails thanks to their “sticky rubber” material taken directly from approach shoes. They’re extremely comfortable and perfect for the city as well. Caps and gloves Caps and gloves are essential for my daily commute by bicycle during winter in Tokyo. Too many times I have found myself with numb fingers after an early morning ride to the station. The OR liner gloves (the same gloves I actually also use as liners when I do ice climbing!) and a…
First Look | Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoody ReBird
…raw material can be used in the manufacturing process. Not only does this approach avoid materials going to landfill, but it also reduces carbon footprint with the elimination of extra production and transport. The best hybrid performance jacket? The Gamma MX is one of the most popular Arc’teryx pieces in their range. After using one for a month, I can see why. Its biggest strength? Versatility. That word gets thrown around a lot, and I think th…
Our Favorite Full-Zip Hoodies for Any Situation
…reetwear brand Wings+Horns. Reigning Champ takes a distinctly more low-key approach, hooking into the current athleisure wear fashion scene. If you’re familiar with Wings+Horns, or even if you’re not, the Midweight will feel right at home with its classic look and signature silver YKK zipper. The Midweight, like much of Reigning Champ’s lineup, is made from french terry. It’s a knit cotton with high moisture-wicking properties. The pilled backside…
Ally Capellino Fin Waxed Cotton Backpack Review
…letting the materials almost create the design.” With this detail-oriented approach, Ally Capellino has not only made bags that look stylish but also rock high-quality materials. I had the pleasure of checking out the Ally Capellino Fin Waxed Cotton Backpack, and I was pleasantly surprised by the details and thoughtfulness put into it. Who It Suits Fashion-forward individuals will appreciate this pack for its timeless design. It’s understated, but…
First Look | Bellroy Lite Collection
…r at the ends. It might seem a little odd at first but we really love this approach. The interior itself has a surprising amount of organization for a duffel. All walls are lined with pockets of various sizes, for everything from an extra phone charger and snacks to your water bottle. You can see how wide the duffel opens on the left side of the photo. Lite Tote The Lite Tote is simple and everything it needs to be. It has a generous gusset to hol…
Holiday Gift Guide | Staff Picks
…move. Peak Design Mobile Tripod Peak Design are known for their ingenious approach to products that we all think we know and love. They take them apart, and reshape them into something functional and beautiful. They did it with their everyday bags, their camera straps, and their travel tripod. They’ve taken their learnings from those and put them into their newest venture – the mobile line. There is a whole assortment of mounts and attachments in…
Gift Guide | Backpacker Gifts Under $100
…’ as a primary shelter for nearly five years and it’s really changed how I approach outdoor travel. A tarp is much more flexible than a tent, and because it’s a single item rather than a set of components, I’m more likely to deploy it during shorter breaks for cover from the elements. Once you switch to a tarp, it’ll be hard to ever give up the freedom it gives you. I like blaze orange in the event I ever need to signal for help, but BPWD makes th…
Benchmade Culinary | Bringing EDC Into The Home
…ts jack-of-all-trades design, some home cooks might desire a more granular approach to their kitchen toolkit. Enter: the 3 Piece Set. This includes an 8″ Chef knife, 6″ Utility Knife, and 4″ Paring knife. Again, each is offered in the same two blade steel and finishes, and just like the Station Knife, you are able to customize each with from a selection of G10, Richlite and Carbon Fiber handle options. Progressively moving down in length, each exc…
Maker Spotlight | An Interview With 1733
…s and I got a glimpse into his development process. Phil’s problem-solving approach is very practical, but he is always exploring, searching for something new. This, mixed with his high level of craft and attention to detail all combine to create a refreshing aesthetic. One of the most exciting things I got to take a look at while I was there was some recent work bleaching and dyeing X-Pac for the Meridian brand collaboration. The tie-dye effect o…
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak Review
…the bag to be very comfortable as long as we were somewhat monastic in our approach to packing. Unlike most frameless bags, the sewn-in foam in the Daybreak’s back panel is divided into three independent sections. This allows the top ⅓ of the bag to “flex” and conform to the shape of your back while the bottom ⅔ stays flat without barreling in the middle – which is fairly common with single sheet foam back panels. Regardless of comfort, just be a…
Beau Industries Parenting Pack R1 Review
…your consideration, though? Let’s dive in. Two notes: First, my wife and I approach packing the parent bag in a modular fashion – everything has a pouch: clothes, food/snacks, medicines, diaper change items, and miscellaneous. Second, all photos were taken after two months of hard use (this is important when discussing durability). The Basics Dual External Bottle/Pouch Pocket NIFCO Hardware 3 Compartments (Admin/Main/Laptop) ~24L Capacity Remov…
Minaal Carry-on 3.0 Bag Review
…ag that hits in some areas and misses in others. I really appreciate their approach to designing for the perpetual traveler in building a product designed to be with the user for many years. I would have really liked to have seen a more comfortable harness for this size of pack, especially considering this has been redesigned from prior generations. But my issues may not impact all users equally. If you travel frequently and have optimized your pa…
Best New Gear | August 2021
…function. Dango Products MC01 Titanium Money Clip Some prefer a minimalist approach to wallets. But if you’re looking to embrace bold, rugged design that offers a lot of carry capacity for cash and cards, Dango’s MC01 Titanium Money Clip might be just right for you. It features a titanium clip bolted to a CNC machined, 6061 aerospace aluminum chassis. And with a silicone band included too, you’ve got additional space for carrying extra cards and c…
Adapt on the Fly with the Tego Adventure Kit
…ng to your specific needs, rather than requiring you to adapt to it. A new approach to carry takes flight Parker Thomas is a man who likes to make things. Including an airplane. And while he explored in this very airplane, he needed maintenance tools to come along for the ride. Enter the humble tool roll. Parker loved the organizational functionality that tool rolls offered and later applied this functionality to his own Dopp kit design to store h…
The PYTHO is an All-In-One Backpack for Gym, Work and Travel
…xpansion isn’t new in packs, but the PYTHO takes an innovative zipper-free approach. A patent-pending compression system featuring integrated straps allows the bag to expand by pulling on a rear expansion handle (which doubles as a luggage pass-through too). The design expands from an EDC-friendly 18.5L to a travel-friendly 29L. And if you need to compress it again, simply pull the compression straps easily accessible on the front of the shoulder…
Best Jackets for Summer Outdoor Adventures
…and winter, I’d use a dedicated cold-weather membrane, which is the ideal approach – dedicated seasonal shells for warm and cold seasons. It breathes exceptionally well (for a hardshell) even without a big temperature difference in/out. The only downside is the weight – at above 500g it is on the slightly heavy side for a summer shell. However, if your summer adventure takes you to Iceland rather than to SoCal… that additional 150g is not really…
Best EDC Flashlights in 2023
…eractions, investment in tools and technology, and a consistent and candid approach to sharing the growth and changes at the company and with the products. While the original DC1 launched Okluma, the DC0 is the current king of lights. This iteration, the Titanium DC0, can typically only be obtained through weekly lotteries on the Facebook group. Despite being relatively new, the DC0 has undergone noticeable changes and improvements. Some of these…
Apidura Release Lightweight Everyday Commuter Backpack
…r the glow of a modern office space. Apidura have taken a different design approach with the City Backpack. It features a clean, minimalist and lightweight design made with a bespoke waterproof and abrasion-resistant CT420 Marle fabric. This creates a softer, more versatile look, that blends in well wherever it’s carried, while still enjoying the technical performance you want from a commuter pack. Wear it during your daily rides and trust it will…
HOKA One One and Cotopaxi Team Up for Eco-conscious Collab
…se these for twenty mile trail runs, speedy 5k’s, or even as a daily hiker/approach shoe, you will be pleasantly surprised at how your legs and feet feel after your session. The Torrent 2’s also have a small overlay between the sole and upper, to stop any excess debris getting in as you pound the trail, a simple, but effective touch that gives you a little extra security. While we are talking of security, the multidirectional lugs on the sole prov…
The Best Modular Backpacks
…sic, no doubt. Boreas Bootlegger The Bootlegger system takes an innovative approach to modularity with its Super-Tramp suspension. The modular suspension allows the user to swap out a range of packs and attach them to the harness, such as a dry bag, camera pack, hydration pack or daypack. Triple Aught Design Spectre Carry System Triple Aught Design’s Spectre system is a well-considered modular system featuring a range of backpacks, carry rigs and…
Review: GORUCK Bullet 10L
…and. This ruck does away with those issues with its solid, straightforward approach. I have rucked with the Bullet for nine hours straight and it was never uncomfortable. If you do pack it to the limits of its 10L you will encounter ‘bulbing’ where the central strip of the back panel raises up and becomes the only part touching your pack. This can be overcome by smarter arrangement of the contents, but often it’s a hint at your lack of compliance…
Haven & Florin Rollpack Review: Drive By
…anel (including the straps) are affixed to the clamshell that unzips. This approach does have one or two pitfalls but let’s stick with the praise first. “The volume and multiple access points are without a doubt one of its best features.” Before we move on, we gotta talk pockets and the insane amount of wiggle room you have with them. The Rollpack has seven pockets which is insane for a bag that looks this streamlined. (Note: I’m including the wat…
Design Heads :: Interview with Barrett Willet (REI)
…onments but the probability of need doesn’t seem to be there. A full-scale approach to weather resistance is more practical. What wouldn’t the layperson know is essential to a good carry product? We all tend to appreciate convenient pockets, for example, but is there anything that we wouldn’t notice about an excellent carry product off-hand but a master of carryology always would? So much of what generates comfortable carry is buried inside the ba…