The Evolution: Introducing the Third Iteration of the EDX Collection

Nearly three years ago, we embarked on a journey with Matador, creating a three-piece travel and EDC capsule that could adapt on the fly, embrace changing environments and weather conditions and help us explore further. The result was the pioneering EDX Series – a collaboration that defined a new standard for efficient, adaptable travel. Today, we are incredibly proud to unveil the third evolution of this acclaimed collection: the Matador x Carryology EDX ULTRA, meticulously crafted with Ultra for the ultimate carrying experience.

We’ve taken the core tenets of the EDX philosophy – ultralight packability, durability, and balanced organization – and elevated them through the strategic integration of cutting-edge fabrics. The EDX ULTRA Collection is designed for those who demand the absolute best in performance without compromising on comfort or refined aesthetics.

Packable Without Sacrifice

The packable bag category has long been defined by its ultralight, stuffable nature—bags that disappear into a pouch or compress into the corner of your suitcase. These minimal designs are great for saving space, but for many travelers, they fall short where it matters most: structure, comfort, and usability. Most of these bags lack support, shape, and thoughtful organization, making them fine for emergency overflow but unreliable as daily companions. 

That left a space underserved—a space between ultralight solutions and true carry performance. What was missing? A packable bag that offers form, structure, and enough comfort to be used day in and day out. A bag that packs down or flat, yes, but that also carries well, feels stable, and organizes your essentials so your experience is an awesome one. 

That’s where innovation has stepped in, addressing a very real need for travelers who want the convenience of packability without sacrificing experience.

1.5 Bag Travel

The heart of this collection is rooted in “1.5 Bag Travel” (shoutout to our founder Andy for coining the term).

We’re fans of One Bag Travel—it’s easier, cheaper, better on your body, and just more fun. But after countless trips, we realized the philosophy needs a slight update.

No matter your destination or trip length, you don’t need everything on you all the time. Whether it’s two weeks in Japan or a weekend in Iowa, once you arrive, agility matters. You need to explore without hauling your full kit around.

That’s where your secondary, smaller bag comes in. Pack your essentials, ditch the bulk, and move freely—without the headache or backache of your main travel bag.

Technically it’s a second bag, but we call it “1.5 Bag Travel” because it’s smaller, lighter, and nests inside your main pack.

Some travelers use it alongside their main bag (say, a sling with a travel backpack). Others stash a packable backpack or messenger inside their luggage, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. There are plenty of great options—but when it comes to packable innovation, no one does it like Matador.

Water-Resistant HydraGuard Technology

The ULTRA Collection utilizes the same HydraGuard® water-resistant seam binding, developed by Matador for our EDX V1 and V2 Collection.

As a concept, it offers a similar water-resistant result that expensive seam taping provides, while still allowing you to create complex patterns and layers in the design. This HydraGuard® technology utilizes water resistance seam binding as well as water-resistant threading, so where all the seams are joined, water doesn’t pass through like a traditional bag construction. It has an extra layer of defense against Poseidon and his buddies.

YKK Zippers

Combine this HydraGuard technology with ULTRA waterproof fabric and YKK reverse coil sealing zips and you’ve got a fortress against foul weather. Zippers are matte-finish (our favorite) and have custom-designed thin cord with shrink-wrap tubing over the knots for easy operation and a jingle-free experience.

EDC With X Factor

We call the collection the EDX Series. EDC, with an X factor. 

EDC + Travel (and beyond) = EDX. 

The X is open-ended and represents whatever adventures and travels you can dream up. 

ULTRA Fabric from Challenge Sailcloth

At the heart of the EDX V3 Collection lies a revolutionary material: ULTRA 200TX fabric from Challenge Sailcloth. This advanced composite material is engineered with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, renowned for their extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio. ULTRA fabric makes the V3 collection not only incredibly lightweight but also exceptionally durable and resistant to abrasion and tears, ensuring your gear is protected no matter the journey. This is performance taken to the extreme, providing peace of mind in the most demanding conditions.

UltraSuede Grab Handles: A Touch of Luxury

Adding a refined tactile experience, all products in the EDX V3 Collection feature Toray UltraSuede for all 3 grab handles on all 3 products. Drawing inspiration from supercars, this premium synthetic suede offers a luxurious, soft touch that elevates the overall aesthetic and feel of the bags. Beyond its exquisite hand-feel, UltraSuede provides a secure and comfortable grip (even when wet), reflecting our commitment to both performance and refined details.

Capacity and Carry Quiver

Just like the first EDX Collection, we are including all three products. That’s right, we brought back the Sling and the Messenger that were missing from the 2nd collection. That’s 2 liters for the sling, 10 liters for the messenger (think large sling and small messenger), and 22 liters for the backpack. We found these three volumes were best suited to perform well for day-to-day EDC as well as traveling. Available a la carte so you can pick whichever form factor works best for you, or grab all three and have the ultimate EDX carry quiver ready to go.

DUAL Morale Patches

Just like the original EDX concept, we took inspiration from Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas. And equally as iconic as the god himself is his famously powerful golden trident. So for the first interior morale patch (located on the magnetic rear wall closure), we included the iconic Poseidon Trident Velcro-backed patch.

For the second patch (also on the rear wall of each product), we had a little cheeky fun. Rather than design yet another icon or image to compete against Poseidon’s mighty trident, we went simple. Real simple. We turned the legally required regulatory information (which is in all bags from all makers on a floppy woven label) into a vibrant orange molded patch. We loved the juxtaposition of putting a commonly looked-over, removed, and/or thrown-away bit on the most valuable and collectible component of the bag. 

Mono-Mesh

On the back side of each product, we specified a high-strength black mono-mesh on the back panel for breathability while keeping things ultra-minimal. Behind the mesh, you’ll spot a printed graphic containing the information of each product (item, edition, capacity, body, color, and info). Finally, just in case some water makes its way in through the mesh, the wall behind it is fully sealed from the main body ULTRA fabric with a small drainage port to let the water out. Note, the drain hole does not enter the main compartment; it solely exists to let moisture drip down and out from behind the mesh panel. 

Minimal Branding

While traveling, you want your bags to be functional yet discreet. Like an English butler: highly organized, stoic, never in the way, but appears like magic when needed. Big branding draws too much attention and flashiness. To match the all-matte black exterior, we added discreet screen-printed branding in black gloss. It disappears if you’re not looking for it, but looks great when you turn it towards the light. Black on black, gloss on matte. 

Usable Organization 

We didn’t just slap some pockets inside of these products haphazardly. In fact, internal organization might have been one of the biggest challenges for this project. As these products should all pack flat, the internal pocketing must also lay flat. This is quite difficult when you’re dealing with 2D patterns to create 3D spaces and then turning them back to 2D again. Through Matador’s expert patterning, we created tons of usable organization that stays out of the way until you need it. 

We added a rear tech sleeve on the back interior wall of each product to keep your phone, tablet, or laptop secured, and it closes neatly with magnets. Plus dual internal organization pockets for water bottles on the messenger, admin panel and separate front pocket in the backpack, and quick-access on exteriors. 

Click-Click Magnetism

Speaking of magnets, the water bottle pockets along the side of the backpack (yep, count them, two, one on each side) have magnetic closure from Systemmag, so they fold away like Origami when they’re not needed and blend seamlessly into the silhouette of the pack’s lines.

Hardware

After experimenting with plenty of different units from some of our favorite brands, we landed on YKK for our primary hardware supplier. Sure, you might know them for zippers, but they’ve been making high-end buckles and injection-molded bits of all kinds for many years now. The sling and messenger both utilize YKK’s lightweight and strong side-release buckles for their shoulder strap, with an added D-ring for quick adjustments like a proper messenger bag.  

MAG-HOOK

There was one incredible hardware discovery that happened late in the game for us. We had been trying out all kinds of different flap closure methods for the flap on the sling and messenger. They were all too bulky, or didn’t provide positive engagement, or required webbing, etc. We didn’t want to settle on something good enough and even discussed going full custom, which would delay the project by months or longer. And then… we found it… unveiled in 2021 but something brand new for all of us, MAG-HOOK from YKK. The MAG-HOOK utilizes magnetic force and a mechanical force latch to stay closed. Easy one-handed opening. Then, just let the flap close and it firmly latches closed, no need to fiddle. No webbing necessary. Lightweight. Simple yet complex. 

And an extra bonus, it has a minimal footprint that is essentially invisible until you lift the flap. One of the coolest new hardware bits we’ve come across, from the legends at YKK. 

Trolley Pass

These always come in handy when in transit, and so we decided to add a trolley passthrough webbing onto the messenger and the backpack. While it’s a simple strip of webbing, we add bartacking for strength and to ensure it lies flat while you’re wearing the bags. Simple and effective, with travel in mind.

Key Carry

All three products include a removable key leash tether made from orange shock cord with an orange aluminum carabiner.

Extras

Each bag in the collection comes with its own custom breathable branded mesh pocket. You can roll up or bunch up each one of the bags and toss it into your main travel bag to save space. Or if you want to lay the bags flat in your travel bag, you can use the mesh pocket as a small organizer to keep your bits tidy. 

Ultra-Performance, Elevated Experience

The Matador x Carryology EDX V3 Collection is a testament to meticulous design and relentless innovation. Every element has been scrutinized and optimized to deliver a superior carrying experience.

Performance-Driven Materials: The integration of ULTRA fabric from Challenge Sailcloth represents a significant leap forward, providing extreme durability and lightweight performance that defines the third iteration of this collection. These fabrics ensure these bags are ready for anything, from daily commutes to remote expeditions.

Thoughtful Refinements: While maintaining the beloved structure and organization of its predecessors, the V3 incorporates subtle yet impactful refinements. The UltraSuede grab handles are a prime example, enhancing comfort and adding a sophisticated touch that aligns with the collection’s premium positioning.

Uncompromised Utility: The EDX V3 bags continue to offer versatile organization, smart accessibility, and weather resistance to keep your essentials secure and easily retrievable. They are built for the modern traveler who values both efficiency and elegance.

Experience the Future of Packable Carry

The Matador x Carryology EDX ULTRA Collection is more than just a set of bags; it’s a commitment to pushing the boundaries of carry design. It’s where extreme performance meets luxurious touch, creating a collection that truly stands apart.

Drop Time

Release Article with shop links will go live on Carryology.com on:

Wednesday July 30, 11AM Eastern Time (New York)