Carry

Peak Design

Peak Design are offering savings across a variety of gear during their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. From 21 November to 28 November you can score the following:

10% OFF: Mobile Mounts and Accessories, Everyday Line of Bags, Travel Line of Bags, Packing Tools

15% OFF: Camera accessories: straps and clips

30% OFF: Everyday Case

Huckberry

Huckberry are specialists in all things Carry and they’ve got the best curated catalogue in the game!
Until 11/26 you can get 40% off across a whole range of carry goodness!

Carl Friedrik

From Thursday 24th to Monday 28th November Carl Friedrik will be offering 30% off sitewide. However, you can score early access to the discount by using the code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout, with the code valid until 24 November.

MiiR

Looking to do a little good with your purchases over the Black Friday weekend? Check out MiiR, who will be giving 100% of sales to three non-profit partners over the weekend of November 25, 26 and 27, 2022. Every dollar spent over those three days will go directly to one of the following groups, directed at the purchaser’s choice: National Young Farmers Coalition, Bean Voyage, and Conservation Lands Foundation.

Triple Aught Design

Triple Aught Design are offering discounts ranging from 25% to 50% off a variety of apparel and carry gear. The sale runs from now through to 28 November.

WP Standard

Score a tasty 20% off sitewide during WP Standard’s Black Friday sales from 25 November to 2 December.

Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.

Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co. is a retailer of a wide variety of carry, apparel and footwear brands. And they’re offering 20% off full-price products plus 20% off additional sale products when you use the code HOLIDAYRUSH22 at checkout until 28 November.

Bleu de Chauffe

From now until 25 November Bleu de Chauffe are offering up to 40% off select items.

Solgaard

Enjoy Solgaard discounts ranging from 15% to 50% off sitewide through 30 November.

GORUCK

Get up to 40% off across a range of bags, apparel and footwear during GORUCK’s Black Friday sale.

Bellroy

Get savings of up to 33% off during Bellroy’s Black Friday sale, including bags, wallets, pouches, and more.

Chrome Industries

Bag yourself up to 40% off across during Chrome’s Black Friday sales, running through to Cyber Monday.

Tanner Goods

Get 20% off sitewide using the code HOLIDAY20 at checkout.

Olight

Light up your EDC with up to 50% off and exclusive gifts through to 28 November.

WESN

Snap up savings of up to 40% off sitewide, with no code required.

The Ridge

Grab bargains of up to 40% off during the Black Friday sale.

Blade HQ

Enjoy a variety of discounts across a wide range of knives and multitools during Blade HQ’s sale.

Alpaka

Alpaka is offering 20% off orders over $15, 25% off orders over $85, and 30% off orders over $200, applicable on selected items.

DSPTCH

From now until 27 November, DSPTCH are offering 25% off sitewide using the code BLKFRDY22. Do note certain exclusions apply and the code will only work if everything in your cart is eligible.

Mystery Ranch

Enjoy 30% off Outdoor and Hunting when you use the code MRHOLIDAY22 at checkout.

Mission Workshop

Mission Workshop are serving up 20% off sitewide using the code BF22 at checkout until 28 November. Plus you’ll also receive a 20% discount code emailed to you that can be used on a future purchase, along with a free bag of Bicycle Coffee while supplies last. The coffee can only go to US orders but all other orders are worldwide. Additionally, for 24 hours only on Black Friday you can score 20% off, a 20% discount code for a future purchase, and a free orange VX tool roll when you use the code CGY22 at checkout.

Distil Union

Get up to 30% off sitewide across a variety of gear including wallets, key organizers, and more.

Orbitkey

Snap up discounts of 15% to 25% off sitewide, with no discount code required, until 27 November.

NOMAD

Get 25% off sitewide during the Black Friday sale.

Heimplanet

Heimplanet are offering a range of discount codes to benefit both customers and the planet. Depending on the code you use, you decide how much revenue Heimplanet will give away to help the planet and/or what discount you will receive.

The voucher codes are:

30% for the planet & 0% for the customer*: 30FORTHEPLANET

20% for the planet & 10% for the customer*: 20FORTHEPLANET

10% for the planet & 20% for the customer*: 10FORTHEPLANET

0% for the planet & 30% for the customer*: 0FORTHEPLANET

DEFY

Get 20% off sitewide using the code BLACK20 at checkout.

Eberlestock

Enjoy up to 40% off, along with a free gift on orders over $299.

Black Ember

Score a hot 20% off sitewide through 28 November, using the code HOLIDAY22 at checkout.

WANDRD

Dig into discounts of 20% to 60% off during WANDRD’s Black Friday sale.

Footwear

Grant Stone

Enjoy 20% off shopping carts over $400 until 30 November. Simply use the code alwaysloaferseason at checkout.

Apparel

American Trench

Take 20% off sitewide (with some exclusions) during American Trench’s Black Friday sale until 28 November. No code is needed; the discount will be automatically applied.

Corridor NYC

Corridor NYC are offering an enticing 30% off sitewide during their sale until 29 November. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY2022 at checkout.

Bridge & Burn

During their BF sale, Bridge & Burn are dishing up 25% off all goods until 28 November. Use the code BFCM-25 at checkout.

Rhythmic Tones

Rhythmic Tones are offering the chance to score 50% to 70% off selected pieces during the Black Friday sale until 27 November.

Redcast Heritage

From 24 November to Monday the 28th at 23:59h CET, Redcast Heritage is offering 15% off sitewide (excluding some selected products such as the Rogue Territory Waxed Canvas Supply Jacket Tan). Just use the code BF2022 at checkout. Additionally, for every purchase made at Redcast during Black Friday, they will plant a tree to help reforestation and offset their CO2 footprint. Also, their size exchange and returns policy will not change during this promotional period.

However, all subscribers to their newsletter can start enjoying an advance 15% discount from Monday 21 November. They will receive a special promo code (different to the official one). And, for every order placed of a value equal to or exceeding 450€ between Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 November (both inclusive), they will receive a gift – a 20€ voucher to spend in their store.

Division Road, Inc.

Until 21 November, enjoy 20% off apparel and accessories (excluding Dehen 1920 & Iron Heart) using the code GFriday2022. Do note, all sales are final.

AKASHI-KAMA

AKASHI-KAMA are offering 25% off select items and restocks on past favorites until 28 November. No discount code is needed.

Brooklyn Clothing

Brooklyn Clothing are offering 15% off all products, excluding Iron Heart and boots, until 28 November. Use the code BLACK2022FRIDAY at checkout.

Companion Denim

To celebrate their 9th anniversary, Companion Denim are offering 20% off custom-made jeans using the code 9years at checkout until 30 November.

Alchemy Equipment

Alchemy Equipment are offering 20% to 50% off across their entire collection during their Black Friday sale.

Backcountry

Score up to 60% off across a wide range of brands and pieces during Backcountry’s Black Friday sale.

Unbound Merino

Get cozy deals of up to 40% off during Unbound Merino’s sale, running through to 27 November.

Western Rise

Grab great deals with 30% off sitewide plus 40% off pants using the code HOLIDAY30 at checkout.

Arc’teryx

Score 30% off on select pieces during Arc’teryx’s Black Friday sale.

Alpine Sea Co.

For 24 hours only over Black Friday, get 24% off sitewide using the code CARRY24 at checkout.

The post Best Black Friday Deals in 2022 appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

“The coolest in-store retail experience in my life”.

The words escaped my lips and past my moustache without any effort, almost by accident. I hadn’t planned to announce such a declarative statement… but once it was out there in the world, well… there they were.

Arc’teryx, the Canadian-based apparel and gear brand, is no stranger to New York City. They already had five proper Brand Stores in the city limits. Each one is a well-executed expression of the company, with racks filled with a wide array of some of the nicest gear on earth. Now, with the launch of this new endeavor, this brings their NYC Brand Store count up to six locations. Impressive. 

While on a whirlwind weekend NYC trip, we called our contacts at Arc’teryx to politely ask if they could maybe squeeze us into their schedule to witness the just-opened (one week old) shop before we had to depart the city for Dimension Polyant up in Connecticut. They gave us a window that worked with our tight timing and we jumped at it. After a three-minute stop for coffee and bagels, we arrived at the storefront located at 547 Broadway, in the historic SoHo neighborhood. A bit caught off guard, as we were there a full hour before opening, there is a line of six hip-looking individuals, waiting for the door to open. Two more individuals join the line, as we recheck the hours on the glass. The door opens with a smiling gentleman asking, “Carryology?” and we enter.

I’m fortunate to have visited a handful of Arc’teryx’s Brand Stores around the globe, so I have high expectations for the retail aspect of the store itself… and of course, this example is just as nice as any of them. The brand new red Alpha Parka hangs among hardshell jackets, pants, boots, climbing harnesses, and other accessories. While I’m a bit of an Arc gear addict, that’s not why we’re here. We continue walking through the store, despite my severe urge to stop and fondle everything on the well-stocked racks, towards the back.

And it opens up… into the ReBird Service Center. The first of its kind. Not just for Arc’teryx, but to my knowledge… the first of its kind for any brand in this industry. Perhaps it’s the visual design language and decor that the interior designers chose, but I immediately felt like I had been transported to Vancouver, BC, to Arc’teryx’s state-of-the-art ARC’One manufacturing facility that we visited back in 2018.

So what exactly is the “ReBird” and why open a ReBird Service Center?

Our friendly tour guide and ReBird expert, Adam Grossman, explains the true purpose and motivation of this new retail experiment. But first, ReBird. The ReBird program has already been in effect for some time now and it’s integrated into the warranty/repair aspect of Arc’teryx.

The brand has one of the best gear warranties out there and the gear is built to a standard which is unrivaled. But… things still happen. So when folks send their field-damaged gear up to the Canada repair center and it happens to be beyond repair, Arc’teryx will replace the item if the issues are due to a manufacturing error,  or even possibly offer a healthy discount on a new/similar item for damage that is caused by the user. 

While fast, due to logistics and mailing time, that process takes a few weeks. Now, rather than just toss those items into a landfill, Arc’teryx will inventory them, cut them apart, and rebuild them, often by using two or more items, creating hybrid multi-colored items, like the ReBird Totes or Pouches, which they will then sell on their site. The items are inspected, tested, and only see the light of day after rigorous QC. When the highly coveted items hit the shelves, they sell out instantly.

Back to “things still happen”. The purpose of this repair center is to be there for the inevitable. No matter how well an item is made, there’s always a sharp nail out there, sticking out to shred your brand new jacket as you walk by… the day before your trip up to the mountains. Not cool. Now, you can physically bring your item in and choose from a wide selection of colors of zippers, zipper pullers, Gore-Tex fabric, and more. 

Adam shows us a Beta SV hardshell jacket they have on display, which is patched up and repaired with multi-colored zippers and replacement panels. This would absolutely be a grail item for many. He tells us about each individual repair. But we want to see it happen in action.

Smiling, he flicks open his pocket knife and stabs a significant hole right through the Gore-Tex fabric. Folks, this was painful to watch. I think I actually winced.

We head over to the Gore-Tex, selecting a matching Gore-Tex Pro patch, in black. The Gore-Tex patch is then placed on the interior face of the jacket and then using the heat sealing press, Adam uses heat, pressure, and time to ensure a perfect bond between the jacket and the patch. Of course, it’s a perfect fix leaving nothing but a small barely visible scar from the exterior.

But… this is Arc’teryx… so how do we really *know* that this repair was performed successfully? Over to the next station; they apply extreme amounts of pressure and water into the specific area to check for leaks. Under this stress that far exceeds even the most brutal of weather, the Gore-Tex balloons up, but doesn’t leak a drop. 

The whole process takes just a few minutes and converts a bad experience into a fun and exciting experience. Now, you can make that trip up to the mountains with full confidence, thanks to the repair of a skilled Arc’teryx ReBird Service Center specialist. 

Folks can also walk in with their Gore-Tex items and drop them off for a proper wash and reactivation of the DWR (durable water-resistant coating). They’ll use the proper washing machines, washes, drying machines, and processes to get your apparel as good as the day you purchased it.

Smiling, Adam tells us that in just 10 days of being open, they’ve repaired 77 items and resolved 73% of issues right there on-site (the rest being handled by the fancy repair center up in Vancouver, which has all the advanced bells and whistles to take on bigger and more complex repairs). If your product is experiencing any issues that are not repairable and are covered under your limited warranty, they can your damaged item from you and provide you with a generous gift card for the value of the product you brought in, and help you shop for a brand new replacement item right there in the store. This whole process cuts down weeks or months of mailing products around the world while reducing carbon emissions as well. Win, win, win.

Lastly, maybe you don’t even have a product that needs to be repaired. Maybe you’re just there to look at something new. Of course, the front half of the Brand Store has all the aforementioned gear. But they also offer some super unique repaired ReBird items which you won’t find anywhere else. Proper unicorn hunting.

”The coolest in-store retail experience in my life” might not accurately express my thoughts. For me, I felt like a kid in a candy shop. I cannot wait to visit again, as they continue to grow and expand the ReBird Service Center operations. 

ARC’TERYX BROADWAY

Arc’teryx Broadway – Brand Store
547 Broadway
New York, NY 10012

The post Arc’teryx ReBird |
 Repairs in the Heart of NYC appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Check out our top picks to keep you looking fresh whether you’re hanging by the pool, hitting the hiking trails, or stepping out on the town…

All Shorts

Longing for leg freedom but not sure where to start? Peruse all of Huckberry’s shorts for inspiration, from sports shorts to everyday essentials, while scoring enticing savings of up to 30% off.

Hybrid Shorts

Save up to 25% off on a range of hybrid shorts. These pieces play well on both land and in the water, with quick-drying hydrophobic fabrics that let you move smoothly from the beach to the bar at a moment’s notice.

Lounge Shorts

Enjoy discounts of up to 30% off lounge shorts. Whether you’re chilling at home or out for a casual stroll, these are the perfect partners for taking things easy in laid-back comfort.

Proof Nomad Short

Is the Proof Nomad Short the ultimate travel short? It just might be thanks to inbuilt stretch, water resistance, breathability, and an understated style that suits a range of settings. And with 25% off, you’ve got even more reason to add this to your next packing list.

Joggers

From workouts to working from home, it’s hard to resist the indulgent comfort that joggers offer. And with many providing performance features such as moisture-wicking, breathability, and water resistance, versatile functionality is right up there too. Even better? Score savings of up to 35% off on joggers during the Huckberry summer sale.

T-shirts

Quality t-shirts are a staple for any wardrobe. And you’ve got plenty of styles to choose from, offering discounts of up to 25% off during the Huckberry summer sale. From graphic tees to pocket tees, and crew necks to V-necks, you’ll find something that’s just right for your personal style preferences.

Slip-ons

In many situations flip-flops are too casual, while dress shoes are too much. Slip-ons find a stylish middle ground, offering easy slip-on wear with a dash of elegance and sock-free, cool comfort. And you can score some with discounts of up to 30% off.

Sunglasses

Slip on a pair of shades for instant suave style – or to provide performance features when you’re hitting the trails on foot or by bike. Whatever you’re after, Huckberry’s sunglasses sale provides added cool with discounts of up to 30% off.

Polo Shirts

Smarter than a t-shirt but casual enough for weekend barbecues, polo shirts find a solid balance of smart-casual style and summer comfort. Plus a few handy performance features too depending on your requirements. And you can keep things on point with summer savings of up to 30% off.

Free Fly

The folks from Free Fly offer sustainable performance apparel ready for a range of activities, from fishing to hiking and beyond. And bamboo features prominently across the range, offering the benefits of a renewable resource with solid performance features and covetable comfort. Score deals of up to 25% off on Free Fly during the Huckberry summer sale.

Relwen

Blending classic Americana, outdoor vintage inspiration, and modern technical performance is no easy feat. But Relwen does it well with their thoughtful menswear collection ready for summer ramblings or stylish socializing late into the night. And you can enjoy up to 25% off.

Astorflex

Quality Italian craftsmanship, environmentally responsible materials, dapper style, and excellent comfort all in one? Your feet will thank you for decking them out in Astorflex’s range of chic shoes. And with options for smart wedding attire, urban roaming, and more, you’ll find something just right for you. Bonus? Enjoy up to 35% off.

Flint and Tinder Surplus Collection

Inspired by army surplus stores and built for demanding daily use, Flint and Tinder’s Surplus Collection offers a solid range of basics you’ll reach for time and again to conquer workouts, daily wear, and more. The collection features a military-inspired cotton and Cordura® fabric blend across t-shirts, boxers, and socks that will take a beating while offering everyday comfort. And with discounts of up to 35% off, they’re hard to resist.

Flint and Tinder Lightweight Stretch Chinos

Score a solid 35% off Flint and Tinder’s Lightweight Stretch Chinos and bag yourself a versatile piece for smart-casual work settings, dinners out, or simply relaxing with a refreshing brew. And with their inbuilt stretch and lightweight, breathable construction you’ll want to wear them all summer long.

Flint and Tinder Unlined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Fancy saving up to 35% off on a smart, rugged, and multifunctional jacket that’s ideal for warmer weather? Look to the Flint and Tinder Unlined Waxed Trucker Jacket, made with British Millerain’s TekWax Evolution 6 fabric which is breathable, lightweight, and water-resistant.

Danner x Huckberry Logger 917

Stride off with discounts of up to 20% off the Danner x Huckberry Logger 917. A stylish and tough collaboration boot offering heritage aesthetics, all-day comfort for trails and the city alike, and long-lasting materials for daily wear.

Wills Wrinkle Free Linen Shirt

Can’t be bothered to iron? The Wills Wrinkle Free Linen Shirt has you covered, featuring a blend of linen and polyethylene for a lightweight, breathable design that’s also great for travel. So whether you’re roaming close to home or further afield, this shirt is a smart summer choice – and you can score it at 30% off.

The post The Best Bargains from Huckberry’s Summer Sale appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Most people appreciate the functionality of backpacks as a way to get your gear from A to B. But for some, that appreciation becomes something greater. An obsession for quality bags from equally obsessive carry brands. A recognition and celebration of those backpack brands that take every single detail into account when creating their gear, from functionality and durability to sustainability and considered aesthetics.

So what do you do when you’re this passionate about backpacks but don’t have an outlet to explore that passion? Well, if you’re Thomas Buisson and Marine Prunier, you pour your heart and soul into curating an online collection of some of the best backpacks in the world. Both passionate about art and design (Thomas trained in industrial design while Marine studied fine arts), they shared a joint love for backpacks but had limited opportunity to explore this love. Thomas notes, “Huge fans of Carryology and many niche brands, we were missing a place in France, a kind of backpack palace where we could find selected bags and EDC, so we decided to create our own.” And that’s exactly what they did.

World-class brands all on one digital platform

While they always wanted to open a brick-and-mortar store, it was easiest to begin online. So they created their dream online bag destination, building a website that showcases and sells truly great backpacks. Their website Keus offers some of the best-curated carry in the EU. Not surprising when you understand their strict selection process. Thomas emphasizes, “Our selection criteria are very rigorous: ergonomics and functionality, quality of assemblies and finishes, durability of the materials and accessories used.”

Keus was founded near the end of 2017 and has gone from strength to strength over the past three years. You’ll find world-class carry brands on the website, including these fine names:

Black Ember, Chrome Industries, Mission Workshop, ILE, North St., Timbuk2, Able Carry, Topo Designs, Ucon Acrobatics, Sandqvist, Côte&Ciel, Braasi Industry, Blahol, Alchemy Equipment, Pinqponq, EVERGOODS, Bellroy, WANDRD, Teddyfish, Crafted Goods, Code Of Bell, Heimplanet

Some of these brands can be tricky and expensive for EU-based customers to obtain. But Keus provides a great opportunity for such customers to get those long-coveted pieces without hefty customs charges.

And what might some of those prime pieces be? Here are some of our top picks:

EVERGOODS Civic Panel Loader 24L

North St. Bags Davis Backpack

Topo Designs Backdrop Bag

Braasi Industry Wicker Backpack

Mission Workshop The Rhake

A Parisian love affair with bags…

The Keus website is an impressive, easy-to-use digital platform for obtaining the world’s finest backpacks. But a physical location was still an unrealized dream shared not only by Thomas and Marine but also by many of their customers too. And that dream was finally realized in December 2020 with the Keus Paris pop-up store.

The Keus Paris pop-up opened its doors on 2 December 2020 and will remain open until 4 January 2021.

The pop-up store is located at 12, rue des filles du Calvaire 75003 Paris. We think Keus is the best place to buy the world’s top bag brands in Paris right now. So if you’re in Paris, you should definitely check it out!

The post Looking for the Best Backpacks in Paris? appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

It’s also a chance to pick up deals across a range of gear as brands offer up big savings in the run-up to the day. The ideal time to get a gift for someone special as a “Hey, I think you’re pretty swell”. Or maybe even a little treat for yourself. So we’ve scouted out some of the best Memorial Day deals below…

Aer

Aer are offering 20% off sitewide by using the code SUMMER20. The deal ends 25 May.

Backcountry

Backcountry are offering a variety of discounts on quality brands such as The North Face, Black Diamond and more.

Huckberry

Pick up a sweet deal on a range of gear such as carry, apparel, footwear and more across Huckberry’s Memorial Day deals.

REI

REI are offering up to a whopping 50% off on a variety of camping gear, outdoor equipment, clothing and more through to 25 May.

Western Rise

With summer vibes on the way, Western Rise are offering their Evolution Pant at 25% off to embrace those warm weather roamings.

Everlane

Everlane’s Choose What You Pay sale is a chance to score savings of up to 60% off across a selection of men’s and women’s apparel and footwear.

prAna

Grab savings of up to 50% off selected pieces in prAna’s sale.

United By Blue

Bag huge deals of up to 80% off in United By Blue’s Warehouse Sale which runs until 25 May.

Dango Products

Dango are offering 15% off sitewide. Simply use the code MD15.

Chrome Industries

Chrome Industries are serving up deals on a selection of solid bags and apparel through their sale.

Deal Updates

Ministry of Supply – 20% off everything starting Friday but get early access here 

BioLite – Up to 25% off for their Memorial Day sale 

Bluffworks – 30% off and up to 50% on clearance items

Osprey – 25% off select gear and up to 40% last season 

IceMule Coolers – 20% off sitewide 

The North Face – up to 30% off select styles

Topo Designs – up to 70% off

DSPTCH – up to 50% off

A heads up: we’re supported by our readers. So when you buy through links from Carryology.com, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. This helps support us, and allows us to keep investing in our testing, reviews and editorials.

We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The post Deal Radar: The Best Memorial Day Sales appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Bluffworks

Bluffworks are getting into the spirit of Black Friday with a variety of deals on their travel-savvy clothing. You can score discounts of up to 30% off, with no code required. The Black Friday sale runs until 2 December 2019.

GORUCK

GORUCK are dishing out deals on a range of gear during their Black Friday sale which runs from now to 1 December 2019. You can pick up deals on backpacks, apparel, footwear, cubes and pockets.

Altitude Sports

Altitude Sports are offering discounts of up to 35% off on over 300 brands from now until 2 December 2019. A fine time to scoop great deals on top names (such as Patagonia, Filson, Smartwool, The North Face, Arc’teryx and many more), refresh your sporting gear, or find that great gift for someone special.

Western Rise

Western Rise is a great source for men’s travel and everyday clothing. And if you’ve had your eye on their gear (their Evolution Pant gets a solid thumbs-up from us), now is your chance to get it with an enticing discount. The brand are offering 20% off sitewide, with the deal ending on 1 December 2019. No discount code is required.

Pelican

If you’re looking to pick up a bargain on trusty carry protection for your gear, Pelican have you covered. From now to 2 December 2019 they’re offering a 20% discount on VAULT Cases and Personal Utility Cases at Pelican.com. Just use the code HOLIDAY at checkout.

Saddleback Leather

If you can get to Saddleback Leather’s physical store in Fort Worth, Texas, you’ll avoid paying sales tax during their Black Friday deal from 29th to 30th November 2019. They’ll also be doing hourly raffles all Black Friday and Saturday, with the store open from 9am – 7pm Friday and 10am – 5pm Saturday. Note the sales tax saving only relates to shopping in their physical store. Plus you can score on their Cyber Monday deals too, available from now through Monday. Place a single order online between $300 and $499 and Saddleback Leather will email you an e-gift card for $50. Alternatively place a single order of $500 or more and they’ll email you an e-gift card for $100.

Trakke

If you’re eager to add some Trakke to your collection they’ll be running their Black Friday Sale from 7am GMT on Friday 29th November. You’ll be able to score up to 40% off bags and up to 50% off accessories. But be quick, as limited stock is available.

Rumpl

Rumpl are offering a toasty 25% off all blankets from now through to 2 December 2019. No discount code is required as discounts are automatically applied.

Tactile Turn

If you’re after a great deal on classy pens and pencils, head over to Tactile Turn. They’re offering 20% off your entire order on any of their products, from now through to 2 December 2019. No discount code is required.

BioLite

From now through to 4 December 2019 BioLite are offering up to 35% off store-wide through their website. No code is required as discounts are automatically applied. Bag deals on everything from fire pits to headlamps, lanterns, power banks and much more.

Mismo

Fancy some chic Danish design in your setup? Mismo are offering 20% off all full-price items. Simply use the code BLACK19 at checkout, valid from 29 November to 2 December 2019.

Randolph Engineering

Scoping out deals on shades? Randolph Engineering are offering a massive 50% discount during their Black Friday sale, where you can choose from a wide variety of styles, all meticulously made in the USA.

Carl Friedrik

Check out Carl Friedrik’s site for 20% off sitewide, including their suave new Palissy Double.

SCOTTeVEST

If you’re a fan of being able to carry lots of gear in your clothing, head over to SCOTTeVEST. During their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale you can score 30% off almost all their products until 3 December 2019. Discounts are applied automatically and no code is required.

Wool&Prince

From now through Cyber Monday, if you add three pairs of socks and an additional $128+ of gear to your shopping cart, you can use the code SOCKS at checkout to get the socks for free.

Knife Pivot Lube

If you’re a knife enthusiast, this one’s for you. Knife Pivot Lube is a synthetic lubricant designed for use with folding knives. And when you buy a KPL combo pack you can get a free bottle of KPL by using the code KPLBLACKFRIDAY.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

If you’re eager to pick up deals on ultralight gear, check out Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Black Friday deals, where you can get up to 20% off on selected products. No code is required.

Ti2 Design CWF Pele Flashlight

Flashlight enthusiasts can score 50% off the Pele Flashlight during Black Friday. A collaborative project between machinist Mike Bond and Charles Wiggins, the flashlight is available in multiple finishes and configurations.

OtterBox

OtterBox’s offerings range from trusty tech protection to coolers, dry bags and drinkware. And you can pick up an enticing 30% discount from OtterBox during their Black Friday sale (excluding Otter + Pop and Viva).

LifeProof

Score a sweet 30% discount during LifeProof’s Black Friday sale, with a variety of tech cases, packs and accessories to choose from.

Vasque

If you’re scouting out footwear deals, heading to Vasque is a step in the right direction. They’re offering 25% off full-price items and 10% off sale items with the code GIVETHANKS or BLACKFRIDAY.

prAna

You can scoop a 30% discount on select styles from prAna from now to 3 December 2019. Plus you can enjoy free shipping, with no minimum order.

Bellroy

Bellroy are running their biggest Black Friday event ever, across their entire range. Sign up for instant access to this exclusive deal.

Smartwool

Looking to stock up on savvy wool clothing and score a free gift in the process? Smartwool are offering a free Luci Lantern with purchases over $150.

Osprey

Osprey are dishing up the deals with 25% off select items at Osprey.com, such as the Daylite, Skimmer, Porter, Transporter Carry On, Transporter Wheeled Carry On, and Transporter Duffels.

Forsake

Fancy 25% off Forsake footwear? You’ve got it. They’re offering 25% off everything site-wide until 2 December 2019.

Huckberry

The folks at Huckberry are offering up to 60% off in their Black Friday deals. And with over a 1000 deals to choose from, you’re sure to find that perfect gift or personal treat.

Mission Workshop

Mission Workshop is serving up 20% off their entire site plus a $20 gift card and a free bag of Bicycle Coffee when using the code MW-2020-BF. Do note, however, that the gift card is for orders over $200 and will be sent digitally after the sale ends. Additionally, the coffee will be sent with the first 1000 domestic orders. The deal ends on 2 December 2019.

Windup Watch Shop

Lookig to update your wrist carry? Check out the Windup Watch Shop. Through Monday they’re offering 15% off all straps and accessories. Plus for a limited time, they’re also offering 25% off all Spinnaker watches, 15% off all Autodromo, Bravur, Mercer, Vero, and Vortic watches, and 10% off all Laco and Yema watches. You’ll also be able to score 15% off the Martenero Kerrison, and 30% off the Zodiac Grand Rally. And if you purchase a watch valued at over $500 you’ll receive free gifts of a Black EDC Watch Fold, Black Strap Changing Multi Tool, and Polishing Cloth. These will be automatically added to your shopping cart at checkout.

Incase

From now until 2 December 2019, Incase are offering up to 70% off all factory items, as well as 50% off site-wide. No discount code is required.

Samsonite

If you’re keen to refresh your luggage, head over to Samsonite who are offering a whopping 50% off luggage, as well as up to 50% off bags and accessories. Use the discount code THANKS.

CLAE

CLAE are offering up to 30% off their footwear during their Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale. Use the code SEMIANNUAL at checkout.

Winter Session

Through to 2 December 2019 Winter Session are offering 20% off all orders, plus free domestic shipping. Use the code THANKYOU19.

WP Standard

You’ll be able to bag a tasty 15% discount site-wide during WP Standard’s sales.

Billykirk

From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Billykirk are offering 30% off site-wide (excluding collaborative products). Use the code BLACKFRIDAY2019 to score.

Sutro Footwear

Get $40 off site-wide (excluding sales and accessories) when you use the code BFW until 1 December 2019.

Alchemy Equipment

Alchemy Equipment are offering 40% off their entire online collection (excluding clearance items).

Chrome Industries

Chrome Industries are offering 25% to 40% off everything on their site during their Black Friday sale.

Makr

Makr are offering 25% off site-wide from now until 5 December 2019. No discount code is required.

Public Rec

Public Rec are offering a range of Black Friday deals to spruce up your wardrobe. Use the code BLACK10 for 10% off a $100 spend, use the code BLACK15 for 15% off a $150 spend, and use the code BLACK20 for 20% off a $200 spend.

Olivers

Olivers are offering a 20% discount site-wide until 2 December 2019. Use the code THANKS at checkout.

Pacsafe

Pacsafe are dishing up discounts of up to 50% off selected items, from now through 7 December 2019.

Bedouin Foundry

Add some handcrafted Bedouin goodness to your collection with a 20% discount on everything from now until 1 December 2019 at 23:59 GMT. Simply use the code BEDOUIN_BLACK_20 at checkout.

Dango Products

Dango Products are serving up a choice of tasty deals this Black Friday. Get $15 off a $100 spend with the code BF15, $40 off a $200 spend with the code BF40, or $75 off a $300 spend with the code BF75.

A heads up: we’re supported by our readers. So when you buy through links from Carryology.com, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. This helps support us, and allows us to keep investing in our testing, reviews and editorials.

We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The post Best Black Friday Deals, According to Our Staff appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Huckberry Weekenders (US$35)

Though those summer rays may be gone, Fall still offers its fair share of sunshine. And Huckberry’s Weekenders provide affordable and stylish eye protection for town and trails alike. The sunglasses offer scratch-resistant, polarized lenses in a comfortably snug frame that sits securely in place on the go. They come with a soft carrying pouch that can also serve as a lens cleaner.

The James Brand The Stilwell (US$50)

A trusty pen is a valuable addition to any EDC setup. And the Stilwell is a worthy contender for your everyday writing companion. Compact and lightweight, its aluminum build won’t weigh you down on the go. Yet the two-part construction expands to provide the writing comfort of a full-sized pen. And with its included lanyard it’s easy to retrieve from a pocket or secure to a keyring.

SOG Knives Twitch II – Exclusive (US$60)

This limited edition Huckberry x SOG Twitch II is a versatile EDC pocket knife that does double duty on outdoor adventures too. The knife weighs just 2.6 oz and secures easily to a pocket with the included clip.The knife features a straight edge drop point blade with a lockback mechanism, along with anodized aluminum handles available in two colorways.

Whiskey Leatherworks Clark Fork Copper Flask (US$85)

There’s nothing like a little nip to warm you up as the weather starts to cool. And this Whiskey Leatherworks Clark Fork Copper Flask makes it simple to transport your favorite tipple wherever you go. The eye-catching copper-coated stainless steel flask is paired with a premium Horween leather holder made by hand in Montana. The perfect partnership for carrying your drink of choice in durable style.

Bellroy Hide & Seek RFID – Huckberry Exclusive (US$90)

Protection, organization and chic style all in one slim pocket-friendly design? This exclusive rendition of Bellroy’s Hide & Seek Wallet is made with premium vegetable-tanned leather and features a topographic print lining and RFID-blocking storage to protect your personal information. Quick-access pockets are complemented by further storage for additional cards, a slot for flat bills, plus a nifty concealed slot to discreetly store a few extra bills.

Flint and Tinder Defender Denim – Tapered (US$138)

It’s a sad day when your favorite pair of jeans lets you down. So Flint and Tinder built their Defender Denim jeans to take on years of hard-wearing use and keep on going strong. The jeans are handmade in Los Angeles using top-notch Japanese selvage denim featuring 3% aramid fibers (used in bulletproof vests and combat helmets) for added durability. Five pockets let you stash smaller essentials on your person, while the tapered design combines comfort and style to suit a range of environments.

Aer Flight Pack 2 – Huckberry Exclusive (US$180)

With three carry options, a quality build, and useful range of organization, Aer’s Flight Pack 2 is a smart pick for a travel-friendly work bag. And now you can score it in an exclusive olive Huckberry colorway for added style points. The bag offers backpack, shoulder bag and briefcase carry options, along with a variety of easily accessible pockets and a tough 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon construction for long-lasting durability.

Gregory Covert Overnight Mission (US$189.98)

Whether you’re commuting with larger loads, want all-in-one gym and work carry, or need a bag that can handle both day-to-day and overnight use, Gregory’s Covert Overnight Mission has you covered. This versatile 22L piece can be carried as a shoulder bag, briefcase or backpack. There’s plenty of pockets on hand to organize your tech, work tools or travel essentials. And its sleek design moves easily between formal and casual settings as required.

On Cloudrock Waterproof Boots (US$230)

On’s Cloudrock Waterproof Boots deliver Swiss innovation in lightweight, waterproof and comfortable footwear for taking on the trails in wet and dry weather alike. Zero-Gravity Cloud outsoles provide welcome cushioning, while the Missiongrip rubber overlay offers reliable traction on challenging terrain. Waterproof yet breathable, the boots feature a high collar, reinforced and padded toe box , fast lacing, as well as a Speedboard for propulsion and stability.

Faherty Brand Atmosphere Hooded Jacket (US$258)

Faherty’s Atmosphere Hooded Jacket blends technical performance with urban-friendly styling and enticing comfort. Resulting in a jacket you’ll be reaching for to tackle the commute, weekend getaways and outdoor adventures alike. The insulated jacket is made from water-resistant nylon and offers a conveniently packable design for easy carry and storage. Chest pockets and hand pockets stash your essentials while keeping you warm on excursions, and the understated styling transitions smoothly between diverse settings.

Relwen Channel Stretch Boarder (US$328)

Having to endure inclement weather is unavoidable in Fall. But Relwen’s Channel Stretch Boarder makes the challenge much less daunting. Windproof, water-resistant and breathable, it’s a versatile piece for outdoor adventures and urban daily wear too. The shell is made from a weatherproof Taslan fabric, while 60 gram polyfill insulation and a stand-up fleece-lined collar help keep you cozy on the go. Plus with its drop tail hem you can enjoy further defense against the elements while out and about.

A heads up: we’re supported by our readers. So when you buy through links from Carryology.com, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. This helps support us, and allows us to keep investing in our testing, reviews and editorials.

We are also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The post Our Favorite Fall Gear from Huckberry appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

As with all great success stories, they seem to start out in an incredibly humble manner. And it’s no different with Altitude Sports’ origin story. They first opened their doors in 1984, a small Mom & Pop style outdoor store located in downtown Montreal. It didn’t take long for the stereotypical active Montrealers to discover the shop and for it to become a destination. Upon further investigation, a better word to describe the shop would be an “institution”.

For decades, their customers came through the front door from all over the Montreal area, Eastern Canada, the USA, and ultimately folks would make a pilgrimage to visit this shop boasting great prices with the best selection of legit outdoor gear anywhere on Earth. Keep in mind, this is really when the outdoor industry giants were in their early stride. And finding all of “the best” under one roof wasn’t an easy task (both as a customer and certainly as a retailer).

In a fairy tale spin on things, two of the long-time hourly employees of the shop partnered up together to buy the shop from the original owners. This tiny shop kept its cult-like status until they opened their second store in Mont-Tremblant, a mountain ski town for the affluent.

But in 2016, the folks at Altitude Sports realized that the business model of a brick and mortar retail shop paired with e-commerce simply wasn’t working for them. 100% e-commerce was the future. So they closed their doors and dove into digital.

The result of this gamble? Ditching the bricks and beams really let them open their wings and gain the freedom to branch out beyond simply a retailer of gear.

Their focus as an online retailer is still finding the very best of the very best of gear on Earth. Thanks to the digital age, it’s much easier to find and connect with these brands. But it’s not as simple as some mouse clicks and an email. These folks LIVE the outdoors and they refuse to carry something subpar just because it will make a quick sale. Their team goes out and tests the gear, with a difficult internal vetting process (by actually putting the products to use for days, weeks, and months) to get the thumbs up to carry the goods.

Beyond that, they work directly with powerhouse brands to test gear and provide feedback directly to their design teams. While on the phone with their team, I had to pick my jaw up from my desk, agape with jealousy. Recently they’ve gone on a motorcycle trip with The North Face team in California, visited icebreaker sheep farms in New Zealand who produce high-end merino wool, and dropped into Osprey’s new Vietnam HQ. Pretty dreamy, yeah? And with these close partnerships, you can imagine they’ve earned some exclusivity.

Just like we’ve been exploring with here at Carryology, Altitude Sports has been crushing collaboration projects. From the simple things like unique colorways only available on their webshop, to detailed dives into design and new products, they’re always on the hunt for the next one. Admittedly, they’re careful on collabs and Canadian brands are a massive plus. Lucky for them, some of the greatest outdoor brands share a flag with them. While we’re not at liberty to say exactly what collabs they’re working on right now, they hinted at something about working with a leading winterwear parka brand something something. Yep, sign me up for one of those.

Living the dream of testing and vetting new products around the world with giant companies and working closely behind the scenes with designers certainly gives Altitude Sports a killer point of view. And one that should be shared with the world. Well, they share this knowledge in a high-quality editorial print bi-annual magazine which highlights their travels and experience with gear via vivid storytelling and photography. Though they have been releasing this for some time, they’ve doubled down and have started investing heavily on the editorial side of things which fills out their newsletter, balancing out the hundreds of unique-to-them discount codes for brands and products on their site. Pair this with a slew of exclusive deals and perks for their loyal members, a killer discount wing, free returns for Canadians, a running club, and you’ve got one of the most dynamic and interesting retailers on the planet.

Ultimately, we’re fans of these Canadians who happen to be living the dream. They’ve got an extremely vetted and careful selection of curated brands, oftentimes made or designed in Canada. They make sure that the gear they carry can handle the harshest outdoor environments on Earth, from the sweltering summers on their oceans, to the well below freezing Arctic conditions in their mountains. If it can survive Canada, it can survive anywhere. And lastly, take a peek at their customer reviews…they have quite possibly one of the best customer service departments of any online retailer out there. Just like the products they sell, these folks will take great care of you.

Exclusive Discount

Sound a little too good to be true? Well, our polite friends (sorry, had to, love y’all) have offered Carryology readers an exclusive discount code: CARRY5 to score 5% off your first order. Valid from Aug 1 to Aug 31.

Coupon can be applied to: Adidas, Reigning Champ, Reebok, Smartwool, Bellroy, Carhartt WIP, Chrome, Dakine, Timbuk2, Ciele. Topo Designs, Alchemy Equipment, Blunt Umbrellas, Hydrapak, INOV-8, Goal Zero, Bern, Abus, Mystery Ranch and Leatherman

The post The Best Gear Retailer You’ve Never Heard Of appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Japan has long been a top innovator in the carry world, releasing high-quality products that explore new dimensions of functionality and design. Unfortunately for consumers outside of Japan, getting your hands on Japan’s most coveted gear and clothing is often a difficult process.

Many Japanese retailers — Bape, Amazon Japan, Beams, just to name a few — don’t ship overseas and, even if they do, their process is complex, expensive, or both. And that’s assuming they even accept international credit cards and you were able to navigate a poorly translated Kanji-to-English website and find the product you want to buy.

However, there are ways to buy and ship gear overseas from Japan. In this article we’ll go over three main methods:

• Using a proxy service, like ZenMarket or Buyee.
• Purchasing directly through a shop or marketplace, like Rakuten.
• Ordering through a person-to-person delivery app, like Grabr.

Then, scroll on to get a full list of recommended Japanese brands to shop from, and the best way to buy from each.

So, if you have your eye on a Japan-exclusive release of a new backpack, or a highly-technical sweatshirt by a small Tokyo-based designer, here’s how to take your gear from digital wishlist to physical mailbox.

Using a Proxy Service to Ship Items from Japan

A proxy service, which acts as a middleman between you and Japanese retailers, is the best and easiest way to buy items from Japan and ship them internationally. Part mail-forwarding service, and part marketplace, these websites will order items on your behalf, ship them to a warehouse in Japan, and then handle the process of shipping them to you — wherever you are in the world.

How it works

While there are several proxy services for ordering items from Japan, ZenMarket is one of the largest and most trusted. For this article, I tested ordering a few items from ZenMarket, which ended up being far less painful than I expected. Here’s how it worked:

Find your item

Find the item you want to purchase, either on the retailer’s site or through a larger marketplace, like Zozo or Amazon.

Add it to your cart

To do this on ZenMarket, you’ll enter the URL of the product you want to buy in the search bar, select the size and color, and hit “add to shopping cart”.

Add funds to your account

Once you have all the items you want to purchase in your shopping cart, add funds to your account. You can do this via PayPal or with a credit card.

Purchase

After adding funds, you can finally click “purchase”. After that, you’ll see your items’ status change to “awaiting buying”. You’ll then wait about 1-2 business days for your items to be bought, then another week or so (depending on merchant) for them to arrive at ZenMarket’s warehouse.

Approve shipping method

Once they have your items, you’ll then have the opportunity to select your shipping method. While there are a lot of options, EMS is the standard method and each proxy service has a full guide to help you navigate your options. They usually ship within 2 days of receiving your item.

Shipping to Australia? Watch out: you’ll be charged a 10% customs fee for any purchase under $1,000 AUD. Unfortunately, this is a fee controlled by the Australian government, and you’ll encounter it on all proxy services, not just ZenMarket.

Receive your item!

Finally, the last and most exciting step: receiving your purchase! While shipping times vary, you should receive your item within 1-2 weeks.

Benefits of using a proxy service

There are three main benefits to using a proxy service when ordering from Japan. First, these websites are in English and a lot easier to navigate than local marketplaces and retailers.

Second, these services take care of everything — placing the order with a local retailer, shipping, parcel insurance, clearing customs, and ensuring that your order ends up on your doorstep.

And finally, they’re set up to receive international payments, either directly through your credit card or via PayPal.

Downsides to using a proxy service

However, this service isn’t cheap and you’ll encounter a number of fees on top of your standard shipping costs. For example, when I went through the process of purchasing two bags from Japan and shipping to Australia, I received the following fees:

• Shipping within Japan: 200 JPY ($1.80 USD) per item. 400 JPY ($3.60 USD) total.
• ZenMarket fee: 300 JPY ($2.70 USD) per item. 600 JPY ($5.40 USD) total.
• Shipping cost to Australia: 4,814 JPY ($43 USD) for the whole parcel.
• 10% customs tax for Australia: 1,598 JPY ($14)

In addition to the cost of the bag, I ended up paying an additional 7,412 JPY or $66 USD for my order.

PRO TIP: To cut down on your overall cost per item, wait until you have a couple of items in your cart before shipping them to yourself, since shipping costs are calculated per package, not per item.

Best proxy services to use

There are a number of proxy services out there. While we went with ZenMarket (which supposedly has the fastest shipping) for this article, DEJAPAN is good if you don’t want to deposit funds in advance. Depending on what you’re ordering, DEJAPAN and From Japan might also end up being more affordable in the end — especially if you’re only ordering from one seller or brand.

• ZenMarket was launched in 2014 and has quickly become the best and most versatile proxy service for shipping items from Japan. Through it, you can order from just about any Japanese store or marketplace.

• From Japan, like ZenMarket, is versatile and allows you to purchase items from just about any website. They charge fees per seller/store, not per item, but charge an additional fee for consolidating items across multiple sellers. They’re best if you’re ordering multiple items from a single store/seller.

• Buyee is Zozo’s dedicated proxy service but it limits you to the products available on their international website — which doesn’t include everything in their Japan catalogue.

• Buy Smart Japan partners with Tokyu Hands, one of Japan’s largest retailers, to help international customers order and ship items from this marketplace.

• DEJAPAN, like ZenMarket and From Japan, allows you to purchase and ship items across a number of different retailers. They have a better search functionality on their platform, and are said to be one of the most affordable and responsive proxy services out there. Also this is a service approved by Beams Japan (one of our favorite retailers!).

• Parcl is not technically a proxy service but a mail-forwarding service. With Parcl, you’re responsible for ordering the product via the store’s website, then shipping to a warehouse address provided by Parcl. Then, they’ll forward the package internationally. They ship to and from 80+ countries.

For a more detailed comparison, I’d recommend looking at this breakdown written by DEJAPAN.

Shipping Directly Through Online Marketplaces

While you’ll most likely end up using a proxy service to purchase goods from Japan, there are a few brands you can purchase from directly via their website. There are also several online marketplaces, or websites that facilitate shopping from many different sources (sort of like how REI is a marketplace for multiple different outdoor brands), that support international customers.

In these cases, you’ll be able to add a product to your shopping cart, hit “buy”, and select a shipping method — aaaalmost just like you would if you were shopping on a website in your home country.

Benefits to shipping directly through online marketplaces and brand websites

The biggest pro of this method is its simplicity and, if you’re only buying one or two items, it can seriously cut the cost of using a proxy service — especially since you won’t encounter any additional service, packaging, or consolidation fees. On large marketplaces, like Rakuten, at least, it’s also a pretty straightforward process, easy enough to navigate in mixed Kanji/English via Google Translate, and you can pay via PayPal.

Just note that the shipping cost won’t be calculated until after Rakuten has received confirmation from the seller you’re buying from, in a follow-up email. You then have the opportunity to accept the cost or cancel the order. For example, for a small Mystery Ranch bag, I was faced with the following cost:

• Bag: 1,836 JPY ($16.40 USD)
• Shipping: 1,864 JPY ($16.60 USD)
• Total: 3,700 JPY ($33 USD)

The shipping cost, which was roughly $17 USD, ended up being about half of what I would have paid on a proxy service.

Disadvantages to direct shipping through marketplaces

Of course, there are a few downsides to this method. First, not all products listed on these marketplaces are available to international customers and, even if it seems possible, the shop may deny your request to ship internationally.

Second, these websites don’t have native English versions, so you’ll need to rely on Google Translate to navigate them.

Finally, while it’s often cheaper than a proxy service, it’s still not cheap — though, I guess what can you expect from buying items from abroad?

Also, pay attention to what international shipping means with each of these marketplaces. Some of them don’t technically offer international shipping, but have partnered with a proxy service to provide this for you.

Best Japanese marketplaces to use:

First, there are a couple of marketplaces that support international purchases, like:

• Rakuten is Japan’s eBay and, like eBay, has items for sale either through auction or direct buy. Although not guaranteed, many sellers will ship direct to international addresses.

• Yahoo!Auctions is another large auction retailer in Japan. Like Rakuten, it’s up to the seller as to whether or not they want to ship internationally. But it’s worth checking if the item you’re searching for isn’t available on Rakuten.

• Zozo.jp is Japan’s largest Japanese retailer. They don’t directly ship internationally, but they have their own dedicated proxy service, Buyee. Just note that not every product available on Zozo.jp is available for purchase on Buyee.

• Tokyu Hands, like Zozo, don’t technically ship internationally but partner with Buy Smart Japan as their preferred proxy service.

There are also some individual shops/sellers of brands we like who will ship to international customers:

• Blue Lug, which sells bike bags and gear, ships internationally, accepts international credit cards and PayPal payments, and processes all orders in USD.

• Resistant, a bike-centric carry brand, now ships directly to overseas customers.

• Unby, while I was unable to find any specific documentation around international shipping on Unby, they do have an “outside Japan” option on their checkout page and support international payments. Also worth noting this is a kind of hybrid marketplace/brand website, as AS2OV owns this website and sells both their and other brands on Unby.

Hire a Traveler

The third and final way to receive items from Japan is to use a person-to-person delivery app that connects shoppers with travelers going between the country you’d like to order a product from and the country/city you live in.

How it works

These apps connect you with travelers who are going between the country you want to buy something from (i.e. Japan) and your home country (i.e. Canada). You then pay them a small fee (around $20, depending on the item’s size and cost) plus the cost of the item you want to purchase, and the traveler will deliver the item for you.

Benefits to person-to-person delivery

This method only makes sense if you’re looking at exorbitant shipping costs or, for whatever reason, aren’t able to buy the item you wanted through the previous two methods.

For example, when I attempted to purchase a B Jirushi Yoshida from Japanese retailer BEAMS through ZenMarket, I was hit with an error message saying “this item is blocked by our system because we had a negative experience with this seller.” However, I was able to request the item through the person-to-person delivery app Grabr, and easily paid with my American bank account.

Disadvantages to person-to-person delivery

Of course, there are some obvious cons to this method. For one, you won’t be able to return or exchange the item you received. Second, you do have to meet the traveler in person or pick the item up from a public location — which really limits this option just to people living in larger metropolitan areas, and is less convenient than door-to-door shipping. And finally, you’re not guaranteed to match with a traveler in a timely manner — or at all.

Best apps to use

Grabr is really the only platform that fosters person-to-person deliveries. It’s easy to use, get set up, and request items. The one thing I don’t like about it, though, is that you need to link up a bank account — not a debit/credit card or PayPal, which makes me concerned about privacy and security.

Best Japanese Brands for High-Quality Carry

Now that you know how to navigate Japan’s online shopping process as an international customer, what are you going to buy? To start, here are a few of our favorite Japanese brands — large and small — at Carryology:

1. The North Face Purple Label

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

Like many major brands, The North Face’s product line in Japan, Purple Label, is different than what you’d find at home. Led by Japanese designer Eiichiro Homma, The North Face Purple Label blends urban street style with outdoor, technical fabrics to create a compelling line of clothes and bags.

2. PORTER by Yoshida & Co.

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

PORTER, the 57-year-old child brand of parent company Yoshida & Co., is well known in Japan and internationally for its meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful designs. Look to them for carry across a number of different categories — from business to travel and everyday carry.

3. BEAMS

How to buy: Through a proxy service (ZenMarket doesn’t support BEAMS).

BEAMS is a prominent Japanese department store and fashion label, with a wide range of clothing, carry, and even furniture and homegoods. While most of their products are created under their own labels, they also have some extensive collaborations with brands like Arc’teryx, Manhattan Portage, Mission Workshop and Yoshida & Co. (B JIRUSHI YOSHIDA).

4. master-piece

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

master-piece’s bags blend functional design and high-quality craftsmanship with a unique, fashionable aesthetic. As the Carryology team said in our roundup of favorite Japanese brands, master-piece “places high value on superior craftsmanship, creating each of their bags by hand in their BASE OSAKA workshop and taking great pride in showcasing the skills of Japanese artisans to the world.” They’re worth the effort to get your hands on one.

5. Resistant

How to buy: Directly through their website.

Born in the back of a bike shop in the early ‘00s to solve for Japan’s lack of messenger bags, Resistant has now grown into a full-fledged brand creating all-weather gear you can rely on. From backpacks and messenger bags to belts and, yes, even a coffee koozie for your bike, Resistant’s line of bike-centric gear is worth a look. Bonus points: they ship direct to overseas customers.

6. Blue Lug

How to buy: Directly through their website.

A bicycle shop with experience in the bike carry world, Blue Lug carries a great range of totes, backpacks, pouches, and bike bags made from quality, water-resistant materials. You can also purchase a variety of other brands, such as bike bags from Fairweather via Blue Lug.

7. HERZ

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

Rather than Gore-Tex and outdoor-ready designs, HERZ focuses on beautiful, handcrafted leather bags and accessories; a more chic kind of carry. Both long-lasting and designed with a meticulous attention to detail, HERZ’s timeless bags and accessories are a wonderful example of quality, Japanese leatherwork.

8. Postalco

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

From totes to backpacks and wallets to pouches, Tokyo-based brand Postalco brings its minimalist designs to life through traditional Japanese craft skills. Using unique materials such as textured leathers and Farmer’s Felt (a durable paper material), their bags and accessories may look simple, but they’re far from ordinary.

9. FREDRIK PACKERS

How to buy: On the global version of their website.

Specializing in everyday carry, FREDRIK PACKERS creates versatile gear designed to take you from business meetings to relaxing afternoons in the park. Their line of handcrafted, nylon messenger bags, backpacks, hip bags, and accessories have an urban aesthetic with a nod to retro outdoor gear. They also have a kids’ line, for little carriers.

10. and wander

How to buy: Directly through their website. They accept international payments via Square. They do not ship to Hong Kong.

and wander’s designs sit between EDC and outdoor-ready. With a wide range of clothes, shoes, and carry made to resist the outdoors, yet give its users a street-ready look, and wander’s product line is an excellent blend of modern, minimalist style and technical features.

11. Briefing

How to buy: They recommend using the proxy service Tenso, but you can use others as well.

Specializing in both carry and wear, Briefing creates classic styles with a modern twist. Although crafted with tough, durable, and lightweight “military-grade” quality in mind, they don’t necessarily retain a military aesthetic (though a number of bags come in camo). Instead, they make use of fabric and design technology developed by militaries to produce classic EDC, travel, and golf bags and clothing.

12. Rofmia

How to buy: Through a proxy service.

Rofmia, a small, lesser-known fashion brand is worth checking out for quality Japanese carry. In addition to their fine leather jackets and bags, they’ve also released the minimalist, understated Shift series of bags made from Dyneema Composite fabrics.

13. Beruf

How to buy: Use a proxy service to buy Beruf items via 1197store.

Tokyo-based bike carry brand Beruf makes sleek, urban-ready bags for any environment. From messenger bags you can toss over your shoulder on a bike ride, to backpacks ready to take you from commute to travel, Beruf’s slick selection of adaptable, weatherproof EDC stands out for both their simple look and functional design.

Japanify Your Carry

While buying Japan-exclusive goods takes a few more steps than your average online shopping experience, it’s not impossible. By using a proxy server, specific marketplaces, or even a person-to-person delivery app, you’ll be able to buy and ship any of the Japan-only carry you’ve been daydreaming of.

For this article, we purchased the following:

Porter Silent Waist Bag

Descente Waist Bag

Mystery Ranch Hip Monkey 2

And psst, we’ll be giving these away in the coming weeks. So keep an eye or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.

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Huckberry

Curators and purveyors of suave, practical and quality gear, Huckberry is serving up a tasty selection of Black Friday deals. Score discounts of up to 50% off on everything from backpacks to boots, and wallets to whiskey glasses.

Trakke

The crafters of quality Scottish-made carry are offering a 20% discount off all bags and up to 30% off accessories. The sale starts 7am GMT, Friday 23 November 2018. Learn more here.

GORUCK

If you’re keen on military-grade toughness with mighty discounts, check out GORUCK’s Black Friday sale. You can pick up great deals on a range of apparel, accessories and bags, including a $110 discount on GR1 limited run colors.

Flowfold

Keen to pick up lightweight, handmade gear ready for everyday and adventure needs? Flowfold is offering a cool 30% discount by using the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.

Pelican

Scoop a tasty 20% off Pelican’s backpacks and duffels as well as select coolers during their Black Friday sale. No promo code is needed and the sale runs until 3 December 11:59 PM EST.

Mission Workshop

If slick and hard-wearing urban carry is on your mind, Mission Workshop is the place to go. And from now through to 26 November, you can receive 20% off, plus a $20 gift card for future use. Just use the code 2020MW at checkout.

Pacsafe

If you’re keen to pick up a real steal on anti-theft carry head over to Pacsafe. They’re offering up to 30% off select pieces during their Black Friday sale.

YNOT

YNOT are offering super savings with up to 40% discounts. The more you spend, the greater the discount. Use the code 2018BLACK to get $15 off a $75 spend, $40 off a $150 spend, $75 off a $250 spend, and $200 off a $500 spend.

Recycled Firefighter

Score a scorching hot 20% off Recycled Firefighter’s tough and functional gear by using the code BLACKFRIDAY2018 during checkout. Plus you get a free Field Notes notebook too.

Ethnotek

Keen on rocking ethically sourced handmade textiles in your carry setup? Ethnotek has a selection of deals including freebie bundle deals and 40% off their Setia packs and Bagan bags.

5.11 Tactical

If you want practical gear with a tactical vibe, don’t miss out on 5.11 Tactical’s savings. They’re offering 25% off sitewide (some exclusions apply), valid until 25 November, with the discount applied at checkout.

Timbuk2

From two wheels to two feet, Timbuk2’s trusty carry gets your gear where it needs to go in urban and travel environments. And you can enjoy up to 50% off through their Black Friday deals.

U.S. Elite Gear

If you’re eager for a variety of bargains across a range of brands, scope out the deals on U.S. Elite Gear. You can scoop plenty of enticing savings on top-notch gear from brands such as Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Magpul, Salomon and more.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Want to cut down your carry weight while keeping spending down too? The ultralight gear experts at Hyperlite Mountain Gear are offering a 20% discount on most of their gear.

Mismo

Fancy a savvy saving on luxurious and understated Danish sophistication? Mismo are offering a 20% discount off all full-price items. Simply use the code BLACK20 at checkout.

Orbitkey

Orbitkey offers great solutions to declutter your pockets. And a great Black Friday deal. Use the code BLACKFRIDAY to enjoy 25% off sitewide. The deal ends Saturday 24 November 11:59pm EST.

LifeProof

Looking for a versatile EDC bag or a protective case to keep your phone safe on the go? Scope out LifeProof’s Black Friday deals where you can score a 25% discount sitewide, with no promo code required. You can also enjoy 50% off Aquaphonics and up to 50% off clearance items. The sale runs from 11/22 through 11/27.

DUER

DUER are dishing up tempting deals to spruce up your wardrobe for work and play alike. From 23 November to 26 November all of their pants will be available at 20-30% off including sale items.

Alchemy Equipment

Alchemy Equipment deliver the Black Friday magic with a 25% discount sitewide, including clearance items. To enjoy the winning formula simply use the discount code BLACK at checkout.

Have you come across other great Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals? Help your fellow carry enthusiasts out by spreading the love and sharing the details in the comments below…

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