Dörr Ranger Series

This eye-catching traditional Bavarian pack is made with a 50/50 blend of wool and polyester with genuine leather trimmings, which gives protection, longevity and unique old-school looks. And it should develop a stunning patina with time and use. The material also nicely keeps the shape of the pack, and is perfectly suited for protecting fragile gear like photography equipment. It’s a really cool-looking pack by a company which focuses on photographers, animal watchers and sport shooters.

Eberlestock Kite Pack & Frame

Now this is a cool lightweight mountain hauler! At about 50 liters in volume and weighing just about 4 lbs for the whole system of bag and external frame it’s an awesome solution for all kinds of mountain expeditions, when you need additional space for either gear or food (or game) which can be fitted between the frame and actual pack. The concept is not new of course, but I really like the way Eberlestock did it…for me they just nailed it! It’s a roll-top design with full front U-shaped zipper for unrestricted access from any side to any corner inside the pack. And it was great to meet Glenn Eberle himself at the booth too.

Filson Excursion Bag

And now time for the world-renowned Filson and their Excursion Bag made of a legendary Tin Cloth. And yes, produced by Filson in the USA. “Budget” is the last thing that bag is about…but instead it’s darn tough, great-looking, made to the highest standards and simply cooler than the coolest bag I’ve ever had in my hands. Yep, just amazing. Oh, and the whole Filson stand was just so well built. Plus the most friendly and helpful people I’ve met during that show. Yeah, that bag and Filson stand was a great overall experience.

Helikon-Tex Bushcraft Satchel

Helikon-Tex is not a new company but since a couple of years ago they have totally reversed their own business philosophy and changed from market followers to innovators. That is especially true with the new Bushcraft Line made under the leadership of well-known Polish outdoorsman and ex-military Pawel “Super” Supernat from Survivaltech bushcraft school. One of the best-selling products in that line is the Bushcraft Satchel, made especially for outdoor and bushcraft applications (as you can guess by the name). Available in many color variants, it’s made with Cordura fabric and YKK zippers, equipped with multiple pockets, and has MOLLE-compliant attachment points. It looks really good and is priced right too.

Lundhags Gneik Pack Series

Wow, this looks like a great backcountry pack. It has a good blend of outdoor and bushcraft features, an overall alpine look and a very comfy summer-oriented suspension system. The whole series looks great, from the 34L daypack through to the 42L 3-day version and the fully featured 54L multi-day pack. I really like the mid-size one, it should be great for extended family day hikes in highland backcountry. My favorite features: an oversized grab handle on the back for horizontal carry, suspension, bottle pockets on the sides and bombproof metal hardware. And yeah, it comes in forest green; I like that! Lundhags is a Swedish company, focused on Scandinavian markets, so the quality is simply amazing.

Stone Glacier Avail 2200

And last but not least, the Avail 2200 pack by Stone Glacier from Montana, USA. I’m a big fan of well featured alpine-style daypacks. But this one is more than that. It also comes with full-blown suspension and features, which makes it an all-in-one pack. It can be a daypack, climbing pack, lightweight scouting pack, biking pack and even a skiing pack. It looks great, not too flashy, not too busy, but it is full of features, outside and inside. My favorite ones are the organization, suspension, scalability, beaver tail flap, and top materials. It weighs just 3 lbs (for what it can do that’s more than just good) and it’s compatible with Stone Glacier frames too…which makes it a lightweight hunting pack? Yes, that’s also possible.

Thanks! See you next year IWA, I’ll be there for sure!

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The post Our 6 Favorite Bags from IWA 2019 appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

So for a little inspiration, we’ve scoped out some of our favorite backpack camo patterns, from the fashion-slanted to the hardcore hunter.

A Bathing Ape x Porter 1st CAMO Collection

Bring together one of Japan’s top lifestyle brands and carry brands and great things happen, like the 1st CAMO Collection from A Bathing Ape and Porter. The collection features a duck hunter style of camo in two colorways across a variety of pieces, from wallets and totes to packs such as their Rucksack and Daypack. The camo is distinguished by its solid background overlaid by large splotches in several colors, and originates from the US M1942 camouflage worn in the Pacific Theater in WWII. And psst, look out for the hidden ape!

Stone Island 90361 Nylon Canvas Backpack

This Stone Island daypack combines camo and compact multifunctionality in a design that works well in school, EDC and day trip settings. And with two front pockets you’ve got hassle-free storage for items such as your keys, wallet and phone. The combination of greens and grays salutes camouflage intended for use in snowy environments.

Haerfest Arch Backpack

The camo on this pack hints at a US Woodland or US tri-color desert pattern, which combined with the Navy colorway and pared-back profile gives the Arch Backpack a casual-chic feel that suits informal work and play environments alike. The durable build featuring Japanese jacquard cotton, brass hardware and leather detailing will stand up well to years of use, and there’s space for a 15″ laptop and a quick-access pocket for smaller essentials.

master-piece x nowartt Collaboration Series No.02110-p11

master-piece and nowartt team up for this collaboration made in a choice of three camo colorways. Incorporating inspiration elements such as water, clouds and flying birds, the backpacks feature a forest-like camouflage pattern with hints of leaves and other vegetation that would break up the outline of a human in a stealth situation.

KUIU ICON Pro 1850 Hunting Pack

This rugged and modular pack is designed for hunting but adaptable enough to suit a range of heavy load-bearing needs thanks to KUIU’s ICON Pro Carbon Fiber frame and suspension, which are included with a Full Kit purchase. Additionally the horseshoe zip opening and multiple interior and exterior pockets provide quick, easy access to your gear. The pack is available in a choice of colorways including Vias Camo which is reminiscent of US Woodland camo. Alternative camo options include Verde Camo and Verde 2.0, both incorporating elements of digital camouflage which feature pixelated micropatterns to better blend in with their surroundings at a distance.

Eastpak x Christopher Raeburn Bust Backpack in Camouflage

Military inspiration with a fashion slant, this collaborative pack features quick-access front and side pockets and a separate bottom compartment. The limited edition bag is sustainably made with recycled materials, featuring British Military Woodland camouflage, desert camouflage, multi-terrain camouflage and fluorescent yellow drawn from British Border Force jackets.

Porter Counter Shade Backpack

Giving a nod to US Woodland camo, Porter leans towards low-key with their Counter Shade Backpack in Woodland Khaki. Crafted in Japan, the pack includes an interior laptop pocket and choice of exterior pockets to store frequently used day-to-day or travel items at the ready. US Woodland served as the Battle Dress Uniform for most of the United States Armed Forces from 1981 to 2006.

The Brown Buffalo Conceal Pack – COVERT® Transitional Camouflage

The Conceal Pack is compact, well organized and versatile for daily or travel carry needs. Made in California with water-resistant COVERT® Transitional Camouflage material, the bag features a mix of interior pockets for keeping gear tidy, along with an exterior pocket for quick-access items. The patented camouflage pattern is designed and developed exclusively for the United States Army.

Triple Aught Design FAST Pack Litespeed

TAD’S FAST Pack Litespeed is well suited to EDC, day trips or overnight travel, with a durable build that handles urban and outdoor environments equally well. The 22L bag also packs in plenty of webbing and attachment points to tailor carry setups to different needs, along with a clamshell-style opening to easily pack and retrieve items inside the main compartment. The pack is seen above in Black MultiCam, a pattern designed to blend in when darkness falls.

Eberlestock Transformer Pack

The Transformer is a tough, versatile bag that can be used on its own or paired with Eberlestock’s Mainframe Pack for a modular load-bearing system. In addition to two side pockets and compression straps, the pack also includes top and front access for convenient usability. The Transformer comes in a variety of camo options, including a digital camo pattern and patterns designed to break up the wearer’s outline in diverse hunting environments such as woodlands and slopes.

Mystery Ranch Metcalf – GORE OPTIFADE Subalpine pattern

Designed for hunting but adaptable to other uses, the Metcalf features a Guide Light Frame for heavy loads, as well as a detachable lid when you want to travel lighter. This version comes in a GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Subalpine pattern, and includes an Overload Shelf feature as well as top and side access to easily pack and reach gear throughout the bag. The camo pattern was designed by camouflage and animal vision experts and features a digitally rendered blend of micro and macro patterns. Intended for hunting ungulates from ground level in areas with vegetation and tree cover, the pattern is designed for optimal engagement ranges of 50 yards or less.

Atelier de L’Armée Flight Pack

This Flight Pack features M90 Camouflage, a pattern utilized by the Swedish Armed Forces. The pattern features geometric shapes in four colors designed to blend into temperate forests and plains. The pattern also comes in additional variants to suit jungle and desert terrain.

Helinox TERG Daypack

The pattern on this TERG Daypack takes its cues from Tigerstripe camo. Tigerstripe patterns were first developed for the South Vietnamese Armed Forces as variants of the French Lizard camo pattern, and designed for use in dense jungle environments. Tigerstripe camo was also used by US Special Forces during the Vietnam War. The camo traditionally features black, green and brown stripes in a pattern that, as the name suggests, resembles tiger stripes.

What’s your favorite camo print? Hit us in the comments. 

The post Blend In: Our Favorite Backpack Camo Patterns appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Our first bag nut is a professional geologist involved in early stage exploration and prospecting programs for diamonds, copper, gold and silver or other minerals that strike the markets’ fancy. Regan Chernish has been working in the bush for over 20 years and still loves the wilderness and the excitement of exploration. His work has taken him to Canada’s north (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), British Columbia, Newfoundland, Senora State, Sinaloa State, and Chihuahua State, ample and arduous testing ground for his impressive collection of bags…

What was the very first piece in your collection? And do you remember where and why you picked it up? 

My first real backpack was a Lowe Alpine bright purple 35-liter top loader that was purchased from Totem Outdoor Outfitters in Edmonton. It was initially purchased for bike commuting to university but soon became the field pack of choice for summer employment working as a geology summer student in Northern British Columbia. The work was a lot of prospecting, soil sampling and staking all over the northern part of the province. The pack lasted over ten years of abuse before dying on a prospecting job. It was given a proper Viking funeral in the field.

When did you begin to feel more than what might be called an “average obsession” for bags? 

For the first ten years or so of my geology career, the Lowe pack held its own. In 2001, I struck out as a consultant to three exploration companies with projects ranging from the Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Sierra Madres in Mexico. Each of these projects had quite unique logistics, terrain and job aspects that required different loadouts as well as differing styles of carry. The quiver began to fill at this point.

I realized a few years after this shift in work that when I would take a group hiking back home in the Rockies I could supply all of them with packs. That is when I knew. The knowledge that I was a collector (addict?) just seemed to feed the passion for the ultimate backpack.

What do you look for? What makes a bag a must-have? 

I look for a good fit, ability to stabilize the load and organization for particular activity, hence all the packs. I must admit though that unique features have been known to also tip the scales as I am a bit of a gear head.

Lately, with all the airline travel to get to project areas, the must-have has been the ability to carry and organize the maps, electronics and computer gear that is part of all projects these days. The 5.11 line of Rush 12 and Rush 24 are my favourites for this purpose. They have even done double duty on the odd prospecting trip and have performed very well.

Do you have a certain fetish? A brand crush? 

My carry fetish is for fast and light daypacks that can handle anything from ultra marathon training to hiking/scrambling and mountain biking. While I have many that fit this category, I realize that the Gregory Stimulus has been on my back for over a dozen ultras and thousands of training kilometers. The First Ascent Bacon and Alchemist 30-liter packs are a close second as they are the hiking/scrambling go-to packs.

“My carry fetish is for fast and light daypacks that can handle anything from ultra marathon training to hiking/scrambling and mountain biking.”

My brand crush is threefold; Eberlestock, CamelBak and Boreas. I had an Eberlestock Halftrack, which was recently stolen, and have never had a pack that fit so well empty and loaded. Boreas sent me one of their now discontinued packs and it is so well thought out and designed it simply blew me away. I have several 15-year-old CamelBak cycling packs, the HAWG sent to me by CamelBak back in the day, and they simply refuse to die no matter what abuse they receive.

Was there anything from the past that you hesitated on that you would kill to have now? 

I had an opportunity to trade with a friend, who is a Canadian Ranger, for an Arc’teryx Arrakis 50 (fully waterproof bag) and passed it up. Uggh HUGE regret as this is still an amazing bag that would be useful across so many of my activities.

How many bags do you have in your quiver? Can you run us through an itemized list? 

My wife will kill me once she reads this but here goes. I have approximately 25 different backpacks and at least eight travel duffle bags. This feels more like a confession at this point.

Starting with the travel duffles, I have the full range of the North Face duffle bags and they have held up over the years of in and out of aircraft, helicopter slings, snowmobiles and pickup trucks with hardly any visible wear. The weather resistance of the bags goes a long way for piece of mind when schlepping gear all over the place.

“I have approximately 25 different backpacks and at least eight travel duffle bags.“

I have two of the Arc’teryx Covert bags, 50 and 80-liter, for general travel and shorter term contracts.The attention to detail and durability of these bags is impressive. Additionally, they hold a lot more than I would have thought due to design and the internal compression straps really help keep it all together. The lonely large RAB duffle has been beaten on for over ten years and has yet to look tired and soldiers on quietly. It is a solid design with huge zippers and double bottom so it is built to last.

My prospecting/work backpack is primarily the North Face Spire 38 and it has carried hundreds of pounds of rock and soil samples over the last ten years. While it has a few minor worn through areas, it refuses to yield no matter what I throw at it. The ice tool attachment setup holds a long-handled Estwing rock hammer perfectly for help on the long humps. The bag has traveled from work in Sinaloa to Nunavut and back again on multiple projects. Last Fall I did a prospecting contract for diamonds in Nunavut with many days requiring up to 100lbs of till samples in the bag. The bag did better than I did as trying to get that on my back was something to see, but as I often work alone it was just the random Caribou that might have had a chuckle at my expense.

I have utilized the First Ascent 30-liter Alchemist as a prospecting bag and it is bombproof and carries a heavy load very well. The 30-liter size is a little limiting so it is only used on quick day jobs or when the primary work is not sample collection. It is a great pack for kit on regional prospecting map jobs as it fits like a glove. The durability of this pack is amazing as I have had it overstuffed many times with rocks and it has yet to rip or tear.

“I have utilized the First Ascent 30-liter Alchemist as a prospecting bag and it is bombproof and carries a heavy load very well.“

My primary travel packs and administration packs are the Rush 12 and 24 made by 5.11. The well-thought-out organization in these bags allows for paperwork, GPS, camera, laptop, hand lens, compass and other tools of the trade to be easily accessed. The added bonus is that the bags fit under the seat on planes, meaning no fight for overhead bins and reducing travel stress.

My running and mountain bike list is a little long but there are some real stand outs. The aforementioned Gregory Stimulus and larger Iso are the packs of choice for any long run or race. The Stimulus holds a 2l bladder and the running essentials for most distances. This pack has done all of the ultra marathons except for the Yukon Arctic Ultra and the now defunct Rock and Ice Ultra, both winter ultras, as the required gear required the larger Iso. A great feature on both packs is the accessory pouches on the waist belt which hold gels, M&M’s and a small camera.

For biking, my first bike-specific pack was the CamelBak Mule which I purchased in 1998 I believe. The HAWG joined in the early 2000’s. These packs are well thought out and have a great cycling-specific fit. Lately I am using a smaller Mammut Neon Light 12 for less than two hour rides and the climbing pack does great double duty as a cycling pack.

There are three Black Diamond bags in the quiver, old versions of the Magnum, Bullet and Flash. These lightweight bags are often used to organize some gear in larger duffles and are then available on project for when the need arises for a light quick carry.

A mention should be made of the Marmot Ultra Kompressor pack that I used for a season prospecting in Newfoundland. It rained almost every day and the bush was thick but the pack made it through with flying colors. It did not have the capacity that I would have preferred but I was able to cache samples for later pick up. Alas, this would have been perfect for the Arrakis 50.

How do you store your collection? 

I store many of the packs on a daisy chain hanging in my garage that allows for grab and go when required. The compressible bags are stuffed into one of them and hang from the same daisy chain. The duffles are simply stuffed into the largest bag and set on the shelf of work gear.

Can you tell us a favorite carry memory? Or a memory garnered whilst wearing a particular piece? 

My packs all have many big and light-hearted memories. A heart-warming favourite is associated with the Gregory Stimulus. I had never run an ultra marathon before I signed up for the Lost Soul Ultra in southern Alberta. I excitedly prepared and purchased the Gregory Stimulus as part of that preparation. Loaded with a 2l bladder and pockets of mini Snickers and gels, training progressed well. Just before the race, my daughter who was nine made me a little stuffed figure with a hard candy sewn in for emergency. This figure has joined me on every run over 20km I have ever done.

On race day, my family met me at every aid station to help refill the bladder and provide a lot of moral support. Nearing the end of the race, there is a short but steep hill climb then 800m to the finish line. My daughter and son, 9 and 11, were there and ran the last distance with me. That is why I will never get rid of the pack and it is the right size for a bottle of O2 for when I am a senior

A light-hearted memory is linked to a heart-stopping moment when I was wearing my North Face Spire 38 and prospecting in the Kootenays, located in southwest British Columbia, in very extreme terrain. The helicopter that set me out had to toe in, in order to get me on the ground, as it was too steep to land and then rotate the machine around so I could open the back compartment to get my pack out.

I was making poor time due to terrain and was intensely focused on hand holds and footing while still trying to note the geology and structure. My focus was briefly broken when I saw a ledge above me and all I could think of was ‘finally a spot with room to pause and sort things out.’ I slowly and carefully worked my way up and finally could get a hand hold on the lip of the ledge. Just as I pulled myself up, an enormous eagle, disrupted from its marmot dinner, leapt off the ledge passing just over my head and screeching its displeasure. The screech and enormous shadow snapped me out of my focus, nearly causing me to lose my grip and take the long fall. Catching my breath, I heaved myself up and I was able to sit next to the remains of the eagle’s dinner for a few moments while I waited for my heart rate to slow down.

“Just as I pulled myself up, an enormous eagle, disrupted from its marmot dinner, leapt off the ledge passing just over my head and screeching its displeasure.“

I moved on quickly though, not knowing how possessive the bird might be of its meal. The rest of the day passed remarkably without further incident.

If your house was burning down and you only had enough time to grab one bag, which one would it be and why?  

I would grab the Gregory Stimulus as it is full of great memories and sweat.

What’s next on the wish list? 

I am seriously looking at the Mystery Ranch Snapdragon or Swift as an eventual replacement of my trusty North Face Spire 38 as it draws to the end of its life. A number of designs by Boreas, CamelBak and Triple Aught look amazing and are on my lust list, as is another Eberlestock Halftrack.

*If you’ve got a collection that you’re proud of, let us know, we’d love to hear from you: info@carryology.com

The post Bag Collectors :: Regan Chernish appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Now it’s time to single out who particularly shines in their chosen sphere of specialist carry.

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Black Diamond Jetforce

Avalanche airbag backpacks traditionally use cylinders with compressed gas or air to inflate their big pillows, which then help you rise to the top of any nasty snow slide you might get caught in (rather than being buried by it). The BD Jetforce uses a battery-powered fan instead. This lets you practise cheaply, fly without cylinder restrictions, and continue to force air into the pillows even if they’ve been torn by debris. It was a massive project to get right, but the results will change the industry.

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YETI Coolers – Hopper

Yes, this is somewhat excessive. It’s a really expensive cooler, that works well at keeping things cool. But it’s also crazy tough, really leak-resistant, and is pimped with top-end componentry and build level. If you want to drag a cooler to all sorts of extreme places, this is your best option.

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Porcelain Rocket Mr. Fusion Seat System

Seat packs are going back to the future with this hybrid rack/saddle mount rig from Porcelain Rocket. Keeps your kit from rocking, so you can focus on your ride.

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Incase Pro Pack

A camera pack that recognizes the importance of catering to the almighty GoPro. Not only includes specific storage options for GoPro cameras but also an integrated mount. The expanded EVA modules are bomber, and the details all trick. All this and still makes room for a DSLR.

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Lowepro ProTactic 350 AW

A discreet but rock-solid camera pack which is completely configurable. Smart access points ensure fast access to your gear. Tailored specifically for an urban environment, this pack brings a tougher and buffer look to the normally understated Lowpro – we’re feelin’ it. 

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Velomacchi

Velomacchi founder and designer, Kevin Murray, has not only worked for some of the great brands, but he eats, breathes and sleeps moto – and it shows here in every thread. This offering, designed for privateers, shines with a compelling aesthetic and resolved details. A specialist pack, with special written all over it.

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DV8 golf bag

Yes, the clubs will be a small compromise on your latest high-end Taylor Mades. And yes, swapping the shaft between heads will be a touch annoying. But this system is not about pros playing with a caddy, cart and entourage. This system is about letting folks take clubs when they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to, and a huge amount of work has gone into reducing the compromises.

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MONO guitar sleeve

One of the few guitar travel cases that looks like it has been designed by a softgoods designer rather than a roadie. The innovative Headlock system braces the neck and headstock, and the vertical access means you don’t need to lay it out on the ground. This is an accomplished travel case that lets you go light.

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KILLSPENCER Precision Pocket Modular Camera Bag

If you’re running high-end cameras, this is one heck of a nice way to protect and transport them. With an engineered utilitarian vibe, and a Japanese-esque attention to detail, you’ll feel pro and classy all at once.

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Douchebags Douchebag

This bag has totally redefined snowboard and ski travel. It’s light, customisable, intuitive and awesomely flexible. We think the design will influence all sorts of equipment carry, and the updates continue to refine the bag. Oh, and we recently tested one of these…and wow! Stoked on it. 

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Eberlestock J34 Just One

When it comes to difficult carry challenges, hunting packs are right up there. The weapons are difficult, with compound bows, arrows, or large caliber rifles all being awkward. Then there’s the slog across miles of challenging terrain. Then there’s the stealth aspect, hopefully resulting in a kill. And then if you do succeed, you have to do it all in reverse hauling all sorts of bloody bits back to base to feed your friends for the next month. The Eberlestock expands and contracts, swallows awkward shapes, and does it all in comfort and camouflage.

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MindShift Gear rotation180° Trail

MindShift reset paradigms with their Rotation camera pack. Their Panorama and now their Trail slim those features down for more compact setups and more active routes. Throw in a more pimped aesthetic and you’ve got an exciting piece that’s owning access in the competitive photo field.  

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VOTE NOW!

*Voting closes 22nd Feb.

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