Smaller Siblings for Lighter Days

The new Pilot 2L and Pilot 3.5L take everything we love about their larger siblings and shrink it down to a lovely size for single body and lens, or compact shooters. For size reference, I was able to fit a large mirrorless body and any lens except a super telephoto in the 3.5L. The 2L easily fit a compact mirrorless with most reasonably sized lenses. Depending on the size of your gear, and how you want to orient it, both sizes come with a divider which I found handier in the 3.5L.

While the main compartment is where you’ll be storing your camera, the only other built-in storage are slip pockets on the back and front of the bags. Both have a zippered pocket on the backside, with a waterproof zipper. Under the front flap, the 2L has an open top pocket, while the 3.5L uses a zipper like the larger Pilots. You won’t fit much in these compartments, but they’re great for a lens cover or extra SD cards. Extra batteries would probably be better served inside the main compartment using one of Wotancraft’s many inserts.

Mostly everything continues to scream “this is a Pilot”, but the biggest change to the silhouette comes in the form of the removal of the side pockets. It’s a reasonable change, as those pockets start to be unwieldy on such small bags, or just useless if they’re too small. Their removal opened up the opportunity to move the typical PALS of the Pilot series to the sides, where I think they’re much happier on these two. This lets you attach any number of Wotancraft’s wonderful pouches, like a lens cover case or zip pouch. The ability to add more storage is welcome.

The new Pilot 2L and Pilot 3.5L are not only great camera bags, but they’re also great camera cubes! That was one of the most pleasant surprises I came across in my time testing them out. I’m not sure if they were designed with this in mind, but they were easy to shove in any backpack or larger bag and they offered peace of mind with their beefy and well-padded construction. Once you get where you’re going, pull it out and you have a wonderful sling to go about your day with.

Pilot Line Updates for 2022

Not only are we getting new sizes, but we’re getting a few small updates for the entire Pilot line of camera shoulder bags. It goes without saying that these are all welcome updates, and we’re happy to see them become standard features. To put them right in front of you, these updates are a new quick-adjust strap with a very nice red leather pull, and the change to Fidlocks being the default on all models. You’ll see these changes on the Wotancraft Pilot 2, 3.5, 7, and 10.

Adventurous Camera Bags for All Shapes and Sizes

The new Wotancraft Pilot sizes were a nice surprise when we heard about their development. While we’ve obviously sung the praises of the 7 and 10, they are a bit big; full kit-type bags. As cameras and equipment continue to shrink in size rather than grow, the smaller offerings are a smart move. Personally, I’ve fallen in love with the 10L and 3.5L Pilots – they’re the perfect size for those little-bit-extra days, or on the flip side, those little-bit-less days. Goldilocks sizes, if you will.

No matter your kit, it’s now (finally) true that Wotancraft has a bag for every shape and size. Check them out on October 28th, direct from Wotancraft.

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The Transit Arkiv Laptop Brief comes in at 14L, smaller than a day bag. However, the layout is roomy enough to accommodate quite a lot. The Transit Arkiv is an excellent option if you need a shoulder bag for the daily commute and carry a small lunch, laptop, umbrella, snacks, raincoat, and other accessories. A multitude of pockets are built into the bag, giving the user plenty of options and organization for any use case. If you have additional bags from Mission Workshop that utilize the Arkiv system, this brief can be attached to those bags.

The organization of the bag’s interior is well thought out, with pockets and dividers galore.

I have been using the Transit Arkiv Laptop Brief for a few months now, and it fits everything I need for a workday at the coffee shop or elsewhere in town. 

My usual loadout for a day like this tends to be:

• 15″ MacBook Pro w/ charging cables
• Wireless mouse
• 1-2 external hard drives
• Power bank
• Notebook
• Two sets of headphones (phone and computer)
• 1-2 snack bars
• Nalgene or Earthwell (both 32oz) 

I can fit everything in and still have room to stash a light jacket or rain shell without the bag being too full. The shoulder strap is wide, and due to the bag only being 14L, it doesn’t need a pad even when fully packed. I am a huge fan of waxed canvas, so I picked up the brown waxed version for this review. 

Who It Suits

The Mission Workshop Transit Arkiv Laptop Brief comes in several fabrics and colors. You have options if you are looking for a shoulder bag that can be used in an office environment or a more rugged setting. At 14 liters, you have more space than a sling, but not as much as a daypack, so consider what you would use this for and how you would travel with the bag. This is a perfect bag for your carry-on item as it fits nicely under the seat and can hold all you need on a flight. As mentioned above, this shoulder bag is perfect for everyday use as a commuter or office bag. 

Who It Doesn’t

While the Transit Arkiv brief is great for commuting by public transport or your vehicle, I would not use this as a bike commuting bag unless you were to strap it to a rack. If you tend to need more for your workday or pack larger bulky lunches, you might have issues fitting everything in the bag as it is only 14L.

The Good

The layout of the pocketing and the bag’s design are exceptionally well thought out. Several zipped and drop pockets throughout the bag can house various items. You have one big roomy compartment in the interior, with one large drop pocket on one side and an admin panel opposite. The admin panel consists of two pen slots, a drop pocket that can easily fit a hard drive or power bank, and a zippered mesh pocket.

There is no lack of organization in the bag, which is always excellent for travel and the office. The exterior has two pockets on either end. These pockets are not big enough for a water bottle but could hold a compact umbrella, wallet, or some snack bars. There is a laptop pocket that easily fits my 15″ MacBook and should fit up to a 16″ laptop. You might think that the pocketing stops here, but you’d be wrong.

The rear of the bag houses a small drop pocket. This can be used to house the hand strap or to keep items such as your wallet or passport close to your body. On the front of the bag, there is one full-sized drop pocket. Being that this is a large pocket, you can use it for documents, your tablet, or that delicious pita you just picked up. Finally, one small waterproof zip pocket is on the front of the bag. I found myself using this mainly for my headphones and keys as it was easy to reach and secure.

If you are a bike commuter and have a front rack on your bike, Mission Workshop has built-in detachable straps that can secure the brief to your bike for commuting. 

The Transit Arkiv provides the user with a shoulder strap and two hand straps. These options were perfect for travel as the bag carries well over the shoulder while walking through the airport, but the hand straps are great for carrying the bag through the plane aisle. The rear of the bag also has webbing for attaching your brief to your luggage as you navigate the airport. 

The Not So Good

The large drop pocket on the interior is somewhat flimsy. What I mean by this is that when you are filling your bag, this pocket tends to flop in the way and create more of a jumble than help organize. Personally, if this pocket was split in two and provided smaller drop pockets, this might solve this issue and help separate your items better. 

I like that the hand straps have stow pockets for when they are not in use, but the shoulder strap is not easily detachable. This could be an issue for some who prefer not to utilize the strap. It does give the bag a cleaner look by not having buckles, but the strap can get in the way if you want to use just the hand straps. You can remove the strap, it just takes some effort. 

Verdict

If you’re looking for a compact, well-organized shoulder bag that will do double-duty on travel and everyday commuting, the Mission Workshop Transit Arkiv could be a great option for you. Sleek enough for the office, tough enough for travel, and easily able to accommodate your tech and essentials, this is a stylish and dependable piece for office professionals, creatives, and travelers alike.

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The Cambiata is offered in a large enough selection of colors to appease any preferences, with a 630D Ballistic shell, and Tom Bihn’s signature 200D Halcyon lining (one of our favorite materials) or the newer 210D Cerylon. For this piece, we opted for the Black Ballistic with Zest Halcyon making a triumphant return to the lineup. Long live Halcyon.

While it’s easy to call this a totepack, that’s not exactly accurate. Satchelpack? Pursepack? CrossbodyPack? The Cambiata has a lot more in common with Tom Bihn’s Cafe Bag series than it does with many totes we’ve seen. That’s not a bad thing, just a point of distinction when it comes to deciding how you’ll use this bag. With totes, you’re often carrying them at your side by the handles, or over one shoulder. Realistically, that’s not going to be the case with the Cambiata.

We’ve found it’s best to treat the Cambiata like a crossbody first and foremost, ignoring the backpack straps for a moment. The single handle on the rear doesn’t lend itself well for anything other than picking the bag up – just like on a backpack. The longer included strap can easily be adjusted in length depending on if you prefer that classic crossbody fit or if you want to just be able to throw it over a shoulder quickly.

The Cambiata’s real trick is the readily available backpack straps that tuck into the rear sleeve. Both the straps and their connection points at the bottom stow away when not in use and stay out of sight and out of mind.

These are Tom Bihn’s Contour straps, which are a minimal yet comfortable dual strap setup for their smaller bags. Not quite as beefy as their current Edgeless straps, but a major upgrade from webbing straps. They’re definitely best suited to the shorter amongst us. If you’re over 6′, you might not find them the best fit. Luckily, our household is well under that mark.

The pocketing on the Cambiata is unsurprisingly solid. Tom Bihn is usually a go-to for those who love thoughtful pocketing. On the exterior alone there are four options to stuff your gear into. Two small zippered pockets on the right-hand side, a zippered bottle pocket on the opposing side, and an open top pocket on each of the front and back sides. It’s worth noting that the rear open top pocket is only really usable in backpack mode, and anything in there will probably push into your back – so choose wisely! There’s also a laptop sleeve on the top side rear of the pack. It’s well padded and raised but worth noting that it’s lined with lightweight, gray nylon – not the chosen liner of the main compartment.

Around the inside we have one zippered compartment under the lid – anything heavy here will weigh the lid down, so this is best for small items like keys or a wallet. One side has two open, elastic-topped pockets, while the other side is left free from any clutter. The back side has one full-height, open, elastic-topped pocket – very similar to the front internal pocket on the Synapse and Synik packs.

The Cambiata couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than a Tom Bihn piece. While at first we were a little confused as to how this was a totepack, we really started to dig it after we let any of those preconceived notions go. It’s exactly what it was designed to be, and needs to be. The Tom Bihn Cambiata is at home at the office, cafe, or even on your next trip.

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Who It Suits

Professionals in environments ranging from business casual to business formal will find this bag excellent. It can also be dressed down to casual with the right outfits and styles. Think smart casual or preppy. If you’re constantly on the move, then you’ll appreciate the quick-access compartment and the magnetic pocket on the outside.

Who It Doesn’t

If you need a ton of space, either upgrade to the “double” version of this bag which is slightly larger or maybe opt for a backpack. Of course, if your own style and wardrobe don’t match the vibe of this bag, then it’s going to look out of place in use. This probably wouldn’t go well with streetwear, athleisure, etc. However, style is subjective, so be sure to use your own discretion.

Specifications

Name: The Cary Briefcase, Single

Brand: Stuart & Lau

Format: Briefcase

Dimensions: 16.0″ (W) x 12.0″ (H) x 3.9″ (D)

Zippers: YKK Excella

Material: DuraLite fabric and full-grain leather

Price: $375

Design

The Cary Briefcase has a timeless aesthetic. It’s sophisticated, stylish, and versatile in what it can be worn with. The leather accents complement the bag and add luxury that gets better with age. The navy and tan colorway that I went with looks good with most of my outfits, never looking out of place. One thing I appreciate about the look of the bag is the difference in textures. The soft leather contrasts against the canvas-like fabric, and the metallic luster of the hardware contributes to an overall premium look.

Speaking of materials, this briefcase does not disappoint. The exterior fabric feels like a thick nylon canvas, the leather is full-grain, the hardware is rugged and burly, and the lining is soft to the touch. Every single material choice here is exceptional.

The material choice wouldn’t really matter too much if the bag wasn’t built well. However, Stuart & Lau killed it on the craftsmanship. Clean stitch lines, nice finishing on the edges of the leather, and not one loose thread in sight.

Although the finishing on the edges of the leather looks and feels nice, in use it causes a lot of friction against clothes. It did break in over a few weeks, but it’s still something to think about. It also peels off into tiny little strings on the shoulder strap. I do wish that the pad on the shoulder strap was lined with some sort of fabric instead of just being leather since it’s hard to adjust, especially when it’s on your shoulder.

Another pain point I have with this bag is the laptop sleeve being just barely too small. Although their website doesn’t explicitly say that it will fit a 16″ MacBook Pro, on their website, they do show a laptop that closely resembles it. A 16″ MacBook will fit, but it’s uncomfortably tight and I’m worried that the zippers will scratch my laptop. This is important to mention because the removable laptop sleeve is a pretty integral part of the bag and its organization. If you have a larger laptop that you need to carry for work, then be sure to refer to their provided measurements to make sure it will fit. I know there’ll be some folks who are running with a larger laptop for their jobs, especially if your workflow requires one with a lot of power.

Features

This is such an unexpectedly innovative bag, and there are so many useful, non-gimmicky features. The aforementioned detachable laptop sleeve, although being slightly too small for a 16″, is seriously awesome. It’s got some organization that seamlessly works whether it’s in the bag or out, a nice carry handle, water-resistant zips, nice padding, and a microfiber lining. It’s easy to put in, and easy to take out. I really like being able to take out the whole sleeve and put it on my desk.

There are some straps on the front that you can slip an umbrella through that don’t look out of place when not in use. This is an awesome feature, and it makes it super easy to access your umbrella, newspaper, or jacket while saving space on the inside of your bag.

I also love how everything is included, from the tote bag, to the shoulder strap, to the luggage tag. It makes the product feel complete.

I personally think that when done well, magnets can really add to the experience of a bag. On this briefcase, there’s a sleeve on the outside with a magnetic closure. I use this to store my keys, the tote bag, and papers that I just need to put away quickly. Some other features include a zippered quick-access pocket, a magnetic key ring, and a luggage passthrough.

Performance

In use, this bag has great access if you’re on the move or if you’re seated at your desk. I love how the organization is considered and useful, and the quick access coupled with the magnetic pocket on the outside makes it easy to grab certain items on the go.

The strap isn’t the most comfortable on the shoulder as it does dig into your skin a bit. It’s not unbearable, but it is worth mentioning. If you’re just holding the bag by its handles, then it feels nice and luxurious. They’re stiff, but not rough on the hands. Trust me when I say that the handles are delightful.

Their proprietary fabric feels sturdy and durable and has handled rainy weather quite well. While the zippers on the bag aren’t water-sealed, the ones on the laptop compartment are, so I feel okay with walking in the rain as long as I have an umbrella to at least cover part of the bag.

The Good

· Stylish

· Luxurious materials and hardware

· Great craftsmanship

· Innovative and feature-packed

· Well-thought-out organization

· Easy access

· Decent water resistance

The Not So Good

· Laptop sleeve is a little tight

· Edge finishing on the leather peels a bit

· Shoulder pad on strap is hard to adjust and a bit uncomfortable

Verdict

The briefcase is a format that has stood the test of time. Stuart & Lau managed to take a classic style and elevate it through innovative features that are genuinely useful. These great features coupled with the premium-feeling materials create a bag that is a pleasure to use day in and day out.

The Breakdown

Space & Access- 8

Organization- 8

Comfort- 6

Look & Feel- 9

Build, Materials, & Hardware- 8

Features- 8

Warranty & Support- 8

Brand Experience- 7

Value- 8

X-Factor- 8

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Featured Briefcases:

Rugged Twill Original Briefcase

24-Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase

Rugged Twill Padded Computer Bag

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1st Place

EVERGOODS CPL24 V2 & CPL28 V2

Our Best Everyday Bag award is our most competitive category. It’s a bag that needs to perform across multiple uses and environments, keeping up with changing day-to-day needs. It just so happens that the folks at EVERGOODS are crossover carry experts and their updated CPL24 and new big brother CPL28 deliver an award-winning performance for everyday use.

The bags offer the perfect combination of ruggedness, access, and utility. And when you add the supremely comfortable harness and understated style to the mix, you’ve got a winning combination for multifunctional daily use. Work bag, gym bag, weekend away bag? Yes, yes, and yes. On foot and on bike? No problem. Add in hydration bladder compatibility and you can even knock out a hike when the outdoors is calling.

The pack’s thoughtful organization ensures gear is close at hand throughout the day. Quick exterior access to tech and EDC essentials is complemented by a convenient clamshell main compartment. So you can wave goodbye to frustrating rummaging for gear.

Since you never know where your day might lead, EVERGOODS have built this pack to embrace life’s scuffs and scrapes with a smile. A tough, water-resistant 500D HT nylon exterior and 420D HT nylon lining keep you carrying in confidence, knowing this pack will put in the miles for years to come.

Wonderfully versatile, stylish enough for work or play, and tough enough to roam urban streets and outdoor trails, these packs really are do-it-all workhorses and perfection in backpack design. Congratulations, EVERGOODS!

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honor, we bow our heads in the utmost respect and kudos. If this were a dais, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we’re sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

Alpha One Niner Pathfinder

Ruggedly suave, Alpha One Niner’s Pathfinder brings all the durability and clever organization we’ve come to expect from AON, but in a more understated aesthetic than their traditional tactical look. The bag is brimming with well-considered organization, from the pass-through pocket on the front that provides useful carry for a jacket, to quick-access top and side pockets and an exterior-access laptop compartment with its own interior organization. Peek inside the pack and you’ll find zippered mesh pockets, D-rings, as well as hook-and-loop strips for attaching compatible accessories.

The hard-wearing X-Pac exterior is weatherproof and tough enough to handle long-term use day in and day out. The ventilated back panel, padded shoulder straps, and magnetic sternum strap also keep your daily loads comfy on the move, with included excess webbing management. Super-tough, with exceptional organization and stealthy aesthetics for a range of urban missions, this pack will definitely keep your daily carry on the right track. Superb effort, Alpha One Niner!

Black Ember SHADOW 22 & SHADOW 26

Black Ember’s SHADOW 22 and SHADOW 26 represent this award’s most technical and innovative offering. A combination of Black Ember’s proprietary waterproof HTX, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and BOND-STITCH construction serves up an impressive IPX6 waterproof rating in one radical everyday pack. But this pack doesn’t stop at mind-bending construction technique. A killer assortment of pockets, access, and comfortable carry makes this a hard-working pack for your daily hauling needs. And with its clean, minimalist exterior it’s a great option for both work and play.

The full clamshell main compartment makes packing and retrieval of gear a breeze. A choice of interior pockets and suspended sleeves store your tech and smaller items, while a nifty inbuilt tech-kit gives you even more options for organizing your everyday essentials. The SHADOW 22 and SHADOW 26 are sleek, dependable shields against nature’s elements, while offering highly considered organization and a burly build that smoothly adapts to the office, trips about town, and more. Bravo, Black Ember!

–

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Naturally, with cycling comes the love for minimizing environmental impact. “A percentage from the sale of every Orucase product goes to purchasing carbon dioxide emission permits from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the preeminent carbon market in the northeastern United States.” Orucase also partnered with “Cooler”, a company that helps other companies achieve carbon neutrality. I highly recommend checking out Orucase’s site for more info.

I tested the Orucase Saddle Bag HC in both the 25 and 30 (cubic inches) size, as well as the Orucase Smuggler HC Handlebar Bag (2.1L) for a few weeks. I’ve commuted with them and hit some local dirt trails. These aren’t coming off my bike for the foreseeable future.

Who It Suits

Saddle Bag HC

The Orucase Saddle Bag HC is for cyclists who enjoy the exquisite small details, quality construction, high-end materials, and nice hand feel. At the same time, they are for every cyclist as the price is just right and the functionality is there. 

In my experience, the 25 is perfect for roadie rides, especially if you’re running a tubeless setup. It will carry your CO2 gear, tools, and tube if you still rock those. The 25 not only works as a saddlebag, but you can also carry it as a jersey pouch. The rubber straps for affixing to the saddle rails are completely removable, leaving a smooth rectangular pouch that will fit perfectly into your jersey pockets.

The 30 is significantly roomier. In my opinion, it’s perfect for gravel and MTB rides. But it can also work on the road bike if you prefer to be extra prepped with all the tools. Both bags are identical in terms of features, they just vary in volume. The 30 will fit a 700×45 or 29er tube in there and still have some room to spare for tools and CO2 accessories. 

Smuggler HC

The Orucase Smuggler HC is a universal handlebar bag. It will fit any handlebar diameter and it has the perfect mix of elegance and ruggedness. It will look aggressive yet tasty on your weight weenie roadie, beefy gravel bike, and your 170mm travel trail bomber. Additionally, it includes some foam blocks to push the bag away from the bike cables and head tube.

The Smuggler is the perfect size (2.1L) for carrying your phone, ID/card, small camera, snacks, or a compact windbreaker. It can also take care of all of your tools if you’re not rocking a saddlebag. The bag is perfect to empty out your jersey pockets and ease accessibility. 

The bag shares the same premium materials, color, and construction as the Saddle Bag HC.  

Who It Doesn’t

If you are looking to go bikepacking or touring, you will definitely want to look into a proper setup with larger volume bags (which Orucase makes). That is not to say it won’t work, depending on what other bags you take. 

The Good

Saddle Bag HC

Let’s start with the outside materials and construction. The whole HC line of products is made of Kevlar reinforced X-ply laminate, 210D Ripstop, and YKK AquaGuard zippers. The zipper pullers look like shrink tubing, but they’re molded on the string. There is also a Hypalon zipper garage; it’s all in the details. The X-ply laminate feels like VX42 but has a softer and less crinkly hand feel. The side gusset has a subtle dark gray print on it resembling small wind directional vectors; it is a nice little touch and elevates the product perception and feel.

Bar-tacked to the back of the bags, you’ll find a rectangular piece of Hypalon intended for clipping a rear light. On the top of the bags there is a piece of 2.5cm webbing, secured and bar-tacked with a large piece of Hypalon. This webbing loop serves as an installation point for the included Voile rubber straps, which are custom branded with the ORUCASE logo. 

Both the 25 and 30 saddlebags have a gray 210D Ripstop nylon liner, which is nice if you have some abrasive tools stored in there. Sandwiched between the X-ply and Ripstop (top and bottom pattern) is an EVA foam layer. Besides protecting the objects inside and protecting your seat post from the objects inside, it adds shape and rigidity to the bags. This is the first set of saddlebags I have tried with foam in them. And I don’t think I will go back to the saggy kind. 

In terms of organization, both inside top and bottom have a thick, elastic webbing sewn into the binding to keep your essentials organized and to prevent items from rattling, which really grinds my gears.  

Smuggler HC

The handlebar bag shares similar materials and construction as the saddlebags. Kevlar reinforced X-ply laminate, 210D Ripstop, EVA foam, Hypalon, YKK AquaGuard, and uniquely to the Smuggler, stretchy mesh inside.

At 2.1 liters, the Smuggler is the perfect size to fit any drop, flat, mustache or touring handlebar. It fits perfectly on your road bike with aero bars to your 50cm gravel bars. The included Voile straps have a huge range of adjustment. You will always have significant excess, but you can tuck it into the webbing loops where the Voile straps attach for a clean look. Or maybe you can fit some other cylindrical objects under the straps if need be. 

On the outside you can find a few useful features. The front has horizontal daisy chains made of Hypalon bar-tacked onto more Hypalon, which is tacked onto the X-ply. These are useful to hang sunglasses and the like. On both sides of the zipper track you can find some webbing loops that help you open the bag without it sagging and compressing onto one side. Every bag should have these, they’re incredibly useful.

The webbing attachment points for the Voile straps have two positions, wide and narrow, in case some cables or other handlebar accessories get in the way. The attachment point is also reinforced with Hypalon since that area will take some abrasion from the handlebars. Lastly, the bag has a head tube bungee cord attachment. This feature will keep your bag steady and prevent it from bouncing up and down. It includes foam blocks to separate the bag from the head tube. I found that the Voile straps work so well, you don’t always need the head tube bungee system.  

Inside, the Smuggler is perfectly simple but utilitarian. When you open the zipper, you find an easily accessible main cavity and sewn inside, a very sturdy elastic mesh flat pocket that works perfectly for your phone and cards. The inside shares the same 210D Ripstop nylon liner as the saddlebags. As a bonus you also get a key clip with a generously long leash that allows you to clip the keys on the outside of the bag, rather than wrestling with the key hook on the inside of the bag; it’s just clever design.

Not So Good

On both Orucase Saddle Bag HC sizes, when loaded with tubes, the space can be quite tight. Now, that can be a good thing depending on who you ask. If the volumes are too limited for you, they also offer all these bags in larger sizes. When it comes to aesthetics, I can see people not liking the printed pattern, even though it is subtle. I wish there were more color options available, maybe material choices as well. 

If for whatever reason these aren’t for you, others to consider are: Road Runner Bags, Swift Industries, Outer Shell, Blackburn, Topeak, Ortlieb, and Apidura.

Verdict

If you want a long-lasting, eco-friendly product made by folks who are passionate about soft goods design and bikes, these products won’t let you down. At $37 for both sizes of the Orucase Saddle Bag HC and $47 for the Orucase Smuggler HC Handlebar Bag, the bang for buck is amazing. All Orucase products are guaranteed to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for the practical lifetime of the product, so you’re covered there. 

All in all, considering the point of use, the material choices, and R&D, these bags are a solid choice for any cyclist who is racing, commuting, or bikepacking.

This article was written by Gino Romano, industrial designer, cyclist, minimalist and master of carry memes. Follow his adventures on Instagram.

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I am not the sort of guy who picks fashion over function, nor am I one to pick the reverse. I want it all.

A couple of years ago when I was the filmmaker and brand consultant for the made-in-the-USA bag company, Tom Bihn, I was fortunate to get to spend a good amount of time with Tom himself. We discussed bag design, manufacturing, and even life in general. It is one of the highlights of my career.

At one point I asked Tom why they didn’t offer any white bags as I’d seen some from other brands that looked amazing. I said that my perfect bag would be the Tom Bihn Synapse 19, but in white fabric. I won’t get into all the details of the conversation, but to summarize, Tom basically said white fabric looks great when it’s new, but get dirty and worn-looking too fast, and suddenly the bag looks gross. He said they’ve tried prototypes out of white a few times, but it’s always the same issue. “In fact,” he said, “we have some white fabric on the shelf. We’ll make you one and you can see for yourself.” What? A one-of-a-kind of my ultimate dream bag?! This can’t be real! But it was real, and they did make one for me. Very exciting. Too exciting!

It’s a beautiful bag, and every time I went to use it, I’d hear Tom’s voice in my head that it would get gross-looking too fast. I couldn’t bring myself to ruin such a beautiful bag. So I just kept it on my wall and looked at it like a painting.

Over the years I’d tried white bags from other companies, but of course, Tom was right. It didn’t take long for those other white bags to lose their magic – that is until I discovered white X-Pac.

I’m not going to dive deep into what X-Pac fabric is, there are lots of resources out there on that, but I will say that it is very lightweight, very durable (for the weight), and in my opinion, stunning to look at. And pops as a face fabric and as a liner. And just as important to me, it stays stunning-looking for a long time, and – at least with the bags I have – if it does get dirty, it cleans up nice and easy. Keep in mind I don’t go out of my way to baby these bags in daily use, but I also haven’t dragged them behind my car, rolled them around in the mud, or generally torture-tested them. I take good care of them and have lots of bags, so none have been used a massive amount. So will they stay looking this good forever? Probably not, but so far, so good!

Take a closer look at my collection of (mostly) all-white X-Pac bags…

Makers

I’m going to start with bags made by makers. These are all brands where most likely the person who designed the bag also sewed the bag and probably answered your email, too. Most (though not all) makers will make their bags customized with fabric and colors you choose. Some let you pick the thread color, or even make functional tweaks to the bag (looking for an extra-long shoulder strap or five superfluous COBRA buckles?). And sometimes it costs the same – or even less – than an equivalent bag from a large manufacturer. If you like any of these white X-Pac designs, make sure you reach out to the individual maker to find out what they can do for you.

The Ancoats Bag Company

From Central Oregon we hop over to the UK where John Clark gets to live what he describes as his micro bag-making daydream. This is what John made for me: The Standard 4 -Way Tote in white X-Pac VX21 with blue front webbing, white VX07 lining, blue contrast stitching on the exterior, and red pop binding and stitching on the inside. John also whipped up a matching white X-Pac Utility Case. I have to start off by saying I consider this bag to be both highly utilitarian and high art at the same time. Details like the triangle stitching on the front outside pockets and webbing zipper garages delight the senses. The level of customizable options should satisfy any bag lover with particular tastes without distracting from what is clearly the work of an artist.

What about functionality? Those who haven’t used a high-end tote-type bag, hop on the bus already and those experienced with the tote style will love the added organization and hybrid carry style this bag affords. The two very large and deep front pockets could each hold a rolled-up sweatshirt, beach towel, etc., while inside an organization panel offers to hold your wallet, mobile phone, pens, and the like near the top of the bag to keep them handy and away from the bottomless pit of wide-open storage inside.

This white X-Pac tote can be carried by hand with the two adjustable side handles and also carried over the shoulder with the included removable, beefy shoulder strap. But it also includes a pair of adjustable shoulder straps with large Fidlock buckles for backpack-style carry, making this one of my favorite personal item bags for air travel and a great bag for trips to the beach. If you need a bag with padded handles and straps because you tend to haul loads of bricks for days at a time, this is not the bag for you. But if you are looking for daily utility with timeless quality and impressive artistry, this is definitely one of those Where-Have-You-Been-My-Whole-Life bags.

D4 Bags

Let’s continue our trip around the world. Our next stop is in Ukraine where Dima from D4 Bags designs his beautifully crafted, custom techwear bags. I got the STLTH EDC Bag in all-black X-Pac. Seven pockets spread out around the bag along with a removable key strap and two pen slots to make this bag easy to organize while the 12″ x 10″ x 1.5″ dimensions keep the bag incredibly compact and slick-looking. Add in the MOLLE attachments – like the straightforward but excellently constructed D4 Molle Pouch in Black X-Pac – and the adjustable cinch straps at the base of the bag and you can easily add additional pouches to the front for more storage and a rolled-up jacket or compact umbrella to the base, allowing this bag to easily carry more than its diminutive size would imply.

One of the inside pockets is nicely padded on one side and sized perfectly for a tablet. If you are a lover of the compact carry life like me, it could be your perfect EDC bag for around town or visiting faraway cities. Thanks to the X-Pac fabric and water-resistant zippers your gear should survive any sudden cloudbursts. The bag can be ordered for either left or right shoulder carry and includes a compact 1″ strap with Fidlock buckle so you can take the bag off even when cinched up tight without having to adjust the length of the strap or mess up your slicked back – dyed black hair. Though the strap’s swivel snap hooks are very nice quality, I would have preferred metal hardware. It wouldn’t change the function of the bag, and would make it a bit heavier, but I think it would be the perfect touch for such a sleek bag.

D4 makes a big brother to the EDC called the STLTH Messenger. I got this bag in White X-Pac with Black X-Pac bottom and X-Pac liner. The bag’s features are nearly identical but sized up to 15″ x 11″ x 2″ with the padded compartment large enough to hold many 13″ laptops. The craftsmanship on the STLTH Messenger is equally excellent as the EDC. It also includes a removable chest strap in case you are suddenly on the run from the men in black and are forced into an emergency Parkour situation and need to keep that bag from bouncing around. I really enjoy wearing the STLTH Messenger. Even when fully packed it hugs close to my body and I can weave in and out of tightly packed sidewalks and stores without feeling like I’m going to knock somebody over with my bag. And whether I’m wearing the EDC or Messenger I secretly feel WAY cooler than I actually am. These bags make me very excited to see what Dima will come up with next.

If you ever priced techwear gear, you probably noticed the surprisingly high price tag. Not so with D4 bags. With these, you get really well-crafted, smartly designed bags that are handmade by the designer and are customizable all for an incredibly affordable – I might even say cheap – price. Of course, if the techwear style ain’t your thing, or you need a bag for bulky items, give these a miss. But if compact carry, quality construction, and slick design fills you with joy, check out the impressive work from D4 Bags.

Filip Raboch

A quick 18-hour drive west from Ukraine brings us to Prague, Czech Republic where bag maker extraordinaire, Filip Raboch put together this custom admin pouch for me. Its diminutive 7.5″ x 5″ x 2″ black X-Pac exterior sports MOLLE webbing along the backside so it can be attached to other bags, webbing loops for the removable shoulder strap, a 2″ wide strip of Velcro for your favorite patch, and two waterproof zippers – one to the outside pocket and the other to the main compartment. Inside you’ll find a slash pocket that runs the full length of the bag on one wall and the same on the other, but the other side is segmented into two pockets, ⅓ and ⅔ of the length – both made from white X-Pac.

This bag somehow manages to look tech, street, and tactical all at the same time. I think this is the perfect bag/pouch for anyone who likes to stay organized with their EDC essentials but often switches between different main bags. Filip will not only customize the fabric and zipper options on this little guy, but he’ll also change the pocket configuration and even the overall dimensions if needed. For me this is the perfect size, small enough to put in (or attach to the outside of) almost any bag, but big enough to hold my essentials. And with the removable strap I can even throw it on crossbody for an extremely compact carry on days when my pockets just won’t cut it. Though I haven’t had a chance to check them out in person yet, Filip also makes some gorgeous-looking custom backpacks that you can see on his Instagram. This is definitely a young bag maker to keep your eyes on.

Pinch Flat Designs

When my search for awesome X-Pac bags began, who knew it would take me all the way around the world and right back to my hometown of Bend, Oregon – home of Pinch Flat Designs. This incredibly well-made Custom Dropper bag is as functional as it is fun. It’s one of my all-time favorite hip/fanny packs. And I actually went to Ben’s house (about 20 minutes from mine) and met the maker in person to pick it up when it was ready. The outside is Bahama Blue X-Pac with contrasting red thread, red tie-down cording, reflective stripe, and innertube logo tag. The inside is lined with my beloved white X-Pac, creating a bright cavern to stuff with your EDC. I think this is one of the nicest-looking color combos I have in a bag, but if it’s all too much for you, I’m 100% to blame as Ben sewed it up with exactly the colors I wanted.

Webbing runs around the outside front and sides and is tacked down every two inches, making it easy to attach more items if needed. Around the back is a small grab handle, a lightly padded back panel, and a very clever setup for stowing a map or trail pamphlets.

Inside the bag, you’ll find two wide strips of elastic to hold down water bottles or your choice of canned beverage. There’s also a key strap and two slip pockets to tuck away your smartphone, some cash, and/or ID. If you choose to be dehydrated – or cinch your bottle to the top outside, the inside suddenly has plenty of room for a rolled-up light jacket or fleece. The strap is long enough for crossbody wear (if you are on the larger size or want to wear it over a big winter coat you may want to ask Ben to make the strap a bit longer), but includes sliders to keep the strap out of the way if you’re wearing it on your hip. If you are the buttoned-up type, this might have too much character for you. But if fun and functional are high up on your wishlist, check out the Custom Dropper Pack from Pinch Flat Designs.

EARTH Workshop Studio

With all these great custom bags coming out of the Eastern Bloc, we head north for one more to Poland where Michael makes the EARTH Workshop Studio EVERYDAY BAG 2.0. I had Michael make this one for me with a Black X-Pac exterior and white X-Pac lining along with a Fidlock buckle for the outside of the bag and a big old Cobra buckle for the crossbody strap. The stock bag has a mini Cobra on the front of the bag, but I like to be able to quickly buckle my bags with one hand if possible, so I picked the Fidlock. I went with the Cobra on the strap because they are just so damn cool-looking, but you could elect to go with a Fidlock on the strap if you like.

The strap comes with well-thought-out webbing keepers so you don’t have a bunch of dangly webbing if you cinch it up tight. And it can be tightened up enough to use as a hip pack, but I think it’s the perfect size for a crossbody – at least for the way I carry. And that’s how I usually wear it. There’s a zip pocket on the outside back that works great for storing quick-access items like a notepad, mobile phone, small pouches, etc. Pop open the Fidlock and inside you’ll find a slim zipper pocket at the top backside and a deep zip pocket on the inside front of the bag. All these zippers come with paracord pulls. I think I’d prefer it in use if the zip pull tab was removed and the paracord pulls attached directly to the sliders – and I’m sure you could order it that way if you like.

None of the zipper pockets have sub-pockets for additional organization – which is fine by me as I like to use pouches so I can quickly switch between bags, but if you are looking for more organization in the sub-pockets and don’t want to use pouches, make sure to mention it to Michael if you order a custom bag. The main inside pocket does include a two-inch wide elastic strip that’s been strategically sewed to make slots for securing your mobile phone, pens, sunglasses, multitool, etc. I like this option, but it may take some getting used to if you’ve never used this style before.

One of my favorite features of the bag is the two long strips of Velcro that the flap attaches to. This combines with the shape of the flap and long webbing on the Fidlock to let you easily adjust the size of the bag from incredibly compact 10″ long x 6″ tall x 2.75″ deep to over 10″ tall – nearly doubling the capacity all while looking great from the smallest size to largest and everywhere in between. The ability to change size ranks very high on my value scale as most of the time I carry very little and don’t want to have to carry a larger bag on the chance I might have a few extra things I need to carry. If you need a million little pockets in your bag or need something large enough for laptop carry, this is not going to work for you. For me, the EARTH Workshop Studio EVERYDAY BAG 2.0 quickly became one of my favorite bags and is in high rotation for my EDC and day trips.

Skinth

Hailing from Manitoba Canada, Skinth has made quite a name for itself with its custom multitool sheaths and cases. But Eric – the owner, designer, and builder – also makes some very clever and great-looking bags. The Brunch 4 Tote – this one in limited edition Multicam Alpine X-Pac – is like a luxury lunch sack that is both built to last and a pleasure to use. The bag features a base of rugged ballistic nylon, two outside pockets, both with Velcro for patches, and a laser-cut MOLLE pattern in case you’d like to attach extra pouches. I hope to see more of this style of MOLLE on other bags. It looks super slick.

At approximately 11″ x 9.5″ x 5″ it’s big enough to hold a 32oz Hydro Flask and still have room for your sandwich, chips, and that brownie you were going to give your cubicle partner, but ate on the way to work instead. The inside is just an open tote, no extra pockets – it doesn’t need them. Outside a magnetic buckle will keep large items from falling out if you tip over your bag, but the top is still open, so small items could still escape. But I think the chances of the bag falling over are slim as it stands up on its own quite well.

There is an adjustable length handle for each side of the bag as well as two D-rings – a thoughtful touch that lets you attach your own strap for shoulder carry. The look, feel, design, usability, and construction are all top tier. I’m super impressed with this bag. Of course you don’t have to just use it as a lunch sack. It’s great for any situation where a compact tote would shine: hauling library books, foraging for wild edibles, even carrying that D&D gear to your next roleplaying party – you could fit a lot of polyhedral dice in here.

Eric has told me he’s considering making the Brunch 4 available in custom fabric combinations, but if you are looking for this limited version, there are only a few left in this awesome fabric combo, and I don’t expect them to stick around for long. Eric also designed the super fun Morale Patch S’tag you may have seen online. I had him make me a Black X-Pac version. It looks so good! If you’re looking for a way to show off your favorite Velcro-backed pouch but your bag of choice is Velcro-free, the S’tag is a clever, stylish solution.

TUFA Climbing

Josh’s TUFA Climbing bags are handmade in Kalispell, Montana. Lightweight is his battle cry. He has a few stunning, innovative, ultra-light bag designs – and I’m hoping to cover them soon. Today, let’s talk about his custom Bartender Handlebar Bag and XX Kit pouch. The Bartender – this one in White X-Pac with Bahama Blue X-Pac interior – is 10″ x 5″ x 5″ with a small stretch pouch on each end of its cylindrical visage. Small webbing loops on each side of the water-repellent zipper could easily be used with your own strap for shoulder carry if desired, but the two adjustable webbing loops with quick-release Duraflex clips reveal the bag’s true intentions – it wants to be clipped to your handlebars. Those webbing loops can be fed through three different spots to fit different size handlebars and include buckles to keep the extra webbing from flapping around. The cross webbing also features an integrated grab handle. Very nice. The craftsmanship is flawless.

Inside you’ll find a slip pocket hugging the back of the bag to separate items to which you might need quick access from the vacuous remainder of the bag, which could easily hold water bottles, a tool kit, and backup clothes in case the weather gets rough. Of course, it’s not going to hold as much as a set of panniers, but if you’re looking for a bar bag that’ll hold a lot and look good doing it without adding unnecessary weight, ride over to TUFA Climbing to check it out.

While you’re there take a peek at the white X-Pac XX Kit pouch. The offset water-repellent zipper adds some flash to this 6″ x 9″ flat pouch. The XX is made from upcycled scraps left over from constructing their other bags, which I appreciate. Webbing loops of different lengths hug each side, giving your fingers a place to perch when opening and closing the zip and doubling as a handy place to attach a clip if you’d like to secure it inside a larger bag. It’s simple but sleek and available in eight different X-Pac colors. I’d love to see them add some additional sizes.

Hartford Gear Co.

Georgia from Hartford Gear Co. describes her company as No Frills Backpacking Gear, but don’t let that fool you. The bags are elevated by their simplicity and expert craftsmanship. The attention to detail is clearly the work of someone who loves to make bags. Georgia offers three sizes of her Packing Pods and they are each available in over 10 different fabrics with four different colored water-repellent zippers. The pods all feature water-repellent zippers with double slides, colorful corded zipper pulls, gripping tabs at each side that are clippable loops, and a grab handle on one side to help extract your pod from an overpacked bag – very nice touch! The large size is 10.5″ x 5″ x 4″ – great for packing rolled-up clothes, the Medium is 9″ x 4″ x 3.5″ – like a large DOPP kit, and the small is 7″ x 3″ x 3″ – a perfect small DOPP or power cord bag. The white X-Pac Pencil Case is essentially the same as the packing cubes – water-repellent zipper, looped tabs, and grab handle, but is 8″ x 2.5″ x 2″.

These are high-quality accessories at low prices. For instance, the large Packing Pod is only $13. I also grabbed the 4.25″ × 3.25″ X-Pac Zipper Pouch in white X-Pac with a green water-repellent zip. The pouch includes grab tabs on each side of the zipper made from loops so they double as attachment points in case you want to clip it inside a larger bag. I’m really impressed with the quality of these accessories and hope to see Georgia introduce some full-size bags. In the meantime, if you are looking for high-quality pouches, handmade to order in the US, head over to Hartford Gear Co.

Companies

These bags are all from companies – companies that, as far as I know, have a designer or designers and people who sew the bags – and they aren’t the same person. Some are big and some are small, but I felt like it made sense to group them separately from the makers since it’s a different buying experience and all of these company bags come the way they are without customization from the end user. Well, all except for two:

Rickshaw Bags

My love for SF-made Rickshaw Bags is no secret. Though I’ve never been to their San Francisco factory or met any of them in person – both of which I hope to correct as soon as possible – I feel like you can tell a lot about them by the incredible craftsmanship that sings out loud when you hold their bags in your hands. Most of their bags and accessories are available in a mathematically-challenging large number of color combinations, including many colors of X-Pac. I’m quite proud of my Rickshaw X-Pac collection so don’t let my brevity imply any less, but there’s a lot to get through, so I’ll be as brief as possible. To save you from having to read the same thing over and over, every single one of these features incredibly high-quality craftsmanship, impeccable attention to detail, and quality materials. And most of my Rickshaw collection features Alpine White Camo X-Pac on the outside and Bahama Blue X-Pac on the inside. But I did mix it up on some pieces, you know – for fun!

The iPad Zero Messenger is a compact messenger-style bag that I love for EDC, air travel personal pack, and I even use it as a weekend bag since I pack light. It comes with just two pockets, making it a blank canvas for your packing needs – making sub pouches (my preferred way to carry) your best friend. But you can add the optional small Deluxe Drop Pocket, which Velcros in, if you’re more the built-in organization type of person. No judgments. The bag is roughly 14″ x 11″ x 10″ with a giant front flap to keep the weather out and four D-rings placed around the outside for clipping keys or an optional cross strap. The comfortable shoulder strap is attached to the bag with glides which make it tidy and clean, but it’s also easily adjusted for length with the cam buckle. Short and longer straps are available at order for no extra charge, too.

The Rickshaw Fanny Pack is a comfortable cuboid 5″ x 9″ x 3″ in size that has a D-ring for attaching keys and a slim pocket that runs the width of the bag in the main compartment. There’s also a zipper pocket on the outside big enough for oversized smartphones. It’s attractive, clean, yet rugged. This is often the first fanny pack I grab when I’m heading out on a hike. I wrote about their Fanny Pack (and the Zero Messenger) in my post: 9 Great Ultra-Compact Men’s Crossbody Bags. So check that out for more details.

With over 21L of carry capacity I could easily see using the Large Zero Messenger as my carry-on suitcase for around-the-world travels. I know a bunch of folks who take a 40L bag for a weekend trip, but not me. I could use this bag to pack everything I needed with space left over! Then when I arrived, I could unpack it and use it for trips to the market, the beach, and more. Just like the iPad Zero Messenger, it’s not bogged down with millions of sub-pockets. But there are Velcro strips on the inside back and front so you can add optional Drop Pockets if that’s what you’re looking for.

I got the bag set up with a custom color combo of black X-Pac exterior with White Alpine Camo inside. White Alpine Camo X-Pac wasn’t a liner option on their website at the time I put the order in, but I emailed and asked if they could use their exterior fabric option on the inside and they said sure! You may notice that the only closure for the bag is a wide strip of Velcro. It is also available with a double quick-release strap option, but I went with Velcro only to keep it looking super clean. My wife doesn’t really care about bags (I know, right?), but every once and a while I’ll get one that grabs her attention and this is one of those bags.

Who doesn’t love a good duffle? The Getaway Duffle Bag from Rickshaw Bags is one of my favorites. The design gives it structure so it stands up even when empty. If you’re in the market for a duffle you can flatten and stuff in the closet when not in use, this isn’t the one for you. But most of the time I prefer my duffles structured so I can more easily load and deload. At 9″ x 9″ x 18″ it holds about 24 liters and can pass as a personal item depending on which airline you’re flying. It has an exterior water-resistant zipper pocket with a handy D-ring sewn in to clip keys or organizer pouches. The main zipper is also of the water-resistant variety.

Zip that bad boy open and inside you’ll find two open-top pockets on one wall and two zipper pockets on the other side of the padded bottom panel. There’s an extra D-ring inside the bag, too. I wish more bag makers would include these. There’s even a compression strap inside the bag to keep the contents in check. I think it’s a brilliant design. Almost too brilliant. It’s so nice that it leaves me craving one thing. I’d love the option to upgrade it to metal hardware for the strap attachments and D-rings. They use top-quality plastic ones now, but the bag looks so damn high-end, it would be great if they at least offered a deluxe option with some of those fancy metal clips and rings making their way onto the market. I’d pay for the upgrade without a second thought.

The Banzai Bag is an interesting beast. In many ways it’s like a mini version of the Rickshaw Duffle. It’s structured and holds its shape even when empty. It has two webbing handles for grabbing. It also has an outside water-resistant zipper as well as one for the main compartment. There’s also a slip pocket on the outside – very handy. Inside you’ll find a slip pocket that runs the length of the bag and on the other side one that is split into two pockets. There’s even a carabiner clip for hanging keys or attaching your pouches.

The entire outside of the bag, as well as the entire outside zip pocket is padded, so this could work great as a gadget bag, small camera bag, etc. It’s a bit too structured for me to be an EDC bag as I like my EDC to compress flat (or as close as possible) when I’m not carrying much – which is most of the time. But its internal dimensions of 8″ x 10″ x 3.5″ make it great if you EDC books, 7 x 10 spiral notebooks, A5 notebooks, tablets – even an iPad Pro 11 should fit. If you’re looking for a shoulder bag that collapses and expands to adjust for your various carry loads, their Zero Messengers would better fit the bill. But if you want a bag that holds its shape and looks good doing it, check out the Banzai Bag from Rickshaw.

In addition to a bunch of awesome bags, Rickshaw makes an impressive assortment of pouches – also in custom fabric combinations. This is nice not just for people like me who like matching bags, but for carry fanatics who want to color-code their pouches so they know what’s inside without unzipping.

The Diplomat organizer is designed to hold a pocket notebook (or two), passport, pens, some cash, and business cards, but if you’re not a business card type person, you can throw a pocket knife in that slot instead. I love the Diplomat. If you change bags as often as I do and you can boil all your essentials down enough, this could be the one pouch that always goes from bag to bag. Hitting the town without a bag? This will easily fit into most jacket pockets. Like any good diplomat, this pouch has a secret: there’s a small webbing loop on one side that has no apparent use and isn’t mentioned on the product page. I suspect it’s so a small split ring or key clip can be attached. And that’s how I use it. Now as long as I have the Diplomat with me – regardless of what bag I’m carrying that day – I know I’ll be fine.

The Plush Pen Pouch is like a cozy blanket for your beloved pens or any other smallish (2.5″ x 6.5″ x 3″) item you’d like to coddle. They say it’ll hold 20 pens, but I’ve never tried to put that many in there. I more often use it to hold sunglasses or camera batteries, chargers, and cables. I also have one that holds a backup battery, very compact Bluetooth keyboard, lens cloth, earplugs, and a SweetPea Mini Lanyard Pouch which holds a very small USB cable and adaptors.

At 4″H x 5.75″W x 3″D the Hero Pouch is the Plush Pen’s taller sister who tells it like it is – with a 420D replacing the plush insides. I like the Hero Pouch for holding my laptop charger and longer USB cables and charger but it would also make a great pen pouch for those of you who wouldn’t be caught dead with only 20 pens.

The Dash Wallet is a 5″ x 3.75″ zipper pouch that includes a plastic sleeve for keeping your business cards crisp and away from all that dirty money. For me, this is not a great wallet – too big. I pocket carry my wallet. But it’s one of my favorite pouches. The perfect size for all those little bits and pieces that I don’t want floating around in my bag unsupervised. It’s basically a portable pants pocket. So anything you might carry in your pants pocket, now you can keep it in here. And there’s even a webbing loop so you can attach it with a small strap to the inside of a bag to keep it handy. Yes, please! That said, if you keep your wallet in your bag, this may work great for you as a wallet. Either way, I like to have several of these in different colors so I know what’s inside and can grab it without thinking. I hate thinking.

The Pac Man Wallet is a little smaller (4.5″ x 3.0″) but also thicker (1″) than the Dash. It’s also padded on both sides which makes me want to stuff it with tiny electronics, though I usually keep overflow from my pocket wallet in here – extra cash, less used credit cards or passes. I also have one that I keep a pocket knife, hex bits and a driver in. The padding means I don’t have to worry about them jabbing the other gear in my bag.

Though the Dopp Kit does work perfectly for storing your grooming essentials, I pack light and usually fit all my toiletries into a small or medium utility pouch. I like to use the Rickshaw Dopp Kits as packing cubes. That’s why I have one with a red lining and label and one with a royal lining and label – so I can easily identify the contents of the bag without having to open it. Okay, I wouldn’t have to have a different color lining for that. But it looks so dang cool, I couldn’t resist.

The Mini (4″ x 6″), Small (4″ x 8″), Medium (5.5″ x 8″), and Large (0.25″ x 7″) Utility Pouches by Rickshaw are some of the nicest pouches I own. And they each have a small webbing loop to attach inside your bag! I wish all manufacturers did this. These are all a zipper-at-the-top design that can maximize how much you can stuff in here. And just like nearly everything Rickshaw makes, you can get these in custom fabric combos to match – or contrast – your bag.

Flowfold

If I remember correctly, Flowfold is one of the first companies to start using X-Pac in consumer products. They also let you customize some of their offerings. I’ve got the Custom Nomad (all white w/ black pulls) which is a great 24L duffle. At 9″ x 9″ x 18″ it should qualify as a personal item on most major airlines. It only weighs 10.6 oz / 300 grams, so it makes a great travel companion. When you’re not using it, it easily compacts down flat so you can store it while taking up hardly any space.

It also folds up pretty easily, making it one of my top picks for trips that call for one small bag on the way out and a second larger bag on the way back. I fold up the Nomad and stuff it in my small bag, then I’m ready if I need to bring a second bag’s worth of things home. The white X-Pac combines with the water-resistant zippers to make a bag that looks slick and keeps the elements at bay. To keep it all lightweight the strap doesn’t have any padding, so if you’re easily bothered don’t stuff the bag with rocks, but the strap has worked great for me on every occasion.

The inside of the bag is just an open bucket waiting for you to fill it, but they did include an additional water-resistant zipper pocket on the outside to keep smaller items at hand. A great companion to the Nomad is their white X-Pac Custom Aviator – Dopp Kit. It’s almost too big at 9.5″ x 4.5″ x 4.5″, doubling as an excellent compact packing cube. It only weighs 2.4 oz / 68 grams! If you’re looking for a great-looking, customizable duffle that feels like it weighs nothing, put the Nomad at the top of your list.

Their white X-Pac Custom Optimist is a tiny 10L backpack that measures just 18″ x 9.5″ x 5″. The back and shoulder straps are not padded which helps it reach a weight of just 9.7 oz / 275g. Despite the lack of padding, I find it to be quite a comfortable pack to use. It’s plenty big for my EDC needs, and I often use it when I’m out surfskating around town. A sweatshirt, food, water bottles, and GoPro camera and accessories fit easily with room to spare. There’s nothing inside but empty space which is fine by me, though I’d love it if they added a pair of small webbing loops near the top so I could clip in my keys and a small pouch like their awesome Essentialist – Mini Pouch. The front outside of the bag has a 6.5″ x 11″ pocket for smaller items you want to keep quarantined from the main part of the bag. The look and feel of this bag, like all the Flowfold gear I have, is really nice and I think the black and white combo of X-Pac is quite striking.

That look continues over in their white X-Pac Custom Rebel – Fanny Pack. This is an extremely compact bag just 8″ x 5″ x 3″. The strap is long enough to wear it cross-body, too. It just has one zipper and inside you’ll find the compartment separated in two with one section to hold a wallet, keys, earbuds, and the like. The slip pocket is just large enough to hold my 6″ screen phone. This is a great bag when you want to carry just the bare minimum and I often use it when I’m going on a long walk and don’t want my stuff dangling around in my shorts. If you’re looking for a super-compact, close-to-the-body fanny pack that’s so light you’ll forget it’s there, make sure to check out the Flowfold Rebel.

Remote Equipment

As the name suggests the BRAVO 18 (in Alpine Multicam X-Pac) is an 18L bag – 18″ x 10.5″ x 6″, but what it doesn’t imply is that this is one of the most interesting bags I’ve seen in years. It’s a shoulder bag! It’s a tote! It’s a sling! It’s a backpack! It’s all of those and does them all quite well. Before I go any further, I would be remiss if I didn’t stress – both in italics and underlined – that this is one of the nicest made bags I have ever touched. The design and quality of materials and construction is exceptional.

I suspect Philip de los Reyes – the founder of Remote Equipment – is either channeling the bag-making gods or has been reincarnated two dozen times and each time came back as an expert bag maker. I can think of no other logical explanation. Selfishly, I want him to read my mind while I sleep and then slave away at making all the yet-to-be-made bags I lust after, but in a design that far exceeds my wildest dreams.

The main compartment is a giant tube ready to fill with whatever you like. A small panel on the inside back near the top has both slip and zip pockets for a mobile phone or other small items. There is a large side zip pocket on the outside front of the bag big enough to hold several books/magazines or a scarf, hat, and mittens. That’s it. So if you’re looking for a bag with a bunch of pen slots with a place for everything and everything in its place, move along. But you’ll miss out on a bag that is as much a pleasure to use as it is to look at.

If 18L is enough to hold all that you carry, but on some days you want a tote, others a sling, and sometimes a backpack, your prayers have been answered. The top of the bag cinches closed when needed but stays out of your way when you don’t. Fill that bag up from the top nice and quick but easily access the guts from the outside of the bag with a zipper that runs nearly the full length of the bag. There are two handles for tote-style carry and they’re adjustable length so hold it long or short as you like at the moment.

Need to keep your hands free? There are two seatbelt-style webbing backpack straps so you are golden. Still want those free hands but need to get in and out of the bag a lot? Quickly remove one of the backpack straps and use the other for cross-body messenger-style carry. You can even attach that strap diagonally and wear it like a sling. At first I thought these were all nice features to have on a list, but the design is so well thought out that I actually have used the bag in all these configurations and switched back and forth without hesitation.

The straps are not padded, so if that makes you freak out, you’ll just have to miss out, but I find the straps plenty comfortable for my needs. I’ve already taken the BRAVO 18 as my only bag on several extended trips and though 18L worked great for me, keep in mind how much you like to carry. If 18L is enough for you, make sure to check out the innovative and striking BRAVO 18 from Remote Equipment.

Wexley

The idea behind Wexley bags was born in France and that heritage is reflected in the clean design lines.

The white X-Pac Wexley Stem is an 18.8″ x 11.4″ x 6.3″ (17L) backpack with just the right amount of built-in organization. The outside back panel is molded EVA padding that feels as good as it looks. The straps are comfortable, if slightly overpadded in my opinion for a bag this size. And there’s a handy zipper pocket integrated into the strap big enough to hold credit cards and some cash. On either side of the padded back you’ll find zipper pockets big enough for a small tablet or e-reader. Around the front of the bag a hidden zipper runs from top to bottom, opening up to a pocket large enough for a couple of water bottles, a jacket, hats, and gloves. There’s also a key clip in this pocket.

The main compartment has dual zipper sliders and a small section of webbing that combine to make unzipping the bag tricky for sneaky subway thieves. The front inside of the bag has both a water bottle pocket to keep your drink upright and a zipper pocket large enough to hold a passport, paperback book, and other small accessories. The inside back sports a zipper mesh pocket and a very well padded, fuzzy-fabric lined compartment that will fit most laptops up to 15″. Even with these pockets loaded there should be plenty of room for a bag lunch, accessory pouches, or a bicycle helmet and lock. The bottom of this section is also nicely padded. If you like clean lines and built-in laptop storage, the Stem is definitely worth taking a look at.

Wexley continues this design aesthetic over to their white X-Pac Slingbag, a 7.9″ x 13.8″ x 1.18″ (2.1L) cross-body sling that is going to be the perfect bag for those folks whose EDC primarily consists of a tablet and a few other essentials. There’s a hidden RFID-blocking pocket around the back that has plenty of padding to hold both a small tablet (up to 9″ x 6″) and your wallet or mobile phone. There’s even a pass-through for headphones if you’re still flexing the wired type. The front of the bag is also padded as are the inside pockets that also seem perfectly sized for your tablet or e-reader.

Despite being slim, there’s definitely enough room inside the main pocket for a 24oz. Hydro Flask, beanie, sunglasses, and more. Personally, I don’t like this much padding in my EDC bags, but I don’t carry a tablet or e-reader unless I’m traveling. If I was checking my bags for a flight, this would be a great personal bag and could hold all I’d need to stay hydrated, moisturized, and entertained for a transcontinental flight.

The white X-Pac Cosmo crossbody bag from Wexley offers a big style upgrade to travelers and commuters that rock a neck wallet to keep their passport and valuables close to the body without taking up a bunch of space. At 8.2″ x 6.7″ x 0.39″ the 1.4L double pocket bag easily hides beneath a jacket yet has plenty of room for money, keys, other daily doodads, and even a paperback book or e-reader.

DEFY

If you’ve never held a bag from DEFY, man are you missing out. DEFY are playing at the top of the game. Manufacturing in Chicago, their bags have that Chicago flavor that makes pizza great and bags even greater (greater than pizza? Okay – as great). DEFY bags just ooze cool style.

The Insidious Sling is a 16″ x 9″ x 5″ (10.5L) sling-style bag with water-resistant zippers on all three compartments. Those shiny black zippers look great against the white X-Pac. On the outside front you’ll find a long strip of MOLLE webbing for adding extra pouches. Though I love the clean look of the bag just as it is, it’s nice to have it in case you want to clip on something extra.

The front zip pocket runs the full length of the bag and has two additional storage pockets inside of it. The middle pocket has a wide-open section for books, a jacket, plenty of water bottles, etc. And there’s an organization panel as well with a hardcore metal key clip, pen slots, a place for your phone, backup batteries, and walkie-talkies. The third compartment has a ⅓ / ⅔ slip pocket that runs along the padded back of the bag with plenty of room left over for a tablet and DEFY’s Project X-Pac 3 Pouch Bundle. Which, if you are picking up this bag, it seems to be a no-brainer to pick up the excellent matching pouches. The small is 4.5″ x 3.5″, medium – 7.5″ x 5.5″, and large – 9″ x 7.25″.

The padded shoulder strap on the Insidious Sling includes webbing loops and a D-ring for attaching additional items and an awesome COBRA buckle so you can quickly remove the bag without taking off your Storm Trooper helmet. The strap is also easily reversible for left or right shoulder carry. It’s not the lightest weight bag for its size (thanks to the heavy-duty lining and metal hardware), so if that’s what you need, there are other options to look at. But I’m happy to take on the extra weight if it means I get the style, functionality, and insane quality that comes with the bag.

I think this is a great personal item bag for air travel and it would easily hold everything I would need for even extended warm weather trips. It should fit standing up under the seat in front of you on most planes, leaving plenty of room for your feet on either side. Keep in mind, though it’ll hold a 13″ laptop in a slim sleeve, it isn’t wide enough to hold my 14″ unless I throw it in there without any padding. If that doesn’t scare you off, I think this would also make an excellent EDC bag. No matter how you use it, it’s going to look amazing. And in case I didn’t stress it enough, the design, materials, and craftsmanship are all absolutely top-notch.

Mission Workshop

The Khyte : VX and Arkiv Tech Case : VX from Mission Workshop are high-end from top to bottom. From the made-in-the-USA quality construction, to the modern tech look, Fidlock V Buckles, and weather-resistant VX-21 diamond ripstop fabric, I think this is one of the best made and best-looking messengers on the market. The black and white combo looks so good and makes this the bag of choice for my next trip to the international space station. If you haven’t seen one of these in person or had the opportunity to touch these bags with your own fingertips, I suggest you rectify that immediately.

The Khyte offers a nice organizational balance with a padded 15-inch laptop pocket that sits on the backside of the bag so you don’t have to open the flap to extract it. The main compartment has no organizational panels. But the front of the bag has a zippered pocket with an additional zippered mesh inside of it. Under the front flap you’ll find another water-resistant zipper concealing a tricot-lined pocket big enough to swallow the biggest cell phones or sunglasses.

Though I like the look and feel of this outer front flap, it uses magnets to keep the flap closed and I’m not a fan of this in actual use as I find it takes an extra bit of effort to open the flap and it often closes several times while I’m still trying to use the pocket underneath. Fortunately, there’s a small zippered pocket on the side of the bag for quick access to things you might need regularly like keys, some cash, or a packet of astronaut ice cream. And if all that isn’t enough there are multiple attachment points on the outside of the bag to add additional bags – including three Arkiv rails which work great with the matching white X-Pac Arkiv Tech Case.

When attached the Tech Case looks like it’s just part of the Khyte. Yet you can quickly remove it when you want to throw your cords, tools, batteries, laser welders, etc. that you’ve got in there into another bag. They work so well together I’d be surprised if most people don’t order them both at the same time. Now, in case you haven’t worked it out already – this is a big bag: 21″ x 14″ x 3.5″ (approx. 24L), which is far too big for my ultra-compact everyday carry. But it’s such a nice bag, it makes me wish I needed to carry more on a regular basis. If you’re the type that EDCs a 15″ laptop, lots of documents, your lunch, a spare jacket, gym clothes for after work, safety tethers, and a trace gas analyzer, this might be the perfect EDC bag for you.

For me, I would happily use this for weekend and even multi-week trips to carry everything I could need for my adventures. I hope they make a mini version of this bag someday – maybe 12″ x 9″ x 3″. That would be perfect – especially if they skipped the magnet flap. Either way, I think everyone on the space station is going to be jealous as I float by.

Afterschool Projects

Founded by some of the crew from Chrome Industries and Mission Workshop, LA-based ASP creates bags and apparel, all made in the USA. These guys make one of my all-time favorite sweatshirts and this small white X-Pac crossbody that is the perfection of simplicity. The white X-Pac ASP Sacoche Grande is a 10″ x 7″ pouch with a ¾” strap and water-resistant zipper. Inside you’ll find an elastic cord with a nice metal key clip and a slip pocket that runs along the inside back of the bag made from mesh to isolate your items without losing sight of where they are.

It’s simple and lightweight and somehow manages to pack in a ton of cool style. When I’m carrying more than my pockets can hold, if I want to keep my pockets empty, or I’m not wearing pockets at all, especially if I’m feeling style-conscious, this is the bag I’m bringing. If I’m not packing my camera gear, this also makes a great day bag for the way I travel the world. It takes up almost no space in my main bag, but it easily holds my phone, passport, wallet, rental car keys, backup battery, charger, cables, sunglasses, field notes, pens, a flashlight, Matador Mini Pocket Blanket, Spirit Gum, fake mustache, and antivenom. Bonus: its slim profile tucks away nicely under a jacket if I want to keep it out of sight.

Inside Line Equipment

ILE makes some of my favorite pouches. The white X-Pac Load Cell Cuboid Small is 11″ x 5″ x 4″ and makes a great packing cube with a single mesh panel to see what’s inside, a handle at the top so you can easily extract it from your overstuffed bag, D-rings on either side of the handle so you can clip it into your bag or even attach your own shoulder strap – though I don’t see me using it that way, and there’s a flat zipper pocket on one side for keeping small items like jewelry, receipts (that’s how I mostly use it), or any other small items you want to keep separate from the main section. This little extra detail makes it significantly more useful than an ordinary packing cube. They make larger ones as well, though I’m a fan of this size.

The white X-Pac ILE Key Holster – Small measures 2.5″ x 3.5″ and I think this is the smallest pouch in my collection. It rocks an itty bitty water-resistant zipper on the front and a loop of Velcro around the back so you can attach it to your belt, backpack, or shoulder strap. It isn’t big enough to hold credit or ID cards but it will hold some folded up cash, change, wireless earbuds, keys, and even a few hopes and dreams. I’d love to see a version this size with a small cord loop and no Velcro on the back so I could clip it inside other bags. I’d also recommend they slim up the Velcro loop on the back a bit so we could use this pouch on MOLLE-compatible bags.

These are my first pouches from ILE. But with the quality of design, construction, and materials, my wife has already started worrying that they won’t be my last.

Able Carry

I’ve only had the opportunity to see two Able Carry items in person, but both are so incredibly well designed and constructed that I can’t wait to see what else they come up with. The Thirteen Daybag – in X-Pac Multicam White Alpine – is a compact 13L backpack (17″ x 11″ x 6.7″) designed to hold most 13″ and 14″ laptops and all your other EDC items provided you’re a light carry type EDCer like myself. Looking at this bag for the first time is like playing a game of hide and seek, so if you don’t want any spoilers, skip to the conclusion at the end.

This bag is a looker with its sleek, padded top handle (one of my favorites I’ve used on any backpack), black zippers, pulls, and straps combining with the futuristic design to create a bag that has strangers asking me who makes this pack nearly every time I leave the house. On the front of the bag, with a little investigating, you’ll find a zipper that slashes diagonally through the bag hidden by a fold of fabric. This, like so much on this bag, is a great design element. Many of the bag’s elements feel origami-inspired and I love it. This front zip pocket is essentially the full size of the bag with plenty of room to stuff a jacket, water bottles, food, and more.

A slip pocket sits beside it and is a great place for items you’ll want quick access to. There’s even a three attachment point webbing hidden in the top of this pocket for clipping your keys or whatever you like. A similar webbing near the bottom of the front of the bag – perhaps for a blinky light – hides under another fold of fabric. Around the side on the back panel you’ll find a hidden zipper that opens up to a pocket large enough to hold a book or tablet.

Behind the main water-resistant zipper you’ll find even more secrets and organization options. There’s a mesh zipper pocket on the inside front with a built-in key strap and carabiner which is where I usually attach the Able Carry Joey Pouch – one of the best wallet-type pouches I’ve ever used. The Joey is another origami masterwork with two slip sections on the inside and a perfect change pocket on the outside back. There are even key loops in both the inside and outside pockets.

Back to the Thirteen, attached to the inside back panel is a hidden Velcro pocket big enough to hide your vile of truth serum and/or some backup cash. Below that is the padded laptop compartment, lined with fuzzy fabric. Snugged up against that is an additional slip pocket that could easily hold a large tablet or a top-secret dossier. There’s even an elastic-topped pocket inside the bag on the side, presumably to hold a water bottle upright – but it is on the smaller side, so if you have one of those wider bottles (over 24 oz.) it probably won’t fit.

The outside back panel has what I think is the perfect amount of padding for this type of bag and it’s the same rugged stealthier take on white X-Pac as the rest of the bag. This may get you a bit sweaty if you’re on a fast-paced adventure but looks a million times better than a mesh back panel and works great for EDC use.

Then there are the straps – and they’ve got some tricks up their sleeves, too. They use the same X-Pac fabric as the bag and it looks amazing. They’re also curved to fit the body, making them especially comfortable. There’s even a black webbing-like piece that goes across one of the straps in case you’d like to attach something to the strap.

I’ll get to the strap secret in a second, but I did want to point out my only quibble with the bag – and I’ve seen other manufacturers do this, too, and I don’t like it. It’s a small bag. Most likely it’ll never be loaded down to the point where it’s crazy heavy. So why put such thick padding in the straps? I feel like they almost look silly, such a small bag with such thickly padded straps. I’m sure plenty of people either don’t notice, or don’t mind, but it’s the only thing that keeps this bag – in my opinion – from being a lighthouse of design excellence.

Ah… but then the straps reveal their secret and all is forgiven. Each of the straps contains a hidden slip pocket perfectly positioned and sized for some folded-up cash in one and credit cards/driver’s license in the other. It makes me wish I had this bag when I lived in New York City. If you’ve got the kind of job where you can get away with coming to work with such a cool-looking bag, I think you’ll quickly find the usability is as solid as its visual appeal. If you have trouble fitting your EDC into a big, black garbage bag, this 13L isn’t going to cut it. But if you lean towards compact travel and want a top-quality bag with plenty of built-in organization without going overboard, bombproof construction, and enough mystery and intrigue to make James Bond jealous, get your hands on the Thirteen Daybag from Able Carry.

Instinct London

I’ve used a LOT of camera bags in my life as a professional filmmaker. It’s pretty rare that I find one pushing bag design into new areas. That’s why I was excited to get my hands on the White X-Pac Pro Camera Sling Bag from Instinct London. It is a 7L (12.2″ x 7.8″ x 4.7″) convertible sling/shoulder style bag. It can also be worn like a fanny pack, though that’s my least favorite way to use it. For sling and shoulder style the bag excels in comfort and usability without weighing you down. Instinct London describes the bag as stormproof and I suspect the AquaGuard zippers and white X-Pac fabric could fight off a tsunami. Just remember it’s not designed to be submerged.

The outside of the bag features two lash straps along the bottom for attaching a small tripod to the bag (thank you!) and two stretch pockets for water bottles or other quick-access items. There’s a front AquaGuard zipper pocket with a loop on the zip slider so it can be attached to the compression strap in a way that would discourage strangers from peeking inside without drawing your attention. Inside this front pocket you’ll find two pen pockets, four slip pockets (for things like business cards, compact external hard drives, etc.), and four memory card slots. Personally, I prefer to use sub-pouches for my accessories. But if you like the option to have built-in organization, they’ve done a great job with the design. The pockets do stay out of the way if you are using pouches instead of the built-in pockets.

At the top sits an extremely comfortable, lightly padded grab handle. Below that is the padded back of the bag – the perfect amount of slim padding. It uses a pass-through so you can tuck the sling-wings away when using it over your shoulder, keeping the bag’s slick, futuristic design intact. The shoulder strap is also lovely to look at and minimally – but perfectly – padded. Instinct London includes camera strap adaptors so you can use this excellent shoulder strap as a camera strap, too.

The bag itself also has what seems to be the perfect amount of padding. But strangely the two adjustable dividers – though they’re nicely constructed and cleverly include a slide pocket for filters – are twice as thick as I would like. Along the inside back wall of the bag is a padded slip pouch which should hold a tablet nicely. The inside front of the bag has a zipper pocket split into two sections each with two sections and a total of four elastic camera battery slots. The way they’ve done this is very clever and amongst the most useful built-in pocket organization I’ve seen in a bag.

If you haul around a huge selection of prime lenses, this bag won’t be big enough to satisfy. But if you’re walking around with a mirrorless system plugged into a 24-105 f4 you’ll have plenty of room to also hold a pair of primes (or a small drone), tablet, and accessories. If you’re looking for a compact camera bag that is very cleverly designed, make sure you check out the white X-Pac Pro Camera Sling Bag from Instinct London. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

ALPAKA

The Atom X Basics Kit (in white X-Pac) is made up of the Atom X Sling, Magnetic Stabilizer Strap, and Modular Phone Pouch. These tech slings are constructed from top-quality components and materials. The webbing is all seatbelt style – which is my preference in most situations. And there’s a strip of it across the front of the bag for attaching accessories like their phone pouch. All the buckles are from Maglockz and they work great – slide open easily and click together even easier. The only downside is they are quite a bit thicker than a Fidlock V Buckle and with such a slim bag I think the V would have been a better design choice.

It really is a thin bag. This would be perfect for anyone looking to empty their pockets and sling this under a jacket. Measuring just 11.8″ x 7.9″ x 1.1″ (5L), it would practically disappear – not so much with the phone pouch attached, but for sure without it. Although I like the phone pouch by itself or to attach to a full-size pack, I think it doesn’t look good attached to the Atom X Sling. Design-wise I think they look and work better separately.

Most likely you’ll have enough room in the sling to hold your phone in one of its three pockets. Around the back there’s a zipper pocket that fits my large phone perfectly – even with a case on it. Though for some reason they chose not to use a water-resistant zipper on this pocket, the other two zippers on the bag are the water-resistant type. Those other two zippers also feature pulls with an integrated clip that attaches to hidden cord loops that will secure the zipper in a way that would definitely frustrate anyone trying to check the contents of your bag without you noticing.

The front zip pocket includes a quick-release keychain and is lined with copper and silver nano-particles that are supposed to destroy germs and block RFID at the same time. The main pocket replaces the RFID-blocking fabric with 250D ripstop. Along the inside back of this pocket two mesh pockets hug items you want to keep flat against you or separated from the other items. If you use sub-pouches to organize your bags like I do, these mesh pockets are a great place to stow them. Though the bag is super slim, you can still get a beanie and some gloves in there or a light jacket and still have room for daily essentials if you don’t mind it puffing up a bit.

If tech slings aren’t your thing, I think this bag will leave you cold. But if you’re looking for something to let you move your essentials out of your pockets and find the tech aesthetic enticing, you just might fall in love with the white X-Pac Atom X Sling from ALPAKA.

That’s it. That’s my white X-Pac collection – for now. As a side note, I’ve seen some blowback on forums against the X-Pac phenomenon and perhaps some of it is worth considering, but I’m not using any of these bags in tactical situations. I’m not a paramedic, nor am I seeking a life of danger with a need for a bag that can protect me when things “get real”. I just want these bags to look and function great and keep looking that way for as long as possible. So far, so good!

What’s in your X-Pac collection? Do you have a favorite white X-Pac piece? Let me know in the comments below.

The post My Favorite White X-Pac Bags appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Here are a few useful considerations to think about.

Suitable Organization

The amount of organization you need will depend on what you use the bag for. But essentially you want your gear to be tidy and accessible – after all, sorting through a jumbled mess wastes time you could be spending on your workout. Look for organization that separates your dirty/wet clothes from your clean/dry clothes. If you already have a bag you enjoy but it doesn’t offer this feature, you could use the likes of packing cubes or breathable stuff sacks to organize your gear.

Good Access

A good gym bag should allow you to easily pack your gear and access it quickly when you need it. Consider features such as wide openings and quick-access pockets to get to your gear quickly.

Carry Comfort

Your body is already getting a workout from your exercise – don’t put it under further strain by hauling around an uncomfortable bag. Features such as ventilated back panels in packs, padded shoulder straps and grab handles, and options to alternate carry modes to suit longer and shorter distances can help reduce carry strain and keep you comfortable on the move.

Appropriate Aesthetics

When it comes to gym bag aesthetics, there’s two considerations you want to keep in mind. Personal tastes and where you’re going to be carrying the bag. First off, it should suit your personal style and preferences. After all, you’re not going to be inclined to carry something around if you don’t like how it looks. Secondly, is the bag strictly going between home and the gym, or are you going to be taking it into a work environment? If you’re taking it to the office to squeeze in a lunch break workout, go with a bag that looks suitably smart for your work environment.

Useful Features

What features are you looking for in a gym bag? Maybe you want a ventilated shoe compartment. Do you need to carry bulky items like a mat or basketball? Do you want a laptop compartment in addition to storage for gym gear? How about easily accessible water bottle pockets? Think about what features will help satisfy your carry and gym needs.

Versatility

You’ve probably heard of one-bag travel. There’s no reason you can’t apply that philosophy to your gym carry. A bag that serves as both a work and gym bag means greater carry freedom. And if you don’t need it for work, you could consider a bag that doubles as a gym and travel bag instead. Getting more out of your carry is awesome.

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Now we know that looking for bags can be fun but time-consuming. So we’ve made things a little easier by rounding up our top picks of the best gym bags to complement a range of exercise preferences and budgets. So if your current gym bag just isn’t working hard enough for you, give one of these workout partners a try…

Nike Vapor Energy 2.0 (US$59.50)

Athletic carry at an affordable price

Nike’s Vapor Energy 2.0 offers a variety of useful features, without breaking the bank. The rolltop main compartment offers flexible storage space for changing loads. Organizers will also appreciate the exterior pockets that keep quick-access items close at hand. As an added bonus, the front pocket offers inbuilt ventilation, while rear storage handles tech too. And with a choice of grab handles and shoulder straps, this pack offers convenient grab-and-go portability.

Speedo Tri Clops (US$87.41)

An award-winning pack for triathlons

The Tri Clops was designed to cater to the needs of triathletes, with dedicated storage for running, cycling and swimming gear. The pack scooped a Red Dot Award for its design, which can be opened up for fast and convenient access to your gear. The Tri Clops is hydration bladder compatible and features a removable smaller bag for keeping wet and dry (or dirty and clean) items separate.

GORUCK Kit Bag (US$95)

Rugged versatility for the gym and beyond

GORUCK’s Kit Bag combines tough construction with a simple, versatile design that works equally well as a gym bag, weekend getaway bag, or for day-to-day carry needs. The water-resistant 32L bag is made in the USA and backed by GORUCK’s Scars lifetime guarantee. It opens wide for easy packing and access and comes with a choice of interior and external pockets for storing smaller items.

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Small (US$119)

Iconic outdoor heritage for conquering workout demands

The iconic Base Camp Duffel is a legendary expedition-ready bag. And the Small option is great when you’re swapping mountains for treadmill treks. With 50L of space and a large D-zip opening, storing and accessing large amounts of gear is not an issue. The rugged, weather-resistant build is ready to tackle everyday use. And with a choice of grab handles and removable shoulder straps, you can alternate between backpack and hand-carry mode for easy portability on the move.

Topo Designs Classic Duffel (US$119)

A hard-wearing and multifunctional hauler

Topo’s Classic Duffel delivers on simple functionality and rugged durability. Crafted from 1000D nylon, this duffel can take a beating while hauling a good amount of gym or sports gear in its 25.7L volume. The bag features pockets for organizing smaller items, along with leather lash tabs, a leather grab handle, and a detachable shoulder strap. It’s also suitable for travel use, whether you’re off on a weekend adventure or clocking up the miles over several days.

RYU Locker Pack LUX 24L (US$125)

Access, looks and luxe

We doubt a portable locker ever looked this good. The Locker Pack LUX 24L exudes the same clean style of the 18L RYU Quick Pack, but with its 24L volume it may be your preferred choice if you need to carry a little extra. The pack includes an externally accessible laptop sleeve, along with a hanging loop, molded internal shell and drop front design so you can avoid rummaging for specific items.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L (US$129)

Recycled meets ready to go

Patagonia’s 40L Black Hole Duffel features a 100% recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, giving a high-five to the planet while helping you haul a diverse range of gear. The generous capacity accommodates a variety of gym gear, with a wide opening making it quick and easy to grab and store items. The duffel offers multiple carry options including top carry handles, grab handles, and removable shoulder straps. The tough, weatherproof build and padded base help keep gear safe from the elements and bumps too. And its versatile design also makes this a great duffel for short travel needs.

Thule Chasm Backpack 26L (US$129.95)

Sleek, practical style for sport and everyday use

Thule’s Chasm Backpack serves up sleek multifunctionality with a design that keeps things clean on the outside but offers a solid range of features for sport and everyday use. The laptop pocket efficiently handles tech carry, with both external and interior access. The wide-opening main compartment offers space for a variety of gym gear, while an organization panel keeps smaller EDC or work items neat and tidy. You also get an exterior water bottle pocket, a tough and weather-resistant build, and comfortable carry with the padded back panel and adjustable sternum strap. And with its pared-back aesthetics, it’s easy to hop between work, workouts, and a multitude of additional EDC settings with this pack.

RYU Quick Pack 18L (US$138)

Minimalist style with thoughtful access for the gym, travel and EDC

The Quick Pack 18L is suave enough for the office and roaming the city streets in style. But this pack is more than just appealing aesthetics. The drop front opening enables easy packing and great access to your gear, while the molded internal shell helps to protect the contents against life’s bumps and scrapes, making this a handy pack for the gym, travel or daily use.

Aer Fit Pack 3 (US$145)

Fit for work and play

If you want a pack that plays equally well in work and gym settings, Aer definitely needs to be on your radar. Their Fit Pack 3 is an excellent option thanks to its super-clean work-friendly style and clever organization that stores work and workout gear separately. The bag offers dedicated space for a laptop, EDC and work tools. But it also packs in storage for gym clothes and a separate ventilated shoe compartment – ideal for a quick run during your lunch break or hitting the gym after work without having to carry two bags.

lululemon Command The Day Duffle (US$158)

On-the-go organization

If you’re after a gym bag with plenty of pockets to organize your essentials, this might be just the bag for you. lululemon’s Command The Day Duffle offers a wide range of interior and exterior pockets to neatly store various items, including a dedicated shoe pocket to keep shoes separate from the rest of your gear, as well as an exterior padded pocket that fits up to 13″ tech devices. The duffel also offers water-repellent construction and a compressible design for storing in smaller spaces such as gym lockers.

Aer Gym Duffel 3 (US$169)

A thoughtful blend of functionality and style

The Gym Duffel 3 features a ventilated main compartment and separate ventilated shoe pocket, handy for airing out your gear when not in use. There’s also plenty of organization for your EDC and clean clothes. Additionally, the bag features a padded laptop pocket, which combined with the sleek, low-key aesthetics makes this a great work/gym hybrid.

Aer Duffel Pack 3 (US$175)

Working hard in the office and the gym

Like their Fit Pack 3, Aer’s Duffel Pack 3 provides a smart single-bag solution for carrying gym and work essentials. The front-loading main compartment provides easy packing and access for your workout gear, along with a ventilated and separate shoe pocket. A padded laptop pocket on the back keeps your tech protected on the move, and side pockets ensure your water bottle and smaller work and EDC items are organized and within easy reach when you need them.

DSPTCH Gym/Work Bag (US$224)

Practical design for grafting at work and the gym 

As the name suggests, this bag is designed to find the balance between work and gym carry needs. It does so by packing in useful features such as a ventilated shoe pocket, a separate padded laptop pocket, and a moisture-resistant lining. The main compartment features an interior water bottle pocket as well as a hidden pocket for storing your valuables.

Filson Ballistic Nylon Duffle Pack (US$245)

An adaptable and tough gear hauler for larger volumes

Filson’s Ballistic Nylon Duffle Pack doesn’t mess about in offering a host of handy features to accommodate changing needs, from three portability options to a large 46L capacity. And at 2 lb 4 oz, it won’t weigh you down either. The bag can be carried by hand, over the shoulder, and as a backpack. Dedicated padded storage keeps up to 15″ laptops safe, and there’s also separate storage for wet/dirty gear or shoes. Add in the quick-access exterior pockets and convenient wide-opening access to the main compartment and you’ve got a solid hauler for diverse sporting or travel needs.

Patagonia Stormsurge Wet/Dry Duffel 65L (US$249)

Smart separation for wet and dry gear

If you need flexible separation for wet/dirty and dry/clean gear, look to this duffel to get the job done. The Patagonia Stormsurge Wet/Dry Duffel 65L features top and bottom compartments, with a floating divider that provides maximized storage in either compartment depending on your needs. The duffel has top and side carry handles as well as a removable shoulder strap. Rounding things off is a burly, highly weather-resistant build that will embrace rugged use in all weathers and is also a great choice for water-based activities too.

Bellroy Weekender (US$249)

Understated style meets everyday/travel versatility

Bellroy’s Weekender serves up the kind of smart-casual styling that moves effortlessly between everyday and travel settings. But its thoughtful design ensures it also puts in the hard work to make your carry experience better, whether you’re stashing gym gear inside or packing for a weekend away. The main compartment folds out wide for convenient retrieval and storage of gear. The cleverly organized tool-belt style pocketing keeps smaller items readily accessible, with interior pockets for shoes or water bottles. Made with water-resistant, recycled fabric, it salutes sustainable carry too. And you benefit from a choice of top carry handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a luggage pass-through.

Lexdray Portland Sneaker Duffel (US$279)

A touch of urban luxe with gym and carry-on functionality

This duffel may be inspired by sneakerheads, but its versatile design adapts to the gym and beyond. The bag’s rolltop central compartment holds two to three pairs of shoes, with further compartments providing suitable storage for keeping clean and dirty clothes separate. There’s also plenty of pockets to organize smaller items, a removable shoulder strap, and carry handles. Size-wise it’s suitable for carry-on use, allowing double duty as a travel bag.

Stuart & Lau Regimen Gym Bag (US$395)

Luxurious versatility for work, workouts and travel

Suave and sophisticated, the Regimen Gym Bag from Stuart & Lau adds understated luxury to your gym setup. The weatherproof bag features a ventilated shoe pocket, a padded laptop pocket, and additional pockets for water bottles, EDC and other smaller essentials. A versatile and stylish piece, this bag works hard at the gym, looks good in the office and is ready to go when travel beckons.

This buyers guide was updated on June 2021

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