The case can be used with or without dividers, so you have options to carry anything from a camp stove to camera gear to any number of snacks that you might need in your travels. They have three different sizes of the gear box, the 3000, 3500, and 5500 ranging in capacity from 30-55 liters (hence the names). But let’s think inside the box this time and see what it is all about. 

Who It Suits

Do you need a storage solution for your vehicle? Well, then these boxes are probably for you. In all honesty, these could be used for storage for just about anything, but since they are all over $200, they are more suited for situations where you would use them quite regularly.

They work great in vehicles because the bottom of the box has hook on it so it can attach to the carpet of a vehicle and not slide around. I’ll pick up a few for the back of my wife’s car for all her art supplies and such. If you need to be able to organize your mess kit for camping or any other camp items, the dividers that come with these cases are very helpful for organizing. 

Who It Doesn’t

Since these boxes start at $219, they are not great for a general storage solution. I wouldn’t buy a bunch for garage storage or just leaving around the house. Since the boxes are not a hard case or waterproof, the environment and goods stored should be considered before using them. 

The Good

The Radius Gear Box is full of a lot of good things. When not in use, the case can be broken down and stored flat so as not to take up room.

It is modular in that you are able to use the dividers to build the case out as you need to. The exterior of the gear box has expandable pockets to store smaller items, and the handles are nice and sturdy, so even when the case is full, the straps don’t pinch your hands.

If you choose the case with the Fidlock buckle, the gear box stays closed, so if it does happen to slide off of something in the vehicle, the contents won’t spill out. One minor added feature is the plastic divider placer. This small piece of plastic allows you to get the dividers set in place without battling the hook and the sides of the case. 

The Not So Good

While the case is sturdy, and you could pack items on top of it in the vehicle or at camp, the case is not strong enough to stand/sit on. If you tend to use a camp case to stand on or toss them around, this might not be the case for you. As I mentioned before, the case is not waterproof at all, so depending on where you are, this case might bring you issues on that front.  

Verdict

Overall I would say that this is one of my new, simple, go-to products for vehicle storage. The fact that these gear boxes can be secured to the carpet in the vehicle is something that I enjoy. No more groceries or supplies sliding all over. The ability to move the panels around for storage means that these are great for various items of different shapes and sizes.

The cases are well built and lightweight, with some quality thought and design behind them. While the price might seem high, these are quality products that will last for quite a long time. 

The post Radius Outfitters Gear Box 3500 Review  appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Undeniably one of our most eagerly anticipated collabs. A partnership with the one-man maker maestro behind Garage Built Gear and the fabric experts at Ripstop By The Roll. And brought to mischievous life in an all-new design.

Introducing…

Garage Built Gear x Carryology Kobold Pouch

<< ORDER CGBG KOBOLD NOW >>

Required shop page password (case sensitive):

carryon53122

A highly versatile pouch ready to organize your EDC, small travel essentials, and more. Popping with personality and a happy little helper that hops right into your daily setup.

One of the World’s Most Sought-After Maker-Built Pouches

FEATURES SPECIFICATIONS

Like many success stories, this one started in a humble home garage back in 2015. And now, Matt Chambers (owner/founder) has gone from a small carry maker to an on-fire brand quickly. 

Working strictly from his garage in Tennessee, Matt has built up Garage Built Gear (GBG) into a community favorite, while making everything by himself, one stitch at a time. 

Why have these pouches seen lightning-fast sell-outs? Sometimes only a matter of seconds. What makes GBG products so sought after? If you ask his loyal customers, all ready to order whenever and whatever he releases something, they’ll all tell you: quality, functionality, style, great materials, and 100% handmade by Matt in Tennessee, USA.

(https://www.instagram.com/p/CVyjXfmLY-p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)

GBG’s various sizes offer customers options for their loadouts, however unique they may be. From minimal EDC to med kits, tool kits, travel kits, electronics and cables, and more. GBG also likes to play around with fabrics, opting for colorful and fun options, so your kit can match your style or personality. The pouches can even match your gear’s “theme”, if you will. 

The secret got out quickly, Garage Built Gear makes awesome stuff and everyone who was in the know… knew about it. Our readers and our team all have been huge fans… whenever they’ve been able to get their hands on one, anyway. We figured, why not give it a shot? Let’s see if Matt would be up for doing something wild together. 

Blending GBG for the Carry Community

Between Matt and I, we selected different GBG pouch styles, and narrowed it down to two specific pouches: The Mighty Pouch + and the Small Medical / Notebook Pouch. Both were awesome in their own right, for their own respective missions. With a bit of finessing, we landed on a hybrid between the two designs, borrowing the very best features and benefits from each. The overall larger size of the SMP, the clever organization of the TMP+, and more. After a few more phone calls and rounds of physical prototypes, we were stoked with where it ended up. A brand new pouch design for GBG, inspired by our favorite two pouches in the Garage Built Gear lineup.

(Strichtarn camo, shown on soldier on the right)

Strictly (Custom) Strichtarn 

Next, Matt asked what kind of material we wanted to use. He’s no stranger to wild and fun fabrics, but for a collaboration pouch… something just off the shelf didn’t seem right. If it already existed, then it was too easy. Honestly, this part was proving to be difficult. One thing we have been wanting to do for years is use a custom Strichtarn camo on something. On anything. Why? Strichtarn is badass. Often referred to as “East German rain camo”, it’s from the year 1965 (used up until 1990 when that wall came down), and finally… well… because it looks like raindrops. Go figure. Matt loved the concept. But there isn’t a bunch of custom Strichtarn camo fabric printed on a modern high-performance fabric, just laying around on a shelf somewhere. 

We had a crazy idea. Let’s ring up our friends over at Ripstop By The Roll, and see if they might be able to build our fabric dreams. Now, this kind of request is right up RBTR’s alley. We went in thinking this was going to be some big ask. They replied with welcoming phrases like “sure, no problem” and “yep, we’ll get on it right away”. 

With their expert team of fabric geniuses, they put the wind back in our X-Pac sailcloth… sails. Though there were dozens of options that would work, we selected X-Pac V21RS due to its toughness, ripstop performance (and texture and handfeel), our mutual love of Dimension Polyant’s products, waterproof properties, and because it was awesome. Then, to go just a touch lighter, we opted for X-Pac V15 on the interior liner fabric. Strong and durable, but lightweight. 

In the end, we’d opt for two different versions, custom printed specifically for us and this project, utilizing RBTR’s OutdoorINK digital print-on-demand services. V21RS ripstop X-Pac custom Strichtarn in charcoal gray/gray for the exterior fabric. V15 X-Pac custom Strichtarn in blaze orange/orange for the interior fabric. RBTR started printing up our fabrics immediately and got them both shipped off and into Matt’s eager hands right away.

Codename Kobold

At this point, thanks to RBTR, this project suddenly became real. And then it hit us pretty quickly… this thing needs a codename. Meet the feisty Kobold, hailing from Germanic mythology. Oddly enough, the story of the German Kobolds spread across Europe and via translations from one language to another and the game of telephone before the telephone was ever invented, and the name evolved into “goblins”… they’re small humanlike sprites that, if treated nicely, are known to be helpful around the house and in daily life. Just don’t make them mad. Small helpful-but-moody EDC party goblins. Done!

Finessing the Details…

Next up, all the trims and little details, which really make the whole thing scream. Of course, the addition of the custom woven black and orange logo on the exterior. A small but mighty detail. But the orange on the label had to be tweaked a bit. We needed to color match it perfectly. 

Then, like many GBG products, Carryology collabs, and various other packs from our favorite brands… we needed a big area to adorn our favorite patches or Ranger Eyes.

Glow Goblin

Speaking of Ranger Eyes. We had to do one. Our first one ever. The CGBG (Carryology x Garage Built Gear) and its unique font came from a fun concept I came up with for an early teaser in our Carryology Classified Facebook group, a play on the infamous and iconic CGBG punk rock club in NYC. Of course, it needed a Kobold character. After a little refining and tweaking (from an illustration from the late 1800s/early 1900s)… our little monster was ready. And to pay homage to our Kobold character’s spritely origins, we made it glow in the dark.

Finishing off the design, we added paracord zipper pullers to eliminate the jingle jangle of metal zippers. And we added some shrink wrap over the pullers for grip, with gloves or without. 

And one last thing! Matt was wildly generous with his time and fully dedicated himself to this beast of a project. And so please note, he’s only a man operation and personally handmade every single Kobold Pouch in his small garage workshop. This is the most products he has ever made in a production run in the history of Garage Built Gear. So BIG THANK YOU to Matt for all his hard work over the past several months bringing this dream project into a tangible reality. Absolute legend.

The “CGBG” Kobold was born. A small but mighty pouch, inspired by our favorite two pouches in the Garage Built Gear lineup, with a Carryology twist, using custom-made printed X-Pac fabrics from the folks at Ripstop By The Roll.

Introducing…

Garage Built Gear x Carryology: Kobold Pouch

Launching 

The Release Article goes live on Carryology.com on:
Tuesday May 31st at 12pm Noon (New York City).

The Release Article will contain a link to the GBG shop product page in it. The Release Article will ALSO INCLUDE THE PASSWORD to access that GBG shop product page.

1. Open Release Article on Carryology.com (this page you’re currently on is the Design Article; the Release Article will be a new article, posted at the time/date above). The password and GBG shop product page will be extremely visible right there at the top of the Release Article.

2. Copy the password.

3. Click the link to the GBG shop product page.

4. Input the password.

5. Order your Kobold Pouch!

Shipping to (cost based on actual shipping quotes from global providers):

USA, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Mexico, Israel, Philippines

The post Exclusive Release | CGBG Kobold appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

One of the most highly anticipated collabs in our collaborations program. We teamed up with Garage Built Gear and our friends over at Ripstop By The Roll to bring this all-new design pouch to life.

Introducing…

Garage Built Gear x Carryology: Kobold Pouch

One of the World’s Most Sought-After Maker-Built Pouches

Like many success stories, this one started in a humble home garage back in 2015. And now, Matt Chambers (owner/founder) has gone from a small carry maker to an on-fire brand quickly. 

Working strictly from his garage in Tennessee, Matt has built up Garage Built Gear (GBG) into a community favorite, while making everything by himself, one stitch at a time. 

Why have these pouches seen lightning-fast sell-outs? Sometimes only a matter of seconds. What makes GBG products so sought after? If you ask his loyal customers, all ready to order whenever and whatever he releases something, they’ll all tell you: quality, functionality, style, great materials, and 100% handmade by Matt in Tennessee, USA.

(https://www.instagram.com/p/CVyjXfmLY-p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link)

GBG’s various sizes offer customers options for their loadouts, however unique they may be. From minimal EDC to med kits, tool kits, travel kits, electronics and cables, and more. GBG also likes to play around with fabrics, opting for colorful and fun options, so your kit can match your style or personality. The pouches can even match your gear’s “theme”, if you will. 

The secret got out quickly, Garage Built Gear makes awesome stuff and everyone who was in the know… knew about it. Our readers and our team all have been huge fans… whenever they’ve been able to get their hands on one, anyway. We figured, why not give it a shot? Let’s see if Matt would be up for doing something wild together. 

Blending GBG for the Carry Community

Between Matt and I, we selected different GBG pouch styles, and narrowed it down to two specific pouches: The Mighty Pouch + and the Small Medical / Notebook Pouch. Both were awesome in their own right, for their own respective missions. With a bit of finessing, we landed on a hybrid between the two designs, borrowing the very best features and benefits from each. The overall larger size of the SMP, the clever organization of the TMP+, and more. After a few more phone calls and rounds of physical prototypes, we were stoked with where it ended up. A brand new pouch design for GBG, inspired by our favorite two pouches in the Garage Built Gear lineup.

(Strichtarn camo, shown on soldier on the right)

Strictly (Custom) Strichtarn 

Next, Matt asked what kind of material we wanted to use. He’s no stranger to wild and fun fabrics, but for a collaboration pouch… something just off the shelf didn’t seem right. If it already existed, then it was too easy. Honestly, this part was proving to be difficult. One thing we have been wanting to do for years is use a custom Strichtarn camo on something. On anything. Why? Strichtarn is badass. Often referred to as “East German rain camo”, it’s from the year 1965 (used up until 1990 when that wall came down), and finally… well… because it looks like raindrops. Go figure. Matt loved the concept. But there isn’t a bunch of custom Strichtarn camo fabric printed on a modern high-performance fabric, just laying around on a shelf somewhere. 

We had a crazy idea. Let’s ring up our friends over at Ripstop By The Roll, and see if they might be able to build our fabric dreams. Now, this kind of request is right up RBTR’s alley. We went in thinking this was going to be some big ask. They replied with welcoming phrases like “sure, no problem” and “yep, we’ll get on it right away”. 

With their expert team of fabric geniuses, they put the wind back in our X-Pac sailcloth… sails. Though there were dozens of options that would work, we selected X-Pac V21RS due to its toughness, ripstop performance (and texture and handfeel), our mutual love of Dimension Polyant’s products, waterproof properties, and because it was awesome. Then, to go just a touch lighter, we opted for X-Pac V15 on the interior liner fabric. Strong and durable, but lightweight. 

In the end, we’d opt for two different versions, custom printed specifically for us and this project, utilizing RBTR’s OutdoorINK digital print-on-demand services. V21RS ripstop X-Pac custom Strichtarn in charcoal gray/gray for the exterior fabric. V15 X-Pac custom Strichtarn in blaze orange/orange for the interior fabric. RBTR started printing up our fabrics immediately and got them both shipped off and into Matt’s eager hands right away.

Codename Kobold

At this point, thanks to RBTR, this project suddenly became real. And then it hit us pretty quickly… this thing needs a codename. Meet the feisty Kobold, hailing from Germanic mythology. Oddly enough, the story of the German Kobolds spread across Europe and via translations from one language to another and the game of telephone before the telephone was ever invented, and the name evolved into “goblins”… they’re small humanlike sprites that, if treated nicely, are known to be helpful around the house and in daily life. Just don’t make them mad. Small helpful-but-moody EDC party goblins. Done!

Finessing the Details…

Next up, all the trims and little details, which really make the whole thing scream. Of course, the addition of the custom woven black and orange logo on the exterior. A small but mighty detail. But the orange on the label had to be tweaked a bit. We needed to color match it perfectly. 

Then, like many GBG products, Carryology collabs, and various other packs from our favorite brands… we needed a big area to adorn our favorite patches or Ranger Eyes.

Glow Goblin

Speaking of Ranger Eyes. We had to do one. Our first one ever. The CGBG (Carryology x Garage Built Gear) and its unique font came from a fun concept I came up with for an early teaser in our Carryology Classified Facebook group, a play on the infamous and iconic CGBG punk rock club in NYC. Of course, it needed a Kobold character. After a little refining and tweaking (from an illustration from the late 1800s/early 1900s)… our little monster was ready. And to pay homage to our Kobold character’s spritely origins, we made it glow in the dark.

Finishing off the design, we added paracord zipper pullers to eliminate the jingle jangle of metal zippers. And we added some shrink wrap over the pullers for grip, with gloves or without. 

And one last thing! Matt was wildly generous with his time and fully dedicated himself to this beast of a project. And so please note, he’s only a man operation and personally handmade every single Kobold Pouch in his small garage workshop. This is the most products he has ever made in a production run in the history of Garage Built Gear. So BIG THANK YOU to Matt for all his hard work over the past several months bringing this dream project into a tangible reality. Absolute legend.

The “CGBG” Kobold was born. A small but mighty pouch, inspired by our favorite two pouches in the Garage Built Gear lineup, with a Carryology twist, using custom-made printed X-Pac fabrics from the folks at Ripstop By The Roll.

Introducing…

Garage Built Gear x Carryology: Kobold Pouch

Launching 

The Release Article goes live on Carryology.com on:
Tuesday May 31st at 12pm Noon (New York City).

The Release Article will contain a link to the GBG shop product page in it. The Release Article will ALSO INCLUDE THE PASSWORD to access that GBG shop product page.

1. Open Release Article on Carryology.com (this page you’re currently on is the Design Article; the Release Article will be a new article, posted at the time/date above). The password and GBG shop product page will be extremely visible right there at the top of the Release Article.

2. Copy the password.

3. Click the link to the GBG shop product page.

4. Input the password.

5. Order your Kobold Pouch!

Shipping to (cost based on actual shipping quotes from global providers):

USA, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Mexico, Israel, Philippines

The post From Garage to Strichtarn | Making the CGBG Kobold appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

Can you put a camera in a backpack?

Theoretically yes. But in reality, you might need to do a bit of tweaking first. Fragile camera gear generally won’t hold up well to being carried in a bag that doesn’t offer any protection against bumps, drops, or scrapes. However, a camera bag insert provides a modular and adaptable solution. They come in diverse sizes to accommodate different camera gear setups, and can fit inside a variety of bags. Ideal if you already have a bag you love but wish it would keep your camera gear safe too.

How do I turn my luggage into a camera bag?

A camera insert for backpack use can work just as well in your travel bag as it can in your everyday bag. So long as it fits in your luggage, there’s no reason you can’t use a camera bag insert in a variety of different travel carry including backpacks, wheeled luggage, duffels, messengers, and more.  

How do you make a camera bag insert?

If you’re keen to take the DIY approach, it’s possible to make a camera insert for backpack use. You may be able to use supplies you already have (such as a cardboard box or drawstring bag). Additionally, you’ll likely be able to find relatively inexpensive padding material (such as foam sheets) online or from hardware or craft stores. The DIY approach allows you to customize a camera bag insert for your specific gear setup and design preferences. It may also be cheaper than purchasing a camera cube, depending on the supplies and tools you have at hand. Of course, it can be a tricky and time-consuming project so you should decide if it’s the right option for you!

An alternative may be to purchase a ready-made camera bag insert and customize it slightly to suit your setup, rather than starting from scratch. For instance, how do you make camera bag dividers to tailor the organization? A little bit of foam covered in fabric is a simple divider option that can be slotted between equipment. If you’re feeling extra crafty, you could add Velcro or a fold-over padded flap for added flexibility. 

Top-notch tailormade camera bag inserts

If the DIY route is not for you, don’t worry! Below we’ve rounded up some of the best tailormade camera cube and camera insert options for everyday backpacks. Ready for a range of loads and budgets, they’ll help protect your precious camera gear wherever the picture leads you…

Koolertron Shockproof DSLR Camera Insert (US$19.99)

Camera protection doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. This Koolertron DSLR Camera Insert is a budget-friendly option that can fit inside a variety of bags. The padded insert and dividers help provide shock absorption and customized organization, while the drawstring closure is quick and easy to secure or open.

Mountainsmith TAN Kit Cube – Small (US$49.95)

Mountainsmith’s TAN Kit Cube (Small) is a great option for protecting minimalist camera setups on the move. It features a cinch-top opening and a padded interior with a divider and hi-vis yellow lining to easily discern the contents. Additionally, the cube offers a quick-access front pocket. It can be carried as a standalone bag or alternatively its compact size makes it a great option for converting a wide range of larger bags into camera carry.

f-stop ICU Series (US$ 39-269)

The f-stop ICU Series features a range of Internal Camera Units that accommodate diverse camera gear setups. Designed to work with f-stop’s Mountain Series packs or as standalone storage, the units feature water-resistant exteriors and customizable padded dividers to easily adjust to changing gear needs.

Pacsafe Camsafe PCI Inserts (from US$ 44.52)

Available in small, medium and large sizes, the Pacsafe Camsafe PCI inserts offer handy camera storage for a range of setups. The padded interiors and adjustable dividers protect and adapt to changing loads, with a zippered lid pocket for storing additional accessories. The zippers are also lockable for added security and peace of mind.

Tenba BYOB 10 Camera Insert (US$ 55.95)

A versatile option for converting a range of bags into camera carry, the Tenba BYOB 10 offers a padded interior and adjustable dividers to protect your gear on the go. Suitable for a DSLR or mirrorless camera body and two to four lenses, the camera insert provides a choice of interior and exterior pockets to organize accessories. The zippered lid can be stowed out of the way for convenient access, and the top carry handle makes it easy to carry or remove the insert from a bag.

Incase Camera Insert Lite (US$ 59.95)

Incase’s Camera Insert Lite can double as a standalone case or a protective insert for a larger bag. Top and side handles provide easy portability and maneuverability, while the padded and customizable dividers protect a range of camera gear setups. Additionally, a zippered lid pocket provides handy storage for further accessories. 

EVOC CB 6L Camera Block (US$ 65)

The EVOC CB 6L Camera Block can be used inside a larger bag or as a compact standalone option for protecting minimalist gear setups. The camera block can be carried with the top handle or a removable shoulder strap and features an ergonomic T-pull zipper closure. Interior padded dividers and a lid pocket organize your gear, while the gray lining helps enhance the visibility of the contents in low-light conditions.

Vanguard Supreme Divider Insert 40 (US$ 59.99)

This insert is designed to fit the Vanguard Supreme 40F Hard Case, but is compatible with a variety of other bags or as a standalone camera case. The adjustable padded dividers help provide protection against bumps and scrapes, and the lid pocket is useful for storing accessories. The insert fits two DSLRs and six additional lenses and includes a carry handle.

Pelican TrekPak system (cases from US$ 280)

The Pelican TrekPak system is a modular alternative to Velcro dividers, letting you customize organization with TrekPak divider panels. It’s compatible with a variety of Pelican cases, backpacks, and duffels and utilizes a combination of pre-installed wall sections, divider panels, and locking pins to create personalized layouts tailored to your specific gear setup. 

Boundary MK-1 Case (US$ 99)

The Boundary MK-1 Case lets you easily reach gear thanks to three zipped access points. Multiple pockets and padded dividers allow you to tailor organization to diverse carry setups. The shock-absorbing base helps protect gear on the go, while top and side handles provide easy portability. The weatherproof case also integrates with Boundary’s Prima System and can be converted to shoulder carry using the Prima’s waist belt.

Mission Workshop Capsule Camera Insert (US$ 150)

The Capsule Camera Insert introduces rugged camera protection into Mission Workshop bags and is compatible across their range except for the Fraction and Hauser. The insert also suits a variety of other bags with volumes of around 20L or larger in size. Handmade in the USA, The Capsule offers top and front access, configurable dividers, and a choice of top and side carry handles.

Peak Design Camera Cubes (from US$ 49.95)

These camera cubes from Peak Design are the perfect match to any of your Peak Design bags or otherwise. Coming in three sizes to fit small or large setups, each cube features a tear-open main compartment with one (small) or two (medium, large) side access hatches for quick access to your most used gear. Since the cubes are highly water-resistant, we’re comfortable snatching the grab-handles and using these cubes on their own.

This article was originally published on 11 March 2018 and updated on 6 December 2022.

The post Turn Your Backpack into a Camera Bag with These Inserts appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

If you’ve read much of Carryology over the past ten years, you’ll know we’re big fans of our Scottish friends at Trakke! We’ve collaborated with them, reviewed them, and interviewed the founder, Alec. As purveyors of all things waxed cotton, I’m a big fan. Their marriage of modern styles with heritage materials have always spoken to me, and to many of you! We were excited to take a look at their newest addition to their portfolio, the Port collection.

We sneaked a look at the Largo Sling and the Laggan Pro tech organiser in the new colour way, and boy do they look good. A rich, enticing colour that really pops in direct sunlight, but is equally demure and understated, something that Trakke bags always do well.

Largo Sling

The Largo sling is a 6L beaut that caught our attention, ever since we got our first look! Comfortable, deceptively cavernous, and just the right amount of organisation needed for EDC, travel and light camera carry. There is a reason it won best sling at this years Carry Awards!

Laggan Pro EDC Tech Kit

The Laggan Pro is the perfect tech kit, for both travel and EDC. With a total of 16 sections, this has a spot for everything you could need, and it has carried both my computer, camera, and entertainment accessories comfortably, and stylishly. It is also protected by the waterproof zips that we’ve come to know and love on Trakke products. Paired with a useful carrying handle, this clamshell tech kit will become a favourite of yours in no time!

Many Trakke favourites, including the following items are available NOW in the new Port colour way:

Bags: Arkaig, Bairn, Banana, Bannoch, Fingal, Hoy, Kelso, Largo, Og, Storr and Wee Lug.
Accessories: Dopp Kit, Foulden Mini, Laggan Pro, Lunch Bag, and Pencil Case.

The post Trakke Adds Port Colorway to Their Waxed Canvas Range appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

1st Place

EVERGOODS CAP2L

On the surface, pouches are an all-in-one storage option to keep small items together and quickly retrievable from a larger bag. But dig down and you quickly discover the wide variety of designs out there. So creating a pouch that stands out in this already crowded space is pretty remarkable. Then you get your hands on the Civic Access Pouch 2L (CAP2L) and realize just how thoughtful the design is.

One of the key features of the pouch is its angled zipper, which creates an unusually wide opening for super-convenient access. Take a look inside and you’ll find a light gray interior with a useful selection of pockets and a flexible divider, preventing a jumbled black hole of gear inside. Outside you also have quick-access pockets and webbing for securing small items (plus dual webbing handles to easily carry the pouch and store or retrieve it from a bag). Another nifty feature is 360-degree padding, keeping the contents protected while you’re on the go.

The CAP2L not only does a great job of organizing gear but takes things a step further. The self-standing design and wide opening make this a solid little workstation you can set up on a desk, bench, or shelf to keep gear close at hand. Add in the durable and water-resistant 420D HT nylon exterior and this pouch is ready for the long haul.

The thought and attention to detail that has gone into each element of this pouch is exceptional. Highly functional, adaptable for a multitude of loads, and made to last for years to come, the CAP2L is a truly worthy champion. 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.

Dan Matsuda SAMPLE Pouch

Dan Matsuda has been a phenom ever since breaking out on his own. As a softgoods designer for over a decade with Triple Aught Design, his designs have garnered fans across the carry industry. But now Dan is doing it his own way, and building a special EDC maker brand in the process. And his limited edition EDC organizer pouches have been that steady drumbeat and momentum builder, pushing SAMPLE to peak popularity within our carry community.

Dan’s pouches are expertly handcrafted and released in ever-changing plays in color and fabrics. Designed in different layouts and sizes, and offering an assortment of elastic loops, adjustable cording, an elastic retention sleeve, a mini zipper pouch, and more. The wide opening and self-standing design provide convenient, quick access to your gear. And there’s something undeniably special about holding a handcrafted, small-batch item in your hand; knowing there are only a few pieces just like this in the world. Awesome work, Dan!

Peak Design Mobile

When Peak Design decide to design something, they go all in, dreaming up innovative solutions that rethink whole categories. So when they turned their attention to mobile phone cases and mounts, we knew things were going to get interesting. And they’ve lived up to their reputation, releasing a line of mobile accessories that not only protect your tech but make it usable in a host of scenarios.

Cases are available for iPhone and Samsung models, but what if you don’t own either? No problem, PD also have a universal adapter that works with most other phone cases, making it compatible with their mounts and accessories. Key to the system is PD’s mounting technology called SlimLink, which connects the case to the arsenal of mounts and accessories. A selection of six mounts for use in a car, on a motorcycle, a bicycle, and even on a wall give you plenty of options for keeping tech secure yet visible on the go or in your home.

Then, of course, there’s more: including a Mobile Tripod and a slim Mobile Wallet with an optional kickstand, making for one very complete and dynamic eco-system.

Bravo, Peak Design!

–

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So when we embarked on our Iceland adventure at the end of last year, we decided to test this lightest of options in the cold, wet and windy landscapes of the Land of Fire and Ice. This trip that was months in planning. We spent days laboriously altering packing lists deciding what to bring and what not to bring. Being the gear addicts that we are, there were countless hours of deciding what would be making the cut for our trip to the small Atlantic island which is the third windiest place in the world.

However, while we deliberated over much of our gear, we very quickly settled on what photography and film making equipment we would be bringing. In the same breath, we also knew that portable coverage would be key for us, there would be moments where whipping out a full rig would be impractical, dangerous, or just not timely. Enter iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

The #shotoniphone craze has taken off in the last few years, so we documented our trip on our iPhone’s alongside our film-making equipment. Could the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro handle the brutally cold, wet, and windy elements? Could it help us create professional content? Could it compete with our camera equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars? We would find out.

Did Apple’s iPhones help us nail professional content? Well, you be the judge. What you see below is a collection form our twelve day trip around the Icelandic Ring Road in a 1993 Land Rover Defender 110, camping at night. Everything that you see here was shot on a iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 13.

You’ll find a small taste here, along with a link to the full gallery. At the bottom of the article, we’ve included our top 5 iPhone Photography tips!

Awesome iPhone Photography Accessories for Adventures

While the iPhones themselves are no doubt impressive tools, there are always a couple of add-ons that can elevate your experience. We picked out a few accessories for iPhone that we found particularly useful and awesome during our trip to Iceland.

Peak Design Mobile

There’s a reason that the new Peak Design Mobile line is in our Carry Awards Top 5 Accessory, and a big factor in its nomination was our trip to Iceland with the prototype. The moment we saw the tripod at Outdoor Retailer in the summer of 21, Brandon, Taylor and I all lit up with excitement. This precision engineered tripod has to be seen to be believed. With a fully articulating ball head, multiple viewing options, adjustable tension, and magnetic connection, this mobile tripod is as good as it gets for a mobile accessory in my eyes. We took multiple long exposures on this, from varying angles, all with the simple adjustment taking mere seconds. Many of our single shot images came from this tripod too, which corrected for the traditional hand shake of phone photos, least of all when it’s 10ºF! Not only is this tripod clearly a static tool, it works well for selfies or unique angles where the tripod essentially becomes a handle and gives you the ability to either get closer/further away from a subject, or presents unique perspectives with the ability to put the phone in places that might be a little cumbersome to reach usually.

While the tripod works with most MagSafe accessories, it works flawlessly with the Peak Design Everyday Case. Adding protection, great materials, and a clean understated look that matches the iPhone aesthetic, this case is a great hybrid. It has the style, it has the robustness, and it has the functionality. The nylon canvas shell is weatherproof and a 100% recycled from Bluesign materials. It’s slim enough that it doesn’t add a huge amount of heft to the phone (the iPhone 13 Pro Max is already a larger piece of equipment) but tough enough to take a few tumbles–mine certainly has! I like this case so much, it has lived on my phone 90% of the time over the past six months. The other 10% is when I’m using the case below for drone work, or when I’m running case free carelessly like a rebel.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Silicon Case

While the Peak Design case became a go to favourite, I mentioned that for another 5% of the time, I was flying with my drone. When that’s the case, I want to use something smaller and slip resistant. This is where the silicone case really came into its own for me. It has an excellent texture that is both comfortable in hand and works very well with gimbals or controllers providing great grip. I chose Carryology orange for both safety (easy to spot!) and style , but there is a whole array of colours to suit your needs. I love their leather cases too, but the silicone proved more useful for me in the field.

Otterbox Screen Protector, Power Bank, and Charging Cable

It’s important to keep your electronics safe and well charged! Otterbox are masters of protection, and they were crucial for us on this expedition. Firstly, I always have a screen protector on my phones, you never know when a rogue stone is going to ping up, or when you’re going to clumsily let your phone slip out of a pocket/hand! My iPhone actually ended up in a hot spring for a quick dip! This tempered glass screen protector saves your beautiful display from unnecessary dings and scratches, and is super easy to install thanks to the included tool!

Out in the wild, shooting on a phone, you need power! The Otterbox is everything that I want in a power bank! 20,000 Mah (3.5/4 charges of my iPhone 13 Pro Max), rugged construction and fast charging that gets my phone going again quickly, even in the cold. USB-A and USB-C charging options mean you can support the whole team. A must have in any travellers kit! A good battery pack is only as good as the cable you charge with! The Premium Lightning to USB-C cable from OtterBox is an excellent 2m cable that can be relied on whatever the weather. The 2m length is perfect for car use, while the braided nylon provides great bend resistance (rated to over 10’000 bends!) that will stop the cable fraying or tearing. It is also a fast charge cable which means it will charge four times faster than the average cable provided with your phone. These two are a great duo for travelling photographers!

Carryology iPhone Photography Top Tips

Shoot RAW

I know this is a contentious one for many photographers out there, but simply put RAW gives you more options. Particularly on a smaller sensor like the ones that you’ll find in an iPhone camera. A RAW file (sometimes called a digital negative) is lossless and captures all of the data available on your camera sensor, whereas a JPG is a compressed, digitally altered version of that. With the excellent dynamic range on iPhones, shooting RAW will allow you to capture some magnificent colours, shadows, highlights etc. It also allows you to rescue photos that might have been over or under exposed at the time of shooting. To turn on RAW shooting in your iPhone settings follow this process. Settings > Camera > Formats. Once here, toggle Apple ProRAW to on. You’ll also want to make sure ‘High Efficiency’ is toggled on the same screen to save your memory! Apple RAW photos can come out large (25MB+) so be sure you have the storage or a good cloud service.

Use the Grid

Similarly to above, be sure to have your grid setting turned on. This helps with composition, in particular your image balance or focal point. The grid helps you follow the rule of thirds which is always a good starting point for interesting photos. Not only that, it helps you keep your horizon straight which is important for landscape photography, as you don’t want to lose too much of your frame when cropping or straightening in post. In the photo below, I chose to focus on the light coming from the surface of the glacier, so that became my focal point, and the grid allowed me to be sure I had roughly equal amounts of darker ice on either side while maintaining focus on the halo.

Clean your lens!

If you’re anything like me, your iPhone bounces between pockets, bags, car consoles, sofas and many other dirt filled places. Heck, even your finger might spend time on that lens when holding your phone! To really maximise the impressive lenses, be sure to keep your lens clean when you’re about to shoot your next masterpiece. Out of habit, I always have a microfibre cloth with me, it takes two seconds to clean off any smudges or dirt, and once every couple of weeks I’ll give it a little spray of lens cleaner to keep it spotless. Look after your lenses, and they’ll look after you!

Use your feet!

Sure, the iPhone has great digital zoom, portrait mode is powerful, yadayadayada. However, nothing can replace actual physical separation when it comes to zooming or creating better depth of field. By using physical distance, you’ll get better natural lighting and more authentic images. Digital zoom and digital computation (portrait mode) are great in a pinch but you’ll lose image quality or in the case of portrait mode, the ability to edit a RAW photo (portrait images are .jpgs). I understand the irony of this next sentence in an iPhone article, but try to rely on manual rather than digital when it comes to zoom! Besides, you can create much more engaging compositions by physical movement, both distance and height wise.

Process your photos

Now I’m not saying you need to spend hours at a computer like I do, but we live in a world littered with apps for our phones, and a lot of them are really excellent. Lightroom is free, easy to use, and it even has a library of tutorials and editing suggestions to help you get the most from your photos, even if you’re a complete novice. The best thing about learning to use an app like Lightroom is that you can either just use it to tweak your exposure, or you can get deep into it and use geometry, lens corrections, presets, masking and the like. Because you’re now all shooting RAW, using a good post production app will help all your photos reach the next level. It can also help you “rescue” photos that you previously thought lost. I edited our #shotoniphone photos in Lightroom, on my iPhone. You have a mobile studio ready at your fingertips!

The iPhones proved to be an impressive creative tool, and when paired with the right accessories, they’re elevated even further. Carrying and creating but want to stay light and agile? Look no further than your trusty phone.

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Personally, this has been a huge positive; I love the variety of being able to work from anywhere. However, in my job where I’m always on the move, I’m looking to optimize my mobile workflow. That doesn’t just mean dongles, backpacks, and travel jackets; it means my mobile office. 

Laptop sleeves and phone cases no longer just need to be neoprene sleeves or plastic cases. Now, thanks to thoughtful origami-inspired design by the team at MOFT, your mobile office experience can be a productive, lightweight, and elegant one. These three items have genuinely enhanced my work as I edit photos on my lap, take video calls in coffee shops, and slim down my phone and wallet combo to bring less with me.

Sit-Stand Laptop Desk

A red dot award winner, the MOFT Z is an ingenious tool for anyone who works from a laptop or tablet, and particularly for those on the move. This portable Sit-Stand Desk provides five different angles to suit your working style, or your location. While comfort is a key part of this design, so is your health! You can vary your posture throughout the day to stay active and healthy!

The MOFT Z is only 0.5 inches thick when folded (around the thickness of an iPad Pro with case) and is a lightweight 30oz. That’s impressive considering that it can give you an extra 10 inches height when using the full stand mode and hold up to 22 pounds in weight! It slides into my laptop sleeve in my backpack alongside my iPad easily and doesn’t make a noticeable difference to carrying weight for me. Made out of vegan leather, fiberglass, and some magic magnets, this is a premium product.

One of the most obvious benefits of the MOFT Z is just how stable it is; not once did I have concerns about a freefalling iPad. You can adjust your angle from the full stand down through a 60º, 45º, 35º, and 25º range. I found them all to be useful in different situations. But I mostly found myself using the full height and 25º angles most of the time; occasionally the 60º for reading or consuming media. However, the 45º and 35º didn’t work for me with my iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, as the angle on the keyboard doesn’t adjust to that level. On my wife’s laptop, I didn’t run into any issues. 

What is most impressive about the MOFT Z though is how quickly you can adjust your working situation with a few folds! The origami-inspired nature makes it swift to adapt on the fly. I can go from writing or editing to video calls in seconds. It takes a couple of days to get used to the different folding patterns, but once you have it down, it’s hard not to love. I’m a bit of an efficiency fiend, so this is the ultimate addition to my working setup. 

iPhone 13 Case with Snap On Phone Stand and Wallet

To complement the MOFT Z is the 0.2” thick Snap On Phone Stand and Wallet. This simple yet elegant accessory is made from vegan leather and comes in a variety of colors to complement your style or your actual phone. This stand and wallet combo connect with great ease to the impact-resistant (5-foot drop protection) TPU phone case. As with all of MOFT’s products, the case is understated and the white will match any color iPhone.

The vegan leather wallet and stand combo allows you three ways to enjoy your content. Streaming, browsing, and video conferencing. In reality, they all work very well! I find myself mainly using the horizontal video conferencing mode as it provides the best marriage of angle and stability. Thanks to the MagSafe connection, it is incredibly easy to switch up on the go. The origami fold also makes for a very comfortable hold; your fingers naturally find their way into the gap provided by the stand. 

The wallet portion can hold three cards, you can choose what combination that is! I still prefer to carry a separate wallet most of the time, but I do find it useful for an ID/credit card when running short errands. You could comfortably fit a few folded bills in there too. The microfiber lining makes it easy to get cards in and out, particularly after the leather is broken in from a few uses. The Snap Stand and Wallet are also a great office tool. They allow you to continue to charge your phone while using the stand, and you can easily place a MagSafe charger between the stand and the phone. This provides you both accessibility and the power that you need to listen to your podcasts and host your video calls while keeping you topped up for when you’re on the go again!

Laptop Carry Sleeve

Available in 13”, 14”, and 16” variations, the laptop carry sleeve is the final piece of our portable office puzzle. As you remove the laptop or iPad from the sleeve, a quick pull on the corners gives you two viewing angles based on your needs – either 15º or 25º. 

Made from vegan leather, with a soft microfiber lining, this is a slim and lightweight case. This makes it perfect for local commuting or a little extra protection and organization in your usual travel setup. 

The expandable neoprene storage sleeve (accessed internally) held my iPhone 13 Pro Max with ease, and could comfortably house an external SSD, cables, and charger. There is also a small sleeve for a business card or two! For iPad users, it’s worth noting that the 13” sleeve I tested did not close around my iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combined. This is easily remedied by going to the 14” case, but worth bearing in mind!

These MOFT products have made quite the difference to my mobile office during testing, more than I expected them too. These three products are intelligently designed, made from thoughtful materials, and they’re excellent value for money. You could own all three for the price of one luxury laptop case. When used in tandem, these three fold-away accessories help you transform any surface into a sleek, modern, and functional workspace at a moment’s notice.

This article was sponsored by the fine folks at MOFT. Thanks for the support!

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Turning to award-winning experience for a wallet alternative

CODEOFBELL are no strangers to slings, making a name for themselves with award-winning designs that bring innovative functionality to daily and travel settings alike. Now they’re building on their design experience with the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling. As the name suggests, it’s a clever hybrid. A wallet that carries like a sling. But it’s more than both of these. A design that goes beyond wallet essentials to store small EDC items too. And a piece that offers multiple carry options beyond sling mode.

Finding a multifunctional balance

The ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling is designed to be an extension of your pockets. A wallet with increased capacity and useful organization to securely carry a range of EDC items, while still remaining compact and portable. The design offers a total of five pockets to neatly and securely store your gear. First, three separate pockets within the main compartment, accessed via a single zipper. The left and right pockets are great for cards and folded cash, while the shallower top pocket is useful for coins or other small items.

Next, a separate dome-shaped pocket is located on the front of the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling. The dome shape provides space for a variety of EDC items such as car keys, earbuds, a mask, or other gear you want close at hand. On the rear you’ll find a fifth pocket, useful for frequently used cards or ID.

The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling offers much more space and organization than traditional minimalist wallets. Sure, it won’t fit in your pocket. But you get far more versatility than a super-minimalist wallet offers. Large enough to carry additional EDC items beyond cards and cash, yet small enough to not weigh you down, it’s a piece that fills the gap between wallet and day bag very well. A piece that will let you get away with not carrying a larger bag for many outings, yet keep your pockets uncluttered and still allow you to have essentials at the ready.

Beyond pocket carry, but still portable

While it won’t fit in your pocket, the CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling remains compact and easily portable thanks to a range of different carry options.

The primary carry mode is crossbody as a sling courtesy of the removable shoulder strap. But you can really get creative with your carry to suit a range of preferences and settings. Remove the strap and turn the ANNEX 360 upside down to create a pouch that can be attached to your belt or a larger bag.

You can alternate between the included snap hook or webbing to secure it to a belt or bag. It even has shoulder strap attachment points to secure it to the strap of a larger bag.

A magnetic-release keychain on the end of the shoulder strap provides added carry versatility. And when it’s not in use, you can secure it to the snap hook or included clamp to avoid loose strap webbing.

An optional ANNEX STRAP KIT is also available, which features a padded and adjustable shoulder strap, a padded and adjustable wrist strap, and a chest stabilizer strap. The padded shoulder strap also includes a magnetic-release keychain, as well as an emergency whistle in the buckle. The ANNEX STRAP KIT is also compatible with CODEOFBELL’s other ANNEX bags. 

Quality materials with minimalist aesthetics

A piece designed to be carried every day needs to handle the daily grind and whatever the weather might have in store. The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling offers confidence on this front. Built with tough X-Pac fabric and water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zippers, it will take the scuffs and scrapes of daily carry in its stride, while shedding the elements with ease.

Inside you’ll find a high-vis orange lining; great for making the contents more visible so you can quickly retrieve what you need. Inbuilt RFID-blocking protection and a snap button on the main compartment zipper pulls add extra peace of mind too.

The wallet sling’s durable, weatherproof build is complemented by understated aesthetics. This piece can transition from daily urban settings to travel environments, but is tough and compact enough for the trail too. On the zipper pulls you’ll find discreet embossed logos, while a small label on the rear marks the only other branding. There are no visible logos or flashy branding. Sleek and tastefully tough, it does a great job blending dependable durability with low-key, adaptable aesthetics.

Slinging beyond traditional wallets

The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling is in a niche of its own. A compact sling, a multifunctional wallet, a small pouch organizer, a belt bag…its versatility is impressive. It keeps your daily essentials secure yet accessible on the go, while its compact form, multiple carry options, and minimalist aesthetics allow it to accompany you wherever you go. If you’re keen to find out more, check out CODEOFBELL’s Kickstarter campaign to see the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling in action.

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I first met Adam, the owner, at an expo. His booth was slammed the entire time, and he sold out of everything. Every show since then, this theme repeats. Mario at AT Overland even designed the storage of his new camper around Step 22’s Stingray Flatbox. The thought and quality behind every pack Step 22 makes is outstanding. Having had the opportunity to have my hands on each of his products, you could pick up any of them and be amazed.

Once it was back in stock, I picked up the Step 22 Tenkile Tech Pouch in Multicam Black. I needed to organize all of my batteries and cables when traveling for shoots and was tired of having 2-3 pouches to hold everything. The first trip with this pouch was on a two-week work trip, and I needed to pack efficiently, so I was excited to have it in hand.

Who It Suits

At 9″ x 4.75″ x 5.5″, the tech pouch can hold quite a bit. For this trip I condensed my previous three pouches into the Tenkile for a more organized process for charging and storage. I was holding 2 Mavic Pro batteries, 2 Nikon DSLR batteries, 3 mirrorless batteries w/ charger, the charger for my gimbal batteries, Rode wireless Go mics, and all of the cables needed for each charger, as well as a few extra cables. So if you need to hold a lot of tech, this is an excellent pouch for you.

At the last expo, Adam had his Mavic Mini drone and controller inside the Tenkile with room to spare. You can also use a small strap to carry the Tenkile as a small sling. Depending on where I’m headed and what I’m shooting, this may hold audio equipment or my GoPro and accessories. If you like high organization with room to spare, this pouch is one to pick up.

Who It Doesn’t

For those with minimal carry needs this pouch might be a little overkill. With the shape of the Tenkile, it might be bulky in some bags and just not fit in others.

The Good

There is so much good about the Tenkile it is hard to know where to start. The build quality is impeccable; not only can it take a beating, but the design, sewing, and lines are beautiful for such a rugged piece of gear. The internal organization is thoughtfully laid out. The rear of the bag is MOLLE / PALS compatible so that you can mount this in your bag or on an organization panel.

There are slightly padded pockets that are organized to accommodate a variety of items, as well as a hook and loop center point to adjust the main compartment even further. There is a mesh zipper pocket on the opposite side of this compartment to keep some items separate. The zipper pull for this compartment has a micro SD card slot. So if you are like me and occasionally forget to put your card back in your drone or device, you can store a backup for those moments.

The front panel has a mesh zipper pocket that allows charging cable access to the pouch’s exterior.

The lid portion also allows for cards/batteries to be placed and organized so you can remember if they are spent or fresh. I used this to help organize cables so they were not bunched up in the other pockets. When the pouch is open, it clamshells and keeps things off the ground if you’re shooting out in the field.

Not So Good

There’s not much to say here when it comes to this pouch – it’s a very well-executed tech pouch. My only complaint has been that the battery/SD card slots on the top only fit specific dimensions. Out of all my cameras, the only batteries that will fit in these slots are the GoPro batteries. So I have some extra space that is not utilized unless I stash cables in this area.

Verdict 

Step 22 nailed it with the Tenkile. Not only is it versatile, but it is well made and well organized. I am looking forward to the future adventures that I can put the Step 22 Tenkile Tech Pouch through. 

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