Messengers vs shoulder bags

So you might have heard the terms ‘messenger’ and ‘shoulder bag’ used interchangeably. But they aren’t actually the same thing. Messengers tend to be associated with more active use (think bags used by bicycle messengers), while shoulder bags play well in sedate settings. Features such as stabilizer straps are more common in messengers (again, to assist in load stability during active use). And in general messengers will wrap round the body more (a rigid design isn’t great if you’re pounding the pedals during a bike ride or trying to move nimbly in outdoor environments). That doesn’t mean you can’t use messengers in less strenuous settings or find shoulder bags that will tackle a little adventure now and then.

So with all of that in mind, what is a good brand of messenger bag? We know it can be time-consuming to search through countless bag options. So we’re shouldering the load by rounding up some of the best messenger bags and shoulder bags to suit different needs and settings. But, hey, it’s worth noting most of the below bags cross categories. They’re not only suited to certain needs, but they’re versatile too. Win!

Best shoulder bag for travel

Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 (US$149.95)

The Metrosafe LS200 packs a host of anti-theft features into its compact design that suits carry-on use or a day trip equally well. An integrated Lockabout security clip, eXomesh slashguards, Carrysafe slashguard strap, zipper hooks, and RFIDsafe blocking pocket are just some of the features that will keep sticky fingers away from your belongings. The bag’s main compartment has a padded 10″ tablet sleeve and there are plenty of pockets in the front compartment to organize small essentials.

Best heritage-style shoulder bag

WP Standard Meridian Messenger Bag (US$348)

If you have a soft spot for leather carry, it’s hard not to be drawn towards WP Standard’s gear. They do a darn fine job of combining old-school charm and modern-day functionality. Just like with their Meridian Messenger Bag, which gives a nod to antique leather work bags but provides a leaner, modern design. It’s crafted with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather that will only get better with use. Inside you’ll find a padded laptop compartment, with further exterior and interior pockets to store smaller items.

Best heritage-style messenger

Trakke Bairn Messenger Bag (~US$252)

Trakke’s Bairn Messenger is a handsome fellow that’s equally up for a day in the office or a stroll outdoors. Handmade in Scotland, it’s designed to keep the weather at bay and also includes a dry-finish waxed canvas lining for added peace of mind. And with a choice of pockets on hand including an interior 13″ laptop sleeve, you’ll have no problem keeping your bits and pieces tidy on the move.

Bedouin Foundry Barbarossa (~US$340)

Bedouin Foundry make some of the most beautiful messengers around, with sophisticated silhouettes and premium materials that exude quality from day one to years down the line. But it’s not just pretty looks here. The Barbarossa is meticulously handmade in Lincolnshire, England, and built for years of demanding use. It features a suave combination of 12 oz. waxed canvas from Halley Stevensons and Italian vegetable-tanned leather. A sleek and uber-strong AustriAlpin Cobra buckle does the honors of securing the flap, beneath which you’ll find two sleeve pockets. An interior laptop sleeve holds your tech on the go, while the bag’s fully padded design also makes it an attractive choice for camera carry.

Best shoulder bag for tech

Cargo Works 15″ MacBook Pro Retina EDC Kit (US$45.50)

If you’re after a rugged build, organization options galore, and all in a design that remains slim and adaptable, look to the Cargo Works 15″ MacBook Pro Retina EDC Kit. The bag offers two compartments to carry your tech and everyday or work items. The front compartment features elastic webbing and pockets for smaller accessories and a tablet, while the padded main compartment keeps up to a 15″ laptop safe within its soft microfiber lining. You can carry the bag by hand, with the removable shoulder strap, or secure it to the handle of rolling luggage when travel calls.

Best tech messenger bags

Chrome Industries Buran III (US$170)

The Chrome Buran III nods to heritage styling but is built for modern-day tech carry. A host of pockets provide quick yet secure access to tech and EDC items, including a dedicated padded 17″ laptop sleeve. This tech messenger bag also features a reversible shoulder strap for right or left carry, a weatherproof liner, and Chrome’s iconic seatbelt buckle with an integrated bottle opener.

Timbuk2 Especial Stash (US$179)

Timbuk has your tech carry well covered with their Especial Stash, a weatherproof messenger designed to keep tech secure and safe from the elements during your daily commute. Complementing the weather-resistant exterior is an interior waterproof 15″ laptop compartment. Magnetic buckles provide ease of access, while the ambixdextrous strap offers comfy carry. Rounding things off is reflective detailing to help increase your visibility in low-light conditions.

Mission Workshop Khyte (US$390)

If you’re looking for rugged handmade construction, weatherproof protection for tech, and versatile understated styling that can transition from work to play, the Khyte might be just right for your needs. This tech messenger bag features two-layer weatherproof construction and water-resistant zippers to protect gear from the elements. Multiple pockets and organization options including an externally accessible 15″ laptop sleeve keep your daily or travel items well organized. And with a variety of colorways on offer, you can choose one that speaks to your personal style too.

Best budget messenger bag for laptops

Incase Compass Messenger (US$89.99)

If you’re after sleek simplicity that blends into work or play environments, Incase’s Compass Messenger will steer you right. The understated design works equally well in an office or your local cafe. Straightforward organization complements the low-key design, with a padded 15″ laptop sleeve and a choice of internal and external pockets to store small items throughout the day.

Best shoulder bag for laptops

Bellroy Via Work Bag (US$129)

With its understated, water-resistant design and variety of useful pockets for organization, Bellroy’s Via Work Bag is a fine pick for the office, travel use, or catching up on a couple of emails in your local cafe. Featuring a padded 16″ laptop pocket, the bag also includes a luggage pass-through sleeve and a padded shoulder strap that can be detached when not required.

Best tactical messengers

ORBITGear R222 MK24 “Raptor” (US$128)

ORBITGear’s R222 MK24 “Raptor” pairs expert craftsmanship, versatile design, hard-wearing construction, and awesome value for money in a messenger that can adapt to a range of daily and travel carry needs. Large enough for 14″ tech devices, it also provides attachment points for personalized setups as well as a choice of interior and exterior pockets for smaller items. Handmade with a 580D elecor shell, this versatile EDC messenger bag includes an ambidextrous strap system for easy portability.

Greenroom136 Metrorunner PRIME Tactical (around $147)

If you’re looking for tough materials, excellent handmade construction, and practical design for a variety of day-to-day needs, all with great value for money, this messenger should be on your shortlist. It features VX42 laminated X-Pac, premium AustriAlpin Cobra and Fidlock hardware, and a variety of pockets and compartments to organize your gear. Its versatile design holds commuting essentials and travel gear equally well, while its burly build is backed by a lifetime warranty for peace of mind.

Arc’teryx LEAF Courier 15 (US$279)

Designed for Jason Bourne-type operatives, the Arc’teryx LEAF Courier 15 is built to perform, adapt and blend in. A serious bit of kit, honed for the hardest gear users on the planet, it’s made with a ‘cannot fail’ attention to build, access, and adaptability – working in the field, as well as for everyday civilians wanting to crush their daily missions (while carrying a laptop and a few snacks too).

Best tactical shoulder bags

Mystery Ranch Indie Shoulder Bag (US$59)

Built tough and flexible to adapt to changing loads and environments, the Indie Shoulder Bag comes in a choice of durable yet lightweight materials to embrace demanding use with ease. The low-key design stealths easily into a variety of settings and accommodates a range of setups, from EDC to travel essentials. Plus it won’t break the bank either, which is always a bonus.

Mystery Ranch 3 Way Briefcase Expandable (US$199)

If you love carry that offers a lot of flexibility, the Mystery Ranch 3 Way Briefcase Expandable is definitely one to scope out. It adapts to a range of carry needs thanks to its stowable backpack straps, removable shoulder strap and top grab handles. There’s also plenty of pockets on hand to neatly store items, including a padded 15″ laptop compartment. And if you need more space? The design expands to provide an additional 5L of storage for larger loads.

Best shoulder bags for photography

Chrome Industries Niko Hold Camera Bag (~US$100)

Keen on versatile camera carry with the freedom to convert an existing bag into a camera bag? The Niko Hold could be just right for your needs. The bag can be used as a standalone camera bag, with carry handles and a detachable shoulder strap for convenience. However, you can also fit the Niko Hold inside almost any Chrome bag (or another bag if the dimensions suit) to convert it into a camera bag. The Niko offers a wide opening for easy access and customizable dividers to adapt to different loads.

f-stop Florentin (US$99.99)

With its water-resistant, low-profile design the f-stop Florentin is an appealing option for carrying camera gear under the radar in urban settings. Suitable for a small camera setup, the Florentin includes a removable padded main compartment with three dividers. There’s also storage for up to a 12″ tablet or laptop, as well as a front organizer pocket. You’ve also got portability options on hand here too, with a luggage handle sleeve, top carry handles and a shoulder strap.

HoldFast Gear Roamographer Camera Bag (US$610)

The Roamographer is a head-turner for sure, merging vintage charm with luxurious construction. The bag is handcrafted with durable and beautiful American Bison leather and features a removable camera insert with multiple pockets to protect and organize your photography gear. A camera can also be secured to the shoulder strap for ready access on the go. The Roamographer comes in a choice of sizes to suit smaller or larger loads too.

Best photography messenger bags

Peak Design Everyday Messenger (from US$229.95)

One of the most innovative camera messengers to hit the scene in recent years, Peak Design’s Everyday Messenger does double duty as an EDC messenger bag and camera bag. Able to carry a 14″ tech device, the bag thoughtfully combines a variety of features into a stylish and functional whole. From expandability and one-handed access to highly customizable organization with FlexFold dividers and multiple pockets, the folks at Peak Design have pretty much thought of everything. All brought together in a weatherproof, durable and stylish design that moves easily between diverse carry environments and requirements.

ONA Brooklyn Camera Messenger Bag (~US$550)

The ONA Brooklyn takes inspiration from 1940s school bags but delivers a photography twist. The tuck lock closures provide easy access to the soft interior, where three dividers help organize your gear. Externally you’ll find a front pocket as well as a back pocket suitable for slim items such as a tablet. Handmade with full-grain leather, it’s a stylish pick for both formal and informal photography shoots.

Best messenger bags for professionals

Lexdray Symmetry Mumbai Messenger Bag (US$189)

Lexdray’s Symmetry Mumbai Messenger Bag offers flexibility and a little personality, while still retaining a functional, work-ready design and aesthetic. Multiple compartments and pockets keep your tech, work supplies and EDC easily accessible. But that organization is also adaptable, with a large main compartment that stays slim for smaller loads but accommodates larger loads or bulky items when duty calls. And with its tough, highly weather-resistant build, you don’t need to worry about rainy commutes.

Best shoulder bags for professionals

Bellroy Duo Work Bag (US$279)

Bellroy’s Duo Work Bag packs a lot of functionality into an understated, clean design that suits formal and informal work settings alike. Top carry handles, a removable shoulder strap and a luggage pass-through sleeve provide portability options. The bag has a padded 15″ laptop compartment and a variety of additional pockets organize work tools, EDC and travel items. Plus it’s expandable when you need extra packing space. Rounding things off is a durable, water-resistant build that will protect your gear from the elements while looking stylish every step of the way.

Ally Capellino Jeremy Small Waxed Cotton Satchel (~US$245)

With its lightweight yet durable build and sleek lines, the Jeremey Small Waxed Cotton Satchel cuts a dashing figure in the workplace. Made from waxed cotton fabric with a bridle leather strap and buckle closures, it won’t weigh you down during the commute. A quick-access back pocket stashes small essentials, while the main compartment suits minimalist loads and includes space for a tablet.

Best cycling messengers for professionals

Restrap Pack Messenger Bag (US$69.99)

With its stealthy looks, weatherproof and durable build and versatile design, the Restrap Pack Messenger Bag wheels smoothly from the cycle commute to the office. The tough 1000D Cordura build rolls with demanding use and there’s a stabilizer strap for enhanced load stability during active use. The bag fits a 13″ laptop and has sufficient space to stash a change of clothes if needed.

Apidura City Messenger (from US$110)

Building on years of bikepacking and outdoor cycling experience, Apidura’s City Messenger fuses technical construction and expertise with clean aesthetics for urban settings. The messenger features waterproof, lightweight CT420 Marle material and welded construction to keep the elements out. The zipless opening offers quick and convenient one-handed access and you also benefit from dedicated storage for 11″ or 13″ tech. Add in the ambidextrous strap and you get a stylish commuting companion for on and off the bike.

Brooks England Strand (US$108)

The Brooks England Strand exudes pared-back professionalism with its clean design made from weatherproof coated nylon and Cordura. Inside you’ll find a padded laptop compartment and pockets for small items, while an exterior back pocket stores quick-access items. And for carry comfort on the go, the bag has an adjustable shoulder strap and a belt to secure the load.

Mission Workshop The Monty Advanced (US$285)

Made in the USA with water-resistant, durable HT500 fabric, the Mission Workshop Monty Advanced is tough enough to embrace whatever the commute throws at you, while delivering sleek work-friendly styling. It fits up to a 15″ laptop in the main compartment, with a selection of pockets to store smaller gear. It secures with Mission Workshop’s Arkiv® closure system and provides a removable stabilizer strap. Plus it’s backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Brooks England Barbican Hard Leather Shoulder Bag (~US$408)

Pricey but oh so chic, the Brooks England Barbican Hard Leather Shoulder Bag is crafted in England with vegetable-tanned leather (the same used in their saddles). Simple, suave and adaptable, this shoulder bag looks slick in office settings, out and about in town or on your travels. The adjustable shoulder strap also serves as a waist belt for securing the bag during more active use.

Best outdoor messengers

Chrome Industries Citizen (US$150)

The Chrome Industries Citizen is a tough and adaptable messenger for carrying work supplies and weekend essentials alike. The water-resistant bag includes a stabilizer strap, reflective detailing, and a quick-release buckle for life on two wheels, along with sufficient space for up to a 15″ laptop and pockets for storing smaller items.

Patagonia Stealth Sling 10L (US$169)

The Stealth Sling is a dependable outdoor companion for fishing trips. It’s built with a range of intuitive organization options to keep your fishing gear secure yet easily accesible when required including a net holder and quick-access storage for fly boxes. Designed to be light, quiet, comfortable for all-day wear and of course water-resistant too, it’s a dependable piece that gives you the freedom to make the most of fishing trips.

Timbuk2 Especial Stash 22L Messenger (~US$248)

With its abrasion-resistant build, weather-resistant exterior, waterproof laptop compartment, and reflective detailing, Timbuk2’s Especial Stash 22L Messenger takes commuting or outdoor exploring in any weather in its stride. The bag has an ambidextrous shoulder strap with a quick-release buckle, as well as magnetic buckles on the flap to help you easily access gear. It fits a 17″ laptop and its lifetime warranty is a welcome bonus too.

Best ‘designer’ shoulder bags

Ally Capellino Kenny (~US$95)

The Ally Capellino Kenny brings chic style to your daily commute, about-town jaunts and travel excursions. Made with lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and water-resistant Cordura© nylon, it’s tough enough for daily use and understated enough to suit a variety of carry environments. The bag is large enough for 13″ tech devices and includes a minimalist yet functional range of pockets to keep your gear organized without cluttering up the design.

côte&ciel Oder-Spree Memory Tech Messenger Bag (US$265)

A lot of designer bags lean heavily towards fashion over function. But côte&ciel delivers a great mix of both with the Oder-Spree Memory Tech Messenger Bag. The bag features an ergonomic design that carries close to the body for comfort. Complementing the fashion-forward styling is functional organization including a padded laptop pocket, two exterior zipped pockets, and an open rear pocket for quick-access items.

Best large Japanese messenger

AS2OV Cordura Dobby 305D 2Way Bag (US$227)

Rugged street style, flexible carry options and plenty of space makes this AS2OV Cordura Dobby 305D 2Way Bag well suited to overnight trips, hauling large day-to-day loads or combining gym and work gear for convenient one-bag carry. The bag can be carried as a messenger or a tote and offers a variety of pockets including a padded laptop pocket.

Key Considerations When Choosing Your Bag

Ultimately, a lot of factors come into play to determine where messengers and shoulder bags will excel. Check out these tips on what to look for when choosing your ideal shoulder or messenger bag.

Style

If you need a splash of fashion with your function, you may be wondering, are messenger bags still cool? Of course they are! And are messenger bags unisex? For the most part, yes. But this incredibly popular carry category comes in a great variety of styles, colorways, and materials to cater to a wide range of tastes and needs. So to help you choose, it’s useful to think about where you’ll be using the bag.

Do you need it for work purposes? If so, is your work environment smart-casual or formal? In these cases, understated colorways like black, gray, navy, or tan will blend in better (no matter how much you may be digging that blazing orange, it’s best saved for after-work hours). Clean silhouettes or soft draping designs will also be easier to fit in formal environments than “busy” designs that draw the eye (but not for the right reasons). If you won’t be using the bag for work purposes (or your work environment is more laid-back), you’ve got a little more freedom in the style department. Yep, bring on that blazing orange…

Size and weight

Obviously your messenger or shoulder bag needs to be large enough to hold all the gear you need it to. But you’ll want to be careful here. The bigger the bag is, the more bulk you’ll be carrying around. Ask yourself if the added space is worth the increased weight and bulk penalty. Maybe you need it or really value the ability to accommodate a variety of loads from one day to the next. But if you tend to carry a set amount of gear, picking a bag that’s just big enough without adding unnecessary weight may be a better option.

For example, are messenger bags good for laptops? Some are much better suited to tech carry than others and will be sized accordingly to fit different devices. They may also have additional features such as padded sleeves that add to the bulk. Potentially increased size and bulk is a worthy trade-off if you regularly carry a laptop but unnecessary if you don’t.

Access

So you’ve got a bag that’s the right size and suits your style, but how about getting to your gear? One of the key advantages of messengers and shoulder bags over other types of carry is the on-body access they provide. The ability to easily swing them round to your front to get to frequently used essentials or to access gear from the main compartment without having to remove the bag from your shoulder. Features such as quick-release shoulder straps, exterior pockets, magnetic or one-handed flap buckles, and multiple access points to the main compartment will help you get to gear in a jiffy.

Durability

Are you going to be putting your bag through the wringer on regular cycle commutes? Shoving it in and out of overhead compartments or heading off into the wilderness for a day of exploring trails or outdoor photography? The more demanding you are on your bag, the tougher it will need to be. Abrasion-resistant and water-resistant materials along with trusty construction will help your bag cope when the going gets tough. Great for an EDC messenger bag that needs to endure demanding use or a travel messenger bag you can rely on to keep going strong. If your bag will be living a more relaxed or sheltered life, you can dial back on the durability, which may help you cut some weight.

Comfort

While shoulder bags and messengers don’t offer the same level of load distribution that backpacks do, they can still be comfortable to carry. Keep an eye out for a wide shoulder strap that will help spread the load a little, as well as padding on the strap to help enhance comfort. For more active use your chosen bag should offer good breathability in the back panel, a design that hugs the body, and a stabilizer strap or waist belt to help secure the load. And carry handles come in useful too when you want to give your shoulder a breather or are carrying the bag over shorter distances or in more formal environments.

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This article was originally published on 26 February 2019 and recently updated.

A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.

And hey, we’re reader-supported too, so if you find something that sparks your interest and click through and purchase via our affiliate links, sometimes we’ll get a little kickback from the brands or retailers. It helps us to make more content and build this channel. Although, we’ll just point out, some brands don’t have affiliate options, and that’s cool with us too. If the carry is awesome, we recommend it!

The post The Best Messenger Bags for Tech, Travel, and EDC (2023) appeared first on Carryology.

Features

Part of the Bairn’s evolution over time has been the adoption of Austrian-made COBRA® buckles for the main flap closure. Previously only available on limited edition variants, the Bairn Pro features two 25mm (1-inch) AustriAlpin COBRA® ProStyle quick-release buckles as standard. Fans of fidget toys will enjoy the solid and satisfying click when engaging and releasing these buckles.

There’s a good amount of additional webbing length to keep the buckles secured while hauling more bulky items inside. Both buckles have easy-to-grab D-rings to help quickly cinch down.

The Bairn Pro has added additional organization pockets over its smaller namesake. Under the main flap you’ll find the standard full-width covered pocket which is now large enough to securely hold A4 and letter-sized documents.

Flanked on either side you’ll find new vertical zippered pockets to securely store additional items. These pockets feature YKK laminated water-resistant zippers with Trakke’s signature round metal pulls. Both pockets are gusseted to accommodate more bulky items. The right pocket also has a small aluminum snap hook key leash.

Inside the main compartment you’ll find a single flat zippered pocket and Trakke’s well-padded and raised laptop sleeve. 

The Bairn Pro is most notable for its larger size which will now comfortably fit most common 15-inch and 16-inch laptops.

YMMV with larger or thicker devices. 

On the back side, a folded webbing carry handle provides excellent stability when picking the Bairn Pro up even fully loaded. The handle remains low profile when not in use.

Schlepping around a 16-inch laptop and a day’s full of stuff can get heavy. The Bairn Pro’s adjustable strap now features a large cushioned and very comfortable pad for easier carry. The thick and wide cotton strap is adjustable from 29 inches (74cm) to 53 inches (135cm) in length. The strap pad is remarkably large – clocking in at 19 inches (48cm) in length and 4 inches (10cm) in width. The combination of dry waxed canvas and air mesh on the underside makes for a comfortable carry when draped over a shoulder.

An optional stabilizer strap is available for those who wish to carry the Bairn Pro more like a traditional messenger. There are webbing attachment loops on the bottom of the bag to hook in either direction.

Below the strap attachment points are two very discreet water bottle pockets on the outside of the bag. These are not particularly large bottle pockets. You’ll want to stick to smaller and likely uninsulated varieties or single-use plastic types.

Shown here with a 27oz Klean Kanteen, this is probably on the larger end of what would be comfortable to carry in these bottle pockets. Note that this bottle is not insulated so it remains fairly slender. YMMV with thicker insulated bottles.

Last but not least is the Bairn Pro’s quiet party trick – a removable hook-backed label. Yes, you can now affix your own patches to the front of Trakke’s bags!

Materials and Construction

Trakke has opted for beautiful dry waxed cotton canvas throughout their product line. Trakke’s dry wax does not take on the shiny “wet” look of some traditional waxed canvases. It retains its weatherproofing qualities while keeping the wax emulsion neatly baked into the textile. Trakke also sells a reproofing spray that can be applied periodically to reinvigorate the weatherproofing qualities. 

For the Bairn Pro we opted for the “Port” color. A handsome shade that transforms from a warm chocolate brown in some light to a deep reddish brown in others. Trakke’s other colors of dry waxed canvas for the Bairn Pro include Black, Olive, and Whisky.

Trakke’s signature orange dry waxed canvas lining is present through every compartment. The orange lining is a lighter weight of canvas than the exterior. Everything is easy to see inside and the lining fabric has just the right drape so as to never feel too heavy. 

A common theme with Trakke is all-natural fibers – the webbing used for the shoulder strap and front buckles are no exception. The 2-inch (50mm) cotton shoulder strap webbing starts life relatively stiff. But don’t let this scare you off. Within a week of regularly carrying a 16-inch laptop and our EDC kit around we found it wore in nicely. And as long-time Trakke owners will attest – things only get better with age. With enough use you should expect the cotton webbing to become wonderfully soft and well worn.

The shoulder strap webbing features polished stainless steel triglide hardware and split rings on the ends. These split rings allow you to remove the strap and take the strap pad on or off.

The Bairn Pro’s main flap closure comes standard with two 25mm black AustriAlpin COBRA® ProStyle buckles. Machined from 12mm aluminum, these are true load-rated buckles that will outlast you and every piece of textile on the bag. Overkill in the best possible way for your messenger bag. 

In Use

TL;DR – the Bairn Pro is a joy to use. 

There’s just no way around it. This size is a very welcome upgrade from the original Bairn. The small amount of extra space afforded by the larger laptop sleeve gives the Bairn Pro just the right amount of space to be an ideal EDC bag.

The materials and hardware are beautiful and will only get better with age. The design is understated and you’ll easily blend in with any crowd. It’s not often we come across brands that appeal to such a wide range of end users but Trakke really nails it here. The Bairn Pro feels right at home in a professional office environment or at the corner coffee shop – and everywhere in between.

Something that not all messenger bags do well is allow comfortable use as a shoulder bag. The Bairn Pro’s wide stable strap webbing and comfortable strap pad allow for equally comfortable carry on a single shoulder, cross body, or on your back as a traditional messenger.

Our daily commute typically involves a car, a parking lot, and a short jaunt to the office. For this daily task, or on days that involved extra pit stops the Bairn Pro carried as a shoulder bag was our go-to carry method. 

For quick cycling trips the Bairn Pro carried well even without the optional stabilizer strap. The dry waxed cotton canvas has enough grip against a cotton shirt to keep it from shifting around too much like smooth slippery synthetic fabrics can. The stabilizer would come in handy if you’re wearing a synthetic jacket while cycling. 

The Bairn Pro also works as a compact overnight bag. This was not something we considered with the smaller Bairn. A recent business trip to Indianapolis gave us a chance to pack out the Bairn Pro with a change of clothes, laptop, toiletries, water bottle, and our favorite Micro 4/3 camera setup. 

Improvements

All this praise also comes with some downsides. Messenger bags come with some asterisks – they’re not hermetically sealed carry devices. We found that while carrying a larger laptop and a moderately sized loadout the main flap did not provide complete coverage at the sides nearest the laptop. We don’t often find ourselves commuting in inclement weather but if rainy bike rides are your jam, you may want to look at a more sealed offering from Trakke.

Love ’em or hate ’em, COBRA® buckles are large and bulky things. When moving around in transit they perform their job dutifully and without being noticed, but if you’re working out of the Bairn Pro on hard surfaces you’ll find them clanking and knocking around quite a bit. This is addressed well by Trakke’s new Portobello Laptop Briefcase which brings a lot of Bairn Pro features in a briefcase-y package.

As photographers, this size of messenger hits a very nice sweet spot for carrying a small kit around for the day. We’d love to see just a bit more depth in the main compartment. Our favorite Tenba BYOB 10 camera bag insert kinda sorta fits, but it’s a tight squeeze, especially with a 15-inch or 16-inch laptop in tow. If you rock a slimmer camera insert or go without the laptop you may have better luck.

Verdict

Trakke’s Bairn Pro is a fully competent evolution of the original Bairn lineage (now in its fourth iteration). A big brother that adds more functionality and versatility to an already capable messenger bag lineup. It’s not overburdened with features – it’s just the essentials executed exceedingly well. Whether you’re in a professional or casual environment Trakke’s entire line of bags blends in and will elevate your carry in a classy and tasteful way. We’re excited to continue using the Bairn Pro for our daily carry needs.

The post Trakke Bairn Pro Review appeared first on Carryology.

Who It Suits

Any gray man who prefers to go unnoticed in daily life. This bag is simple, modular inside, not flashy, and easily accessible. It’s a good office or commuting bag but could even be a perfect solution for undercover operations. With a slick exterior, it’s a “high speed, low drag” messenger bag. If that is what you want – this bag is perfect for you.

Who It Doesn’t

Suppose you need tons of internal organization with dedicated zipper pockets, MOLLE panels, a Velcro area for patches, and all the bells and whistles. This one could be too simplistic for you. Also, if you want to carry a lot of gear, the bag’s moderate volume of just below 15 liters could be a limiting factor.

Specifications

Name: Discreet Messenger Bag
Brand: ITS Tactical
Format: Messenger Bag
Measures: 18″ (tapers to 14.5″) x 11″ x 5″
Capacity: 14.6 liters
Weight: 42 oz. (2.6 lbs.)
Hardware/Materials: Weatherproof TPU 600D fabric, Fidlock magnetic buckle, tubular nylon webbing, magnetic zipper in rapid-access pocket
Price: $199.99

The Good

On the outside, it is as discreet (and quiet in operation) as possible. It is comfortable even without a padded shoulder pad (but it could be handy for heavier loads). But the tubular webbing belt was just fine for my use and moderate load. Quality-wise, it’s a very well-made messenger bag with easy access to the inside and a rapid-access secret front pocket. It could look too gray and simple for some, but that’s the whole point! It’s slick, it’s smooth, it doesn’t attract attention, it won’t catch on things with any loop or MOLLE on the outside. On top of that, it can be compressed almost flat for storage or as a backup bag in the trunk of your ride.

It’s not a watertight bag, but waterproof materials and self-folding side flaps protect the contents from the elements quite well. I checked it this past summer a couple of times during my Bornholm trip when I had to keep going in the rain and even a sudden summer storm once.

Inside, it is undoubtedly NOT as minimalistic as on the outside. First, it’s a multilayer construction with the back panel and bottom padded with high-density foam. It’s not thick, but it is meaty and will protect the stuff inside from hitting the ground and your back and hip from edgy stuff inside. The sides and front also have multilayer construction, but the padding is considerably thinner. Still, the bag is robust enough to keep its shape even if empty (but can be flattened and packed inside oversized luggage).

There are multiple open-top pockets inside: a big one for a laptop and two front pockets sized perfectly for ITS Tactical’s Zip Bag or ETA Trauma Kit pouch. I found out that the Magpul DAKA small fits there perfectly too. There are also two side pockets (big enough for a 500ml Nalgene or bottle of similar diameter) and two clever “corner pockets” for a pen, folding knife, flashlight, etc. The central big cavity is excellent for bulky stuff like a camera, jacket, oversized cargo pouch like the ITS Gizmo Lite bag, Dan Matsuda EDC pouch, etc. You can see here two loads inside my Discreet Messenger: one with pouches and another more traditional with items stored directly in the pockets.

The main flap has small side wings, which additionally restrict side access when the bag is tightly closed. So you won’t lose stuff easily during dynamic movement, and it’s crowd-safe, too. ITS Tactical used a magnetic Fidlock to keep the flap in place (with two levels of closing), and it works fine. But why just one central Fidlock, not two as with most bags? Well, the Discreet Messenger has one more trick up its sleeve (which requires a central lock) – a hidden quick-access pocket on the front, which you can access from both sides via a magnetic zipper. You can keep it shut via a regular zipper for extra safety. Still, in standby mode, you can unzip it, and linear magnets hold the sides of the opening together – it’s safe to carry something inside, and access is now almost instant. A very unique and very clever feature! So, with one central closing point on the flap, you can quickly draw from the rapid-deployment pocket by holding the flap. You can carry inside one of many quick-access items like a flashlight, pepper spray, or whatever you want. It’s also where I have a knife when exploring the wild, so it’s always easily accessible without opening the bag. The pocket is lined with Velcro so you can position your flashlight (or other gear) in a Velcro-backed sheath.

The Not So Good

There are three things a bit too minimalistic for me about this bag. One is the lack of an internal zipper pocket for a wallet or keys. I know that tactical-minded gurus advise carrying a wallet “on you” for safety, but such a pocket would still be excellent in many situations. Or at least a loop/lanyard, so I could permanently attach one of the pouches inside my bag for double safety.

Another one is the lack of even a simplified carry handle. It is not the end of the world, and it’s also safe, as it makes grabbing the bag from you even harder. But still, a carry handle comes in handy quite often.

And a third one – like it or not, the bag is available only in a gray melange color scheme.

Verdict

I’ve been using my ITS Tactical Discreet Messenger for 12 weeks as a vacation EDC bag (when exploring Bornholm), camera bag (forest, city), and office bag, and I never had a single issue with it. It held up great, also in light summer rain. After the summer season, it still looks almost brand new, which is a testament to the quality of materials used. It is even more functional if paired with ITS pull-out Zip pouches or the new small Trauma Kit, which are tailor-made to fit inside the pockets. Or rather, the pockets are tailor-made to accept the pouches, which have been available at ITS for years.

And lastly, you’ll also get an outstanding Dan Matsuda limited-release orange and black patch with the bag. Dan is a true legend among the designers within the ‘carry’ world, and his patches are some of the most sought-after among patch junkies (yeah, like me).

Price? Well, at $199.99 regularly (including the Matsuda patch) this bag is a pretty good deal, but at just $99.99 on sale at the time of writing, this bag is tremendous value! The ITS Tactical Discreet Messenger Bag is a solid option to stay gray in today’s world. Jason Bourne would carry it, I’m sure!

The post ITS Tactical Discreet Messenger Bag Review appeared first on Carryology.

1st Place

Wilboro Revival Satchel

There are times when a bag catches the industry off guard and grabs attention. The Wilboro Revival Satchel is one such bag that immediately caused a stir amongst both our staff and readers. From Ontario, Canada, Wilboro is a one-man team making considered and innovative pieces of carry. 

The Revival Satchel is a magnificent example of design, manufacturing, and progression. In many ways, this feels like the upgrade that leather goods have been waiting for in the world of EDC and tech carry. This is the type of bag that gets people talking, regardless of their interest level in the world of carry.  Each gorgeous piece of Wickett & Craig Leather is perfectly placed on this elegant pattern, and it creates a unique yet under-the-radar modern-day messenger. This leather body is upgraded with X-Pac® UVX40 for the liner and finished with hardware that is a mix of Fidlock® magnetic snap closures and an AustriAlpin Cobra Pro buckle on the strap. The internal removable laptop sleeve is a mix of felt, leather, and YKK® zippers. There is not an expense spared with this construction and it is immediately noticeable from the moment you hold it! 

The laptop sleeve can hold a 14″ MacBook Pro or iPad Pro with keyboard, and is conveniently detachable for use at your desk. The laptop sleeve is a great example of Wilboro’s brilliant design ethos; small touches that make the product all the more enjoyable to use. Coming from a one-man workshop, its combination of thoughtful, functional design and its marriage of heritage and modern materials make the Revival Satchel a celebration of all that is great in the world of carry. A worthy champion! Bravo, Wilboro!

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.

Bellroy Tokyo Work Bag

The Tokyo Work Bag’s deft blend of minimalist style and thoughtful organization makes this a truly versatile piece for both formal and informal work settings, while keeping gear quickly accessible throughout the day. Useful features such as a wide opening and considered pocket placement for your tech, EDC, a water bottle, and small accessories prevents the need to waste time rummaging for specific items.

Add in grab handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a luggage handle pass-through for flexible portability and you get a piece that adapts smoothly to the commute, zipping between meetings, and business trips. And with 100% recycled exterior fabric and linings, eco-tanned leather accents, and a choice of work-friendly colorways, you can enjoy sustainable style along with intuitively practical design. Great job, Bellroy!

Code of Bell APEX LINER PRO

With many people now embracing a hybrid approach to working environments, perhaps splitting their time between the office and home or their local cafe, Code of Bell wanted to create a bag that would adapt easily on the fly. Their answer to this challenge is the APEX LINER PRO, a daily carry bag and work bag in one.

Three separate compartments and an assortment of pockets keep gear well organized and secure yet quickly accessible on the go. And there’s an additional clever feature with this bag; the laptop compartment opens up to create a portable workstation for your laptop, letting you work in privacy wherever the workday takes you. An expandable front compartment accommodates bulkier items such as an outer layer or change of shoes and you’ve got multiple carry options including a shoulder strap, grab handles, a luggage pass-through, and even an optional backpack harness for on-the-back carry. Burly weatherproof construction with X-Pac fabric and water-repellent YKK zippers adds extra peace of mind in inclement weather, making this a trusty piece for a range of environments and weather conditions. Fantastic work, Code of Bell!

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A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.

And hey, we’re reader-supported too, so if you find something that sparks your interest and click through and purchase via our affiliate links, sometimes we’ll get a little kickback from the brands or retailers. It helps us to make more content and build this channel. Although, we’ll just point out, some brands don’t have affiliate options, and that’s cool with us too. If the carry is awesome, we recommend it!

The post Best Work Shoulder Bag Champion | Carry Awards X appeared first on Carryology.

1st Place

Wotancraft Scout

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.

WaterField Designs Cargo Camera Bag

A functional camera bag needs to keep your gear secure on the go, yet quickly accessible when that epic shot presents itself. Enter the WaterField Designs Cargo Camera Bag. Available in two sizes to suit different setups, the bag offers a wide opening to get to gear in a jiffy. Interior mesh pockets let you quickly discern where specific smaller accessories are stored, with further quick-access pockets on hand for storing items without having to open the main compartment.

The removable padded insert protects fragile gear against bumps and scrapes, with flexible sewn-in dividers that easily adapt to different items while avoiding noisy Velcro® adjustments. The bag delivers easy on-body access to DSLR and mirrorless cameras, with understated aesthetics that lend themselves to a variety of urban settings, whether on a professional shoot or snapping images in your downtime. Excellent work, WaterField!

Bellroy Venture Camera Sling 10L

Bellroy’s Venture Camera Sling zooms in on easy access, offering features such as a quick-adjust buckle to easily slide the bag from your back to front to get to gear. The removable strap is also reversible, making the bag suitable for both left and right-shoulder wear. Included straps let you secure a tripod to the base of the bag, while the internal padded dividers are flexible to adjust to a variety of loads. Adding to the adjustability are self-compressing gussets, allowing the bag to shrink or expand depending on your setup.

A choice of pockets store smaller items, while the wide opening provides easy access to gear in the main compartment. Add in water-resistant, 100% recycled ripstop nylon and water-resistant zippers and you get protection from the elements too. Sleek and adaptable, the Venture Camera Sling is a savvy choice for staying agile on the go with a range of camera setups. High five, Bellroy!

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A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.

And hey, we’re reader-supported too, so if you find something that sparks your interest and click through and purchase via our affiliate links, sometimes we’ll get a little kickback from the brands or retailers. It helps us to make more content and build this channel. Although, we’ll just point out, some brands don’t have affiliate options, and that’s cool with us too. If the carry is awesome, we recommend it!

The post Best Camera Bag Champion | Carry Awards X appeared first on Carryology.

1st Place

BRIEFING FREIGHTER T-SHOULDER

BRIEFING finishes right where they should be – at the top. A long-standing Japanese brand that has often dabbled in the USA consumer and MiUSA market, the FREIGHTER T-SHOULDER is a go-anywhere-do-anything messenger bag that moves with you through your everyday life.

We love that our community chose BRIEFING, as they aren’t always well represented among many of the other typical EDC carry brands, but they absolutely deserve to be there. We took this bag everywhere, from the cafe to the trails. It packs down super easily for travel too, which makes it a solid option for one-bag travelers to bring a bit extra for days on the town.

The BRIEFING FREIGHTER T-SHOULDER bag comes in a bit higher priced than many other options, but not so much that it’s unwarranted. For $315, you have a 500D MiUSA messenger bag, in several colorway options, that’s capable of just about anything you throw at it. Congratulations, BRIEFING!

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.

Bedouin Foundry Poacher

Inspired by traditional game keepers’ bags, the Bedouin Foundry Poacher turns heads with its eye-catching style and offers great flexibility for day-to-day, work, and weekend use. Bedouin’s signature class and flair are well on display here with premium materials such as bonded cotton drill, top-grain vegetable-tanned leather, and Portuguese knotted netting. Crafted in England, the bag exudes quality and is built to last for many years of trusty use.

The front net pocket is handy for stashing a variety of quick-access items, while a pocket on the rear of the bag provides convenient and discreet storage for a passport or phone. Internally you’ll find sleeve pockets for smaller and flatter items, while the remainder of the main compartment accommodates a variety of bulkier items such as pouches, an outer layer, lunch, or whatever else you may need for the day’s excursion. Beautifully crafted and versatile in its uses, the Poacher is a fine catch for anyone who appreciates style, function, and quality in their carry. Bravo, Bedouin!

ORBITGear R231-ADV MK23 “FOXHOUND”

ORBITGear’s blend of technical construction, durable materials, and considered functionality has made them a standout name on the Indonesian carry scene and garnered the brand a global fanbase as well. The R231-ADV MK23 “FOXHOUND” delivers all of these features in a rugged, multifunctional bag that can carry your work supplies or weekend adventure gear equally well.

A host of pockets and webbing attachment points keep your gear well organized, including suspended and padded storage for a 16″ laptop. The closure can also alternate between flap and roll-top mode to suit different preferences. Burly materials and hardware including an X-Pac exterior, heavy-duty tarp lining, and YKK AquaGuard zippers provide confidence that the messenger will take any weather in its stride. The ambidextrous strap suits both left and right-handed use, while the blend of military and techwear aesthetics looks right at home on city streets. Tough and adaptable, this is a trusty choice for anyone who wants a bag that will embrace multiple settings and carry loads. Bravo, ORBITGear!

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The post Best Messenger Bag Champion | Carry Awards X appeared first on Carryology.

Freitag founders, and brothers, Markus and Daniel Freitag kicked off their enterprise in the early 90s when their search for sturdy, waterproof bags hit a brick wall. One day, Markus came home with a discarded truck tarp and decided he was going to make a bag out of it. The rest is, quite frankly, history. Freitag has since been synonymous with the idea of recycle-and-reuse, all while delivering hyper-functional and stylish bags all over the world.

A New Kind Of Custom

Nowadays, plenty of brands offer vast amounts of customization for their products; from colors and fabrics to hardware and bespoke sizing. However, none have taken the approach that Freitag has with their latest offering: F-CUT. Freitag’s F-CUT puts you right in the factory at the cutting table. Picture a dozen unique truck tarps laid out before you, each with their own unique colors, patterns, and patina. F-CUT gives you the freedom to choose every panel, from any tarp in stock, for your one-of-a-kind bag, all interactively. Once chosen, Freitag cuts every panel exactly as specified, and builds and delivers that bag to your door. It’s one of the most standout customization processes we’ve seen.

I had the opportunity to run through this process myself, building one of Freitag’s messenger bags, the F712 Dragnet. Since Freitag offers a limited (but generous) amount of tarps at any given time, I first found myself re-checking the website every day or so to see if anything new really spoke to me. It was fun to see what other people had chosen, since you can quite literally see panels from other customers’ bags cut out of the tarp.

Eventually, a tarp with subdued, cool grays, and a mountainous wavy pattern popped up. I knew it was time. All in, I chose from two separate tarps for my design, which is a cool feature to offer. The aforementioned tarp was used for the outer shell and front flap, and a geometric black and gold tarp for the inner and outer pockets. To top it all off, I chose the slightly cheeky “My Fault” label over the standard Freitag F-CUT labeling. I was shown a confirmation screen and I hit “submit”. After that, I was given a final design page that was mine to share, which you can even still check out here, with different expanded views and 360° rotation. When designing your bag, you’ll see a “Next production date” listed at the top so you know when to anticipate your bag hitting the sewing floor.

Fast forward to just over a month, in my case, and my brand new, “My Fault” F712 Dragnet was on my doorstep. As advertised, it was exactly the bag I had designed, down to some of the blemishes in the tarp from its previous life on the road. The F712 is a classic, old-school-cool messenger in the truest sense of the word.

Under that front wave-patterned flap is the contrasting gold and black section of tarp number two, with small gussets on either side for extra storage. The inside is decidedly spartan for the gear-hauling bike messenger, with just an unpadded sleeve on the back wall. The front flap also has a 3-position configuration that goes from what you see above, to almost fully expanded. Even at the fullest, it still maintains its weather-resistance thanks to an extra panel on the interior that unfurls with the front flap.

This was by far the most unique, and interactive bag designing experience I’ve ever come across, especially at the scale Freitag operates. Sure, there are plenty of amazing custom bag makers out there that will offer any number of customizations to existing or even ground-up products, but nothing quite approaches the feeling of ownership that Freitag has been able to instill within F-CUT. If you get the chance, you go play around with F-CUT, as at the very least it’s a cool tech demo of what’s possible now and into the future in the world of softgoods customization.

Right now, Freitag F-CUT offers a choice of two models; the F713 Knight Rider and the F712 Dragnet which is pictured above. You owe it to yourself to check out F-CUT, and make something your fault.

The post Freitag Spins Up A Unique Way To Design Your Own Bag appeared first on Carryology.

When the time comes to look at a new design, I get all giddy and excited. While Taylor and I were visiting the UK in the summer of 2022, we met Silas at his local pub in rural Wales and he was carrying a special something… that something was the new Bedouin Foundry Poacher.

Let’s dive in.

Who it’s for

If you like old school cool, heritage materials and refined looks, the Poacher will become a firm favourite quickly.

Who it’s not

If you’re a XPAC and Dyneema fiend, this isn’t for you. Simple pocketing could be limiting for you if you prefer an individual place for every item.

British Charm

One of Bedouin’s main characteristics are the aesthetics of their bags. From the original Barbary all the way to the newest Poacher, they are unmistakable. With the Poacher that manifests in a wonderful array of cotton drill, leather, cobra buckles, and netting. The Poacher takes cues from fishing, poaching, and game bags of yesteryear, but it’s more suited to modern life, although it could certainly do the dirty jobs in a pinch!

The front of the Poacher is an engaging sight. There is a beautiful leather chevron on the lid that guides you to the Cobra closure, which is easily used with one hand. I really like single closures on a smaller bag and I’m glad to see that here. This is also where one of my favourite newer features from Bedouin lives. On the pull tab webbing, there is a small leather patch that makes using the adjuster really tactile experience. I think Bedouin should put this on all of their bags going forwards, it makes such a difference to your experience when using the bag.

On the front of the bag there is the colourful Portuguese knotted netting with leather rim and a collar stud closure for your extra accessories.  The netting may have once held your catches from a day of snaring and hunting (it may still for you!) but I found it to be a home for all of my “might need, but not critical” items such as gloves, a hat, and occasionally a hip flask. It can hold a good amount of gear, and is a surprisingly useful addition to an EDC bag.

On the rear, you have an indulgent veg tan leather that makes up the whole back panel. This is subtly printed with the Bedouin stamp at the bottom, and there is also a stitched in slip pocket. On paper this is designed for passports, but I found it a great landing spot for quick access to my phone.

The cotton drill is from Oldham in Manchester, and is a trip down memory lane. It is the kind of material that’ll exist long after we’re gone, and it feels excellent in hand. It is robust enough to take a lot of abuse, but supple enough to move with you as you go about your day. A cotton webbing strap is comfortable and feels great in hand, and the diagonal attachment to the bag allows it to carry very well, without any hotspots. It is worth noticing on the Navy cognac colourway that the lighter strap will show use rather quickly.

Bedouin Foundry do an excellent job of marrying heritage styles with modern touches, and that is apparent on the Poacher. Internally you have their signature rebellious crank pattern printed on the liner. There are technically three pockets/sleeves in the Poacher and they live in a 1:2 orientation. One larger full width sleeve at the back, and then two smaller slips on the front of that.

It’s a charming looking bag, and I’ve been asked about it time and again when wearing it. 

Daily Driver

Ever since I pored over the Poacher prototype in a welsh pub, I was excited by the possibility of its carrying potential. I’m traditionally an over carrier (for better and worse) and I’ve been trying to hone my carry for EDC. At 12L, the Poacher gives me just more than a sling without the need to bring a full backpack. I truly enjoy that, as I’m not wanting more or less, it feels like a Goldilocks size for me.

I’ve now been using the Poacher for two months, and I would consider it my daily driver for EDC. Obviously, when I’m taking specialised carry such as camera equipment or sports gear – the Poacher doesn’t suit those needs. However, I come back to this bag time and again for a few simple reasons.

Firstly, I love how it looks (and smells!), I mean really love it. It’s probably my favourite looking bag. If you’ve read my love letter about the Barbarossa, I waxed lyrical about how the bag was loved into existence. I feel the same way about the Poacher, it feels like my bag rather than a product off the line. Personally, as a country boy, there’s something special about that and I’ll always gravitate to it. After my two short months, the rear leather panel is getting its own character, and the cotton drill is softening to my usage patterns. You don’t get that experience with modern laminates.

Secondly, it is unobtrusive. The 12L size (I make it 13/14 when you include the netting) is enough to be genuinely useful, but also small enough to stay out of the way. One of the features I’ve really come to love about the Poacher in use is how it carries so well in different situations. I can wear this on my back for walking around or rambling, and quickly swing to my side to gain access. I can spin it round to the front and raise it up with a quick adjustment of the strap for when I’m driving or when I’m on public transport. I know you can do this with many bags, but the choice of materials here means that those actions aren’t a loud and crinkly exchange, but a more subtle, private one.

Thirdly, it’s surprisingly versatile. For a bag that doesn’t have a fixed utility (I.e. Not a camera bag, laptop briefcase, hiking backpack etc) it performs really well in an array of tasks. I’ve carried a mirrorless camera (and accessories) on hikes, I’ve packed it with nappies and hazmat clean up equipment for my three month old daughter, I’ve loaded it for the office with notepads, books, and my standard EDC. I’ve even taken it out pretty empty to the farmers market and come back with some goodies for dinner.

Versatility is an underrated trait in the carry world, but not by Silas and the team at Bedouin Foundry, they’ve banked on versatility with the Poacher and it’s paid off.

Verdict 

When we talk about soft goods, I’m definitely team ‘buy it nice or buy it twice’. I’m drawn to items that tell a story and will continue to tell one the more they are used. The Poacher ticks those boxes with its vintage background, best in class materials, and modern touches. The Poacher has continued to impress me each time I’ve used it, and it is now the one that hangs over the bannister at the bottom of my stairs ready for duty at any given moment. They say the best bag is the one you have with you. I almost agree, but I think it’s more the one you want to take with you. For EDC and lighter carry – I want to take the Poacher.

The post Bedouin Foundry Poacher Review appeared first on Carryology.

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.

The post Mission Workshop Transit Arkiv Laptop Brief Review appeared first on Carryology.

The Scout is dubbed as their City Explorer, and over the last ten days I’ve had a blast taking it with me everywhere. It has served me well in a surprising amount of situations, and while some elements of the bag took a little getting used to, I think that the short learning curve is worth it.

Heritage Style – Modern Materials

The first thing that anyone would notice about the Scout, and any of Wotancraft’s bags, are the looks. It’s hard not to swoon over the classic silhouettes, distressed accents, and heritage vibe. Both colours, the Charcoal with black leather that I have been using, and the Olive Green with Brown leather are handsome choices that would suit most tastes. A simple rectangular profile, with ever so slightly rounded edges (adorned with battle distress leather) and an elegant lid that closes with leather Y tabs. All of the hardware is custom, including the Wotancraft logo and name subtly embossed. 

It would be easy at a glance to consider this a waxed canvas bag, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is an older bag that has been well loved and cared for. However, that would betray the innovative materials that hide behind its charming design. You see, the Scout is built from Waxed Cordura® Canvas. It is military grade, and is exactly what you’d choose for a hard wearing everyday bag.

On a rudimentary level this means you are getting the elegant aesthetics of waxed canvas, including the patina that will come from your own use, paired with the lightweight abrasion resistance and weatherproofing of the modern Cordura material. Wotancraft have replaced traditional waxed canvas with their own Waxed Cordura on their bags since 2014. It’s a similar story with their battle distressed leather, where the cowhide has been left rugged and untrimmed at the edges and infused with wax to create its own patina. I love this leather and I do wish they had used some of this delightful leather as zipper pulls.

Medical grade microfiber lining protects any contents from any dings or scratches, and also avoids the dreaded pilling and fuzzing that I often associate with velcro inserts. The bag’s body and the dividers are also padded with a high density EVA foam that adds structure and protection. These choices may not seem hugely significant in writing, but in the flesh they translate to a wonderful tactile experience, and give you great confidence trusting your equipment or daily carry in this bag.

EDC or Camera Carry?

The simple answer is both. While Wotancraft are perhaps better known for their photography carry capabilities, this bag serves dual purpose, and works for a roving photographer or an urban commuter. The removable dividers are equally adept at holding your camera set up or your daily carry. For example, I have often used one divider only in daily carry mode to accommodate a 26oz water bottle and a plethora of bits and pieces such as a jacket, a hat, a book and pair of glasses.

With a 9L volume, this can hold a decent amount of camera equipment. I’ve carried both my full frame set up and a more compact kit. My FF load out is usually a body, two lenses, a spare battery, a pocket rocket, and a strap. While for my smaller APSC kit, I’ve managed to easily carry two cameras, three lenses and supplement that with some extra EDC such as a water bottle or jacket. This was a welcome surprise to me, because although many bags can pitch themselves as a versatile do it all piece of carry, there often feels like a compromise on one end of the spectrum. That in itself isn’t a problem, but I prefer a bag to do one or two things well, rather than four of five things poorly. I’m happy to say the Scout is in the former camp, and genuinely does an excellent job of both.

Access

This was a bit of a learning curve for me, as I’m used to smaller messengers exposing the whole interior in an instant after you unzip or unclip. With the Scout, you have to release the pull-tabs and the covering, then unzip the main compartment. Once you’ve done that, you are presented with a concertina opening, which took me a little getting used to. However, after a couple of days, the 40º entrance is an absolute joy to use. Your contents stay protected at all times thanks to the pleated fabric and your items will not fall out easily, which was my initial concern.

It makes the bag comfortable to use on the go, in fact I found my arm, hand, and wrist entering the bag at this angle feeling far more natural than than the traditional top down method. I didn’t have to hold the bag at any particular angle to access my camera or water bottle, I could just unzip and access with the bag rested against my body. Not only that, it makes the bag great for desk or table use, you can both access and view the contents with ease. The laptop sleeve, which can be accessed from its own separate full length zipper, held my 14” MacBook Pro or my iPad Pro comfortably, and they felt very well protected.

The two front pockets are great for quick access items, I found them to be a natural spot for sunglasses, notebooks, snacks and the like. The closures are excellent designed with a finger loop behind each snap to aid easy use when full, which I find an often overlooked feature when snaps are used. It accelerates use and increases functionality, exactly what one would hope for from an everyday bag. If you are deep into the Wotancraft ecosystem, you can use their modules here to dial in your equipment carry. These pockets are also covered by the top flap when fully closed, providing extra weather protection for anything inside, along with added security.

There is a lightly padded top handle to carry briefcase style, and the shoulder strap is removable. Although, that said, I’m not sure why you would ever remove this strap as it is one of the most comfortable I have ever used. The neoprene padding moves with you on the go, and decreases shoulder fatigue significantly. On the rear of the Scout, you’ll find a luggage passthrough, which sits atop a somewhat hidden pocket that runs the full width of the bag. I found this the perfect place for my wallet, car keys, and phone. It keeps them secure against your body/back, and out of sight.

All-in-all, my first experience with Wotancraft was everything I hoped it would be, and more. As a photographer, I’m always looking for ways to use my gear quickly without shouting from the rooftops that I’m carrying an expensive payload for any would-be thieves. Not only that, I love bags that blend into surroundings, rather than standing out. I love the fusion of classic design and modern materials, complimented by the excellent functionality. I would feel comfortable taking this to either a wedding or the top of a mountain, and everywhere in between. The Scout gives you permission to do exactly that.

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