San Francisco-based Boreas Gear, Inc. is funding its latest product through Kickstarter, in an attempt to build a modular pack system that provides three bags in one. If you’re a bag enthusiast like myself (that might not be a real thing but I still have tons of them) then you’ll appreciate the idea of a simple system that makes it easy to covert a single frame into a daypack, waterproof bag and… → Read More
I’m starting Bag Week off with two bags from one of my favorite manufacturers, Nomadic. This Japanese seller of quality bags makes their rucksacks out of rip-stop fabric and offers a certain stark, compact design that is as far from your typical JanSport as a kimono is from an Ed Hardy shirt.
Most of Nomadic’s bags are quite small and the the WT-18 Wise-Walker Toto is no exception. It is about… → Read More
I spent a good portion of my adult career as a graphic designer. I still look at the world through that lens, so I am always happy to stumble across some beautiful designs, no matter where they might be.
Stumble I did, into the Golla booth at the Mobile World Congress today (2 hours of sleep and about 300 calories of food in the last 36 hours) to find a pretty killer lineup of beautifully… → Read More
When you’re a small team going to cover the biggest electronics show in the world, every person has to act as a Swiss Army knife, able to fill any role at any time. This generally produces an incredibly heavy bag, packed with spare cameras, lenses, batteries, cords, and of course a laptop. Luckily for us, our live-camera approach to covering the show takes a bit of that burden off of our sagging… → Read More
We covered Saddleback Leather’s products last year and we thought it would be fun to bring these guys back on stage one more time for an encore. As you can see from the images, these are, in a sense, your grandpa’s bags. They are made of thick, old-world, heavily-stitched leather and feature heavy duty hardware, delicate pigskin lining, and a lot of polish. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say… → Read More
Bag Week continues with our review of Mission Workshop’s Sanction backpack. It’s a weather-proof pack made for short trips on your bike or long walks in the rain. It’s their smallest backpack, far smaller than the Vandal I reviewed last year. But at 1000 cubic inches, it’s still big enough day-tripping. Let’s take a closer look at this thing. → Read More
We pay a lot of lip service to high-tech gadgetry and gizmos on TechCrunch, focusing on only the latest and greatest for your edification. But what abou the stuff that barely gets any notice? What about the straps, bags, and sacs that carry our devices hither and yon with nary a scratch. That’s why we’re holding our annual Bag Week this week and that’s why we’re going to be reviewing a cavalcade… → Read More
I’ll be the first to admit that I usually rock a man-bag on a daily basis, but rarely have I ever considered using something as hardcore as the ITS Tactical Discreet Messenger Bag. While my usual load-out consists of the AOL-issued work laptop and a camera, the TDM bag packs compartments for use that goes above and beyond the ordinary. → Read More
These laptop bags are slightly different from your average messenger or sling. Out of the box, the Unit 01 (no relation to Eva Unit 01) is essentially blank on the outside. But add on Unit 02 and/or Unit 03 (or more than one of either) to its little hook-on system and you’ve got yourself some extra storage that’s easily removable and accessible. → Read More
We’ve seen bags like this before — they’ve existed in one form or another for about 25 years now — but I believe this reversible-flap one at ThinkGeek is new. It looks decent, and it’ll hold plenty of swag if you bring it to E3 or PAX. It doesn’t look especially rugged, but the price is right, and it’s better than this official one at the Club Nintendo. → Read More
I’m not exactly sure what this image is trying to stay – it’s evocative of the red red kroovy in Clockwork Orange – but I’m sure someone somewhere understands it. Anyway, this is the Carmazzi1 Bag. It is designed to be completely customizable and the basic set includes 12 different configurations for $89. You can buy extra pockets and straps and set it up to open from… → Read More
If the ONA Union bag I reviewed last week seemed a little too large or expensive, take a look at Think Tank’s Retrospective 5. It’s a similar messenger/flap style, but smaller and less geared towards waxed canvas fetishists like myself. I can’t actually tell from these pictures whether it’s nylon or canvas, no matter how hard I look, but either one would be fine by me, really. → Read More
This thing is way out of my price range, but that doesn’t mean I can’t think about having one. The Solar Panel Backpack (very original, Ralph) in the RLX line is… well, it’s a backpack with a solar panel on it. → Read More
Short version: A good-looking and fairly durable alternative to your usual black-nylon camera bag. Not an all-purpose bag, though — definitely for the photographer who loves waxed canvas, not the gadget guy or world traveler, despite its Indiana Jones looks. → Read More
I’m always worried that when I put my laptop bag down, I’m putting it down on the corner of my laptop. Bam! Not a problem with these cases from Normancies, which have a band of aluminum making up the handle and protecting the sides. → Read More
It’s easy to confuse a camera bag with a man-purse. Not that murses are a bad thing — but not all of us can pull them off, so we must be wary in our camera bag choices. I’m sorry to say I wouldn’t be able to rock these Acme Made bags, though they do look very nice. I can’t really do the euro look. → Read More
Short version: Beautiful and well-made, but somewhat restrictive space-wise (especially the twee XS), these premium bags are great for the pro on the go, but not really for any kind of travel. Do you like the slick black style for your laptop bags? This one is probably the sexiest out there right now. → Read More
If you’re in need of a sexy sleeve for your new Sandy Bridge/Thunderbolt MacBook Pro, you might consider picking up one of these from Acme Made. I reviewed a couple of their bags a while back and I know them to be pretty solid, with nice materials.
These two new entries are available only in Apple Stores, though, so you’ll have to move your feet around to get ‘em. → Read More
I have a thing for understated, unbranded backpacks like this; I still have pangs of desire for this one, but it was Japan-only, like the one above from Fuct. → Read More
I just noticed that “stowage” is a lot like “storage,” and chances are the former is just a corruption of the latter born on the high seas, where nobody has the time or inclination enunciate. But to proceed:
Are you one of those people who must use every possible cubic inch of storage allotted to you on the plane, and perhaps a little more? If so, you bother me, and I wish you’d stop. But for… → Read More
This thing makes me want to go loot some ancient temple, then stop and have a panini on the way out. Of course, I’m a sucker for waxed canvas, but you have to admit this Artifact lunch sack handsome object. It costs $45, which is a bit much for giving to a young’un with a habit of losing things, but it’s a great option for reducing your own brown paper bag usage. You still want… → Read More
I’ve been on the lookout for a nice waxed canvas messenger bag over the last few weeks, and this one from ONA looks like it might really hit the spot. Waxwear finish, removable laptop compartment, brass fittings… it’s like they pulled it fully formed from my mind. → Read More
It’s tough to recommend camera bags. Choosing the bag that’s right for you can be long process, and one that you should take seriously, even to the point of going to your local camera store and check out the fit and feel of bags there. You need to make sure that the bag you choose fits your needs, but still has room to grow. That way your spouse/significant other can’t shoot you down when you find… → Read More
Bag maker Booq has a new line of gear aimed at the high end — you know, business guys who want understated black stuff but don’t want to be a Samsonite guy. I really like the look of the shoulder bag above, the Cobra Courier XS ($145), for when I want to go around with just my iPad and a book or two. → Read More
Wow, this is a really, really sexy bag. It’s my favorite color, it’s got room for a DSLR, an extra lens, a back-up point-and-shoot, and an iPad. It’s heavy duty, padded, water-repellent, and… it’s really just got everything. Damn, Ari! I look forward to your next project! [via NotCot] → Read More
Acquire points us to this weird TravelTeq aluminum suitcase that folds out to turn into a seat (for long waits at the airport) and has a small protective case that pops out for your laptop or other sundries. There’s also an option charging and speaker system that can be built-into the case. This doesn’t come cheap – they start at $700 – but aren’t you worth it, sleepy… → Read More
Short version: A great bag with some interesting strengths and only a few drawbacks. Good for laptops and accessories, not so much for cameras or bulky items. → Read More
Back when the iPad was new and the world was a different place, we thought we could have it all. This was before the Gulf oil spill, before the horrors of LeBron, before the East Coast heat wave of ought-ten. Back then we thought men could wear little purses to carry their iPads in. Sadly, those heady, care-free days are gone. Cocoon Innovations is best known for their Grid-It system of gear… → Read More
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Booq, but you may remember our reviews of the Mamba Shift and Boa Squeeze. The identifying characteristics of Booq bags are a slick exterior and pocket-packed interior, and the new Catch doesn’t disappoint there. It’s a messenger/shoulder bag with a bit of structure to it so it doesn’t collapse when empty. Personally I like my bags to be as big as the stuff… → Read More
It’s too bad we didn’t hear about these before Bag Week. Feuer Bags is a German company that makes bags out of decommissioned fire hose. You better believe they’re tough. Plus, they have a beautiful worn-in look right out of the box. I know “pre-worn” is a bit of a cliché now, but there’s something beautiful about objects that are genuinely hard-used and have… → Read More
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