#backpacks

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There and Back Again: Inside Line Equipment Travel Pack Review

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There and Back Again: Inside Line Equipment Travel Pack Review

Inside Line Equipment and The Radavist go way, way back. John helped Eric from ILE design the brand’s first camera pack back in 2011, which has gone through many iterations since. He’s also put the Photo Mini Bag through the wringer, which remains one of his favorite pieces of US-made gear. ILE makes solid bags for on and off-the-bike outings, all sewn in the Bay Area.

Today we’re sharing something a little different. Earlier this year, ILE announced the Travel Pack. It’s a bag designed to be the perfect size for a weekend+ trip, to fit in an overhead bin on an airplane or train, and has a lot of smart features. John recently took it overseas and has some thoughts to share, so read on for his full review.

Bicycle Crumbs Reviews: The Ortlieb Commuter-Daypack High Visibility

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Bicycle Crumbs Reviews: The Ortlieb Commuter-Daypack High Visibility

Purpose-built for commuting, the Ortlieb Commuter Day-Pack High Visibility brings new meaning to the term reflectivity. But before you start picturing a Day-Glo aesthetic, this piece utilizes a high-luminosity yarn that’s woven throughout Ortlieb’s signature black, waterproof fabric. After testing the backpack through moody Portland commuting, Bicycle Crumbs shares his review.

Punk Rock Stitchworks: A Shop Visit with Alpine Luddites Custom Bag Makers

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Punk Rock Stitchworks: A Shop Visit with Alpine Luddites Custom Bag Makers

“Our driveway is rough.” Those are the words John Campbell of Alpine Luddites used to describe the windy, undulating, treelined drive, freshly blanketed in seven inches of snow, tucked away in the quiet town of Westmore, Vermont. It’s an understatement — a theme that emerges as you pick Campbell’s brain about his work making ultralight and durable bikepacking bags and backpacks for outdoor endeavors.

His shop is located on a picturesque fourth-generation Vermont family farm of 1,100 acres, a place secluded enough that your cellphone welcomes you to Canada as you crest the hill of his aforementioned driveway. Around the back, past the woodshed and out toward the fields, you’ll find Campbell’s workshop. It’s an idyllic setting that easily could have been the setting for a Hudson River School painting in the mid-19th century.

A Look at the New Agave Products Handlebar Bag: the Arroyo Backpack

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A Look at the New Agave Products Handlebar Bag: the Arroyo Backpack

One of the joys this website has brought me over the years is helping out small companies jettison their products into the world. From component manufacturers, apparel brands, frame builders, and yes, bag makers, there’s something special about watching a brand bloom over time and having been a part of that process. Last week, I met this fella named Jeff at Sincere Cycles where he showed me a new prototype bag he’s developing under the moniker Agave Products called the Arroyo Backpack.

Jeff and Agave are based in Austin, Texas, my old stomping grounds, and so this project plucked at my heartstrings a bit. Read on for a more in-depth look at the Arroyo Backpack…

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Nightfall

Josh Brede shared his newest video project, entitled Nightfall. Here’s a little background:

““Nightfall” is a speculative commercial that tells the story of a hardworking messenger who depends on his Chrome gear to keep him going. I made this commercial as my senior thesis at Drexel University, to conclude my studies of TV Production. I set out to create a commercial that portrays a brand I love, rely on, and wear every day.
This couldn’t have been possible without the amazing amount of support from my production & post production crew. You guys seriously rule.”

Inside Line Equipment: Default XPAC Backpack

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Inside Line Equipment: Default XPAC Backpack

I always love seeing new product from ILE and these Default XPAC backpacks look great!

“XPAC is manufactured by Dimension Polyants, woven and lamented in Putnam Connecticut, USA. They specialize in racing sails for boats, but also make some great fabrics for bags.
The fabric has a waterproof laminate, as well as our RF Welded vinyl liner roll-top to keep your gear dry.

The bottom features a 1000 Denier Cordura nylon for its unparalleled abrasion resistance. We are using exclusively Acetal/Delrin fasteners and adjusters for their extreme durability. Our finely tuned shoulder straps are padded, and distribute the load evenly. And the strap angles are designed to fit a broad range of size people.”

These lightweight bags are $260 at ILE

Well Used: Poler’s Excursion Camera Insert

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Well Used: Poler’s Excursion Camera Insert

I’ve used a lot of camera bags and honestly, they each have their own place. For instance, right now I’m using one of F-Stop’s Loki packs. It’s great for a strictly-photo trip, but as I’m packing for the Amgen Tour of California today, I broke out my Poler Excursion camera insert once again.

Why? Because it’s modular! This thing is so clever and even though it’s sold as a set with the Excursion backpack, I’ve used just the insert for over a year.

Check out more below.

Mission Workshop: VX21 Field Packs and Accessories

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Mission Workshop: VX21 Field Packs and Accessories

Mission Workshop’s new VX-21 lightweight backpacks look amazing. I love the multicam and hunter / safety orange. It’s like Mission Workshop can see into my mind!

“The R6 Field Pack allows for the secure and simple attachment of weatherproof accessories to the exterior of the bag. The patented Arkiv® modular system gives the bag freedom to evolve and adapt as needed. With an arsenal of accessories to choose from the R6 series is ready to travel.

The VX-21 collection of R6 backpacks and accessories utilize a lightweight 210 denier packcloth reinforced with a ripstop nylon grid all backed with a PET waterproof membrane. In addition, these packs are lined with a lightweight urethane coated ripstop liner.

All Arkiv bags and accessories are completely weatherproof, made in the USA and backed by a lifetime warranty.”

See more photos below and the full details at Mission Workshop.

Outlier: The Black Minimal Backpack

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Outlier: The Black Minimal Backpack

I love my first generation Minimal Backpack. As the name implies, it’s the simplest form of portage. A traditional dry sack design, rendered in Hyperlite Mountain Gear‘s proprietary material, nonwoven Dyneema. My only complaint with the first run was that it was white. It got dirty easily.

The new Outlier Minimal Backpack comes in black and still kicks ass. Check out more photos and pick one up at Outlier.