PROLLY IS NOT PROBABLY

Posts Tagged ‘bags’

Mission Workshop: R2 Arkiv Field Pack Stop Motion

Mission Workshop‘s highly modular R2 Arkiv Field Pack can fit just about anything you’d need to carry. The MOLLE-inspired rails accept pouches, sleeves and with more attachments in development, you can have a number of bags in one.

All-City: Introducing the Low Profile

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All-City’s got some new bags hitting the shelves of your LBS, one of which is the Low Profile, a 1100cu backpack. Check out more at All-City.

Blue Lug: Fairweather Pack Saddle Bags

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When you want to carry just a little more than your jersey pockets will allow and the idea of having a backpack on just isn’t cutting it, pack bags are great alternatives. With more and more companies breaking into the market, Blue Lug Japan is supporting their local manufacturers, Fairweather.

I have to admit, these are the nicest looking pack saddle bags I’ve seen so far. I really like the easy-to-access top velcro pocket. I know Marty at Geekhouse has been loving his for weekend trips. See more photos at the Blue Lug Flickr and pick one up at Blue Lug.

REload Bags: Monster Track 14 Prize Bag

THIS is pretty metal and that’s one sick bag. Always good things coming from the REload camp in Philly! Who’s gonna win it at Monster Track this year?

Shop Visit: Berkeley Supply Co

Nestled in between Pearl Velo and Avery County Cycles is Berkeley Supply Co. Having opened last December, Eli has focused entirely on made in the USA clothing and accessories. For someone like me, who usually buys clothing when I travel (not a whole lot of options in Austin believe it or not), I was very impressed with the shop and environment Eli has created. Many of the brands he carries I’ve been wearing for the past few years and have had the best of luck with them. A lot of these clothes are what I would consider an investment, as Berkeley Supply Co’s slogan states “outfitter of things that last”.

Check out some photos in the Gallery. Find shop hours and info below.

Shop Visit: Topo Designs

This was my favorite bag in the new Topo spring / summer collection.

The classics never go out of style, they just get a facelift, or in this case, a splash of color. In the years that Denver’s Topo Designs has been in business, they’ve striven for American-made portage that has a modern façade with a classic silhouette. All of their bags are manufactured in a LEED-certified facility at the foothills of the Rockies and while their bags aren’t designed specifically for cycling, they are versatile, durable and innovative.

I had the opportunity to visit Topo’s design and shipping facilities while I was in Denver and was immediately pulling out my card to make some purchases. From a new (out soon) backpack that stuffs into a pocket, padded laptop carriers (out soon), to their classic Klettersack backpack, nesting bags and even their accessories like the Web Belt and Liberty co-branded water bottle, I put a dent in my checking account!

I’ve honestly never purchased them before because I never saw anything Topo made in person. In this case, seeing and feeling was believing. With high-quality, wear-reducing cordura on the bottoms of their bags, you’ll have them for years with no issues.

Check out more photos from my Shop Visit to Topo Designs in the narrated gallery and check your local Topo retailler here.

Cadence: Trekker 2 Sling

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This year, Cadence took their popular Trekker sling bag and made it even better. Now this all-around shoulder bag has a chest stabilizer. It’s still made in the USA, still all black and still solid as ever. Tote your camera, your jacket or whatever with you on your ride.

Pick one up here at Cadence.

New Offerings from Brooks

I was just thinking the other day about how much I missed my Brooks Team Pro saddle. If you can’t tell, I really miss my touring bike. Or maybe I just miss touring and camping. This new video from Brooks just hit my email, featuring their new Land’s End & John O’Groats Travel Panniers and if panniers aren’t on your foreseeable agenda, check out the new saddle, bar tape and grips offerings below.

Porcelain Rocket: Bicycle Portage for Your Rugged Rig

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Depending on how light you travel by bike, these two bags could very well hold everything you need for a week-long bicycle tour or camping trip and the best thing is, you don’t need rack mounts or any additional provisions. Just a seat post, saddle rails and handlebars. The frame, bar and saddle bags that are coming out of Porcelain Rocket’s shop in Calgary are strikingly beautiful.

This isn’t your traditional waxed canvas and leather saddle bags used by randonneurs. These bags are made from Dimension Polyant VX21, HDPE and clasp together with Rock Lockster buckles. They can be customized to any number of color combinations and patterns (see above). Used primarily by MTBrs, these packs will fit on just about any bicycle frame.

I’ve never used a Porcelain Rocket bag, but I had great luck with my Viscacha saddle bag by Revelate Designs, which looks similar. I’m heading out to Asia in a few weeks and then to Australia, where I’ll be using my Viscacha yet again. I would be picking up a set from Scott if he didn’t have such a long lead-time.

You’ll have to wait about 10-12 weeks for your Porcelain Rocket bag but they look like they’re worth the wait. Check out the full line at Porcelain Rocket and see more of Scott’s creations on his Flickr.

Initial Reaction: Chrome Niko Camera Pack

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The years I spent in New York make me appreciate two concepts: mobility and real estate. Observing both, in the literal and figurative sense, can teach you everything you need to know about anything, even products. They are key deciding factors in determining something’s usefulness. Quite simply put: how you use the product while moving through space and how the product uses its own space.

When I heard that Chrome had picked up a designer from Lowepro to design their new Niko Camera Pack, I had high hopes that it would be an improvement over last year’s Niko Messenger Sling bag. The design seemed to be simple enough and the product shots made it look like the Niko Pack was just an enlarged by 200% Niko Messenger. I shoot multiple formats and travel a lot with my camera equipment, so I’m always looking for a new bag that meets my needs.

Surely with all this space, it had to be the bag I was looking for?