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Backpacks

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Polar The Rucksack

Polar's "The Rucksack" features classic bag design but with synthetic materials are more the now more prevalent and convenient closures. From their description: "It comes with removable side pouches that strap to the sides for toiletries, a water bottle or other accessories. Take the pouches off and use them as internal organizers. Once they are off, the bag is much slimmer and is a great size for daily use at school or the office. It has a padded internal laptop sleeve that fits most 15" laptops to seal the deal". They stress that this is for light daily use only which doesn't seem like a vote of confidence for the durability of the bag but with the side pouches of this is a very attractive backpack, perfect for urban expeditions and short hikes.

Polar The Rucksack

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Bag 'n' Noun 60/40 Napsack

The Bag 'n' Noun 60/40 Napsac is tough, timeless, and beautifully designed. Made from Cotton Canvas, webbed handles, heavyweight felt and canvas shoulder straps, and a construction reinforced by riveted joints. This bag looks reliable and robust, a lightweight bag suitable for a day out in the city or a walk in the woods. Importantly it's water resistant and has a convenient drawstring opening.

I think this is bait tidier than the Canvas Rucksack I shared last year.

Bag 'n' Noun 60/40 Napsack

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Ryan The Dome Backpack

Sporting a more boxy look than many backpacks of this type that I frequently see, the Ryan is designed for everyday use, outdoors or in an urban environment. It's big enough for your laptop and goods, made from organic cotton weatherproof canvas, lined with waterproof recycled polyester and features leather finish. It's made in China, which isn't a bad thing (obviously tremendous skill and talent exists everywhere), but I do prefer small scale local producers no matter where they live, with an emphasis on those who truly appreciate their craft. Millican has a sincere explanation for their decision to outsource overseas on their "Meet the Producers" page.

Ryan The Dome Backpack

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The Minimal Backpack

This bag has been shared on just about every second site I visit and I really like the concept, style and construction of the bag. But I would never buy a white bag as it wouldn't stay white long and I prefer bags that blend. It's an obvious success as they are sold out and taking preorders for an estimated Spring 2012 shipment.

The premise was simple; what was the simplest and lightest pack we could make that was still suitable for daily use? Nonwoven Dyneema is an insanely expensive material, even by Outlier standards. It's also extremely difficult to sew, so producing a simple yet highly functional design is crucial to making this stuff work. Thankfully Mike St. Pierre of Hyperlite has been working with the material over the past few years and has even built a small factory in Biddeford Maine. By the time Outlier got involved most of the hard work was done. We met up with Mike out in Utah this past summer and swiftly came up with a plan to birth the Minimal Backpack. A roll top backpack, that's waterproof and packs down to fit into a jacket pocket.

The Minimal Backpack

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Poketo Striped Fleece Backpack

These are what I sometimes what I characterize as a 'does look good on me' bag. This coming from my first bag buying experience in Taipei 12 years ago or so when I looked in horror at the clerk when she asked if I wanted to stand in the mirror to make sure the backpack looked nice. Like this was standard practice for camping equipment -- I thought she was from Mars. Now I appreciate the non-utilitarian aspects of accessories but the characterization stands.

Here's what they have to say about the backpack:

Compact but roomy, these bags are made of durable and soft sweatshirt fleece, and excellent for work, school, travel, and everyday. The padded straps give you comfortable support, and the reinforced bottom and the hardware details give a classic touch. A front pocket and an additional pocket inside provides compact and lightweight storage. Roomy enough to fit notebook, magazines, and all your daily necessities.

Sounds perfect.

Poketo Striped Fleece Backpack

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Ally Capellino Canvas Rucksack

This rucksack, a part of Ally Cappellino's collaboration with Apple, feels true to the brand image I have of the Girl Guides and Brownies; more so of course than the Dieter Rams infused Apple aesthetic. But like Apple, this bag is deceptively simple, modern and a perfect fit for your 13" Apple laptop. The bag features double the buckles, front zip pocket with (i)phone pocket inside and padded laptop protection. Subtle branding -- meant to be used not shown.

Many of these bags start to look the same when viewed online but when you get to compare them in person you notice the subtle differences in how each designer treats this popular style of accessory.

Ally Capellino Canvas Rucksack

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Bag 'n' Noun Canvas Rucksack

Japanese bag maker Bag 'n' Noun have a gorgeous collection of work with a variety of uses, styles and materials. Their large Canvas Rucksack features a top flap with a beige buckle fastening strap for closure, two adjustable beige shoulder straps to the back, a loop at the top and a stitched on design label to the front. It's an exceptionally clean form, beautiful; much like what you might expect from Japanese designed products. I'm not a fan of buckles as I always expect them to be slower to close but that's about the only negative I can come up with.

Check out their (horrendous flash monstrosity) website for their full range. I'm linking to a more accessible retailer where they are currently sold-out. Worth hunting for.

Bag 'n' Noun Canvas Rucksack

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Stilwin Seedpod Backpack

Too many back packs sacrifice clean looking exteriors for the faux idea of convenience; I've never found the excessive amounts of hoops, pockets and pouches remotely useful for urban use. I think that's one of the reasons why I like Ignoble's clean, almost stealth exterior to their Seedpod Backpack. The fact that it's constructed from wear resistant 400D high density nylon, with the industries best zippers (I think YKK had a huge booth at a Hong Kong conference a few years ago) and heavy duty nylon webbing is a big part of it too.

The bag features padded straps and back, secret left and right side stash-pockets and a large main compartment with internal hanging-pocket and book-sleeve. Production of the bag is limited to 325 pieces. Made in the USA by people who love and value what they do.

I would buy this in a minute but as good as this bag looks I value my marriage more (look in my closet and you would see why this is a problem).

IGNOBLE Stilwin Seedpod Backpack

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Kinoshohampu × LES TOILES DU SOLEIL

I've finally found some images to share of one of my all time favourite mass market bag brands Kinoshohampu. They have a number of very well appointed stores here in Taiwan and I've always enjoyed the design of their bags and the supporting design of their stores and DM. Unfortunately most of the product they sell to the Taiwan market are for the female buyer so I haven't added one to my collection.

The canvas bag above is a recent addition to their catalogue with a new cushioned inner bag to use to carry a smallish laptop. This backpack features leather trim, adjustable straps, back zip pocket, velcro under the flap and a beautiful understated design. All the Kinoshohampu bags I have seen have been extremely well made.

"The beauty of utilities" in life as a tool casually, is 'kinoshohampu'

A simple and modern design that is processed by vegetable tannin leather on cloth.

It is a lifelong bag that shows the pure power of a skillful craftsmen, carefully selected materials, and its simple design are shown.

Kinoshohampu. Buy the above bag here.

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Blauvent SECO Backpack

I first mentioned a backpack made by Carmen Blauvent a little over two years ago, her Parachute Backpack, and as you would expect from an artist of her caliber her work has only gotten better. The backpack pictured above are one of a kind, made from a recycled paraglider wing, it is water repellent and windproof. The interior is lined in high style printed cotton. What sets her product apart is the sense of fun and fantastic use of colour. I'm usually drawn to muted palettes, especially those resulting from canvas and leather but these are too good to not love.

Her catalogue features all kinds of great bags worth checking out.

Blauvent SECO Backpack

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