Best New Gear September 2020
Travel-ready apparel to keep packing in check. Slick compact slings for urban roaming. And camera carry rocking everything from handmade artisan textiles to tactical vibes. Discover all of this and more as we delve into September's best new gear...
Nixon x C.R. Stecyk III Limited Edition Collaboration
Street culture fuses with considered practicality in the Nixon x C.R. Stecyk III Limited Edition Collaboration. California-based accessories brand Nixon joins forces with artist C.R. Stecyk III, a pioneer of the Dogtown skate ethos and street art progenitor, to deliver this two-piece capsule. The C.R. Stecyk III Limited Edition Logic Ops Camera Bag merges tactical style with useful organization for diverse loads. Multiple pockets, compartments, pouches, MOLLE webbing and tripod straps let you tailor setups to stay on top of changing needs. They've made just 100 bags, so you better be quick off the mark if you're keen to snag one. Also forming part of the capsule is the C.R. Stecyk III Limited Edition Descender Watch, a stainless steel watch that is water-resistant to 30ATM and comes with a Cerakote graffiti splattered case and custom caseback. Like the bag, only 100 watches were made.
Think Tank Photo Retrospective V2.0 Series
Think Tank Photo brings modern updates to classic styling with their Retrospective V2.0 series of shoulder bags. Lighter than the originals, the series offers five sizes of bag to suit a variety of camera setups. The bags now feature a zippered opening under the main flap for added security. And if you don't need it, you can store it out of the way until required. You'll also find storage for a tablet or laptop, a luggage handle pass-through sleeve, plus a compressible water bottle pocket. Additionally, Think Tank Photo improved their “Sound Silencer” technology, so you can work quietly and not draw unnecessary attention. Speaking of avoiding unwanted attention, the low-key aesthetics mean they don't look like they're carrying expensive gear either.
Ethnotek ETK OPTIKS Camera Bag Collection
Ethnotek bags feature eye-catching handmade textiles sourced from artisan villages around the world. Now they're bringing their colorful style of carry to the camera world with their ETK OPTIKS Camera Bag Collection. The collection features the Raja Photo Pack, the Desa Sling Pouch and the Kota Camera Strap. The 30L Raja Photo Pack is an adaptable pack for commuting, camera gear and weekend adventures. It accommodates a variety of interchangeable front panels called Threads, allowing you to easily alter the bag's aesthetics while supporting a variety of textile artisans. The pack provides front and side access to camera gear, a range of dividers and organization pockets, as well as a laptop pocket. The pack also has separate storage in the main compartment for personal gear and includes a removable waist belt.
Mystery Ranch Street Zen
Looking for a little calm in your everyday carry chaos? Mystery Ranch has a versatile solution on hand with their Street Zen. An adaptable everyday pack built with the urban, active commuter in mind. The front EDC compartment features a dual zipper and Velcro closure and lets you reach frequently used items without taking the bag off. The main compartment features a Speedzip™ zipper and buckled handle closure for added portability and security. The floating, padded laptop compartment keeps tech safe on the go, while additional pockets are on hand for smaller items. And with its lifetime guarantee you can feel confident venturing forth with this pack in tow.
Code of Bell TOURER Collection X-PAK PRO
Code of Bell caught the carry world's attention with their X-PAK series. Now their new TOURER collection provides a minimalist take on the originals. The TOURER X-PAK-PRO blends form and function, incorporating weatherproof cotton duck fabric in its stylish and multifunctional design. Two separate compartments let you organize gear for a variety of work, travel, and day-to-day needs. The 11L volume can increase to 23L through the expandable front compartment, handy for larger items or last-minute souvenirs. The bag fits a 13″ laptop, with multiple pockets for organization.
The Brown Buffalo Concealsling
Just because a load is small doesn't mean it doesn't deserve a considered carry approach. And a considered approach is what The Brown Buffalo provides with the Concealsling. Function meets slick urban style with a sleek and durable design to carry minimalist loads. The sling offers quick-access pockets, along with a zipped main compartment with additional organization. The sling can be worn across the chest or back and works well across a range of day-to-day and travel environments. It features a mix of abrasion-resistant and water-resistant 420D Nylon and 210D Nylon Ripstop, in a choice of versatile colorways.
master-piece Rim Series
Japanese carry experts master-piece have honed decades of experience to deliver dialed-in form and function. Their Rim Series demonstrates this expertise across a range of everyday bags including a backpack, sling bag, tote bag and two shoulder bags. master-piece crafts the series with high-density nylon twill and vegetable-tanned leather detailing. The bags feature a water-repellent finish and a two-tone colorway with a subtle glossy aesthetic. Complementing the fashion-forward aesthetics is convenient access, with four zipper pulls to open the bags at different places to easily reach specific items while keeping the rest of your gear secured.
master-piece Lightning Dye Series
If striking aesthetics in practical pieces capture your attention, then the master-piece Lightning Dye Series is not one to miss. The series features a unique dyeing process that dyes the surface of the fabric as well as the back, using a hands-on approach and bleeding technique to distort the dye patterns. The result? The kind of bags you can't help but take a second (and likely third and fourth) look at. The series includes two backpacks and a sling bag for versatile everyday or travel carry use.
wings+horns x Porter Daypack
Porter make some of the slickest urban carry around. Team them up with wings+horns, a designer and manufacturer with a refined blend of Japanese and Canadian design experience, and you're in for a treat. This collaborative daypack is based on Porter's Tanker series and is crafted by Porter in Japan using ripstop taffeta and nylon satin side panels. Functional storage complements the pared-back style including external zip pockets, side pockets with snap closures, and a padded sleeve with a Velcro closure.
