Luggage Bags and Packs
-
Seen Randoseru? They make what they call traditional handmade Japanese backpacks. Love this large one in Tochigi: https://www.randoseru-order.jp/products/product_kabuto.php
I'm biased but i've always been a fan of randoseru since I grew up in Japan. Every grade school child has one and by all accounts they're very well made. The colors are more varied nowadays but traditionally they were black for boys and red for girls. I had debated getting one for my son but given the cost and his propensity for destroying things I felt that it wouldn't be a good investment.
-
KabanKo is the brand name, and their Instagram is https://instagram.com/kabanko_japan?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1nayx50tqyge4
They have been at it for 130 years. It seems the government had something to do with this style of bag being adopted by schoolchildren in the 1880s.
I read that Randoseru are so strongly associated with schoolchildren that an adult wearing one in Japan would be assumed to be doing so ironically. But regardless, the layout and the stability of it standing upright are great advantages for business use.
And I agree that the construction appears to be very good. This style should be more common for business travel.
-
KabanKo is the brand name, and their Instagram is https://instagram.com/kabanko_japan?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1nayx50tqyge4
They have been at it for 130 years. It seems the government had something to do with this style of bag being adopted by schoolchildren in the 1880s.
I read that Randoseru are so strongly associated with schoolchildren that an adult wearing one in Japan would be assumed to be doing so ironically. But regardless, the layout and the stability of it standing upright are great advantages for business use.
And I agree that the construction appears to be very good. This style should be more common for business travel.
You are correct. The Japanese adopted it from the Dutch and it is primarily used by school children. I've seen pictures of adults using randoseru, but I think those that use them are few and far between. The pic you posted appears to be aimed at working adults, obviously because of the leather but also because of the slimmer profile. I think the randoseru is also supposed to have ergonomic advantages as well. The kids randoseru's are expensive as hell too
-
anyone have experience with Wotancraft? Their bags seem well engineered with quality materials
https://www.wotancraft.tw/en -
-
It's one of two technical sailcloth brands that I hear about used for bags, @seawolf , the other being X-PAC. Carryology did a nice comparison of the two:
https://www.carryology.com/insights/insights-1/dyneema-vs-x-pac-ultralight-fabrics/
-
Hyperlite and Zpacks have some great stuff in that vein.
-
Defy have a flyweight Dyneema dopp kit, if you're looking for inspiration.
https://defybags.com/products/project-dyneema-dopp-pre-order-ships-in-3-4-weeks
-
Thrux Lawrence bags are 50% off, so they're merely expensive now.
-
The Rofmia Shift Series looks like a Japanese version of Outlier's bags. This is the backpack, which is made of Dyneema. Via Carryology.
-
Bedouin Foundry Dyneema Delireis is on sale:
https://bedouinfoundry.com/products/delireis-dyneema
Also, I just noticed the Midship. Looks interesting. I like the idea of having the tote handles.
I love my Delireis but I really wish it had a top handle.
-
Anyone with great bag knowledge (I know @Graeme and @Cutlasshound fit the bill, but I am sure many of you I have not already spoken to about this also do) able to recommend a good size rucksack to cycle with that is large enough for a full outfit inc. boots, a water bottle and packed lunch as well as a laptop and notebook etc? My Goruck has lasted me well but is a shade on the small size now. Waterproofing is a bonus given our climate!
Cheers -
Most of my favourite bags come in a bit smaller than a Goruck @Alex.
I like the look of the Mission Workshop backpacks. I saw them at the sadly closed Carryology Store a couple of years ago. They looked pretty solid, and some of them come up quite large. Plus they're designed for cycling.
I've got a Defy Verbockel, which is pretty big, but also quite heavy. Some of the stitching isn't as straight as I'd like, but it seems tough.
-
Anyone with great bag knowledge (I know @Graeme and @Cutlasshound fit the bill, but I am sure many of you I have not already spoken to about this also do) able to recommend a good size rucksack to cycle with that is large enough for a full outfit inc. boots, a water bottle and packed lunch as well as a laptop and notebook etc? My Goruck has lasted me well but is a shade on the small size now. Waterproofing is a bonus given our climate!
CheersPersonally I would avoid any made from waxed canvas as they make your back sweat. I would also go for one with a full clamshell offered rather than a rolltop as they offer far better access. These days, it is not a full clamshell or equivalent (i.e Mystery Ranch tri-zip,m) then I don’t bother looking as I know I will just get irritated with it at some point.
I would have a look at the TAD Axiom range. It has received excellent reviews. https://theperfectpack.com/ reviewed the 18l version but they now do a 24l version which I will pick up at some point. Fabric is vx-21 ripstop which is waterproof and very lightweight.
You could also check out the TAD Fastpack Litespeed (if you are not adverse to a bit of Molle webbing). Pretty sure they have a VX-21 version as a limited run. I had a cordura one. It was excellent and only retired it as have a Mystery Ranch ASAP and a TAD Scout which are more versatile for my needs these days (that and Fran was about to castrate me if I did not get rid of at least one bag).
Otherwise, Bagjack have a lot of nice offerings and they are a cycle courier brand. Eye wateringly expensive for some of the NXL models but the quality is excellent.
Also, out of the left field, the Arcteryx Leaf courier is supposed to be absolutely exceptional, but not sure how much it holds!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I'd get a Mission Workshop. I reckon the TAD fastpack to be too small. The Rambler from MW expands from 22 to 44 liters.
