Welcome to Carryology! We’re the world’s leading online magazine and community in carry (or the “Carry Universe,” as we like to call it) – the original and very first platform dedicated to the science of carry and to carrying better.

And we’re the number one destination for carry collaborations. We join forces with the world’s best brands to bring our community a long list of special releases every month. 

But hey, if you’re new here, let’s run through some basics to get you started. 

What does the word ‘carry’ mean to us? 

Well, when used as a noun, it means backpacks, bags, luggage and the essentials we pack inside them, like tech, tools and apparel. Carry is the stuff we obsess about. We collect, share, and optimise our daily and travel setups, so we’re always ready for the day ahead. 

How do we define ‘carrying better’?

The “better” we’re perpetually in search of can show up in many different ways.

Carrying better can mean better-designed bags and gear. When gear is designed with innovation, insight, and utility in mind, it becomes more useful and enjoyable, enabling us to get out and explore with less stress and friction. It makes us feel prepared for anything that comes our way, so we can push ahead with confidence.

This “better” also relates to a product’s craftsmanship and style. We’re all about the full package—function and emotion (we call it the beauty and the geek). A great piece of carry has to be both functional and easy on the eyes. If it’s only one or the other, it’s only doing half the job. When our carry balances both, we feel like the best version of ourselves, like we’ve just scored that power-up in Mario Bros., you know?

Products are more than just materials and components. There are brands behind them, and a great brand offers something more—a unique voice, a purpose, integrity, a point of view. We look for exceptional service and communication from the brands we trust.

We’re also invested in a product’s build and lifespan. Fast fashion clogs landfills, but the best way to be “green” is to keep using and loving a product for as long as possible.

And then, of course, there’s the science of carrying better—the tips and tricks that help us navigate the world. Knowing what to pack—and how—gives us a real edge. And knowing how to travel and immerse yourself in a culture? That’s even better.

The Relationship Between Bellroy and Carryology

Carryology is proudly backed by Bellroy. Both brands are founded by the same team – Carryology came first as a campfire that folks could share this passion around, and Bellroy followed soon after to progress one part of this Carry Universe.

We are owned by the same people, and Bellroy has helped fund some of the cool things we’ve done—and plan to do—to grow this community.

Carryology is a space dedicated to advancing the carry industry and being backed by Bellroy helps us do that.

Our Story

In 2009, a duo of passionate designers embarked on a mission to redefine the way we carry. From humble beginnings in the high country of Victoria, Australia, and the beaches of southwest France, our founders, Andy Fallshaw and Hadrien Monloup, transformed their shared love for adventure and design into a global movement. Carryology was born from the simple idea that the bags and gear we use to navigate the world deserve as much thought and innovation as any other aspect of our lives, and so Carryology was born. 

You can read our full origin story here.

Nomadic Beginnings

Our journey started with personal experiences in travel and adventure. Andy, inspired by his father’s wanderlust, grew up exploring the world, often modifying his own gear to meet the demands of his travels. Hadrien, with a background shaped by artistic influence, shared a similar passion for exploration and design. Their paths crossed in the small Victorian surf town of Torquay, where a serendipitous meeting on the beach led to them working at the famed Australian surf brand, Rip Curl. Together, they reimagined Rip Curl’s travel gear, creating products that enabled surfers to venture further and carry more comfortably.

Creating Carryology

After years of working together and feeling the constraints of designing for a niche market, Andy and Hadrien decided to take a leap of faith. They envisioned a community that celebrated and scrutinized carry gear, inspired by another Melbourne-based publication Sneaker Freaker and what they did for sneaker culture. 

So, Carryology was conceived as a platform to study, discuss, and innovate in the world of bags, accessories, and travel equipment.

Building Something Special

In the early days, Carryology was a passion project, nurtured by a small team of dedicated friends. Articles were written on days off, brainstorms happened around kitchen tables, and income was supplemented by side gigs. Despite the lack of immediate monetization, the project quickly gained traction. Designers and enthusiasts alike from around the world resonated deeply with the conversations and content and joined the growing community.

Our Community

Our community is the heartbeat of Carryology. It comprises readers from all corners of the globe, whose feedback and shared experiences enrich our collective understanding of carry gear. Our contributors, a passionate group of designers, creatives, and enthusiasts, volunteer their expertise to keep the dialogue vibrant and informative.

Over a Decade of Evolution

Over the past 15 years, Carryology has evolved from a humble blog into a global authority on carry gear. Our annual Carry Awards, established in 2012, celebrate the best innovations in the industry, pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. 

We have connected with designers, collectors, and specialists, sharing their insights and stories with our audience.

We’ve launched concept stores, held community events all over the world, and worked with some of the world’s very best designers and brands to release special project collaborations for our community at large. 

Nurturing a Positive Dialogue

From the beginning, we’ve maintained a supportive and positive approach. As a lot of our team past and present are designers ourselves, we understand the challenges of creating great gear. We aim to champion the best products while offering constructive feedback to help brands improve. This ethos has helped us build strong relationships within the industry and earn the trust of our community.

Carryology Collaborations

Why do we collaborate on products? Well, in short, because it brings us joy! We’ve obsessed over the art of carrying for 15 years+ and now we’re lucky enough to partner with our favorite brands to bring special projects to life to stoke our community. 

Collaborations are where our wildest ideas come to life. It’s where we can dream big, dive into creative experiments, explore new tech, and craft compelling stories. We take risks, go a bit crazy, and sometimes get abstract.

These projects aren’t meant for the mass market. They’re special by design. We create them with our community in mind, adding and tweaking features for die-hard carry enthusiasts. They might not appeal to everyone, but that’s okay. They’re made for folks like us who appreciate the finer details and the thrill of innovation.

How Do You Support What We’re Doing?

When we come across great carry, we’ll recommend it. And we genuinely only recommend something we think deserves it. Sometimes, brands or retailers give us a small commission for sending our readers their way. So if you find something that sparks a fire, and you click an affiliate link on Carryology, know that you’re also supporting us in the process.

Then, of course, there’s the collaborations and products we release – that’s kinda obvious. 

And then there’s our Carry Meet-Ups, you can find these in our exclusive Carry Classifieds Facebook group. These events are free and are really about sharing your passion for carry with fellow Carryologists. It’s about sharing and swapping knowledge and stories and connecting IRL, because that’s what really matters. 

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, Carryology continues to innovate and expand. We are delving deeper into video content, enhancing our tools to help you find the perfect gear, expanding into events so our community than make IRL connections, and launching more collaborative projects with brands we love. 

Thank you for being part of our journey. Whether you’re a longtime follower or a newcomer, we invite you to join us as we explore and celebrate the art of carrying. Together, we’ll continue to redefine what it means to move through the world with purpose and style. 

Carry on!

Get Involved

We encourage you to dive into our content, share your insights, and be an active part of our community. Together, we can elevate the art of carrying to new heights.

Welcome to Carryology!