Our Favorite Bags from Alpine Sea Co.

Just last month, we introduced Alpine Sea Co., a boutique carry maker from the Pacific Northwest. With great pedigree, duo Kristin and Robert are creating a brand to be noticed; with its clean design, recycled materials, and community focus, Alpine Sea Co. is going places. As they celebrate their second birthday, we pick our favorite bags from the Hood River brand.

Medium Pocket

The medium pocket is the iconic item from Alpine Sea Co. The pocket design comes in three sizes, S, M, and L. However, the 3L medium is the best suited for EDC and transitional use between different bags. Made from EcoPak 400D recycled sailcloth, the pocket is ready to handle anything that you throw at it. It is constructed with two compartments: a larger main volume on the front of the bag and a hidden rear pocket also. The EcoPak is complemented by Duraflex hardware and an AquaGuard Zipper. 

The materials used make for a reliable and lightweight sling bag that is incredibly useful. The 3L volume is more than enough for EDC, with room for a wallet, keys, phone, Kindle, and even a smaller camera. The weather-resistant properties mean it can handle any adventure, and the slim profile makes it great for wearing under a jacket, or even packing flat for use on the road. I’ve found this to be perfect for plane travel, with enough space to keep all of my essentials nearby, meaning I can leave my bag alone for the entire flight.

Like all of ASC’s products, you can customize the pocket too! With a choice of straps and zipper pulls, you can make it suit your style or even swap out straps for special occasions!

Duffel Pack

The Duffel Pack is the newest item from Kristin and Robert, and it’s a doozie. If you’re looking for a chameleon that can quite literally do anything and be carried every way, then look no further. 

This travel champion can be carried by handles, by stowable backpack straps, or by a shoulder strap (available as an add-on). The backpack strap carry is the most comfortable I’ve experienced on a crossover duffel, and they hide out of the way beneath the padded base too; it’s a very clean design.It’s a versatile bag that I have thoroughly enjoyed using. The Duffel Pack does an excellent job of providing good organization options without dictating to you. There are simple pockets (dual on front, single on back) on the sides of the bag which are a great spot for a shoulder strap when not in use, EDC, a book, the list is endless! 

Also constructed from EcoPak 400d recycled sailcloth, this 45L duffel is incredibly lightweight for its capacity, and very tough too. Mine has traveled on multiple planes and been thrown in the trunk of our car over and over. With a quick wipe down, you’d never know. The YKK AquaGuard zipper makes it a great option for outdoor pursuits too! You can customise the Fidlock magnetic sternum strap, the shoulder strap, and the zipper pull colour. Make this yours!

In use, there are many small thoughtful design choices that make the Duffel Pack stand out. I love how you can cinch the bag down through the hook and ladder system; these also double as grab handles from either end of the bag. This system keeps the silhouette tight and the duffel compact. Once you open the bag, you unhook and have a full wide mouth opening that gives you sight of everything inside. Other features that stand out are the locking zippers, the padded base, and the ability to pack flat. These enhance its suitability for travel significantly, and are likely one of the many reasons my wife has stolen it from me!

ASc Pack

If you’re after a daypack, the ASc Pack is a representation of all of Kristin and Robert’s experience in the carry design world. Simply put, it is an elegant, functional, and unique option in a market full of similar bags. The trend continues here, with the trims being customizable too.

Firstly, the aesthetic is a true hybrid. This will look at home in the office, on the trail, and everywhere in between. I’ve been using the Dune/Drab colorway and I love how it looks and blends in. From a features perspective, this bag has all you could need. A hidden water bottle pocket comfortably holds a 20oz insulated bottle while maintaining a sleek silhouette. On the front of the bag you’ll find a zippered stash pocket which is the perfect nest for your Medium Pocket. I often keep my keys, EDC, etc. in my Medium Pocket, and then pop it into this front pocket for quick access. The main volume is easily accessible through the YKK AquaGuard zipper, which can be inverted to use the bag for storing larger items such as sports equipment, or even foraging if that’s on the cards.

From a separate access, you’ll find the laptop compartment (15″), and a stash pocket. This padded sleeve sits against your back and is also protected by another YKK AquaGuard zipper to protect your computer. There is a Velcro strap within the laptop compartment to keep your computer secure, and it is suspended from the base of the bag for peace of mind and is also padded at the base. This laptop compartment is a healthy size, and I found it fitted both my 14″ MacBook Pro and iPad Pro 12.9″ with ease.

The ASc Pack is deceptively voluminous and holds more than you would think looking at it. The clean design is a real testament to Kristin and Robert, as the bag may look sleek and unassuming, but has proven to be a versatile bag for your business and leisure adventures. I’ve traveled with it, hiked with it, and gym-ed with it. The lightweight materials, functional design, and clean aesthetic make it a winner for those after a great crossover backpack.

Utility Kit

The utility kit is an excellent addition to any carry quiver. This piece of kit quickly becomes an essential item before you know it. Available in an array of colours and materials from ASC’s line up, you can make it fit any situation you need it to. Equally adept as a toiletry kit, tech kit, lens pouch and undoubtedly many more situations I haven’t tried yet, it’s a wonderfully simple but effective bit of kit.

Padding surrounds the sides and bottom of the Utility Kit, which provides enough padding without being too much. What I mean by that is that it isn’t entirely rigid, which some tech kits and wash kits can be. The padding provides ample protection for whatever important goodies you have inside while allowing some flexibility for when the kit isn’t full. This construction allows you to squeeze the kit into your bags, and the wedge shaped design certainly helps here too!

There are two zippered pockets on the outside of the kit, a YKK Aquaguard zipper for weather protection, and a handle for either carrying or attaching the kit. The wide mouth opening adds great functionality, and I love how it stands on its own. In true ASC fashion, you can choose from an array of materials and your own zipper pull colours too!

Anything Bagpack 

Sometimes you need a tote, sometimes you need a backpack. Enter the Anything Bagpack, the very first item that I used from Alpine Sea Co. A versatile 20L bag, this has become one of the most used bags in my day to day life. Firstly, it packs flat, so it’s always great to keep in the car, or in the bottom of a suitcase when travelling. 

There are two carry options: by the handles like a tote, or a quick adjustment allows you to use it as a backpack all while using the same webbing handles, magic! This is also the silhouette that you’ll see used in a lot of Alpine Sea’s Recover and Reissue series where they use offcut or recycled material such as boat sails, military packs, or waste canvas to make limited runs! Sometimes simpler designs are the most useful and trustworthy products in the arsenal, that feels like the case here.

There you have it, if you’re looking for a company who make their products in the USA, make ground up innovative designs, and use recycled materials in their manufacturing, look no further than Kristin and Robert at Alpine Sea Co, there’s something for everyone.

Thanks to our friends at Alpine Sea Co. for this curated sponsor article.