Editors’ Choice Products of 2024

At Carry HQ, authenticity is at the heart of everything we do. We seek out the products that don’t just meet expectations—they challenge and redefine them. Our diverse, global team, drawn from every corner of the world and every facet of the workforce, gives us a uniquely balanced perspective on what we believe makes great gear. The Editors’ Choice Products of 2024 are a reflection of this: a curated collection of items loved and tested by our senior team. Each product has been put through its paces—often pushed to the limit—and has earned its place as a favorite for its innovation, durability, or design. From rugged backpacks that excel in the harshest environments to sleek, everyday carries that blend style with functionality, these selections have been refined through real-world use. Join us as we celebrate the best of what we’ve carried, used, and relied on this year.

Brandon Vulaj – Senior Editor

Under $100: Wotancraft Canteener 2L + Divider Set

This was my sleeper hit of the year. While it seems a bit out of left field in today’s world of crossbody slings, it’s a pure Wotancraft product. The team at Wotancraft derive much of their design language from heritage military bags and take their own unique spin on them. The Canteener is exactly that. It’s a wonderful stash-n-go bag with incredibly easy (yet secure) access. While there’s two sizes, I went with the 2L for this selection as you can add the well-designed Divider Set while keeping it under $100, and the size has been really useful for my everyday carry, whether it’s a small compact camera, mirrorless setup, or just a pocket dump and some gloves.

No Budget: ULA Equipment Dragonfly

In the hunt for a true one-bag, utilitarian option that can handle travel, EDC, hiking, and everything in between, there aren’t many bags that check all boxes – but there are a few that always come to mind. My answer this past year has been the ULA Dragonfly 30. While it was released in 2023, it received some notable updates since my initial review, including an updated padded grab handle, a Velcro patch (and a patchless version), several new material options, and even a larger 36L size. I simply can’t recommend this bag enough, and I hope the ULA team considers adding it to their lineup of customizable packs in the near future for even more fine-tuning.

Laurence Fry – Senior Editor

Under $100: Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger

The Twelve South Butterfly SE is a sleek, versatile charging device that combines form with function, and saves space in your tech kit! This 2-in-1 charger can be used to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. It’s Qi2 enabled, giving you the fastest wireless speeds available. It comes in 5 different colors so you can showcase your personality, and matches the Apple aesthetic excellently. You can fold it a few different ways to either provide nightstand mode for your watch, or movie mode for your phone. When not in use, it folds flat, slipping effortlessly into your bag for on-the-go convenience. This is just one of those bits of gear that works, and works really well. I can’t imagine I’ll go back to another charging solution any time soon. If you want to upgrade, you can go for the ButterFly Magsafe version, which comes in an aluminium finish and has a 30W travel adapter set included. I’ve gifted this to family members too, its an all-around champ!

No Budget: Billingham Small Hadley Pro Camera Bag

The Billingham Small Hadley Pro is a compact yet robust camera bag that blends functionality with classic style. It took me by surprise this year, I’ve tested a lot of camera bags and they are one of my most used forms of carry. I’ve watched Billingham from afar for many years, but I finally got my hands on some this year, and the Small Hadley Pro in particular has impressed me. Classic styling, durable materials, phenomenal functionality and good value make it hard to ignore. Made from waterproof canvas and leather accents, it offers reliable protection for your gear. It is also home to a fully customizable interior, it can easily fit a mirrorless camera, lenses, and accessories, or you can remove the padded insert and use it as a weatherpoof EDC bag. The signature front flap with brass buckle closures ensures secure storage while allowing quick access, and an optional padded shoulder strap can be added to enhance comfort for all-day wear. This is ideal for photographers who need a reliable, well-built companion without compromising on style. It has quickly become one of my most carried items. It’s understated, yet unapologetically premium.

Taylor Welden – Creative Director

Under $100: Bellroy x Carryology Card Sleeve

I spent over a week trying to choose which item to write about here. Of course I want to include the coolest and most epic product of all time to share with you. But in the end, I took a step back and thought about… what product do I actually use every single day? A silent hero with quiet design that doesn’t normally catch the bright spotlight. I swap my wristwatches out frequently. Apparel too (obviously). Bags even more so. But whether I’m at home running errands around town in Austin or if I’m riding a snowmobile in -20°C in Svalbard… the trusty item that is always with me… my Bellroy x Carryology Card Sleeve Wallet. Sure, sometimes I’ll also bring a passport wallet for international travel, but the Card Sleeve is always in my front right pants pocket (shoutout to front pocket gang). It carries everything I need and then some. The little pull tab for quick access is just *chef’s kiss*. The fact that it’s in my pocket and gets used every day, but like an English butler, it completely disappears into the shadows until it’s needed… this is why I selected this item. It’s far and away my favorite forgettable bit of EDC that I own. 

No Budget: Bedouin Barbarossa

No budget? No yellow tape? Sky’s the limit? Of course, I could just opt for the most expensive carry item I could think of… but that’s lazy. I want to share something useful with you here. So I’m going with my most used bag of the past several years. This bag has traveled to dozens of countries on five continents with me and it’s also reliably by my side when I’m doing photoshoots here in Austin as well as just rambling around the city. Of course, it’s the Bedouin Barbarossa. I’ll admit, I’m more of a backpack guy. So when I first received this bag, I didn’t know how well it would fit into my rotation. It’s just not “specialized” for any specific thing. Which is exactly why I end up reaching for it 9 times out of 10. Its ultra simplicity is matched by its ultra utility. It just does everything really well without limiting me to just one specialized “thing”. It excels at playing the role as a camera bag, packable travel bag, shopping bag, EDC gear hauler, and much more. I recently added its cousin (the Bedouin Poacher) to my carry quiver. And while I love it and it definitely has its own place, at the end of the day, the Barbarossa still holds the crown.

Richard Edens – Gear Reporter

Under $100: Allmansright Ultralight Gear Lab Bodega Resupply Bag

The classic THANK YOU grocery bag is one of the most iconic and recognizable forms of carry, especially in New York City. BUT: they’re cheap, they rip, and they’re usual suspects down at the landfill. So what’s the solution? The Bodega Resupply Bag by Allmansright Ultralight Gear Lab.

Essentially, this is just a grocery bag pattern made from Dyneema with a beautifully printed design. It evokes nostalgia, simplicity, and the very root of the idea of what Carryology means to me, it’s fun. Within the carry world, ultralight hiking gear seems to be one of the most fruitful DIY spaces at the moment. Inspired makers can snag some ultragrid from Ripstop by the Roll, a sewing machine and be truly creative with their designs, and build that into a business. It’s alive and exciting to see. 

The Bodega Resupply Bag is a kind of punk rock product, a middle finger to the Birkin. It’s a heritage piece for people who’s heritage isn’t foraging for fungus in the countryside, but getting two-for-one Takis at the corner store. 

Allmansright is a family affair cooking up various ultralight-style products in the Bronx, they celebrate nature, and they want to preserve it; I support that.

No Budget: Trakke Bannoch Pro

If a non-Carryologist asked me what backpack to get, without any context or specifics, just said… “idk a good one, budget doesn’t matter,” I’d say go get a Trakke Bannoch Pro. It’s about as refined and close to perfect as a single bag can get when it comes to versatility. Hike with it, fly with it, bring it into an office or out to a safari; besides carrying a parachute or being ultralight, the Bannoch Pro can pretty much do it all. 

My favorite thing about the Bannoch Pro is the access. While the original was top-loading only, the two side zips on the Pro add a clamshell-style opening and quick access to any area of the main compartment. I stash soft and non-fragile things at the bottom of my backpack to protect cameras from drops, so the access to those without having to dig is a major feature for me.

Top-tier components and an aesthetic that’s never failed makes this product one you can hang on to and rely on over time. The additional bit is you’re supporting a group of dedicated folks, cutting and assembling these pieces right there in Glasgow.

Elina Osborne – Gear Reporter

Under $100: Bellroy Tech Kit

I don’t know how I’ve ever functioned without this product. I guess I’d just relied on whatever case I could manage, but as someone who works with a lot of footage, and owns a lot of hard drives, the Bellroy Tech Kit has been game-changing to my organization skills, especially as I’ve been working and traveling a lot over 2024. Under $100, highly functional, and makes the airport “I-swear-these-are-harddrives-not-bombs” flow a lot smoother.

No Budget: Arc’teryx Beta Lightweight Jacket

It’s the best thing to carry, no matter where you are in life. It’s… the lightweight rain jacket. As Arc’teryx continues to capitalize on the rise that is the Gorpcore fashion movement, I continue to love the functionality of their beautiful silhouettes— on both trail and in the city. As someone who identifies as being “hiker trash,” when I wear this, I am on a low-stress, high-fashion runway, with no one but the trees to bear witness to my water-resilient ways. 

David Samwel – Gear Reporter

Under $100: MOFT Invisible Phone Tripod Wallet

The MOFT Invisible Phone Tripod Wallet is the ultimate minimalist companion for the modern traveler, blending function and form with the precision of a well-crafted carry. At first glance, it’s a sleek MagSafe wallet, holding up to three cards securely. But with a simple flip, it transforms into a surprisingly sturdy tripod for your iPhone, unlocking hands-free content creation, conference calls, and Netflix sessions anywhere.

Engineered from premium vegan leather, the design stays true to MOFT’s ethos—ultralight, impossibly thin, and invisibly efficient. The 3-in-1 form factor adapts seamlessly, offering multiple angles in both portrait and landscape. Whether capturing travel moments or powering through a long-haul flight with on-the-go productivity, this tripod-wallet hybrid earns its spot in your EDC.

MagSafe compatibility ensures a snap-on, snap-off ease, while the magnetic strength holds strong without compromising convenience. It’s not just a wallet or a tripod—it’s an adaptable solution for digital nomads and daily explorers alike. MOFT’s Invisible Phone Tripod Wallet proves that sometimes, the best innovations are the ones you didn’t see coming.

No Budget: Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT

The Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT is all purpose-driven design, designed in collaboration with the French Navy’s Marine Nationale. Its 42mm titanium case feels featherlight yet rock-solid on the wrist, built for underwater missions to everyday adventures alike. The “FXD” moniker points to fixed lugs—no spring bars here—ensuring the pass-through strap stays anchored during the toughest adventures.

The GMT functionality offers a clever nod to those who juggle time zones, letting you keep track of home base while immersed in global wanderlust. An easy-to-read matte dial and bold indices deliver clarity at a glance, even in low-light conditions.

At its core, this is a watch built for purposeful carry: reliable, versatile, and ready to clock countless miles on your wrist. If you’re hunting for a do-it-all wrist companion that marries precision with style, the Pelagos FXD GMT is a steady partner—no matter how far off the grid you roam.

JT White – Gear Reporter

Under $100: Ventumgear Burrito

In both categories, I had a very difficult time narrowing down my choices so I went with a tie! For under $100, my first choice was the Ventumgear Burrito sling/pouch. More than any other pouch this year I found myself grabbing this one. An interesting blend of technical materials and solid European construction, the Burrito really is a great product considering its price. The organization is perfect for a pouch of this size and going from pouch to sling mode is a breeze! 

No Budget: Unflowed Mitaka Bag

Let’s be honest, it’s very rare that any backpack these days dares to be different. When I first tried the Mitaka Bag from Unflowed I was really impressed with the unique blend of avant-garde design and useful features. The bag itself is handmade in Korea (one-man band!) by a passionate owner who loves what he’s making and takes great pride in his product. It’s made of high-end materials and is beautiful in its simplicity. A beautiful product to both use and look at, it was my sleeper hit of 2024. 

Cravar Urbanpack

Cravar is a brand not many of you may be aware of but I was truly blown away by their Urbanpack. An Indonesian company that works primarily in leather, Cravar has been making bags for more than a decade and it shows. The Urbanpack blends old-school aesthetics and materials with new-school features such as a lovely harness system and clamshell opening main compartment. The bag is built masterfully and only seems to get prettier and prettier with each new day of use.