Best New Gear: November 2017

At speed on a motorbike to two-footed travel roaming…however you carry, November has welcomed a great selection of new pieces onto the scene that are bound to intrigue. Discover some of the best new gear below…

pinqponq x Sneaker Freaker collaboration

Love sneakers and carry? Then you’ll dig the collaboration between pinqponq and Sneaker Freaker, which brings the brands together in three pieces that have your everyday and travel needs well covered. The capsule collection features a Sneaker Freaker twist on the Cubik Backpack, Karavan Duffel and Brik Hip Bag, with pops of Sneaker Freaker red, custom ‘loose laces’ zipper pulls and branded satin linings. The Cubik Backpack handles a variety of work and play needs, with a front-panel opening for convenient access and plenty of pockets to stash your gear tidily. The Karavan Duffel is a versatile piece for day-to-day needs, hauling your gym gear, or overnight trips and includes a dedicated shoe pocket. The Brik is a handy piece for carrying the essentials, and can be worn at the waist or across the chest or back. And with their water-repellent, recycled fabrics these pieces not only drop some serious urban style but also help protect your gear from the elements too.

Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack

Understated in aesthetics and practical in design, the Stuart & Lau Capstone Backpack is a sleek and versatile piece that works equally well as a daypack or carry-on bag. There’s no need to rummage for your gear, as a combination of top and side access allows you to easily reach items throughout the bag. A choice of quick-access pockets keep frequently used items at the ready, while the exterior-access laptop sleeve protects your tech on the go. And for added functionality, the pack also features a luggage passthrough sleeve, making it easy to secure to a trolley handle for all-in-one carry convenience.

Pelican Mobile Protect Backpack Range

Whether you’re commuting or traveling, your precious gear is at the mercy of the elements and life’s bumps and scrapes while you’re on the move. But Pelican’s Mobile Protect backpack range is ready to step in and serve as a carry shield. The range features 20L, 25L and 35L packs, each crafted with a durable and water-resistant 1000D nylon shell and water-resistant YKK zippers. Ballistic nylon-coated impact zones and compression-molded EVA shoulder straps, back panel and impact zones help protect your gear against impacts while providing comfortable carry along the way. And with a loop-and-lock zipper pull system on all laptop and media pockets, you can enjoy extra peace of mind that your tech is safe and secure.

Tortuga Setout Backpack

Image credit: Jessie Webster

Traveling with wheeled luggage in urban settings can be tricky. A backpack is much easier when it comes to navigating crowded streets and steps. But that pack needs to also offer travel functionality. Just like the Tortuga Setout Backpack. Ideal for urban travel, the Setout suits carry-on use and offers a clamshell main compartment for easy packing and gear retrieval. Quick-access pockets keep travel essentials within easy reach, and there’s also dedicated space for a laptop and tablet. All in a design that looks right at home in the city.

Velomacchi 40L Roll-Top Backpack

When you’re flying down the road at high speed, you need your gear to hold steady. And that’s just what Velomacchi’s 40L Roll-Top Backpack is built to do. Designed with motorcyclists in mind, the pack features a three-point rotating harness system designed to keep the load close to your center of gravity and off your shoulders for improved comfort during your ride. There’s even a magnetic sternum coupler for quick and simple harness closure. Crafted with weatherproof and abrasion-resistant fabric, the pack will handle the elements and high speeds with easy. As an added bonus it’s hydration bladder compatible, and offers plenty of space for overnight trips or days when you need to carry more.

Bramble Outdoor 27L Alpine Commuter

Mountain meets the daily grind with the Bramble Outdoor 27L Alpine Commuter. The pack is crafted with X-PAC VX21 sailcloth for durability and protection against the elements, making it great for roaming outdoors. But a range of handy features keep it functional for daily urban use too. The pack can be secured in rolltop or flap-down mode to suit a range of loads and access preferences, with additional zippered access to the main compartment for added convenience. A front pocket keeps your EDC or trail essentials at the ready, and there’s also a padded laptop compartment for securely hauling your tech.

High Above Lost Lake Duffel Bag

Fancy being able to simply reach for one bag to handle a variety of day-to-day and adventure needs? Meet the High Above Lost Lake Duffel Bag, a tough, simple, and multifunctional bag that can haul your gym gear, groceries, outdoor adventure supplies and more. The duffel is crafted with Phifertex® that is not only durable but also antimicrobial to help keep unpleasant odors at bay. Additionally, the mesh material enables gear to ventilate and dry, allows loose dirt and sand to fall to the ground, and also allows you to easily spot items in the bag so you don’t need to rummage for gear. The duffel comes in two sizes, 22L and 46L, and will be built in Washington with a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

Mission Workshop The Rhake

An everyday backpack that can handle work, play and travel? No problem for the Mission Workshop Rhake, a rugged and adaptable pack that handles the commute and weekend getaways equally well. The weatherproof pack features an exterior-access padded laptop pocket, a stowable water bottle pocket, and multiple quick-access pockets for organizing daily essentials. The 22L rolltop main compartment accommodates a range of loads, and a luggage handle passthrough sleeve provides convenient portability during your travels. The Rhake is handmade in the USA with a choice of fabrics and hardware, and guaranteed for life.

The James Brand Elko 

Compact minimalism is great for decluttering your carry. But what if you could enjoy minimalist style with maximum functionality? The Elko delivers on both fronts, combining a range of functions into one sleek and easily portable tool for everyday use. The Elko features a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and a pry tool that also serves as a bottle opener, screwdriver and attachment point for keys or other small EDC items. And with a choice of three colorways you can pick to suit your personal tastes.