Most Popular Gear of 2021

As we launch into 2022 with new carry on the horizon, it’s important to salute the top-notch gear that stood out in 2021. From EDC to outdoor and more, this is the most popular gear of 2021, measured by views, clicks, and readership surveys.

EDC

Wuben Gecko E61 Tactical Pen With Flashlight

For many, doing more with less is key for dialed-in EDC. The Wuben Gecko E61 Tactical Pen With Flashlight helps you do just that. Packing in multiple features including adjustable pen heads, a flashlight, glass breaker, pocket clip, and magnetic body, this multifunctional piece adapts to a range of daily needs and environments while remaining highly portable.

ORBITGear MOD-01 VX “The Cube”

ORBITGear’s MOD-01 VX “The Cube” offers versatile organization and high-quality handmade construction in one. Multiple compartments, zippered pockets, and webbing provide flexible options for keeping small items securely organized and easily accessible. And the ability to attach it to the exterior of a pack or stash it inside as a stand-alone pouch makes this a convenient option for transferring essentials between multiple bags. [See the newest iteration here]

Victorinox Spartan Onyx

A Victorinox icon gets a stealthy makeover with the Spartan Onyx. It features a sleek and durable polispectral finish, bringing a suave touch to this practical pocket companion. With 12 functions including tweezers, two blades, a corkscrew, wire stripper, screwdrivers, and more, the Spartan Onyx keeps you well prepared for a multitude of day-to-day and DIY tasks.

Peak Design Tech Pouch

Inspired by origami, Peak Design’s Tech Pouch offers a useful home for all manner of tech accessories, travel items, and small EDC. The wide opening and multiple interior pockets let you quickly retrieve and store individual items, while the water-resistant 100% recycled 200D nylon shell will stand up to daily use like a champ.

GiantMouse ACE Riv Titanium

Designed by some of the best knife makers in the business, the GiantMouse ACE Riv Titanium expertly combines clean aesthetics, excellent quality, and practical functionality. Created as a dependable compact folder for daily use, it features an Elmax satin finish blade and titanium handle. All in a lightweight, stylish design that will serve you well for years to come.

The James Brand Barnes

Described as their most technical knife, The James Brand Barnes is a multifunctional titanium frame-lock with handsome aesthetics and top-notch construction. It’s CNC-machined from a solid billet of 6AL4V titanium, allowing for fewer parts and less maintenance. The body is complemented by a Bohler M390 stainless steel blade, while a paracord lanyard and pocket clip provide flexible carry options. For added appeal, the knife also comes with The James Brand’s very first coin design.

Urban

GORUCK x Carryology GR1 Guerrilla X

A fictional warrior from hundreds of years in the future. Ruggedly tough Dyneema. And based on one of the most iconic packs on the planet. What do you get when you bring them all together? Our very first GORUCK collab, the GORUCK x Carryology GR1 Guerrilla X. Ready for daily carry, travel, and more, we were honored to partner with one of our favorite brands on this badass bag.

EVERGOODS x Carryology Phoenix Collection

EVERGOODS’ very first X-Pac bag. A blazing interior. Red-hot attention to detail. And the flexibility to rise above a wide range of carry challenges, whatever the elements may have in store. Partnered with a pouch that hatches open to showcase your prized essentials in an access-ready dream. The EVERGOODS x Carryology Phoenix Collection was a blast to collaborate on and definitely stoked the flames of our passionate carry community too.

Mystery Ranch x Carryology No Escape

Our beloved Unicorn was a truly magical Mystery Ranch collaboration that would be hard to beat. A worthy challenger would require the powers of another mythical beast. Specifically, a Dragon. A brother to the Unicorn, built tough enough to swoop around the world and prowl between urban and outdoor worlds. The Mystery Ranch x Carryology No Escape offers fire-breathing balance to our Unicorn and we hope will create legends of its own for all who captured one.

ARCH Grisetti

The Grisetti is handcrafted in Italy by Andrea Perici, the one-man machine behind ARCH. Available as a custom piece, you can spec this bag to your particular preferences and needs. In essence, whatever you dream can become a reality. And with its adaptable rolltop design, it can handle everything from grocery hauls to outdoor hikes and more.

White’s Boots X Carryology Khonsu Boot

The Khonsu is our very first boot collaboration! And since we knew it had to be killer, there was only one option: teaming up with one of the best bootmakers in the world. The White’s Boots X Carryology Khonsu Boot is designed to be an all-rounder. A piece that can skip nimbly between daily wear, travel, and adventure. So you’re always ready to step out with confidence wherever the day leads.

Alpha One Niner x Carryology Stealth Cobra Evade

The Alpha One Niner EVADE 1.5 FULL took home the highly competitive Best Everyday Bag award in our 2020 Carry Awards. So when we got the opportunity to put our own spin on this champ, we struck hard. The Alpha One Niner x Carryology Stealth Cobra Evade features Dimension Polyant’s X50 with Kevlar X-Ply Ripstop in a stripped-back, stealthy design that moves easily from daily carry to travel use and more.

rofmia Daypack V2

Minimalist in looks but maximizing quality, rofmia’s Daypack V2 delivers slick versatility for work and play. The clean exterior transitions easily between diverse settings, while the tough DCF fabric and YKK AquaGuard zippers keep the elements at bay. Add in meticulous Japanese construction and convenient clamshell access and you get a solid daily companion that will accommodate commutes, gym trips, and overnight stays with ease.

Bedouin Foundry Balian

A variation on our Balian collaboration, we were chuffed to see the Bedouin Foundry Balian join the core Bedouin lineup. Handcrafted in England, this sling offers luxurious carry for smaller setups. It combines durable Dyneema and rumbled Italian vegetable-tanned leather in a piece that’s practical enough for daily use and suave enough to step out in style every time you venture out.

Triple Aught Design Axiom 24

Discreetly understated aesthetics, multiple pockets for organization, a clamshell main compartment, and quick-access tech storage make this pack equally well suited to daily and travel use. And with its tough, weatherproof build it’ll handle whatever the day has in store and keep going strong.

Code of Bell X-Pod

You might not carry large loads every day but that doesn’t mean you don’t want a little carry flexibility. And that’s where the X-Pod comes in. An expandable front compartment lets you grow or shrink the bag as required, while cross-body and hip carry provide additional versatility too.

Arc’teryx Veilance Nomin Pack

Super-slick in design and technical in build, the Nomin is an instantly recognizable pack that exudes clean minimalism. Lightweight, weatherproof, and with just enough organization for essentials and quick tech access, this pack is all about clutter-free carry. Yep, it’s luxurious in price, but you do get top-notch precision construction and low-key elegance that moves effortlessly from commutes to travel and beyond.

The Brown Buffalo ConcealPack™ 21L EDC 

Understated on the outside, the ConcealPack lives up to its name as discreet carry for urban and travel environments. But pop it open and things get fun with a colorful interior highlighting your pocket options and bringing a little pizzazz to your daily carry. Made with a DWR-coated 1050D Ballistic Nylon CORDURA® exterior and Dimension-Polyant X25 and VX21 interior, this pack is tough enough for everyday use and versatile enough for commutes, gym sessions, and even last-minute weekend getaways.

Bellroy Apex Backpack

The Apex Backpack offers a neat blend of excellent access to your gear and clean urban-friendly styling. The pack can be opened fully to reveal the main compartment if desired, with thoughtfully positioned pockets keeping smaller items out of crush zones. Premium components including custom-developed hardware, recycled Baida Nylon, and environmentally certified leather elevate the bag to a luxurious level while still encouraging daily use through its practical, durable design.

Bellroy Venture Sling

Easy access and considered organization make the Venture Sling a convenient carry option for EDC and travel use alike. An expandable gusset accommodates larger loads or self-compresses when you’re roaming with just the essentials. Plus you’ve got a range of well-positioned pockets to choose from, so small items won’t get lost in a jumbled mess. It’s also made with 100% recycled, water-resistant woven fabric, saluting sustainability in style.

Trakke Largo Sling

Commuting with essentials? Hitting your local trails for a quick hike? Zipping around the sights on your travels? Trakke’s Largo Sling offers practical carry for your gear, with multiple pockets, a comfortable ergonomic fit, and elegantly understated aesthetics. Not to mention Trakke’s top-notch construction, making this a hard-wearing and adaptable piece for work or play.

Outdoors

FirstSpear Woobie Quarter Zip

The FirstSpear Woobie is ready to tackle cold-weather adventures near and far thanks to a lightweight blend of merino wool and polyester in a durable, Berry Compliant construction. Features such as the stand-up collar, wrist overs with thumb holes, and slightly longer tail keep the chill at bay. And if you need to shed some excess heat during active wear, the neck zipper has you covered.

Prometheus Design Werx Kepler Down Cardigan

The Kepler Down Cardigan offers the excellent insulation properties of goose down in a technical, sleek-looking jacket that will keep you comfortably warm without weighing you down. It features hydrophobic and antimicrobial 800 fill power RDS certified goose down in a stitched baffle construction. The DWR-treated shell provides sufficient protection from the elements while you seek shelter or a waterproof outer layer. And as an additional neat trick, the jacket can also convert into a camp pillow or a travel neck pillow.

Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket

When the going gets tough, you can reach for Arc’teryx’s most durable GORE-TEX PRO shell to see you through. Designed to perform in severe weather alpine environments, the waterproof jacket offers features such as an embedded RECCO® reflector in the event of emergencies, a helmet-compatible StormHood™, pit zips, as well as articulated construction for freedom of movement during active use.

ThruDark Raid Jacket

Dependable durability and protection from the elements come standard with the ThruDark Raid Jacket. It’s made with a 3-layer waterproof Schoeller® fabric featuring an adaptive c_change® membrane for efficient temperature regulation and breathability in changing conditions. The jacket also offers underarm vents, an assortment of pockets for essential gear, and integrated RECCO® technology in the hood for search and rescue missions.

Travel

GORUCK x Carryology Kaidan Capsule

Travel is one of the most powerful influences that can shape our lives and perspectives of the world around us. So we teamed up with our friends at GORUCK to create a capsule collection that maximizes your ability to get out there, explore, and do and experience more. The GORUCK x Carryology Kaidan Capsule combines the GR2, Bullet 15L, and GR2 Field Pocket in a highly adaptable partnership that will take you from airport lounges to bustling city streets and adventures off the beaten track too. Add in Carryology twists such as X-Pac fabric, high-vis interiors, leather grab handles, and not one but two epic morale patches, and you get an all-in-one collection offering the freedom of one-bag travel with the flexibility to adapt to the journey and the destination alike.

Pelican Cargo Cases

When you’re exploring the rugged outdoors on four wheels, you need equally rugged storage to keep gear secure and protected. And when it comes to rugged protection, Pelican are hard to beat. Case in point, their hard-wearing Cargo Cases. This collection of quick-release cargo cases integrates anti-theft technology and can be secured to vehicles using Pelican’s Vehicle Mounting Kits or alternatively ratchet straps or rope. Impact-resistant, weather-resistant, and dustproof, they come in a range of sizes to accommodate a wide variety of gear.

Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee

One t-shirt, three days? Proof uses the magical powers of merino to conquer this challenge. The 72-Hour Merino Tee is made with 87% 16.5-micron merino wool and 13% nylon, providing the great benefits of merino with added durability. Moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and temperature regulating, this is a highly useful addition to your travel packing list. But of course, there’s no rule against wearing it daily either.

Western Rise AirLoft Hooded Jacket

The ultimate grab-and-go jacket? This might just be it. Packing in a host of features including water resistance, breathability, temperature regulation, and four-way stretch, the AirLoft Hooded Jacket is a versatile piece for day-to-day, outdoor, and travel wear. And with its packable design, it’s convenient to store in a bag, ready when duty calls.

Western Rise Versa Hat

Whether you’re hitting the hiking trails or meandering about town, a hat can come in very handy to shield you from the sun and showers alike. But they’re not always the most versatile of pieces; some get easily squashed while others soak up rain or stand out like a sore thumb. So Western Rise created the Versa Hat with versatility in mind. Waterproof, crushable, breathable, stain-resistant, and offering four-way stretch, this hat transitions smoothly from urban settings to the wild outdoors and everywhere in between, whether you’re cycling, trail running, or chilling in the departure lounge.

Bike

Apidura City Backpack

Apidura have made a name for themselves creating technical pieces for bikepacking and grueling outdoor race conditions. But keen to bring that technical expertise to an urban setting, they created the Apidura City Backpack. Waterproof welded construction protects your gear from inclement weather, while an adjustable closure handles a range of loads. Plus with removable waist and sternum straps and a range of pockets to organize items, including padded tech storage, you’re all set for comfy cycling commutes.

A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.

And hey, we’re reader-supported too, so if you find something that sparks your interest and click through and purchase via our affiliate links, sometimes we’ll get a little kickback from the brands or retailers. It helps us to make more content and build this channel. Although, we’ll just point out, some brands don’t have affiliate options, and that’s cool with us too. If the carry is awesome, we recommend it!