Week In Review ~ 27 March

Samsonite wheels in a durably stylish new collection, a commuting backpack shines the spotlight on cycling safety, and Topo Designs delivers a sleek limited-edition twist on a classic design. Welcome to the Week In Review…

–

Staying true to form

Travel can be demanding, leaving a lot of luggage looking more than a little tired. But just like some travelers always manage to keep looking fresh, so can stylish and hard-wearing luggage. The new Tru-Frame collection from Samsonite breezes into this category, combining eye-catching looks with durable construction. Each piece in the collection features a slim aluminium frame and a tough polycarbonate shell, with a choice of three colorways including Matte Graphite, Matte Silver and Aqua Blue. The hardside cases come in three sizes and include TSA three-dial combination locks, 360° multidirectional spinner wheels, and pockets and dividers for internal organization.

Topo unboxes a classy collab

Versatility and solid construction are great in a backpack, but sometimes you want to rove in style too. With the new Topo Designs x Uncrate Rover Pack you can have it all. Built tough to haul gear and look good doing so, the collaboration offers a limited edition version of the Rover Pack featuring a handsome combination of American bison leather and ballistic Cordura. The pack fits 15″ laptops, with a choice of exterior pockets for easy access to gear on the go, and a slim profile that suits work and play settings.

Cycling safety to the forefront of design

Many biking backpacks have safety features such as reflective detailing and attachment points for bike lights, but the Aster commute backpack takes things a step further. Keen to wheel in a new level of road safety, the backpack provides a range of integrated bike lights including profile, rear and shoulder strap lights to maximize the rider’s visibility. Also integrated into the bag are turn signals and automatic brake signals, situated in an easily visible position for other road users. A mobile app allows the wearer to configure light settings to their needs and country regulations. The pack also offers user-friendly design features such as weather-resistant construction, a detachable shoe compartment, a helmet holder and U-lock holder, as well as the ability to open up and lay flat for easy access to gear. See the bag in action via the Aster Indiegogo campaign.

Getting a lockdown on bike theft

Unfortunately securely chaining your bike doesn’t guarantee you won’t come back to find your saddle or wheels missing. But the Hexlox provides peace of mind in an unobtrusive and easy-to-use form. Quick to install and remove, the Hexlox is a combination of a lock and personal key. Designed to work with standard hex bolts, the Hexlox effectively turns a bolt into a security bolt when inserted. Small, discreet and easily portable, the Hexlox is an effective and simple way to help protect your bike parts. Discover more through the Hexlox Kickstarter campaign.

Brighten your day by lightening the load

Feel like your daily carry is weighing you down? Sometimes it’s not the carry contents so much as the bag itself. The new Moshi Helios backpack series helps you shed the load through lightweight construction and sleek design that suits the office and weekend outings equally well. The series features the Helios and Helios Lite, both of which include a padded laptop compartment (suitable for 15” and 13” tech respectively). Further interior compartments let you organize work tools or general EDC, while a rear exterior pocket provides stealthy storage for valuables. In addition to protecting your gear from the elements, the water-resistant backpacks also feature magnetic snap closures so you can quickly and conveniently access items on the go.