The Pack Hold | Men's Bags

Vans is primarily known for their footwear, but they design their bags with the same core skate-tech, surf-steez values. This season they offer a collection of bags that range from simple, school-ready packs to intricate, transformable luggage. Colorwise, you have a choice of either earthy greens or bright, primary red and blue (both tastefully offset with stark browns). Vans’ bags are purposeful accessories, not just filler to diversify their product line; don’t sleep on these if you’re looking for a legit bag with skater features.

See more »

Australian brand Bellroy takes a very logical, problem-solving approach to designing wallets. Valuing both form and function equally, they believe in “improving the way we carry.” But don’t mistake their wallet-only lineup for a lack of depth. They’ve developed a robust collection that transcends the billfold/trifold label, giving every lifestyle a unique carry option.

Check out more photos below and make sure to visit Bellroy’s blog, Carryology, to see just how passionate these guys are about carrying things.

See more »

Herschel Supply Co. has been an internet favorite since they debuted their first collection earlier this year. Photos from their leisurely-but-adventurous lookbooks circulate virally through fashion mags and tumblrs. They’ve since expanded on this success, adding vintage inspired luggage, briefcases, and laptop sleeves to their already diverse selection of bags. As you can see, camo is back in full force.

See more »

Incase has always been my go-to company for tech-related gear; they’ve embraced the geek lifestyle and added their own stylish twist. Their current lineup applies unique materials and treatments to the iconic Incase aesthetic. The wrinkled, gunmetal nylon of the Alloy collection (above and below) was an easy favorite of mine.

For their ongoing Curated by Arkitip collection, Incase collaborates with notable illustrators, designers, and graf artists. Below is their MacBook sleeve, iPhone case, and iPad jacket featuring artwork by Rostarr.

See more »

Although they’ve used a similar shape, Makr’s Utility Bag isn’t the kind of tote bag you’d find on your girlfriend’s shoulder. This is a tote bag on steroids. Thick, cotton duck canvas and thicker Horween Manitoba leather protect your stuff from any adventure you’ll find yourself in (in this case, a trip to Point Dume, Malibu). Every time you reach into the bag, you’ll feel the noticeably soft, sanded twill against the back of your hand. Soft and smooth on the inside, tough and rugged on the outside. These smart considerations to fabric and treatment really speak towards the user-based design values that Makr was founded on. The bag’s outer is branded by a single, blank patch of that Horween leather; this isn’t the kind of company who would put giant logos all over their products, they’d rather let the materials and design speak for itself.

Makr Carry Goods has quickly grown a loyal following, mainly for the design and durability of their bags, but also for the lifestyle they represent. Their blog is one of my favorites: a great curation of behind the scenes photos, product updates, and inspirational images. Heavily inspired by vintage outdoor and skate culture, Makr’s emphasis on quality workmanship and beautiful leather separates them from the current wave of similarly minimal bags.

See more »

On the second floor of a nondescript building in the Downtown LA Arts District, you’ll find a factory full of technical materials: rolls of military-grade fabrics, heavy-duty Cobra buckles, waterproof Riri zippers. Somehow, these things make for an impossibly elegant bag. KILLSPENCER was gracious enough to give us a peep into their headquarters for a better look at the product and the process.

By the time founder Spencer Nikosey graduated from Art Center in 2008, the KILLSPENCER brand was already in the works; it was just a matter of turning a project into a business. The lineup is pretty standard: backpacks, messenger bags, duffles, totes… but what really sets these bags apart is their practical design and heavy-duty materials. KILLSPENCER uses technical and vintage military fabrics, giving the bags a worn-in look while protecting your goods from water and fire. No detail is overlooked, whether it’s the shape of a pocket or the click of a buckle.

Coming from an artistic background, Spencer doesn’t only focus on industrial design; he makes sure to use his brand as an outlet for all things creative. He’s worked with designer/illustrator Jared Purrington on a couple hauntingly beautiful promo videos and even brought in filmmaker Van Neistat to help make a camera-friendly bag. This foundation within the arts community, along with a passion for tech gear and hardware, keep KILLSPENCER moving in a unique direction.

See more »

Minimalism doesn’t always imply a lack of details. Take a closer look at AUTUM‘s single pocket Zeitgeist wallet and you’ll notice solid construction and quality materials. The outside of the wallet is covered by durable, matte black leather while the inside is cushioned with soft, textured leather. Glide the Riri zipper open for a perfectly concise place to keep cards and bills. No room for coins or extras in here, but many prefer a clean, slim wallet over a clunky one.

Unfortunately, the small batch of Zeitgeist wallets sold out before The Pack Hold could put up this feature, but it’s the first of many carry products from AUTUM. They’ve got a couple of great looking iPad and Macbook cases as well, but with an eclectic lineup that also includes furniture and bikes, calling them a wallet company would only be a half-truth.

See more »

Soft, leather zipper-pulls add a touch of elegance to the otherwise stark and technical exterior of the Mona Cocoon. The backpack is deceivingly simple; a heavy-duty nylon outer hides a gang of internal pockets and stash spots. And with 32 liters of volume, it’s as robust as it is sleek. Comfort was obviously a priority to the designers, because nothing but breathable airmesh padding touches your back or shoulders.

With only two bags in their current line up, IGNOBLE is a humble, yet impressive, new contender in the market. The LA-based company specializes in black backpacks, blurring the lines between technical gear and fashion bags. This kind of intelligent design is exactly what I look for in a bag and I’m excited to see what’s next for the brand.

See more »

After months of renovation and delay, The Pack Hold is finally back up and running, and as the introductory feature, you’ll get a long overdue look at February’s (capsule) show in Vegas. Familiar bag names like Jack Spade, Fjällräven, and Billykirk showcased their latest collections, along with many newcomers such as Temple and Wheelman & Co. (just to name a few).

Contrasting the ritzy carpets and glass chandeliers of the Venetian’s Palazzo Ballroom were distressed leathers, washed-out earth tones, and proudly exposed rivets. Bare, wooden shelves housed an eclectic mix of workwear and military-inspired brands, each with its own unique identity, but with an overall theme of refined durability. We can only hope this is a new standard of quality, and not just a passing trend.

See more »