A single entrepreneur or a group of like minded folks get together with a glow in their eye and manufacture something that makes the world just a little bit better simply because passion drove them to do so. You can tell these companies by the detail in their work. It goes into their marketing. It goes into their packaging. It goes into their product. They beat customer expectations in every thing they do not because they see profitability in it, but because their work is that personal to them. I know, it sounds like a load of bullshit… But it does happen.

Looking for something incredibly overpriced, but almost justifiably cool for Christmas? Check out Temple Bags. Essentially, they take vintage WWII military materials and repurpose them into pretty bitchin’ bags, wallets, key chains, etc… Sure, it’s expensive. But damn, it’s cool.

Check it out.

I love Moleskine notebooks. Beyond being excellent note takers and mini-organizers, they just feel so damned tactile. I use them for car journals, “to do” lists, and many other tasks. I seem to have them sitting around all over the place.

Rickshaw must like them too… They are a small company based out of San Francisco that focuses on hand crafting bags and organizers. Their latest is a small and water-proof job based around protecting a Moleskine notebook. The interior boasts a clear business card holder, secured zippered compartment, four pen sleeves, a padded flap to protect the journal’s cover from the pen clips, and clear rear pocket.

They are available for $50 in a variety of colors. Get yours here.

Carrying a DSLR is a pain in the ass. I carry mine in a CountyComm mine bag as part of my day pack system. It works well for me, but I realize not many people has to carry as much stuff as I do when I travel. Incase just might have an answer for you… Available in the essentials only-sized carrying case or a bigger sling pack, both bags feature zippered interior and exterior pockets, adjustable camera and lens compartments, side stash pockets, adjustable shoulder straps, reinforced nylon handles, and weather resistant nylon construction to keep your gear safe and sound. Check em out.

I’m a bag whore. I have bags for just about every occasion. Going on a two day trip through the air? Got it covered. Going on a four day trip on the ground? No sweat. Back and forth from work? I got a bag for that too…

Of course, the only problem with this is that I end up jockeying a lot of gear between the bags depending on what I have planned. Inevitably, I forget to move something or other to the “bag of the day” and find myself living without. For a gear guy, that sucks.