The Gear Journal – Page 64 – Every Day Carry Gear & Gadgets

February 1, 2021

One Bag

Ryan

Bags & Wallets

So I get asked this all the time – What’s the best “one bag” travel backpack on the market?

I think the answer is probably different for everyone and unfortunately, you can’t really know the answer for your own use case without trying out a bunch of different options. Myself? I’ve tried more than I care to admit… In fact, I used to have a bag problem. I still do… But I used to too…

Anyway, the best “one bag” backpack I have ever used is the 40L GoRuck Gr2. First and foremost and as far as materials and craftsmanship go, there isn’t a bag of any kind made any better. The 1000D CORDURA, the YKK zippers, the perfect stitching done in the USA, the… It’s just made as well as it possibly could be.

And then, there’s form. There is very little organization in a GR2… Essentially, it features two main compartments and a few a cubbies. You won’t find a spot for your pencils or an easy access pocket or… any of that stuff.

Instead, you are left with a blank canvas that allows you to outfit the bag for your own use case using supplemental pouches, organizers, and the like. The end result is a really flexible platform that can be configured for many, many uses. And because it’s made so damned well, it will last FOREVER.

Anyway, I should make a video on the subject…

Until then, details on the GR2 here.

January 29, 2021

China Vs. China

Ryan

Knives & Tools

I’m a big fan of James Brand and their design work. Due to their prices, I always just sort of assumed their products were made in the USA. However, a user on garagejournal.com told me otherwise.

So… I investigated and yes, it appears as though most James Brand products are made in China. In my mind, there’s nothing wrong with that if your prices are inline with other products sourced from the same country.

With James Brand, however, that is not the case. Pictured above is the James Brand Elko knife (one of their most popular offerings) and the Whitby Sprint EDC knife.

It appears as though Whitby simply knocked off the James Brand design and had it reproduced in China – possibly even at the same factory. The price for the James Brand example is $85 while the price of the knock off is a little over $20. Both appear to use similar blade materials and some YouTubers claim that the Whitby actually has better fit and finish than the James Brand.

I don’t know how to feel about this. I love the design work that James Brand does and hate to see any kind of IP get so viscously and obviously stolen, but… at the same time, it’s really hard to justify the James Brand price strategy.

Depressing.

January 28, 2021

Aer Mask

Ryan

Clothing

So, it looks like this whole face mask thing is gonna be around a while… I’ve hesitated from buying anything too substantial as a sort of mental exercise – thinking maybe positive thinking would help as much as the $5 mask I was wearing.

It didn’t. Obviously.

So, I’ve bought my first non-disposable mask. I read a research paper on the benefits of ripstop as a filter. Apparently two layers of the tight weave stuff is almost as effective as a medical grade mask and far more comfortable.

Enter Aer. It is comfortable… I hope it’s working.

Details.

January 27, 2021

Ekster Key Holder

Ryan

Keychains

I’ve become a big fan of using Key Organizers. My product of choice is the Orbitkey, but there are others that are just as good. Recently Ekster released their own version… and I really dig the minimal look of it all.

Details here.

January 26, 2021

Packing Cubes

Ryan

Bags & Wallets

I mentioned earlier that I have been working on a side project – essentially, a piece of software that searches out reviews from objective sources like Reddit, forums, etc… and then returns and ranks overall reviews. At this point, there is too much manual work involved for this to become publicly useable, but its still fun to plug things in and see what is returned.

This time, I did packing cubes. I’ve never used packing cubes (who has in the past year?), but a friend swears by them and I’ve wanted to give them a shot. Thing is, everyone makes the damn things and prices are all over the place.

So, what does my little software say about the matter? If you want the best packing cubes on the market, you want Peak Design. And if you want the best value, you want Eagle Creek Spectre.

I chose Eagle Creek and will report back.

January 25, 2021

The M65 Field Jacket

Ryan

Clothing

For well over a decade, I’ve used an M-65 Field Jacket as my cold weather outer layer. If it’s super cold (rare in Texas and Hawaii), I will add an issued “cold weather liner” and call it good.

I think I paid $100 for my M-65 (with liner) at a surplus store some 12 years ago. It’s still in perfectly useable condition and I can’t argue with the value.

It does, however, come with some draw backs. For one, the M-65 does not come with a modern fit. It’s boxy… because, well… it had to fit every body type in the military. But also, it uses outdated materials. So, it’s heavy and not very wet weather resistant.

Proof just introduced their modern version of the M-65 that they are calling the Highlander. It features a more modern fit and materials that are both water resistant and have a little stretch. I think it’s rad.

Check it out.

January 24, 2021

Saxx

Ryan

Clothing

Working on a piece of software that essentially polls sources like reddit, forums, and other non-retail sites that tend to collect honest and objective reviews. Using unmentionables as a test subject, I can now objectively say that the highest reviewed underwear on the internet comes from a company called Saxx.

And I have to admit, I’m tempted to blow $25 just to see how good these actually are.

Details.

January 22, 2021

Trayvax Link Lanyard

Ryan

Keychains

A few years ago, Trayvax released the Link Lanyard. A couple of YouTubers reviewed it favorably and inventory sold out quickly. Because the quick release is a pain in the ass to produce in numbers, Trayvax declined to make more.

Meanwhile, reviewers and EDC guys began to really appreciate the Link for what it was, how it worked, and its reliability. Eventually, so much pressure was put on Travax that they felt like they had to make more. They did so a couple of months ago… and there is still stock available.

I’ve never touched one of these things, but everyone I know that has one is in love with it… Come to think of it, just about everyone I know with anything from Travax loves the company in general. So…

Details.