A user came to me with a question—what’s the best EDC pack with around 25 liters of capacity? While he’s got no beef with GoRuck, he craves something with a bit more organization.

This one’s a no-brainer. The consensus in the wild world of everyday carry is that the AER City Pack Pro reigns supreme in this niche… and I can’t help but agree. It’s AER, after all, so it’s built like a brick shithouse, and everything they churn out is damned well designed. This pack hits all the marks:

• The quick access pocket is a dream to get to and has plenty of room and the Pro version takes it up a notch with a second quick access pocket on the side for keys and whatnot.

• Luggage pass-through… It’s astounding how many sub-25L packs overlook this crucial feature.

• The laptop compartment is a fortress of its own, accessible without diving into the main compartment.

• Straps? Fantastic. You could carry the weight of the world on these bad boys.

To me, it’s the only 25L pack worth considering in this segment, even with the $240 price tag.

But hold on, there is another contender—The Black Ember Citadel 25. This one will set you back $300, but it shares many of the same stellar features and has a sleek, killer look. Plus, Black Ember has earned a solid reputation as a place of solid fabrication. I don’t have any experience with this one, but I’ll try to get one in for review.

Anyway, you can dive into the details about the Black Ember here, and the AER here.

I don’t know what the hell this thing is… Is it a tote? A bin? A backpack? A box? I guess it’s whatever the hell you want it to be depending on how you use it.

Essentially, the RUX 70L is a box made of TPU-coated nylon. This modern, slick material gives the box no structure at all, but it comes with spring steel snap bracelets that you place in each corner- allowing you to decide how much rigidity the box actually has. You can make it stiff enough to stack, or snap the bracelets and compress it like a soft box.

But that’s just the beginning. The top edges of the box are lined with a rail system inside and out. This rail system lets you customize the outside of the box with different carrying and compression strap configurations. Want a backpack? No sweat. Throw on the long straps horizontally and adjust them. Want a tote? Easy, just place the carrying straps on each end. Want to make it smaller? Just throw on the compression straps and synch em down.

This rail system also lets you securely add a top on the outside or fashion pouches and dividers on the inside. The possibilities and configurations are literally endless. It’s actually quite brilliant.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the price… This bin, backpack, box, tote thing will run you $300!

I’d scream foul, but the thing is… I think it’s absolutely worth it to the right person. It’s one of those products that reflects the passion of its designer. You can tell that whoever designed and made the thing gives a damn. The craftsmanship is wild, and as a result, using the RUX is a joy.

The RUX 70L is the most interesting mobile storage device I’ve ever tested. Sincerely.

Details here.

The wallet hunt continues – plunging me deeper into the depths of consumer madness. The past week, I’ve been tangoing with the wares of a South Carolina outfit named Distil Union. The ModWallet Kit grabbed my attention like a pit bull on a mailman. Two leather flaps, magnets embedded, and a slew of accessories to shove between them: money clip, multi-tool, card holders, and yes—key holders. On paper, it was the Holy Grail, a treasure trove of functionality… and I was itching to test this beast.

The build quality? Magnificent. As good as Bellroy, probably better. The leather is as smooth as Sinatra’s voice, the stitching as precise as a sniper’s aim, and the whole thing screams “no compromises.” Clean, simple, modern design. This wallet isn’t just a product; it’s a love letter to craftsmanship and wallet nerds.

But the real question: how does it perform in the wild? I sandwiched two key holders and a money clip between the magenetic leather flaps. This gave me enough room for my six cards, some cash, and the indispensable keys. The organization is top-notch with color-coded nylon straps making it easy to access my most commonly used cards and ample “attic” space for the cards I don’t use as much. Cash is a breeze to reach, and key storage is about as good as it gets for a wallet. Plus, the whole thing becomes magnetic, sticking to anything metal. Sounds gimmicky, but it’s surprisingly handy.

The damned thing is as close to perfection as I’ve come across, save for one glaring flaw… It’s too big for front pocket carry. Packed tight, it measures around 3 inches by 5 inches by 5/8 inches thick. A slim, elegant back pocket companion, but too bulky for front-end stashing. This epiphany sent me spiraling into a deep funk, mourning the lost potential of this otherwise stellar wallet.

Distil, of course, has a smaller offering for front pocket carry—the Wally Bifold. The Wally shares the ModWallet’s DNA but lacks the modularity. Same accessible card slots, same fantastic money clip, and the same bulletproof build quality. But no modularity means no key organization. This brought another wave of despair, but the usability of the Wally was too tempting to ignore. I had to test it despite my burning need for a wallet that included key storage of some kind.

To be honest, it’s the best user experience I’ve ever had with a wallet. By design, everything is so damn accessible and the innovative magnets keep it slim, compact, and secure. It’s a god damned marvel of wallet engineering.

Maybe it’s time to abandon keys altogether and embrace the future with smart keyless locks for my office and home? My mind is whirling with new possibilities…

You can learn more about Distil here. And no, they didn’t pay me shit.

In the midst of a frenzied hunt for the elusive key-holding wallet, my journey led me to the doorstep of Thread – a brand that seems to have conjured its very own cult of recognition at breakneck speed. Intrigued, I delved into the realm of their offerings while on my quest.

Their flagship, the Elastic wallet, is a marvel of minimalist design. Two loops of tightly woven elastic, united by a split ring, promise to cradle your cards and cash in the slimmest embrace imaginable. They boast it can snugly house up to 8 cards plus cash, which is no small feat for such a diminutive contraption.

Yet, as I grapple with its practicality, two gripes emerge from the shadows of admiration. The elastic, taut as a bowstring, demands a deft touch as the number of cards swells beyond a meager few. And alas, the seams of my own specimen already whisper tales of wear after a mere week’s dalliance. A $16 dalliance, mind you – par for the course, perhaps, but disheartening nonetheless.

But fear not, for Thread offers salvation in the form of the Vertical Wallet. A kin to its elastic sibling, but fortified with leather, structure, and the holy shield of RFID protection. This, my friends, is where the true alchemy lies. Though not as svelte as its elastic cousin, it compensates with a judicious blend of utility and elegance. The keyring loop, a masterstroke of ergonomics, and the leather’s sturdy backbone render the cards within far more compliant to my demands.

Then, there’s the Bifold Wallet, a commendable contender in its own right. While it fails to meet my particular needs (no key solution), its $30 price tag earns it a nod of respect. And craftsmanship? Like the other offerings, you won’t go out of your way to criticize it, but you won’t write home about it either.

In summation, Thread emerges as a beacon of sagacity in the tumultuous sea of consumerism. Their wares, though not without their minor flaws, exude a certain pragmatic charm. A panoply of colors and patterns beckons, ensuring that one’s allegiance remains forever fleeting. For now, the Vertical Wallet reigns supreme in my pocket, but who knows what tomorrow may bring?

In the ceaseless hunt for the perfect wallet, I veered from the treacherous shores of disappointment, ditching the chintzy allure of Chum’s Surfshort for the rugged promise of Bellboy’s All-Conditions Card Pocket. A leap from one end of the spectrum to the other, one might say, but such is the nature of this odyssey.

Bellboy, known for their meticulous craftsmanship, didn’t disappoint in the construction of this zippered marvel. With its aquaguard zipper and pre-molded structure, it’s a fortress for your cards, cash, and keys, boasting two card slots and a pocket with a built-in key loop. On paper, it ticks all the boxes for functionality and sleek design.

Yet, as I delved deeper, I found myself at odds with Bellboy’s polished aesthetic. It exuded an air of propriety that clashed with my wilder sensibilities. It lacked that spark of personality, that rugged charm I crave in my gear. It felt as though it rolled off an assembly line, pristine and perfect, devoid of the human touch that gives an item soul.

And the battle with the aquaguard zipper? A relentless skirmish, a daily struggle against the forces of waterproofing. While it may suffice for occasional card access, the constant jousting for my keys left me weary, longing for a more intuitive solution.

In the end, Bellboy’s creation stands as a testament to quality and functionality, but it’s not the companion for my journey. The search presses on, fueled by a relentless quest for that elusive blend of form, function, and untamed spirit.

More details here.

Another day, another bag… I’m in love with the way this bag handles variable loads. Gives it a space suit vibe of sorts.

Details.