When choosing a bag to be your main EDC, it can be tricky to prepare for all the different situations that come your way. The bag you’d bring your laptop into the office with might not fare so well on a hike in the rain or packed with clothes for a short-haul flight. That’s why Code of Bell put adaptability at the forefront of their new Carrywear collection on Kickstarter with the X-PAK One and X-PAK Pro. They’re highly configurable cross-body sling bags built with waterproof materials, expandable compartments, and tons of versatile features inside and out.
For a pair of bags designed to be your one option for a wide range of uses and conditions, they come prepared with premium materials throughout. PU-coated zippers and laminated waterproof fabrics on the exterior provide all-weather protection, while 1680D ballistic nylon, ITW Nexus and YKK hardware stand up to repeated use. Overall, the X-PAK One and X-PAK Pro share the same sling-based design with storage capacity being the main difference. The key is in their unique, vertical roll-top outer compartment that can accommodate even bulky items you couldn’t normally carry in a smaller bag.
The X-PAK Pro offers more packing space with a capacity ranging from 10L to 17L, taking on a compact daypack role. Besides its expandable roll-top compartment, it has two separate main compartments and an admin panel section to accommodate a 13” laptop and the rest of your small essentials. All of the pockets on the X-PAK Pro are well-placed for its purpose as an EDC sling, with concealed pockets on the back panel, a weatherproof quick-access pocket on the front, an expandable water bottle pocket on the side, and easy access to the main compartments. You can get to these pockets even on the go by slinging the bag forward without having to stop and take the bag off completely.
The X-PAK One fits the bill as a compact EDC for carrying just the essentials with a 4L capacity to start but can expand to almost double with a maximum capacity of 7L. Even as a smaller bag, the X-PAK One makes excellent use of its seemingly limited space thanks to robust internal organization and pocket placement. It features concealed security pockets on the rear, quick-access pockets on the strap itself, an interior admin panel and padded sleeve, the expandable duffel compartment, and a front-access weatherproof pocket.
With the X-PAK bags, it isn’t only about having a pocket for everything. They offer so many different ways to actually carry the bags, thanks to their adjustable and stowable straps. The X-PAK Pro can be worn like a traditional sling across your back, over one shoulder when buckled together, or in briefcase mode. The smaller X-PAK One has even more options that active EDCers might enjoy, including as a waistpack or strapped to bike handles. Last but not least, optional compression straps let you attach bulkier items and MOLLE-compatible webbing along the sides let you carry more.
The Code of Bell Carrywear collection is already fully funded on Kickstarter with just under two weeks left in the campaign. You can choose from the X-PAK One and Pro in various color options, as well as learn all about the features and nuanced design decisions that went into the bags at the link below.
