It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
A small sling pack is a great choice when you need to augment the space in your pockets without committing to carrying an oversized bag or pack. But heft is another thing. If a small sling bag features heavy material like leather, canvas, or even ballistic nylon, it can become more burdensome than convenient. That’s where small sling bags made out of X-Pac sailcloth fabric like the Mission Workshop Notch comes into play.
Dimension-Polyant X-Pac fabric is a high-performance, superlightweight laminated synthetic material with high strength-to-weight characteristics. It’s also waterproof, meaning anything you put in the Notch, like small electronics, books, and everyday carry essentials, can remain high and dry from the rain, especially when paired with YKK AquaGuard zippers. The laser-cut construction of the bag cuts a sharp and modern look that won’t look out of place in the office or an urban environment. And at just 280 grams or 9.9 ounces, this 1.6-liter capacity sling bag weighs about as much as a morning cup of coffee.
What we like: The Notch is an incredibly lightweight bag that lets you carry your gear without added burden. It’s also compatible with Mission Workshop’s modular Arkiv backpack system, which means it can work as an everyday organizing pouch as a bag within a bag when you need the space.
What to watch out for: At $125 at its release, the Mission Workshop Notch is one of the more expensive compact sling bags you can pick up for your EDC. You do, however, get what you pay for. Each of Mission Workshop’s bags is designed in San Francisco and built in the United States, and they guarantee their products from defects in materials or workmanship forever.
Final verdict: If you’re looking for a small sling bag that will let you free up your pockets without too much fuss and added weight, the Mission Workshop Notch is a great choice.
