When I was an industrial design student, I looked for a bag that would have the functionality of the Sanction. In fact, I was looking for a case that I could carry on my back ! With its 6 compartments (three of them being equipped with a waterproof zip), I can now organize and sort out my work tools : my markers, sketch books, my layout paper pad, my drawing carton, my measurement rulers, my laptop computer and its loader, its mouse and my external hard disk.
In spite of its great 20l capacity, this bag has been conceived by the designers of Mission Workshop to be felt as light as possible : a semi-rigid material inside at the back maintains the bag in a vertical position, so as not to feel the moving items inside, and also to prevent your center of gravity from deviating. The back and shoulder straps are made of foam-rubber and respiring mesh material. So, this bag is very comfortable, even after a tiring work day.
Situated above the front pocket, its straps are elastic : you can change the volume of the bag altogether with keeping the flap stuck fast : no risk of loss ! Same comment for the pocket situated at the bottom of the bag : thanks to the thickness and the strength of the velcro sewn on it, no need to worry… The sternal strap is very pleasant when I go cycling : it really makes the difference in terms of comfort and ergonomics.
As usual, I consider all the details. I especially check the components. And as it is the components used to make this bag come from the USA. The material HT500 has been specifically developed by the brand Mission Workshop in order to find the good compromise between lightness, flexibility, softness and strength. I must say I find this material absolutely attractive : it doesn’t look like any other one. It doesn’t have the aspect of a cheap polyester, it doesn’t have the “showy” shiny aspect of a nylon either. It is very supple and at the same time very resistant to rubbing. I feel the same concerning the lining : the choice of a ripstop material could have enabled designers to reduce the thickness, but here again, they have preferred to opt for quality. What’s more, this bright grey material makes it easier to find one’s belongings.
The plastic buckles and clips used are Us-Moldings, made by Duraflex in the USA and the zips come from the brand YKK. As you surely know, Duraflex and YKK are the two biggest manufacturers of accessories and only make good quality products. Obviously, using those accessories implies higher prices, but at least, I am certain that, not only the zip of my pocket won’t break, but also that its waterproof quality is real and durable. It’s a good investment in a way. The designers have also made the choice of using a binding at the most solicited places, which I find, personally, very reassuring, since it strengthens the bag as well as the sewing together of the different textile pieces.
Before trying it, my only hesitation concerned the fact that the fastening straps were elastic. Those zones are actually much solicited, and an elastic strap is, a priori, less durable than a traditional strap made of polyester, and that worried me. So, I wrote to the president of MW who answered me it had never caused any problem, their elastic straps being particularly durable. What is more, all the bags are life guaranteed by the brand that’s why I know that if I have any problem, I can address them directly.
What I find fascinating about this bag (like in the Rhake and the Minimalist, both of them from MW), are mainly the finishing touches… As a designer, I have already been confronted to the different phases of the making of a bag, and I must admit that it is very hard to obtain such completion : it requires a lot of time, tenacity and creativity to achieve one’s aims. When I see how finely the bartaks have been sewn on the straps (and this is when you could think I’m mad !) I remain speechless. This bag seems rather simple, as far as its aesthetic and construction are concerned, but it certainly required months of development and reflection to obtain it as it is today.
Here are a few photos of the features of the bag, before giving a mark (more information about how we score). You can discover the very interesting interview of one of the founders of the brand by the team of Carryology 😉 as well as the site of the brand Mission Workshop.
Also find this product in our shop and other photos on our Instagram account.
Thomas.