The details

Materials and Care

Cotton canvas

We use two weights of cotton duck. 14 oz is the Market Tote: light enough to fold into a jacket pocket, strong enough for a week of groceries. 18 oz is the Zip-Top Daily Tote: stiffer, holds a shape, carries a laptop without sagging. Both are plain weave, both start out stiff. Expect the hand to soften over two to three months of use.

Washing: machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, no bleach, hang to dry. Natural canvas shrinks about 3 percent on the first wash. Garment-dyed black canvas will transfer a little dye to light clothing for the first few weeks; this stops on its own. Do not tumble dry, it sets creases permanently.

Waxed canvas

The Waxed Field Pouch is 10.1 oz cotton canvas impregnated with a paraffin and beeswax blend. It is water resistant, not waterproof, and it scuffs on purpose. To clean, brush off dry dirt and wipe with a cold damp cloth. Never machine wash, never use soap, never apply heat above a hair dryer on low. Re-wax once a year or so with any standard fabric wax bar.

Nylon

210D ripstop (Cord Case): the lightest fabric we use, a grid of heavier yarns stops tears spreading.

420D packcloth (Sling, Daypack): a plain weave with a polyurethane coating on the inside face. Water resistant; seams on the Daypack are taped.

500D Cordura (Musette): a textured, abrasion resistant nylon that handles being dragged across concrete and bike frames.

Washing nylon: hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, rinse well, hang to dry out of direct sun. Do not iron, do not tumble dry, do not dry clean. Heat damages the coating.

Hardware

Zippers are YKK, #5 on pouches and slings, #8 on the Daily Tote. Buckles are Duraflex or ITW acetal, which can be cut off and replaced by any outdoor repair shop. We keep spares; email [email protected] with your order number and we will post one out.

Sizing

All measurements in the product listings are external width, height and depth in inches, taken with the bag lightly stuffed. Laptop sleeve sizes refer to the screen diagonal of the laptop; a 13-inch sleeve fits most 13 and 14-inch machines, a 15-inch sleeve fits up to a 16-inch machine in a thin case. Strap lengths are the full adjustable range, buckle to buckle.