#recon pack

Judging by the modularity of the Colfax Design Works (CDW) lineup, their inspiration is military but their purpose is travel and they are well designed for it. The Laptop Case, Mini Dopp Kit and iPad Mini Case all came in black with gold grab strap accents. The webbing, which is mil-spec, is not as thick as your typical thicker tactical webbing normally used in the PALS systems. This style has a fine red accent of thread which adds a nice effect, it actually helps you see where the webbing spaces are. The weight savings of this type of webbing is significant.

Laptop Case (13" and 15" sizes available)

The case is made with X51 1000d Cordura © with X-ply tear resistant layer and backed with a laminated PET waterproof membrane. It’s nice to know your sensitive electronics are waterproof. If you get hit by a rogue wave on your next adventure you will be drenched, but your laptop will live to tell the tail.

The case is secured by snaps which I was skeptical about at first, but if you look inside the case, there is no metal on the inside and the plush air mesh liner protects your computer from the snaps.

On the back of the case there are two handles of gold webbing so you won’t have any problem yanking this case from your pack. A neat stealthy feature of this case is the small YKK weather guard zipper pocket on the back that is big enough for some extra cords or memory cards and other crucial items. So many cases lack features like this. CDW’s design was well planned and well executed.

iPad (Mini) Case (also available for regular/air sizes)

The iPad Mini Case is sort of a smaller version of the laptop case, sharing the same materials and also the small zip pocket on the front. This is perfect for your earbuds or charger and cable.

The case dimensions don’t allow for an iPad with a case like an Otterbox, but if you have this case and choose to use it as it’s designed, you probably don’t like the overbuilt Otterbox type of case and go naked. That said, it fits a bare iPad snugly and securely.

On the back is the A.M.C.S. or Advanced Modular Cargo System, which operates very similarly to the PALS webbing system and is compatible to other products by Colfax Design Works. You can marry your iPad case to your laptop case, if you need that much screen time, or the CDW packs.

Mini Dopp Kit

Last but not least is the Mini Dopp Kit. Small zip pockets are underrated and underused. There always something loose bouncing around in your pack that could use a pocket. The Mini Dopp Kit has one piece of A.M.C.S. webbing that can used to attach to the outside of any of the CDW products.

In summary, the CDW line is very well appointed with military grade materials and is tough as it should be to handle your next adventure. It’s industrial and tactical looking but still really stylish. As a bonus all of the CDW products are made in the USA.

CDW also has a Recon Pack in their line up that appears to have some interesting features. Keep CDW in your sights for more innovations in style and function.

Editor: News from Colfax Design Works is that the preorder sale of the Recon Pack is live. The price is $235 instead of usual $285, which is a great discount, and is scheduled to ship mid December. Now is definitely the time to check it out.

BUY NOWDAVID'S POSTS

1. What is your current go-to pack?

Colfax Design Works Recon Pack

2. What items can always be found in your pack?

I try to keep my daily essential to a minimum but you will find lots of different cases that I use to store my tools of the trade in. My typical list of things I take with me on a daily basis includes;

Colfax Design Works – 13” Sleeve – Macbook Air

Colfax Design Works – iPad Mini Case – iPad Mini

Colfax Design Works – Mini Dopp Kit – Cord storage

Colfax Design Works – Prototype case for my phone (Field testing before production)

Wax pen

Wax pen

Flexible measuring tape

Moleskine notebook for notes and to sketch out ideas

Military watch cap

Thread snips

3. Can you tell us a little about what you do?

I own and operate Colfax Design Works. It’s a balancing act of managing everything with the recent launch of product under the Colfax Design Works label. As well as keeping up with my freelance product design and development side of the business. It’s a constant rotation of sketching, designing, sewing prototypes, sample reviews, and dealing with my manufactures.

4. What is the passion that drives the brand?

What drives me is trying to continuously push the advancement of product beyond what is imaginable. I want to make purpose driven products that can be adapted to different environments and evolve over time to suit the operator’s need.

5. How would you describe your level of pack organisation? (Chaotic, Casual, Pack Jedi, Scientific)*

I’d like to think I’m somewhere between a pack Jedi as they can do to everything they need to with a minimal amount of tools and Scientific with my categorizing of things in different cases.

Editor: It was great to hear a little more about the man behind this new company. Check out the website below.

COLFAX DESIGN WORKS