MISSION WORKSHOP VX R8 ARKIV LARGE FIELD PACK
P17,900.00 for the base VX R8 Large, P15,900 for the VX R8 small, from www.tenkiebox.ph
If you’ve ever scoffed at bringing a backpack to work (or play, or travel), thinking it’s too juvenile or, dare we say, un-stylish, then this may change your mind. Mission Workshop’s take on the ubiquitous backpack is chock full of clever thinking.
For starters, it’s constructed of the same VX ripstop, waterproof material as the Monty messenger bag we reviewed last month. Like the Monty, the shoulder straps are wide and well-padded, and a sternum strap helps stabilize the load. The pack itself features several compartments - a zippered front compartment that’s deep enough for a tablet, a cavernous main storage space that also has another zippered compartment that can fit a laptop. The main compartment can fold over the pack, like a regular rucksack, or you can secure it ala a roll-top bag. The main strap can change orientation depending on your chosen configuration. It all seems pretty straightforward, but the R8 has a trick up it’s sleeve, or in this case, rails.
Running down the sides and back of the pack are a total of 8 tough nylon rails, with velcro locks. These rails are Mission Workshop’s proprietary Arkiv system - basically their take on expandability and modularity. The rails accommodate a variety of add-ons that lets you customize the R8 to your intended use. The following fit on the front panel: A waterproof, padded laptop case that you can attach a shoulder strap to; a folio that can fit an iPad and serves as a U-lock carrier; a tool pocket that can double as a mobile phone pouch (and belt bag, thanks to built-in belt loops); for the side panels, you can attach a vertical zip pocket or a roll top pocket; and there’s also a mobile phone pocket that fits on any rail, but works best on one of the shoulder straps. Note that you can stack some of the add-ons: the tool pocket can attach to the folio, which can attach to the laptop case, which then slides on to the pack itself. Confused? We were too, as the possible combinations can be overwhelming (and indeed, expensive).
After careful soul-searching, budget-checking, and evaluating the intended and potential uses of the R8, we settled on the following configuration: the R8 field pack, along with a folio, and a mobile phone pocket. This set-up gives us the most flexibility - as we planned to use the pack bike commuting to and from work. The folio is easily detached, and with the optional shoulder strap, makes for a perfect tote when headed to meetings. The phone pocket is the perfect size for an iPhone, and can also hold a billfold and ID card. We had no need for the laptop case, as we can always slip our laptop sleeve into the zippered space in the main compartment. The side pockets and tool pouch seemed redundant, as the main pack is big enough to hold most everything we need. If we had the smaller version of the R8, the side pockets may come in handy. Finally, the pack looks too bulky and unwieldy when it’s fully festooned with the add-ons. We wanted to preserve the sleek, minimalistic lines.
Looks aside, what matters more is how the R8 feels when fully-loaded. While items can get lost in the huge main compartment, as we learned with the Monty, a couple of ziploc bags go a long way in keeping things organized and in place. Aside from a change of clothes, a towel, and several folders of documents, we were also able to comfortably fit (and carry) a half gallon of ice cream, a couple of tetra bricks of soy milk, a bag of chips, 4 bottles of beer, and 2 toilet rolls, with a fair bit of room to spare. The bag does like to sag down when fully loaded, and we are considering the waist strap as a future purchase if doing grocery runs on the bike becomes a habit. Also, when on the bike, edgy objects may tend to poke you in the back, so you must pack your stuff carefully. The adjustable shoulder straps are a boon, as they allow the pack to sit low on your back, making for good rearward visibility. Like the Monty, the R8 is devoid of any reflective detailing, so you must provide your own blinkers if you want to commute with this bag in traffic.
The R8 is also a good travel companion. It’s external measurements are within the maximum size for carry-on baggage, and it can squeeze underneath the seat in front of you (or in the overhead stowage bins, as your friendly flight attendant would say). Again, modularity comes into play here. Your iPad and your travel documents can be stored in the detachable folio, for example. There were times that we wished for the smaller version of the R8 though, which has half the volume (except when doing the grocery).
Which brings us to this. Even with the lifetime warranty considered, the R8 doesn’t come cheap, and the add-ons can literally add on to the price tag. If you carefully evaluate your needs, and meticulously decide what modules to match, then you may be able to justify such a purchase. You can always drop hints to your better half - just like she has done with her designer bag, right?
Specifications
- Measures: 16'' x 20'' x 8''
- Capacity: 2,500 cu. in. (40 L)
R8 Accessory Price List:
R8 VX Utility Cell Holder: P1,800
R8 VX Folio: P3,900
R8 VX Laptop Case: P4,200
R8 VX Side Zip: P3,000
R8 VX Side Roll Top: P3,000
R8 VX Tool Pouch: P3,300
Arkiv Shoulder Strap Accessory: P1,200
Deluxe Waistbelt: P1,700
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