In my early 20s, I went through three backpacks in as many years before I realized that I needed something much, much tougher. My initial explorations in the category led me to canvas with reinforced stitching, then heavy duty waxed canvas, then the ultimate in backpack durability: Cordura ballistic nylon. Now, I almost won’t buy a pack unless it’s made to withstand a bomb blast.
That super tough material is the basis of Code of Bell’s X-Pod Sling Pack—an exceptionally well-designed, cross-body alternative to a standard backpack that’s halfway between a daily pack and a belt bag. Expandable compartments and a half-dozen zippered pockets give it enough flexibility to accommodate what you need to carry, and a shoulder strap alongside a top grab handle mean it’s ready to go whenever (and wherever) you are.
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