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Mission Workshop's Arkiv Modular Bag Design

By Rain Noe - May 30, 2012

in Bags

We're impressed by the ambitious design of the Arkiv Field Pack, a modular bag system allowing "for easy customization of space and organization with the secure and simple attachment of independently weatherproof accessories utilizing unbreakable steel hardware."

Designed by San-Francisco-based Mission Workshop, the Arkiv system consists of a main rucksack-style bag offered in two sizes—a 20-liter-capacity Small and a 40-liter-capacity Large—and a series of satellite bags to choose from: A laptop case, a tool pouch, a cell phone holder, a folio for documents and writing materials, and a couple of add-on pockets meant to hold water bottles or random objects. There's even an optional additional shoulder strap, so you can turn any of the satellite bags into an independent one.

We wish that the following video offered a little less style and a little more explanation...

...but it appears that the smaller bags slide onto a webbing-based rail system on the main bags. Looks pretty nifty.

Mission Workshop manufactures these bags in the USA, and they come with a lifetime warranty.

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Rick

12 years ago

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Yeah, pickpockets, all they have to do is sneak up behind you, unfasten the ever so quiet Velcro, pull it out of the keeper loops, unclip the outside holder strap, tug upwards on the bag to get it off the rails, and they are home free. Yup, I would never be able to feel, sense or detect this grand trickery. Get real, this isn't just buckle clipped to the outside... It is attached well enough to trust a laptop won't fall off while cycling, it would be easier for a thief to just grab it off the floor when you set it down than just "unsnap" anything.
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Kyle

12 years ago

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Nice design.

However, one thing I can see overlooked: a thief could easily unsnap the modular bags from the main pack, and make a quick unnoticed getaway. Better not use those for anything of value.
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Tom Mc

12 years ago

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The military has had this for a while now beginning with the ALICE system (steel clips) 40 years ago and has now moved to MOLLE which uses a variety of polymer clips, snaps and velcro (quieter and lighter). This is precisely the reason I own bags made by Maxpedition and 5.11. You get the base bag made of a heavy nylon, and then can buy whatever you want to weave into the MOLLE webbing.
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