REVIEW LAB · FIELD GUIDE · 9 COMPANIES

The modular
carry
companies.

Nine companies that sell a standard first and the bag second: a carabiner, an O-ring, a webbing grid, a hole for a charm, a frame for a stove. What each one sells, what it costs to get in, and what a small local brand can take from it.

By cc, PointCast Review Lab
· 8 minute read

Meet the nine ↓
ONE
STRAP,
MANY PODS ↘A pixel-dithered specimen sheet of bags in black, cobalt and yellow: a pickleball backpack, a grocery tote, a holey beach tote, a soft cooler, a rope-strap sling, a duffel, a roll-top dry bag, keys on a carabiner, and a phone on a lanyard.
Illustration: Astra (Codex) for PointCast

The bags review ended on a wish: one strap and one clip for the whole day. It turns out a few companies have built their whole business on that idea.

They don't all make bags. One makes a clip, one makes a camp kitchen, one makes charms for a shoe. What they share is a fixed interface, like a carabiner, an O-ring, a row of webbing or a hole, and a long list of cheap things that fit it. You buy in once, then keep adding.

We looked at six carry companies and three that make multi-use gear such as chairs, tables and a wagon, because a chair that clips to the same strap is part of the same problem. For each one: how the system works, the cheapest way in, one number worth knowing, and what a small local brand could learn from it.

Desk research from the makers' own stores and pages, checked September 29, 2026, plus the news and reference sources named on each card. Prices are US list prices from the makers' stores on that date. PointCast has not handled these products, so there is no rating. Where sources disagree on a number or a founding detail, we say so and name the source.

THE NINE

Who sells
the standard.

Compare interfaces ↓

Showing all 9 companies.

Green plaid wool Topologie Bottle Sacoche Medium, a small zippered barrel bag
Product photo: Topologie

01 / Hong Kong · founded 2018

Topologie

Founded in 2018 by climbers. Registered office in Hong Kong, with stores in Paris, Tokyo, Taipei and Hong Kong.

The system: Climbing-rope straps end in quick-release swivel carabiners that clip onto any Wares bag, pouch or phone case.

  • Phone Strap Adapter$12
  • Bottle Sacoche Medium (bag only)$82–92
  • Straps, 8.0mm Wrist to Cargo$30–110

The lesson. The strap is the product and the bags are the pods. A $12 adapter lets someone into the system through their phone. Collaborations with Café du Cycliste, Maison Mihara Yasuhiro and Universal Works change the look but keep the same interface.

BY THE NUMBERSThe brand claims 120+ straps and 1,000+ combinations. FashionUnited company profile ↗

Visit Topologie →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Four Peak Design Anchor Links with red discs on cord loops, and two black strap anchors
Product photo: Peak Design

02 / San Francisco · founded 2010

Peak Design

Founded in 2010 by Peter Dering.

The system: Three connectors are shared across the line: Anchor Links for straps, the Capture clip for a camera on any strap or belt, and the MagSafe-compatible SlimLink phone mount used by its cases, tripods, car mounts and bike mounts.

  • Anchor Links$29.95
  • Mobile Tripod$79.95

The lesson. Every launch is pre-sold on Kickstarter to test demand, and the gear carries a lifetime warranty. Once someone owns the connector, every other product that uses it is an easy add-on.

BY THE NUMBERSThe first Kickstarter (Capture, 2011) raised $364,698 from 5,258 backers. The 2025 Roller Pro campaign raised $13,408,553. Lifetime, it has raised tens of millions: over $34M per Wikipedia, while the founder has said $60M+. Wikipedia: Peak Design ↗

Visit Peak Design →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Black Tom Bihn Synapse 25 backpack with one front pocket unzipped to show an orange lining
Product photo: Tom Bihn

03 / Seattle, own factory · founded 1982

Tom Bihn

The company was founded in 1982 in Santa Cruz. Tom Bihn has made bags since 1972.

The system: O-rings sewn inside every bag take Key Straps and organizer pouches, and shoulder straps come off and are sold separately.

  • Key Strap$8
  • Mystery Pouch (leftover fabric)$12
  • Absolute Shoulder Strap$30
  • Synapse 25$265

The lesson. A cheap internal standard turns $8 to $50 pouches into repeat purchases, and making the bags in its own Seattle factory is the story.

Visit Tom Bihn →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Ranger green GORUCK GR1 Field Pocket, a zippered Cordura pouch with a flag patch
Product photo: GORUCK

04 / Jacksonville Beach, FL · founded 2008

GORUCK, on MOLLE

Founded in 2008 by Jason McCarthy, a Special Forces veteran, and his wife Emily. It builds on MOLLE, the US Army's open attachment standard.

The system: PALS webbing, rows of 1-inch webbing spaced 1 inch apart and stitched every 1.5 inches, lets any compatible pocket attach to any compatible pack.

  • Event patch (Taco Ruck, Donut Ruck, Coffee Ruck)$5
  • GR1 Field Pocket$80
  • GR1 USA, Coastal Camo ($525 in waxed canvas or X-Pac)$395

The lesson. It built on an open standard instead of inventing one. It backs the bags with its Scars lifetime guarantee, and its $5 patches are souvenirs of its own events.

BY THE NUMBERSPALS was developed at the US Army's Natick labs, and MOLLE was introduced in 1997, per Wikipedia. It's the original open attachment standard. Wikipedia: MOLLE ↗

Visit GORUCK, on MOLLE →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Mushroom-beige Original Bogg Bag, a molded tote with round holes and two handles
Product photo: Bogg

05 / New Jersey, per NBC · founded 2008

Bogg

Founded in 2008 by Kim Vaccarella. NBC reports it is based in New Jersey; we did not confirm that on an official page.

The system: An EVA-foam tote whose holes take Bogg Bits (charms), cupholders, dividers and inserts.

  • Bogg Bit$15
  • Original Bogg Bag$90–100

The lesson. The Jibbitz playbook applied to a beach bag. Themed charms are cheap, collectible and easy gifts.

BY THE NUMBERSRevenue grew from $1M in 2018 to $4M in 2019 and $54M in 2023, per NBC LA. Inside Retail reported $140M in 2025 and about $400M lifetime (August 2026). NBC LA (article 3582897); insideretail.us ↗

Only boggbag.com is linked here. Lookalike stores show up in search.

Visit Bogg →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

The holes
are the standard.
No product photo: the maker's site was unavailable when we checked

06 / Boulder, CO · founded 2005–06

Crocs Jibbitz

Started in a Boulder basement in 2005–06 by Sheri and Rich Schmelzer. Crocs bought it in October 2006.

The system: Charms snap into the holes of a Crocs clog; the holes are the standard.

  • A single charm, in 2006 (current price not checked)$2.49

The lesson. The holes were already in the shoe; the charm just used them. Crocs' FY2025 10-K calls Jibbitz a "key product pillar," though it doesn't break Jibbitz out of about $3.3B in Crocs brand revenue for 2025.

BY THE NUMBERSCrocs paid $10M cash plus up to $10M in earn-out in October 2006. At the time Jibbitz sold about $2M a month at $2.49 a charm, per the Spokesman-Review. Crocs press release, October 2006; Spokesman-Review ↗

Visit Crocs Jibbitz →

Carry · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

An empty Snow Peak IGT frame, two black rails joined by steel end pieces
Product photo: Snow Peak

07 / Sanjo, Niigata, Japan · founded 1958

Snow Peak Iron Grill Table

Founded in 1958 by Yukio Yamai.

The system: A camp kitchen built on a unit grid: 3- or 4-unit frames take ½-, 1- or 2-unit inserts for stoves, grills, storage and worktops.

  • Collapsible IGT 4 Unit Frame$224.95
  • Entry IGT Set$375.95
  • Extension IGT$419.95

The lesson. Once someone owns a frame, they buy inserts for years.

BY THE NUMBERSBain Capital led a ¥34B (about $226M) management buyout in 2024 and took Snow Peak private, per law.asia. law.asia ↗

Visit Snow Peak Iron Grill Table →

Multi-use gear · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Black Helinox Chair One with mesh panels on a blue aluminum frame
Product photo: Helinox

08 / South Korea · founded 2009

Helinox

Founded in 2009 by Jake Lah and his son Young as a spin-off of DAC, the tent-pole maker. Another source says 2011.

The system: A shock-corded aluminium pole-and-hub frame is shared by its chairs, cots and tables, with add-ons and spare parts sold separately.

  • Replacement case$10.95
  • Cup holder$17
  • Chair One$109.95
  • Tactical Table L$194.95

The lesson. It grew out of a supplier's real expertise, since DAC poles go into The North Face, MSR and Hilleberg gear. Selling parts makes repair routine.

BY THE NUMBERS2020 sales of ₩41B, up 26%, with chairs about 70% of sales, per Asia Economy. Asia Economy, May 2021 ↗

Visit Helinox →

Multi-use gear · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

Black WonderFold S5 wagon with mesh side panels, a pull handle and four wheels
Product photo: WonderFold

09 / Irwindale, CA · founded 2019

WonderFold

The local one. Founded in 2019 by Sabrina Ng and Kevin Xia.

The system: One wagon chassis takes add-on canopies, seats, table tops and bundles; the S5 table top is rated to 66 lb.

  • S5 canopy$159
  • S5 Convertible Utility Wagon$329
  • W4 Luxe Pro stroller wagon$899

The lesson. A beach and utility wagon grew into a stroller category, with bundles and licensed collaborations, from the Van Gogh Museum to a Porsche edition at $1,999.

BY THE NUMBERSSold in 10 international markets, per Spielwarenmesse. Spielwarenmesse ↗

Visit WonderFold →

Multi-use gear · direct link · no commission · prices checked September 29, 2026

THE DIAGRAM

The interface is the product.

Read across: the fixed part each company sells, the cheapest thing that gets you into it, and the add-on that brings you back.

CompanyConnectorCheapest way inAdd-on
Topologie Quick-release swivel carabiner on a rope strap Phone Strap Adapter, $12 Straps, $30–110
Peak Design Anchor Links, Capture clip, SlimLink mount Anchor Links, $29.95 Mobile Tripod, $79.95
Tom Bihn O-rings sewn inside the bag Key Strap, $8 Mystery Pouch, $12
GORUCK, on MOLLE PALS webbing grid (MOLLE) Event patch, $5 GR1 Field Pocket, $80
Bogg Holes in the EVA-foam tote Bogg Bit, $15 Original Bogg Bag, $90–100
Crocs Jibbitz Holes in the clog One charm, $2.49 in 2006 More charms (current prices not checked)
Snow Peak Iron Grill Table IGT unit grid (½, 1 and 2-unit inserts) Collapsible 4 Unit Frame, $224.95 Extension IGT, $419.95
Helinox Shock-corded pole-and-hub frame Replacement case, $10.95 Cup holder, $17
WonderFold One wagon chassis S5 Convertible Utility Wagon, $329 S5 canopy, $159

US list prices from the makers' stores, September 29, 2026, except the Jibbitz charm price, which is from 2006. Prices change; the maker's page is the truth.

WHAT A SMALL LOCAL BRAND CAN TAKE

Six lessons.

  1. Standardize the connector, not the bag. Topologie's carabiner, Tom Bihn's O-ring, the MOLLE grid, Bogg's holes and the IGT unit all keep the interface fixed while the pods change.
  2. Offer a cheap way in and collectible add-ons. A $12 adapter, an $8 key strap, a $15 charm, a $5 patch. Local themes suit charms: a charm for each court, for example.
  3. Pre-sell before ordering stock. Peak Design still funds launches through Kickstarter. Sewn goods commonly need a few hundred units per colour (not verified).
  4. Make repair part of the brand. Peak Design's lifetime warranty, GORUCK's Scars guarantee, Helinox parts, Tom Bihn's leftover-fabric pouches.
  5. Tie merch to events. GORUCK's $5 patches mark its own rucks. Here that could be a pickleball league night or a beach cleanup.
  6. Build on an open standard if you can't own one. MOLLE, MagSafe, a common carabiner size.

WHAT WE'D BUILD · AN IDEA, NOT A PRODUCT

An El Segundo house carry system.

One strap and one clip standard. Everything else is a pod that hooks on and off.

Lesson one says standardize the connector, so that's where it would start. Lesson six says borrow a standard if you can't own one, so the clip would likely be a common carabiner size rather than something new.

An idea PointCast is exploring. Not a product, not for sale, no preorders.

  • Court podPaddle and balls, with a vented pocket for sweaty clothes.
  • Trader Joe's podStands up in a cart and hooks onto the strap for the walk to the car.
  • Beach podSheds sand and rinses off with a hose.
  • Phone and glasses pocketThe small one that rides on the strap all day.
  • Chair clipCarries a folding chair on the same strap.
  • Trunk railWhere the pods live between trips.

If you'd carry it, or you'd change it, tell us on Shortwave.