The Smart Bag Revolution: How the EDC Concept is Redefining How We Carry Our Daily Essentials

The Peak of the EDC Concept: Why Our Everyday Carry Needs New Solutions

We can confidently say that we have reached an advanced stage in the concept of EDC (Everyday Carry), to the point where it has become natural for our daily essentials themselves to require additional tools for management. Bags and backpacks remain essential, indispensable elements in many people’s lives, yet they impose a simple challenge: we only have two hands.

Two Hands in an Era of Constant Busyness

Often, one hand is occupied holding the phone, while the other holds a cup of coffee or a matcha latte, leaving the most important question: what do we do when we need to carry more without sacrificing freedom of movement? Here arises a solution that is simple in appearance but innovative at its core: why not wear bags instead of just carrying them?

The Idea of Wearable and Carryable Bags Together

Out of this need, the concept of designing bags that can be used as regular shoulder bags but, at the same time, are equipped with a system that allows attaching or securing additional bags and items directly to the body has emerged. This transforms the body into a “carrying platform,” keeping the hands free to perform daily tasks such as writing a message, browsing maps, or even using other essential tools.

A Human-Centered Design Approach

It is worth noting that this approach did not emerge randomly but was designed from the start to consider the needs of people with motor disabilities or those who face difficulties in handling objects, such as arthritis patients or those with cerebral palsy. Over time, this concept has expanded to serve a wider range of users seeking greater freedom without complexity.

Multiple Solutions for Evolving Problems

Modern challenges necessitate seeking flexible and contemporary solutions. However, the design team recognizes that one solution cannot fit all, as needs vary depending on different lifestyles and daily usage conditions.

Two Designs, One Philosophy

Building on this idea, two distinct bag designs were developed: Classic 2 and Nano 2. Both are based on the same principle—freeing the hands thanks to a smart modular system—but each design interprets this concept in its own way in terms of form and use.

Differences in Weight and Functionality

The Classic 2 weighs approximately 298 grams, making it a practical companion for those who need to carry multiple items while moving around the city. Meanwhile, the Nano 2 weighs no more than 155 grams, offering its user a simple and elegant solution suited for lovers of lightness and simplicity.

The Philosophy of Choice: How Do We Carry What We Need?

Through these two designs, we find two different approaches to answer a fundamental question: what do we really need with us daily? And how do we prefer to carry it? The difference between the two designs can be likened to the difference between a car and a motorcycle: both serve one purpose, but in completely different ways.

Classic Design with a Smart Touch

The Classic 2 gives you the familiar feel of a traditional body-worn bag, but adds a smart touch thanks to its thoughtfully engineered outer structure. The design relies on two integrated double hooks embedded directly into the bag’s body, made from recycled polyester, adding a practical new dimension to the unused spaces around your body.

Transforming Unused Spaces

These hooks turn the “dead” areas around your shoulder and waist into additional carrying zones that can be used for bags, umbrellas, coats, or any item with a handle. With this simple innovation, your body becomes a mobile storage platform without needing extra hands.

Flexibility During Daily Commutes

Moreover, the value of this design becomes clear in everyday situations—like carrying coffee, ready meals, and random shopping all at once. Instead of trying to carry everything with your hands like an octopus, simply attach your items to the Classic 2 and continue moving freely without losing control over your phone or other essentials.

Secure Attachment and Balanced Carry

Additionally, the two hooks can carry two separate items at the same time or firmly secure one item to prevent annoying swinging while walking or using public transport. This way, the design balances comfort and practicality without complication.

Compact Size with Smart Space

Although the Classic 2 appears small from the outside, it is cleverly designed to be spacious enough to carry daily essentials such as your phone, power bank, tissues, earphones, and even small items like lipstick and more.

Practical Internal Organization

The design also includes a dedicated pocket for various types of cards, whether payment cards, access cards, or membership cards. This helps users keep all small items neatly organized, which can often be difficult to access in traditional bags.

Expandable Storage Space

An additional feature is the bag’s smart mechanism for expanding storage space through the top flap, providing extra flexibility when you need to carry more urgent items throughout the day.

Extra Details for Smart Carrying

Furthermore, the bag includes lower rear loading straps, similar to those found on backpacks, which allow adding longer items such as pens, flashlights, or any linear object that might be hard to fit inside the bag.

Easy Wearing and Smart Adjustment

The Classic 2 is designed to be easy to wear and secure on the shoulder at all times, thanks to BareBag’s innovative ButterSlide adjustment mechanism. This system allows the strap to be tightened or loosened quickly and smoothly to fit the body shape or clothing type, adding an important practical dimension during daily commuting.

A More Flexible Adjustment Experience

Unlike traditional adjustment tools that may jam or stop suddenly, ButterSlide provides smooth and silent control that can be adjusted with one hand even while walking. This feature becomes essential when the user needs to frequently adjust the strap based on clothing layers, weight of items, or even switching between the right and left shoulder.

Comfortable Weight Distribution

In terms of durability, the four-layer padding helps distribute weight up to a maximum of 3 kg without causing uncomfortable pressure points, even when wearing the bag for extended periods.

Flexible Design Suitable for All Positions

Moreover, the dual design allows the bag to be worn easily on either the left or right shoulder, providing extra flexibility to suit urban mobility needs or simply to achieve greater comfort according to each user’s preference.

A Different Approach to the Same Need

The Nano 2 offers a completely new approach to solving the problem of carrying daily items without occupying the hands. Despite its lightweight design, weighing no more than 155 grams (including the strap)—lighter than most smartphones—it retains real functional capabilities thanks to its thoughtful design.

Simple Design with Recycled Materials

The core structure of the Nano 2 is made from recycled leather, combining an elegant appearance with a commitment to sustainability and waste reduction, while maintaining lightness and ease of carrying.

Smart Details: Card Holder and Disc System

The design features a strap equipped with an integrated card holder made of recycled leather, allowing for organized and easy storage of payment or access cards.

Disc System: A Stylish Alternative to the Traditional Clip

The standout feature of the Nano 2 is its iconic Disc System. This system enables items to be attached directly to the bag, going beyond the traditional carabiner concept by offering a more elegant, user-friendly, and visually clear method of everyday use.

Disc System: Functional Flexibility and Visual Elegance

The Disc System in the Nano 2 features innovative practical functions while adding a distinctive visual dimension thanks to its interchangeable design. You can easily swap the discs attached to it, much like changing a tie to give your look a fresh touch. In this way, simplicity doesn’t become a limitation but rather offers you diverse options without increasing bulk or complicating the appearance.

Comfortable Use Despite the Lightweight Size

Similar to what Classic 2 offers, the Nano 2 benefits from the same ButterSlide adjustment mechanism and four-layer padding. This ensures comfortable weight distribution and prevents any pressure points, despite the bag’s lightness and compact size.

Additional Attachment Loops for Flexibility

To compensate for its compact size, the design also includes a practical system of attachment loops or a wavy side strap next to the disc, providing several points for hanging gear or small tools, thereby enhancing its adaptability to the user’s daily needs.

Smart Protection Without Complexity

The Nano 2 comes equipped with built-in RFID protection, an important feature that prevents electronic data theft from cards without adding any extra weight or bulk. This way, the design maintains its lightness and simplicity while ensuring maximum user privacy.

Secure Internal Organization

In addition to protection, the bag’s internal organization keeps cards and small items neatly arranged, secure, and easily accessible, fully meeting the user’s daily practical needs.

A Different Philosophy of Expansion

While the Classic 2 focuses on external expansion through integrated hooks, the Nano 2 relies on the smart adaptability of the Nano Disc System, which is push-and-rotate enabled. These interchangeable discs can be attached at designated points on the bag’s exterior, giving the user the freedom to modify the bag’s shape and function anytime as needed.

The Core Idea: A Wearable Hook

Both bags embody the essence of the BareBag concept, which is based on a simple yet profound idea: “a small hook you can wear.” However, each design interprets this concept in its own unique way to suit different needs.

Infrastructure vs. Smart Disappearance

For example, the Classic 2 transforms the user’s body into a fulcrum for carrying items, turning the surrounding spaces into a flexible infrastructure for holding more. Meanwhile, the Nano 2 relies on the principle of stealth, remaining nearly invisible until the user needs it.

Modularity in Practice: How Does the Concept Manifest?

The idea of modularity is clearly reflected in both designs but realized through different mechanisms; Classic 2 depends on physical attachment points and visible hooks, whereas Nano 2 uses the flexibility of a replaceable disc system, allowing the user to easily adjust both form and function.

Ease of Repair and Extended Lifespan

Moreover, both designs adopt modularity from another angle — repairability. Parts can be detached and replaced if damaged or worn out, giving the bag a longer lifespan and promoting sustainable use.

Practical Straps Made from Sustainable Materials

The straps on both models are crafted from a blend of recycled nylon, a choice that combines durability with lightweight comfort, along with flexible adjustability to fit various body types and daily carrying preferences.

High Durability to Withstand Urban Conditions

Thanks to the use of weather-resistant materials, these bags can endure the rigors of daily urban use without showing signs of wear or damage quickly, thereby extending their overall lifespan.

Consistent Load Capacity… but Different Usage

Both designs share a maximum weight capacity of 3 kilograms; however, their usage styles differ significantly. The Classic 2 typically starts your day loaded with essential items and offers space to add more as needed, whereas the Nano 2 embraces the principle of lightness—starting almost empty and used to hold additional items dictated by the day’s specifics.

Inclusive Design for People with Functional Needs

The bag designs add an important dimension related to ease of access, reflecting BareBag’s deep understanding of the needs of people with physical disabilities. Although this aspect might not be immediately apparent, the bags were primarily designed to meet the requirements of users with upper limb impairments, such as arthritis patients or those with cerebral palsy.

Expanded Scope of Benefit

These designs are not limited to that specific group but extend their benefits to approximately 95% of other users, demonstrating the inclusivity and effectiveness of the solution these bags provide.

User Feedback and Real Impact

The design team behind BareBag says, “We have received incredibly inspiring messages and comments from our potential customers and test users, explaining how this simple solution can make a real difference and significantly improve their lives.”

Balancing Readiness and Simplicity

The choice between Classic 2 and Nano 2 comes down to the user’s personal relationship with the concepts of readiness versus simplicity.

• Classic 2 suits those who want to leave home confident in their ability to handle any daily situation, without worrying about the details of how to carry their belongings.
• In contrast, Nano 2 appeals to those who have already streamlined their essential list and prefer a lightweight, almost invisible system to handle the day’s variables.

A Thoughtful Response to Urban Life Needs

Both designs represent a well-considered balance between the desire for full preparedness and the need to remain mobile and flexible in changing urban environments.

Bag Prices and Availability

Both models are designed to be accessible to users, with a focus on combining practicality, durability, and longevity.

• The price of the Nano 2 starts at approximately $99, making it an affordable option for those looking for a lightweight and simple bag.
• Meanwhile, the Classic 2 is priced slightly higher at $129, due to its larger size and greater capacity to carry more items.

The bags are expected to be available for global shipping starting August 2025, reflecting a strategic move to expand access to these practical and flexible solutions.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The fundamental difference between Classic 2 and Nano 2 lies in their usage philosophy; the former is preferred by those who want to carry everything they might need without worry, while the latter suits those who lean towards simplicity and carry only the essentials, offering flexible options to handle daily changes.

The fundamental difference between Classic 2 and Nano 2 lies in their usage philosophy; the former is preferred by those who want to carry everything they might need without worry, while the latter suits those who lean towards simplicity and carry only the essentials, offering flexible options to handle daily changes.

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