On my day off the other day, I went shopping at a clothing store I’ve frequented for a long time. When I was about to receive my purchase, the clerk made a gesture as if to neatly bag the item in plastic, but when I told them, “That’s fine as it is,” they looked a bit surprised. For me, it wasn’t really necessary, and I couldn't see myself using the bag after I got home, so I declined.
Conversely, whenever I am on the selling side, I ask customers if they need a bag each time. Interestingly, many people say, “I don’t need one.” Many people had been doing this for a long time, but it is clear that since the nationwide mandatory charge for plastic shopping bags began in July, more people than ever are conscious of bags when shopping.
Ultimately, this policy is intended to serve as an opportunity to rethink how we live our daily lives, and it is an action directly linked to global environmental issues such as waste and resource constraints, ocean plastic pollution, and global warming. We, who find joy in engaging with the various natural environments that exist as a matter of course on this planet—in the mountains, the ocean, and of course in the city—need to be more grateful for that environment and face its current reality with sincerity.
One way to address this is through brands that create products using reusable materials, or by breathing new life into materials that would otherwise be discarded, sending them back out to be useful once again.
Most people probably know that many of the items made by the American outdoor brand PATAGONIA embody such sentiments, but if you look around, Circles has quite a few such products.
The Cairn Geo and Cairn 3D Geo by BEDROCK SANDALS, as well as the Folding Bag made by OUTER SHELL ADVENTURE in collaboration with MAFIA BAG, are representative products. The product lineup from TRUCE DESIGNS, which has arrived for the first time in a while, is another example, and they are also the brand that has been with us here at Circles the longest.
Truce Designs is a handmade bag manufacturer based in Portland, Oregon, a place rich in nature with diverse fields for activity. Luke Mathers, the creator, who specializes not only in cycling and trekking but also in marine sports like sailing and surfing, gathers inspiration from every field, carefully translates them into form and function, and shapes them into high-performance bags.
The fabrics used are those utilized for sailcloth and drysuits, which are light, tough, and highly waterproof. In fact, the moment you pick one up, you will feel how surprisingly light these bags are.
Dacron Sail Cloth
Dacron sail cloth, used for yacht sails, is light and extremely robust, but because human life at sea is prioritized, it is mandatory to replace it every few years before the fabric reaches the end of its life. The Dacron sail cloth that Truce uses is made from these sails that have been removed from masts, carefully washed and cut.
Drysuit Nylon
Additionally, drysuit nylon is woven and laminated to meet the rigorous needs of fishermen, the military, and underwater work, possessing excellent toughness, water resistance, and durability. Truce Designs purchases surplus fabric left over from the manufacturing process from local drysuit factories and utilizes it as material for their bags.
Army Tent Fabric
This time, we have also received models using tent fabric formerly used by the U.S. military, made of robust cotton treated with weather-resistant wax. While no chemical treatments or laminations have been applied, its unique texture reveals a beautiful aesthetic as it is worn in—something that cannot be replicated by fabrics featuring cutting-edge technology. It has been confirmed that the tent fabric used this time was manufactured in upstate New York in 1953.
Truce Designs bags are made using a variety of fabrics, but the flagship among them is this Drop Liner Backpack. Its shape fits the body gently, accommodating intense movement, making it useful in every field.
【TRUCE DESIGNS】
Drop Liner Back Pack
Price : From ¥37,800 (excl. tax)
Size : Small (15ℓ), Medium (24ℓ)
Fabric : Dacron Sail Cloth, Drysuit Nylon, Army Tent Fabric
Straps designed for intense movement
The shoulder straps naturally fit the body, and by using the chest strap and the detachable waist strap, the bag's sway is minimized even during intense movement, providing a comfortable carrying experience.
Highly waterproof main compartment
The main compartment is a bag-like structure separate from the exterior, which is sewn together at the opening. Additionally, because highly waterproof fabric is used and the seams are treated, it can be used with peace of mind even in severe weather. Also, the back side can be partially detached using Velcro, allowing for a hydration pack to be stored in between. It is structured so that you can remove the core to adjust the carrying feel to your preference, and the back pad can also be removed.
Convenient pockets for carrying items
Inside the main compartment, there are two separated pockets, and there are also pockets equipped on the flap and on the outer back side. These pockets are very convenient for storing valuables and frequently accessed items such as keys, wallets, smartphones, and towels.
Straps designed for easy carrying
The two detachable straps are very convenient for securing and carrying items that don't fit inside the bag. By briefly storing the shoulder straps in the back waist pad section, you can use it like a duffel bag. Also, the handle on top of the bag is padded, so when not carrying it on your back...
S size, perfect for activities
The S size (15ℓ) has a capacity that is easy to use for day touring or bike-and-train trips where you need to carry a change of clothes. It can also store a hydration pack, so it is also recommended for trail rides.
M size, also convenient for daily use
The M size (24ℓ) demonstrates its excellent functionality in outdoor fields like one-day trekking or backcountry trips, and because it has just enough room to fit a 13-inch tablet or documents, it is also useful in daily life for commuting to work or school.
Adopting the Fidlock Magnetic Buckle
Also, this time we have newly received models that adopt the Fidlock Magnetic Buckle in addition to the standard plastic buckle.
Formed from nylon resin and stainless steel, the Fidlock Magnetic Buckle is very robust, and you will be able to appreciate its durability through long-term use even in harsh conditions. Also, its special structure and the use of magnets make opening and closing very easy. Just pulling the cord attached to the end unlocks it, and bringing the separated buckles close together draws them together with magnetic force, firmly fastening them. Therefore, even when the temperature is low and your hands are numb, or when wearing thick gloves, it is possible to open and close it without stress.
The Truce Designs Drop Liner Backpack introduced here is a bag with a very high usage rate among our staff, and of course, I am one of them. I’ve been using mine for about 6 years now, and it has been useful in various situations—commuting, riding, hiking, and travel—and it will surely continue to be a long-time partner of mine. If you are interested, please give it a try.
Other products from Truce Designs have also arrived, so please take a look.
Summer Holiday Notice
Circles Summer Holiday
August 18th (Tuesday) – August 21st (Friday)
※The store closure only applies to our brick-and-mortar shop.
We are continuing to ship products purchased through our WEB SHOP as usual during this time.
※Please note that for inquiries via email or social media direct messages, we will respond in order after the summer holiday ends, so please be aware that it will take a few days to receive a reply.
Regarding our appointment-based business
Book your visit online here.
Entry is limited to customers who have made an appointment, and we require disinfection at the entrance and the wearing of a mask when entering the store.
Please note that we will continue to handle repairs for general bicycles on the spot as usual. However, since we receive many repairs every day, please be aware that for repair bikes, we will need to keep them and hand them over at a later date.
