Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Photo Credit: When you’re in the market for an everyday carry bag or backpack, it’s important that you’ve got a high-quality version of those two jagged strips of metal teeth shuffled together known as the “zipper”. As any Gallantry Man will surely tell you, faulty zippers are, well, unacceptable. A simple broken zipper will make your whole bag utterly and completely worthless. When it comes to zippers, consistent quality and absolute reliability are not just musts – they are necessities. Anything else is simply unacceptable.
Alas, enter YKK.
YKK Founder Tadao Yoshida
YKK Founder Tadao YoshidaPhoto Credit: YKK.com
WELCOME TO JAPAN: THE ORIGINS OF “YKK”
Those three ubiquitous capital letters, YKK, stand for “Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha”. This loosely translates to “Yoshida Company Limited”, the Japanese zipper manufacturer named after Tadao Yoshida, the man who founded the organization in Tokyo circa 1934.
A tinkerer at heart, Tadao Yoshida designed his own customized zipper machines due to his dissatisfaction with the existing methods of production at the time, slowly but surely bringing every stage of the zipper making process in the YKK house.
Tadahiro Yoshida, CEO of YKK Corporation, at the YKK UK 50th Anniversary.
Tadahiro Yoshida, CEO of YKK Corporation, at the YKK UK 50th Anniversary.Photo Credit: Twitter
Flash forward to 1994. The late Tadao Yoshida’s son and successor, Tadahiro Yoshida, officially changes the name of Yoshida Company Limited (which, at this point, was operating in more than 50 countries) to YKK.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Photo Credit: seeklogo.com
Photo Credit: seeklogo.comYKK: THE STORY CONTINUES
Today, YKK still has the zipper market totally cornered. The company makes more than 7 billion zippers (which come in a wide array of colors, materials, and styles that can be found on literally everything) every single year.
That’s more than roughly half of all the zippers in the entire world!
Furthermore, the vertically-integrated company continues to take care of every single stage of the zipper manufacturing process, from building the zipper manufacturing machines to smelting the metal to creating the boxes that the dependable zippers are eventually shipped off in, 100% in-house.
No wonder all the best products (ours included) have tough and built to last YKK zippers on them.
So how did a company like YKK get to where it is today with virtually zero direct marketing?
Photo Credit: YKK.com
Photo Credit: YKK.com
THE PHILOSOPHY OF TADAO YOSHIDA
Tadao Yoshida had a distinct, intuitive management principle known as “The Cycle of Goodness”, a corporate philosophy predicated on the notion that no one prospers without rendering benefit to others.
Clearly, the man was onto something. YKK has maintained its stellar image by never straying from Yoshida’s core philosophy. It’s why, almost 90 years after its original founding, the company remains as top in its class as ever.
YKK’s reputation, similar to countless everyday carry items with YKK zippers that we carry at Gallantry, absolutely precedes itself. So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at some of our best products featuring YKK zippers…
THE X-POD SLING PACK FROM CODE OF BELL
Designed as an alternative to the common backpack, Code Of Bell’s X-Pod is a compact and versatile bag that, despite being free from the bulk of full-size packs, remains large enough to accommodate your typical daily loadout.
The latest version of this black-on-black storage solution boasts a 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon main compartment and a waterproof laminated Dimension-Polyant VX Series X-Pac fabric for its front shell, complete with weatherproof YKK zippers and Hypalon zipper pulls, breathable padding, custom-made hardware, and even a main self-locking magnetic strap buckle.
It doesn’t end there, either.
The X-Pod also boasts two independent compartments, a concealed zippered rear pocket, a trio of mesh zippered pouches, and a pair of quick-access compartments. Easily wearable across the body, at the hip, or carried via its top grab handle, this highly adaptable bag can conform to a wide variety of uses and setups.
It’s the real deal.
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon and Dimension Polyant VX Series X-Pac exterior
- Custom hardware & Fidlock magnetic buckle
- 2 independent expandable compartments
- 2 quick-access zippered pockets
- 1 hidden zippered pocket
- 3 zippered mesh pockets
- YKK zippers with Hypalon pulls
- Top grab handle
- Includes detachable 15.4 oz. compression straps and 2 shoulder straps
- Multi-purpose attachment points
- Key hook clasp
- 2.3L volume expandable to 4.5L
THE X-PAK SLING PACK FROM CODE OF BELL
Boasting a waterproof laminated Dimension Polyant VX Series X-Pac and 1680D Cordura ballistic weave nylon exterior, the Code of Bell X-PAK Sling Pack delivers a versatile and modern EDC storage solution. It is an incredibly strong yet lightweight hauler if there ever was one. From its vertically-integrated roll-up top (that affords up to 23L of storage space when fully expanded), padded sleeve (which can accommodate laptops up to 13” in size), fully weatherproof YKK zippers with Hypalon zipper pulls, a collapsible water bottle pocket, and so much more, this quick-access bag puts a modern and functional spin in the traditional messenger bag.
Did we mention that the X-PAK can go from an over-the-shoulder bag to a horizontal duffle in a split-second? That’s right. It can be carried via its removable padded grab handle or across the chest via a single, padded, stowable strap.
High-quality through and through.
SPECIFICATIONS
- 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon and Dimension Polyant VX Series X-Pac fabric exterior
- 3 easy-access zippered pockets
- 2 mesh slip pockets
- Expandable water bottle pocket
- Removable padded handle grip, chest stabilizer strap, and compression straps
- Stowable padded shoulder strap with D-ring and Fidlock magnetic buckle
- Key hook clasp, multi-purpose attachment points, and custom hardware
- Organizational compartments in the main cavity
- Padded 13" laptop sleeve & vital document compartment
- YKK zippers with Hypalon pulls
- 11L capacity
- Expandable to 23L
X-Pak Sling Pack
$239.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"]The Code of Bell X-PAK sling bag delivers a versatile and modern EDC storage solution -- boasting a waterproof laminated Dimension Polyant VX Series X-Pac and 1680D Cordura ballistic weave nylon exterior, resulting in an extremely-strong-yet-lightweight hauler. With… read more
THE GLOBAL POUCH FROM PIONEER CARRY
The Global Pouch from Pioneer Carry is that small bag you just need to keep all the little stuff organized inside your bigger bag.
Made from the same tough, waterproof premium ripstop fabric that Pioneer Carry uses for its virtually indestructible wallets, the Global Pouch keeps all your valuables secure. Meanwhile, its five internal pockets are perfect for your toothbrush, toiletries, cords, cables (or anything else you might need to keep your tech running), you name it.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Premium 10XD technical rip-stop fabric (ten times stronger than steel)
- YKK AquaGuard main zipper
- Wide-mouth opening
- Five internal pockets
- 21 x 16 x 7 cm (fully packed)
- 115 grams
Global Pouch
$89.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] The Global Pouch from Pioneer Carry is that small bag you need to keep all the little stuff organized inside your big bag. Made from the same tough, waterproof premium ripstop fabric they use for… read more
THE GLOBAL POUCH FROM PIONEER CARRY
SPECIFICATIONS
- Premium 3PN technical rip-stop fabric
- YKK AquaGuard main zipper
- Wide-mouth opening
- Five internal pockets
- 21 x 16 x 7 cm (fully packed)
- 115 grams
Global Pouch
$85.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] The Global Pouch from Pioneer Carry is that small bag you need to keep all the little stuff organized inside your big bag. Made from the same tough, waterproof premium ripstop fabric they use for… read more
THE CLASSIC BACKPACK: SECOND EDITION FROM BELLROY
The good folks over at Bellroy have already perfected the everyday carry wallet. With the second edition of their classic backpack, they’ve illustrated that they plan to keep their perfection streak going full-throttle.
With an exterior construction made from a combination of environmentally certified leather and venture-weave polyester, this classic everyday carry item has a 20-liter capacity, one that includes a pouch for a laptop (of up to 15”), an iPad/document pocket (with a pen slip), an interior zippered pocket, and a quick-access external valuables pocket. Best of all, you can carry the whole pack around with ease, thanks to its comfortable, convenient shoulder straps, padded back panel, and quick-grab handle.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Updated version of our popular Classic Backpack
- Holds laptops up to 15”
- Padded iPad / A5 document pocket with pen slip
- Front pocket and internal mesh zip pocket for valuables
- Water-resistant top pocket for small phone and keys
- Comfort shoulder straps, improved back padding system and quick grab handle
- Made from sustainably produced fabric and environmentally certified leather
- 20L capacity
- 19.29" H x 14.57" W x 2.76" D
Classic Backpack: Second Edition
$149.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Having perfected the wallet several times over at this point, the folks at Bellroy turned their attention to the classic backpack. Then they made it even better with their second edition. With an exterior construction… read more
