23-Pound Commute: EDC, Leather Care, Bag Reviewer's Philosophy THE ISMONO PODCAST with @UnPackD ​

Watch the video version here.

Bo welcomes back John from UnPack'D to discuss how his popular YouTube channel has grown, the evolution of his content creation, and how his perspective on gear has shifted after reviewing dozens of bags. John shares the two most memorable bags he's tested (the unique Embarro and the leather Grams28), including a deep dive into the practicalities of caring for leather in extreme weather. The conversation then explores John's philosophy of reviewing, which focuses on understanding the designer's intent, and how that has forced him to constantly change his own EDC loadout. He also reveals the shocking weight of his daily carry (over 23 pounds!) for his 2-mile walking commute and offers his thoughts on the rise of budget brands like Tomtoc and the latest gear he is excited to test. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

00:00 Intro

0:30 - Welcome Back John from UnPack'D: Channel Growth & Going from Phone to Camera

3:38 - The Reality of Filming Outdoors (DJI Pocket 3)

4:40 - Memorable Bags of the Year: Grams28 and Embarro

8:28 - The Dilemma of Leather in Bag Carry and Weather Resistance

12:09 - The Amazing Look of the X-Pac Rover Collection

14:30 - How Reviewing Bags Changed John's Perspective

17:52 - Finding the Designer's Intent in Every Bag

20:07 - Why John Changes His Packing Style for Every Review

22:55 - John's Daily Loadout: The 23-Pound Commute

26:26 - EDC on Days Off: The Perfect Dog Owner's Sling Bag

28:55 - What's Next for Review: Grams28 and King Kong Core

30:25 - Is the King Kong Core Backpack a Bag Nerd's Gym Bag?

36:18 - Thoughts on Tom Bihn and the Tomtoc "Disruptor"

52:20 - GORUCK's Future Focus: Rucking vs. Stealth Carry