Review: Colfax Design Works

Judging by the modularity of the  (CDW) lineup, their inspiration is military but their purpose is travel and they are well designed for it. The Laptop Case, Mini Dopp Kit and iPad Mini Case all came in black with gold grab strap accents. The webbing, which is mil-spec, is not as thick as your typical thicker tactical webbing normally used in the PALS systems. This style has a fine red accent of thread which adds a nice effect, it actually helps you see where the webbing spaces are. The weight savings of this type of webbing is significant.

 (13″ and 15″ sizes available)

The case is made with X51 1000d Cordura © with X-ply tear resistant layer and backed with a laminated PET waterproof membrane. It’s nice to know your sensitive electronics are waterproof. If you get hit by a rogue wave on your next adventure you will be drenched, but your laptop will live to tell the tail.

The case is secured by snaps which I was skeptical about at first, but if you look inside the case, there is no metal on the inside and the plush air mesh liner protects your computer from the snaps.

On the back of the case there are two handles of gold webbing so you won’t have any problem yanking this case from your pack. A neat stealthy feature of this case is the small YKK weather guard zipper pocket on the back that is big enough for some extra cords or memory cards and other crucial items. So many cases lack features like this. CDW’s design was well planned and well executed.

 (also available for regular/air sizes)

The iPad Mini Case is sort of a smaller version of the laptop case, sharing the same materials and also the small zip pocket on the front. This is perfect for your earbuds or charger and cable.

The case dimensions don’t allow for an iPad with a case like an Otterbox, but if you have this case and choose to use it as it’s designed, you probably don’t like the overbuilt Otterbox type of case and go naked. That said, it fits a bare iPad snugly and securely.

On the back is the A.M.C.S. or Advanced Modular Cargo System, which operates very similarly to the PALS webbing system and is compatible to other products by Colfax Design Works. You can marry your iPad case to your laptop case, if you need that much screen time, or the CDW packs.

Last but not least is the Mini Dopp Kit. Small zip pockets are underrated and underused. There always something loose bouncing around in your pack that could use a pocket. The Mini Dopp Kit has one piece of A.M.C.S. webbing that can used to attach to the outside of any of the CDW products.

In summary, the CDW line is very well appointed with military grade materials and is tough as it should be to handle your next adventure. It’s industrial and tactical looking but still really stylish. As a bonus all of the CDW products are made in the USA.