A timeless masterpiece Bob Ruby that can be customized to fit your everyday life.
BOBLBEE was born in 1996 as a bag that boasts ultimate durability. Because of its unique shape, many people must have wondered, "What is this bag for?" Many people must have wondered, "What is this bag for? Today, you can see them on the backs of people riding bikes and bicycles and in various other activities, but they were originally developed to protect laptops and other items while on the move. One of the features of the "Bob Ruby" is that it can be customized by combining various parts. We asked three creators to inspect this item and explore the possibilities of the "Bob Ruby" in urban life.
In addition to his design work, he is the organizer of "HIVISION," a media outlet that promotes the appeal of gadgets, stationery, home appliances, interiors, and various other "objects" from various perspectives. He is active as a multi-creator who does not choose any place to express himself.
Hi Rock, what kind of bags do you usually use?
high lock. shoulder, backpack, or tote. Basically, I think it's easier and cooler to go hand-held, but that's not possible when you have work to do. Even if I minimize my luggage, I still need my laptop, writing utensils, and notes from meetings. I use it to carry those items.
Do you have any criteria for bag selection?
high lockThe priority is what I feel comfortable with. In other words, design is the most important. After that, I choose the capacity of the bag depending on the purpose of use. In terms of function, I honestly don't like functional bags with various special pockets. So, to put it bluntly, I like tote bags the best.
How is it that you don't prefer functional bags?
high lockI want to throw in some general stuff , so I need a big room. Within that, I try to organize the smaller items with pouches and such. Perhaps pockets would be better for function and fit better, but I tend to forget where I put things. I don't like the stress of that.
. you like to customize the way you use it.
high lock. I think it is more convenient and fun to make things your own way. I think there is a sense of fun in taking something that is the same as other people's and adding your own flavor to it.
The "Bob Ruby" bag can be personalized by attaching various accessories to the body of the bag.
high lockIn that sense, it might be right up my alley. Recently, I was flipping through a magazine from the 90s and came across this. It reminded me of the "Oh, yes, that's how it was back then. It was very popular at the time. I didn't use it, but now that I've come full circle and see it again, I think it's kind of cool.
high lockEspecially this 20L size is very affordable. It is not too big , not too small. The design is just right, and I don't feel embarrassed when I carry it.
If you were to customize it yourself, how would you modify it?
high lock. first of all, I would like to change this hook to yellow. . since I have been using fluorescent yellow as a color for a little point lately. . I would also like to put a case in this hollow. If this bag and the case were on the shelf at the same time, I would have no choice but to attach it (laughs). Basically, you can only get in and out of your luggage from the top of the bag, so if you put the things you use most often in this case, you can access them easily, which would be much more convenient.
POINT 65〉Boblbee 20L GT ¥27,500 + tax, X-Case ¥4,200 + tax, Delta Hook (set of 2) ¥500 + tax
You actually customized it for us, but did you have any fun tinkering with it?
high lockSometimes too much flexibility can get out of hand, but this is just right. It is interesting to be able to change small parts in small increments.
How do you like the design?
high lockI think it's a nice touch, as I told you earlier, and the fact that it was in a magazine in the 90's means that it has remained unchanged in form for almost 20 years now, right? In other words, it's a long life, and I respect it very much . I don't think it is possible for a product to survive without changing its form, unless there is a reason. A product that is considered a world-class masterpiece, such as Sori Yanagi's kettle, has a secret that attracts people.
What do you think is the secret?
high lockThis bag is hard to categorize. I think that's the point. It's not sporty, it's not outdoorsy, , but it's probably not a regular backpack either. . and it's hard to distinguish it from the past, yet it's also futuristic. In other words, there is no competition. So I think it is unique.
Case_02 Yu Uchida / Fridge Setagaya Central
Just the right amount of gear is what makes bobble bees so appealing.
Yu Uchida / Fridge Setagaya Central
. A well-known staff member of Fridge Setagaya Central, a select store in Setagaya that focuses on incorporating minorities rather than the mainstream. . He incorporates various fashionable elements such as street, vintage, outdoor, etc. with a flat eye.
. can you tell me what kind of restaurant "Fridge Setagaya Central" is?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)If there is a majority and a minority, what will happen to the store with the opinions of the minority? This is an experimental store. The reason we chose to open a store in Setagaya, rather than in downtown Shibuya or Shinjuku, is that we wanted to make the best use of the location for our selection. In other words, we wanted to offer a more concentrated selection of products that the big players would not focus on.
When you visit the store, you get the sense of a mix of things, from street brand items, to outdoor, to vintage clothing.
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)We are not particular about genres. Our premise is to stock what we like, and that is how we ended up with our current lineup.
What kind of fashion has influenced you personally?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)It's more like a category that can't be categorized. I like the sense of messiness. I have always liked Good Enough, and that brand is like a Japanese version of America.
Japan's version of America?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I think it is a unique point and I like it. I think that if you like clothes, you have to know the mainstream, but for me, everything is authentic. I really don't want to be bound by fashion theories and rules, so I try not to be conscious of them (laughs).
Like the concept is not a concept?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)Yes, we do. I mix American brands, European brands, and Japanese brands regardless.
. I thought "Bob Ruby" went very well with such a style of yours, Mr. Uchida. Do you have any tips on how to dress for the occasion?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)You can see many different fabrics and parts being used in this one bag. I thought this mix and match was great, so I decided to go for a messy look by adding vintage and high-tech shoes. But the bag white gives a clean look, and it seems to go with many different styles, so it doesn't look cluttered.
The red down that you tucked into the net was also a nice touch of color.
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system)I thought maybe red for white (laughs). It is interesting to be able to attach a net like this one, and to have a variety of accessories, and to customize it to suit my own usability. There are times when I ride my bicycle, and other times when I travel by car or train, so it is nice to be able to change the parts according to the occasion.
POINT 65〉Boblbee 25 GTX ¥34,500＋TAX , Cargo Net (Type A) ¥4,000＋TAX
You mentioned earlier that "various fabrics and parts are used in one bag," but what about the overall design?
rice field in the charge of a nominal holder (ritsuryo system). I was surprised at how authentic the back padding is. . but it is not too outdoorsy, nor does it pander to fashion. There are a lot of elements, but the overall impression is one of cohesiveness. I think the appeal of "Bob Ruby" is that it has just the right amount of gear.
Case 03 Nobuhiko Tanabe / Photographer
A bag to carry while riding a bicycle.
Nobuhiko Tanabe / Photographer
After working at one of the best bicycle stores in Tokyo, "Blue Rag", he became an independent freelance photographer. While receiving offers from a variety of clients, he also worked as a marketing staff member for the British cyclewear brand "Rapha".
Tanabe-san, please tell us how you came to ride a bicycle.
farmlandThis was a little before the pisto boom in Japan, about 12 or 3 years ago. I was a DJ at the time, and my music friends and I started talking about cool bicycles, and that's when I started riding a pisto. It was fun to ride and the bike was a great communication tool, and I was able to meet all kinds of people. I think it was partly because there weren't many people riding at the time, but I was able to make friends with people who were at the center of the boom, and I got more and more into it.
You are not particularly particular about pistes now, are you?
farmlandYes, I do. I also ride road bikes and mountain bikes. . as I did when I was doing music, I like to dig in. That's how I ended up joining "Blue Rag. I became a photographer because of a fellow cyclist.
How did that come about?
farmlandI used to take pictures at DJ events, so I had always been interested in it, but then I found a fellow cyclist who was a serious photographer, and I decided to ask him to teach me. I was also working at Blue Rag, not as a customer service representative or mechanic, but as a photographer of products, so I naturally had a lot of exposure to cameras and was able to hone my skills (laughs). (Laughs) . That is how I became aware that I wanted to take pictures of various things. . On my days off, I ride my bicycle and go out somewhere to take pictures.
Do you usually travel by bicycle?
farmland. when I move around Tokyo, yes. So I usually don't want to pack that much stuff, but I can put my laptop, camera, and a jacket if it's a bit chilly, and so on. I'm looking for a camera bag just right for shooting, but I can't seem to find a good one.
POINT 65〉Boblbee 5L CAM ¥22,500＋TAX , Boblbee Vortex 14L ¥47,000＋TAX
Point 65 also releases camera bags.
farmlandThe size of the bag is nice , as most camera bags are basically large. . Most camera bags are basically large. . This size is easy to bring on an airplane when shooting on location overseas, and I can use it for work. The partitions inside can be freely rearranged, and the fluorescent yellow color makes it easy to find what you are looking for when shooting in the dark.
How was the 5L "Bob Ruby" that you carried today?
farmlandI thought it was the perfect size for when I go somewhere on vacation . . as a small film camera, wallet, and iPhone would be enough. . And I sweat when I carry a large backpack while riding my bicycle (laughs). . So it would be nice if it were as lightweight as this so it wouldn't be a burden.
farmlandIt seems to be easy to use despite its appearance, such as putting important things in the main compartment and small things in the attached pouch.
Would you feel more comfortable riding a bicycle with a "Bob Ruby" hardshell?
farmlandA camera is a precision instrument, and to be honest, there are times when I worry about bumping into it or getting it wet, but I am glad to know that it is resistant to such things. I don't think there are many small, sturdy bags out there. It's also very mobile, which is perfect for a cyclist like me.
