The Ultimate Photographers Bag - MKIV

We started by pulling bags apart, looking at how they were made, and seeing how we could make them tougher, more functional, yet simple.

ILE products are made from USA sourced materials, and designed with strength and simplicity in mind. Sewn with the best machines and skilled operators, ILE makes bags that last.

Lifetime warranty on all materials and craftsmanship.

Handmade in Berkeley, California since 2012.

Click here to read about our USA material sourcing

All of our bags come with a lifetime warranty, so no matter which material you choose, we’ll stand by it.

CORDURA

Cordura is the benchmark fabric for all-around durability, with a 50+ year history of performance applications in outdoor products, military gear, workwear, and luggage. This is a woven fabric made using high tenacity air jet textured nylon yarns. It has a durable water-repellent coating on the face, and clear polyurethane (PU) coating on the back. Cordura offers excellent resistance to abrasion, tears, rot, mildew, and moisture. We utilize 500D and 1000D Cordura where applicable.

• Content: 100% nylon
• Water-repellent coating on front / PU coating on back
• Holds its shape
• Matte finish that will still look great over the years
• Woven in Rhode Island / Pennsylvania / Tennessee, USA
• Click here to learn how to maintain Cordura

VX07 XPAC SAILCLOTH

XPAC is a lightweight, high-performance fabric inspired by technical racing sailcloth. This is a composite fabric made of multiple layers of material laminated together under high pressure. The subtle diamond grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply recycled polyester yarn, designed to increase dimensional stability, tear strength, and structure. XPAC is waterproof and durable for heavy daily use.

VX07 is a lighter weight XPAC featuring a 4 layer construction: 70d ripstop nylon face fabric w/ DWR coating, X-Ply, 0.25 mil polyester film, and 50d polyester taffeta backing.

• Content: 38% nylon / 62% polyester
• 20% lighter than VX21 XPAC
• Subtle diamond grid pattern
• Satin finish that repels water, dirt, and stains
• XPAC bags hold their shape and stand up on their own
• Durable for heavy daily use (suitable for small bags & accessories)
• Made in Connecticut, USA in a climate neutral factory powered by 100% renewable energy

VX21 XPAC SAILCLOTH

XPAC is a lightweight, high-performance fabric inspired by technical racing sailcloth. This is a composite fabric made of multiple layers of material laminated together under high pressure. The subtle diamond grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply recycled polyester yarn, designed to increase dimensional stability, tear strength, and structure. XPAC is waterproof and durable for heavy daily use.

VX21 is our classic XPAC featuring a 4 layer construction: 210d nylon face fabric w/ DWR coating, X-Ply, 0.25 mil polyester film, and 50d polyester taffeta backing.

• Content: 60% nylon / 40% polyester
• 15% lighter than Cordura
• Subtle diamond grid pattern
• Satin finish that repels water, dirt, and stains
• XPAC bags hold their shape and stand up on their own
• Durable for heavy daily use
• Made in Connecticut, USA in a climate neutral factory powered by 100% renewable energy

VX25 XPAC SAILCLOTH

XPAC is a lightweight, high-performance fabric inspired by technical racing sailcloth. This is a composite fabric made of multiple layers of material laminated together under high pressure. The subtle diamond grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply recycled polyester yarn, designed to increase dimensional stability, tear strength, and structure. XPAC is waterproof and durable for heavy daily use.

VX25 is a 100% polyester XPAC featuring a 4 layer construction: 250d polyester face fabric w/ DWR coating, X-Ply, 0.25 mil polyester film, and 50d polyester backing.

• Content: 100% polyester
• 15% lighter than Cordura
• Subtle diamond grid pattern
• Satin finish that repels water, dirt, and stains
• XPAC bags hold their shape and stand up on their own
• Durable for heavy daily use
• Made in Connecticut, USA in a climate neutral factory powered by 100% renewable energy

UX10 XPAC SAILCLOTH

XPAC is a lightweight, high-performance fabric inspired by technical racing sailcloth. This is a composite fabric made of multiple layers of material laminated together under high pressure. The subtle diamond grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply yarn, designed to increase dimensional stability, tear strength, and structure. XPAC is waterproof and durable for heavy daily use.

UX10 is a super light and exceptionally strong XPAC featuring a 3 layer construction: 100d 100% Ultra-PE face fabric, aramid X-Ply, and 0.5 mil shiny polyester film backing.

• Content: 47% Ultra-PE / 44% polyester / 9% aramid
• 85gsm (60% lighter than VX21)
• Super fine 100% Ultra-PE (UHMWPE) weave with semi-translucent appearance
• Subtle diamond grid pattern
• Cire finish increases abrasion resistance and repels water, dirt, and stains
  
• Made in Connecticut, USA in a climate neutral factory powered by 100% renewable energy

X50 XPAC SAILCLOTH

XPAC is a lightweight, high-performance fabric inspired by technical racing sailcloth. This is a composite fabric made of multiple layers of material laminated together under high pressure. The subtle diamond grid pattern comes from a layer of X-Ply recycled polyester yarn, designed to increase dimensional stability, tear strength, and structure. XPAC is waterproof and durable for heavy daily use.

X50 is a heavy duty, abrasion-resistant XPAC featuring a 3 layer construction: 500D Cordura face fabric w/ DWR coating, X-Ply, and 0.5 mil shiny polyester film backing.

• Content: 81% nylon / 19% polyester
• Heavier than VX21, VX25, and Cordura, but lighter than Waxed Canvas
• Subtle diamond grid pattern
• Matte finish that will still look great over the years
• XPAC bags hold their shape and stand up on their own
• Durable for heavy daily use
• Made in Connecticut, USA in a climate neutral factory powered by 100% renewable energy

WAXED CANVAS

Waxed canvas is a traditional army pack material, but its origins date back to the 15th century sailing industry. This is a rugged, densely woven cotton duck canvas that is saturated with paraffin wax, making it highly water-repellent. Waxed canvas develops a beautiful patina with regular use (much like denim), giving each bag a unique character over time.

• Content: 100% cotton
• Heavier than Cordura nylon, softer hand
• Naturally water-repellent
• Made in New Jersey, USA
• Click here to learn how to maintain waxed canvas

BALLISTIC NYLON

Ballistic nylon is a heavy duty fabric designed for extreme durability. This is a woven fabric made of similar high tenacity nylon yarns as 1000D Cordura, but in a more coarse 2x2 weave with a smooth, glossy finish. Ballistic nylon offers exceptional resistance to abrasion, punctures, and tears, and is used for the bottoms of all our bags.

• Content: 100% nylon
• Similar yarns as 1000D Cordura but with a more coarse 2x2 weave and a glossy finish
• Used for the bottoms of all our bags
• Heavier than 1000D Cordura
• Designed to fight abrasion 
• Woven in Rhode Island / Pennsylvania, USA

DURAFLEX HARDWARE

• The most durable Acetal and Nylon buckles
• Military Specification/Berry Compliant 
• Made in Florida, USA 

YKK ZIPPERS

• #5/#8/#10 oversized for durability
• Uretek coated weatherproof zippers used where appropriate
• Made in Georgia, USA

AUSTRIALPIN COBRA HARDWARE

AustriAlpin COBRA® quick-release buckles are machined from the highest grade 7075 aluminum alloy and feature solid brass and stainless steel components. Each buckle is test certified for strength and individually test loaded to 11kN. 

• Allows for additional expandability of roll-top compartments
• Quick-release design
• Cinches down for max securement
• Rated at 9kN
• Made in Fulpmes, Austria