Keep your bags & packs adventure ready to make them last!
Knowing your valuables stay protected and ready inside your trusted everyday carry bag, wherever you find yourself, is a reassuring feeling. Whether it’s urban commutes, international travel, or winding trails along the lakeshore, your EDC bag is always by your side.
After all the time you’ve spent finding the perfect pack to fit your lifestyle, it deserves a little care in return. Like any finely crafted tool or purpose-built instrument, regular maintenance helps your bag perform at its best for faithful years of service.
A quick routine makes all the difference: once or a few times a year (about 1–3 times), completely empty your bag out—every pocket, remove all contents and inserts—then shake out any debris or dirt hidden in seams, corners, and under webbing. It’s best to do this outdoors or in good lighting so you can thoroughly inspect your bag.
Practices like treating stains before they set and always following the manufacturers’ product care & cleaning guidelines for your specific fabric or finish are recommended. With just a few simple habits, your gear will stay clean, reliable, and ready for every adventure ahead
Zippers are engineered to last with your simple care.
Zippers are a crucial component of any pack—designed and selected for long-term performance—and often one of the most expensive parts to repair. However, zipper performance can degrade if not properly cared for or if used incorrectly.
Keep in mind that zippers are not load-bearing and should never be used to lift the weight of your bag by the zipper pulls alone. Avoid forcing a zipper open or closed over items that are too large for the pocket and keep sharp or abrasive objects away from the zipper assembly, both inside and out, to prolong its life.
Forcing a zipper closed can cause premature wear. Instead, align the zipper teeth (coils) so they run parallel before closing the metal slider. It should glide smoothly with only light pressure from one or two fingers. Skip the zipper grease or lubricants—YKK’s self-lubricating zippers are designed to perform without them, and such products often attract dirt and debris.
Check out these Product Care and cleaning tips to keep your gear in optimal condition for lasting performance.
Say no to machine-washing and tumble-drying your bag.
The worst thing you can do is to machine wash and tumble dry your pack in high heat!
We don’t recommend these practices for many reasons: Machine washing and tumble drying can cause too much friction and damage your bag’s hardware, webbing plus other components and wear down fabric coatings. Trapped moisture between fabric layers and in foam padding can also lead to mildew and unpleasant odors.
Take the TRIDENT-21 backpack for example, many enjoy the structural shape and protection this foam padded bag provides. By example: the main flap opening panel is a layer of Hypalon, Cordura, closed-cell foam, ripstop nylon, and ToughMesh before you even reach the main compartment. Most of our packs are at least three layers of material thick. Drying them thoroughly after machine washing would be challenging, and mildew could form between those layers.
We also coat our pack fabrics with water repellent layers to keep the weather resistance useable all year long-choose a pack cover for extra water protection when needed. Using a washing machine, high-heat dryer or aggressive cleaning methods with heavy solvents can quickly break down this coating, making its weatherproofing ineffective and causing extra wear and stress to bag materials and components.
Spot-clean those stains and make your bag shine!
Spilled coffee on your GOFER-15 messenger bag? No worries, spot-cleaning is just part of maintaining your trusty bag. Knowing each Vanquest product has protective fabric coatings to keep moisture out gives you peace of mind. These coatings help shield against the elements, but a quick spot clean will take care of that coffee splash before it stains.
When it comes to dealing with stains, we've noticed that many people take very different, and sometimes excessive, approaches to keeping their gear clean. For most cases, spot cleaning is all you need. Rather than cleaning the entire bag for a single spot, we recommend using mild detergent like castile soap or 10:1 diluted Simple Green and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Focus only on the dirty area, then rinse off any detergent with clean water and let the bag air dry in a well-ventilated space, outside of direct sunlight.
Brush off dirt and dust to keep it clean.
Brushes, these simple tools, really help get the grit and grime off your pack, whether it's a boot brush, a boar’s hairbrush, or a toothbrush. Gently brushing away surface dirt helps prevent it from embedding in the fibers, which can otherwise lead to premature wear on the fabric and materials.
Keep your pack free from abrasive dirt and debris to help prolong its life! A quick tip: start with a completely empty pack and avoid metal or wire brushes, instead choose brushes with soft nylon, plastic, or natural hair bristles.
Alternatively, you can use an air compressor and an air nozzle (or compressed air) to blow off the dirt, then follow up with a vacuum inside and out. This works well for the small nooks and crannies in a hiking, hunting and equipment bearing pack like the MARKHOR-45 backpack that are easy to miss with a brush.
Final thoughts…
Your Vanquest everyday carry bag is more than just storage — it’s your reliable partner through commutes, travels, and outdoor adventures. Taking a few moments each season to maintain and clean your pack ensures it continues to perform at its best for years to come.
Simple habits like brushing away dirt, treating small stains promptly, and always aligning zippers can go a long way in preserving your bag’s materials and structure. Avoid machine-washing or harsh cleaning methods that could weaken coatings and hardware; instead, spot-clean and air-dry naturally.
Whether it’s your TRIDENT-21, GOFER-15, or MARKHOR-45, a little attention keeps your investment looking great and functioning flawlessly. Regular care not only extends the life of your gear but also keeps it ready for wherever your next journey takes you — from busy city streets to peaceful mountain trails.
