Ghurka partners with David Coggins to design the ‘ideal’ bag

The new Field Tote is available for pre-order and estimated to ship by May 31.

By Tabitha Britt Published April 21, 2025

The Ghurka x David Coggins Field Tote in olive twill with brown leather straps and trim. — Ghurka / Ghurka

Ask author and menswear expert David Coggins what makes a good bag, and he’ll likely tell you it’s about more than just carrying your gear — it “announces your relationship to function and style.” That’s why he partnered with iconic leather goods maker Ghurka to create his version of the ideal carryall: the new, limited-edition Field Tote No. 296.

Launched just last week, this rugged yet refined bag pays tribute to Ghurka’s dedication to producing high-quality leather goods and Coggins’s love for traditional design. The practical yet thoughtful design elements, like the leather flap closure and zip pocket, give it a classic yet functional feel. And right now, you can pre-order it on Ghurka’s website.

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It’s an upgraded version of the Market Tote No. 294

Front view and interior top-down view of the Ghurka Field Tote 296. — Ghurka / Ghurka

“I already loved their khaki Market Tote, which I’ve carried for years,” Coggins writes in his newsletter, The Contender. “But as an obsessive, I still had thoughts about some tweaks. The result really is my ideal bag.”

The Field Tote No. 296 is based on the classic Market Tote No. 294, but features design upgrades, including an interior leather flap with a three-button closure and a 14-inch zip pocket. It’s also handcrafted in New York City from water-repellent cotton twill and trimmed in Ghurka’s signature vintage leather.

“The bag stays standing, and there are useful interior pockets,” Coggins writes. “Crucially, there’s a leather pocket that you can snap across the top of the bag and close it — that makes it easier to carry in the elements or set in [an] overhead bin on a flight.”

You can pre-order the Ghurka x David Coggins Field Tote No. 296 now. Shipping is estimated to begin by May 31.

Freelance Writer

Tabitha Britt is a freelance writer, editor, SEO & content strategist.

Topics

Accessories

Fashion & Style

I tested Oakley’s Sphaera sunglasses in 90-degree heat—here’s what surprised me

These Oakley sunglasses made my brutal summer runs actually enjoyable

Oakley Sphaera

I stepped out into the 90+ degree heat for a training run, the world appearing in 4K-like clarity. As I pressed start on my watch and settled into an easy pace, I was also testing Oakley's latest performance eyewear: the Oakley Sphaera sunglasses.
They're a design that blends sport performance with sculptural forms. I evaluated the Sphaera for function and style through summer hill repeats, country drives, and casual settings. While I expected good things from an Oakley design, the Sphaera left me surprised in a few ways.
Oakley Sphaera: Behind the design

Before I tried the sunglasses, I spoke with Nick Garfias, VP of Design at Oakley, to learn more about the thinking behind the Sphaera.
(Note: Interview edited for content and clarity)
The Manual: What was the goal when you started out? What were you trying to create?
Nick Garfias: Obviously, this is a sports frame, and I think in this case, this is an interesting one. We don't just attack a program and say we're going to make a frame for cycling, we're going to make a frame for running.
A lot of what we do is lean into a program or one aspect of a sport, going back and forth between athletes and understanding what their needs are, and taking all that information and putting it into boxes that we find are priorities for this frame.
We asked everyday athletes, and a lot of them had a lot to do with...frames that gave them this feeling of being serious, but not over the top. So we've got a very strong DNA and very sculptural quality to it. But what they were asking for was something that gave them more confidence and not necessarily that aggressive kind of look that we traditionally have.
TM: Oh, a little more subtle.
NG: A little more subtle, yeah. And so when you look at Sphaera, it has a very simplistic continuity across the top. From one end of the stem through the brow to the other side is just one continuous look. The lens itself provides a lot of field of view.
So it's kind of maximizing the left and right field of view and then the lower field of view, which would be as you put the frame on, it's what you're looking through, right?
And the objective for that is that you can put something on, and there's so much aperture or so much lens space that you can't read the edges of the lens. So it feels seamless, and it feels lightweight.
TM: What athletes, from what sports, did you use for the design?
NG: We looked at a lot of runners. We looked at a lot of cyclists. We didn't specifically hone in onto one sport. We even looked at soccer players. A lot of the function was about the aesthetic — and not the aesthetic just to look cool, but the aesthetic of giving that athlete confidence to wear something and feel that they were being taken seriously.
TM: What sets the Sphaera apart from designs from other brands? What makes this better?
NG: We're an optics company, so our lenses are superior. This is a piece of eyewear made to protect you from debris, the sun, all kinds of things. But also, fit and retention are very important. And so, when you put these on, you'll notice it's very weightless. Because the distribution of the tension in it feels like distributed around your head evenly.
Oakley Sphaera specs:
Price: $297
Frame: Lightweight O-Matter
Lens: Prizm Black (11% light transmission)
Size: L (134mm)
According to Oakley, the Sphaera is designed for versatile performance across sports, with features like Prizm™ lens tech, helmet compatibility, front venting, and grippy Unobtainium® components.
Pros and Cons of the Oakley Sphaera

Fashion & Style

David Beckham’s Tudor watch game is a lesson in timeless style

How David Beckham’s watch game redefines timeless style

David Beckham strikes a pose

David Beckham is one of the few athletes in the world currently considered a global fashion icon, and from his earliest days as a footballer with Manchester United to his personal aesthetic today, he has consistently made best-dressed lists as a leader in understated sophistication. While his football career confirmed his legendary status, his sartorial influence has cemented his place as a modern fashionisto. Whether appearing on red carpets in classic Tom Ford or a relaxed bomber jacket on the streets of Los Angeles, Beckham always serves a masterclass in elegant menswear. As a global brand ambassador, he is just as thoughtful with his accessories, and he has a history of favoring heritage-rich watches that combine ruggedness with refined elegance. One of his favorite go-to timepieces is the Tudor Black Bay Chrono, a choice that exudes quiet luxury.

Tudor Black Bay Chrono and Beckham are a perfect duo

Fashion & Style

Inside British microbrand Anoma’s innovative triangular watch design

British watchmaker creates optical illusion timepiece in distinctive triangular case

Anoma a1 optical microwatch

British microbrand Anoma has released its most compelling timepiece yet with the A1 Optical, a triangular watch featuring an unprecedented dial design that creates mesmerizing optical illusions through precisely engraved geometric patterns.
The release comes as shaped watches gain prominence over traditional round cases, with collectors increasingly drawn to unconventional designs. Following the success of pieces like the distorted Cartier Crash and high-end options from Berneron and Toledano & Chan, microbrands have embraced shaped cases to offer more accessible alternatives to luxury collectors.
Anoma's A1 Optical features a dial engraved with 50 offset triangular patterns that create optical illusions as the wearer views it from different angles. The intricate pattern distorts and shifts, transforming the timepiece into miniature wearable artwork. The design draws inspiration from English painter Bridget Riley and Italian artist Ferruccio Gard, both renowned for their optical art contributions.
The mesmerizing dial is housed in a 39mm by 38mm polished triangular stainless steel case with rounded edges and 9.45mm depth. The thoughtful proportions ensure wearability despite the unconventional shape, while 50-meter water resistance provides practical functionality. A Swiss-made Sellita SW100 automatic movement with 38-hour power reserve powers the timepiece, paired with a grained grey Italian leather strap.
Since debuting in summer 2024, Anoma has rapidly built collector interest with its distinctive triangular A1 design. Notable enthusiasts include collectors Roni Madhvani and John Goldberger, whose endorsement has elevated the brand's profile in the microbrand segment. The grey "Slate" variant released in March 2025 further demonstrated the platform's versatility.
The A1 Optical represents a significant creative leap, showcasing how the triangular case can serve as canvas for innovative dial artistry. Unlike many microbrands that reinterpret classic designs, Anoma has created genuinely original aesthetics that stand apart in the crowded market.
Priced at £2,200 (approximately $2,923), the A1 Optical positions itself in the upper microbrand tier, below independent manufacturers like Berneron but reflecting the significant development costs and specialized manufacturing required for such unique pieces. The value proposition centers on design innovation rather than movement complications.
The first 300 pieces, split evenly between dial variants, will include special pen-plotted artwork by optical artist Adam Fuhrer, commissioned by Anoma and based on the A1 Optical's dial design. Following the numbered edition sellout, Anoma plans continued production in non-numbered versions.
Orders open August 7th at 10 AM ET, with Anoma reporting a waiting list already ten times longer than available pieces. The overwhelming demand reflects the watch community's appetite for genuinely innovative design in an increasingly crowded microbrand landscape.
For collectors seeking distinctive timepieces that challenge conventional watch aesthetics, the A1 Optical offers a compelling combination of artistic vision and wearable functionality at accessible luxury pricing.