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Why Is Elecom Making Bags? A Deep Dive Into the Backpack Designed with a "Gadget Brain" by IT Pros
Elecom Co., Ltd. is a household name, famous for its long history in PC peripherals and mobile accessories. Many of us have probably relied on their desk gear, like mice, keyboards, and cables. Now, these "IT device pros" have poured their expertise into creating a dedicated bag brand.
Named "MNL," the series is a line of products that pursues the perfect "just right" for urban dwellers.
So, why is Elecom getting into the bag business? And how is the unique viewpoint of a gadget maker incorporated into the final product? We sat down with Kanji Akamatsu, who is in charge of MNL's development at Elecom, to learn more.
PROFILE
Kanji Akamatsu
Product Development Department, Accessory Development Section, Elecom Co., Ltd.
After graduating from Ueda Yasuko College of Fashion, Akamatsu worked for apparel and bag manufacturers before joining Elecom in 2023. He is involved in the entire bag-making process, from design and creating specifications to sourcing new factories. He currently heads the development of bags, centering on the "MNL" line, where he leverages his extensive experience to bring these products to life.
The "Four M's," Born from Co-Creation with Users
This isn't Elecom's first time making bags, but the launch of MNL took a different approach."MNL is a project that incorporates ambassador marketing. Much like the methods used by Workman, we have users test the product at the sample stage and directly reflect their feedback. We placed a heavy emphasis on co-creating with the end user, rather than keeping the entire process in-house."
By combining their expertise as an IT device manufacturer with user feedback, they landed on four key principles: "Minimal," "Mindful," "Monologue," and "Modern Nomad Life." The brand name, composed of these initial "M"s and the connecting "N" and "L," embodies a philosophy that resonates with today's urban dwellers.
"'Minimal' refers to functional beauty stripped of ornamentation, 'Mindful' to a consideration for the user, and 'Modern Nomad Life' proposes a style for moving seamlessly through our modern world where the lines between work and play are blurred."
Among these, "Monologue" is particularly striking. Here, it takes on the meaning of "a story told by the object."
"We imbued it with the meaning of giving form to the optimal solution derived from the user's own experiences. The user's journey is expressed through the product's own narrative."
Spatial Design Guided by a "Gadget Brain"
The true essence of MNL lies in its "gadget-first" design philosophy. The expertise cultivated over many years as a PC peripheral manufacturer is strongly reflected in every single storage pocket.For example, the flagship "MNL CITY PACK series" accommodates laptops up to 15.6 inches, while the "MNL CITY PACK LITE series" fits up to 14-inch models. This decision was made not only to cover the most common sizes on the market but also to account for the larger PCs used by creators.
But it’s not simply about making space for a PC. Akamatsu was meticulous about designing the user flow, even factoring in the "actions you take after removing your PC."
"The PC compartment is at the back, but we've set up a dedicated gadget compartment in the upper space that extends toward the front. When you take out your PC at a place like a café, you immediately need your AC adapter and mouse, right? We made it so you can quickly grab them from their fixed position at the top, instead of having to dig for them at the bottom of the bag."
In most backpacks, the upper area tends to become dead space. As items settle toward the bottom due to gravity, the top is physically left empty. MNL purposefully utilizes this "margin" as an independent storage space.
"The concept is to eliminate the hassle of even pulling out a separate gadget pouch. It feels like the pouch functionality is already built into the bag. Naturally, you can store more than just gadgets in there. For security, it's structured so you can only access this area after opening the PC compartment, making it a great spot for valuables like your wallet."
What's the most efficient way to store and retrieve your mouse and charger? The answer to this question provides the logical foundation for the pocket placement and sizing.
This is truly a design from the 'gadget-centric mind' of Elecom, a company that knows gadgets inside and out.
Functional Beauty and Details for Modern Urban Living
For urbanites constantly on the go, a bag's usability can make or break your day. The MNL is filled with thoughtful details designed to alleviate the stresses of daily life.One such detail is the commitment to making it self-standing. With a flat bottom and a sturdy core, the design helps prevent it from tipping over when placed on the floor. It’s a subtle but huge advantage to be free from the stress of your bag toppling over at a café or during a business meeting.
Another key feature is its clamshell design, which allows the main compartment to open a full 180 degrees.
"It opens wide, letting you organize your items just like a suitcase. We sometimes call it ‘packing like Tetris’ because you can fit everything in neatly without wasted space. Even when you need to grab something at the very bottom, there’s no need to blindly dig for it from the top."
The key strap design is another unique feature. There are multiple loops inside the bag, so users can freely choose where to attach the strap based on their dominant hand or personal preference.
"Everyone uses their bag differently—whether you're right-handed, left-handed, or have a certain way of going through ticket gates. We made it so you can set a home position that fits your natural movements. Once you decide on a spot, you can retrieve your keys in an instant without a second thought. We want to help build that kind of effortless routine."
An engineering-based approach was also taken to reduce physical strain. The curve of the shoulder harness was perfected through countless prototypes to follow the contours of the human torso.
"The harnesses on many standard backpacks are often straight, but the MNL's are curved to fit the body. For the back panel and the underside of the harnesses, we also opted against common mesh material, choosing instead a smooth, elastic fabric that feels like stockings.
Mesh can cause friction that damages clothing or creates pilling, but this material minimizes that concern. It also contributes to a more minimal and refined look."
A Commitment to Quality: Premium Materials and a Dedication to Excellence
You can't talk about the MNL without mentioning the high-caliber materials used in its construction. The lineup includes a trifecta of high-performance fabrics well-known to any bag aficionado: CORDURA® re/cor, CORDURA® Ballistic, and X-pac® VX21.
X-pac® VX21 is an exceptional material developed by Dimension-Polyant, the world's top manufacturer of yacht sailcloth. It's known for being lightweight, incredibly durable, and highly waterproof. It's a premium, costly material, which is why few brands use it, but Elecom intentionally chose to go there.
"Frankly, we know some people might be thinking, ‘Elecom is making bags?’ They might assume a company known for computer mice is just doing this as a side gig. We wanted to shatter that perception. By using materials that rival, or even surpass, those used by specialized bag makers, we wanted to prove just how serious we are."
Akamatsu brings his own experience from the bag manufacturing industry to the table. This background means he’s uncompromising when selecting materials and components. For zippers, he opts for the highly reliable YKK brand, and for plastic parts, he chooses Woojin, a brand trusted even for military gear. These are the kinds of materials selected for professional-grade equipment where durability is non-negotiable.
"At the end of the day, a bag is just a collection of materials and components. The overall value of the product is defined by the quality of each individual part," he says. "We could have cut costs by using cheaper components, but that's not the MNL way. We wanted to offer durability that lasts and a genuine sense of satisfaction in owning the product."
Toward a Future Where Gadgets and Bags Converge
MNL is constantly evolving by listening to its users. Feedback from reviews on major e-commerce platforms and buzz on social media goes straight to the development team."We sometimes get tough criticism, but we take it as a sign of our customers' high expectations. For instance, after hearing feedback like, ‘We’d love a more luxurious lining,’ we started upgrading the material. While some feedback can be tough to swallow as a maker, we use it as motivation to improve. That's the MNL philosophy."
Looking ahead, the team also plans to expand their travel line. With remote work and workations becoming the norm, the boundaries between work and travel are blurring more than ever. The goal is to broaden the range of choices for the modern digital nomad.
Moving beyond being just a "container" to becoming an interface that connects technology with lifestyle. The future of bags, as envisioned by Elecom, is taking shape, built on the logical approach of a gadget maker combined with a deep empathy for the user. For any creator who appreciates functional beauty, an MNL bag is set to become a trusted companion.
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