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Apple Just Gave This Beloved EDC Brand an Official Stamp of Approval

It’s more than just an endorsement — the venerated bag maker is actually now being carried in Apple’s online stores.

A close-up of a person placing a pair of gray knit socks into the front pocket of a black backpack. The person is wearing a white shirt with thin black vertical stripes. The backpack has multiple zippers and a black buckle on the front pocket.Aer

By Sean Tirman

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With its robust array of tech — ranging from the obvious (iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watches and computers) to the more esoteric (Apple Vision Pro, HomePod and Apple TV) — Apple occupies a wide berth. Even so, the brand doesn’t yet offer everything.

As such, the Cupertino-based outfit often co-opts other brands to fill in the gaps, giving their products what amounts to Apple’s stamp of approval by selling them directly.

The latest brand to join the elite ranks should probably not come as too much of a surprise, as it’s a Bay Area EDC brand that, both qualitatively and quantitatively, fits in nicely. Still, it’s pretty significant that Apple is now selling Aer bags.

A man wearing a short-sleeve, white shirt with thin black vertical stripes and black pants is carrying a black backpack. He is standing indoors in front of large windows with a view of buildings and cranes outside. The backpack has a sleek, modern design with a top handle and adjustable shoulder straps.
The Aer Go Pack 2 is one of two bags currently available on Apple’s international online shops.
Aer

How do you like them apples?

As mentioned, it’s not wholly unusual for Apple to offer products from other brands on its site. Somewhat recently, the brand put up a wireless charging dock from Zens — a bit surprising, considering Apple offers its own wireless charging docks.

However, the addition of Aer to its ranks fills a gap the brand has never occupied: bags. That said, the collaboration actually makes a ton of sense. Apple offers a lot of on-the-go tech; Aer makes bags to carry it.

Hands holding open a black backpack with a gray interior, showing organized contents including a rolled-up silver item, a green pouch, a black cylindrical object, and a magazine or booklet labeled "PRO." The backpack has a label inside that reads "Aer" and "Designed in San Francisco." The person holding the backpack is wearing white sneakers and has tattoos on their forearms. The background is a gray concrete floor.
Aer’s focus on external minimalism and internal organization makes perfect sense, juxtaposed with Apple’s ecosystem.
Aer

But the connection runs a bit deeper. As mentioned, both brands are from the Bay Area. More critically, they both boast similar approaches to design: minimalist appearances with a lot of internal depth.

In another universe, Aer could have been an Apple sub-brand, operating as the everyday carry gear wing of the tech giant. Still, this collaboration, if only a light-touch business partnership, seems like it was meant to be.

Olive green tote bag with black straps and a black buckle closure, placed on the floor in front of a person wearing light blue jeans, white socks, and off-white sneakers, sitting on a wooden box against a white brick wall.
The other bag currently offered through Apple is the Aer Go Tote 2, but more are reportedly coming soon.
Aer

Totes McGoats

For now, Apple offers only two of Aer’s bags for sale: the Go Tote 2 and Go Pack 2. Interestingly, these bags are two of Aer’s most affordable, yet they’re no less stylistically in line with the brand’s overarching minimalism and focus on internal organization.

The Go Tote 2 is a generalist carry-all, featuring a generous main compartment with a bevy of internal pouches and pockets, as well as some externally accessible additional options. The Go Pack 2 is a classic backpack with similar styling and organization, although the former holds 17.5 liters to the latter’s 20.

A close-up of a person placing a gray textured wallet and a blue passport into the front zippered pocket of a black tote bag. The person is wearing a beige jacket over a white shirt. The tote bag has black straps and a horizontal black strap detail on the front pocket.
The quick-access pouches on the outsides of these bags are the perfect place to stash an iPhone when in transit.
Aer

Both are also made from the same fabric, a 210D Cordura that’s lightweight and bluesign-approved (meaning it gets points for sustainability.) Both also have YKK zippers, luggage pass-throughs and more.

There is one catch: Apple is only selling these on its international sites. While that shouldn’t be too much of an issue for those on U.S. soil — who can always buy directly through Aer — it does open up the option for international customers to access Aer’s bags where they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

Rumor has it that more Aer bags are coming to Apple in the near future. And who knows, maybe they’ll be sold on the American site soon, too.

A man stands indoors against a white brick wall with large windows behind him showing industrial buildings outside. He is wearing a beige short-sleeve button-up shirt over a white t-shirt, black cargo pants, and white sneakers. He holds a large black tote bag by its handles in front of him, looking down.
It remains to be seen what comes of this partnership in the long run.
Aer

Now available

Aer’s Go Tote 2 and Go Pack 2 are now available on Apple’s international sites for $90 and $100, respectively — the same price you’ll find on Aer’s site.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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