NOCS’ new Standard Issue 25mm Pouch fixes the one annoying part of carrying compact binoculars

I’ve been using Standard Issue 8×25 Waterproof Binoculars since 2021 because they’re the rare “take-anywhere” optic that actually gets taken anywhere.

They’re compact, grippy, waterproof/fogproof, and they live happily in a daypack until the moment you spot a hawk, a surf break, or a distant ridge line that begs a closer look.

But there’s always been one little problem: the binoculars are adventure-ready… and the carry situation is kinda not.

In my original Nocs binoculars review, I mentioned the basics that ship with the binoculars: a thin strap and a simple drawstring bag that’s fine for dust, but doesn’t really protect them from getting knocked around.

I even suggested using a more padded pouch if you’re tossing them into a pack with other gear.

And that’s exactly why the new Standard Issue 25mm Pouch makes so much sense.

The “why” behind this pouch

If you’ve ever owned compact binoculars, you know the pattern: they’re small enough to disappear into a bag… which means they also disappear from your awareness.

You either:

• throw them loose in a pack (hello scratches and clunks),
• keep them in a soft bag (still clunky protection, still easy to forget),
• or wear them on a neck strap (fine for short bursts, annoying on longer days).

NOCS clearly sees the same friction point. Their new pouch is designed specifically for their Standard Issue 25mm binoculars, and it’s built around a modular carry system that lets you move the pouch from “on you” to “on your pack” quickly.

What it is

At the simplest level, the Standard Issue 25mm Pouch is a compact protective case made for 25mm optics (like the Standard Issue 8×25 / 10×25).

But the more interesting part is how it carries:

• It’s designed around NOCS’ NocLoc system, so it can go from a shoulder strap carry to pack-mounted carry without the usual re-threading hassle.
• There are universal strap connectors and an exterior webbing lattice that gives you multiple stable attachment options (think shoulder strap, hip belt, bike setup, or clipped into a car).
• NOCS calls out the “low swing” mounting idea explicitly, which is the difference between “I tried mounting this once” and “I actually keep it mounted.”

In other words: it’s less “cute case” and more “carry system.”

The features that actually matter in real life

Here’s what I’d focus on if you’re trying to decide whether it’s worth buying for you.

It solves the “soft bag problem”

Remember what comes in the box with the binoculars: binocular, microfiber bag, lens cloth, and a basic webbing strap.

That’s enough to get started, but it’s not the setup that keeps optics protected in a fully-loaded pack.

The pouch is meant to be the protective layer that’s missing when you’re doing normal outdoors stuff like hiking, travel days, beach days, road trips, and anything where your pack turns into a gear blender.

It makes binoculars more “grab-and-use”

This sounds small, but it’s the whole point of these small binoculars: binoculars only add value when they’re quick to access.

A pouch that attaches cleanly to a pack strap (and doesn’t flop around) has a way higher chance of getting used than binoculars buried deep inside your bag. That’s the entire “optics as a habit” play.

The NocLoc connector is the quiet hero

NOCS describes NocLoc as a quick-attach/quick-release setup: snap on securely, detach in a second, and move the pouch to any NocLoc-equipped strap without re-threading.

There’s an internal pocket (and I love that)

The pouch includes a small internal pocket.

I’m a sucker for small organization in outdoor gear because it stops the chaos:

• lens cloth
• a little field guide note / map snippet
• a tag for your keys

Price, colors, and the obvious bundle

The Standard Issue 25mm Pouch costs $44.95 at nocsprovision.com, with color options like Harbor Blue and Charcoal (availability will change fast on new drops).

The Standard Issue 8×25 binoculars are currently $99.95.

So yeah, the bundle angle writes itself:

• Already own the binos? The pouch is a clean “complete the kit” add-on that makes them easier to bring and harder to damage.
• Buying your first pair? Binoculars + pouch is the combo that makes it more likely they’ll actually become part of your daypack routine.

One more practical thing to note, is that NOCS offers free standard shipping on US orders over $100. A binocular + pouch cart clears that threshold.

Why I think this release matters

NOCS has always felt like a brand designed by people who actually go outside, and they literally position their roots around the coast near San Francisco.

This pouch release feels like the next logical step, sure it’s not a flashy new optic, but the missing piece that turns “owning binoculars” into “using binoculars”.