custom backpacks

A

andrew7978

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
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Just out of curiosity, would you guys be interested in a website where you could design/customize your own backpack. For example, you could pick from several different basic layouts (1 pocket, 2 pockets etc). Then you could pick your features like daisy chains, elastic bands, colors etc. It would sort of be like how you can customize shoes on Nike's website. I got the idea after spending tons of time searching for a pack that I would like and not finding anything. I am not exactly sure how I would go about making such a site, but its an interesting idea and I was wondering if there would be a market for such a thing.
 
I'd certainly be interested. I've lost count of how many packs I have as I'm constantly buying new ones to try because I can't find one that's an exact fit for what I'd like so I make compromises but of course it's never just right so I keep searching.
 
that would be cool I never bought a backpack for school that I though was durable enough, they always break.
 
I think that would be a pretty cool idea. It would probably require several modular base models, which you could add features to as you wanted, including other pouches and sections. Having a good material, or good selection would be important, as well as making sure the packs could be upgraded or subtracted from later on, if need be.
 
Kifaru is the only manufacturer that sounds similar. Not what you are proposing, but you might want to check it for reference. I like this idea, and would like it even more if it is well made but less expensive than Kifaru.
 
kifaru is the best out there for packs and for adding components. cost money though, but they do have alot of add ons and life time warranty
 
65535 said:
that would be cool I never bought a backpack for school that I though was durable enough, they always break.
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IMHO, daily heavy book loads are more demanding than hiking. Dana used to make bombproof packs. Look for an older one in good shape. The originator of Dana now has Mystery Ranch packs. They ain't cheap!

Timbuk2 gear works great for school/commuting.
 
DaleW said:
Timbuk2 gear works great for school/commuting.
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I've been hearing Timbuk2's quality has gone down since they have grown a lot. I did a lot of research on their messenger bags because I really wanted one, but now, I don't want one at all.

A lot of their bags you find in the stores are now outsourced to China, and are a lot lower quality than their bags that they custom make in San Fransisco. If you want a quality one, get a custom one made from their website. This is all hearsay though.

If I were to get a custom messenger bag, I would get a bag from RELoad. They hand make all of their bags and are based in Philidephia and Seattle. Tons of custom work on their website: http://www.reloadbags.com
 
spts05 said:
kifaru is the best out there for packs and for adding components. cost money though, but they do have alot of add ons and life time warranty
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I have a "Scout" made by them, that I custom ordered. This thing is absolutely bombproof.:thumbup:
They are providing more and more options too. I think the idea of a pack that is ordered and built this way is great.:thumbup:
 
aznridah said:
I've been hearing Timbuk2's quality has gone down since they have grown a lot. I did a lot of research on their messenger bags because I really wanted one, but now, I don't want one at all.

A lot of their bags you find in the stores are now outsourced to China, and are a lot lower quality than their bags that they custom make in San Fransisco. If you want a quality one, get a custom one made from their website. This is all hearsay though.

If I were to get a custom messenger bag, I would get a bag from RELoad. They hand make all of their bags and are based in Philidephia and Seattle. Tons of custom work on their website: http://www.reloadbags.com
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I've got a recently purchased custom large messenger, and a two year old standard medium laptop messenger.
both seem pretty bombproof, i cant tell any difference in quality worth mentioning.
 
I got a Dana Designs internal from Moosejaw on closeout that was probably one of my best buys. The pack was worth every dime and then some, it's comfortable, and built tough. If he's making packs again I'd go there first.
I'd like to try some Kifaru stuff but they are not cheap and it's hard to drop that much coin on something unknown. Another one that is highly recommended is bullpac.
 
i ordered a kifaru e&e pack recently that looked just about the right size for me but it hasn't showed up yet:grumpy:

they must have a heck of a back order list because it has been over six weeks
 
DaleW said:
IMHO, daily heavy book loads are more demanding than hiking. Dana used to make bombproof packs. Look for an older one in good shape. The originator of Dana now has Mystery Ranch packs. They ain't cheap!

Timbuk2 gear works great for school/commuting.
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Dana Designs was recently bought out by Marmot. Marmot makes some excellent clothing, so I think they will be a great fit for Dana. My Marmot gear is all extremely well made, durable, and comfortable.
 
xxguitarist said:
I've got a recently purchased custom large messenger, and a two year old standard medium laptop messenger.
both seem pretty bombproof, i cant tell any difference in quality worth mentioning.
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The custom ones are supposedly still made in San Fran, so that would mean you are OK there. The ones they make en mass and sell in stores however, seem to be lower quality from what I hear.
 
Man, I'd love to get a day/weekend pack around 30L where the 'hip belt' doesn't ride halfway between my diaphragm and pelvis....don't really care about much else !!
 
witchhunter said:
i ordered a kifaru e&e pack recently that looked just about the right size for me but it hasn't showed up yet:grumpy:

they must have a heck of a back order list because it has been over six weeks
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It took over 2 months to get mine. But, it was worth it.

I wanted to add that an option to have a belt or not, and/or different styles of belts would be great.
 
Check out alice under militaria and molle on eBay . You can get everything from basic frames to packs, accessories, belts, shoulder harnesses and on and on. You should be able to find something that you can design yourself. I've used a fanny pack when fishing, but hunting is tougher - large temperature changes during the day and more gear to carry. I've added heavy duty suspenders to my hunting fanny pack to help distribute the load, but I think that maybe the alice or molle systems, or a combination of bits and pieces might be just the thing.
 
Yeah, I'd be interested. I've been reading some of your posts and we both have that "couldn't this be better?" mentality.

Although I personally have never tried one (I like osprey), I would concur with DaleW that mystery ranch may be the best thing out there.

Along the lines of a custom option, their ALICE packs are something else; by that I mean the frame and sling combo.

With this set up, you can strap anything on your back: a duffel bag, trash bag, wooden crate, your wounded buddy. If you found a backpack with features you really like, but with a crappy suspension, you could cut off the straps, and put it in the ALICE sling.

Of course, their ALICE frame is compatible with any ALICE pack, so in that sense, the pack is able to be customized.

I found it interesting that they make the "tactical" bags for Cammelback... see cammelback's website.
 
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