Backpack for adventure travel
Capstone design project, 2015
Designed to work as well out on the trail as it does getting there. A sleek outer shell and stowable harness prevent snags along the way, while a unique closure system allows the pack to open wide for packing and provides easy access on the go.
Target Consumer:
Young millennial professionals who spend their free time pursuing an active lifestyle. A love of travel and the outdoors leads them to seek new experiences far from home, whether that’s squeezing in an overnight backpacking adventure during a work trip or flying out to a bucket-list climbing destination.
After a market analysis focused on brands such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Osprey, and Boreas Gear, I had fallen in love with the silhouette of technical roll top hiking packs - but the “first in, last out” packing style doesn’t suit the modern traveller and drastically affects the usability of a pack outside of long days on the trial. So how can we improve that?
The vertical zipper is inspired by the tri-zip used on many of Mystery Ranch’s bags - I was curious how it might work on a roll top, and so dove into full scale paper mockups to experiment and get a better sense of form. Initial prototypes were built with pattern paper, armature wire, and tape, before moving to fully sewn tyvek models. Finally, I built a series of laser cut 1/4 scale mockups to quickly refine the patterning of the bag.
Pages and pages of sketching throughout the process helped drive the direction of the aesthetics and functionality of the bag. Pairing the vertical zip with the roll top closure allows for unparalleled access to the interior of the bag when fully open, as well as a duffle style opening when the bag is packed, providing quick access to contents throughout the bag.
Paired with shoulder straps and a waist belt that tuck behind the back panel, the bag can be easily thrown in the overhead and grabbed for a quick exit, no straps dangling to catch a seat on the way off the plane.
Lasercut mockups to finalize the form
Final Prototype.
Built with industry standard 210D ripstop nylon, 4 way stretch spandex, EVA foam, and cannibalized shoulder straps from an old pack. The harness tucks behind the back panel, internal compression straps help keep you organized while packing, and two exterior pockets are perfect for smaller items. The waist belt features a zippered pocket as well as a stretch pocket perfectly sized for a passport or notebook. The final prototype really shows off the vertical zip/roll top closure.
