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The reason for the anxiety came directly from the knowledge that we hadn’t done anything other than ride mountain bikes for the last 18  months. Walking on snow at altitude with ropes, ice axes, crampons? We were certainly out of our comfort zone. Aside from general on-bike fitness, we were fish out of water – or mountain bikers on ice. I can see the musical now.

The Gear

JanSport has deep roots in the mountaineering community, and has worked with International Mountain Guides (IMG) forever and a day. Through many, many, many iterations their Tahoma Guide Series pack is truly a thing of beauty. Cut from strong, reinforced sail-cloth type material, the Tahoma has only what it needs to take a person to the summit of a mountain and back with nothing extraneous. The Tahoma comes in 75-liter and 45-liter models. We were issued the 75L, and happy for it – bulky layers, tons of food, a camera and four-season tents easily filled the cavernous bag to the gills. At the trailhead, we all sat on the packs to displace the air from our voluminous sleeping bags – sardining in last-minute items was akin to fishing something from a pocket on your too-tight pair of jeans.

As mentioned, the pack was pared down, but not without flourishes that filed it solidly into the “expedition worthy” category: Hypalon-reinforced crampon pockets; two options of waist belt (one thinner for wearing with layers, the other thicker and best paired with summer-weight clothing). The lower side-pockets might seem like a misstep on this bag, but rather than water bottles they are intended to host wands – pickets used for identifying a route through otherwise nondescript snowfields littered with crevasses, sometimes in snowstorms. There are a couple of great reasons for not carrying a water bottle on the outside of a mountaineering bag: 1. If you drop a water bottle on steep snow, it will rocket downhill, never to be seen again. 2. If it is cold outside, your bottle will freeze, and you will no longer have water to drink, just a frozen rock of regret that you will begrudgingly and forlornly carry with you back to your tent. Success can be measured in fluid ounces of water.

The pack used the “GridFit” system for adjusting the shoulder straps to accommodate a wide variety of user shapes and torso sizes. I found the system to be intuitive and easy to make on-trail changes to, but worried that it would be a failure point on the pack itself. With only this trip, I didn’t have a real gauge on the long-term durability of the product. One beef: The NASCAR-esque branding was far too much for my liking.

“There are a couple of great reasons for not carrying a water bottle on the outside of a mountaineering bag: 1. If you drop a water bottle on steep snow, it will rocket downhill, never to be seen again. 2. If it is cold outside, your bottle will freeze, and you will no longer have water to drink…“

The Ascent

Our training, aside from riding bikes, amounted to watching “Mount Rainier Volcano is A Ticking Time Bomb” on YouTube to get clues about whether or not we’d be able to tell if we might die from pyroclastic atomization in the mountain’s imminent eruption, and to generally bring the overall intensity of our next few days up a notch. It worked.

Arriving at IMG’s Ashford base camp we hung around organizing our gear and getting to know the other members of our group. Each member of the group is affiliated with JanSport in different ways, from marketing gurus, to bloggers, to factory store employees and warehouse managers – everyone came with a shared investment in JanSport and high expectations for an incredible adventure. Participants on the trip came from as far away as Japan, Dubai, Argentina and Panama.

The group of 16 people split into two. One group headed for the Disappointment Cleaver and the other, our group, up the Emmons Glacier – the longer and more remote route to the summit. Our guides included Josh McDowell, Kim Haft, Jon Schrock and Chris Meder. Each guide was eventually assigned three climbers so we didn’t wander to our death in a crevasse. All of them ran a tight ship, and in perfect synchronicity moved us efficiently and effortlessly toward the mountain’s summit. Unloading from the van at the White River Campground parking lot, our group did final gear checks and distributed food. 

Despite 35+ lb. packs the first few hours were a delightful start to what would otherwise be a grueling trip. The trail from the parking lot is a well trodden, meandering dirt path that climbs gradually and winds through classic Northwest pine forests and up into the low alpine meadows. We walked at a casual pace getting to know each other, trading stories about our past backcountry experiences (or lack thereof) and our affiliation with JanSport.

After a break for lunch, we noticed that we were the only hikers continuing on, while the day-trippers with toddlers and granola-crunching retiree bird-watchers headed back to the trailhead. The trail quickly changed character, becoming looser, steeper and narrow as we climbed up a sharp ridge. Before us lay our goal; a rounded-top pinnacle of rock and ice some 11,000 feet above us, but perhaps only three miles as the crow flies. At this moment, some discovered there would be no summit for them – and the measure of a mountain is nothing compared to its stark reality. Just beyond us lay the Inter Glacier snowfield. While we relaxed, the guides explained the basics of snow travel; how to put on and wear crampons (and not kick yourself), how to carry an ice axe and ultimately, how to use it in case of emergency.

While most of our group had been backpacking before, and some had been mountaineering, we all felt our stomachs sink with trepidation as we realized we’d be spending the next two and a half days walking, cooking, and sleeping on nothing but snow and ice. With much fumbling, we slowly made our way up to a rocky outcrop at the top of the snowfield at about 7,600 ft, our camp for the night. As the sun set in the valley below us, we contemplated how beautiful, yet how challenging the landscape we’d inhabited for barely 14 hours was.

“While most of our group had been backpacking before, and some had been mountaineering, we all felt our stomachs sink a bit and gulped back trepidation as we realized we’d be spending the next two and a half days walking, cooking, and sleeping on nothing but snow and ice.“

We awoke with anticipation, understanding the lack of experience and knowledge we’d felt yesterday was about to pale in comparison to today. Once we left camp this morning, all travel would be roped together in groups of three or four until getting back to this spot in two days. Being ‘roped up’ requires a rhythm and awareness. Each member of the group wears a harness, which is tied to a length of rope. Separated by about 50 ft., each person must walk at a pace and position such that the rope doesn’t pull or sag too much, or get caught under their feet at any time. Failing to do so will result in tripping and falling, bringing yourself and the group down with you as you careen down a steep, icy slope for thousands of feet.

It took all morning to climb up to Camp Schurman at 9,600 ft. Arriving at our new digs for the evening we were grateful to find a pit toilet that perhaps was the most evil place on earth, and a spot of cell service, despite being spotty at best. Alas, this was wilderness, and we braved it like champions. Please note sarcasm.

After an early night, we were woken at 11pm to the smell of bacon and eggs as the guides served up breakfast bagels and coffee. Despite little sleep and visible tiredness in our eyes, our bodies and minds were convinced that it was morning and time to begin the day’s mission – summiting Mt. Rainier. To date, we’d hiked a few hours on snow, but had yet to come across much in the way of crevasses or route finding. Walking up a steep icy slope in a rope team with crampons is as worrying as it seems. Doing that at 11pm with only a headlamp to guide your way sounds as if it’d be worse, but it’s actually easy to convince yourself that what you can’t see can’t hurt you. Little by little, we kicked the teeth of our crampons into the icy slope at the beginning of our trek, relying only on the feeling of grip beneath our feet to instill confidence in each step. As if in a dream, we traversed up the mountain, blind to the path ahead and our surroundings with only the whispers of the other climbers in our group and feeling the warmth of lower altitude diminishing. We spent hours taking step after step in near complete silence, catching glimpses of deep shadowy crevasses just beyond the reach of our lights.

With the sun finally out our route was long, exposed and technical as we picked our way over and around numerous crevasses that tore open the mountain, perpendicular to our path. While some have described climbing Mt. Rainier as simply walking uphill slowly, our summit bid required us to walk along a spine like a tight rope, to jump (not leap – “this is more controlled” cautioned our guides) across the edge of expanding crevasses and to step down, then belly flop onto the other side of a crevasse like we were climbing out a swimming pool that’s 400 feet deep and doesn’t have water in it.

“Being ‘roped up’ requires a rhythm and awareness. Each member of the group wears a harness, which is tied to a length of rope. Separated by about 50 ft., each person must walk at a pace and position such that the rope doesn’t pull or sag too much, or get caught under their feet at any time. Failing to do so will result in tripping and falling, bringing yourself and the group down with you as you careen down a steep, icy slope for thousands of feet.“

Mt. Rainier’s summit sneaks up on you. The summit’s rocky cap feels out of place and disorienting at first contrasting with the vast sea of white around you, but anchors one to their success, knowing it is comfortably within reach. At 14,400 ft. one doesn’t celebrate the same way they might at sea level; there’s no popping of champagne, there’s no dancing or shouting. The relative inability to breathe and discomfort at being at this elevation keeps celebrations short and sweet, internal and emotional, but not without fun.

“The relative inability to breathe and discomfort at being at this elevation keeps celebrations short and sweet, internal and emotional, but not without fun.“

After many photos we departed the summit, retracing our route. Down is easier than going up, right? Wrong. The route we’d climbed up was no longer a viable path to descend. The warmth of the sun broke open new crevasses, and widened existing ones. Our route became even more circuitous as crevasses grew larger and walls that were only a few feet apart hours before were now wide enough to drive a bus through. Surpassing 12 hours of hiking for the day, we all realized that while we’d succeeded at reaching the summit, we had yet to accomplish our ultimate task of returning home safely. Around this time one member of our group from Japan disappeared into the snow, silently swallowed by the mountain. Fortuitously, he was roped to a group of climbers. The ice bridge we all crossed gave way and the black hole into which he fell pulled the air from all of our collective lungs. His feet pedaled for a moment in the inky blackness before he managed to extract himself.

“Surpassing 12 hours of hiking for the day, we all realized that while we’d succeeded at reaching the summit, we had yet to accomplish our ultimate task of returning home safely. Around this time one member of our group from Japan disappeared into the snow, silently swallowed by the mountain.“

Step after step after step, like Sisyphus in reverse, we slogged downhill. But with Camp Schurman in sight and despite our weary spirits and aching knees, our pace quickened and we all skidded, slid and plunged down the snowfield then immediately into our tents to sleep.

In leaving Mount Rainier I couldn’t help but feel like I understood JanSport better. I arrived for the trip thinking about their ubiquitous school bags, and an ever-widening distance to their mountaineering roots. In the technical packs realm, JanSport is a serious player. Despite not exactly falling in love with the “suffer-fest” elements of climbing big mountains, I did find myself way, way out of my comfort zone, but enthusiastic about the experience – lingering alone before walking out of our last camp, hoping to soak in just one more minute in the wild. 

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But maybe instead you want a backpack that can reliably carry your work tools without taking a significant hit to your bank balance. Or how about an affordable and hard-wearing pack that can tackle the trails or keep you company on the plane. Great bags don’t need to cost a great amount of money. We know it can be tricky to track them down, but Sportique has you covered with some of their best backpacks under $150 presented below. Even better, Sportique are offering an awesome readership discount so you can bag them for less. Use the discount code SportiqueCarry10 to enjoy a 10% discount.

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Alite Designs Kincaid Pack

The Kincaid Pack offers compact carry for your outdoor and urban adventures alike. The drop-down separator in the bottom access compartment helps keep gear organized, while external attachment points accommodate bulky or awkwardly-shaped items such as tripods and trekking poles. Plus there’s a designated laptop pocket for up to 13-inch tech.

Boreas Echo 25 Backpack

Dark skies look threatening? The Echo 25 has your back. This pack forms part of Boreas Gear’s Waterproof series and will keep your gear dry whether you’re commuting or caught in a downpour during your travels. Plus the addition of zippered side pockets with drainage holes allows you to keep wet and dry gear separate if needed.

Boreas Topaz 25 Backpack

The Topaz 25 is a lightweight and versatile rolltop backpack that’s equally happy to haul your outdoor gear and your groceries. Handy features include an interior zipped pocket and concealed exterior daisy chain, as well as hydration bladder compatibility with a top access hose port so you can easily stay hydrated on the go.

Chrome Rostov Daypack

The Rostov packs plenty of features into its sleek form, including an interior padded laptop sleeve and internal pockets for organization, an exterior zippered front pocket for quick-access items, a side water bottle pocket, compression straps, shoulder strap attachment points and a sternum strap. Combine that all with Chrome’s rugged and ready-for-action construction and you’ve got a solid daypack that will handle work and play.

Crumpler Private Zoo Backpack

Prefer a minimalist approach to your carry? The Private Zoo backpack delivers with a pared-down design featuring an interior padded laptop sleeve and an external zippered pocket. The water-resistant construction helps protect your gear from the elements and the streamlined silhouette looks good in a range of settings.

Fjällräven Greenland Large Backpack

Durable and versatile, the Greenland backpack is constructed using rugged G-1000 HeavyDuty material and does double duty on city streets and outdoor rambles. The main compartment has a drawstring closure and an internal 15-inch laptop compartment with a padded base. An additional interior pocket provides storage for small items, while exterior front pockets keep frequently needed items within easy reach.

Fjällräven Kånken 15 Laptop Backpack

With a design dating from 1978, the Fjällräven Kånken is one of the most instantly recognizable bags in the carry world. Ready for urban EDC needs and happy to venture into nature on day outings, the pack features a padded compartment for a 15-inch laptop, a zipped front pocket, two side pockets, top carry handles and a reflective logo.

Incase Icon Compact Pack

Need to carry tech and like staying organized? The Icon Compact pack provides a padded laptop compartment that fits a 15-inch MacBook Pro, multiple internal organizer pockets, a zippered side pocket with integrated cable port, padded shoulder straps and a sternum strap for carry comfort. In addition, its urban-friendly looks work well for the office, campus, travel or general about-town use.

Incase Reform Tensaerlite 15″ Laptop Backpack

If you want to boost the protection your devices have on the go, the Reform backpack is ready to stand in the way of bumps and scrapes. An impact-absorbing interior Tensaerlite compartment keeps your laptop fully covered and secure. Internal pockets also keep smaller items organized, while external zippered side pockets store your quick-access items. The top carry handle provides additional portability and the heathered fabric and sleek silhouette enhance the pack’s city style.

JanSport Portal Backpack

Stuffed with pockets left, right and center (literally) and coming in at a wallet-friendly price, the Portal backpack is just the ticket if you want a bag that will organize your work/school tools and devices without breaking the bank. The interior features a 15-inch laptop sleeve, 10-inch tablet sleeve, and lots of pockets for smaller bits and pieces. In addition, two side mesh pockets and zippered easy-access front pockets provide fast access to a water bottle and other items you want to be able to grab in a jiffy.

Kletterwerks Market Bag

From moseying around your local market or meeting up with friends, to heading to the gym or taking care of everyday tasks, this flexible bag is ready to get stuck in. A padded laptop sleeve takes care of your tech, while a tote handle and backpack straps provide carry options to suit different environments.

Topo Designs Daypack

Whether your trips are around town or further afield, this tough and functional daypack can handle a range of carry needs, from hauling work gear to serving as your day bag during sightseeing explorations. The rugged 1000D Cordura construction will hold up to frequent use, and a choice of exterior and interior pockets plus leather lash tabs lets you organize smaller and larger items to suit your access requirements.

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But Greg’s numerous activities, from mountaineering and surfing to cycling and skiing, ignited a spark to find the best bag for each activity. Fanned by his 15-plus years in the outdoor industry – with easy access to a variety of heavily discounted or free (carry jackpot!) bags – that spark became a flame and eventually an inferno. More than happy to add fuel to the fire, we asked Greg to tell us more about his hot collection…

What was the very first piece in your collection? And do you remember where and why you picked it up?

Well, if we’re talking my first carry piece, it would probably have been a long-gone book bag for elementary school. Most likely a JanSport or Eastpak bag. If we’re talking about the piece I’ve had in my collection the longest, it would have to be my Zo Messenger Bag or Great Pacific Iron Works early 70’s climbing pack. I picked both up used at yard sales because I recognized the labels as being a rare find and just liked how they looked.

When did you begin to feel more than what might be called an “average obsession” for bags?

Not too long after starting to work in the outdoor specialty retail business. I had access to tons of amazing products at serious discount, or sometimes even free. The first shop I worked at sold used goods as well as new, so the opportunity to get hands-on experience with unique carry options was really amazing. I started to regularly rotate out one pack, duffel or bag for another, always looking for the ideal option. For a while, I would give away, sell or exchange a bag for what I deemed an improvement, keeping things in balance and owning just a few. Eventually, I found myself justifying keeping a few more. I was beginning to see the need for diverse carry options for my many different activities. That’s when the problem really began. My varied interests include (or have included) extensive traveling, cycling, fly fishing, surfing, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, climbing/mountaineering, drumming, backpacking, paddling, and raising a family. It’s easy to justify a specific carry option for each activity, right?

What do you look for? What makes a bag a must-have?

Over the years, what I look for in a bag has changed in some ways, and stayed the same in other aspects. I used to go for more technical options, and then lighter-weight options, but always gravitating towards US-made product with carry comfort taking priority (that’s when the messenger bags started to go away). These days, I still lean heavily towards durable, US-made backpacks, most often built with classic 500/1000 denier Cordura. I really dig the aesthetics and unique design of some of the more cycling-specific oriented brands (Road Runner, ILE, BaileyWorks).

“It’s easy to justify a specific carry option for each activity, right?“

Necessary features include a decent sized, easy-access outside zip pocket for quick-grab items (keys, wallet, sunglasses), bottle pockets, comfortable harness system, and relatively clean look. Historically I have preferred panel-loading bags (zippered main compartment) for quick and easy access, but have been favoring top loaders and flap packs lately. I appreciate the simplicity and lack of things that can go wrong with this sort of design. Not too much to ask for, right? But, as you folks at Carryology are well aware, this can be more challenging than one would think. 

Do you have a certain fetish? A brand crush?

Fetishes, well, I already mentioned classic Cordura materials in bags. I love how amazingly durable these materials can be, as well as the character it takes on over time. Brand crush, well that’s always changing as well when I discover brands along the way. BaileyWorks out of New Hampshire is a long-time favorite. Their bags are about the most bomber bags I’ve ever come across, and still a small, made-to-order operation. I recently discovered Road Runner bags out of LA. They are also producing extremely tough products on a small scale, with smart design and looks. Topo Designs out of Colorado is another favorite.

Was there anything from the past that you hesitated on that you would kill to have now?

Ah yes, the “Why didn’t I grab that bag when I had the chance.” There have been a few, but a Dana Design pack when they were still made in Bozeman stands out. I had a number of opportunities to pick up one of their bags, but never did, and then they were gone. I know Mystery Ranch keeps the tradition alive, but there was something about some of those classic Dana packs that I miss.

“[I] have been favoring top loaders and flap packs lately. I appreciate the simplicity and lack of things that can go wrong with this sort of design.“

How many bags do you have in your quiver? Can you run us through an itemized list?

ROAD RUNNER ANYTHING PACK, MED (ALL OPTIONS) = My current EDC/bike commute bag. Custom-made in LA, waterproof, great organization, materials and looks.

GREAT PACIFIC IRON WORKS “FISH PACK” =  Early 70’s pre-Patagonia brand rucksack. Named for the odor that still permeates it.

ZO BAG MESSENGER = One of the original messenger bag brands from the mid 80’s, I think. Simple, practical, indestructible and all made by Erik Zo.

BAILEY SUPER PRO MED = Messenger bag. Great over-the-shoulder carry system

BAILEY CITI PACK = Larger capacity bike commute bag. Bomber.

BAILEY POUCH (My camera bag)

BAILEY WHALEMOUTH DUFFEL, CAMO MED = Weekend trip bag in cool pattern

TOPO KLETTERSACK  22L, all-black Ballistic Cordura = My go-to do anything pack

GREGORY TARGHEE 25 = Backcountry ski pack

BLACK DIAMOND BANDIT = Small ski pack

CAMELBAK MILSPEC M.U.L.E. = Mountain bike hydration

BLACK DIAMOND QUANTUM = Multi-day backpacking pack made with Xpac fabric

PATAGONIA BLACK HOLE DUFFEL 60L = Go-to gear hauler

PAT HYBRID FISHING PACK/VEST = Unique specialty rig for fly fishing

PAT FISHING DUFFEL = Dual compartment duffle. One side waterproof, the other mesh so wet things can dry out during transport.

PAT MLC = Go-to carry-on luggage piece that converts to a backpack

MOUNTAINSMITH BIG-ASS ROLLING BAG = Everything goes in it for extended travels.

MOUNTAINSMITH WORLD CUP = Unusual design US-made late 80’s Cordura 500 daypack

SEALLINE URBAN PACK, MED = Great waterproof pack for bike commuting and paddling

ILE SADDLE BAG = Holds the essentials for flat tire fix, plus its Multi-cam pattern is cool

OSPREY DAYLITE (40th ANNIVERSARY PROMO EDITION) = Great for day trips on the road

MYSTERY RANCH SWEET PEA = Bomber daypack/overnight bag

PATAGONIA SURFBOARD BAG = Padded and made with reflective metallic fabric so wax doesn’t melt

JANDD SNOWBOARD BAG = Long discontinued, bomber bag carries two boards and converts to a backpack

How do you store your collection?

The collection is mostly stored in large Rubbermaid containers and on hooks in my “gear cave”. The hooks are mostly occupied by bags that are in frequent rotation, are drying out, or contain gear that gets transferred to whatever I happen to be carrying that day. Most often daypacks, fishing setups, cycling and ski packs. I always keep my current EDC bag loaded up near the front door.

Can you tell us a favorite carry memory? Or a memory garnered whilst wearing a particular piece?

I lived out of one relatively small pack for a month on my honeymoon in Ecuador. It was a 30L Arc’teryx pack that I had used for years on climbing and overnight camping trips. During this amazing adventure, the bag experienced backs of pick-ups, roofs of buses on very sketchy roads, shoved under seats, dog attacks, stomach bugs, near altitude sickness and dehydration, SO much mud, sandy beaches, rotten taxis, amazing hikes, rainy mountain bike rides, ornery pack horses, riot police, volcanoes, over-friendly Alpacas and local children, culinary delights – all the while stuffed to seam-breaking capacity. It had to be permanently retired after that trip. I believe it made the voyage home in a plastic garbage bag. That’s not a criticism of the pack, but is a testament to its amazing durability and comfort after the intense abuse it suffered. Like letting go of some very well used, high-quality socks that have seen all the trail they can take, and well, just need to go away.

“I lived out of one relatively small pack for a month on my honeymoon in Ecuador.”

If your house was burning down and you only had enough time to grab one bag, which one would it be and why? 

When you’ve lived through disaster that destroyed your home, you don’t really want to imagine another one, let alone what bag to grab. I suppose it would be whatever bag I was carrying that day, as it would be near the front door.

What’s next on the wish list?

Wish list, well I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m pretty darn satisfied with my quiver options at this point. But, I’m always on the lookout for that elusive unicorn…

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What was the very first piece in your collection? And do you remember where and why you picked it up? 

I remember it well and still have the bag in my collection.  A blue, leather-bottomed Gerry daypack.  The pack is similar to the more popular Sierra Designs teardrop daypack, but the Gerry was a few dollars less at the time and money was very tight in those days.  I bought the pack around 1980 when I was in high school.  I used the pack during high school, through college, and took it to Europe a couple of times.  I grew up in a small town in central Minnesota (Lake Wobegon if you are a Prairie Home Companion fan) and bought the pack at a long since gone ski shop in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  I cannot remember the exact store name, might have been called North Star Ski Shop, but I do recall the street corner on which it was located.

When did you begin to feel more than what might be called an “average obsession” for bags? 

At the point I could no longer walk through my gear room because the floor was covered by a massive pile of packs I began to think I may have a problem.  The hard part with collecting things is deciding what to keep and what to part with.  Not an easy task because many of the packs in my collection are unique to the era and to the companies who made them.  Many of the companies are now long gone or no longer resemble their former selves.

“At the point I could no longer walk through my gear room because the floor was covered by a massive pile of packs I began to think I may have a problem.”

I never had a particular drive to collect packs, for many years I had a daypack or two, an internal frame backpack and an external frame backpack and that was fine.  Then along came the Internet and eBay and suddenly there were countless vintage packs I always wanted to try, but were no longer made or the companies had long since disappeared.  At that point I got hooked.

The obvious question: why collect?

I collect backpacks from the 1970’s and early 1980’s.  Essentially I collect packs I wanted to own and use when I was younger but could not afford at that time.  Now I have a very large collection of vintage packs and I make an attempt to use a different backpack on each trip I take.  I am three years from being an empty nester and my free time for quick weekend trips will increase so I can see a day when I can get out more often and give each pack a proper field test.

What do you look for? What makes a bag a must-have? 

Mostly I am after classic brands from the 1970’s and 1980’s. I want packs I can use on backpacking and winter camping trips.  There are far too many great packs to collect from that era and I find it very difficult to narrow down which specific packs I want to own.  If I find a knock-off of a Rivendell Jensen that is a must-have.  I have at least a half dozen or more copies of that pack.  I never cease to be amazed at how many companies made variations or outright copies of the Jensen.

“…many of the packs in my collection are unique to the era and to the companies who made them.  Many of the companies are now long gone or no longer resemble their former selves.“

At the moment I have all the packs I want or need.  I type that sentence and then I look at eBay and see a far too modestly priced Lowe Alpine Lhotse, a JanSport Alpine Phantom, and a Schonhofen backpack.  At some point I will have to pare down my collection, but I don’t know when that will happen or which packs will be the ones to go.

Do you have a certain fetish? A brand crush? 

Rivendell Mountain Works with a bullet.  Back in the day I read all the original Backpacker magazines, of which I have since collected the first decade of back issues.  Backpacker did wonderful gear reviews at that time.  In Backpacker #5 they did a review of weekend packs.   The last sentence of the Jensen review reads; “This pack is a classic; we found it the most comfortable one we tested.” 

That sentence stuck with me and I remained intrigued with the Jensen pack since.  By the time I could afford a Jensen the company was long gone. Then along came the Internet and I managed to track down Eric Hardee, this was before he started up Rivendell with a dedicated website.  I bought a Giant Jensen from him.  At the time he was making the packs on a word of mouth basis.  I have to admit, given the right-sized load for the pack, the Jensen carries remarkably well.  The design is pure genius, the perfect blend of form and function.

Between the modern Rivendell company and eBay I have nearly one of everything Rivendell made.  I need to order a NorthStar from Eric and that will complete my softpack collection from Rivendell.  Rivendell also made a packbag mounted to an external frame called the Fallen Arches.  I’d buy one in a heartbeat but the likelihood of ever finding one is small, I can’t imagine Rivendell made many of those.  At one point I had a Rivendell Bombshelter tent but I passed it along to a friend who lives in the mountains and may actually have a chance to use it in conditions for which it was designed.

At the moment my Rivendell Cerro Torre is on loan to Eric for R&D in hopes of possibly making a modern version.

In second place would be Hine Snowbridge.  I always liked the no-frills designs of the HS packs and their packs are very well constructed.  By random Internet searching and dumb luck I stumbled upon the Hine brothers who owned the company.  They have been very gracious toward me over the years in terms of answering my endless questions about their packs.

Was there anything from the past that you hesitated on that you would kill to have now? 

I bought, and then resold, a JanSport Great Sack and every so often I wish I still had that pack; same with a JanSport Alpine Phantom.

How many bags do you have in your collection? Can you run us through an itemized list? 

Digging through my pile took me a bit, bear with me, this may take a while.  Most of the packs below are internal frame packs or soft packs unless noted.

Camp Ways: Jensen Copy

Cannondale: External frame pack

Class-5: Mousetrap; Backex; Mountaineer

Chouinard: Ultima Thule

Cooke Custom Sewing: four packs specifically designed for canoeing, these are all modern

Eagle Creek: Saker II

Gerry: Makalu, Teardrop day pack

Hine Snowbridge: Alpha; Alpha Special; Serex; internal frame pack made for Hine Snowbridge by Serratus of Canada; Tamarack; Omega; Silverton (external frame pack); 3 day packs; 3 fanny packs; 1 duffle bag; soft-sided briefcase

JanSport: D2 (external frame pack); Bushpack (external frame pack, modified with D-series suspension system); Framesack (original with leather bottom)

JD Sachs Wilderness Outfitters: Panel opening internal frame pack

Kelty: Tour Pack; Sonora (external frame pack); vintage duffle bag

Karrimor: Joe Brown Extendable

Kletterwerks: Terraplane; large daypack (might be the Matterhorn)

Lowe Alpine: NOLS version of the Expedition pack; Travel Kinnikinnick; NOLS issue Alpine Attack daypack

Madden: Internal frame pack; daypack

Mountain Master: Jensen copy

MSR: External frame pack (don’t remember the name, custom packbag mounted to a modified JanSport frame)

North Face:  Moraine

Paul Petzoldt Wilderness Equipment: External frame pack, basically a modified Kelty BB5

REI: Co-Op soft pack (hybrid Jensen clone)

Rivendell Mountain Works: Jensen original; Jensen after zipper moved to shoulder strap side of pack; Giant Jensen; Dr. Expando; Cerro Torre; Larkspur; Lupine; Mariposa; Hip Hugger; Elf Pouch; Half Moon; Baguette Paquet

Sierra West: Ultralight overnight pack (can’t remember the name, back when they came out with a series of ultralite packs before ultralight was a thing)

Synergy Works: Panel loader internal frame pack with all the optional pockets

Synergy Systems (after Synergy Works sold out to Robertson Systems): Large top loader internal frame pack

Wilderness Experience: Quicksilver; ROR; Travel Arête

Yak Works: Super Alpinist; Alpinist

I counted over 60 in that list, somewhat surprised it wasn’t a higher number.

How do you store it all? And does your spouse understand, ha!

When we bought our house we were moving from a one-bedroom basement apartment to a four-bedroom, two-storey house with a full basement.  We lived in the basement apartment while my wife was in graduate school.  Needless to say our house was empty when we moved in.  One of the reasons I wanted this particular house was it had a storage room in the basement which I could claim for my gear room.  I knew that if I could keep my gear buried in that room my wife would better tolerate the mess.  Out of sight, out of mind.  22 years later it still works.

Can you tell us a favorite carry memory? Or a memory garnered whilst wearing a particular piece? You were wearing your ––––––– when this happened…

Perhaps my favorite carry memory is from my NOLS mountaineering trip in 1993. I had wanted to take a NOLS trip for a very long time and finally had the combination of available cash and time off of work.  My pack with all the climbing gear and food weighed 66 pounds.  In spite of the obscene weight I was surprised at how well the Lowe Expedition pack handled the weight.  I was quite impressed with the comfort (which at 66 pounds is relative) along with the pack’s stability.

If your house was burning down and you only had enough time to grab one bag, which one would it be and why?  

Paul Petzoldt Wilderness Equipment (PPWE) external frame pack.  The likelihood that I ever find another one is quite small.  Most everything else I own I could replace via eBay over time.  I’ve seen exactly one PPWE pack in 15 years of watching eBay.

What’s next on the wish list? 

I stopped actively looking for packs a few years ago, now I mostly stumble upon them from more casual web surfing, eBay and craigslist, or an occasional stroll through a thrift store.  I’ll eventually order a Rivendell NorthStar from Eric Hardee, probably later this year. 

“I never cease to be amazed at how many companies made variations or outright copies of the Jensen.“

I’ll buy any Jensen knock-off I find.

Lowe Alpine Systems made a pack called the Triolet which was basically a smaller version of the Lowe Alpine Expedition pack.  That would be fun to have for short trips.  Maybe a JanSport Alpine Phantom which was a marvel of engineering back in the day.  I’ve no real interest in modern packs.  There are plenty of wonderful modern packs on the market today but I have no need for one and it is simply quite fun for me to use vintage packs on backpacking trips.

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And hey, if we’re being kinda exacting (aka Carryologists), it should be versatile, too. If the travel bug bites down hard and fast, you want a pack that adapts on the fly, right?

This year, many a pack ticked the above boxes with elegance and mastery – carry is alive and well. In this category, refinement shined, and brands from around the globe darted a fierce hand in the air and announced their presence. Exciting times, peeps!!

So, without further ado…

Your voting form is latched to the bottom of this post. You have two votes to use as you will…

Allocate your 1st choice with 2 points

And your 2nd choice just with the 1 point. 

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Haglofs Vike 25

If this award was purely for charisma, we think the Vike might win hands down. This top-heavy design has a playfulness that makes you want to sling it on your back and skip down the garden path. Classic fabrics, understated tech, and harmonious design elements are all worthy of our respect.

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RAWROW R Bag 130

South Korea is so hot right now. There’s a fresh yet restrained design language that is finding it’s way into numerous brands we want the world to know about. RAWROW make carry that fits in great at work, but doesn’t feel like you’ve given up life for a suit. Whether you want to carry as a backpack or a briefcase, the RAWROW range feel at home as either, with all the pockets and zones that make work life easy.

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Aer Duffel Pack

Aer mix a gym and work bag to great effect. This SF Kickstarter startup have created a zoned form that genuinely handles work and play needs, without looking forced or out of place at either. It’s understated, sleek, and its first run sold out. Nice one, Aer!

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Alchemy Equipment 30L Daypack

Alchemy Equipment is the brainchild of the former creative director and co-owner of Macpac, and a few of the crew that came across with him, who’ve hit the ground running with a super mature range of muted colors and compelling pattern making. While there are loads of interesting packs in their range, we’re really liking the balance of their 30 Litre Daypack – a great blend of capacity and restraint.

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Tailfeather Wanderer

Go on, try and take your eyes off it. This is a design so entirely in balance between material and form that your leather has to be perfect, or the whole design would sag and fail. But they are perfect. And somehow, they get better with age. The Wanderer is unmistakably Tailfeather, which means heirloom product that isn’t a slave to the past. This is leather sculpture that has utility and well resolved features.

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Teranishi Venture

It’s great seeing Teranishi and Tailfeather both nominated this year, as while they are on opposite side of the globe, they share an artisan vibe that is somehow familiar. Instead of firm leather as their material of choice, Teranishi give you soft and accommodating canvas with washes and prints. The Venture has the classic wanderlust appeal of a roll-top, but with enough pocketing and access points that it won’t frustrate you for access. Slim, versatile, lovely.

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Haglofs RYGGSÄCK

With two nominations in the one category – you know Haglofs must be doing lots right. The RYGGSÄCK is a passion project for Haglofs, which draws on 100 years of backpacks for them. Essentially, it takes a 100 year old design (the No. 6), modernises the silhouette (think a bit of Chrome Ivan to its shape), mixes in some heritage mood, and then totally reinvents it all in a modern package sourced from all local ingredients. This is a huge achievement that results in a unique and very expressive pack, which can turn heads and stoke owners.

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CO.ALITION Colfax PHD

The problem with most tech integration in backpacks is that your tech is out of date in a year, and your backpack should last 10 (at least). The Colfax gets around this by making clever compromises and modular sections, leaving you free for all of the gains with very few of the pains. And these guys know packs, as the pair behind MHM and their innovative outdoor packs.

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Able Archer Rucksack

It’s an urban military tactical fashion vibe, in a tub opening that somehow feels fresh. The AA Rucksack is a hugely customisable pack that elevates it’s MOLLE compatible webbing to art, giving you a pack you can configure for cameras, travel, work or play. Kinda rad eh…?

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Helinox TERG All-way Square

Seriously, do we need yet another generic backpack with heritage pig-snout and slouchy format? Thank you Helinox, for doing something different, rad and between categories. It’s like a tote, messenger, and backpack, and looks utilitarian and totally fashion. Here’s a bag to defy convention, yet carry work tools with ease. Oh, and unsurprisingly, they’re South Korean.

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Incase ICON

The return of a classic, now updated for today’s tech. Incase has new energy, the return of it’s founding CEO, and a pack that once again will stoke office workers or tech travellers around the globe. The ICON is the larger version, with a Compact iteration that works well for smaller folk. Good to have you guys back and charging.

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JanSport Platform

We like to emphasise value over price at Carryology, but sometimes that means you’re left staring at a lot of zeros. With the JanSport Platform, you get a super affordable pack that will work for study or office, weekend or work week, and do so without feeling like you cut corners. Well done JanSport, and thanks for continuing to stoke so many folk at such affordable prices.

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VOTE NOW!

*Voting closes 22nd Feb.

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So it is with this in mind that we descended into Salt Lake to mine the most magnificent caravan of Carryology curiosities.

Duluth Pack Co.

It’s always nice to see some classic bags at OR. The folks at Duluth Pack welcomed us with their characteristic mid-western friendliness. They clearly have a lot of pride in their products, each being signed by the sewer. You rock, Carol!

Topo Designs

Topo seems to be a brand defying the industry expectation. I love a company who makes a simple pack that you can take hiking or live day-to-day out of without being either too urban or too tech. Their popularity continues to grow – a bellwether of customers seeking durable, simple products that will stand the test of time. As new products in the line tend to gear more toward functionality, expanding beyond their pared-down patterning, the tenuous balance of their simple roots begins.

Alchemy

Everyone I talked to kinda freaked out a bit when they found Alchemy Equipment. Rarely have I seen products so stellar right out of the gates from a new brand. This New Zealand brand jumped into Outdoor Retailer with both feet, stealing the show. Veilance by Arc’teryx comes to mind, yet feels more humble and less ostentatious than the fashion-forward product. Subtle patterning cues carry over from their clothing line, and expertly craft the oft-sought balance between form and function. Expect to hear a lot more from Alchemy in the future on Carryology.

Mystery Ranch

We love the folks at Mystery Ranch. As a carry geek of the highest order, a visit to Mystery Ranch is always awesome. They get it. They understand materials like few other companies in the industry. Their quality control is unrivaled. Their products are well considered, smartly patterned and expertly crafted. Keep your ear to the ground for an exciting announcement coming from these folks. Some products at the show were under media embargo! I want to tell you! I really do!

Check out the massive Flight Monster Duffel, designed for the needs of Wildland Firefighters, but would be a great fit for those who need a stunningly overbuilt and wildly versatile 100L duffel.

Also check out the Java. A new daypack from the Ranch. I expect this 21L urban pack will make waves with the EDC/office set, particularly in the Midnight colorway. I know I want one.

Arva

Ski packs apparently went full euro this year, and loud colors were on parade at Outdoor Retailer. We haven’t seen this much fluorescent since the 1990s. Featured here is the Rescuer 30 and 32, designed for skiing with easy access to emergency equipment.

Incase

The ReForm Collection from Incase really caught our collective eyes. The brand sourced Ecoya Brand fabrics, which are post consumer plastic bottles then solution dyed – lending a wooly look that was easy on the eye. I personally loved the combination of highlighter yellow and grey in this series. It simply worked whereas many other brands attempted this balancing act and failed miserably.

Incase also developed a system of carry for the GoPro and Sony Action Cam markets, building cases which not only organize and protect your stuff, but do so in a sleek, sexy way. Yeah, I said sexy. I want a GoPro just so I can demo this kit.

Peak Design

I ran into the folks from Peak Design everywhere. On day one, founder Peter Dering witnessed the sad state of affairs with my “round the neck” style carry, and offered one of his “Slide” camera straps as a replacement. I took him up on the offer, and had a better show because of it. As a Carryologist, I was disappointed in myself for not knowing better, or seeking a better way. For this, I will receive 10 lashings.

KAVU

We poked into KAVU to say hi, as their offices are right down the street from where I live in Seattle. They toured us around their booth a bit, and pulled out these crazy patterned sling packs, with straps made of 4 soft adjacent ropes, adjustable with a standard SR buckle. They mentioned it was their bestselling Paxton Pack – and despite the seizure I had after taking this photo, I think if the wild colors had a place, it would be on this bag.

Osprey

Okay, I have to say I was bummed to miss perhaps the biggest carry scoop at OR Summer 2014 with the Osprey Atmos and Aura series packs. The treat is the AntiGravity suspension design, which floats the load off your body by a clever combination of fabric tension and a nifty frame; so there is Air between your hips, back and shoulders and the pack. Super neat, and not nearly as cool as seeing it and wearing it on your own. It is like Occulus Rift for your back. Game Changer. Also featured is the lightweight Exos 38 and 58L packs.

Gregory

Gregory, if you’ve heard the news, was recently sold to Samsonite. Since being purchased by Black Diamond only 4 years ago the pack maker continues to expand their offerings.

CiloGear

CiloGear has been a brand we’ve been following for a number of years now, and have simplicity on their mind at all times. They work hard to minimize waste material, and are known for the exclusive use of the amazing combination of woven and non-woven Dyneema. While you can spend as much as $1500 on their Ultimate Mountaineering Pack, more humble material options bring a smaller version of the bag, the WorkSack, down to $182. All for a product made in Portland, Oregon from mostly American-made materials. Rad.

Filson

Filson had a few tricks up their sleeve for this show. The brand it seems has been wrestling with avenues of growth while maintaining the reputation of durability and construction they are known for. We were baffled by some design choices with their waterproof collection, such as the cheap poly webbing and shoulder strap positions – and the whole thing didn’t seem in step with their line. On the other hand, a canvas “maximum legal carry-on” piece hit the mark for today’s traveler’s needs, and the new nylon backpacks could very well give the Fjallraven Kånken a run for its money.

Patagonia

Patagonia vexes me a bit, but I’ve sought and received answers to some of the questions I have about their product. Why would they re-release some of their old packs from the Chouinard days and not use leather lash tabs? Turns out, Patagonia won’t use leather in their products except their shoes. Oh, an exception is made for an item from which the material may provide exceptional strength? How about a lash tab then? Well, not so fast. Wolverine, the company making the shoes for Patagonia, has dumped the manufacturer of the Ventura, California company’s shoes – Patagonia’s footwear line has been cut to zero. Now, where were we?

Timbuk2

One of my favorite things to do at OR is run over to Timbuk2 to chat up Greg Bass, Director of Product and Design for the brand. Of all the companies attempting relevance with their target demo, Greg’s vision is leading the industry. Every product resonates with me because they seem to hit their design objectives so square-on.

New stuff from them includes the Impossible Collection, a combination of technical elements from the Especial Collection merged with the more classically oriented Distilled Collection. While I think the trampoline frame is a little messy on the messenger bag, I loved the Fidlock buckles and unique leather flap.

Also featured is an update to their now ubiquitous Especial messenger bag, featuring mitering on the flap for ease of access while wearing it, plus a host of other details.

Dakine

Dakine came to the show with a showroom packed with new carry. I found a couple pieces I really liked, including an update to the Heli Pro, which I’d love to put head to head vs. the original one that gave the brand its carry cred for hardcore skiers. Does the new one continue that legacy, or are they trading on the past? Criticism sandwich time: Great colors! Use better materials! You guys are always stoked to see Carryology, and we like that.

We can’t wait to come down and visit you in Hood River!

The North Face

TNF has a booth the size of a Walmart, it must have cost ten million dollars. I never got the grand tour of the place, but I did catch the awesome new ABS modular avalanche bag system they launched. The bag mates with any pack you want to travel with in the backcountry, so long as it is over 12L in volume. You unpack it from its carrying case and strap it to the pack of your choice, pull on the leg loops which are used in lieu of a secondary waistbelt, mate the shoulder straps to the ones on your pack, set up the pull-handle and you’re off. Basically.

I want to try jumping my bike into a lake and inflating it in the air, and I’m still not sure why.

Dynafit

Most of OR was packed with bags that looked like this…

Salewa

And this. Bright colors that smacked of the part of the 1990s that never happened.

Crux

Crux is a new company making mountaineering packs with a blend of Cordura and Kevlar – the US importer John Campbell is an old-pack junkie and enjoys making reproduction vintage alpine packs. A man after my own heart. Featured here is their AK line of packs as well as their MAG (urban) series of carry.

Quadcopter carry sling roaming the halls

JanSport

JanSport is excited this year, and more excited yet to see us come through their doors. The Alameda, California company has been making strides toward bettering their quality and image.

There was a lot to see at JanSport, and I hope to see more in the future. They’ve been keeping busy with collaborations such as the Jansport x HippyTree collab, and I particularly enjoyed the LRG (Lifted Research Group) collaboration utilizing fabric supplied by Dimension Polyant. The material was also used on their collaboration project with International Mountain Guides under the Guide Series name. We liked the alternate hip belts, it makes the pack more versatile for different types of use, which is what it’s all about. This pack might have logos which are perfect for professional athlete use, but, for me, they are WAY TOO MUCH for normal branding.

Thule

Thule is at a point where they don’t constantly need to explain why/how they are making packs – and I’m sure they are excited about that. I understand how people don’t immediately make the leap, but get it. It is all carry after all. The question simply becomes what/who is carrying it.

Here is the Thule Upslope 20. I like the side access zipper, it’s clever without being cheeky.

EVOC

Bravo EVOC. These packs look great. Having done a road test on the FR Enduro 16 way back in 2013, I know to keep an eagle eye on their products. It makes me happy that they are starting to make waves over here in the old U-S-of-A. My comments about the Guide Series JanSport packs apply here too. TOO MUCH BRANDING. Screening your logo 50 times on each bag doesn’t make it a pattern. Your packs are awesome already, guys! This looks like…too much.

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The post JanSport ‘Superbreak’ Daypack appeared first on Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry.

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Douglas: Skip, thank you so much for taking the time to just catch up and talk about bags today. Jumping into the questions, as far as your perspective, did you ever think that JanSport was going to be such an iconic brand that would define youth culture? I know it wasn’t necessarily what you started the brand out to be, but it’s pretty remarkable to see where it’s at today, and the perception of it. 

Skip: We started off as a backpacking and mountaineering company making packs for those activities. But early on, there was one point where I thought, “Well, this may become a bigger thing.” We were selling in the University of Washington. They had a bookstore, and the bookstore had a unique situation. They had a sport shop right in the center that was selling Alpine skis, tennis, and backpacking and mountaineering gear. 

And of course we were selling them our backpacking and mountaineering packs, and we designed the bag called the Ski And Hike. We were the very first to put a zipper in a big panel pack versus a top loader with a flap, and we extended that into the small Ski And Hike, which is really meant for day-hiking and cross-country skiing, which was really big at the time. 

We had made these really small bags with a zipper in them and one outside pocket, and the bookstore buyer called me one day and said, “Skip, because it rains so much, students are starting to buy your Ski And Hike and putting their books inside. You got to put something on the bottom.” So we put some vinyl at first and then leather later on. And he told his buddies in Oregon and Idaho, and we became real good friends with the buyer. And he said, “You know, you guys ought to start selling in college bookstores.” And as we started to do that, at the time I told Murray, “You know, I think potentially this bookbag daypack business of ours could be much bigger than our outdoor business.” And obviously down the road that’s what happened. 

Douglas: Obviously based off your history you have a passion for the outdoors and adventure. Did you ever find yourselves at a crossroads where you had to decide, “Whoa, do we go a little bit more after this daypack business versus staying true to our roots by just focusing on outdoor equipment?” What was that process of thinking?

Skip: Yeah, we were still very motivated for the outdoor side of the business because it was great for the image of the brand. It really taught us a lot of things from workmanship and materials that would benefit the bookbags. And I think part of it was our passion for what we really enjoyed doing and why we started the business. So as we progressed on with that business, equally on the same side we were making the first dome tents, and then sleeping bags, and really rounding out that backpack and mountaineering side – which sometimes you have a little bit of luck and we did in the sense that for a lot of the young students and college kids of those days, backpacking and escaping was becoming very fun and cool. It was right with the times. From the very start, there were only really a handful of outdoor brands, and we were at the right place at the right time and had the motivation to keep going.

But during the growth of the bookbag daypack business, it gave us diversity in the sense of distribution, of selling our product. And to be just pigeonholed to the outdoor specialty shop back in the ‘70s and early ‘80s was tough for a lot of brands when there became too many brands and too much competition. When I go through my old magazines from that era back then, there are so many names that are no longer around. And it was just because of not being real diverse. I think that was another side that wasn’t really beneficial to the brand long-term.

Douglas: All great points. As far as how the product evolved, when you start thinking about the materials and the sections, nowadays we designers are all spoiled because we can go to the Internet and just search around, or you can go down to your local REI or outdoor store and basically just kind of educate yourself on the fly. At that time when you guys were starting, what was your process as far as educating yourself around materials and different resources that you had?

Skip: Yeah, I think that’s a good point, because back at that time you had all the fabric mills and everything down in the South, and New England had the hardware parts, and Southern California had foam. And we would have sales reps that would call on us showing their wares in a sense. And these people, obviously very knowledgeable, had been selling these kinds of fabrics to other types of industries. So many things evolved out of – as it still does today to some degree – out of the military developing a raw material, and then later one gets used by the general manufacturers, and consumers benefit. 

In 1970 one of the sales reps who sold a lot of cloth in Southern California had this new fabric that was a tire yarn. And it didn’t work out in tire so they wove it into fabric. And it wasn’t branded at that time, but later on became branded Cordura. And we got the very first 50-yard bolt of that. We made up some samples and everybody thought it was a real rugged canvas, although it was a nylon and it was obviously very durable, somewhat expensive, and somewhat heavy. But that launched us from the basic frame pack cloth we had been using to 420 nylon. We went into that Cordura, which really kind of set us apart from any other bags of that time. Then later on with the evolution of fabrics, we moved into a lighter Cordura 5000 – or a 500 by 1000. Then we evolved into the 600 Denier Polyester, which is obviously the staple today, because it was a little bit lighter. 

And one of our kind of disciplines over the years, it was really easy to make very expensive, amazing different designs but we also really wanted to make designs that were affordable for many consumers. And so a combination of all those factors ended up to kind of where the Superbreak is today, which is constantly evolving with prints and all sorts of other elements.

Douglas: As far as your perception of what makes Superbreak such a great product, why do you think it still resonates not only with the youth, but in general just the consumer who’s looking for a great bag?

Skip: Yeah, I think there is so much simplicity. Just a quick story – years ago I took my daughter in the showroom. She was in high school. There were 100 different styles in there, and I said, “Gwen, pick out the bag that you want for yourself for school.” And she went to the Superbreak. I was kind of shocked because we had some other really high-end bags with more pockets and everything else. And I said, “Why the Superbreak?” She said, “I really like the simplicity of it.” And so I think that’s always been a real key feature of it. 

Second of all, we were the first to put a zipper in a pack. We really created the look of that style. JanSport has always been an authentic company and an authentic brand. So when you go all the way back to 1970 and you start seeing all these JanSport packs, and mom would later on maybe buy one somewhere else and the straps would blow out, somebody else would say, “You got to buy a JanSport. They hold up. They have a lifetime warranty.” And so slowly over the years all that momentum and the confidence of the consumers and the goodwill of a great-quality product that we had made just kept building and building and building. And so we obviously had a history of the product, the simplicity of the design being very functional. But I think the durability and the quality aspect because some of the packs we used in mountaineering probably didn’t get as much abuse as the daypack being dragged around 365 days of the year. So all that history has continued worldwide now for quite a few years of that particular bag and the brand. 

I was just in the Philippines recently. We’ve had a long partner there for 16 years. You go to the college campuses which I’ve spoken in, many of which in the Philippines, and you see 80% of the bookbags are JanSport. It’s amazing. 

Douglas: Wow. You mentioned how you put the zipper on top basically as a main closure. Do you remember that time or that specific moment where you guys were just like, “Hey, why don’t we put a zipper on that front top and let’s see if it works?”

Skip: Yeah. One of our strengths from the very start was that Murray, Jan and I were motivated – it wasn’t always about the money – to create a business that fit our lifestyle and to be very innovative. And I think there was really a side of us that was very competitive. And as we would go out and test product every weekend and bring it back and try to improve upon it, we’d make up the prototypes and we developed a network of friends and climbers, and we had a very small retail store in the first factory at North Seattle. We had a cowbell on the door. Whenever the cowbell would ring, either Murray, Jan or myself would go out and wait on the customer, who was usually sent up to us by either Eddie Bauer, Triggers or REI. And they wanted something custom or unique. So we actually learned quite a bit from those hardcore customers, which is something I mentor the young people to do: really always understand the consumer, their needs, and what they’re doing. 

But in trying to get distribution farther than outside of Seattle, we would go and I would load up our blue delivery van and drive down to Oregon, over to Idaho and sometimes the fringe of Bozeman in Montana and then back. And so you would do your clinics and would show our bags versus at that time probably Kelty in the big packs area was our biggest competitor making their welded frame. Because of the panel load on it, there were so many different feature benefits that it really took off right away, and for the same feature benefits it extended down into the daypack bookbag. 

Douglas: I would say that over the last five years there has been a really big resurgence of vintage climbing, vintage outdoor, vintage workwear and so forth. But there’s a fine line between what’s stealing and what’s inspiring.  Do you look at it as flattering when you see companies out there taking something that’s really authentic to JanSport; and why do you think the youth culture gets sold into these fake stories from these other brands?

Skip: First of all, our boys and I prided ourselves in being very aware of what’s going on and what our competition is doing. But on the same end, I’m more concerned about staying one step ahead and being innovative. You’re just going to get product that gets copied, and that’s just a way of life unless you’re able to get a patent on it, which tends to be more in the hardware side of things. 

Douglas: To transition to your personal carry, when you look back in high school what was the equivalent bag? How did you carry books in high school, and what was your means of transportation back then?

Skip: When I was in high school, you carried your books under your arm, you put them in a locker, and the most creative thing anybody did was maybe tie a belt around the books. There was no daypack or bookbags. My first exposure to packs actually was my dad’s army pack. And when I joined the Boy Scouts and we were getting our hiking merit badge, I went to the army surplus store and bought an army surplus bag. That was my pack. And then later on I had a Trapper Nelson, which was actually a wood frame. I got that original bag. I gave it to Gary Neptune to put into Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colorado, where he has a big display of old packs and everything. So my exposure was a little bit unusual in the sense that there was no daypack or bookbag. And so we created that business out of the University of Washington. Before that you had big European climbing rucksacks. That was something that REI carried obviously back when they started their co-op here in Seattle. 

Douglas: That’s pretty rad. As far as the shoulder straps, maybe specifically on the Superbreak, how did you get to the shoulder straps that are current today, and has it been something that’s been carried over since the original Superbreak, or has it kind of evolved over time?

Skip: Yeah, it’s especially probably the pads. The design is made so much the same and similar and everything, but the evolution of better pads has always been because they get the most abuse, and everybody loads up almost more than they can carry. So early on, we established a lot of automation for making packs. There was just an automation of our production line as the volume grew. And that bag eventually even went to laser-cutting of the fabric, which was pretty creative back in the latter ‘80s and ‘90s. So all of those elements of that production, and the automation of it, helped us to stay in a very affordable and competitive price range, but obviously build in the quality of the product that we wanted to build into it with good raw materials.

Douglas: That’s pretty amazing to think about the innovation side. Speaking of innovation, last year I had the opportunity to go down South and see an automated production line for denim jeans. The Superbreak looks like it’s going to be an icon that continues to go out for generations. Have you ever dabbled in that world as far as manufacturing and the idea of automating a complete backpack?

Skip: Many of us are overseas in places where the labor is still very inexpensive relative to the United States. So there’s still that physical handwork on our particular products. Of course, denim jeans command in a lot of cases now a much, much higher price point to invest into the technology to do that automated equipment here in the United States. But at the end of the day, it’s up in that stratum of 7 For All Mankind, et cetera. So potentially we would like to actually see someday more manufacturing come back to the United States in our particular category. We just haven’t figured out a way to do it yet, but there are a lot of young, bright minds at JanSport. JanSport has never always been just Skip Yowell; there are a lot of great people through all the years, and we have a lot of great people who are smarter than I am today there who maybe hopefully can make some of those things happen.

Douglas: Absolutely. I’ve heard about the collection of items you’ve gathered during your various adventures. What inspired the collecting? 

Skip: My good friend Lou Whittaker had the guide service at Mount Rainier, and he’s the one who really taught me mountaineering. His twin brother, Jim Whittaker, was the first American to climb Everest in 1963. So I started going on expeditions with Lou. And we went to Tibet and Mount Everest in ’84, and I really learned from him on Mount Rainier. But Lou said, “You know, I always pick up something from my trips and expeditions. It reminds me when I’m back home about that experience.” So from that I was always also kind of a keeper of all our early products and photos and catalogues and magazines, and those bags that I dragged out of the basement are now in the JanSport Heritage line. And there are certain places in the world that we do an amazing amount of business with our heritage packs. It’s almost hard for me to believe sometimes. So saving a lot of those things has always been to an advantage from the business side, but from a personal side I’ve always just been really fascinated with product. I still love product, and I have an old mercantile building that’s full of wooden skis and all sorts of things that are in some ways an indirect influence to pack products that today we have. 

The Skip Yowell collection has been a fun project with lead designer Eric Rothenhaus. We keep adding a couple new products, and a couple products will go away. But it has a real heritage look with leather and really quality materials, but also really contemporary features on the inside to fit today’s lifestyle with laptops and iPads and electronics and adventure travel and urban travel. So you always have to keep moving forward.

Douglas: Right. I know you’ve got to go through the challenges of just owning a business, selling a business, and you’ve been very fortunate to continue to be a part of the brand. I’m sure you could have checked out at any time that you wanted. But what kept you involved, and what was that driving force? And the second part of that question is, I’m sure there were some tough times especially in starting a new brand – what made you never quit?

Skip: Yeah, there were some tough times in the early times. My uncle had quite a bit of money into JanSport, and he wanted to return and build a home on Whidbey Island, and our credit line would only go so far at the bank. So the financial side of the business was a big challenge. But we loved the business and the products and the people and the lifestyle of the business so much that we would sacrifice what we had to sacrifice to make it successful, because it wasn’t even like a job. We were doing something we were really having fun at.

So today the boys and I still love to travel. It’s been in my bones for a long time. One year in college here in Kansas I sold my books at Spring Break to go skiing in Colorado. [Chuckle] So I’ve always had a love for travel. 

I love the people. I’m a people-person. And I love products. So I’m just very, very fortunate that JanSport has allowed me to still continue to be involved. But I’ve also reached a point where I wanted to spend more time with family and doing the things I enjoy doing. For so many years it’s been 24/7, and there’d be a lot of recent years where there’d be 26 weekends of the year I’d be somewhere in the world or in the United States at a trade show or doing an event or promotion. Now I have a little bit more balance which has always been important to me. I get to do the best of both worlds in my mind. 

Douglas: That’s great. In terms of thinking forward and maybe passed on to different family generations down the road, when you look at about 400 years into the future, what’s one thing that you would love to see as far as the underlying principle carried on in JanSport, and the culture of JanSport?

Skip: I think there probably may be three values of still continuing to be a leader and be an innovative company. That is still true today with VF Corp actually, the parent company. They’ve invested heavily in innovation and they even set aside different funds within VF brands to pursue innovation maybe beyond what the budget would allow. And then quality product, that’s always been one of the values around making a quality product that consumers can rely on. And I think one of the main points that comes up when I lecture at colleges and stuff, I talk about having fun with the work you do and the people, and making sure the brand is fun and authentic. And maybe in 400 years I hope that’s the case. [Chuckle] 

Douglas: [Chuckle] Well, perfect, Skip. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your insights. 

Skip: Yeah, you bet! 

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