The Ultimate Backpack

“If you were a Gregory product manager, how would you spec a pack that nails the lightweight vs. comfort vs. fit vs. utility problem?

My strategy goes like this:

1. Go for the modularity. Just as the Kelty Flight pack is modular.

2. Use the Spectra material. Do it. Someone is and it might as well be a leading company with great customer service.

3. Keep the Gregory suspension. Lot's of padding, great universal fit and adjustability. You change this, and the whole deal falls apart.

4. Extend the line on varying capacities with this technology. Maybe 3500, 4500, 5500, cu. in. models. XS, S, M, and L.

5. Price at a reasonable premium for a fully outfitted pack, but make the price more attractive for the base (for more experienced hikers). Go down market with derivative models later.

6. Make the pack look and feel durable, and technical. Image factor counts for newbies.

7. Focus on the seams. Use the best methods of stitching. Materials come from genetically harvested spider silk. 8)

8. Titanium zippers. Yes, titanium. Not plastic. Not iron. Not steel. Even if it means leaving YKK.

9. Carbon fiber buckles and internal stays. Seriously.

10. Find research that supports a different strap material in the pack design. No more hardcore heavy weight canvas mat'l. You know what I mean.

11. Increase range of sternum strap's vertical adjustability. If possible, make it removeable and most other straps for that matter.

12. Fully seal inside of pack for rainstorm resistance.

13. Flame retardant outside coating.

14. Lifetime, no-fault, fully transferable warranty.

15. Market with limited distribution. Don't sell direct (except for accessories or options).

16. Shorten up supply just a tad to increase perceived demand.

17. Recruit endorsements. Real life usage stories. Advertise in coordinated campaign.

18. OEM the pack overseas with a number of design variabilities.

19. Offer a trade in deal. $25 off for every competitive pack turned in for the new model. Recycle material for tote bags and turn a further profit.

Innovate, innovate, innovate.”

“I like to think if you find a pack that fits you the best and has the space you need then get it.I don't go by brand name or sales I go by how it fits my needs and me.”

“The ultimate backpack to me at present has to be a McHale pack. Custom fitted to your body with any features you want or don't want. His concepts in pack construction and engineering seems to make other packs look like toys. I don't own one yet, but will soon.”

“I just ordered my ultimate backpack

Lighter than Air”

“That genetically manufactured spider silk business is da bomb.

I would imagine that the cost of producing an XS 5500 cubit inch pack would be all for naught. Who do you know that wears an XS pack and can carry 5500 c.i worth of gear? 4500 should be sufficient in sizes XS and S.”

“bacpac-

Where'd ya find that?

Boy's Life?”

“My ultimate pack!
Made of pure spectra fabric. Light as heaven and expensive as he11..
The Vapor!!! ”

“I would actually prefer all cordura fabric and kevlar stitching. It is heavier but bombproof.”

“That backpack that I use...:)


Now that is the ultimate backpack.”

“Thinair,
that's the pack that SnowDude got for the JMT. He loves it, but he got the bigger one. He's getting the Flight for shorter trips.”

“Didn't G.I. Joe have something like that?

Have I seen a system that was basically colored detachable bags that when joined together made a backpacking system?”

“Read an article the other day where it is said that a strand of spider silk the width of a pencil could stop a 747 in flight. Supposedly 3x stronger than Kevlar and ounce per ounce stronger than steel. --Now if they'd just get to harvesting all those spiders. J/K!

Bizarre, actually. Something about mixing cow and hamster genes with spider genes to make it work.


Backpack selection is a personal thing. Although, from a company POV, that may be less true as there's development that goes into fit and utility for a range of buyers. Pointing out the obvious, I suppose.”

“It was mixing the protein producing cells from spiders with milk producing animals, milking the silk proteins and then making web silk by weighting the proteins. Cool stuff!”