Some folks find great value out of bags they purchase from big box stores that utilize cheaper materials. While these cheaper made bags are more affordable, they fall short in measurable ways compared to bags that use tougher and longer lasting materials. Quality materials survive harsher environments and rugged use, and ultimately provide a better value in the long run. That is partly why we value when soft goods companies use more expensive materials from trusted industry partners. We also value characteristics like weather resistance and “hand-feel”, but ultimately it simply comes down to appreciating why one fabric might outperform another in any given scenario. The fabrics we end up using in our builds will be chosen based on all of these considerations and more.
We are currently experimenting with different materials and have been sourcing samples from trusted suppliers like Brookwood, Ripstop by the Roll, and Rockywoods Fabrics. Right now our biggest question we’re still toying with is whether we want to proceed with a laminate fabric like X-Pac, or opt for a more traditional woven nylon fabric like Cordura branded nylon. Woven fabrics are more forgiving than laminate fabrics under a sewing machine and are generally more pliable, which really matters in the final steps of building a backpack. But laminate fabrics generally have a better strength to weight ratio that can really matter for more complex builds.
To be sure, there is a ridiculous amount of variety between these two types of fabric and there’s no shortage of quality options that hit all the marks we talk about above. But we also have to consider how these materials play into our designs, which means diving more into the details like weight, hydrostatic head, pliability, and even general availability. Ultimately, the fabric we choose needs to be the right balance of weight and structure. We generally despise the look of bags that sag on your back, but we also recognize that something like 1000D Cordura nylon will add quite a bit of weight. Additionally, we have to consider the interaction between the outer shell fabric and the inner liner fabric to ensure they compliment each other well. Once we’ve lined up a few options we think will work, the next step will be to build out a sample or two to see how the fabric interacts with the build process. These interactions will matter just as much as the fabric itself in helping us decide what route to go down.
We’re always happy to share our thought process and the steps we’re taking along the way as we build out this soft goods company, so if you enjoyed the read, please feel free to share this with another gear-head. We appreciate the support as always and look forward to sharing more in the future.
