For years, ultralight was the dominant trend in the world of backpacking and thru-hiking. While shaving ounces still reigns supreme, the next big way to do it has arrived: custom-built packs. More and more cottage producers are allowing hikers to design the pack of their dreams from the ground up.
The points of customization vary across brand, and deciding to go custom has its pros and cons. Here’s everything you need to know about the brands sewing the next generation of bespoke packs in their garages.
Why Choose a Custom Pack
I’ve been backpacking for over a decade, and recently designed and tested a custom pack from Red Paw Packs. I loved the process; the founder, Matt Evans, will work with you on whatever you can dream up. These brands tend to be collaborative; if you’ve got a weird, niche request for your pack, they can probably accommodate it.
The aspects you can tweak are broad. The list includes: fabric, color, hip belt, pockets, lift loaders, frame, shoulder straps, fit/size, and extra straps.
If you’re new to backpacking, buying a top-rated pack from an established brand like Osprey or Gregory makes the most sense. If you haven’t backpacked a lot, how will you know what you want in your pack? The whole point of building a custom pack is to create something that has exactly what you want, with the pockets, fabric, and structure that fit your needs best. More experienced folks will probably get the most from a bespoke bag.
These small brands come with great customer service. Bags from Red Paw Packs, for example, come with a lifetime warranty. If there’s an issue or something breaks, you can reach out to Evans on Instagram. He’ll happily repair it for just the cost of shipping. Superior Wilderness Designs (SWD) offers a limited lifetime warranty (with free part replacement) against manufacturer defects.
There’s also the personal aspect. If you order a custom pack, you know the person who is making your pack, and where they’re based. These packs are works of craftsmanship, not just mass-produced items. Many consumers are also seeking alternatives to retail giants like Amazon or REI, and these small brands mean you avoid supporting companies embroiled in disputes with their own workers.
Drawbacks
There’s no way around it: Packs from big-name brands will be cheaper than custom ones. You can get a 58L Osprey pack for just $260; a custom pack, unsurprisingly, is going to easily cost north of $300. These small producers don’t have the margins of a huge company like Osprey, and they’re often hand-sewing the packs.
If you’ve got a trip coming up soon and need a pack ASAP, custom packs are not an option. Some brands have lead times of 14 weeks or more. Getting one of these bags requires advance planning.
These packs also tend to have smaller capacities. Many of these brands only offer bags up to 40–50 L in size. A pack that small really requires you to be strategic and efficient to fit everything you’d need for a multiday trip. If you’re a maximalist backpacker (or just like to bring some creature comforts along to the backcountry), you’ll need a bag that’s at least 60 L.
Bottom line: If you’re an experienced backpacker who knows what you like and want to make an ultralight upgrade (and are ready to shell out some cash), a custom pack may be the move.
The Custom Pack Brands You Need to Know
Redpaw Packs
Standout feature: Redpaw’s fabric choices really set it apart. Users can choose Ultra 200X, one of the lightest, toughest fabrics on the market, for their pack, or DCFH5, a Dyneema composite. The Venom UL Stretch Mesh on the main front pocket is flexible but much more durable than a standard mesh.
- Available sizes: 17 L, 28 L, and 40 L
- Lead time: 14 weeks
- Points of customization: 17
- Cost: From $340
- Warranty: Lifetime
Nashville Pack & Equipment Company
Standout feature: If you struggle with the fit of packs, you should check out this Tennessee-based brand. It offers three torso sizes and four micro-adjustable vest-strap sizes. Its In Tune Promise means that if your pack doesn’t fit right, it’ll replace it for free with another size.
- Available sizes: 20 L, 30 L, and 40 L
- Lead time: 8 weeks
- Points of customization: 14
- Cost: From $345
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Superior Wilderness Designs
Standout feature: SWD is one of the only custom pack brands to offer sizes above 50 L, with 70L and 95L options. The materials are also high-quality; the main body is made from Ultra400X, a laminate, fully waterproof fabric, and the internal frame is built from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum so it won’t warp under heavy loads.
- Available sizes: 27L, 35 L, 40 L, 50 L, 70 L, and 95 L
- Lead time: 6 months
- Points of customization: 5
- Cost: From $329 (for 40L pack)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
LiteAF
Standout feature: Lite AF’s packs are low in weight but not low on features. On the outside of each side of the pack, there is a five-point compression bungee strap with lineloc adjusters so you can securely attach items like trail shoes. The top Y-strap is great for storing layers like rain jackets or sun hoodies.
- Available sizes: 20 L, 30 L, 35 L, 40 L, and 61 L
- Lead time: 12 weeks
- Points of customization: 14
- Cost: From $365 (for 46L pack)
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
Alpine Luddites
Standout feature: This is the most customizable brand on the market. To order a pack, you have to have a phone call or Zoom meeting with the owner to design the bag. These bags are made for mountaineers, with alpine-friendly features like ice axe loops, avalanche airbag pockets, and fleece-lined pockets for goggles. Every pack is custom-fitted to the customer’s measurements.
- Available sizes: 30–50 L
- Lead time: 4-6 weeks
- Points of customization: Endless
- Cost: TBD
Moosetrack Packs
Standout feature: After miles on trail, you’ll really start to notice the shoulder straps on your pack. Moosetrack Packs designs its straps with 1/8-inch perforated foam, lined with MONOLITE mesh and 3mm 3D mesh for better breathability. It also takes inspiration from running vests, with four pockets on the straps for easy access to items like your phone and snacks.
- Available sizes: 25 L, 35 L, and 46L
- Lead time: 13-14 weeks
- Points of customization: Sizing, color, and materials
- Cost: From $290 (for 46L pack)
Hilltop Packs
Standout feature: In addition to offering packs made with Dyneema fabric, Hilltop also gives customers the option of X-Pac fabric. This material is a tad heavier than Dyneema, but much more durable. The brand also offers a five-year warranty on its products.
- Available sizes: 30 L, 44 L, 48 L, 54 L, and 59 L
- Lead time: 10-15 business days
- Points of customization: Sizing, color, multiple pockets, straps, hip belt, and ice axe loop
- Cost: From $385 (for 30L pack)
