Buyer's Guide: the Best Custom Backpack and Bag Makers-1
For the carry enthusiast, a good bag is a thing of beauty. But whisper the word 'bespoke'or'custom'and the game changes. There's a whole new level of appreciation. And we're not just speaking fabrics. We're getting down to the details. Thread colors. Shoulder strap orientation. Tailored pocket setups. And all along the design spectrum from tweaks to existing models, to completely custom from scratch. So to celebrate this particular carry niche and its broad scope of offerings, we've rounded up some of the best custom backpack and bag makers in the market...
For those not in the know, the first impression you're likely to get of McHale Packs is a dated website. But don't let that low-key exterior fool you. Those who are in the know will assure you, when you pull back that curtain you'll find some of the best ultralight custom backpacks available. Period. McHale backpacks are built to be tough yet ultralight, simple and functional, and ultimately reliable when you're in the back of beyond and need your carry to perform well. And if they need to make a little weight sacrifice to do this, they will. Yes, you're still getting super lightweight, but sometimes superior performance means they may weigh more than other ultralight alternatives. The bags are custom made in Seattle, Washington, and though it's primarily a mail-order business you can visit the shop by appointment for a fitting in person. But don't worry if you can't get there in person; rest assured they'll take the time to ensure you're well taken care of when creating your own custom pack, from getting the fit right to determining what features will best suit your needs. Plus you can also get a demo pack to try out various features in person and see if they're right for you.
You're a seasoned hiking pro looking for a thru-hike companion. Or you simply have a great idea in mind for your weekend outdoor adventure carry. Regardless of why you're after a custom backpack, if you're in the market for ultralight backpacks meticulously made by hand, Chris Zimmer can help you out. Each bag is made by Chris in Ohio and designed to suit your specific requirements. You can choose your preferred volume, material, what kind of pocket setup you want, and any other features that will make your custom piece perfect for you. Fabrics include the likes of X-Pac, Dyneema X and Hybrid Cuben Fiber material, with designs that find the sweet spot between trail-ready toughness and light weight.
Some brands take urban-ready packs and dial up the durability for outdoor use. But Alpin Mountain Co. takes the opposite approach, creating bags made for alpine use but pared back for a cleaner, understated aesthetic that transitions into urban settings. Handy when it's time to duck off the trail for a supply restock or swap out the ski slopes for a warming drink by a toasty fire. As they like to say, mountain DNA with urban minimalism. Based in Truckee, California, the brand makes their gear by hand and offers both ready-made and custom options for a personalized fit and feature set.
Superior Wilderness Designs was born through a desire to create gear that the founders longed to have on their own adventures. Brandon McIntyre and Ashley Thick are the team behind the Michigan-based brand, creating made-to-order ultralight backpacks that don't just focus on cutting weight but also fuse quality, durability and versatility. The backpacks are handmade with options for torso size, body and base fabrics and colors. They also offer a variety of custom backpack modification options that can be added to any of their packs including pockets and pouches, compression, load lifters and more.
Atom Packs was founded by Tom Gale, a maker just as passionate about packs as he is about clocking up the trail miles. Thousands of miles of hiking, countless trial-and-error successes and failures, plus a dedication to continuously honing his skills and improving his designs has led to Atom Packs. A brand based in the UK's Lake District National Park and focused on creating backpacks for hikers, climbers and mountaineers. Bags are made to order and shipped across the globe. There are plenty of options for tailoring the standard pack designs including body color, size, and fabric choices. But if you're looking for something different, custom options are the way to go. Since each pack is made to order, it's easy to tailor it to your customization preferences. You can also get fitted in the workshop by appointment if you're in the area. So if you've got an idea in mind, reach out to Chris. He's always keen to bring your ideal bag to life, no matter how weird or wonderful it might be.
Alpine Luddites is a one-man crafting machine helmed by John Campbell. John makes alpine and classic backpacks as well as bikepacking bags, each one built to order with meticulous attention to detail. John gained inspiration for his brand from the small climbing brands of the 70's and 80's such as Chouinard Equipment, Karrimor and Kletterworks. He learned to sew by making his own outdoor gear when he couldn't find what he wanted on the market. And he honed those sewing skills working for Dana Design in Montana in the 90's. John sews his packs in Colorado, with ready-made options available as well as standard designs with a choice of sizing, materials and colors. But if you want something unique, a fully custom option will set you up well. You'll be able to dial in the fit, fabrics, colors, trim, webbing, zipper placement, pocket selection and more to create a top-notch bespoke bag that will serve you well for years to come.
