Buyer’s Guide: the Best Custom Backpack and Bag Makers-2
Snagging a custom bag from Rucksack Village is rare – the waiting list is super long and new orders are currently capped – but if you do, it's worth the wait. The brand's founder, James Kamo, takes a considered approach to his custom designs but isn't scared to get playful too. Questions such as intended use, material preferences, and whether you're left or right-handed go hand in hand with inquiries over what your spirit animal would be. All with the intention of digging down into the details of each user to design a bag that doesn't just suit their needs but really reflects their personality too.
1733 are a Chicago-based bag manufacturer owned by two brothers. Everything is designed, cut and sewn from their Humboldt Park base. Their handmade, in-house manufacturing ensures quality and durability in each design, with small batches to help keep things fresh and interesting. Their custom options include tweaking existing designs with your ideal colorways, materials or special features, as well as creating your perfect bag from scratch. Creations span backpacks, Dopp kits, hip packs, totes and plenty more (even a dog carrier), so your imagination is the limit.
Greenroom136 is a Malaysia-based bag company that offers a range of rugged, urban-ready bags. And when it comes to custom pieces, you've got plenty of options on the table. Greenroom136 offers a selection of designs to base your custom piece off, including messengers and backpacks. Once you've picked your base design, then it's time to really dig down into the details. Pretty much every aspect of the bag is customizable. How many panels do you want? What hardware choices do you prefer? Do you want strap keepers, a morale panel, Velcro silencers, a key loop, or a secret pocket? What colorway do you want? An online template lets you easily spec your desired design and see how much it will cost too.
Francli was born as a partnership between Frances Baseley and Ali Goodman, initially intended to be a three-month creative project. Many years down the line, Francli is still going strong, dedicated to handcrafted quality and utilizing salvaged and British-made materials. The Cornwall-based brand offers customization services on your own unique piece as well as small batches of Francli designs. Bags are designed with considerations to specific carry needs and environments, as well as reflections of the user's personality and preferences. Whether you're after a backpack for adventure use, an organizer for work tools, a duffel for weekend travel or something completely out of the box, Francli is keen to hear your ideas and help make them happen.
This British brand crafts bags that are designed for relishing life on the move, whether it's the daily commute, a fun day trip or a weekend away. All with a distinct and clean minimal vibe. Made to last and not fail, this is heirloom stuff right here. And the best part: they're totally open to any sort of customization you'd like: hardware switches, fabrics plays, new pocketing, you name it. From design to delivery, it should take up to 4-6 weeks.
North St. Bags are a Portland-based bag brand dedicated to durable functionality and local manufacturing. Their bags are backed by a lifetime guarantee and made in-house, with all of their fabrics and most of their hardware and trim sourced in the USA. And the brand makes it easy for you to put your own stamp on their tough and practical pieces through a range of custom colorway and printed accent panel options, plus the ability to add Velcro-in pockets to tailor the organization setup to your needs too.
Treesizeverse is a one-man bag making operation based in Belgium. The founder, Ronald Ceuppens, utilized his artistic and tailoring skills to forge a brand with a distinct and handsome aesthetic. Unique pieces full of character and charm are meticulously made by hand using durable and beautiful materials that will stand the test of time. Waxed canvas, leather, vintage wool and more unusual options such as Piñatex™ come together in eye-catching designs that function well while ageing gracefully and developing their own distinct look over time. You never quite know what might crop up next, but you can be sure it'll be a striking mix of form and function and a real conversation starter.
Founded in 2007, Rickshaw Bagworks has built up a loyal following thanks to their functional, durable urban carry that salutes simplicity, practicality and quality. And if you appreciate customization options, you've come to the right place. In addition to standard, ready-made options, their diverse range is customizable with a wide choice of exterior and interior fabrics and colorways. There are lots of styles to choose from including duffels, totes, backpacks, messengers, pouches, tech sleeves and more. And they're all made in Rickshaw's own San Francisco factory.
The Brown Buffalo was founded by our good friend Douglas Davidson, whose design experience spans around two decades and design stints with industry powerhouses such as The North Face and Burton Snowboards. Suffice it to say, he knows what he's doing behind a sewing machine, with the skills to create on par with the best in the business. In addition to standard designs, custom pieces are available courtesy of the brand's California-based factory. Premium materials, thoughtful design and expert handmade craftsmanship result in top-notch custom pieces you'll be proud to own and use on the daily. The only downside? There's around a four to five-month waiting list for custom bags. But trust us, that kind of quality is worth it.
