We love testing bags—if you haven't already figured that out from the thousands of reviews on our site of travel backpacks, daypacks, slings, and other accessories. However, sometimes we want a little more, and we've been lucky enough to work with some of our favorite brands to design gear that meets our exact needs and specifications for traveling the world
A lot goes into designing a product, and it's not always the straightforward, simple process you might imagine. We've been getting a lot of questions about what goes into the gear we've designed, and with a few collabs under our belt, we wanted to answer them.
If you're interested in what it takes to bring a design from idea to unboxing, keep reading.
How do we decide which brands to work with?
This is the easiest question to answer! We choose brands that we love, first and foremost, with products that we've highly reviewed. We look for products from them that we like but that we think we could improve upon, instead of just putting our logo on something already in a brand's product lineup. We add value, like the admin panel and laptop compartment in the Matador ReFraction Pro or the front pocket organization and stabilizing swivel straps of the Aer Ultra Sling.
That said, our editorial team doesn't communicate directly with the brand during the design process. That keeps our collaborations separate from our standard gear reviews, so you know our thoughts on a brand's other products aren't influenced by Pack Hacker working on a new item with that specific brand.
How long does it take to design and produce?
Unfortunately, the process can take longer than you'd imagine: 6-12 months on average, and sometimes even longer. The first sample rarely matches the final product. We work with the brand through multiple iterations and prototypes to refine it before finalizing the design.
Once we create what we think is the perfect product, the brand orders stock, and we can set a launch date based on the manufacturer's delivery date.
How do you decide the quantity to make?
It's not entirely up to us how many bags to produce for a specific launch. While we have a say, it's ultimately up to the brand. They consider numerous factors, from market share to the popularity of the product type and seasonality. While it sounds easy to simply make more of a specific product, the brand is taking on all the manufacturing risk, and they have a better understanding of consumer interest.
When do you decide quantity?
This can vary by brand, but in general, they decide how many units to make after the design process is complete and before production begins. Ideally, the anticipated interest matches the quantity decided upon, but it's a difficult number to get right. The brand might not even know exactly how much each unit will cost until final delivery, so they have to factor that uncertainty into the decision, as well.
Finalizing production numbers is one of the hardest parts of the process. We want as many people as possible to get their hands on the gear we've designed together, but we're also asking brands to take on real manufacturing risk, and getting that number wrong in either direction has consequences. We'd rather be transparent about that tension than pretend it's a simple equation.
Why don’t you just make more when you see the demand?
Unfortunately, re-running a design isn't as simple as it seems. Manufacturers have to reset lines and ramp up production again, fitting it into already existing production schedules. Then, of course, there's that question of how many more to make. It might be easier to anticipate after an initial run, which is why second runs aren't necessarily off the table, but it's a decision they can't undertake lightly.
However, when a Pack Hacker collab is super popular, we try to work with the brands to give more people a chance to get the product. While brands are incredibly receptive to this idea, the negotiating process takes time as well. Since we don't want to overpromise and underdeliver, we aim to get a more concrete answer and timeline from the brand before promising publicly that more of a certain design is coming.
What about preorders?
Preorders are the basis of every Kickstarter project and basically work like this: a brand puts together a design and then launches a campaign to fund it. Supporters are guaranteed a bag once the campaign reaches its desired goal and closes the ability to pledge.
This process can be great: everyone who wants a bag gets one, and neither Pack Hacker nor the brand has to guess how many to make. However, customers have to wait months for the product, and you might not even get one if there's not enough interest.
While we’re open to exploring this option in the future, we're a small company working with niche brands, and we want to prove we can deliver the bag you want before asking for money months in advance.
How does Pack Hacker Pro Early Access work?
Pack Hacker Pro Members get first access to every collaboration before anyone else. That means two separate windows to purchase: one during the exclusive early access period, and one during the general public sale. Quantities available during early access depend on the overall production run, but the advantage is that you're at the front of the line.
You review gear—why do you want to make it, too?
In case you haven't noticed, we have a lot of opinions on what makes travel gear great. Collaborating gives us a chance to get some of our ideas into products from brands that do it well, and it's fun! We get to take products that we already know and love and make them even better for the Pack Hacker audience.
It's great for brands, too, since it allows them to take risks that they might not otherwise. Selling a small-batch run with features they might be considering adding to their existing gear lets them get audience feedback without as much long-term risk. Plus, they get Pack Hacker's direct feedback and testing experience to add to their expertise as bag makers.
Will Pack Hacker do more collaborations?
Yes! We're learning with each and every collaboration, refining the process to allow more of our audience to participate and sharing our expertise with brands to do what we want most: create the best gear possible for your travel experience.