Backpack Shapes & Functions

You people watch right? Everyone does, and it’s an enjoyable activity. Sitting around watching the world pass by, seeing the difference between people, the different clothes, the different trends and for us, the different backpacks. Have you noticed how many different shapes and sizes that backpacks come in? It’s pretty awesome.

To help classify a few different shapes and hopefully provide some clarity on it all, we’ve gotten our lead designer (monkey on rollerblades) to lay up a real neat looking infographic about the different shapes and their functions they provide. Come take a peek…

for a larger version of the above image, click here

Backpack shapes illustrate the same shape of its content. The more specific to an activity the more obvious the language is. Trends are making it even more difficult to separate between urban and daypacks, with brands creating bags that look like an active bag and great on the shoulder but are in actual fact difficult to use in their intended function. (not enough pocketing, too many straps hanging everywhere…)

Officebags that reflect their purpose well, that is to say they carry laptop and documents, fail to be attractive enough to be used in a more relaxed environment. Packs seem to struggle to cross over between circles of use. They are very specific and are of infinite variety of designs in their own category. A new category is still to come that merges and severs the functions needed between work and play.

With the poster above we classified 8 different shapes:
Hiking: Best suited to carry heavy loads for long period of time, very stable and comfortable. Check out the Osprey Aether Series

Snow/Ski/Surf: Best suited for action sports. The construction allow good body movement in carrying snow/ski gear. Lots of attachments on the outside of the bag makes it easy to recognize. Check out the Da Kine Heli Pro

Bike: Most bike packs have a roll top to keep your clothes and precious stuff dry. They offer large pockets for tools and daisy chains for your light. Check out the Chrome Ivan

Office: A rectangle/sqaure looking shape. it shows very clearly that it is made to carry laptop and documents. It often offers good internal organizational options. Check out the Arcteryx Totem Blade

School: A very square shape, it shows very clearly that it is made to carry books and documents. Being down the scale in price doesn’t give users a great deal of extras. Check out Caribee

Urban: One of the most popular market. The shape is neither too square or round.. They still have a laptop sleeve and offer basic pocketing. Shape reflects a general use. Check out the Gravis Metro

Fashion/Heritage: Same aspect as outdoor product but without the efficiency focus. They look great and big enough to carry most items. However don’t expect to be climbing Everest with it… Check out Herschel.

Fashion: Backpacks in this category have the most variety of shapes. No particular function other than main compartment and a front pocket. Check out Gregory Kletter Day Pack

Related posts:

1. Wallet Shapes & Functions
2. Road Test | Incase Nylon Backpack
3. Backpack or Messenger?

While most of our bag needs are pretty diverse, there’s certain professions or pursuits that are flaming demanding on a carry item. The cool thing is, it’s usually these areas where most of the innovation happens; before later getting watered down for a more general bag, wallet or pocket.

We’re talking about bags, packs and wallets devoted to a niche area of carrying – think Da Kine’s Builders Pack or the Kata 3N1 – 22. Anyone who is building packs for crew hiking in to the jungle to build crazy creative Mountain bike trails is def getting some specialist love…

Every couple of posts from here on in we will be reviewing or giving the once over to a bag we think is ‘specialist designed’. It’ll all be under the Specialist category up above – check back for more late, but for now read on about the first pack – The Dakine Builders Pack

For many years, if a brand wanted to get cred for their backpacks, they’d try and build a camera pack for their users. They figured that photographers trying to get good snowboard footage are way more demanding than plain snowboarders, so they could showcase some good tech and ideas.

Then a few years ago DaKine thought – mehhh, done that. What about the dudes hiking in to Squamish back country and building those rad cantilevered mountain bike trails with see-saws, whoopdidoos, and how’s your mothers?

Enter the Builders pack (as in ‘trail builders’ pack).

That front sleeve? Yeah, that holds your chainsaw. Just in case your mad crazy and need to chop your leg off cause you snapped it dropping down a 20ft gap. Jokes aside, it’s actually kinda ingenious, as it adapts common bag features for totally new uses. Ice-axe loop? Yeah, that can hold a hammer. Drink bottle holder? Yeah, you’ll need a fuel bottle to power that chainsaw.

There are issues with it (like having your heaviest item so far out on your back isn’t great for comfort or stability), but there’s also excuses for those issues (who really wants a tyrannosaurus chainsaw right against their neck…?).

Improvement inspiration: Better zipper protection against sharp tools (look to skate packs). Width adjust on lopper sleeve (narrow loppers slip too low, look to ski holders).

Lets hope DaKine can still play with these niche products under their new Billabong ownership.

PS: We’d recommend not running with an uncovered saw like you’ll see on DaKine’s site. Not because of the carnage it will inflict on your head in a crash, more just because it might damage the front pocket zipper.

Related posts:

1. Simms Fishing Pack | Specialist Carry
2. Medical Pack for Sheep | Specialist Carry
3. Specialist Carry :: Swaygo Caving Pack