The Backpack a Thieves Paradise

See, this is very similar to my bag. I think I have shown you photos of the extra top flap I attacked to lock it.

The rest of the pockets in my opinion do not need to be locked. The solution is this, only use those pockets for things that you do not mind to lose.

My backpack has the top pocket and 2 long side pockets. the top pocket would either house my 'flip flops' (200 rupees) or a guidebook, and the side pockets would have a blanket in one (cheap, possibly from an airplane) and a towel in the other. I do not believe I will cry if someone steals any of these items, thus the pockets remain useful. You can replace these items almost anywhere on the planet.

I think it is not just the backpack that is at fault, it is how people pack it.

If you do not mind losing, then why are you carrying?

I say it again, hardplastic/rubber is the way to go! You will truly be a pioneer. (If that is good or bad I dont know.. Hehe)

Can't wait to see your design for your traveler's backpack! I'm in the market for a new pack right now myself and am disappointed with the choices I'm seeing in the stores right now.

I've been using a bulky, fits like a fridge on my back style panel-loading pack. After my last trip, I swore to never get one of those again.

The only alternative though is the top-loading packs like the one in your picture. I like their shape (not too wide) and how easily they compress.

I think that my ideal pack would have the shape and fit of a top-loader with a nice oval shape panel opening on the front instead of the drawstring closing with lid on top.

Keep us posted on your pack design. There's definitely a market for something in between the traditional alpine packs and bulky travel packs. :0)

I don't want to lose it, but it is not the end of the world. I think the majority of places on the planet I can buy a towel or blanket, and to me a guidebook is a useful but non-essential luxury. I really don't think you need it, but it is nice to have.

I will not die if someone steals my blanket because I have an emergency space-blanket. This cheap, small, light item has saved my health before, and I think it could one day save my life.

Hard plastic or hard rubber?

There are many great travel bags made of hard plastic, however not many that you can use shoulder straps and harness.

There are two great reasons for a soft backpack.

1. I can push and stuff this bag in the compartment above the plane seats, bus seats, and other transportation or below the seat in the plane.

2. It is expandable, it can shrink or expand with volume.

A funny one off the top of my head is you can use a soft bag as a mattress for sleepping, strange, but I have done this many times in Airports.

Backpacks need to breath, there is a need to allow air in and out of the bag. I had a waterproof pocket on one of my bag samples I made, the passport inside started to mildew.

Backpacks are carried for months, there is a need for a long-term storage areas, where you put items you only use onece in a great while.

I have adapters that convert a lightbulb receptacle to an electrical plug. I do not go anywhere without it. It could be in long term storage pockets on the inside of the bag.

Ash, I truly understand that a person can use pockets on the outside of a bag. I do not understand trying to justify or saying items can be replaced.

I traveled for years on less than 10 dollars per day, and normally paid 2-4 dollars a night for room. I truly did not want to spend 2 dollars to replace my sandals. I truly did mind losing these items.

You are thinking in a tourist way, in the sense of always having more money coming in, that you went on vacation and knew you was going back to work.

A long term traveler does not know how to get more money, they have to stay in budget, they cannot afford to lose items and just pay to replace.

YES, truly from the replace anywhere on the planet, everthing in my backpack I can replace anywhere on the planet. I do not buy gear that is difficult to replace, it is just too annoying when I lose it.

The goal of a backpack is to keep you from losing anything. A backpack that allows you to lose something is a joke.

Strange as it sounds, I am designing a four pockets on the exterior of the backpack I am making, they are collapsible. The backpack can be perfectly flat, then you can unzip and open these pockets and carry a bottle of water or a guidebook. I am not opposed to a pocket, yet 100 percent sure I want them to be totally secure and locable.

I do not for any reason want my sandals or towel falling out of a my pockets, never under any condition. Just because the backpack is too stupid of design for words, it not reason to justtify stupid designs.

HI Mr. Andy,
I do not think some folks quite understand the relationship you may have with your backpacks. Given how dependent you really are on them. I still have my old duffel bag after 30 years of faithful service. Its my luggage of choice even now for just playing tourist. Its the same mentality with tools or perhaps your favorite truck..hehe. A man becomes almost emotionally intimate with such things that serve him well. On the flipside when it turns out to be junk, its a feeling a betrayal or disloyalty. I do not understand why all the loud colors on backpacks. It even seems the cheaper the make, the louder it is. Matter of fact, I do not understand why anything to attract attention, to indicate many compartments or nooks for a thief to fantasize rummaging. After your years of being on the move, Its probably not quite the traditional meaning of packing that you do. Its more like putting things away.
Maybe you have seen those tool pouches that are unrolled and instant access to everything in pockets designed for specific tools. When done you put tools in place and roll up like a cinammon roll. Your main back pack seems similar to me. YOu open it only when you are at destination, then you open it like opening front door to your home, not like raiding the refridgerator. The front pack I would think to be the biggest problem child.

un saluto a voi da scorzè, ciao

I agree most people do not see the relationship I have with a backpack.

I also do not understand the relationship other tourist or travelers have with their backpack. People obviously shared an experience with their backpack and love it, even thought it will let them down many times in many ways.

I think this pack design might be onto something...it's got 3 zips which meet at the top, lets you open it up completely like a duffel or panel loading pack, but still streamlined like an alpine pack.It's probably the closest to an ideal pack I've seen so far.

Way out of my price range though at $350.

http://mysteryranch.com/packs/pack.php?ID=48

The Zipper is different, a nice looking Hiking bag, however still a Mountain or Hiking Backpack, not much to do with Traveling.

I did CTR F to try to make sure the word LOCK was not on that page.

This Backpack has nothing relevant to the topic of Travel Bags, it for sure is a Thieves Paradise.

Andy what's the point ? If it's any good L.L. Bean will build it for you. No need to hide your N.A.S.A. approved stinky clothes hauler. Just do it build a proto and say what it needs to be better then cash the check before it bounces

I agree, I could partner up with some company. I will soon have a Prototype, Sample, or Example of the bag. I am going to debug some issues while in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, then return to Thailand to make another Proto.

The quality of this bag is very important to me, if I am going to put my name on it, I want it to be the best possible material and design as I can hope for at the second it is done. I am sure, then it will continually improve, there is alway a better idea to help improve a bag.

I figure one day, if I stay pure, stay the course, do not compromise, I can couple up with some companies who are truly interested in quaility and Traveler Tested Bag designs.