The Daily - Day 3 - June 20, 2019 - 34

Ideas
B I G

T R E N D S

Clockwise from top left: Fjällräven's
Kanken Totepack, Gregory's
Paragon 58, Osprey's Archeon 25,
and Mountainsmith's Zerk 40.

Carry On

The newest crop of backpacks sport clever
suspensions, greener fabrics, and rolltop
access, yet the trendiest bags this season
are totes. By M.T. Elliott
BACKPACKS FOR SPRING 2020

are more customizable than ever
with removable hip belts and back
panels that double as trailside
seats. Compression straps and
rolltops are quick, easy ways a bag
can shrink to fit on the go. Some
new packs borrow features from
running vests, and totes get a
high-tech makeover.
ROLLTOP REVIVAL
Consumers love rolltops for ease
of access and the ability to change
a bag's volume on the fly. They're
hardly new, but their prominence
this season reflects a trend toward
more rolltops for commutes, fast
ascents, and day hikes.
Since the streamlined design
requires less material and assembly, rolltops usually have a lower
price point than zip-top bags.
Nearly every pack brand offers a
rolltop model, from everyday totes
to 40L bags. "The classic rolltop
design has regained popularity
thanks to its blend of simplicity and
function. This design keeps items
dry and offers extended volume
and thoughtful features without
the added weight of sometimes
cumbersome zippers and pockets," says Nathan Dopp, president
of Fenix Outdoor America, the
parent group for Fjällräven. "We
see consumers wanting the versatility to take all-in-one packs from
urban centers to the outdoors-and
everywhere in between."

34

VEST-PACK CROSSOVER
The gap is closing between running vests and hiking backpacks.
Take for instance Mountainsmith's Zerk 40. Weighing less
than 2 pounds, the bag has shoulder straps that crib design features
from hydration vests, with pockets
to holster frequent access items
like water bottles, snacks, and cell
phones. Ultimate Direction beefs
up its Fastpack line with a compression molding to help it retain
shape and stay off the back as well
as an adjustable harness system
to fit a wider variety of torsos.
(They're both rolltops too.)
"Look at how many people are
wearing trail running shoes while
they hike," says Craig Randall,
Ultimate Direction's marketing
manager. "It's not just fast and
light; it's people crossing over."
ELEVATING THE TOTE
Outdoor brands are offering a
new spin on this lifestyle piece,
transforming totes-traditionally
simple bags-into complex, multifunctional carry-alls. Leading
the category is the tote-pack, with
straps for carrying by hand, on the
shoulder, or as a backpack. Fjällräven's Kanken Totepack includes
a laptop sleeve and tall side pockets, and the back panel's padding
slides out for use as a cushion. Osprey's Arcane Tote Pack includes
two tote straps that tuck away to
convert it into backpack mode.

/ SUMMER MARKET 2019

FITTING SOLUTIONS
Look for engineered solutions
that allow hip belts to pivot with
the body and move independently
from the pack while still providing stability. Mammut's Active
Spine system expands into a
beefed-up bag, the Ducan Spine
50-60, for multiday backpacking and a capacity that adjusts
from 50 to 60 liters. Gregory
redesigned its multiday Paragon
and Maven packs to include the
FreeFloat Hybrid Suspension
System with an adjustable torso
and hip belt. Flex panels in the
hip belt move with the body.
DURABLE AND GREEN
Sustainability in packs has been
slower to build than in apparel,

often because of expectations
in durability and weatherproofing. This season, look for more
pack brands dumping PFCs and
touting recycled fabrics. Fjällräven
boasts 100% recycled nylon and
a hydrophobic, PFC-free DWR in
its Bergshell fabric. Osprey and
Mountain Hardwear are employing Bluesign-approved materials and PFC-free DWRs, and
Osprey's Archeon packs are using
GRS (global recycling standard)
certified materials. Interestingly,
sustainable natural fibers can be
found in Ortovox's new men's
Peak Light 40 and women's 38S,
where panels of pressed merino
wool sit behind a 3D mesh, providing moisture management and
cushion at the back.
The Daily - Day 3 - June 20, 2019

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