Sources for backpack patterns/plans

[Alan W]

I’ve wanted to sew backpacks for years and have finally gotten around to doing so.  A side benefit of Covid is having more time on my hands to do projects.

My prior sewing experience was a bunch of polarfleece and a few duffle bags.  To get started I made the daypack and alpine rucksack from The Rainshed patterns.  I finished the rucksack today.  The packs turned out ok, not great, but servicable.

What I am looking for are patterns for larger, multi day packs.  In my mind I would like something that would hold five days worth of gear and food in three season, upper midwest conditions.  I call my hiking style, “lighter than it used to be.”  Weight wise, say a 40 pound pack limit.  I hope to carry less than that, but for sake of discussion this is  a starting point.  I would like a padded hip belt and likely a framesheet and probably one stay.

I’ve thought about designing my own pack or scaling up the alpine rucksack pattern, but there must be patterns or plans which would cut down the design time.

I could also use an industrial machine.  Baby steps.

Anybody have any sources or ideas?  Thanks for the help.

[Amber]

I’m not going to assume that you’ve already seen it, but Quest Outfitters has the pattern and plans for the G4 pack. While it probably wouldn’t carry 40lbs as is, at least not for long, I think it wouldn’t take much to create some sort of frame that would allow it to carry more. I’ve been thinking about trying a pack, myself, and it looks like you’ve got one or two up on me already. When I finally get the nerve to start on one, I’ll probably do a G4 mod.

[Bonzo]

I wish I could automagically disassemble my 50+10L pack and let you figure out how to build one from the pieces; it’s probably close to what you’re looking for.  If you made it from lighter material and removed one stay, you’d be in business.  That being said: against my best judgement, I’m looking at simple pack designs, myself, so if I come across anything that fits your criteria I’ll let you know.  Conversely, if you find any larger alpine patterns that you could scale down to a 25-27L size, I would like to know about them.  I need a top-loader in that size that can take a light frame sheet and that offers a workable hip belt.

On another note, if anyone knows anything about the mystical secrets of designing sideboob-friendly shoulder straps, I would appreciate being made aware of them.

[Michael B]

the mountain flyer at Bag Buff seems pretty legit and comes in a few different sizes. I’ve thought about getting the little kid pack pattern for my 2-year old.

https://www.bagbuff.com

[Alan W]

After posting last night I found Stitchback and ordered this pattern.  This looks similar to the Bag Buff pack.  What I am have in mind would require a padded hip belt and a removable frame sheet with a single stay.  A second frame sheet with two stays could be substituted for heavier loads.

https://www.stitchbackgear.com/patterns/stitchback-th-sewing-pattern

The G4 doesn’t do much for me.  I am certain it’s fine for what it is designed to do.  If I ever make a soft pack I’d opt for a Jensen style pack.  I have several how to make gear books from the ’70’s with patterns for  a Jensen style pack.  A Jensen made out of light material would be quite light and would carry very well.  I have one of the originals.

If I come up with any sidebook solutions I’ll let you know.

 

[Greg Pehrson]

Alan, thanks for the link to Stitchback Gear. I’d never heard of them before now. Very cool. Those are great prices for patterns, and the articles page looks to have lots of helpful tutorials on setting grommets, making frame sheets, and other techniques. For me, as an MYOGer without a strong math background, the patterning process is exponentially longer than the sewing process, so having some nice patterns to then modify as you like is attractive.

[Michael B]

I also had never heard of them and the designs look more like something I would want than the Mountain Flyer. Thanks for the good find.

[Author]

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