“Just send it! You’ll be fine!”
Mountain bikers need to carry gear with them when they ride. Things on your bike need repairs, you need snacks, and potentially first aid or medical supplies. This gear needs a home that gets it out of the way but is still easy to access. This is the space I wanted to fill with this hip pack.
What do mountain bikers take with them?
Phone
Wallet
Keys
Water Bottle
Snacks
Helmet
Riding Gloves
Sunglasses
Rain Gear
Bike Tools
Tire Pump
Repair Kits
First Aid
Head Lamp
Head Phones
How long is the average ride?
I surveyed the mountain bikers that I ride with to find out what they take with them and how long typical rides last. I found that most rides are about 45 minutes to two hours long. With rides in this time frame, the amount of gear that you need is greater than what can fit into your pockets but not large enough to require a backpack.
Version 1
Fall 2019
Prototyping
I started with a basic paper shape. Using it as an underlay, I furthered my ideation with sketches. Once I found a form that I liked I made more paper prototypes. From these paper models, I made patterns and began sewing each iteration. Lots of versions later I landed on the pattern on the bottom right.
Version 2
Summer 2020
After using my hip pack while biking and traveling for a year I found some big flaws. The tension straps on the side were hard to use and tended to loosen throughout the day. I simplified the straps and altered the pattern slightly. I also changed the colors, simplified the pockets on the inside, and changed the zipper pulls to make them easier to use while riding.
Version 3
Summer 2021
During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time using this hip pack. Again after a year of use, there were improvements I wanted to implement and features I wanted to add. The biggest issue I had with the old design is that I never had a place to store an extra layer or raincoat while riding. I also wanted a place to clip my water bottle, keys, and other items on the outside of the bag.
Version 4
Spring 2022
As much as I loved version 3 there are always areas to improve. In version 4 I simplified the shape of the bag making it boxier and significantly easier to sew. I also increased the volume of the bag slightly, created a pleated front pocket, and simplified the compression straps. The last upgrade was to the fabric itself. I used X-Pax x21 which is much stiffer, more durable, virtually waterproof and is made from recycled materials. This version was intended to be the last, but there are already changes I want to make.
