Why is this product special to you?
I’m a very organized person, but I also love backpacking. The two are hard to mesh. A couple friends and I got together to find a solution – and we found it. I loved the creating the PACK because every time we tested it at a hostel, I realized that there are so many people like me. People hate packing and unpacking every time they move. These days, I cannot travel anywhere without the PACK, even if it’s just for a weekend getaway.
Where have you traveled?
I’ve been to Germany, Israel, Spain, The Netherlands, a bunch of Caribbean Islands, Djibouti, Tanzania, and Uganda. I’ve also been to many places with the United States – my favorite being Monterey, California.
What’s next on your list?
I’d really like to visit Croatia. My friends posted some photos of Dubrovnik, and it looks amazing.
Why’s the PACK better than the alternative?
It comes down to three things – price, convenience, and space management.
First is price – you’re saving money with the PACK. You need up to 6 packing cubes to get the same packing area as you do with just 1 PACK. This means you need to spend a LOT of money. And who wants to keep zipping and unzipping six cubes all the time? The PACK was built around the backpacker’s backpack.
Second is convenience. No one wants to deal with 6 packing cubes. Packing cubes meant to be used with luggage, not with backpacks. They’re a second-best solution. They cannot possibly be as convenient at as product designed specifically for backpackers.
Third is space management. The PACK folds down into a flat rate mailing envelope – it weights under 9oz, and is made of rugged but lightweight nylon. The PACK itself takes up almost NO room in your backpack. Packing cubes are rugged and take up a lot of room you could be using to pack your essentials.
Is it true a competitor already offered to buy you?
All I can say is that we’re open to partnerships with retails who have a similar focus to ours. We are focused on urban backpackers and backpacking gear that makes their lives better.
What’s next for you?
We’re going to continue improving the PACK. We have a lot of new products we’re excited to introduce in the next several months. Backpackers from around the world have chimed in – and we’re listening.
If anyone out there has ideas – email me at jonathan@thepackgear.com
Thanks for your time!
My pleasure. Anytime. And don't forget to purchase your PACK before they sell out!