Unique Packs for Unique Memories

It’s time to break free from mass-produced, soulless bags—carry something with history, culture, and meaning.

Meet The Owner and Founder

Christian Vinces

My name is Christian and I am a Peruvian transplant living between Lima, New York, and Los Angeles. Not long ago, I decided to make a hiking backpack that was very “me.” And this ended up being the backpack you see in this picture: The Wanderer.

Growing up in Peru, I have always found Andean culture, my cuture, fascinating: Always adapting and surviving in the midst of challenges. These expressions appear everywhere: in small accessories, textiles, jacket patches or completely unique products like the intricate design on chocolate bar packaging – descriptively Andean and handmade.

This may not sound impressive right away. But we have to remember that Andean Culture, like Native American culture, has been pushed aside for a long time. And yet, it always finds ways to come back to life stronger and bolder than ever before. Nothing says “indestructible” like hundreds of years of actively fighting oblivion!

Its resilience makes it beautiful.

That’s why we want our textile accents to bring this rich Andean life, culture, and history to the forefront of hiking and outdoor activities.

Every stitch has a meaning

About Our Textiles

Our textiles are all Andean sourced. This is an important part of our mission as we seek to bring the Andean culture to daring adventurers and bold travelers like yourself. The idea was born when talking to some friends in May 2020, when they complained that they couldn’t go to Peru because of Covid19. My first thought was: “What if I bring Peru to you?” I contacted a couple of friends in Peru and got things moving. Six months later I was taking my red Wanderer for a hike.

Textiles have long been a part of Andean culture. Like our pottery, textiles have been found in ancient tombs, some thousands of years old. The textiles we use are not quite this old, but they carry with them the rich Andean history in their intricate designs. Today, many people still handcraft these textiles following carefully kept family techniques and traditions. Like in many other places around the globe, the patterns and colors are used to identify the wearer’s place of origin, cultural background and even some times to know if they are looking for a date.

If you have been to Peru or any other Andean country, you surely know what I am talking about. The colors and designs of our textiles have found their way into modern fashion and they are very present all over the streets and homes. It is such a big part of our culture and history, we couldn’t imagine the world without them.

Mountains that remember

The Andes have nurtured complex societies for millennia—from early urban centers on the Peruvian coast to highland cultures like Chavín, Wari, Tiwanaku, and the Inca Empire. In environments that swing from coastal deserts to snowbound peaks, Andean peoples engineered terrace farming, canals, and storehouses that turned steep slopes into larders.

They domesticated potato, quinoa, and camelids; mastered textiles and metalwork; and linked the spine of South America with the Qhapaq Ñan, a road system knit together by relay runners and communal labor. Knowledge moved without an alphabet through quipus, oral tradition, and ritual—technologies of memory as much as of measurement.

What makes Andean history feel urgent today is how much of it still lives in daily practice. Ayllu (community) and ayni (reciprocity) continue to shape social life; Quechua and Aymara languages, weaving patterns, festival calendars, and offerings to Pachamama carry ideas of balance between people, land, and the sacred.

Even after conquest and modern migrations, you can hear the old harmonies in panpipes and church plazas, taste them in tubers and maize, and see them in stepped motifs that echo agricultural terraces. The Andes are not just ruins and museums; they’re a living archive where ancient solutions keep answering modern questions about resilience, cooperation, and care for place.

The meaning behind Andean patterns

All our textiles are crafted in Peru, which is what makes our bags stand out from the pack.

Unlike many ancient civilizations, the Andean people did not develop a written language. Instead, they relied on oral tradition and mnemonic devices like quipus (knotted cords) and textiles to encode information.

One of the most striking features of Andean textiles is the use of Pallay—repeating geometric patterns that communicate cultural and social identity. Through variations in color, contrast, and design, Andean weavers could indicate:

• A person’s town of origin

• Their role in the community (leader, artisan, or farmer)

• Symbols of nature, mythology, and daily life

Each textile is more than fabric—it’s a woven archive of history, reflecting the richness of Andean culture. In future discussions, we’ll dive deeper into the hidden meanings behind specific patterns and the enduring legacy of Andean craftsmanship.

Bags That Tell a Story—And Carry Yours

Your bag should do more than just carry your gear—it should be a part of your journey. It should be a companion for your adventures, a statement of your identity, and a connection to something bigger.

Inspired by Peruvian artisans original designs, Andean Blue bags are designed for those who move through the world with curiosity and purpose.

Crafted from authentic designs from Andean textiles, each bag carries the stories, patterns, and artistry of generations while meeting the demands of modern-day adventures. From city commutes to weekend adventures, carry a bag that carries meaning.