What I’ve learned after months of using this backpack for work.

The prototypes you see in the pictures arrived in June 2025. I barely had time to photograph them and use them for a few weeks before launching our previous Kickstarter in August. Since then, I’ve been taking this backpack to the office about three times a week. Because these are early prototypes, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Some parts aren’t fully polished — which is normal at this stage — so I paid close attention to how it behaved in real, repeated use.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that this backpack is a workhorse in daily use, precisely because it’s designed as a daypack. It carries what you actually need — laptop, books, toiletries, extra layers (you can see what I carry in the video below) — without becoming a bottomless camping bag. Because you can’t overpack it, the weight stays centered on your back and it remains comfortable over long commutes. Even though these prototypes don’t yet have the final padding in the shoulder straps, I’ve still found it comfortable to carry day after day.

One thing I didn’t expect was how much attention it gets. On my commute in New York City, I regularly hear comments like, “That backpack is WHAT’S UP!!!” That surprised me — NYC isn’t exactly easy to impress. What reassured me even more was how the bag has stayed looking the same over months of use. I was initially worried about how quickly it might look worn or dirty, but so far, that hasn’t been the case.

Finally, I paid extra close attention to how the Andean textile behaved over time. There’s a reason we don’t make the entire bag out of this material. It’s beautiful, but it’s naturally stretchy, and backpacks concentrate weight at very specific stress points. When the textile is used incorrectly, the bag can lose shape or carry weight poorly — something many people notice with traditional woven backpacks. In this design, the textile is featured where it works best and protected from constant friction. After months of use, it has held up better than I initially expected.

There’s a lot more I could share, but the main takeaway is simple: I keep using this backpack for my everyday routine. Using it regularly has taught me what works, what needs refining, and why this design makes sense. I’m excited for you to eventually use it and discover what makes it yours.

https://youtu.be/I6gpUL5obpA