🎒Versapacking's Biggest Update (Plot Twist)

Hey everyone,

Here’s a behind-the-scenes update on our biggest mission: how we’re making heavy backpacks feel lighter on your shoulders, so you can enjoy your travels pain-free.

Last time we talked, over 80% of this community voted on using Ariaprene, a special foam for the shoulder straps, known for comfortable cushioning and breathability.

After emailing and DM’ing the company, we finally got samples. For a moment, it felt like a huge win. I genuinely thought: we did it.

Photos of the sample package Ariaprene sent us below:

Then my manufacturer followed up with unexpected news (see text message below) right on New Year's Day.

Ariaprene was hesitant to move forward. They were worried I’d use their foam to work with their existing clients (honestly, not too sure what they even meant by that, maybe steal their business??)

So, understanding that they didn’t want to supply us with foam for our shoulder straps, we went back to the drawing board.

I made one decision early on: I don’t want to default to EVA foam.

There’s nothing wrong with EVA, but it’s what most backpacks already use. If we want to solve comfort, we can’t just repeat what the market is already doing.

So we searched again. 

That’s when we found Ortholite, a brand already trusted in producing comfortable foam. Brands using Ortholite include Hoka, New Balance, Nike, and more.

At first, no replies. We tried emailing and calling, but no response.

Then a lucky break: I finally reached their US office, which transferred me to their sales rep…who happened to be visiting their Chinese factory at that exact time.

It gets better…

Their headquarters turned out to only be 30 minutes away from my manufacturer’s factory.

My dad and our manufacturer visited their facility in person, and the best news of all, they believe in our vision for crafting the world’s most comfortable travel backpack.

A globally recognized brand, known for world-class comfort. I just know this foam will make the best shoulder straps (in fact, if you read the Tim Buk 2 reviews for their messenger bags, which use Ortholite, they mention how comfortable the bags are).

And the real reason this is possible?

Because of this community, the feedback you’ve given, and the proof that people actually want a backpack built around comfort. This gives our suppliers confidence that, although we may be an underdog now, there is real potential for Versapacking to become a known brand one day.

Now we’re testing different foam constructions, and we’ll prototype and test each one by adding weight into the bag and seeing how it feels for extended periods of travel.

There’s a lot more content coming as we test, compare, and refine.

I promise you this:

I will do everything I possibly can to solve the comfort problem that hundreds of you have told me you have. Your current travel bag just won’t cut it. Your shoulders, your back, and your travel experience deserve better.

We’re aiming to launch pre-orders before summer begins, right in time for your vacation plans.

More soon,

Pat

P.S. If you’re from Vancouver, Canada, I’m looking lend my prototypes out and get user feedback before we go live with the pre-sale. Please email me if you’re in and around this area and interested in testing.