Advertise on podcast: Nomads Nation Podcast

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ ********** If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Chad, aka the Bag Dad, to talk about something we haven’t really covered before: backpacks for dads. We dive into how premium EDC and travel backpacks can double as dad bags, from the diaper years all the way to sports tournaments and everyday family adventures. We talk about the features that suddenly become way more important when you’re a parent, including quick access, one-handed zippers, self-standing designs, water bottle pockets, organization, and most importantly, comfort. Chad also explains why he thinks a great backpack can be a much better long-term investment than a traditional diaper bag. 00:00 - Intro 03:58 - Backpack Parenting 05:31 - Big Announcement 07:01 - Stages 12:52 - Quick Access 15:51 - Diaper Bags 21:00 - Chaos 24:45 - More Gear 28:29 - Value 31:45 - Comfort 34:26 - Top Dad Bags 37:16 - #6 Evergoods 40:45 - #5 ULA 45:09 - #4 Eberlestock 48:59 - #3 Black Ember 52:30 - #2 Evergoods 55:40 - #1 Dad Bag 1:04:58 - Final Thoughts ********** Looking to have YOUR backpack reviewed? Contact Aaron at [email protected] ********** Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our The 6 BEST Bags for Dads podcast! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!) Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

Work with Move Supply Chain - https://go.nomadsnation.com/move-supply-chain Move YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@SupplyChainLara If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 25 of the Nomads Nation Podcast In this episode, I sit down with Laura, founder of Move Supply Chain, to uncover why some of the world's most popular backpacks are constantly out of stock. We dive deep into the realities of supply chain management, from sourcing specialized materials and managing factory relationships to navigating logistics, cash flow, and production delays. We also discuss how small brands can compete with industry giants, why strong relationships with manufacturers matter more than most people realize, the importance of understanding your product's construction, and practical strategies founders can use to build a more resilient supply chain. Whether you're a backpack enthusiast, product founder, or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes before a bag reaches your doorstep, this episode is packed with valuable insights. 00:00 - Introduction 03:24 - Supply Chains 10:47 - Manufacturing 13:08 - Materials 17:50 - Optimization 18:55 - Cash Flow 20:23 - Enterprise vs DTC 23:43 - Partnerships 28:05 - Growth 30:20 - Factory Visits 36:41 - Philippines 39:58 - Product Development 42:27 - Expert Support 44:23 - Final Thoughts ********** Looking to have YOUR backpack reviewed? Contact Aaron at [email protected] ********** Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Why are the best bags always SOLD OUT video! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!) Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ ********** If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m bringing back Lara from Move Supply Chain for a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build a backpack brand from scratch. We dive into the realities of creating a bag, from figuring out your true costs and pricing strategy to sourcing materials, sampling, prototyping, and eventually getting the finished product into customers’ hands. We also talk about why building a custom backpack can take much longer than expected and just how many individual components can go into a single bag. I also share some real numbers and lessons from building my own bag brand, including what our flagship backpack actually costs to make and why the cost of manufacturing is only one piece of the bigger picture. If you're thinking about starting your own bag brand, building an e-commerce product, or you're simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite backpacks, this episode gives you a look at the realities of bringing a bag from idea to market. 🎒🔥 00:00 - Building Bags 01:35 - Founder Reality 07:00 - Know Your Costs 10:18 - Pricing Strategy 14:34 - Starting From Scratch 16:42 - Material Sourcing 20:06 - Backpack Economics 24:25 - Profit Margins 29:15 - Pricing Matters 34:19 - Better Prototypes 38:00 - Product vs Profit 40:18 - Build a Brand 44:11 - Final Thoughts ********** Looking to have YOUR backpack reviewed? Contact Aaron at [email protected] ********** Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our How to Start a Bag Brand video! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!) Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

Work with Move Supply Chain - https://go.nomadsnation.com/move-supply-chain Move YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@SupplyChainLara If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 24 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Alpaka co-founders to explore the story behind one of the fastest-growing carry brands in the industry. From launching with a Kickstarter campaign to owning their factory, hardware, and even developing their own fabrics, they break down how Alpaka built a business around controlling its entire supply chain. We also dive into why they created Maglock hardware, the challenges of manufacturing at scale, the evolution of Axoflux fabrics, and how owning production helps Alpaka move faster than most brands in today's rapidly changing market. If you're interested in backpacks, product design, manufacturing, or building a gear brand, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights. 🎒🔥 00:00 - Introduction 03:27 - How Alpaka Started 06:31 - Building the First Backpack 10:00 - Kickstarter Lessons 12:59 - Scaling Beyond Kickstarter 15:23 - Why Own the Supply Chain? 17:42 - The Story Behind MagLockz 20:39 - Owning Their Factory 23:28 - Shipping Strategy Evolution 28:54 - The Future of Retail 31:45 - Creating Axoflux Fabrics 35:20 - What's Next for Alpaka 37:50 - Upcoming Products 38:56 - Final Thoughts ********** Looking to have YOUR backpack reviewed? Contact Aaron at [email protected] ********** Affiliate Disclosure: We hope you enjoyed our Alpaka podcast video! To support our channel, we use affiliate links in our content. Clicking on these links and making a purchase helps us keep creating great videos (at no extra cost to you!) Free Gear Disclosure: We often receive free gear for our reviews, but this does not influence our opinions. We always provide honest reviews—if a product isn't up to par, we'll tell you.

Work with Move Supply Chain - https://calendly.com/hello-movesupplychain/move-supply-chain-discovery-call Move YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@SupplyChainLara ********** 00:00 - Intro to Disruptions 02:03 - Freight Costs Impact 05:32 - Oil Price Effects 07:56 - Oil in Production 09:41 - Vietnam's Energy Shift 11:00 - Diversifying Sources 16:46 - Brand Owner Steps 20:11 - Negotiating Reserves 25:27 - Focus on Hero Products 28:01 - Understanding Margins 32:17 - MOQs and Terms 35:28 - Value of Visits 36:41 - Solution Mindset 37:34 - Global Disruptions 38:29 - Past vs. Present 40:26 - Brand Resources 41:40 - Final Words

Subscribe to UnPack'd 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG5k_GNYcwjfSPIeS0VNoQ If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 21 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode dives deep into the world of bags, slings, and EDC gear with John from the UnPack’d YouTube channel—a true carry nerd. We start by comparing premium and value-focused brands, break down the best slings, small backpacks, and everyday carry essentials, and geek out over design, materials, and usability. Expect insights on why simplicity often wins, and which bags truly stand out for everyday life. From larger travel backpacks and personal item bags to tech pouches and water bottle holders, we cover all the gear that makes a bag iconic. Finally, we wrap with our review philosophy, share tips for organizing gear, and tease some exciting upcoming bag drops hitting UnPack’d in March. If you love smart gear, obsess over compartments, or just want a fun deep dive into bags and EDC essentials, this episode is packed with nerdy carry goodness. 🎒 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 2:27 – Favorite Travel Backpacks 11:19 – Features vs Comfort Discussion 17:56 – Everyday Carry (EDC) Bags Discussion 20:00 – Early Travel Bag Experiences with Able Carry 25:03 – “Ride or Die” Bag 32:04 – Price Comparison & Value vs Competitors 46:02 - Favorite Daily Carry 52:29 - Personal preference on Evergoods vs Tomtoc 54:00 - Best Water Bottle holders 58:07 – Tech pouches S-tier discussions 1:04:09 - Upcoming Gear Tease ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit ➡️ / nomads_nation 🤝 Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 20 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Nick from Alpkit—a veteran in the backpack world and a true OG when it comes to thoughtful design and quality manufacturing. We kick things off with the story of how Alpkit started, from four friends with a passion for outdoor adventures to building a versatile brand that covers everything from travel gear to technical outdoor equipment. We dive deep into the challenges and advantages of making bags in the UK, including training skilled seamstresses, balancing craftsmanship with production efficiency, and why producing locally can actually be a huge business advantage. Then we pivot to one of the most exciting parts of the episode—the Trakke story. Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand, preserved its iconic designs, and is now paving the way for a new chapter that balances classic aesthetics with lighter, technical gear. If you’re into carry gear, love understanding the construction behind your bags, or just can’t resist a deep dive into bag history and innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎒🔥 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 01:20 - Alpkit origin story 06:50 - Sewing shortage in UK 16:02 - UK production advantage 22:04 - Trakke closure 28:08 - Made in Scotland 31:11 - Trakke's Future 35:37 - Integrating Alpkit & Trakke ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit ➡️ / nomads_nation 🤝 Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 18 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! This episode takes a fun turn into the world of cold plunges, ice baths, and cold showers—where growth meets discomfort (and shivering ❄️). Aaron gives his take on Chase’s now-viral ice bath video, Bo shares his own frosty plunge experience, and we dive into how cold exposure ties into self-growth, men’s groups, and personal development. Yep... we’re going deep. Of course, it wouldn't be a Nomads Nation episode without some serious bag talk. We break down our picks for the best sling bags, small backpacks, EDC essentials, and even make a case for the most underrated carry of all: the tote bag. If you're into gear, growth, and a little bit of chill (literally and figuratively), this one's packed with good vibes, solid takes, and plenty of nerdy carry goodness. 🧠💼 00:00 -  Intro 02:28 - Aaron's opinion on Chase's ice bath video 05:26 - Aaron's Dry January 06:19 - Bo's cold plunge experience 07:17 - Chase's cold shower experience 09:54 - Overlap between carry community and self-growth 13:41 - Men's groups and personal development 19:11 - Best Slings discussion 31:05 - Best Small Backpacks discussion 40:00 - Best EDC backpack discussion 59:46 - Best Tote bag discussion ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter  ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit  ➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/ 🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace  ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 ********** 00:00 - Intro to Rework Gear and the Toshi Sling 00:20 Meet the Co-founders of Rework Gear 01:39 Immigration Story: From Singapore to the US 02:47 - The Story Behind Rework Gear: From Corporate Aversion to Bag Design 04:05 - Launching the Reset System on Kickstarter 06:09 - Journey into Bag Industry 07:26 - Jia's Initial Thoughts on Starting a Bag Company 09:14 - Kickstarter Realities and the Transition to E-commerce 11:49 - Singapore as a Carry Capital 14:33 - Bag Scene in the Bay Area 16:56 - Inspiration Behind the Rework Toshi Sling 18:30 - Development & Prototyping Process 21:38 - Balancing Design, Materials and Price 24:55 - Marketing Strategies: Facebook Ads and Reviewers 27:44 - Expansion and Compression Design of the Toshi Sling 30:36 - Most challenging thing aside from the product development 33:17 - Cash Flow and Business Planning 35:03 - It's not easy to run a bag company 36:56 - Future Plans for Rework: New Products and Series 40:00 - Customer Support and Brand Connection 42:01 - Female Perspective in the Carry Community 46:55 - Aaron's Journey to Hong Kong and Entrepreneurship ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter  ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit  ➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/ 🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace  ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/ **********

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 16 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Danny from Danny Packs — a fellow bag nerd, content creator, and all-around travel junkie who’s been tearing up the globe with his latest adventures (think salsa dancing in Seoul, suitcase wisdom, and some seriously spicy bag takes). 🕺🌍 We dive deep into the world of bags, packs, and everything in between, with plenty of laughs, hot takes, and travel stories along the way. We kick things off with an exciting Rushfaster collab, then dive into the best sling bags of the year, our favorite small backpacks, and a solid discussion on EDC bags. We also cover travel backpacks that won’t break your back, the top personal item bags for flights, and ask some spicy questions: which is the most underrated travel bag out there? Are duffels smart or straight-up stupid for travel? And we break down one of the most unique travel bags we’ve ever seen—genius or total gimmick? If you're into bags, travel stories, and hot takes on gear, this one’s for you. 🧳 Let’s get into it! 🚀 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Rushfaster Collab 04:26 - Salsa, Seoul & Suitcases: Danny’s Travel Adventures  06:06 - Best Sling Bags of the Year 12:53 - Small Backpack Recommendations 21:06 - Best EDC Bags Discussion 26:06 - Travel Backpacks That Won’t Break Your Back 27:56 - Best Personal Item Backpacks 32:09 - Is This the Most Underrated Travel Bag?  42:14 - The Duffel Dilemma: Smart or Stupid for Travel?  43:26 - Genius or Gimmick? The Most Unique Travel Bag Yet

00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Meet Fred Perrotta, Co-Founder of Tortuga 2:01 - Tortuga in 2010  5:32 - The Rise of Backpacks on Kickstarter 9:01 - The First Tortuga Prototype 10:28 - Why Tortuga Moved Manufacturing to Vietnam 11:10 - Backpacks Made in China vs. Backpacks made in Vietnam 17:01 - How Backpack Fabrics Have Evolved Over 15 Years 22:23 - Being innovative vs risks  26:03 - Why Tortuga Only Focuses on Travel Bags 39:06 - How Airline Restrictions Are Changing Bag Designs 40:30 - The Water Bottle Pocket Controversy 43:08 - The Emotional Connection to Travel Bags 48:04 - The Role of YouTube Reviews in the Backpack Industry 51:59 - Is It Harder to Run a Bag Brand in 2024? If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 15 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I chat with Fred Perrotta, co-founder of Tortuga, about everything from travel bags to making backpacks to how the industry is changing. We get into how Kickstarter helped launch backpack brands, why people get so attached to their bags, and yes—the great water bottle pocket debate (it’s a real thing, trust me). Fred also shares why Tortuga only focuses on travel bags instead of everyday carry, why they moved manufacturing to Vietnam, how airline rules shape bag designs, and whether running a backpack brand in 2025 is tougher than ever. If you’re a bag nerd, travel junkie, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you! 🚀

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 Welcome to Episode 14 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I chat with Bellroy founder Andy Fallshaw about all things bags and warranties. We chat about the challenges surrounding warranties, and what Bellroy is doing to improve their own warranty and customer support. 00:36 - The carry community 2:46 - New Bellroy bags 6:20 - Traveling lite 10:30 - Bellroy's ambitious year 13:29 - Different EDC for different locations 17:09 - Bellroy's new warranty 29:08 - Innovation vs playing it safe 31:45 - Evergoods 32:29 - Fine print in warranties 36:55 - GORUCK & Osprey warranties 40:30 - Bellroy repair center? 42:11 - Overseas repairs 43:03 - Bellroy customer support 46:20 - Brand reputations 49:15 - Why 6 years? 54:30 - Upcoming Bellroy bags

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🔥 Check out my bag on Kickstarter! 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 Welcome to Episode 13 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today myself and my guest, Luke Reynolds the founder of BagMe,  come at you live from Vietnam where we talk all about the behind the scenes of developing and manufacturing bags! ********** 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Community questions 07:00 - Starting BagMe 12:06 - Replicas/Knockoffs 15:50 - Why Vietnam? 20:20 - Factory conditions 25:39 - Timeframe of bag development  31:50 - PU Coated zippers 42:43 - Fabrics 54:28 - Lukes go-to bag? 1:0:27 - Sustainability  ********** Affiliate Disclosure - We hope you enjoyed our podcast episode! Here at Nomads Nation™, we thrive to create the best travel content on the web! To do that we create EPIC videos that take a lot of time and money, so we monetize our videos with affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of our links and make a purchase, we make a small commission - at no extra cost to you! Using our links for purchases is the best way to support the channel so we can keep making amazing videos.  If you aren’t going to make a purchase, but still want to show us some love - then smash that subscribe button!  Thanks for the love!  :) **********

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🔥 Check out my bag on Kickstarter! 👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fyro/fyro-backpack Welcome to Episode 12 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with the Ubrancred founder Edward Wang. In the episode we talk all about bag stores, why there aren't more of them, and what can be done about that... ********** 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - What is Urbancred? 4:42 - How bag retail works 7:27 - How to start a bag retail store 10:13 - Online vs physical store 15:38 - More bag retail stores? 19:03 - Biggest bag markets 23:40 - Best cities for bag stores 30:06 - Why Huckberry is amazing 36:19 - How to pick a retail location 38:42 - More bag events? 41:15 - Losing sales 45:20 - Carry Competition? ********** Looking for awesome deals on top-notch gear? Check out the Nomads Nation Marketplace! A secure hub where bag enthusiasts can buy, sell, and connect. Discover amazing deals and join the community today 👉 https://district.net/nomads ********** Affiliate Disclosure - We hope you enjoyed our podcast episode! Here at Nomads Nation™, we thrive to create the best travel content on the web! To do that we create EPIC videos that take a lot of time and money, so we monetize our videos with affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of our links and make a purchase, we make a small commission - at no extra cost to you! Using our links for purchases is the best way to support the channel so we can keep making amazing videos.  If you aren’t going to make a purchase, but still want to show us some love - then smash that subscribe button!  Thanks for the love!  :)

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 🔥 Check out my bag on Kickstarter! 👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fyro/fyro-backpack Welcome to Episode 11 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with Klint from The Perfect Bag and JB Outside to discuss our BEST travel hacks. In the episode we discuss... ********** 00:00 - Intro 01:35 - JB’s travel life 4:04 - Klint’s travel life 05:10 - Aaron’s travel life 05:47 - JB the pilot 08:46 - Airline loyalty/points/miles 16:47 - US vs International flights 23:58 - One bag traveling 28:24 - Luggage travel 31:08 - Travel shoes 36:18 - Klint’s fav travel bags 42:24 - JD’s fav travel bags 46:45 - 1.5 bag travel 49:10 - Thoughts on sling bags 58:23 - Making content  56:55 - New content 1:01:00 - Fyro updates 1:05:03 - NN Marketplace 1:08:38 - Youtube growth ********** Looking for awesome deals on top-notch gear? Check out the Nomads Nation Marketplace! A secure hub where bag enthusiasts can buy, sell, and connect. Discover amazing deals and join the community today 👉 https://district.net/nomads ********** Affiliate Disclosure - We hope you enjoyed our podcast episode! Here at Nomads Nation™, we thrive to create the best travel content on the web! To do that we create EPIC videos that take a lot of time and money, so we monetize our videos with affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of our links and make a purchase, we make a small commission - at no extra cost to you! Using our links for purchases is the best way to support the channel so we can keep making amazing videos.  If you aren’t going to make a purchase, but still want to show us some love - then smash that subscribe button!  Thanks for the love!  :)