The PanPack Design
Background:
The saying- “necessity is the mother of invention”, rings true for the PanPack design. On the road you often make due with what you have and adapt to suit what you need. Or in my case, your method of travel.
Backpacking or Bike Tour?
In the early 1990’s, I spent some time traveling around the world. In those days you could purchase an ‘around the world’ airline ticket for a base price and with preset destinations. You could pick a bunch of stops providing you kept going in one direction, (East or West). The price was the same no matter the number of stops along the way (under $3,000 CAD at the time). You could also change a stop-over destination on your ticket for a $50 fee. It was a great deal!
My original plan was to travel by rail, bus, car etc. and camp along the way. My gear incorporated camping equipment and a travel backpack by Lowe Pro. This worked great. When I arrive to a town I would simply head to a hostel or campsite for the night. I could often secure a lift to the next trail from someone at the hostel I was staying at.
Plans Change
In this way I traveled around, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, South east Asia, Malesia, India and Nepal. In Europe my future wife Linda joined in the trip. With the money we could save instead of purchasing two Euro rail passes, we decided to purchase some used bikes for touring the continent.
Adapt Equipment to Suite your Needs.
Since we didn’t have panniers, we needed a way to connect our travel packs to the bike while still being able to pedal and balance the bike. This is where the PanPack design principle was developed.
Relocate Stiffeners.
Both of our travel packs had removable internal stiffeners. By removing these and packing gear on each end of the travel pack, we could fold the bag over the rear rack of the bike. Problem solved, sort of. We still had to keep the bags from rubbing against the wheel and spokes so we stuck the stiffeners from the pack in between the bike rack and the bag to keep it away from spokes and gears. Then all we needed was some bungy chords to keep the bags from moving around.
Finished PanPack Product Designs
We designed two lines of PanPack models to meet different travel styles and needs. These include Two Compartment models and three compartment models. The two compartment models favor quick conversion between pannier bag and backpack mode, over full suspension functionality in backpack mode. While the three compartment models offer a full internal frame suspension system in backpack mode.
Two Compartment Design:
The two compartment version is the most similar to the original field modification. To convert it from pannier to a backpack there are three basic steps.
- Step 1 is to feed the velcro straps located on the backpacking of one compartment through the corresponding D ring on the backing of the other compartment. Pull the straps snug cinching the 2 compartments together. The straps are fitted with Velcro hook so they easily lock to the Velcro loop on the compartment backing.
- Step 2 is to release the buckles that retain each portion of the shoulder straps from the retainer on the outside face of each side compartment.
- Step 3 is to fasten the mating straps on the outer side of each side compartment to one another. and then fasten the two portions of each shoulder strap together.
We produce three versions of the two compartment models: The Day PanPack (SK-001), The Commuter (SK-002) and the Euro Tour (SK-003)
The design of each version remains consistent with the difference being primarily the volume for each different model.
Two Compartment Models:
The Day PanPack (SK-001),
This is the smallest of our panpack panniers at 16 liters. It is designed to fit a standard front rack but will also fit on a rear rack. for this model the shoulder straps are not padded to save on weight and bulk. The day panpack will also clip to the back of the three compartment models while in backpack mode so it ride “piggy-back” letting you carry all your gear together in one combined backpack.
SKU-002 The Commuter
With a volume of 33 liters, The Commuter model is roughly twice the size as the Day panpack. It also has padded shoulder straps to help cushion the larger loads. This model is ideally sized for commuting to work or school as well as for weekend bike trips so it is a very versatile model. Some customers also found this model sufficient for longer tours as well.
SKU-003 The Euro Tour
This is the largest two compartment model at 51 liters. Designed and sized for an extended tour this pack comes with extra thick padding on the shoulder straps and a sternum strap to help stabilize the load in backpack mode.
Three Compartment Design
At the core of the Three compartment design is a continuous hinged stiffener that forms the internal frame of the backpack while in backpack mode. The hinges allow the compartmentalized pack to rotate around two separate points and sit securely on the top of a standard rear rack. Refer to the schematic diagram on the left. This hinging is one of the several patented features of the panpack design. The three compartment models also come equipped with shoulder straps, height adjust straps, a sternum strap, waist belt and cinch in straps. The extra thick shoulder and waist/lumbar pads are removable for storage while biking. In fact these models can be carried comfortably without the pads, but the pads certainly are a welcome feature on long treks or hikes.
Three Compartment Models:
SKU-010 The Backcountry
With the storage capacity of 41 liters, this model is set to carry your camping gear, food and clothes on an extended backcountry hiking or biking trip. Plus, plenty of compression straps and tie down straps for lasing down extra gear on the outside. The three compartment packs have a quick access middle compartment that sites on top of your bike rack in pannier mode. On the two side compartments there are additional exterior zipper pockets for small items like, maps, books, phone, flashlight pocket knife etc. The great feature with this pack as well as the World Tour Model is that it also carries like a handbag with a padded handle sewn into the middle compartment (as seen in the bottom images if the carrousel to the left.
SKU-004 The World Tour
The largest of our panpack models, this pack has a whopping 61 liter storage capacity. It also has all of the same features as the Backcountry model with an additional 20 liters storage. Also the Day pack model will ride piggy back on the World Tour as well as the Backcountry, so you can the day panpack on a front rack and the World tour on the rear rack to form a complete cycle touring adventure backpacking system.
Regardless of the model chosen, our panpack convertible pannier design will provide versatility and added convenience to any cycling trip or epic adventure.
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