Nomads Nation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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🌐 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/

In NN Podcast EP5, I sit down with Bo and Avishay for an in-depth discussion on the things that are NON NEGOTIABLE for us with bags. 

In the episode we chat about...

00:00 - Introduction and Non-Negotiables for Bags
14:00 - Features for Tech Pouches
19:00 - Aaron's Must-Have Features for Tech Pouches
32:00 - Must-Haves for EDC Bags
40:00 - Sling Bag Must-Haves
54:00 - Bo's Sling Bag Must-Haves
56:00 - AV's Sling Bag Must-Haves
01:00:00 - Aaron's Sling Bag Must-Haves
01:14:00 - Dealing with airline restrictions and personal items
01:18:00 - Benefits of 180-degree clamshell opening

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 8 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with Bo Ismono & Chase Reeves for an in-depth DEBATE of Aer vs Bellroy...

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00:00 - Intro
02:15 - Trivia time!
8:01 - Aer's FIRST product?
9:34 - More popular?
12:33 - Aer impressions
18:45 - Bellroy impressions
26:11 - Worst Bellroy products
32:09 - Worst Aer products
34:18 - Getting older
40:11 - Favorite Bellroy bags
47:59 - Favorite Aer bags
51:53 - Who makes more comfy bags?
54:00 - Who makes better looking bags?
57:15 - Which brand wins?
1:01:33 - What did we learn?
1:10:03 - Is the market oversaturated?
1:13:16 - Materialism vs happiness

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Do YOU want to build a backpack with me? 🎒

We are building our own backpack on Nomads Nation and we are documenting every step of the process! 

Join our email list to get a behind-the-scenes look and to be able to vote on key features of the bag. 

Learn more 👉🏼 https://nomadsnation.com/building-a-backpack/

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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

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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...

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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?

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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!  :)

🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22

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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

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🌐 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/

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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/

In NN Podcast EP4, I sit down with Bo Ismono and Gregory Li from Suburban for an in-depth discussion on the trends in the bag world.

In the episode we debate...

00:00 - Intro
10:07 - Trivia time!
14:47 - Are bags getting bigger?
25:43 - Vertical sling revolution
34:36 - Trending fabrics
37:01 - Eco-friendly BS?
41:19 - The rise of waxed canvas
52:40 - Brands on the up
01:03:46 - Brands in trouble
01:18:43 - Final thoughts

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 8 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with Danny Packs where we look at hot topics in the carry community and decide if they are overrated, underrated, or perfectly rated.

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00:00 - Introduction
05:42 - XPAC
10:00 - Security features
15:00 - RFID protection
24:00 - YouTube comments
25:40 - Fidlock buckles
32:00 - Vertical slings
40:00 - Self standing bags
46:00 - Strap management
48:30 - PU coated zippers
49:40 - Bellroy backpacks
56:00 - Bag weight
1:01:39 - Suitcases vs backpacks


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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/

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with Bo Ismono, James Jeffrey and Davin Hanna for an in-depth discussion on Bellroy

00:00 - Intro
00:31 - JJ background
03:59 - Davin background
8:23 - Fav Bellroy product
11:30 - The Bellroy process
17:17 - Designing for different countries
24:00 - Bellroy's design system
28:15 - Why multiple factories
30:13 - Mainstream vs Carry Community
40:08 - Designing admin compartments
44:39 - Designing for organization
48:14 - Bellroy fabrics
51:48 - Finding new fabrics
53:16 - Retiring products
55:14 - Waxed canvas bag??
1:00:07 - Why no luggage pass throughs?
1:00:25 - Next Bellroy x Carryology collab!
1:02:06 - New categories?
1:08:47 - Conclusion

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 6 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I sit down with Bo Ismono for an in-depth discussion on HOT TAKES we have about the bag industry. 

00:00 - Introduction and Hot Takes
03:50 - Made in America
12:04 - Bellroy is boring
17:52 - Warranties are BS
24:16 - Carryology collabs are scams
30:36 - Bo's coffee hack
32:00 - Uninspired collabs
37:20 - Controversial collabs
44:11 - Pack Hacker collab?
51:30 - Bo's dream collab
56:56 - Waxed canvas vs. XPAC

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 3 of the Nomads Nation Podcast!

Today I sit down with Bo Ismono and Danny Packs for an in-depth debate of GORUCK vs Evergoods.

00:00 - Intro
04:02 - Trivia time!
12:40 - GORUCK pros and cons
19:40 - Evergoods pros and cons
31:30 - Favorite GORUCK Bag
33:44 - Are collabs overrated?
48:40 - Durability of the Bags
55:12 - Which brand has a better look?
01:02:00 - Favorite bag overall
1:08 - Motorbiking trips