The idea of crackpacs came shortly after my parents were trying to get rid of the old family tent. We were a family of six, so it was a pretty big metal frame style canvas tent. Sadly I wasn’t in a position to take the tent off their hands, so as painful as it was, I had to let this one go. It wasn’t until a few months after it dawned on me, I could have used the material to make bags. Their troubles getting rid of it made me think there must be loads of these tents packed away in sheds and garages, ripe for reincarnation. 

The first official crackpacs backpack was made in 2017, in a flat in London, on an old SInger sewing machine. It was made from an old tent I picked up from a car boot sale. 

crackpacs still lives at home with me, but now in a barn in the Highlands of Scotland (The Crack den). It’s small-scale and intended to support my small family. It’s not intended to grow into something huge, because that’s part of its charm and would go against the founding principles.

I am passionate about sustainable, simple living and caring for our environment. These are considered in all aspects of my business model and what I make. Every bag is designed and created by me. Every last detail is scrutinised to get the perfect balance of form, function and sustainability. Materials are sourced as locally as possible, using as much reused and recycled as possible. They have been designed not to lose sight of their original purpose, to help keep the era of camping under canvas alive. They retain that lovely smell, the big white zips and bright colourful canvas. The carry handle is a piece of aluminium tent pole cut and polished by hand. Colourful retired climbing rope adds another echo of adventure. These things combined to create a truly unique backpack with many stories to tell, and many more to live.

crackpacs wouldn’t be what it is today without persistence and self-belief, but also the support and encouragement of my life partner Sara. Making something that interests you and those around you, and encompasses your passions is the perfect way to keep the idea alive. Make what you want and you’ll always want to make it.