What Makes a Bag Comfortable?

And why should it matter to you? 

Imagine hauling a backpack through an airport, weaving through crowds, racing up stairs—only to realize your shoulders are aching, your back is damp, and the straps are cutting in like you’ve made a mistake somewhere along the way. We’ve all been there. 

However, when it comes to our designs, comfort isn’t an afterthought–it’s the blueprint we start from. Every seam, strap, and curve is intentional, designed not to just carry your things, but to carry you through each day with less strain, more ease, and confidence that comes from gear that works with you, not against you.

Let’s break down what goes into that feeling of “ahhh” instead of “ugh”.

Designed for Real-World Comfort

Our comfort story begins in the early stages of design—right on the factory floor of our Seattle HQ. Every sample is built in collaboration with our skilled Production team, meaning we can test how a bag feels in real time, then tweak and refine until it’s just right.

“One of the things I appreciate most about our company is that a lot of the design process is happening in the factory—there's a beautiful co-evolution between design and manufacturing that you don't get when the design process is physically removed from the build process." -Tom Bihn, founder

We don’t aim for “good enough.” We put our bags through the paces—long hikes, heavy hauls, and daily wear—so what makes it to your doorstep is something we already trust on our own backs.

A Bag That Moves With You

Comfort starts with Shape. Our bags are ergonomically designed to work with your body rather than sitting atop like a rigid shell. From contoured backs to flexible sides, our backpacks adapt to your body’s movement—whether you're dodging through crowds, climbing stairs, or swinging your arm to hail a bus. They don’t just sit on your back; they move with you, shifting and flexing to fit your everyday motion.

Breathability For Big Adventures

Not all back panels are created equal.

On our larger travel backpacks—like the Techonaut, Bixi, and Shadow Guide—we use what we call a skeleton back panel in place of a traditional solid foam slab. Why? Because when you’re on the move all day (especially in warmer months), breathability and weight matter.  By carving the panel into a spine-like shape, we retain the comfort and support you expect–while reducing bulk and enhancing airflow for a cooler, lighter and more comfortable carry. A mesh overlay adds breathability and reduces friction against your clothing.

The result: a lighter, cooler carry that’s more comfortable when you're navigating airports, train stations, or long stretches between stops.

Optional Frame Sheets to Ease Heavier Loads

Some of our bags, the Synik, Techonaut, and Aeronaut, have a corresponding aluminum frame sheet that can be inserted and adjusted for even more back support. These frames are pre-bent to a generic spinal curve to shift some of the weight off your back and onto your hips. For those carrying heavier loads, the frame adds structure and reduces fatigue.

Straps That Don't Fight Back

Straps are often overlooked when it comes to comfort, even though we’ve all felt the pain of a strap digging into your shoulder on your commute home or on the last few miles on a hikes. Ours feature EV50 edgeless foam padding, engineered with long-haul comfort in mind.

• Soft, seamless edges: Our straps contour to your shoulders without hard edges that dig in or chafe, even after hours of wear.
  

• Supportive foam: Made with ½” thick EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® certified foam, these straps are soft enough to feel cushioned, but dense enough to support heavy loads without collapsing.
  

• Field-tested design: During development, our team field tests designs to fine-tune where pressure builds and how to eliminate it.
  

Because when you’re halfway through your day and still feeling good? That’s the kind of comfort we aim for.

Straps that Work Behind the Scenes

Much like shoulder straps, sternum straps and hip belts are often dismissed as unnecessary extras–just ‘dangly bits’ hanging off a backpack. But don’t be fooled! These straps help redistribute weight across your chest and hips, taking pressure off your shoulders and stabilizing your bag during movement. By redistributing weight across your chest and hips, they reduce pressure on your shoulders and spine, making heavy loads feel lighter and easier to carry. They also help to stabilize the backpack, preventing it from bouncing or shifting with every step you take.

This means less strain, better balance, and a more grounded carry—especially useful when walking long distances, navigating uneven terrain, or simply managing a full load of gear.

And the best part? They’re adjustable, removable, and customizable to your preferences. If you’re not a fan, take them off. If you love them, dial in your perfect fit.

Comfort: Built-In, Not Tacked On

A comfortable backpack isn’t magic––it’s a science (okay, and a little bit of magic). From edgeless straps to skeleton back panels and all those ‘dangly bits’ that actually do a lot of the heavy lifting, every detail is there for a reason: to make carrying your stuff feel like less of a chore and more like second nature. 

There’s no single secret to a comfortable backpack. It’s the result of many small, thoughtful choices: the softness of the foam, the airflow behind your back, the curves that follow your spine, and the straps that don’t leave marks.

We design with all of that in mind—so you can carry confidently, comfortably, and without second-guessing your gear.

So whether you’re racing to catch a train, wandering a trail, or hauling groceries across town, you can count on your bag to move with you–not against you–because comfort shouldn’t be a nice-to-have feature. It should be the standard. 

Are you team sternum straps and hip belts? What features make your day-to-day carry more comfortable? Let us know in the comments below!