The Backpacker’s backpack buying experience…
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Update:
Although the brand ‘offers’ 8 years of warranty on their products, the materials used are just not built-to-last.
Poorly designed and bad choice of materials for the friction and contact points.
In less than a year of usage, my bad is already tearing (including the second layer of lining) from multiple points.
The brand refuses to honour warranty claims on the grounds of ‘wear and tear’.
If a 3.5k bag performs so badly in less than a year then it is clearly not built right.
The Seneca Mohawk model, in particular, seems to be a one-off stock dumping activity. Be warned!
Even though I was promised a rain cover (to purchase), after waiting for 7 months, I am told there won’t be one available.
This particular model does not feature in the list of models when raising a ticket for the warranty claim. Ergo, doesn’t seem to be a popular one or the brand does not seem to be serious about it.
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You know how they say “once a biker, always a biker”.
Well, I believe it also applies to: “One a hiker, always a hiker”.
Or maybe, that’s what I use to justify my propensity for backpacks.
Be it the daily commute, an out-of-town meeting, or even a vacation, I tend to have the same backpack all the time.
(except when on a proper trail/trek/hike – there’s a different one for that)
Since 2009, I have had this ‘one bag/one backpack’ system.
I have tried messenger bags and even a briefcase-style bag, but there’s something about being handsfree, not overloading one side, and just being symmetrically balanced that just makes backpacks perfect.
Not to mention, the ability to gobble up whatever I throw at it. (which, I admit, is a lot).
Regularly reading EDC (https://everydaycarry.com/) has ensured that many of the things I carry are multi-function. Nevertheless, it is still – quite a bit.
Without hesitation, I always insist for Function over Form. Not even a question. But thanks to the better half, who is significantly better inclined at aesthetics than myself, I have learnt to give due importance to ‘form’.
I also like things that are built to last. Rugged, can take abuse, do what they are supposed to, without being delicate darlings or giving up in the middle.
My last backpack survived close to 2000 days and more than 50,000 km of travel across different modes of transport.
For the last 6 months, it is on ventilator support and it needed to be replaced. Sadly, I couldn’t find the ‘right’ one and it just kept getting repaired – again and again.
The right one? 25L plus, well padded, good laptop space. Not too many compartments that eat up more space than creating it. No fancy gimmicks. Looks clean, minimalist, and yet classy enough to walk into a conference room with it. Goes without saying, it needs to be black.
Having narrowed it down to a Samsonite Spectrolite since June 2022, it was utterly disappointing the way Samsonite treats the Indian market. Having spoken to a bunch of dealers and even someone in charge of the distribution for the Mumbai region, one thing was clear – Samsonite doesn’t treat India as seriously as they should. Tweets and emails seldom met with replies. If any, from wrong departments in other parts of the world, just forward the query to other counterparts, round and round. The dealers themselves have coyly admitted that stocks are scarce and models randomly get deleted from the line-up.
I chased the Vigon II across 17 stores, including one at the airport. Couldn’t get my hands on it. It has been close to a year since Samsonite launched the Spectrolite 3.0 in European markets, but no one here has a clue when it is to be launched here. The 2.0 has not been available in black for a quarter now. Given that Samsonite manufactures everything in China, I was asked to wait till mid-Jan for a stock update. To date, nothing.
Samsonite’s lackadaisical attitude and treatment of India as a market has lost them a customer who waited 6 months for a backpack.
Then came Mokobara. Damn their designs are too good! Drool! Especially the backpack in black, was just too sexy to resist. Not too fond of the yellow lining used inside.
After resisting temptation for a long time, I ordered their backpack. Damn, what a severe case of form over function. The shoulder strap design is completely wrong and lifeless. There is no padding, and no support, and anyone who designs backpacks in their right mind, cannot excuse such straps.
It is like the guys at Tata motors who slapped on the legendary Safari badge to an FWD vehicle with no real 4×4 and zero usable boot space. If you know how to make an SUV, then you can’t make something like this.
Same way, if you truly want to make a backpack, then you can’t have straps so thin. Disappointed, the Mokobara was returned and respectfully refunded. Full points to them for a smooth e-commerce experience. (& damn pretty designs). After that, I didn’t even give Scarters a chance to be honest.
Carbonado looked good for a bit, but the Home minister deemed it as unfit for carrying to the clinic or a conference room. Can’t argue with that.
Everywhere else I looked – it was all just rebranded Chinese stuff. Okami Wolf, Alpha Hunter, and a dozen-odd such fancy names with eerily similar product images and features.
Still searching for the right one, I happened to come across an ad on Instagram. Or should I say the ad came to me? (Knowing how exactly this works).
Road Gods from the famous Gods series had come up with a new one – Seneca – a partnership with Mohawk.
The very first thing that got me hooked was this post below their product. (look at the image attached below).
This was testimony that they are serious about what they do.
Loved their nomenclature style and checked with a few knowledgeable friends and colleagues who are happy users of the OG Ghost series.
I had a few queries about the product, so I dropped them an email asking about a few things. Especially, the luggage strap and rain cover. They answered all my queries, and I went ahead and ordered the backpack. It was on pre-order and is yet to be dispatched. (Feb. 6th I am told). Out of sheer exasperation, because I had still not found the ‘perfect’ backpack, I sent them another email, requesting the inclusion of the luggage strap at the back.
To this, they replied back! (Check the image)
Damn, these guys have won me over even before I receive their product. This, right here, is the true Indian entrepreneur spirit.
The ability to listen to the customer, to adapt, to accept one’s shortcomings, and to do better.
This is possible, only because RoadGods does not import from China and makes them right here. If it was yet another white-labeled company, they would be sitting on 1000 pieces imported from China, and not care two hoots about a single customer like me.
This is the power of Be Indian, Buy Indian.
(Something I have not been shy to voice out for a decade: Be Indian Buy Indian Blog Post )
This is where I have put my money, and why I strongly feel, that there are some great enterprising Indian companies that can truly make it big, that can truly take the fight global while delivering quality to the primary consumer base – Indians.
Such gestures get a big thumbs up from me, smiling ear to ear and dedicating a 3 1/2 thousand word post just about a backpack and one company that heard me out and treated the customer with the right attitude.
The team at RoadGods, I sincerely look forward to receiving this product, and it shall be my daily driver, for as long as it lasts.
No big-name brand can take away the pride of using a product that is truly Indian, as long as it is equally good.
You have my respect and my gratitude.
Thank you for having my back … err… backpack.
P.S. There are no links here because this is not a paid post and it is about the experience and to support the Be Indian, Buy Indian philosophy.
Update: 12.02.2023
Backpack received and reviewed here:
Photos here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CojIg4kLHKW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link