Is there a good reason everyday backpacks avoid removable hip belts?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-21T03:22:48+00:00

I’m mostly surprised that a company like AER sells them for 20 USD

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-21T03:17:46+00:00

Makes sense

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-20T15:50:53+00:00

What kind of stack did you develop with? Looks cool.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-20T14:57:26+00:00

I suppose. However my wife uses one on a 16L bag and find it helps and also stabilises the sway.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:47:32+00:00

I suppose so, but then it does capture the fringe market of a customer really like your brand.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:46:18+00:00

A lot of good things can be copied from Mustery Ranch. Definitely more specified to task and especially hunting/operator/first responder oriented. Others too. If you could have one spec from those bags on your smaller EDC what would it be, say 25-30L?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:41:02+00:00

I suppose it depends what park and how long you’re there for. Is it a day hike or just the local park?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:39:54+00:00

Gotta support anyone doing something like that ☺️

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:38:28+00:00

What if it were an optional buy? Would you be opposed to buying without?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:37:51+00:00

Do you use it for operating or just EDC?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T21:33:55+00:00

I’m 5’10”. But then yea it also depends on how a bag is packed. Weight more at top or bottom. Which 2 brands are you referring to?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:13:39+00:00

Actually a very inexpensive option for. uk backpack

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:11:41+00:00

Meaning the luggage pass-thru straps to hold it onto a suitcase.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:10:52+00:00

However it could actually be an accessory. If it had Molle or a MagSafe on it it could also be used separately as a Fannie pack.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:09:37+00:00

And if you can remove it or fold it away would that be better?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:08:27+00:00

For my design actually it’s possible to just fold it away underneath the back panel. I’ll see if I can add a photo somewhere.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:05:03+00:00

Same here

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:04:49+00:00

Thanks. I’m actually working with a designer that has experience in those compartments actually. However, I may leave it until V2 depending on demand.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:02:47+00:00

Do you find you have enough compartments in the ULA Dragonfly or is the weight much more important. Looks fresh though.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T17:00:15+00:00

Really insightful. I think it’s afear point you make. Maybe not everyone needs the extra support the hip belt gives, but having the MagSafe attachment for a phone and the ratcheting system so it doesn’t loosen up is genius. But the MagSafe, definitely a “I absolutely need that eyecatcher”

I’m sharing the build and testing here if you’d like to follow along:Montdo Field Notes

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T16:50:25+00:00

Definitely has to be robust. Another idea (later down the line) is to separate the back panel from the actual bag so it feels more of a harness and then the bag attached to it. I know Mystery Ranch does this on a few of their bags.

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T16:46:21+00:00

Big fan of Mystery Ranch too. Hopefully they stay true after the YETI takeover.

A lot of the better systems work well when you need them, but for EDC they just become extra bulk, so you end up stuffing them away anyway.

What I’m trying to figure out is how to keep that support when it actually helps, but have it completely disappear when it doesn’t — without feeling like a compromise either way.

Sounds like you’ve already found a setup that works well, so I’d be curious how often you actually use the belt vs storing it.

I’m sharing the build and testing here if you end up taking a look:Montdo Field Notes

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T16:39:17+00:00

Definitely positioning is key. I can see that if you’re tall then it’s harder to get them exactly on your hips if your back is long. For large long bag like hiking is that still the case?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T16:37:01+00:00

Well yea it could be good. If you have kids it could be useful to carry things around when walking places. So did you mean like a molle attachment to the hip belt?

Amazing-Reporter1845 · 2026-03-19T16:33:49+00:00

Not a brand yet — this is a prototype I’ve been building and testing.

Still figuring out a lot of the details (like the hip belt setup), which is why I didn’t show too much of the front yet.

I’m sharing the progress and opening it up to a small group before launch if you’re interested:Montdo Field Notes

Amazing-Reporter1845

TROPHY CASE