A one-of-a-kind, sustainably produced, compact hip pack.
Sustainably Stylish
Made out of repurposed material originally used in special event tents and table coverings, North St’s LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack is fun, durable, and just the right size for my essentials.
I love the fact that the material is getting a second use. I also appreciate that upcycling materials means that each pack ends up with a unique design. For me, that story matters: the LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack pack feels more special than my other packs and bags. I feel sporty and fashionable when I use it.
Solidly Built
LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack is well-designed, with tight top-stitching and contrast colored material on the inside of the main compartment and on the inside of the zippered pocket located on the front of the pack. The zippers are not waterproof, but instead are covered by fabric flaps that do a great job of hiding the zipper and keeping out the elements. The bag is water-resistant.
I like that the main compartment has two zippers so I can open the bag nice and wide if I need to. Both of those zippers, along with the front pocket zipper, have longish nylon cords (about two inches from the end of the zippers) attached as zipper pulls to make accessing what’s inside simple and fast.
The adjustable nylon waistband is nice and wide – about 1.5 inches – so the weight is evenly distributed when I wear it. Most often I wear the LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack around my waist so I have access to the contents, but sometimes I wear it over my shoulder or across my body. There is a little hook on the belt that holds any excess length when I have the belt around my waist. I like that.
Just the Right Size
I tested a size XS/S pack (8″ wide x 2.5″ deep x 4″ tall | 90 cubic inches | 7oz), and it is the perfect size for me. I have a lot of different types of bags and packs, but sometimes I like having a small pack because it prevents me from overpacking.
Here’s what I carry in my LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack: my inhaler and its spacer, a checkbook, a lip balm, my iPhone 12 in its Otter case. Then I put my wallet and passport in the outer pocket. Somehow it all fits, and the pack carries well because everything is packed tight and it’s not too heavy.
(Check out our review of the Vancouver Day Pack by North St. Bags.)
Bottom Line
I’ve always liked using hip packs because I like to have my hands free and have quick access to my things. Now that it’s getting into the 80s F, it also feels more comfortable to wear a hip pack than a small day pack. The LTD Upcycled Pioneer 8 Hip Pack is ideal for my hot weather outings, like concerts and traveling, where security people need to scan or hand-check my things. It is also the perfect size for my regular trips to the beach. I can toss the pack into my swim buoy to keep my valuables with me while I swim.
Details
Handmade in Portland, OR. If you order items from the North St website, you can get 10% of your first order if you subscribe to email alerts.
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, LX/2XL
Colors: blue, red, orange
Manufacturer: northstbags.com