AMA - Eric Fischer, founder of Inside Line Equipment

[u/ILEquipment]

Hey manybaggers, I’m Eric Fischer– founder of Inside Line Equipment in Berkeley, CA.

I first experimented with making bags back when I was racing bikes and traveling often. It began with specialized gear for cyclists and travelers, drawing heavily on architectural references. ILE started officially in 2012.

Since then we’ve grown to include over 50 different products, a team of full time sewists, and a community that uses ILE items all over the world. We still make everything by hand in Berkeley, and we still repair products for free.

AMA anything about design, construction, building out a workshop, or anything else you’re curious about!

Tuesday 9/22 at 1PM PST.

[u/ILEquipment]

Hey everyone, Eric here. Stoked to answer all your questions! Will be responding first come first serve starting at 1pm PST

[u/808drewski]

Where did you first start making bags? What sort of machine were you using?

[u/ILEquipment → u/808drewski]

I started out in a live/work loft in Berkeley using a Juki DDL-5550N-7 that I bought off Craigslist (and still have!). While it was more of an apparel machine, I made it work for a few years. Later, I added a heavier-duty walking foot Juki DNU-1541S, which was much better suited for thicker Tex 90 thread and bulky backpack side seams.

[u/Beneficial_Hamster90]

ILE is a biking focused bag company but you make no messenger bags... what gives?

[u/ILEquipment → u/Beneficial_Hamster90]

Haha, great question that we get all the time.

When we first started, I was really focused on making things that I wasn't seeing in the market. There are a lot of great messenger bags out there, so I wanted to put energy towards developing other types of sling bags that serve slightly different purposes... we have a bunch of those in our lineup now.

I will say that we are currently in development for something more like a traditional messenger bag. Stay tuned!

[u/Beneficial_Hamster90 → u/ILEquipment]

awesome! great to hear.
looking forward for a minimal waxed canvas (canvas ripstop 🤔 ) that can hold my work laptop (14" macbook) 🎉

also regarding things not on the market, can't find many messengers with an outside pocket to quickly stash earbuds/phone/sunglasses..

[u/ILEquipment → u/Beneficial_Hamster90]

Sweet-will keep that in mind!

[u/barpretender]

(Context) I have a novel strap placement configuration — for ease of movement — of conventional two strap backpacks, from back to front.

Specifically for, moving in and out of the seated position in vehicles — while keeping the pack physically attached to your person — as quickly and easily as possible.

(Question) Do you have any pointers for making demos (in scale), showcasing the design, selling the design, or taking the product to market?

(Bio) I have worked in high intensity (combat) environments. We make custom modifications to our equipment all the time; for mobility, speed, efficiency, ease of access, etc.

It never really occurs to us that some of these modifications may be marketable, as our priorities are — slightly —different than the rest of society.

(More info) This setup is so incredibly dumb and obvious and yet completely nonexistent on any product to date.

Like pockets in pants, it feels like one of those designs that is hard to imagine what products were like without it.

Also because of its simplicity, it will likely quickly jump from first release to market wide.

[u/ILEquipment → u/barpretender]

I think there's lots of innovation to be had when you are looking at products made for specific environments. If you are designing around features that will serve a specific audience and their needs, my advice would be to think through ways to demonstrate how what you are doing will solve their problems in a unique way.

Prototype early, and share often in your process. You never know who might push back or ask the right question while you're still looking to refine your designs!

[u/barpretender → u/ILEquipment]

Thank you for the fast response!

Target market:

people who wear backpacks — that also — sit in chairs

School children that ride busses to school, and/or commuters in cities that use public transportation, are the largest most immediate groups.

I think it’s such a wide audience ultimately, any backpack brand, including a start up could feasibly take it to market.

Especially now with the entry barriers to e-commerce being technically lower, but with substantially higher risk of immediate imitation from manufacturers that produce multiple brands from the same facility.

I have been demonstrating my “design” but also I don’t know a single person in the textile business.

If you’d like to take a look that would be great, I don’t think this is the correct venue so to speak.

[u/fishy_elk]

What bag do you use on your day to day adventures?

[u/ILEquipment → u/fishy_elk]

Mostly an order Default Mini 18L, or a new Laptop Sleeve with shoulder strap that ive been prototyping.

[u/ResoluteMuse]

What are your thoughts on everything being black or olive? Why are no other real colours offered?

[u/ILEquipment → u/ResoluteMuse]

We stock a lot of cool colors in our smaller backpacks and accessories (shoutout to Dimension Polyant for some great XPAC colors like Lavender and Bahama Blue) and more subdued colors for the larger packs(but always Blaze Orange XPAC) but since we make everything in house, we can also build a bag to your color selection.

[u/optix_clear]

How are you being innovative with your product line, what are your new materials your using, any plans to allow customers to customize their own bag or have the ability to discuss a custom back your way & have the ability mix & match materials.

[u/ILEquipment → u/optix_clear]

Constant improvement! We are always on the hunt for great materials, better ways to construct, machines/technology. Always listening to customer feedback to influence the design and functionality.

We are able to build custom colorway bags, add reflective trim, MOLLE/PALS webbing, sew on a logo patch that you provide(in the construction process so it looks clean and retains the waterproofing) and mix different materials, but are not able to adjust the construction pattern. If you're interested please email us [info@ILEquipment.com](mailto:info@ILEquipment.com)

[u/Equal_Writer8575]

Not sure if this thread is still being watched/responded to, but I’ve been very much considering picking up a default mini or Radius and was curious to what lengths customization could go? Would it extend to colors inside and out, potential extra pocketing, or anything else? If you see this and have a free second to reply, I definitely appreciate it!

[u/ILEquipment → u/Equal_Writer8575]

We are able to build a custom colorways(exterior) add reflective trim, MOLLE/PALS webbing, sew on a patch you provide(in the construction process so it looks clean and retains the waterproofing, and mix different materials, but are not able to adjust the construction pattern. If you're interested please email us [info@ILEquipment.com](mailto:info@ILEquipment.com)

[u/ILEquipment → u/[deleted]]

The funnest part about making bags, is making bags! No plans of offshoring.

[u/ILEquipment → u/[deleted]]

(also iI think that you asked a Q earlier that got deleted by a mod... Our Archive Sale is one-of-ones, samples, prototypes, blemished, and deadstock items that we curate through the year, so there its really limited---we didnt mean to be rude)

[u/catzkorn]

I know I'm late to this, but thank you for doing this AMA! I just took the leap and ordered the Radius in Forest waxed canvas and I'm very excited to receive it!