03/06/2026
I walked past someone wearing this backpack today.
It’s always a little surreal, but also massively gratifying and uplifting. Sometimes I think about shouting, “Hey, that’s my backpack, I designed that.” But then remember, how uncool that would likely appear and how it’s actually a little more satisfying just to stay quiet and smile.
Designing a simple backpack sounds easy, but it really isn’t. This particular bag took me years. When you strip things back, every single detail matters, the shape, the pockets, the stitching, the hardware. There’s nowhere to hide bad decisions.
The goal from the beginning wasn’t to make the lightest pack or chase whatever trend the algorithm is pushing this week. I just wanted to make something dependable. A backpack you could travel with for years without ever thinking of replacing it.
Repair is a big part of that idea. Every single component you can see on this pack can be fixed or replaced. The intention was always to make something that stays with you. The most prized possessions in anyone’s wardrobe are the things they’ve kept forever, the ones that slowly become a reflection of who they are. That’s always been the goal.
This one here is mine. It’s become my most prized possession.
Anyway, I’m waffling a bit here. I guess it’s just a big thank you to everyone who’s supported Salkan and picked one up over the years. Seeing them out there will never lose its magic.
— Will
