Nomads Nation Podcast

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 18 of the Nomads Nation Podcast!

This episode takes a fun turn into the world of cold plunges, ice baths, and cold showers—where growth meets discomfort (and shivering ❄️). Aaron gives his take on Chase’s now-viral ice bath video, Bo shares his own frosty plunge experience, and we dive into how cold exposure ties into self-growth, men’s groups, and personal development. Yep... we’re going deep.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Nomads Nation episode without some serious bag talk. We break down our picks for the best sling bags, small backpacks, EDC essentials, and even make a case for the most underrated carry of all: the tote bag.

If you're into gear, growth, and a little bit of chill (literally and figuratively), this one's packed with good vibes, solid takes, and plenty of nerdy carry goodness. 🧠💼

00:00 -  Intro
02:28 - Aaron's opinion on Chase's ice bath video
05:26 - Aaron's Dry January
06:19 - Bo's cold plunge experience
07:17 - Chase's cold shower experience
09:54 - Overlap between carry community and self-growth
13:41 - Men's groups and personal development
19:11 - Best Slings discussion
31:05 - Best Small Backpacks discussion
40:00 - Best EDC backpack discussion
59:46 - Best Tote bag discussion

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🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter 
➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit 
➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/

🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace 
➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22

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00:00 - Intro to Rework Gear and the Toshi Sling
00:20 Meet the Co-founders of Rework Gear
01:39 Immigration Story: From Singapore to the US
02:47 - The Story Behind Rework Gear: From Corporate Aversion to Bag Design
04:05 - Launching the Reset System on Kickstarter
06:09 - Journey into Bag Industry
07:26 - Jia's Initial Thoughts on Starting a Bag Company
09:14 - Kickstarter Realities and the Transition to E-commerce
11:49 - Singapore as a Carry Capital
14:33 - Bag Scene in the Bay Area
16:56 - Inspiration Behind the Rework Toshi Sling
18:30 - Development & Prototyping Process
21:38 - Balancing Design, Materials and Price
24:55 - Marketing Strategies: Facebook Ads and Reviewers
27:44 - Expansion and Compression Design of the Toshi Sling
30:36 - Most challenging thing aside from the product development
33:17 - Cash Flow and Business Planning
35:03 - It's not easy to run a bag company
36:56 - Future Plans for Rework: New Products and Series
40:00 - Customer Support and Brand Connection
42:01 - Female Perspective in the Carry Community
46:55 - Aaron's Journey to Hong Kong and Entrepreneurship

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🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter 
➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit 
➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/

🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace 
➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

**********

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 16 of the Nomads Nation Podcast!

In this episode, I’m joined by Danny from Danny Packs — a fellow bag nerd, content creator, and all-around travel junkie who’s been tearing up the globe with his latest adventures (think salsa dancing in Seoul, suitcase wisdom, and some seriously spicy bag takes). 🕺🌍 We dive deep into the world of bags, packs, and everything in between, with plenty of laughs, hot takes, and travel stories along the way.

We kick things off with an exciting Rushfaster collab, then dive into the best sling bags of the year, our favorite small backpacks, and a solid discussion on EDC bags. We also cover travel backpacks that won’t break your back, the top personal item bags for flights, and ask some spicy questions: which is the most underrated travel bag out there? Are duffels smart or straight-up stupid for travel? And we break down one of the most unique travel bags we’ve ever seen—genius or total gimmick?

If you're into bags, travel stories, and hot takes on gear, this one’s for you. 🧳 Let’s get into it! 🚀

00:00 - Intro
03:04 - Rushfaster Collab
04:26 - Salsa, Seoul & Suitcases: Danny’s Travel Adventures 
06:06 - Best Sling Bags of the Year
12:53 - Small Backpack Recommendations
21:06 - Best EDC Bags Discussion
26:06 - Travel Backpacks That Won’t Break Your Back
27:56 - Best Personal Item Backpacks
32:09 - Is This the Most Underrated Travel Bag? 
42:14 - The Duffel Dilemma: Smart or Stupid for Travel? 
43:26 - Genius or Gimmick? The Most Unique Travel Bag Yet

00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Meet Fred Perrotta, Co-Founder of Tortuga
2:01 - Tortuga in 2010 
5:32 - The Rise of Backpacks on Kickstarter
9:01 - The First Tortuga Prototype
10:28 - Why Tortuga Moved Manufacturing to Vietnam
11:10 - Backpacks Made in China vs. Backpacks made in Vietnam
17:01 - How Backpack Fabrics Have Evolved Over 15 Years
22:23 - Being innovative vs risks 
26:03 - Why Tortuga Only Focuses on Travel Bags
39:06 - How Airline Restrictions Are Changing Bag Designs
40:30 - The Water Bottle Pocket Controversy
43:08 - The Emotional Connection to Travel Bags
48:04 - The Role of YouTube Reviews in the Backpack Industry
51:59 - Is It Harder to Run a Bag Brand in 2024?
If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 15 of the Nomads Nation Podcast!

In this episode, I chat with Fred Perrotta, co-founder of Tortuga, about everything from travel bags to making backpacks to how the industry is changing. We get into how Kickstarter helped launch backpack brands, why people get so attached to their bags, and yes—the great water bottle pocket debate (it’s a real thing, trust me).

Fred also shares why Tortuga only focuses on travel bags instead of everyday carry, why they moved manufacturing to Vietnam, how airline rules shape bag designs, and whether running a backpack brand in 2025 is tougher than ever.

If you’re a bag nerd, travel junkie, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you! 🚀

If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/

🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I chat with Bellroy founder Andy Fallshaw about all things bags and warranties. We chat about the challenges surrounding warranties, and what Bellroy is doing to improve their own warranty and customer support.

00:36 - The carry community
2:46 - New Bellroy bags
6:20 - Traveling lite
10:30 - Bellroy's ambitious year
13:29 - Different EDC for different locations
17:09 - Bellroy's new warranty
29:08 - Innovation vs playing it safe
31:45 - Evergoods
32:29 - Fine print in warranties
36:55 - GORUCK & Osprey warranties
40:30 - Bellroy repair center?
42:11 - Overseas repairs
43:03 - Bellroy customer support
46:20 - Brand reputations
49:15 - Why 6 years?
54:30 - Upcoming Bellroy bags