Where Our Gear Is Born... Ep.1 - Zpacks
Description
A New Video Series about the Companies that make our Hiking Gear.
In this Episode, we drop in on Zpacks to talk Gear, History of the Company, Comunity, & take a Tour of their facility in West Melbourne, FL.
Check out Zpacks --- http://www.zpacks.com
*** WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL ***
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darwinonthetrail
(Help Support my 2018 PCT Thru with a pledge as low as a $1/month)
Visit our Etsy Shop! - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TravelandTrail
*** Gear Used to Shoot this Video! ***
- Camera -
Canon EOS 77D - http://amzn.to/2zf5OQ9
- Lense -
Canon EF 24mm IS USM - http://amzn.to/2zeJuWU
- Sound -
TakStar Shotgun Mic - http://amzn.to/2kMsAnM
- TriPod -
Targus 360 Trigger Tripod - http://amzn.to/2kMsU5Y
------Intro & Animation By: BlackStrap Media------
https://blackstrapmedia.com
------- Music By: Mike Boren --------
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Contact information:
Website: www.darwinonthetrail.com
Instagram: Darwin_Onthetrail
facebook: www.facebook.com/darwinonthetrail
Tags: Zpacks,UL Hiking,UL Backpacking,UL Hiking Gear,Zpacks Arc Blast,Backpacking Gear,Hiking,AT,Appalachian Trail,AT Thru Hike,Pacific Crest Trail,PCT,PCT Thru Hike,Flordia Trail,Tour,Gear Companies,Zpacks Duplex
Video Transcription
hello guys it's Darwin as you know I am a huge gear geek I love all different types of backpacking gear from ultralight to regular to traditional backpacking gear taking out in the field reviewing it making modifications to it and even some DIY stuff but one thing that has never really talked about in the community is the gear companies where does our gear come from where's our gear born so today I'm here in West Melbourne Florida at one of my personal favorite gear companies z packs we're gonna go inside talk to one of the main guys here find out a little history of the company and show you a little behind the scenes of where our gear is born [Music]
all right so I am here inside of Z packs with mr. Matt Farah some guys say that right tell me a little bit about kind of history of Z packs how it started where it started look at why it started 2005 Joe started Z packs Joe Velasco or honor the company came about because he was going to hike the Appalachian Trail and he wasn't happy with the gear options that were available so basically he decided to start making his own gear prototyping testing things so he gotten a bus went on the Appalachian Trail started hiking got a few weeks in realized his gear wasn't that good went home built new gear went back out did that a couple times and he finished the trail but what was on the trail a bunch of people were like you should really make this and sell this a bunch of people would buy it there's nothing really like this out there you went home and at the time he was a computer programmer so after work he would go home it was start making gear and his is a living room and at night after working on the weekends and selling it on eBay and then a little web store and eventually that grew into Z packs which in 2010 became a full-time operation for him he was working out of his house with just him and his wife and that's when I met Joe and I became the Omegas his wife is typically the first employee but on the first non wife a relative employee and I started working with him out of his garage in his house we hired a few like my sister-in-law and a couple friends and then eventually we took over a another room in the house nice that eventually needed to move to a shop than a bigger shop and a bigger shop and a bigger shop and then into our current job so that's what seven and a half years ago for me of nnz banks in other words if you like ordered an original Z packs pack or a tent or something this man probably assembled it it was a either Joe myself or she'll definitely at the beginning there was a we touched everything for sure we made everything why do you think that Z packs is you know for me and then for a lot of other hikers you guys are gonna be like the top companies put through hikers you know for going ultralight the company was based on a need for the owners you know desired a thru-hike with light weight falling gear so we are that community itself like we're not just making here to sell to through hikers we are like long distance hikers ourselves who make gear and test the gear and you know we walk the walk we're out on the trail like plenty of people have seen us out on the trail you see our adventure videos we are hikers and we take that experience to develop the products to refine the products and to make sure we're carrying the stuff that we would want to carry so we're making the best gear that we can make and that translates into the community that we're serving because we're a part of that community they trust us they know that that we actually use it and put it to the test ourselves so I think that Trust really you know goes a long way in the community yeah so the facility here again we're in West Melbourne yes West Melbourne Florida apparently we're not too far from the beach I didn't know that
you said yeah so here in this facility this is a newer facility yeah we've been here about a year four months I believe yeah how many how many employees do you you guys now we're currently somewhere in the in the 80s right now we're still in the middle of hiring a bunch of people but right now we have a somewhere like eighty three or four people nice [Music]
if you want to give us kind of like a little walk walk through in like a tour of kind of a set up in the operation in here yeah
so basically we're a one-stop shop here everything is done from the website to customer service to shipping all manufacturing is done in the one facility so over here over here we have all the clothing being manufactured if you look over here this whole road of clothing and thanks to them we have some backpack accessories followed by the belts and straps or backpacks and then the backpacks himself we come over here to the other side we have the sleeping bag department then we have it's really dry bags and stuff sack and then the entire rest of these two rows here shelter in the back we have shipping
running off to the left behind all that where we keep keep inventory
[Music]
alright guys so there you have it a little peek behind the scenes of z packs their history and how they do things behind closed doors a big thanks to Z packs role and has come in peek our head around take a tour and find out where your gear is born [Music]
About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
More articles from this author
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 2) NC/TN
- Zpacks Arc Blast Review
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 2 (Rim to Rim to Flagstaff)
- Riding the "Cobble" of Southern Indiana
- Wind in the Canyon
- Virginia's Three Ridges
- BRS UltraLight Stove Review
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List
- Stick Pic Full Review
- Rocky Mountain Morning...
- Kurgo Max Dog Pack Full Review
- Sleeping Pads
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 1)
- Power on the Trail / Giveaway!
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike (in 1 day)
- Cold Weather Gear on the Appalachian Trail
- A Stroll through Gand Teton....
- Santa Fe Rail Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #17 + Announcement!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #24 (Answers)
- 2016 AZT Bikepacking Gear List
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Massachusetts)
- AZT: What Happened & What's next?
- Aug 2015 National Parks Tour
- Hoka Challenger ATR Review
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 5) Pennsylvania
- Ask Darwin Q&A #8 (Answers!)
- Osprey Mutant 28 Full Reveiw
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 1 (Utah Border to Grand Canyon)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #14 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #11 (Answers!)
- 2015 in Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #19 (Answers)
- Sleep Systems on The Appalachian Trail
- CNOC Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review
- DIY Pot Cozy & Cook Pouch for the Trail
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (New Hampshire)
- Gear I'm Done With!.... For Now
- HydroBlu Versa Flow Review
- Gear to Leave at Home during a Thru-Hike
- Exploring The Sandia Mountains of New Mexico
- AT Thru Hike Budget
- Cheap BackCountry Meals
- Ask Darwin Q&A #12 (Answers!)
- Staying Healthy on the Trail
- Cuben Fiber Gear, Is It Worth It?
- My Three Favorite Pieces of Backpacking Gear
- Ask Darwin Q&A #6 (Answers!)
- Six Moon Designs SkyScape-Trekker Full Review
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Katahdin)
- Cave Exploring in Missouri
- Thru-Hiking Solo vs with a Group
- 5 Things the Appalachian Trail Taught Me
- Ask Darwin Q&A #7 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #20 (Answers)
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 3) Virginia
- Snow Peak 700 & Litemax Cook System
- Best Footwear for the Trail?
- Gear for the PCT: My Big 3
- Gear I Won't Hike Without
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 1)
- Gear I wish I'd had during my Thru-Hike
- Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad Review
- Wheeler Peak Winter Attempt
- AT Thru Hiker Slang
- Ask Darwin Q&A #16 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #3 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #15 / Giveaway Winner Announced!
- Headlamps VS Flashlights
- Ask a Hiker #2 (Post AT) Questions Answered!
- Going Stoveless! Pros & Cons
- Bugs On the Trail & How to Deal with Them
- Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review
- Snowshoeing in Cumbres Pass Colorado
- Ask Darwin Q&A #29 (Answers)
- Ask a Hiker #1 (Questions Answered!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #23 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #27 (Answers)
- Training for a Long Distance Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 4) WV/MD
- Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Review
- Reasons You Might Quit Your Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #21 (Answers)
- Post Thru Hike - Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! (Part 2)
- GooseFeet Gear Down Sock Reveiw
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget!
- Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch II Full Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 1 - Goodbye New Mexico)
- Base Weight & Why It's So Important!
- Sleeping Bags VS Quilts
- How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life / Post Trail Depression
- We're Restoring a Vintage Camper?
- Tips for Hiking in the Desert
- Scariest Backpacking Trip Story
- How to Save Money during a Thru-Hike
- Surly ECR (Bikepacking Bike) Full Review
- Should I Document My Thru-Hike?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #25 (Answers)
- CDT Section Hike - Part 2 (Silver City, NM to Doc Campbell's)
- Thru-Hiking Tricks of the Trade
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Full Review
- Coffee on the Trail
- BikePacking the Caja Del Rio
- Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #13 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #22 (Answers)
- AZT Bikepacking Food Resupply
- First Aid & Toiletries on an AT Thru Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #26 (Special Edition!)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review
- CDT Section Hike Gear List
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 2)
- CNOC Vecto Water Container Review
- AegisMax UL Sleeping Bag Review
- How I Pack My Gear
- Gear for the PCT: Clothes Set-Up
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0 - Test Footage)
- Over 42,000 Sub GIVEAWAY!!!
- Bikes & Brews in Southern Indiana w/ Mike Boren
- AT Thru Hike Food Resupply
- Ask Darwin Q&A #4 (Answers!)
- BikePacking: Clipless vs Platform?
- Sawyer Squeeze Gravity System
- Ask Darwin Q&A #30 (Answers)
- BlitzWolf 9000 Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0.5 - PCT Days)
- Exploring Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #18 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #31 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Vermont)
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List (Snuggles Edition)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #28 (Answers)
- Dirty Girl Gaiters Full Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #9 (Answers!)
- Osprey Escapist 18 Full Review
- How to Prevent Blisters & Foot Injuries on the Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 1) Georgia
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 6) NJ/NY/CT
- CDT Section Hike - Part 1 (Lordsburg, NM to Silver City)
- 2015 AT Thru Hike Post Gear Set-up
- Ask Darwin Q&A #10 (Answers!)
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 3)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #5 (Answers!)
- Sandia Mountain Snow Storm
- Typical Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail
- Salomon X Ultra Hiking Shoe Full Review
- Top 5 Favorite Places on the Appalachian Trail
- New Gear for the AT & PCT Thru Hike
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 2)
- Zpacks Nero Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #34 (Answers)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Jacket Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #35 (Answers)
- Gear I Carry on a Day Hike
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 1
- AZT Post Hike Gear Set-Up (7lbs 11oz)
- How I Afford My Lifestyle
- Ask Darwin Q&A #32 + GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #33 (Answers)
- Ultralight Vs Traditional Packs - What's the Best for you?
- Tent Vs Bivy - What's the Best Shelter for You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #36 (Answers)
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3
- Ask Darwin Q&A #39 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #38 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #41 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #40 (Answers)
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 2 - Canyons, Trees, & Trails)
- The Trowel - Necessary or Nonsense?
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 2
- Ask Darwin Q&A #37 (Answers)
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 (Top 10)
- Cold Soaking/Stoveless Backpacking - Is It Right For You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #43 (Answers)
- Back Again - A Rim2Rim2Rim Hike w/Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #44 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #42 w/ Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #45 (Answers)
- A Thru-Hike Before A Thru-Hike?
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Electronics & Ditty Bag
- The Perfect UL Headlamp? - UCO Air 150 Review + MOD!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #46 (Answers)
- Hike Your Own Hike - An Ode to the Hiking Community
- Ask Darwin Q&A #47 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #50 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #48 (From the AT!)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike Gear List (11lb 5oz)
- Gear I Would NEVER BRING on a Long Hike!
- How to Plan Your 1st Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #49 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #51 (Answers)
- UGQ Bandit Quilt Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #52 (Answers)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 3
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 2
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 1
- Ask Darwin Q&A #53 (Answers)
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Desert Protection
- Ask Darwin Q&A #56 - The End?
- Vargo BOT Review - IS IT WORTH IT?
- Ask Darwin FINAL Q&A - #57
- Ask Darwin Q&A #54 (Answers)
- Post Pinhoti Trail Gear Thoughts & Failures
- Ask Darwin Q&A #55 (Answers)
- VAN TOUR, GIVEAWAY, & THANK-YOU'S!
- Gear for the PCT - Cook System & Water Storage
- PCT Thru-Hike Gear List (FINAL)
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 17 - Good Days and Bad Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 12- Passes and Postholing
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 16 - Hiking On
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 10 - Mt. Whitney and Beyond
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 9 - Into The Sierra and Back To The Stove
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 4 - Back on Trail
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 13- A Few Rough Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 20 - Hello Washington!
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 3 - Trail Injuries
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 7 - Still In The Desert
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 2 - Every Available Mile
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 8 - Gateway To The Sierra
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 1
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 19 - Death By Mosquito
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 14- End Of The Sierra...Sorta
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 5 - Famous Places
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 18 - Crossing Into Oregon
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 15 - Refuel: Food, Beer, and Rest
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Extras & Outtakes
- Post PCT Q&A
- ZPacks Duplex 3,000+ Mile Review
- AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 21 - Another Beginning’s END
- So, What's Next? The CDT?
- Gear I Would CHANGE on the PCT
- Food on the PCT
- Post PCT Thru-Hike Gear List
- A Quick Message... AT & PCT 50th Anniversary!
- PCT Video Editing Q&A
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 1
- EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 2
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2018 (Top 10)
- Advice for Future PCT Hikers
- Something A Little Different + GIVEAWAY!
- Total Cost for the PCT, Mental Game, & My “OTHER” Trail Name... Q&A
- Katadyn BeFree 500 Mile Review
- Best Cameras For The Trail?