Tim Adams makes bags for everyone. Don’t believe me? It says it right at the top of his website.
What really struck me about the bags is the simplicity of the concept and the utilitarian design. After looking into things more and thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that Tim Adams really does makes bags for everyone. Being the manufacturer (everything is made entirely by hand in his studio in Portland, Oregon) and also the seller, it allows for an affordable pricing structure at $149 for the medium bag and $169 for the large. There’s only one style available, but multiple colors and, as I just mentioned, only two sizes. No need to over complicate things – an approach that could be much more widely adopted.
These are just simple, honest, well designed bags that everyone can use and enjoy. I think the world needs more people like Tim Adams.
Tis true. That is a nice looking bag.
these are rad.
These are fantastic. However, I have one question: Why does Mr. Adams create such a wonderful, simple, elegant bag and then stick that horrendous leather “T-A” patch on the pocket? Is this an American thing? On a recent trip to Europe, I noticed several local leather makers (craftsman, whatevs) who created gorgeous, elegant items and suppressed the need to burnish a big logo (like MAKR) on them. These packs are still great. The patch just bugs the hell out of me.
Just wanted to leave a comment to say hello – I’m a recent fan and I love this site. It’s great to find a blog so stylish that combines travel and fashion – especially preppy styles. Thanks for posting!
x. jill
all 196 countries
@Steven Q.
So you know who makes it and more importantly how to buy it.
If I ever don’t like the patch on something I just use a seam-ripper.
Chalk me up as another.
Fan of the bags; however, not a fan of the branding patch what so ever. I remember a time, maybe 10-12 years ago, I was all about the brand image/logo “showing off” look what I have etc… I guess we all go through that phase at some point?
Well those days are loooong gone.
I prefer things label-less.
The patch is a feature. There are people who like these little details. If that is the only thing you don’t like about the bag, it is easy to remove. Branding-free seam rippers are available.
I really like the simplicity of these backpacks and the quality looks great but how is a backpack that costs $149 to $169 considered affordable? I understand that quality, hand made in the USA, usually equals more expensive but at a price tag like that I don’t believe Tim Adams makes “bags for everyone”. I do however think that these are awesome bags and agree that the world does need more people like Tim Adams making well designed products such as these, and I’m sure the price can be justified but these are not “bags for everyone”.
I discover your site tonight. It is more interesting then a lot of blogs I saw in the last week. I will have a lot to read in the next weeks.
How much should a bag for everyone cost?
Whut the???
The patch is embossed…not screened nor burned in.
The TA is barely perceptible, even close up.
Ever see a men’s full wetsuit (from the bigs) in the last 20 years?
Fuckin’ NASCAR city!
This bag says it all…simplicity over complexity.
Sorry….rant over.
It’s like a $48 L.L. Bean tote bag made into a $159 backpack.
These are hideous, and look heavy and impractical to boot. What occasion would ever call for a duck brown heavy canvas roll-top backpack?
what makes a bag “honest”?
These are nice bags. I just don’t think the price is THAT affordable for being produced and sold under one house. Being a manufacturer and seller can greatly reduces costs and this bag doesn’t seem to have anything over the top to drive the price up to $150. No leather, no hardware, just a simple canvas fabric that is stitched together. I understand that the guy needs to make money and earn a living because putting something like this together is tough and time consuming but I don’t think the price reflect the manufacturing nor the quality.
“Being a manufacturer and seller can greatly reduces costs . . .”
True for a larger operation like LL Bean, which can order materials in vast quantities and rotate their production staff through several product lines in order to maximize efficiency.
Not true for one dude who has none of these advantages.
“. . .just a simple canvas fabric that is stitched together.”
It is also fully lined, a feature not found on bags that seem comparable in design and manufacturing scale, but cost nearly $100 more.
But yeah, its like a free plastic grocery sack, but made into a $159 backpack. Sheesh
Great find. Love the leather patch detail. Not a bad price for made in the USA.
wow, first visit here, love all of the controversy! The bags look good, I just wonder how heavy they are, made of canvas and all. Also, I wonder about the functionality, what does the inside look like? I love the red/ canvas design. The leather tag doesn’t bother me, I think it adds to the design.
i wonder where the canvas is made?