We're going to say out loud what everyone else is thinking: finding the perfect backpack is a real pain.
It may be crude, but it's true. And you know it. When they look good, they’re worn out inside a few years. When they're solid, they're poorly thought out. And when they're practical, they look like a PE bag.
So we did what we always do when we want to innovate: send you a questionnaire to tell us what to do
A quick reminder: here's the itinerary for each of the items in the Asphalte wardrobe.
This is how it goes at Asphalte. Rather than creating items on the fly, we ask you for your insights and create something you actually want.
The Backpack was no different. This is exactly how we did it.
Stage 1: November 2022
Two years ago, we sent you an initial, general questionnaire to take the temperature. Spoiler: yes.
At the time, 81% of you were enthusiastic, so we got to work straight away.
Our first effort looked like this.
Moodboards, material comparisons, rummaging through second-hand clothes shops, looking at specialist products, talking to other brands, exchanges with experienced craftsmen, specing, researching the top European know-how, negotiations with potential manufacturers… we'd been prepping the ground for months and months before getting back to you in early 2024.
Stage 2: first quarter of 2024
Once that we’d learned most of what there’s to know about backpacks, we put together a new questionnaire to get into detail. The aim was no longer to find out IF you wanted an Asphalte Backpack, but WHICH Backpack.
For the record, our friend looked like this.
You may remember it: we talked about materials, pockets, fastenings, prices, colours and all that.
900 of you completed the second questionnaire, which is pretty amazing, we really appreciate the time you took to help us get this backpack right.
Thanks to this - and to the various contributions on our socials - we'd been able to craft something that looks like the backpack you’re about to discover.
Stage 3: November 2024
That's it, we went through your answers one by one and got very close to an approved prototype. We were only a few details short of the backpack's final shape.
As we started running out of time, we opted for the details that were the most practical for us. Democracy is key, but you also have to be able to make good decisions in the heat of the moment.
No, we're just kidding.
We obviously asked for your opinion via a third and final questionnaire just about the Backpack.
It was this one. Ring a bell?
Here, the main subject was pockets. We didn't know exactly how many to put and where, so we asked you tell us. And the result was clear.
One large pocket at the front, and two smaller ones on the sides for your glasses, your water bottle or whatever you’re nibbling on.
Next up?
The launch of course. We didn’t all do that hard work for nothing.
A few weeks before that though, we'll be giving you an in-depth preview. So expect to hear from us around 10th January with all the details.
There’s a lot to pack in.
Until then,
The Asphalte team