What is the Moab Lite Dog Backpack?
Besides the only ultralight, waterproof, reflective, and ergonomic K9 backpack on the market? The Moab Lite is an homage to dog adventurers around the world, and the humans who love them.
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*Thunder wears a recent prototype of the Moab Lite K9 backpack
Constructed with the latest tech in the outdoor gear industry, the Moab Lite offers a refreshing update to the world of outdoor K9 gear by using ultralight abrasion resistant fabrics, seam-sealing weather-proofing methods, and functional ergonomic design.
Highly reflective stripes and taping around the whole pack make it easier to spot your pup, and 7 points of adjustment make it the most adjustable dog backpack available to fit a wide range of dog shapes.
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Keep your gear dry:
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Waterproof in rain, dew, snow, or when your pup decides it's time for a dip in the creek!
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PU2000 coating provides weather proofing and abrasion resistance
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Fully taped seams, welded tie-down patches, and highly water-resistant YKK sealed zippers
Shed excess weight:
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Ultralight, designed to reduce and redistribute load by centering weight over your dogs' shoulders where they are strongest
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High-performance, kevlar reinforced gridded nylon ripstop with optimal strength to weight ratio
- Light weight, low bulk design to function as a daily walking harness and K9 backpack
Hike in comfort and style:
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7 points of adjustment ensures a comfortable, balanced custom fit for your pup
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Reduced slipping: elastic tensioners sewn into each cinch strap allow a snug fit while hiking
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Ergonomic and form-fitting to mitigate bone, joint, or muscle soreness with optimal carrying-capacity and proper weight distribution over shoulders
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Breathable protective padding offers both comfort and airflow for quick drying
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Some Backstory:
For the last 13 years, my service dog Thunder and I have traveled to nearly every US state and 30 different countries in search of adventure in all its forms. And we sure did find it! After trying an array of outdoor K9 gear, and being disappointed with either the quality or design (and often both), I decided it was time for an update in the K9 gear industry.
Our dogs should enjoy the same comforts and advantages that we have in our gear. The outdoor gear industry continues to evolve year after year, introducing stronger, lighter, and more weather-resistant materials in a galaxy of aesthetic options, yet it seems outdoor K9 gear has been at a standstill for well over a decade: heavy out-dated fabrics, bulky shapes, minimal weather-resistance, and boring designs.
Our dogs deserve the latest in these technologies too, and you deserve to know your pup is equipped with the best gear on the market.
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The Misconception:
In addition to my own experiences with Thunder for the last 13 years, we also surveyed hundreds of other people who hike with their pups to get a better idea of what exactly they put in their dogs' backpacks.
Many people expect they will need more capacity in their K9 backpack than they actually do. Larger capacity means a heavier, bulkier pack. This presents two problems: either we fill the pack to capacity and risk over-packing, or we don't fill it all the way, which causes the stuff inside to slosh around creating a jarring effect that inhibits the dogs' movement and encourages slipping to the side.
It turns out, we actually don't put all that much in our dogs' backpacks. And for good reason:
Dogs aren't meant to carry heavy loads, which is why we set out to design the first ultralight dog daypack: slim enough for daily use as a walking harness, yet capable of carrying all the essentials and organizing them using the internal mesh pocket. At a capacity of ~6L for the size M, and ~7.5L for the size L/XL, the Moab Lite still offers plenty of capacity for:
- A K9 First Aid Kit
- Emergency Water
- Crushed Kibble
- Collapsable Bowls
- Snacks & Treats
- A GPS Tracker
- Waste Bags
- A Leash
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*An internal mesh liner and wide-opening zipper keeps items organized and easily accessible
But what about colder weather camping?
Thunder loves his coat and sleeping bag.
We came up with a solution for that too. The lash-tabs on the sides of the Moab Lite allow you to roll up lightweight, bulkier items and tie them down as a top-pack across your pup's shoulders.
A top-pack has a few other advantages. The alternative is stuffing those items into the side-bags of a large-capacity dog backpack. This moves the weight and bulk further from the dog's median line along its spine, creating a swinging motion and increasing the kind of leverage that encourages slipping. It also gives the dog a frustratingly wide profile that can get stuck when moving through brush.
Instead, a top-pack keeps the weight centered over the dog's median line along its spine, just behind the shoulder where the dog is structurally strongest, which results in better weight and bulk distribution.
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*Thunder carries his coat atop an early prototype of the Moab Lite
How do I know this?
Because I worked for several years packing horses and mules and taking them through some of the most rugged terrain in North and South America, including working for the US National Park Service in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
In our line of work, it is well-known that bulkier items pack better on top where they do not impede the horses' movement.
In addition to working as a cowboy and vaquero in North, Central, and South America for several years, I also worked as a parachute rigger for skydiving and BASE jumping. As a jumper myself, and as a hobbyist rock climber and ski mountaineer, I have learned enough about material science, static/dynamic load ratings, and harness construction to make any gear-nerd jealous. We literally trust our lives with the gear we make and maintain!
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*Thunder makes a great packing-weight to help me pack my BASE jumping parachute
The Inspiration:
As mentioned, I've experienced a lot with my old pup Thunder. Like you and your pup, we are inseparable. He's my best friend. My side-kick. The reason I'm here today. We even have two trans-continental motorcycle rallies under our belt!
We've driven cattle across Arizona, thru-hiked the Sierras, climbed volcanoes in the rainforests of Nicaragua, scaled 5000 meter peaks in the Peruvian Andes, worked avalanche search and rescue in the Rockies, skied the Alps in Europe, and camped pretty much everywhere we've ever been.
One day, I realized these adventures together are the foundation for the incredible bond I am so grateful to have. I wanted to find a way to help other people develop that same kind of bond with their pups—to showcase the amazing love and talents of our canine companions.
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*2013 motorcycle and rock-climbing trip around the US with the trailer I built for Thunder
That reflection led to the inception of DOGPAK and the ambition to build better outdoor K9 equipment. The Moab Lite is the result of a passion project and more than a year of learning, designing, and developing.
Sometimes, our most endearing memories with our dogs come from those unforgettable adventures we share together—the kinds of journeys that don't always seem fun in the moment but have a tendency to shine in retrospect—the kinds of memories built from a questionable unfolding of comedy and mishap, moonlit nights and misty mountain mornings, missed switchbacks and rain-soaked shoes, tall tales that grow in zeal and zest with each passing year and each retelling over a campfire by an alpine lake somewhere beneath the stars.
We are purveyors of type II fun, full-belly laughs on empty stomachs after long days and many miles. DOGPAK was inspired by the same kinds of adventures that inspire you and your pup.
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*Family camping trip in the Swiss Alps
What We Need & What You Get:
We need your support, and we are grateful to have it in any form. Most helpful right now is to help us raise enough money to cover a portion of production costs for the first run of the Moab Lite dog backpack.
We need to meet the Minimum Order Quantity required by the factory for each size and each color (every SKU) in order to go into production. This will require a hefty upfront investment of capital on our part.
In order to raise enough, we are offering the Moab Lite here on Indiegogo for a special discounted price at well below retail value.
Your early purchase, contribution, or investment will help us turn this passion project into a dream come true, and for that, we thank you!
Given the Minimum Order Quantities required for production, we need to raise at least 25% of upfront costs to place an order. Every little bit helps! So does sharing on social media or helping spread the word through the grapevine.
Sizes and Colors:
We have listed our goal based on the amount we need to raise for production of 2 sizes. Since dogs come in all shapes and sizes, we feel it is important to be able to offer at least two sizes. For now, we will offer the pack in a size M, and a size L/XL, which will fit most dogs sized from as small as ~15kg (33 lbs.) up to pony sized Great Danes (we tested it).
To start, we will only offer production in one color option: Glacier Blue, which features a rich blue fabric with light blue zippers and accenting as seen in the photo below (*note that the final product could vary slightly in hue and coloring of some parts).
While I would love to offer a whole range of sizes and also colors, that would require fulfilling the Minimum Order Quantities for each of those individually, and realistically speaking, we do not yet have enough capital to cover that.
However, that could change if this campaign takes off and surprises us!
That is why we have also set some Stretch Goals.
If we can raise enough to contribute to the Minimum Order Quantities in a second color scheme, then you will have your choice between two color options, the second being a charcoal grey with burgundy accenting. After all, dogs come in all kinds of coat colors, so we would love to be able to offer a choice in color scheme too.
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*Help us reach our Stretch Goal so we can offer both color options
The funding raised here will help us finance the first round of production for the two sizes. If this campaign catches us all by surprise and happens to raise more funding than we ever dreamed of, we will be able to offer a third size S as well.
The costs involved in design, marketing, production, quality control, fulfillment, logistics, packaging, taxes, shipping, and returns add up, so we appreciate your understanding and support.
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Perks:
In order to sweeten the deal, we are offering several perks and bonuses for different tiers of contribution.
- Hugs
- Shoutouts
- DOGPAK T-shirts
- Collapsable Bowls
- Moab Themed Collars & Leashes
- Bulk Order Discounts
We are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: the popular tourist destination Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. If you happen to have plans to visit, be sure to check out our list of perks including discounted rooms in the Valley, customized hiking tours (for dogs and/or people), and adventure packages in the area. We know the area well, so let us give you the locals' insider scoop on what to do around here—all at a discounted rate.
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*Thunder wears an early Moab Lite prototype and watches over the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley, home of DOGPAK Headquarters and the landscape that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell
Product Development & Timeline:
It has been a long road up until this point, but most of the heavy lifting is done.
We are currently in the final stages of the prototyping process. After 2 self-made and 4 professionally-made prototypes, each with various tweaks and adjustments along the way, we have now finalized the prototype.
Keep in mind, all photos of the Moab Lite feature our prototypes. These prototypes use cheaper materials in order to focus on developing the right sewing patterns. These photos do not show the final product, which will use the high quality materials we individually evaluated and hand-selected.
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*Recent prototype featuring more adjustability, added capacity, and highly reflective silver taping around the perimeter of the pack in addition to the two reflective stripes on each side
Now that the prototype is finalized and the patterns are ready, the next step is to make the "Gold Sample." The Gold Sample will be the final version of the Moab Lite K9 backpack made with the high-quality materials we hand-selected.
We expect to have the Gold Sample ready in early August. If the Gold Sample meets our standard for quality, fit, function, and feel, then we will give the go-ahead to begin product development at scale. If we need to make further adjustments, our production process could be delayed.
We expect a lead-time of 90 to 120 days before all the packs are built and ready to be shipped. If things run smoothly, that would place our delivery date sometime in November-December 2022: just in time for the holidays.
Bear in mind some supply chain delays are beyond our control, especially post COVID, which threw a wrench into the supply chain for many industries. While we hope for smooth operations, I have learned that things tend to take longer than initially expected, so while we try to be conservative in our estimate, it is not possible to guarantee a delivery date at this point.
Risks & Challenges:
There are many, but every challenge is an opportunity, and opportunities rarely come without risk. As a wingsuit pilot and BASE jumper, risk management has long been a way of life. As a cadet at West Point, I learned to trust in my resourcefulness and resiliency—to do my due diligence in preparation to prevent an undesirable outcome as best I can. So while this project carries inevitable risks and challenges, so too do we come with contingency plans.
The biggest risk on our end is falling too short of our funding goal, which will put us in an uncomfortable quandary where we will have to make an honest assessment whether to move forward with placing the order despite a lack of funding, or recognize a Sunk Cost Fallacy when we see one and hope I can get my old job back before my life's savings have completely dwindled.
In the event we cannot fund this project, all money and contributions will, of course, be returned in full.
Risks on your end include production, fulfillment, and/or shipping delays. In these post-COVID times, delays are not uncommon as we've come to learn. Regular updates will be provided to keep all backers in the loop. You will be updated as we receive updates.
Our team has a quality control system in place, but in large-scale production, there is always a chance something is overlooked. In case you are not satisfied with the fit, quality, or state of your pack, we are happy to offer either a repair on us (if feasible), a replacement, or a full refund for returning it.
We plan to ship worldwide. There is always a chance that we cannot, for some reason, ship to your country, in which case you would of course receive a full refund. Additional challenges include taxes like the VAT, which can change depending on your location and the location we are shipping from. We will do our best to provide you with the most affordable and practical fulfillment and shipping option, but on a global scale, it is impossible to foresee every tax or fee that could be added.
Shipping Costs (Important Shipping Info):
With customers all over the world, it is very difficult to accurately estimate shipping costs without yet knowing our order volume and where to ship.
Therefore, we do not include shipping costs during the campaign.
Instead, after the campaign ends, our shipping and fulfillment partners will send out a survey explaining your shipping options, and you will be able to select your preference.
This option gives you a choice on your shipping experience, including the ability to:
- Prepay your shipping cost or upgrade your shipment to a premium shipping method like expedited delivery
- Prepay duty and tax (like VAT) for convenient cross-border delivery
- Add shipping insurance up to $5,000 for only 1-3% of order cost
We will be transparent in helping determine the most cost-effective shipping method for you.
Right now, shipping costs to most areas around the world range from ~€6 to ~€20.
If you would like a more accurate shipping estimate, feel free to contact us and we will speak directly with our shipping and fulfillment partners to get you the best estimate.
Other Ways You Can Help:
We know some people aren't in a position to make a monetary contribution, but if you would still like to help, there are many other ways.
Help us by making some noise about our campaign. Share our page on social media. Tell your friends and families. Offer your skills in graphic design, photography, writing, networking, or marketing. Wear your DOGPAK swag. Paint elaborate murals of adventure dogs decked out in DOGPAK merch. Shout about it from the rooftops (but not after 22:00 if you're in Switzerland).
Word of mouth is exponential, so feel free to share with anyone and everyone!
We have many helpful articles on our blog at dogpak.com that you can share as well. And if you would like to write for us, be sure to get in touch!
Indiegogo has some sharing tools you can use for social media, so don't be afraid to get trigger-happy!
Team:
Devin:
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Devin is the founder of DOGPAK. An advocate for outdoor adventure from an early age, he fell in love with the many landscapes of his home country, the USA, proudly dirt-bagging and vagabonding coast to coast and back again a few times. After receiving an education and wrestling at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later in Colorado at Boulder, he decided to chase the dream of becoming a cowboy. Developing his skills as a horse trainer working with Mustangs, he was afforded a chance to take to the Road again with his best friend Thunder, working with horses in all capacities from Mexico to Peru, and eventually in Europe too.
Today he is happy to call the Swiss Alps his home-base where he enjoys flying his wingsuit, skydiving, BASE jumping, hiking, skiing, and camping. Over the last 13 years, he and Thunder have traveled to 30 countries together, hopping from one ranch to the next, where Thunder was free to run around and play like a pup. Recognizing that the bond he shares with his dog was largely forged by their many adventures together, he felt inspired to help other people develop that same bond with their pups, and the idea for DOGPAK was born.
Peggy:
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Peggy is a virtuoso in the arts of photography and social media. Originally from East Berlin, she later moved to Switzerland and honed her craft as a multi-media artist. Working in Human Resources in the multi-lingual city of Basel, she soon realized office life was not for her and set her sights on distant horizons, traveling to South Africa.
After working as a professional photographer in South Africa for two years, she returned to Switzerland. Not content to continue living the city life, she instead relocated to the Alps where she was free to roam in nature, collecting herbs and photographing the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife.
Thunder:
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Known to some as "Thunder the Wonder Dog," this pup has done it all. From the endless ranges of the Arizona desert to the jungles of Nicaragua, from the high peaks of the Andes to the pristine wilderness of the Alps, Thunder has lived a life of adventure, travel, and chasing sticks. He is a wise old dog who exudes an energy of calmness and understanding that makes him a great teacher for younger puppies.
A dog of many talents, he has worked as a cattle heeler, avalanche search and rescue dog, honorary horse trainer, therapy dog, and a psychiatric service animal who has traveled to 30 countries and nearly every US state via any form of locomotion imaginable. Now retired at 13 years old, he spends his days panting in the sun, chewing on sticks, and digging up Peggy's herbs to hide his bones. Occasionally, he models "pro-bone" for DOGPAK.