Custom, convertible backpack panniers   |   Hand-made in Portland, OR

Thanks for visiting my little bag shop.

I create bags which will serve their bike riding owners with style and function for many years.

I believe that the bicycle plays an integral role in creating a more sustainable future for our cities.  I strive to design products which will make bicycling easier, and which will encourage more trips – whether just down to the store, or packed up with your entire mobile office for the day.

I make all of the bags by hand in Portland OR.  Most are made one at a time, though some (the hip pouch and the grocery pannier) are made a few at a time in assembly-line style.  This saves time and brings production costs down considerably.

I accept custom orders and will work with you to come up with a bag to fit your needs.  Custom pricing does apply.

At the moment I am focused on designs for commuter bags, but I do love bicycle touring and backpacking,  and I hope to start some bags for these activities soon.

Thanks for reading, and check back often for new products or updates!

-Curtis

I grew up in the smallest of state capitals – Montpelier VT, swimming in summer and skiing in winter.  My love of hands on design took root working on the stage crew in High School, as well as for a local theater company.  I left the small town behind for New York City and a degree in theater design from NYU.  After school I worked for a small event design company in the city, and while my interest in theater ultimately faded, my attention turned towards sustainable design.

After a mind blowing experience thru-hiking the Long Trail in VT, I said goodbye to the big city in search of a new purpose, and also a home closer to the mountains.  I wound up in Berkeley CA and spent a couple of years trying things out.  I studied architecture, worked on some neat natural building projects, and spent a lot of time volunteering at Waterside Workshops – a non profit bike/sewing/wood shop.  It was there I learned bicycle mechanics, and discovered bagmaking.

I needed a new bag and, being unemployed, I decided to make one.  Many hours and iterations later, my first bag was born.  It was a bit rough around the edges, and didn’t attach to a bike quite as elegantly as they do now, but it worked.  Before I knew it I was getting requests for bags from friends, and NorthSt (briefly called 3bags) came to be.  The move to Portland fit in well with my new venture, which now consumes my time and thoughts.

I heartily enjoy hiking, bicycle touring, traveling, playing the piano (and the banjo), and the company of friends.

At NorthSt Bags, I use strong, durable materials for all of my bags.  I also seek out suppliers with products made in the US, and generally on or near the west coast. I’m always on the look out for used materials that I can recycle or re appropriate into bags

Cordura is a name brand, high performance nylon fabric which is made only in the US.  It’s very strong, durable, abraision resistant, and long lasting.  It’s PU coated for water resistance.  Water will bead up on it’s surface, but it will penetrate if left wet for too long.  I use 1000d Cordura for my current line of bags.  It is rather “plasticy” to the touch and it doesn’t exactly shout earth friendliness, but it’s sustainability comes from it’s long lasting properties.  Coupled with solid construction and good design, I hope to make bags among the best in function, style, and durability which will last for years and years.

Uncoated Cordura & Canvas are available for my new backpack – The Josephine.  They offer a softer, lighter feel, without all the plastic.  Though lacking in water resilience, they are still very strong materials.

18 oz Vinyl is strong and impenetrable to water.  I use this in my Woodward model for a completely waterproof design.

Nylon Packcloth is a lighter weight (around 400d) nylon which I use for interior pockets, and as a liner for my Avenue B model.  It too is water resistant, and the extra layer of fabric makes the Avenue B very water resistant.

Banner Vinyl found at Scrap and other sources is used to make The Bowl – my basic grocery pannier.  The material is waterproof (just like vinyl bought new) and large format images cut down to smaller panels makes for one-of-a-kind bags each with unique graphics.

Payment is accepted with a credit card through paypal – a 3% service charge will be added to your total.

-or-

…by check (payable to “North St Bags”)

I’ll send you the address if you choose this option.

Note: I will ship your order only after payment is received.

Pickup is available at my studio, free of charge

Shipping:

For orders in OR, WA and ID I charge a flat fee of $10 for small orders such as:

• one convertible backpack or other large bag
• a pair of grocery panniers

For orders elsewhere in the lower 48 the shipping fee is $15

Smaller accessories I can generally add to a shipment with no extra cost.

For larger orders I will include your shipping price with your confirmation/quote.

Note: As of yet I do not use any packing materials other than the box itself.  This is to reduce waste.  These bags are tough and meant to withstand the elements, and don’t need extra protection. I apologize if this does not meet your satisfaction.

I will not be held responsible for:

• shipments not received due to an incorrect address
• shipments lost by the USPS

All repairs are covered 1 year after I ship your bag. Simply send it back (or drop it off, or contact me for pickup). I’ll fix it up as quick as I can and get it back to you.  Materials may cost extra depending on the type of repair.

For other repairs I will charge a small fee depending on the work & materials needed. Contact me for specifics.

curtis [at] northstbags [dot] com

All repairs subject to shipping/delivery fees.