Ripstop on the Record

Send us Fan Mail Most people see a finished backpack as the end of a project. Today's guest sees it as the beginning. Kenn Walker is a modification expert, known for taking a scalpel to the seams of $400 backpacks and making them even better than before. From his background in parachute rigging to turning a World Cup soccer ball into a bag, Kenn brings the kind of creativity and problem-solvi...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a blacksmith becomes obsessed with making backpacks? In this episode, Ethan Goss of Goss Handmade shares the unconventional ideas, hard-earned lessons, and creative rabbit holes that have shaped his approach to designing packs that blend heritage aesthetics with modern performance. In This Episode, We Cover: Why some vintage backpack designs still outperform mode...

Send us Fan Mail Most sewing machine problems don’t start with catastrophic failure—they start with the small maintenance habits makers ignore for too long. In this episode, Matt Evans joins us to break down the practical upkeep, adjustments, and troubleshooting skills every DIYer should know to keep their machines running smoothly and sewing clean. In This Episode, We Cover: The maintenance habit...

Send us Fan Mail Most of us like the idea of American-made production, but very few of us understand the complexity (or the role DIY makers can play in rebuilding it). This conversation explores what it actually takes to build sewn products sustainably in America without losing sight of the people behind the products. The Carolina Textile District helps businesses (big and small) create amazing pr...

Send us Fan Mail Any project is a serious undertaking—but sewing everything for your thru-hike is next level. That’s exactly what Eliza did for the CDT. She breaks down what it actually takes to design, sew, and trust a full 15-piece kit when failure isn’t really an option. In this episode:  Where to start when you want to make something big  Why the failed prototype helped in the long run  How El...

Send us Fan Mail The line between professional gear and great DIY gear is hard to define. Instead of guessing, we brought in a pro. A product developer with Patagonia and Yeti experience breaks down what actually matters and what makers can learn from the big companies.  In This Episode, We Cover:  The real difference between product design and product development—and why it matters for makers / c...

Send us Fan Mail Stop rushing your photos and start making your gear look as good as it actually is. Cinematographer and maker Chris Ellison breaks down how to think about composition, environment, and presentation so your projects hit differently the moment people see them.  In This Episode, We Cover: Why most maker photos fall flat—and the simple shift that instantly improves them  How to use en...

Send us Fan Mail Not every upgrade happens at the sewing machine. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure why your work isn’t improving, this episode breaks down the mindset shifts that actually move you forward. Filip Raboch joins us to share what he’s learned building custom gear at a high level. Listen so you can avoid the common traps and start making smarter, more intentional decisio...

Send us Fan Mail Foam might not be the flashiest material in gear making, but it’s responsible for some of the biggest performance upgrades in your packs and bags. In this episode, we break down how experienced makers actually use foam. Covering real techniques, hard-earned lessons, and the small tricks that make projects come out better.  In This Episode, We Cover: When and why to add foam to a p...

Send us Fan Mail If you're still using the closest scissors to your machine - you need this episode. We sit down with Kai Scissors for a deep, no-fluff breakdown of what serious makers actually need to know about cutting tools. From steel and geometry to maintenance habits that pros swear by. Listen to the episode to get a 20% off discount for ROTR listeners.  In This Episode, We Cover: Why p...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what actually happens before a fabric hits the shop? In this episode, we sit down with RBTR's own Carter Holland to pull back the curtain on product decisions, failures, tradeoffs, and future releases you won’t hear about anywhere else. How fabric ideas really get approved or quietly killed before they ever reach your sewing table What goes wrong during developmen...

Send us Fan Mail Traditional tailoring might seem worlds away from technical gear—but the principles are the same. In this episode, Alasdair Leighton-Crawford of Cimoro shares how skills learned on Savile Row translate directly into better-fitting apparel, smarter pack design, and more intentional making. We talk about: Why tailoring is one of the fastest ways to truly understand fit How athletic...

Send us Fan Mail Factories aren’t just about scale—they’re classrooms for better design, smarter workflows, and more durable products. In this episode, Douglas Davidson shares lessons from global manufacturing floors and explains how makers at any level can apply factory thinking to make better gear, whether sewing at home or building for production. Announcements:  Maker Meet-Up Spring 2026 Shop...

Send us Fan Mail Let us know what you want out of the podcast for 2026. Email us: social@ripstopbytheroll.com Sadly, the episode that was planned for this week had a technical problem and was lost entirely. We're bummed because this was going to be a fun episode. After only missing one week over the 5 years we've been running the show, we suppose it was bound to happen eventually.  Don&a...

Send us Fan Mail How our guest went from weekend prototypes to leading design work at The North Face, Nike, and Burton. This episode traces what it really takes to get great at designing gear. You’ll hear practical insights on materials, overseas factories, and the decisions that shape products you trust. Guest: Douglas Davidson of Canvas Worker and The Brown Buffalo  Factories Mentioned:  http://...

Send us Fan Mail Sewing mistakes happen to everyone. Yes, even the pros. Today we’re breaking down how to actually fix the ones that haunt your workshop. From feeding fabric through the machine to perfecting seam allowances and choosing the right project order, we’re giving you the guide we wish we had on day one. Plus, we answer community questions on binding 3D shapes, PSA tape stitching, machin...

Send us Fan Mail Great pack fabrics don't always come right from the mill. Luke from Truce Designs finds some of his fabrics from old sailboats, kites, and scrap bins. Upcycled fabrics aren't just "green" they're durable, functional, and full of old stories. They're the perfect accent to include on a bespoke project. Listen to this episode to hear about what to look f...

Send us Fan Mail Good design is more than shapes and stitches. It’s timing, color, and knowing when something is good enough to release. We chat with James from Route Unknown to talk about secrets behind the drop method and how he creates modular, beautiful, and ultra-durable products in his one-man shop. Plus, why the UK doesn't have that many cottage companies.  Listen to the episode to und...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re separating fact from fiction in the world of technical fabrics and MYOG. We debate 10 true or false statements about technical fabrics, covering topics like seam strength, water leakage, ripstop grids and more. Expect a playful and opinionated conversation that is sure entertain and maybe shock you.  Guest: Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs 🛒 Shop all of our ne...

Send us Fan Mail It’s draft day at Ripstop on the Record ! In this episode, we sit down with Francesca Hall and Ryan Campbell for the very first Fabric Draft . Each person builds a six-category roster of technical fabrics, covering packs, bags, quilts/sleeping systems, shelters, apparel, and mesh in a snake-style draft. Which fabrics made the cut? Which powerhouse materials were left on the table?...

Send us Fan Mail Becoming a designer is like being a painter. You have to master the fundamentals while developing a style that’s unmistakably yours. In this episode, we sit down with legendary designer Dan Matsuda to explore how he’s honed his craft, built a distinct design philosophy, and what young designers can do to create original work in a world full of remakes. Sample Matsuda TAD Lightspee...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our recent trip overseas to meet with production partners—from one-man shops to sprawling 800,000-square-foot mills. We share behind-the-scenes stories, cultural mishaps, and our biggest takeaways from seeing the process up close. You’ll learn why fabric design is more like chess than checkers, how global trade and mill specializa...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever felt like sewing projects take twice as long as they should, this episode is your shortcut to speed and sanity. Matt and Jameson break down their best tips. From patterns to set-up to tools that will help you sew smarter, avoid mistakes, and finally feel like you’re in control of the clock instead of racing against it. Guest:  Matt Evans Red Paw Packs @Red Paw Packs...

Send us Fan Mail Creative freedom is amazing but it can feel lonely not knowing where to turn. After all, there's no MYOG/design guidebook. From time-saving techniques to elite finishing touches, these tips will make every project faster, cleaner, and more professional. We're joined by good friend of the podcast, Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs to unpack and debate the skills and technique...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nash Calvin gives us an inside look at how Hyperlite designs, refines, tests, and produces their products. Although known for their UL simplicity, there is still a lot that goes into each product. You'll even get to hear about what benefits international manufacturing has on the customer. Hyperlite Mountain Gear CrossPeak2 Hyperlite Mountain Gear x Dyneema®Wo...