Image 1 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 2 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 3 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 4 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 5 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 6 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 7 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 8 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 9 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 10 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 11 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..
Image 12 — Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..

Leather bag custom built for small frame. Goes from 3L waist/sling to 14L Backpack..

So this project was a custom request designed around a lady who’s short and small framed.

Hence her requests was that the bag be spacious, well organized and perfectly fitting for her build.

These were the custom request:
1- Leather body with gold metal D ring and Clip hook.
2- Detachable backpack strap.
3- Concealed strap for waist or bum carry.
4- Hidden sleeve on the back panel to store passport.
5- Luggage pass through.
6- 3L to 14L transformation.
7- Lavender interior.
8- Detachable laptop sleeve which doubles as a separate carry.

It took me two samples to get this right. And I’m pretty satisfied with how it turned out. So sharing it here.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 9 days ago
▲ 61 r/u_Silent_Ice1602+1 crossposts

Made this leather bag for small frame. This bag goes from 3L Waist/Sling to 14L backpack..

So I took on this project a while ago, on request from a lady who wanted something really compact and well organized for her height and tiny frame.

The requests were as follows:
1- Pure leather body with gold metal D Rings and H buckles.
2- A detachable laptop sleeve which doubled as a separate carry.
3- Detachable backpack strap.
4- Concealed Passport sleeve on the back panel.
5- Luggage pass.
6- Concealed straps for waist bag mode.
7- A compact but spacious build for smaller body frame .
8- Lavender interior.

Took me quite a while to build this, but the pc came out pretty neat and well made. I’m quite happy with how it turned out.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 9 days ago

Looking for practical feedback before I make Version 2 of this modular EDC waist bag..

This project started as a custom bag concept for carrying tennis balls. The original requirement was to comfortably carry 3–5 balls without them bouncing around during activity, while still functioning as a normal everyday bag.

The project never moved forward, but I liked some of the ideas enough to finish a prototype and adapt it into a small EDC bag.

The original ball retention setup has been repurposed into a removable and reconfigurable organizer. The bag offers roughly 1.5–2L of capacity and can be used either as a simple dump pouch or with the organizer installed.

One feature I experimented with was a dual flap. The idea was to allow quick access without constantly opening and closing the zipper. The inner flap uses Velcro and the outer flap uses magnets, helping keep contents contained even when the zipper is left open.

After posting it elsewhere, the biggest criticism was the Velcro. Many people pointed out the potential for noise, snagging clothing, and long-term annoyance. My current plan is to remove the Velcro entirely and switch to magnets only on the next version.

At the moment, I’m looking for feedback before making Version 2.

Specifically:
Would you keep the dual-flap concept or simplify it?

Is a removable organizer actually useful in a bag this size?

What features would you add or remove?

What would make a 1.5–2L waist bag more useful for you?

I’m less interested in aesthetics and more interested in practical improvements that would make the next iteration genuinely better.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 11 days ago

The customer bailed after I drafted this custom women’s tennis bag project. I finished it anyway by redesigning into a flexible EDC bag.

A Reddit member approached me wanting to build a tennis ball bag for women, since most of the available options were either super ugly or impractical. Many women ended up storing balls in their compression shorts, while men had it easier thanks to pockets in their shorts.

The idea was simple:
- The balls shouldn’t bounce or wobble during activities.
- The bag should be comfortable to wear, and access to the contents should be fast and effortless.
- Ideally, it would also double as a daily carry bag.

So I immediately spent the entire night drafting ideas, researching solutions, and preparing the design for the next day’s submission.

Sadly, I never heard back from the customer.

By then, I was already left with a fully researched project and a design I had invested time into.

Rather than shelving it, I decided to continue the project myself and gradually shifted the design toward a more lifestyle carry while still keeping its sports relevant.

The original ball holder evolved into a reconfigurable internal organizer that can be adjusted to fit different objects and carry setups.

The flap was designed to open inward rather than outward, making it faster to access while offering a bit more privacy. The front flap also includes a small dump pocket for tissues and other flat essentials.

One feature I ended up liking more than expected is that the contents don’t easily fall out even when the zipper is left open. The magnetic flap keeps everything contained while still allowing quick access. This was originally designed around grabbing tennis balls without constantly fiddling with zippers, but it ended up working surprisingly well for everyday carry too.

Even though the original project never materialized, I decided to bring the design to life with a few adjustments of my own.

The final bag offers around 1.5L–2L of capacity, with a removable organizer that can be reconfigured into countless layouts depending on what you’re carrying.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 12 days ago

The only thing recognizable about the new Ferrari Luce it’s the logo..

The new EV design is pretty cool, only if it wasn’t a Ferrari.
I love super cars, even though I drive a deadbeat Honda with dents resembling moon craters..

So I’m wondering how does a company end up with such a design? And what is the design process and philosophy to end up with something so drastic that is far removed from the identity of the original brand.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 15 days ago

Tried building a super flexible and TSA-friendly 27L travel backpack with a modular 2L Sling + 16L Rolltop..

So I built this bag around frequent travel while keeping it compact enough to fit under airline seats.
One issue I kept facing during travel was having to carry multiple bags just for shorter outings. So this setup lets you quickly detach the front pocket into either a smaller 16L rolltop or a 2L sling, without needing to carry extra day bags.

The other thing I always found annoying was taking out laptops during TSA. So this bag comes with a nicely padded detachable laptop sleeve that works as a separate carry on its own, making it pleasantly practical for everyday use too.

The backpack also stands upright on its own, which makes a huge difference during travel.

This particular version is a 27–29L backpack paired with a detachable 16L rolltop.

Open to suggestions and custom requests.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 20 days ago
▲ 87 r/u_Silent_Ice1602+2 crossposts

Built this airline under seat 27L-29L travel bag with a TSA detachable laptop sleeve and a front pocket that turns into a 2L Sling + 16L Rolltop..

This bag was designed around frequent travel, so it’s structured to fit under most airline seats while still being spacious (27L to 29L capacity), ergonomic, and balanced.
It comes with a padded detachable laptop sleeve with tote grab handles, making TSA checks and quick café work sessions much easier. Plus this backpack stands upright on its own making it very practical for regular use.

The main compartment uses a suitcase style opening with a separate zippered layer for better organization, while the front pocket detaches into either a 2L sling or a 16L rolltop depending on the carry requirement. The whole idea was to avoid carrying extra day bags during travel for shorter outings.

Also added practical travel features like luggage pass-through, quick-access pockets, and a collapsible bottle holder.

Thinking of building the same setup in 2 variants:
27L Backpack + detachable 16L Rolltop
20L Backpack + detachable 12L Rolltop

What do you guys think?

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 18 days ago
▲ 15 r/u_Silent_Ice1602+2 crossposts

Giving away some unused prototype bags that go from a 15L Briefcase/Backpack → 25L Camera Backpack → 50L Travel Bag → 70L Luggage…

So basically I wanted to build a sort of Swiss knife of bags and ended up with this design that works surprisingly well across all the modes.

The 15L briefcase/backpack mode is pretty organized and practical for everyday carry.
The 25L backpack + camera bag mode is spacious, though the shape becomes pretty square and boxy, making it feel a bit unstable as a backpack. The camera cube is also detachable and has to be inserted separately.

The 50L travel mode works really well for longer trips, while the 70L luggage setup is useful for relocation or carrying bulkier loads.

The best thing about this bag is probably how flexible it is, especially with the detachable camera cubes and packing organizers.
The downside is definitely the weight. This version weighs around 2.5kg empty and can reach almost 3kg with the camera cubes and organizers inside. So the smaller modes can feel heavier than they should for the size.

I eventually rebuilt a much lighter and simpler version of the same concept that weighs around 1.5kg and works better overall, which is why these prototypes have just been sitting around collecting dust.
Would rather see them used than stored away, so I’m happy to send them out to anyone genuinely interested, as long as shipping is covered.

Only have around 5 pieces left, so feel free to DM me if interested.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 22 days ago

Clearing away some sample prototype bags, originally designed around outdoorsy travel setup.

Been experimenting with different bag concepts for a pretty long time, and I do end up with quite a few prototypes and sample builds lying around.

This particular one was designed around travel and outdoorsy carry. In backpack mode it offers around 35L capacity, while the messenger sling mode carries around 7–8L with decent organization and flexibility.

The backpack itself is functional and pretty useful overall, but compared to proper trekking rucksacks, it still felt average in that category, which is why I eventually moved on from the concept.

This sample also lacks the removable support sheet in the back panel, so it can feel a little slouchy when not fully packed. The backpack mode is also fairly long vertically and may not suit every height category.
Apart from that, it’s still a solid travel and utility bag overall.
Would rather see it being used than sitting around collecting dust, so I’m happy to send it out if someone genuinely wants it, as long as shipping is covered.

Feel free to DM me if interested.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 24 days ago

Clearing off some of my unused prototype bag samples collecting dust…

Been tinkering with bags for a pretty long time, and with the number of designs and iterations I experiment with, I do end up with quite a few prototypes lying around.
This particular one was originally designed around adventure travel and trekking, but I eventually dropped the concept since my design couldn’t match or beat other trekking bags brands out there.
That said, this turned out surprisingly good as a large messenger sling. It offers around 7–8L capacity with plenty of organization and flexibility, while the backpack mode expands to around 35L for travel and outdoorsy use.

The bag does feel slightly slouchy when not fully packed since this sample lacks a support sheet inside the back panel. The hip belt is detachable, but I think, I’ve misplaced some of them.
The backpack mode is also fairly long vertically, so it may not suit every height category.

Apart from that, it’s still a pretty useful bag overall. Would rather see it being used than sitting around collecting dust, so I’m happy to send it out if someone genuinely wants it, as long as the shipping is covered.

Feel free to DM me if interested.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 24 days ago
▲ 15 r/u_Silent_Ice1602+1 crossposts

Got a few unused prototype bag samples lying around…

Since I keep churning out different bag designs, I do end up with quite a few sample pieces lying around collecting dust.

Would rather see them used than sitting in storage, so I’m happy to send some of them out if someone genuinely wants one, as long as the shipping is covered.

Just to give you a rough idea about this particular bag:

This bag carries in 3 modes and is made from ripstop nylon. The Sling and waist bag mode offers 3L to 3.5L capacity, and expands into a 14L rolltop bag.

The bag itself is pretty well made and passed QC without issues. The only thing I genuinely dislike is the embroidered logo and branding design, which honestly turned out pretty terrible.

If anyone’s interested, feel free to PM me for more details.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 26 days ago

A 3L Sling Bag which is also a 17L Tote + Backpack, made from laminated jute..

This custom bag is designed around utility and aesthetics, with the small addition of detachable shoulder straps for the backpack mode as a requested feature.

It didn’t originally have a mesh panel on the back, but that became a later addition due to the abrasive nature of jute rubbing against your back.

This one has pretty decent organization and is ideal for holiday, beach, or travel setups. Plus, even though jute can be a little rough, the PE lamination lends some structure and strength. The best thing is how aesthetically rustic this bag looks.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 27 days ago

I used laminated jute to build this 3L Sling Bag that turns into an 18L Tote + Backpack…

Originally this bag was designed as a Sling to Tote conversion, but a sub member suggested adding detachable shoulder straps so it could work as a proper backpack too.

The outer shell is made from laminated jute. It’s definitely more abrasive and rough textured compared to other materials, but it’s surprisingly durable and gives the bag a rustic textured aesthetic that I personally love. Felt pretty fitting for travel, beach days, holidays, and slower outdoor setups.

Couldn’t resist taking a few Instagram worthy pics of it.

What do you guys think?

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 28 days ago

Some useful improvements made to this bag that goes from a 4L sling to an 18L backpack…

Taking user feedback into consideration, here are some of the improvements I made to this bag.

First, I replaced the 1 inch nylon webbing sling strap with a wider 1.5 inch car seat strap, along with elastic tension points near the attachment clips. It adds better stability and marginally improves comfort while carrying heavier loads.

Also added:
1- AquaGuard zipper for better water resistance.

2- Quick-access side panel pocket in sling mode for extra storage and organization.

3- Sternum straps in backpack mode due to consistent requests.

Still refining the bag. Anything else you guys think would make this bag better?

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago

Made a few useful upgrades to this 4.5L sling bag that also turns into an 18L backpack…

Made some adjustments and upgrades to this bag based on user feedback and long-term usage.

Some of the changes:
1- Wider sling straps using car seat weaving, along with an elastic tension section near the clips to reduce shoulder dig and improve stability.

2- Added PU-coated AquaGuard zippers for better water resistance.

3- Added a quick-access side pocket on the back panel for extra storage and easier organization.

4- Added a sternum strap in backpack mode for better comfort and load stability.

5- Earlier versions used 200D Cordura on the side panels, which made the bag lighter but more prone to abrasion. This version now uses 600D Cordura throughout.

6- Switched from black-on-black interior lining to grey/contrast lining for better visibility inside the bag.

Planning to test TPU-coated AquaGuard zippers on the next build since they’re smoother and more abrasion resistant while offering similar water protection.

Still refining things gradually.. Any thoughts or improvements you guys would add?

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago
▲ 65 r/gorpcore+1 crossposts

Testing this 3L Sling Bag that turns into a Soft Shell Rain Jacket…

So I wanted to build a fully usable sling bag with an integrated lightweight shell jacket.

There’re a lot of days that start warm and suddenly end up cold, windy or wet, and I’m personally the type of person who always ends up underprepared unless I’m travelling with a proper setup.

But one thing I almost always carry is a sling bag with chargers, cables, power bank, notebook, pens and random daily essentials.

I also hate carrying jackets in hand or slinging them over my shoulders once the weather gets hot.

So this project was basically designed around combining both into one object:
a fully functional sling bag + a wearable shell jacket.
You could carry the sling for weeks while forgetting there’s a jacket hidden inside it, and vice versa. But whenever the weather suddenly changes, it’s already there.

One thing I particularly like is that the sling compartment becomes a hidden jacket pocket once worn, and it stays relatively low profile unless packed heavily.

Still testing the long term practicality of it, but this bag has been my daily carry for the past 2 weeks, since the unpredictable monsoon season..

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago

So I designed this based on the Nano Lite 7, but modified it to fit a Surface laptop along with a utility cord attachment on the bottom panel to carry a water bottle, umbrella or tripod.

The compact EDC pouch mode works great as a utility organizer or a festival cross body bag since it can easily fit your phone, chargers, cables, power bank, pen, keys, vape and other small essentials without feeling bulky.

It’s super useful for someone who doesn’t want to carry a full sized bag all the time but still wants decent organization and quick access.

And whenever you suddenly need more space, the pouch unfolds into a proper 7L sling bag that stays hidden within the compact form itself.

So it goes from a tiny organized utility pouch to a more capable everyday sling whenever needed.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago

This started as a small pouch to carry basic stuff like a phone, cables, power bank, and a few essentials; something compact for festivals or days when you don’t want to carry a full bag.
Since it’s small and flexible, it can be tucked into a backpack or luggage, so it also works as a packable travel bag.
When needed, it opens up into a 7L sling, which makes it a bit more usable for slightly heavier carry.
Added a cord attachment at the bottom as a suggestion from a sub member, so it can hold things like a water bottle, umbrella, or even a tripod.
Curious to hear what you guys think.

P.S - Posting here more these days since Instagram’s been a bit unreliable for me. Also like how quick and useful the feedback loop is here.

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago

I run a small made to order fashion business solely through Instagram. It was doing pretty well for the first two years, with occasional service lapses and delays, which I think is common for most businesses.

Around 32 months ago, my main account with 50k followers was permanently taken down. I lost my business overnight, along with significant reputational damage.

I created another account under the same name and rebuilt it to over 12k followers in 9 months, but that account was taken down again, causing further financial and reputational losses. I was only starting to recover from the first setback, and the second one really broke the camel’s back.

Undeterred, I created a third account and grew it to 8k followers over the course of a year, while still trying to repair the damage from the previous disruptions.

And then that third account was removed as well.

I then opened a new account under a different name, using a different device, email, and even adjusted my business model. It started off well; we even switched to a cash on delivery model to reduce customer complaints in case of delays, since paying customers sometimes escalate issues even for minor inconveniences.

But even this account was taken down within a few days.

I tried again with another account under the same name, and that one was also removed within two weeks.

We were a decent-sized team running two shifts to manage operations, but these repeated disruptions forced me to lay off more than 70% of my staff and revenue. I had to relocate to a cheaper place and cut down everything just to stay afloat. Even now, the business feels constantly under threat.

At this point, I feel completely stuck.

I do have TikTok and a website, but most of my traffic and actual sales still come from Instagram. The way automated moderation systems work seems to be causing serious challenges for many small businesses like mine. I personally know a few people who have lost their livelihoods due to similar issues.

What’s the long-term solution here?

reddit.com
u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago

After shipping a couple of pieces and getting some feedback from users, here are some of the upgrades I’ll be making to this bag:

This is a bag that goes from a 4.5L sling to an 18L backpack, so certain aspects need to be taken into consideration while adding updates.

1- The 4.5L sling mode offers basic organization with just two packing zones. There was a recurring request for a back panel quick access pocket, so I’ll be adding that.

2- The most important request was to use a contrast interior, like grey or something similar, to make it easier to see the contents inside the bag. That’s already been addressed.

3- Another request was for backpack straps with a sternum buckle, so I’ll be adding that as a default feature.

4- A few users also wanted a mesh panel on the back for better airflow and cushioning. I’ve actually added an airflow mesh panel on some of the bags. Adding a mesh panel is fairly simple and doesn’t add much weight or bulk, while improving comfort.

That said, I’m still thinking about whether it should be standard. The backpack is only 18L and mostly meant for short travel, not necessarily for hiking or trekking, even though it could be used that way.

So what do you think? Is a mesh back panel necessary by default?

u/Silent_Ice1602 — 1 month ago