How the bag world has changed in the last 15 years (w/ Co-Founder of Tortuga Backpacks)

00:00 - Intro00:28 - Meet Fred Perrotta, Co-Founder of Tortuga2:01 - Tortuga in 2010 5:32 - The Rise of Backpacks on Kickstarter9:01 - The First Tortuga Prototype10:28 - Why Tortuga Moved Manufacturing to Vietnam11:10 - Backpacks Made in China vs. Backpacks made in Vietnam17:01 - How Backpack Fabrics Have Evolved Over 15 Years22:23 - Being innovative vs risks 26:03 - Why Tortuga Only Focuses on Travel Bags39:06 - How Airline Restrictions Are Changing Bag Designs40:30 - The Water Bottle Pocket Controversy43:08 - The Emotional Connection to Travel Bags48:04 - The Role of YouTube Reviews in the Backpack Industry51:59 - Is It Harder to Run a Bag Brand in 2024?If you want to get notified when the newest bags and travel gear drops, be sure to sign up to the NNewsletter 👉 https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/🎙️ Welcome to Episode 15 of the Nomads Nation Podcast!In this episode, I chat with Fred Perrotta, co-founder of Tortuga, about everything from travel bags to making backpacks to how the industry is changing. We get into how Kickstarter helped launch backpack brands, why people get so attached to their bags, and yes—the great water bottle pocket debate (it’s a real thing, trust me).Fred also shares why Tortuga only focuses on travel bags instead of everyday carry, why they moved manufacturing to Vietnam, how airline rules shape bag designs, and whether running a backpack brand in 2025 is tougher than ever.If you’re a bag nerd, travel junkie, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is for you! 🚀