See how an Atom+ is made - How to make an ultralight backpack

Ever wondered how to make an ultralight backpack? Then watch this custom ultralight Atom+ backpack being made right here in the workshop!
I went to the Atom Packs HQ to visit Tom Gale who was kind enough to offer me a custom backpack. In this video, we'll show you the entire process of this backpack being made as well as how to properly measure your waist for the hip belt and your torso for the height of the pack.
The Atom+ is one of many pack designs that Tom and his team create and as a cottage gear company who's only been going a year or so has already sold over 600 packs which is incredible!
All of his packs designs have been tested over 10,000 miles of hiking on the Long Distance thru hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail and were given to thru-hikers to test on their adventures.
So, how are backpacks made? With pure craftsmanship, love, care and attention.
You can find this pack and many more at atompacks.co.uk
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Check it out! thrunotes.co.uk
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters - Altra gaiters: bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: bit.ly/31dqPba
Dry bags and stuff sacks
Sea to Summit 4L Nano: bit.ly/3hVi8Z3
OEX 2L dry bag: bit.ly/3dx6qjX
Katabatic Gear silynylon stuff sack: bit.ly/3expU9n
Pouches and wallets
Zpacks DCF Wallet: bit.ly/2VgbQcL
Zpacks DCF utility pouch: bit.ly/2CuHAEq
#atompacks #howtomakeanultralightbackpack #ultralightbackpacking
FOLLOW ME:
Website: www.thetrailhu...
Insta: / the_trailhunter
Twitter: / the_trailhunter

[@HikingWithMartin]

I’ve got my needle and thread ready so I can follow along 😜 looks interesting though I like the look of that pack too.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Martin. Haha. I definitely learned a lot from Tom and Jen that day. Amazing experience. See you there in 7 👍

[@Restricted-028]

can i get a blueprint of measurements ? i want to make one

[@haastnation9922]

@@Restricted-028 blueprint of his business plan. Good luck on that. Nobody wants to give away years of concept and sweat so another person can copy the gear and take money from his pocket. He has china doing that already .

[@Restricted-028]

@@haastnation9922 jesus man chill

[@haastnation9922]

@@Restricted-028 he showed few details for a reason boss. Nothing to chill about. It's just smart business.

[@michaelcleveland98]

I do bikepacking bags out of essentially the same materials. One person shop. It's cool to see another maker work and how those guys do things. Will definitely look into their packs though as my wife and I do quite a bit of hiking/trekking as well.

[@floordenil]

So interesting to watch the process behind my favorite backpack. Don’t think I will switch to another backpack anytime soon :)!

[@floordenil]

(Loving the backing track and editing as well! 💃🏼)

[@marianneschroeder7889]

I was in London recently and wanted to pop over to their shop and get a pack made. Didn’t work out, so it’s fun to see this video! Living vicariously!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh cool! I was very lucky indeed to get this made as we were collaborating on a film and in return Tom and Jen made me a pack. Usually there’s a 9 week lead time on orders. What colours are you going to go for on yours?

[@jheberline]

You know you're a gearhead when you watch this video and it gives you a load of dopamine and throws you into a state of euphoria! I want one... that's a sexy pack!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha ahh amazing. Nice one Jon! Let me know which model you go for. They’re very nice indeed.

[@WanderFreeWithBarb]

This makes me want one. Currently using my Osprey Eja and will be this season but seriously thinking about this for next year. The fact it isnt just mass produced.

[@nedanother9382]

that is a badass pack and so cool to know exactly who sewed it and where it was sewn. Very satisfying

[@clausvilliam]

It's like having a build'a'bear! 😄

[@tfinsa5979]

Hello from Canada :D Congrats on your new pack it looks really cool! It was nice of Tom to let you film the making of your pack, it's a great video. See you on the PCT next year!

[@linhovenden]

Jen's hair is fantastic! Serious skills going on in that shop! 😎

[@intenseoutdoors1576]

Great video mate. Such good insight. And its so good how personal the experience was! Make sure you look after it!!

[@roberthennings]

Looking forward to this. What a great idea to show.

[@3enCarter]

This is such a good video! Good job man

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Ben! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍 more to come as always.

[@gonewild1220]

Oh wow naughty so jelly mate what a treat!!! Beautiful pack and design really like the extras Tom is a genius 👍

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks so much mate, it’s a really amazing pack and definitely the one I’ll be using for the PCT. 👍👍👍

[@BenjaminWilcock]

Damn that’s such a beautiful pack Russ. Putting my order in this Friday 😬

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Mate, definitely looking forward to seeing what yours looks like.

[@JPerry-hv8os]

That was great! I’ve followed Atom packs for a while. Awesome packs. Love seeing behind the scenes on how they do things.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it. It was awesome to see it being made. I just made the tea all day and fed them biscuits. Hahah!

[@jasonhearne1174]

Great insight ... and thrown an absolute spanner in a pending pack upgrade decision choice.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Jason. Glad you enjoyed it. Ahh really? What’s changing? 👍

[@andreasweber7828]

Hope Atompack is going to ship to Germany . I’m looking at my next favourite backpack 🥰

[@eugenecaasi5776]

WOW UR SO LUCKY WITNESSING HOW UR PACK IS MADE.

[@joehikes5855]

Very handsome pack. I recently received my custom LiteAF Curve 35. It really is exciting getting a pack you've designed. Appalachian Trail for me in 2020.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Amazing, thanks very much. It definitely is and was good to see it being made there and then. Very grateful for their time. 👍

[@jhonyermo]

How great!!! Thanks for posting this bad boy. Great stuff. Bet there won't be too many ATOM packs on the PCT next year but certainly appears to bea hell of a great piece of work. You said, "Looking Sweet." EXACTLY.

[@SteffenThomsen]

Nice video. Im also planning on doing the PCT next year and will probably buy an Atom Pack for it. So this video is perfect.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Awesome, see you on the trail! Represent UK!

[@chaserobertson8822]

This blew me away. The storytelling, shots, editing and music choices were all incredible. Super glad to have found your channel. Love the pack!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks very much! Glad you found the channel too! Any questions give us a shout. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@hikermikem8]

😁👍 Loved this video and insight into Atompacks and how there made as I've been toying with the idea of a custom pack for a while. Simple non fussy but a quality item that will last. I feel a road trip to the Lakes happening.. 😁

[@esaedvik]

Absolutely fantastic video in every way. Superb work, all of ya :)

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Awesome packs for sure and was amazing to see mine being made. 👍

[@FabricFest]

He sews. He’s got a deep voice and he’s tall. I want one!

[@floesh-408]

Hi from Holland, awesome video!

[@niklash.1742]

So cool that you got Tom for your first collaboration. He's just an awesome dude, and super helpful with the building of my pack! P.s. mine is named aMOna (cause it's a Mo... Get it? ... I'm already sorry :D

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha brilliant. Such a good name. I just call everything Gary. It’s a long story. Yeah it’s been so much fun and I’m grateful for his time and efforts. Definitely more videos about Atom Packs to come. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@PerfDayToday]

Way cool video and process on how a pack is made. Bonus, you added to my streaming music playlists with Mogashi and Fable and the World! As an owner of an HMG SW 4400 and Daybreak, I think an Atom 35 would be a great addition. Not sure of fabrics thought. Cheers. Oh yeah.. I had to send a link of your video to wife’s phone, and Shazam it from mine.

[@maryhairy1]

Brilliantly put together!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Aww thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikelacross]

Nice vid, nice backpack, I wonder if I can make one out of super el-cheap'o material! 😁

[@plumbum27]

Great video! Really enjoyed the process

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks so much mate. Glad you enjoyed it. Any Q’s, fire them my way. Happy trails. 👍👍👍

[@fleshrocker]

Wow. Amazing pack.

[@karniskavva]

Cool! Wonder how they have expanded today

[@pd4916]

Brilliant. A week ago i orderd an Atom plus pack with the y strap, pole attachment design and single inward pulling hip belt strap. Watching your interview filming and now this has really added to the buying experience. Thanks Russell. How much did it weigh?

[@mahadiabdullah1063]

10:10 I think that is Robic Extreema not Dyneema Gridstop

[@northernswedenstories1028]

The funny thing with these packs is that they are essentially simple school bags made with fancy materials. May as well by yourself a large school bag

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Which school bag would you get?

[@bias_403]

Could you make a video regarding comparison Atom and your previous backpack Hyperlite? That could be very useful because I also considering the buy of a new backpack. Maybe some special discount for your fans ;P

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Yes of course, it’s definitely in my list of videos to make. But I want to get some miles on my new Atom+ before making a fair comparison. 👍 stay tuned

[@rainbowhiker]

When are you coming back for the pct?

[@e.a.loomis2618]

Fascinating. Particularly the measuring. Thanks for sometimes repeating what Tom says. His voice is SO deep I have difficulty hearing/understanding him.

[@JamesBTravel]

This was awesome!

[@montazonamusic]

what is that glorious song at the intro and outro

[@محمدبنزحاف]

شكرا لكم انتم رائعون

[@rigorevangelista9875]

What are the models of sewing machines they used?

[@petermican]

awesome work, I will get one too ;-)

[@bakkila99]

Ok hear me out. Someone needs to design a backpack that turns into a shelter. You have all this excess fabric that lives in your pack most of the time, taking up space and adding weight, and generally only comes out when you are camping for the night. I’d love to see an innovative way to wrap your gear up into your shelter, roll it up, and strap it to your back in a way that’s comfortable and supports your gear weight.

[@bertman4]

Great behind the scenes but usually Tom is further away and harder to hear. I really wish you had used a better mic setup like an on body mic than a shotgun mic.

[@crazyscottishboi3822]

I asked my art teacher if i could use orange on my project and she asked what type and i said 'wtf orange' and she gave me bright orange and a detention

[@RonKris]

Yeah, Dyneema Industries has a lockdown on their products. All to keep it expensive and exclusive. You must order 1500meters on your first order if you don't go through their 'partners'.

[@myeramimclerie7869]

20:12 pin for belt

[@aspireroaming]

I'm curious of how long Tom has been sewing stuff for. To when he could create a full atom . I'm not too sure if that was mentioned in the interview video with him.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Sure! Good question. He started sewing after his TA trek in New Zealand which I believe was in 2013 and set up the company last year which is when I guess he made commercially viable and tested products.

[@thewildsilence4097]

Great and informative video, good to see a home grown artisan product doing well. Subscribed! - it the C7 vertebrae btw, not T7 when measuring, 7th thoracic vertebrae is way lower.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

He did say C7. I guess C is very similar to T.

[@Impalaontrail]

I hope you made um a brew while they were grafting

[@thetrailhunter4469]

I made them 3

[@Impalaontrail]

@@thetrailhunter4469 your well trained

[@tandago7281]

Do they do backpacks for women (i.e. with more of the weight on hips vs shoulders)?

[@turkeyphant]

How did the line-loc side pockets turn out?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Really well. It’s good to be able to cinch the hem of the pockets in to hold things down. I really like the z side shock cord for securing bottles. My HMG and ULA always have me dropping bottles. Thanks for watching

[@alexhonken]

hey mate weird question but can you tell me what the distance is between the shoulder straps, where they attach to the top of the pack?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

I’d have to get me tape measure out mate. I’ll get back to you. Pester me if I don’t. 🤙

[@shaesmith9460]

dopeeeeee. How long did that take them start to finish?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

About an hour and a half. 👍

[@shaesmith9460]

The Trail Hunter what?! Damn that is amazing

[@tonytuffers]

Can you repeat the name of the back-panel fabric that's going to be up against your back? I only heard the nylon part.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Hi Tony! It's Cordura

[@barryfullick7981]

If memory serves correctly, the atom packs specs say that its an Oxford weave Cordura 500 weight. A look at my Atom+50 suggests that to be the case. Great pack: everything on it works as intended and the quality of the construction is faultless, hard to think of any way it could be improved. The 50litre size allows good space for a multi-day winter load out without brutally compressing your down insulation, plus extra fuel and all that calorie dense stuff we need when the mercury is trying to find a way out the bottom of the thermometer. Well done and thankyou Atom Packs.

[@wiracorp6131]

What type the fabric? Actually i want make like that.. can you inform the fabric bro.. thanks

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Xpac VX-21 mate.

[@wiracorp6131]

@@thetrailhunter4469 many thanks brother

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Wira Corp any time dude! 👍

[@isaacmartinez9351]

What's the name of the material they use in the beginning?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Xpac VX21 🤙

[@erichlf]

You thought you were going to start the PCT in April. :(

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Didn’t work out sadly. Always next year. Thanks for watching.

[@erichlf]

@@thetrailhunter4469 yep, didn't work out for pretty much anyone.

[@ramonnavarro8444]

What’s the song with the funky pop beat in this video?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh I’ll have to check and get back to you. I use Artlist.io for my music. 👍

[@boolay75]

Whatever happened to this guy? Made some great content and just disappeared.

[@jakubiglewski3397]

What is the material of that back panel? I mean this stiff element?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

It’s a dense foam insert 👍👍👍

[@RobotoGato1]

What’s the differences between the different models?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

👍 size, hip belt design, frame construction pocket design and cords.

[@RobotoGato1]

I see...why’d you go with the atom+

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Because it’s larger than the normal Atom and comes with a removable hip belt and hip belt pockets as standard. 👍

[@RobotoGato1]

The Trail Hunter love it. I’ve been rolling in a Granite Gear Leopard for the last few years and have been looking for a small light weight pack. I had my eye on the Waymark Thru but now all I can think about are Atom Packs. They’re exactly what I’m looking for and look amazing! Just trying to decide what model is right for me.

[@RobotoGato1]

The Trail Hunter ps bro...the moment you responded was the moment you got a sub. Thanks man...keep up the good work.

[@WolfgangHermann]

Hi! Are you still happy with you Atom pack? 😎

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Yes absolutely. I also got another one 50L in Robic and a Roo!

[@WolfgangHermann]

Fantastic 😀 thank you 🙏🏻. I am planing to by a Mo 50 or 60 in black and orange 🍊. 👍🏻

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Nice. Yeah mine are really good. Features are spot on. 👍

[@thabigpimpgamer1978]

what's the name of the song at 12:28

[@thetrailhunter4469]

JellyO by Egozi - I used Artlist for music in this video. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@thabigpimpgamer1978]

its the same one at the start of the video i tried copying the lyrics but can't seem to find it

[@rickhadfield1097]

How about stop showing you and show what he is doing!

[@biismala]

A lot of time showing your face when you can show more or the backpack and her creator...

[@techguy9023]

You showed practically nothing of the sewing of the pack.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Take a deep breath and watch the video again.

[@techguy9023]

The Trail Hunter This was a promotional video. Short clip of marking up fabric. Short shot of sewing. I expected from the title you would show them sewing up parts of the bag. Then something like “Here they pay special attention to stitching for extra strength, etc” . Not giving away or showing everything but some process like attaching the straps. This was you going and getting a bag made from the 50,000 foot view. Maybe explain fabric options and reasons.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Tech guy. I make these videos for free for you to watch, with absolutely no ads and without any paid promotions. I’m sure there are other videos out there offering exactly what you’re looking for, but I think it’ll be hard to find a company looking to give away their intellectual property so you can go and copy one of their products.

[@techguy9023]

The Trail Hunter Thanks for clearing that up. I get the point.