Hello,I am MFA student of Academy of Art University in San Francisco. So far I live in San francisco. My major is Industrial Design. I really interesting about backpacking .Now I have thesis project that relate with backpacking.I am looking for an design opportunity to design something that can enhance backpacker ‘s travel experience. if anyone can help that would be great. If your are near by san francisco, we can grab a cup of coffee or food. If you are far away, Email or Phone or Skype still good. please fell free to contact me if you want to share some of your backpacking experiences. I assure you this information would be used strictly for educational purposes. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Edited by moderator to remove poster's private information. Please use the "private mail" option on this forum.

From your post, it appears that you are thinking of "backpacking" in terms of budget travel. This site is for American-style backpacking, which is wllderness trekking. If this is the case, you'll get better results on a budget travel forum, of which there are several.

Most of us are not looking for "something that can enhance backpacker's travel experience" but for something that can replace heavier gear already in use with a similar item that is lighter in weight while not being expensive or fragile. Unfortunately these criteria are often mutually exclusive. There are a number of small manufacturers here in the US, mostly individuals working out of their homes, who are devoted to this goal in the area of backpacking (wilderness trekking) gear.

I have removed your email and phone number because these private items should never be revealed on the public internet. Instead, please set your profile on this site to receive private mail should someone chose to respond.

Hello,
As your can see, I am brand new about backpacking(wilderness).But I do interesting about it. I am going to do my first trip at Mar 19 to Mar 21. Even I can not find someone come with me. I still want to try it. So I am definitely looking for backpacking(wilderness trekking).

Thank you for point out that most of backpacker are not looking for "something that can enhance backpacker's travel experience". That is why I try to interview backpacker who has experience. They can help me to understand what is backpacker's need.
About I my personal information show on the public, that is my bad.
Thank you again for point out my shortage.

I wonder do you know those small manufactures's name. If you can give me some informations about it that would be great. Thank you so much for your help.

Check the articles on the home page of this site, left hand column. Read prior posts on these forums.

Google "cottage industry backpacking gear" for a number of lists. Note that most of these lists are several years old, so won't include new startups (happening constantly) or those quitting business.

There are many books available for beginning backpackers; again, check the home page of this site.

I hate to say this, but if you're completely unfamiliar with backpacking, you may want to pick a thesis topic with which you are more familiar and which won't require several years of experience as well as considerable research to become familiar with the market. I don't want to discourage your interest, just suggest that you consider a more familiar market for your thesis topic.

Thank you so much for your information！I will check it out.
thanks a lot！

You are right，I should pick one that I familiar. But backpacking let me feel exciting！I am willing to do the hard work. It is a big challenge，but it also a good opportunity for me to learn. So far I am very happy about my topic，and got a lot of nice people like you to help me out. I know i don' t have experiences，But I will try my best. Thank you again！

might I suggest that you scrounge up a copy of Colin Fletcher's " the complete walker" ( I think the latest rendition is #4 ) I think for anyone looking into backpacking, this book lays a very good foundation on which to enjoy the activity. after reading it you'll have a pretty good understanding of the needs and equipment of backpacking as well as the thought process that all backpackers seem to acquire over time. to get the most out of an interview, the interviewer should have at least, some basic understanding about the subject- don't you think? I started out by reading a copy of his first edition- this is how many of us started out.

Wonderful suggestion. Thank you. I will read it. I think my thesis project give me a chance to learn and experience backpacking(wilderness). I feel this is a wonderful process that I can talk to different people about their experiences and get more and more understand about this activity. Be honest,it is very difficulty for me to find people to interview early.But I believe it will be ok.

I agree that interviewer should have some basic understanding about the subject.
I must admit I am kind of rush, but as long as I made the choice and I am willing to do the work and accept the result.

Thank you so much for being so helpful.

Hi Xiaoli! It's Rodney from the Backpacking group on FB. ;-)

I did a lot of backpacking as a child, then about 10 trips when I was 20 or so, and am just getting back into it. I borrowed this book from a friend of mine, and it really resonated with what I already knew about backpacking, and added a lot I didn't know. I skimmed straight to the section on backpacking gear, but I think it'd be a great book for you to add to your reading list.

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=o2jGtzVKVnoC

The group on this forum is the real deal. Hardcore, lightweight-to-ultra-lightweight backpackers. Not a ton of traffic on the forum, but when you ask a question, you get a quality answer.

Enjoy your hike this weekend! Also, be sure to check out the hikes listed at http://www.bahiker.com/ ... there are many hikes much closer to you than the one you're going on!

-Rodney

We also have a lot of info and hiking stories and suggestions on our website...

And if you want to follow up with some questions, we're happy to help

Hello Rodney，

Thank you so much for reply.
I will check the book you recomend too.
I think this forum is very valuable for me.Thanks again for your help.
Wish I will gain more and more experiencs and knowledge soon.

I was looking forward to reading about your first trip.

I'm still not sure exactly what it is you are after for your thesis so perhaps you could just ask some of the questions you want answered?