The Getaway Travel Bag
How we redesigned a cult-favorite travel bag that crowdfunded $2 million
/ Pakt Bags: Intro
Pakt Bags
In partnership with longtime friend and industrial designer Malcolm Fontier and the team behind The Minimalists, Sprout reimagined the iconic Getaway duffel bag by elevating its signature simplicity with smarter functionality, refined construction, and a more sustainable footprint. The relaunch centered on thoughtful upgrades, environmentally responsible materials, and completely plastic-free packaging, bringing a beloved design back to market with a modern, purpose-driven approach.
/ Pakt Bags: The Challenge
The Getaway bag that can’t get away
Industrial designer Malcolm Fontier’s original Getaway bag had been out of production for years when it unexpectedly surged back into the spotlight after being featured in the hit Netflix documentary Minimalism. As the everyday carry of choice for The Minimalists, the bag sparked a cult following and prompted thousands of requests for its return. Recognizing the opportunity to revive a classic while improving it for today’s traveler, Sprout partnered with Malcolm and The Minimalists to redesign the Getaway from the ground up, honoring the essence of the original while enhancing its performance, durability, and sustainability.
/ Pakt Bags: The Approach
Updating a classic
The original Getaway bag stood out for its dual-compartment, zip-around body style, so the team focused on preserving the core structure that made it unique. At the same time, we set out to elevate the design with thoughtful new features and refreshed color, materials, and finishes. Every update was made using animal-friendly materials with the lowest possible environmental impact, aligning the product with modern expectations for sustainability and responsible manufacturing.
Minimalist values
We needed to work within The Minimalists’ values of creating intentionality in products and encouraging travelers to think about conscious consumption. This value system shaped the feature set and guided the clean, minimal design throughout the bag.
Packaging that reflects the mission
When it came to packaging, Sprout and Malcolm prioritized creating a fully plastic-free system that aligned with the values of the Pakt brand and the expectations of conscious consumers.
Throughout the process the team faced the challenge of ensuring responsible production, which led Pakt to select a manufacturing partner committed to safe, fair, and humane working conditions.
These efforts sparked the creation of a second company called SeaHive. SeaHive helps brands eliminate virgin plastic from their packaging by offering sustainable, brand-building alternatives that enhance both environmental impact and customer experience.
/ Pakt Bags: The Outcome
Turning momentum into a movement
The Pakt One relaunch became an immediate success, raising more than $2 million on Indiegogo. The campaign reached its full funding goal within the first ten minutes and generated over $400,000 in sales on the first day alone.
Today, Pakt continues to grow with a global community of 75,000+ travel enthusiasts and a full collection of thoughtfully designed travel gear and accessories, reaffirming the strong market demand for sustainable, intentional products.
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Awesome to work with. Easy to communicate with, responsive with next iterations, and beautiful work.
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