"Cork is what preserves some of the finest wines in the world. I thought if people trust it with their wine, why can't I trust it with my valuables?"
"It’s been called Mother Nature’s near perfect product. We found the same to be true in our backpacks."
That's one of the opening lines of a Kickstarter campaign that launched Monday morning and has already topped 20 percent of its $10,000 goal.
The product is a line of functional backpacks infused with a cork bottom and cork accents, like the hanging loop and zipper pulls. It's tough to stand out in the backpack space these days, with the likes of Herschel, Topo Designs and The North Face still ruling the roost. But Corked, as the company is called, thinks it's on to something, and for good reason.
"Most of the world’s cork is grown on tree barks in Portugal. The trees live for over 150 years but the bark can only be harvested once every nine years," Corked founder Cam Hoffman told me. "Cork is used to preserve the world’s finest wines because it is extremely durable and performs well under pressure. It’s been called Mother Nature’s near perfect product. We found the same to be true in our backpacks."
The project is based in San Diego, but the team is scattered around the U.S. Hoffman is joined by founder Nathan Resnik and head of design Sam Whitner, who is based near Concord, Mass.
The bags are handcrafted in Asia, said Hoffman, going through many steps from tree to product. Interestingly, the cork is organic and recycled. The cork is harvested from the bark of trees in Portugal, which then regrows naturally. After being boiled into planks, corks are punched out and shipped to wineries around the world based on quality. The leftover bark is what Corked uses for its backpacks.
Ultimately, the guys hope to produce "a full line of different types and styled products made from cork," Hoffman said. But for now, like any dedicated Kickstarter campaign, the focus is on the product at hand.
The bags come in three models and three different colors (red, blue and black), each a bit different from the other. All, though, have the distinct cork base and details. Inside, there's a laptop sleeve and several other pockets for keeping goods organized.
As a guy who hates to conform and loves a good bag, I'm hopeful this project gets funded and the cork is as durable and functional as it sounds. The $50 early bird special gets backers a backpack of their choice – not a bad price for a laptop sleeve that doubles as a conversation piece.
Here's the full line of styles:
Images provided.
