Nomads Nation Podcast

Aaron Radcliffe
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HOBBIES

Nomads Nation is the #1 podcast for the Carry Community, Bag lovers, EDC nerds, and travelers around the world.

  1. 2D AGO

    BRUTALLY HONEST Bag Tier List (w/ John from UnPack'd)

    Subscribe to UnPack'd 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG5k_GNYcwjfSPIeS0VNoQ 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 21 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode dives deep into the world of bags, slings, and EDC gear with John from the UnPack’d YouTube channel—a true carry nerd. We start by comparing premium and value-focused brands, break down the best slings, small backpacks, and everyday carry essentials, and geek out over design, materials, and usability. Expect insights on why simplicity often wins, and which bags truly stand out for everyday life. From larger travel backpacks and personal item bags to tech pouches and water bottle holders, we cover all the gear that makes a bag iconic. Finally, we wrap with our review philosophy, share tips for organizing gear, and tease some exciting upcoming bag drops hitting UnPack’d in March. If you love smart gear, obsess over compartments, or just want a fun deep dive into bags and EDC essentials, this episode is packed with nerdy carry goodness. 🎒 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 2:27 – Favorite Travel Backpacks 11:19 – Features vs Comfort Discussion 17:56 – Everyday Carry (EDC) Bags Discussion 20:00 – Early Travel Bag Experiences with Able Carry 25:03 – “Ride or Die” Bag 32:04 – Price Comparison & Value vs Competitors 46:02 - Favorite Daily Carry 52:29 - Personal preference on Evergoods vs Tomtoc 54:00 - Best Water Bottle holders 58:07 – Tech pouches S-tier discussions 1:04:09 - Upcoming Gear Tease ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit ➡️ / nomads_nation 🤝 Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

    1h 5m

  2. FEB 15

    Trakke; What REALLY Happened

    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 20 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Nick from Alpkit—a veteran in the backpack world and a true OG when it comes to thoughtful design and quality manufacturing. We kick things off with the story of how Alpkit started, from four friends with a passion for outdoor adventures to building a versatile brand that covers everything from travel gear to technical outdoor equipment. We dive deep into the challenges and advantages of making bags in the UK, including training skilled seamstresses, balancing craftsmanship with production efficiency, and why producing locally can actually be a huge business advantage. Then we pivot to one of the most exciting parts of the episode—the Trakke story. Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand, preserved its iconic designs, and is now paving the way for a new chapter that balances classic aesthetics with lighter, technical gear. If you’re into carry gear, love understanding the construction behind your bags, or just can’t resist a deep dive into bag history and innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎒🔥 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 01:20 - Alpkit origin story 06:50 - Sewing shortage in UK 16:02 - UK production advantage 22:04 - Trakke closure 28:08 - Made in Scotland 31:11 - Trakke's Future 35:37 - Integrating Alpkit & Trakke ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit ➡️ / nomads_nation 🤝 Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

    50 min

  3. 04/25/2025

    Chase & Bo's Favorite Bags... sort of (NN Podcast EP 18)

    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 18 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! This episode takes a fun turn into the world of cold plunges, ice baths, and cold showers—where growth meets discomfort (and shivering ❄️). Aaron gives his take on Chase’s now-viral ice bath video, Bo shares his own frosty plunge experience, and we dive into how cold exposure ties into self-growth, men’s groups, and personal development. Yep... we’re going deep. Of course, it wouldn't be a Nomads Nation episode without some serious bag talk. We break down our picks for the best sling bags, small backpacks, EDC essentials, and even make a case for the most underrated carry of all: the tote bag. If you're into gear, growth, and a little bit of chill (literally and figuratively), this one's packed with good vibes, solid takes, and plenty of nerdy carry goodness. 🧠💼 00:00 -  Intro 02:28 - Aaron's opinion on Chase's ice bath video 05:26 - Aaron's Dry January 06:19 - Bo's cold plunge experience 07:17 - Chase's cold shower experience 09:54 - Overlap between carry community and self-growth 13:41 - Men's groups and personal development 19:11 - Best Slings discussion 31:05 - Best Small Backpacks discussion 40:00 - Best EDC backpack discussion 59:46 - Best Tote bag discussion ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter  ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit  ➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/ 🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace  ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/

    1h 24m

  4. 04/09/2025

    EPIC Convo with Toshi Sling Creators (NN Podcast EP 17)

    🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 ********** 00:00 - Intro to Rework Gear and the Toshi Sling 00:20 Meet the Co-founders of Rework Gear 01:39 Immigration Story: From Singapore to the US 02:47 - The Story Behind Rework Gear: From Corporate Aversion to Bag Design 04:05 - Launching the Reset System on Kickstarter 06:09 - Journey into Bag Industry 07:26 - Jia's Initial Thoughts on Starting a Bag Company 09:14 - Kickstarter Realities and the Transition to E-commerce 11:49 - Singapore as a Carry Capital 14:33 - Bag Scene in the Bay Area 16:56 - Inspiration Behind the Rework Toshi Sling 18:30 - Development & Prototyping Process 21:38 - Balancing Design, Materials and Price 24:55 - Marketing Strategies: Facebook Ads and Reviewers 27:44 - Expansion and Compression Design of the Toshi Sling 30:36 - Most challenging thing aside from the product development 33:17 - Cash Flow and Business Planning 35:03 - It's not easy to run a bag company 36:56 - Future Plans for Rework: New Products and Series 40:00 - Customer Support and Brand Connection 42:01 - Female Perspective in the Carry Community 46:55 - Aaron's Journey to Hong Kong and Entrepreneurship ********** 🌐 Sign up to the NNewsletter  ➡️ https://nomadsnation.com/newsletter/ 😊 Connect with gear-heads on the NN Subreddit  ➡️ https://www.reddit.com/r/Nomads_Nation/ 🤝  Buy/sell used bags on the NN Marketplace  ➡️ https://marketplace.nomadsnation.com/ **********

    52 min

  5. 03/24/2025

    Danny Packs REVEALS his favorite bags of all time... (NN Podcast EP 16)

    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 16 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Danny from Danny Packs — a fellow bag nerd, content creator, and all-around travel junkie who’s been tearing up the globe with his latest adventures (think salsa dancing in Seoul, suitcase wisdom, and some seriously spicy bag takes). 🕺🌍 We dive deep into the world of bags, packs, and everything in between, with plenty of laughs, hot takes, and travel stories along the way. We kick things off with an exciting Rushfaster collab, then dive into the best sling bags of the year, our favorite small backpacks, and a solid discussion on EDC bags. We also cover travel backpacks that won’t break your back, the top personal item bags for flights, and ask some spicy questions: which is the most underrated travel bag out there? Are duffels smart or straight-up stupid for travel? And we break down one of the most unique travel bags we’ve ever seen—genius or total gimmick? If you're into bags, travel stories, and hot takes on gear, this one’s for you. 🧳 Let’s get into it! 🚀 00:00 - Intro 03:04 - Rushfaster Collab 04:26 - Salsa, Seoul & Suitcases: Danny’s Travel Adventures  06:06 - Best Sling Bags of the Year 12:53 - Small Backpack Recommendations 21:06 - Best EDC Bags Discussion 26:06 - Travel Backpacks That Won’t Break Your Back 27:56 - Best Personal Item Backpacks 32:09 - Is This the Most Underrated Travel Bag?  42:14 - The Duffel Dilemma: Smart or Stupid for Travel?  43:26 - Genius or Gimmick? The Most Unique Travel Bag Yet

    1h 8m

  6. 03/07/2025

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

    00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Meet Fred Perrotta, Co-Founder of Tortuga 2:01 - Tortuga in 2010  5:32 - The Rise of Backpacks on Kickstarter 9:01 - The First Tortuga Prototype 10:28 - Why Tortuga Moved Manufacturing to Vietnam 11:10 - Backpacks Made in China vs. Backpacks made in Vietnam 17:01 - How Backpack Fabrics Have Evolved Over 15 Years 22:23 - Being innovative vs risks  26:03 - Why Tortuga Only Focuses on Travel Bags 39:06 - How Airline Restrictions Are Changing Bag Designs 40:30 - The Water Bottle Pocket Controversy 43:08 - The Emotional Connection to Travel Bags 48:04 - The Role of YouTube Reviews in the Backpack Industry 51:59 - 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! 🚀

    57 min

  7. 12/23/2024

    Bellroy, bags, & warranties (w/ Bellroy founder Andy Fallshaw)

    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/ 🔥 Check out the bag I made 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 Welcome to Episode 14 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today I chat with Bellroy founder Andy Fallshaw about all things bags and warranties. We chat about the challenges surrounding warranties, and what Bellroy is doing to improve their own warranty and customer support. 00:36 - The carry community 2:46 - New Bellroy bags 6:20 - Traveling lite 10:30 - Bellroy's ambitious year 13:29 - Different EDC for different locations 17:09 - Bellroy's new warranty 29:08 - Innovation vs playing it safe 31:45 - Evergoods 32:29 - Fine print in warranties 36:55 - GORUCK & Osprey warranties 40:30 - Bellroy repair center? 42:11 - Overseas repairs 43:03 - Bellroy customer support 46:20 - Brand reputations 49:15 - Why 6 years? 54:30 - Upcoming Bellroy bags

    58 min

  8. 09/22/2024

    The TRUTH about bag development & factories (NN Podcast EP 13)

    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/ 🔥 Check out my bag on Kickstarter! 👉🏼 https://go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22 Welcome to Episode 13 of the Nomads Nation Podcast! Today myself and my guest, Luke Reynolds the founder of BagMe,  come at you live from Vietnam where we talk all about the behind the scenes of developing and manufacturing bags! ********** 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Community questions 07:00 - Starting BagMe 12:06 - Replicas/Knockoffs 15:50 - Why Vietnam? 20:20 - Factory conditions 25:39 - Timeframe of bag development  31:50 - PU Coated zippers 42:43 - Fabrics 54:28 - Lukes go-to bag? 1:0:27 - Sustainability  ********** Affiliate Disclosure - We hope you enjoyed our podcast episode! Here at Nomads Nation™, we thrive to create the best travel content on the web! To do that we create EPIC videos that take a lot of time and money, so we monetize our videos with affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of our links and make a purchase, we make a small commission - at no extra cost to you! Using our links for purchases is the best way to support the channel so we can keep making amazing videos.  If you aren’t going to make a purchase, but still want to show us some love - then smash that subscribe button!  Thanks for the love!  :) **********

    1h 22m
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About

Nomads Nation is the #1 podcast for the Carry Community, Bag lovers, EDC nerds, and travelers around the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron Radcliffe
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aaron Radcliffe

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