Solid Design for the Rugged West Coast

By Claire Byrne Last updated Mar 10, 2016

Every week we search the country for our favourite Irish Designers, and bring an innovative product made by them, to you on HeadStuff.org

This week we are raving about hand-crafted bags made in Sligo by The Atlantic Equipment Project, a company set up by business woman Ashleigh Smith. Ashleigh returned from a Masters in Product Design in the Netherlands and was inspired by the rugged west coast to make back packs for adventurers like herself.

The Atlantic Equipment Project is born of a love of adventure in the North West of Ireland, combined with a passion for clean, solid design. We design satchels and backpacks, bags that work on the mountain side, by the shore and scooting around town. Every single bag that AE produces is built from start to finish in our workshop in Strandhill, Sligo.

Atlantic Equipment Project, Bag Design. HeadStuff.org — Atlantic Equipment Project, Bag Design. Source

The process requires craftsmanship and attention to detail. We manufacture on beautiful old industrial sewing machines, powered by good coffee and a vision to scale a manufacturing base in the West. AE packs are made for very hardwearing and high quality ingredients; 14oz Duck Canvas, Waxed Cotton, Ballistic Cordura, all-cotton webbing and solid cast brass fittings. Our packs will weather many an Atlantic storm. My ambition is to grow this West of Ireland company into a global outdoor brand, championing natural fabrics, creating beautiful products with durability, craftsmanship and adventure as design pillars.

Part of AE’s Lighting Winter collection, the canvas rolltop is a solid companion, in two vibrant colour options. It is built from 14 oz heavy duty, naturally water resistant Duck Canvas. We choose our fabric based on the beauty and wear patterns that natural fabric allows. As you trip around, the wear patterns and character of your pack tell the stories of your adventures. The backpack straps are of 100% heavy duty cotton webbing. Fittings are of solid cast brass, with our signature leather tab. The rolltop backpack design allows you to carry a little or a lot. This pack fits a 15” laptop nicely, along with all the other kit necessary for a goose chase down the coast or a hike round the hill.

Part of AE’s original collection, the waxed cotton rolltop is our pride and joy. It is built from beautifully tough and naturally waterproof waxed cotton which has been quilted for durability and structure. Its base is of high abrasion resistant cordura. The backpack straps are of 100% heavy duty cotton webbing. Fittings are of solid cast brass, with our signature leather tab. The rolltop backpack design allows you to carry a little or a lot. This pack fits a 15” laptop nicely, along with all the other kit necessary for a goose chase down the coast or a hike round the hill.

“This project is one of the many results of 6 years of classical Industrial Design study and work, lots of years of bodyboarding, surfing and muddy salty adventure amongst the rainy, windy beauty of my home, the West of Ireland. I am fortunate to have studied my MSc in the esteemed surroundings of Dutch design at The Technical University of Delft, with my base knowledge of the design process established at The University of Limerick. The Atlantic Equipment Project is very close to my heart because it represents my home and a community of very special people, who I am lucky to call my friends.” – Source

Starting at €58 these quality made back packs can be bought online at atlanticequipmentproject.com or pop into the workshop in Strandhill Sligo!