Designer Crafts Plastic-Free Backpacking Kit
A designer created a 10-pound backpacking kit using only natural materials like wool, silk, and bamboo to test the compromises of avoiding synthetics.
Product designer Tom Bonamici has built a complete backpacking kit from entirely natural materials, achieving a base weight of 10 pounds. The kit, which includes a silk tarp, a wool sleeping quilt, and bamboo trekking poles, was tested on Oregon's Mt. Hood in August as part of his research at the University of Oregon.
Bonamici, an assistant professor, undertook the project to explore the compromises of eliminating ubiquitous petrochemicals like polyester and nylon. He will debut the collection at Dutch Design Week in the Netherlands this October. "I was just curious to explore, academically, what it would mean," Bonamici told Backpacker, noting he did not expect everyone to follow suit.
The Core Shelter System
The shelter is a 9-foot tarp made from oiled silk taffeta, a century-old sailing material. Bonamici dipped the fabric in linseed oil and natural turpentine, creating a shelter weighing 25 ounces. In tests, water beaded off its surface even after 24 hours.
Bonamici’s testing notes: "I liked the oiled silk tarp just fine! It set up easily and was nice and cozy."
For sleep, he created a quilt with a silk-cotton blend shell and insulation from Lavalan wool batting. It uses cotton ties instead of a zipper. The designer loved its luxurious feel but acknowledged it weighs over two pounds, more than synthetic equivalents.
Apparel and Accessories
Bonamici sewed all his clothing using cotton thread, which is less durable than polyester. His kit includes merino wool baselayers, cotton shorts, and a rain anorak made from Ventile cotton. A student knit him pure wool socks, and he acquired a sweater made from qiviut, the warm underwool of muskoxen.
Bonamici’s testing notes: "The clothing was all awesome, and super comfortable. It really didn’t feel like a compromise whatsoever."
Key Gear Compromises
The most significant trade-offs came in the pack, sleeping pad, and trekking poles. His frameless pack uses Ventile cotton and merino jersey, with a sleeping pad serving as the backpanel. The pad itself, made of cork sandwiched between wool and cotton, was noted for being uncomfortable but effective as a thermal barrier.
His trekking poles are made from non-adjustable Calcutta bamboo with aluminum tips. He found them sturdy but plans to thicken the grips and strengthen the hand straps.
| Item | Material | Key Note from Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Shelter Tarp | Oiled Silk Taffeta | 25 oz; water beaded off after 24 hours. |
| Sleeping Quilt | Silk/Cotton shell, Wool batting | Over 2 lbs; "felt so luxurious." |
| Trekking Poles | Calcutta Bamboo | Not adjustable; needs thicker grips. |
| Sleeping Pad | Cork, Wool, Ventile cotton | Under 2 lbs; "truly awful for comfort." |
| Backpack | Ventile cotton, Merino jersey | Uses pad as backpanel; cotton cord was "clunky." |
Bonamici's only concessions to synthetic materials were in his water filter and first-aid kit, stating, "I don’t want to get giardia for this project." The entire collection is designed to be compostable after its usable life, a direct trade-off for the increased weight and performance compromises he documented.
