Outdoors

Self-healing carry pack patches up its punctures

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The Wolverine Pack is also water resistant
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
The Wolverine Pack is water resistant
The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity
The self-healing Wolverine Pack sports a six inch (15 cm) double-layered bottom for added durability
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
A removable strap can be attached to the Wolverine Pack if you want to sling it over your shoulder
The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity
A removable strap can be attached to the Wolverine Pack if you want to sling it over your shoulder
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
The self-healing Wolverine Pack sports a six inch (15 cm) double-layered bottom for added durability
The Wolverine Pack is water resistant
The Wolverine Pack is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity
When fully collapsed, the Wolverine Pack can be packed down to the size of a cell phone
The Wolverine Pack is also water resistant
The Wolverine Pack is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity
When fully collapsed, the Wolverine Pack can be packed down to the size of a cell phone
The Wolverine Pack is water resistant
What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities
The Wolverine Pack is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity
View gallery - 24 images

We've looked at a number of experimental self-healing materials over the last few years, but are these wonder products ready to leave the lab for the great outdoors? Gear company Slughaus thinks their time has come, and is running crowdfunding campaign for a clever carry bag claimed to patch up its own wounds.

The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity. Because it is collapsible, however, the top can be rolled down and its body can neatly contract to carry smaller loads, a way of avoiding floppy unnecessary bag material.

But what's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities thanks to so-called FuseFabric, which the company describes as regenerative version of ripstop nylon. When the woven fabric is punctured from the outside, applying heat and friction with bare hands to the affected area apparently repairs the busted fibers and patches up the hole.

The Wolverine Pack itself is a nicely designed, versatile carry bag that boasts a 20 L (5.3 gal) capacity

Slughaus says that sometimes it will be repaired perfectly, but depending on the angle and severity of the puncture, there will sometimes be signs of scarring. It also says that the fabric may even fix up smaller rips and tears, though this will likely be a partial as opposed to a full repair job.

All of this is of course Slughaus' way of making a more durable pack for outdoor adventuring. To that end, the Wolverine is water resistant and sports a six inch (15 cm) tall double-layered base for added durability.

What's really impressive about the Wolverine Pack is its claimed self-healing capabilities

When fully collapsed, the Wolverine Pack can be packed down to the size of a cell phone. When unfurled, a quick release clip acts as a carry handle, while a removable strap can also be attached if you want to sling it over your shoulder.

Available in orange and grey, the Wolverine Pack is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, where Slughaus has raced past its original goal of US$10,000, with more than $70,000 raised at the time of writing. Early pledges of $59 are available, with shipping slated for May if everything goes to plan.

You can check out the pitch video below.

Source: Kickstarter

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View gallery - 24 images
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1 comment
ross
The fabric is an unfused woven similar to ripstock, but the claim of self healing is not straight forward. If you puncture the weave, yes you can reorient the fabric back to its original state, but the fabric itself was never damaged by the puncture, just pushed aside. If the fabric itself is cut or damaged, it won't heal. Not much magic here and a property of these types of fabric that's known to fabric technologists.