When we met Jared Rowley, and he described the origin story of his new backpacking brand, RADL, we instantly got it. That’s always a good sign. From his workshop and home in California, he recounted the experience that started it all and showed us the product. We’ve been looking forward to partnering with RADL ever since.
The Inspiration
RADL (pronounced RAD-ul) launched this month out of Bonsall, California, with a single product, the Pack 01. Rowley spent years designing this 65-liter trekking pack to outlast anything else on the market.
In the summer of 2021, Rowley took his two oldest children on the John Muir Trail for nearly a month. The first week was rough. It tested them in ways no amount of preparation could have anticipated. Physical limits were reached, and mental walls were hit.
Something shifted at the start of the second week. They found their trail legs, and the struggle gave way to deep appreciation. They all came home more capable and confident. A good backpacking trip can do that. Rowley looked at the gear they used to carry them through it all and thought: This should be better. Not lighter, but better.
“If you’re going to go into the unknown, your gear has to be something you trust completely. Pack 01 is built so you don’t have to think about it,” says Rowley.
In the Pack
With RADL, Rowley is deliberately bucking the outdoor industry trend of shaving grams at the expense of durability. As he puts it, “Pack 01 is overbuilt by design.” It’s made from 900D 100% polyester, a heavier-duty material than the nylon most competing packs use at this price point. And the hardware and zipper…they’re not messing around either, made from aircraft-grade aluminum and YKK Racquet Coil, respectively. At 5lbs 3oz and $369, Pack 01 is not trying to win an ultra-light award; it’s trying to outlast everything else in your gear closet.
The 65-liter capacity hits the sweet spot for multi-week expeditions or loaded shoulder-season trips. The design includes a top-load opening and U-zip front panel for packing flexibility, upper and lower dynamic “Z” compression for load distribution, bear can storage in the lid, and a CCubed breathable foam back panel with adjustable torso fit (18″–23″). Nine pockets, aluminum G-hooks for external gear attachment, daisy chains, dual hydration hose exits.
Pack 01 comes in four colorways — Olive Green, Field Tan, Iceland Blue, and Oxblood Red — in both standard and waxed finishes.
Partnership
We love the outdoor industry because of founders like Jared Rowley. Darby Communications is proud to serve as RADL’s agency of record and is genuinely excited to help tell this story.
