What’s Up With JanSport’s Legpacks and Brapacks?

By now, it’s been proven by many businesses that the more pockets you have, the safer you feel about your things and the more organised you’ll be about them. But how many pockets does it really take to provide users with complete security and maximum convenience?

For JanSport it turns out that the answer is a lot. America’s largest backpack manufacturer recently launched a line of shorts, bras, and other everyday accessories made of JanSport backpacks. Not to mention, those complete with compartments so you have plenty more space to keep your smaller belongings.

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Not your usual JanSport backpacks

Created in collaboration with independent designer and upcycle artisan Nicole McLaughlin, the collection of avant-garde JanSport backpacks takes the form of shorts, a sports bra, a vest, a camp seat, a director’s chair, and slippers. In an Instagram post, the brand even casually mentions that the shorts, which are called JanShorts, are “for people who lack backs.”

McLaughlin is known for taking clothing items to the next level by incorporating random items into them. Based on her own Instagram account, her creations include shorts made of resealable zipper storage bags with actual sandwiches in them and earrings made out of a bottle of sanitiser.

There’s also a suitcase fashioned from old The North Face jackets, and a lot more. For the JanSport collaboration, however, only six items were specifically featured. While several people on social media thought they were laughable and ridiculous for the most part, these items actually come from a good place, literally and figuratively.

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The real story behind these items

The use of JanSport backpacks to make pocketed clothing items is part of a campaign to promote environmental and social awareness among the fashion industry. The products are not actually for sale, but they have been given away through a raffle draw wherein customers only had to pay US$5 (₱240) to join.

The sweepstakes proceeds would go to a foundation called Slow Factory, which is a public service organisation operating as an open education institute. It is also an independent research laboratory, a new media platform, and a granting and empowerment fund.

JanSport also has a line of JanSport backpacks made of 13,000,000 bottles worth of recycled plastic. This is part of its continuously growing sustainability efforts, along with the rare line of upcycled items with McLaughlin.

“By transforming samples from our warehouse and pre-worn packs sourced from warranty centers, we are able to keep the product out of landfills and support the Slow Factory Foundation with some of our most recognizable and iconic imagery,” JanSport President, Roger Spatz, said.

All images credited to JanSport | Official Instagram Page