Not long ago, we told you Wolfman Luggage founder Eric Hougen was re-launching some of his company’s famous sewn luggage, after converting the majority of its line over to RF-welded bags back in 2019. The new line would be sold under the Wolfman Threadworks label, and the whole thing seemed to be inspired by a post here on ADVrider’s forum, when an inmate expressed his longing for a good old-fashioned set of Wolfman Day Tripper bags.
After thatinitial write-up, Hougen provided us with some more info.
He says he’s starting this new line just because he wants to sew bags again—he has 30 years of experience in sewing, pattern-making and other luggage manufacturing skills, and wanted to put that to use again, especially after seeing other one-person sew shops doing similar work (but not in the moto space). Since moving the main Wolfman line to RF welding, he says he’s had people asking for the old, sewn E-12, Day Tripper and Enduro Tank bag on a weekly basis. Hougen picked up his old patterns, tweaked them to make them even better, and will re-release them now.
He’s starting with the E-12, Day Tripper, Enduro tankbag, Enduro duffle and the Greg Bag waistpack, but may move into others. Seems that, for now, he wants to make bags for small bikes and he says “I have no interest in scaling this. If I get busy, the wait time will get longer.”
There’s some customization available with these new products; since Hougen is sewing the bags, he can choose different fabrics for a different look; he might even be able to match your bike color. But he is not interested in adding MOLLE webbing, accessory loops and other one-off bits; he wants to keep the design neat and tidy.
I am starting with 1000 Denier made in USA Cordura. Why? The yarns in the Cordura a re very high tenacity, very strong and light. The fabric is easy to get and comes in a wide variety of colors as well. I have also access to Challenge Sailcloth fabric, I can’t remember the model that is spectacular and 3 times the price of Cordura. Also I have about 1000 yards of Cordura I want to make into products.
One big thing I am not interested in doing is pure custom work. There is no money in it. People don’t want to pay what it takes.
Everything is made to order. No inventory.
There will be a few accessories I’m thinking about
But I don’t want to get spread too thin.
Hougen says he may bring back some other older items, to which I would say: “Please, PLEASE bring back the old sewn tank pannier design.”
The new line will debut in the next few days by the sound of it, and you’ll be able to see the interesting options available then, including some非常non-traditional fabric patterns!
