Life is no different at the Porcelain Rocket HQ in Calgary, Canada where owner, Scott Felter is spearheading the design of arguably the most innovative and well-manufactured bags in the industry. Scott has the personality of a bag manufacturer, if there is such a thing. He is a laid back and humble artist who cares deeply about doing what he loves. Scott is motivated to push quality over quantity, and doesn’t want to over do it. He believes that keeping up with innovation is more important than churning out bags to keep up with demand. He is simply passionate about making bags for people to get out and enjoy life.
Scott, originally from New Orleans, is a veteran on the scene with 8 years of bag making under his belt. He started Porcelain Rocket in 2009 in Banff, Canada before relocating with his wife to Victoria and eventually Calgary. He began sewing and making bike bags in 2008 when he got home from the Tour Divide after using panniers and a BOB trailer for the duration of the race. The first bag he made for himself was a partial frame bag.
Scott puts a lot of thought into the construction of his products. All of his designs are thoroughly field tested, his panels are die cut for consistency, and he partners with Greg from Hunter Cycles in Santa Cruz for his custom Chromoly rails. His most popular bag, the Mr. Fusion saddle bag, uses the rails to completely avoid sway while riding, and also allow the user a simple bag experience. He sold over 500 Mr. Fusions this year.
The demand for Porcelain Rocket bags is high, so high that if he puts inventory on his site he usually sells out within 48 hours. Even with the high demand, Scott is passionate about keeping it small. With 2.5 employees, he has his hands on every product before it is shipped, and will never have it any other way. As for Scott’s outlook on the growth of bikepacking in the next 5 years? He hopes to see it plateau, and that more solid bag manufacturers will pop up to help fill the growing demand.
5 Comments