Check out the new 48North tote bag! These totes are 100% waxed cotton canvas, with a durable bottom and natural leather handles and copper rivets. See our Flickr pages for photos.

Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Hexagon Bar, 2600 27th Ave. S. Minneapolis MN. 48North is donating a grey/black messenger bag for a raffel at this event. Food, music, no cover charge! Bike on down to the Hexagon, right off the Greenway.

48North bags will be available for purchase beginning Saturday, February 26 at Re-Cycle bikes in their Uptown store in Minneapolis, located at 2327 Hennepin Ave South. I’ll be at the store to meet with customers, answer questions and talk about new products. Please join us at Re-Cycle on February 26!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table today at the bike swap event at the National Sports Center. It was really nice to talk with people interested in the bags, and good to hear your comments on what products you would like to see and specific design features you are interested in. I also really enjoyed meeting other Minnesota bag producers and bike shop owners.

One thing that was very clear is that the backpack I have been designing in my head for the past several weeks needs to become reality.

Those of you who expressed a strong interest in my bags (or selling 48North bags to your customers), please contact me directly – see the contact page for my email. I’d really love to make a bag for you.

Welcome to 48North. We produce natural-fabric messenger style bags, backpacks, and travel bags. Our products are designed for bicycle commuters, students, travelers, sailors, and anyone who loves a unique, quality bag that stands out from the synthetic bags everyone else is carrying. We are currently taking orders for all bag styles, including tote bags. See our Flickr pages for photos. Delivery times generally run 3 – 4 weeks. Contact paul@48-north.com for details, colors, sizes, options.

To see photos of a 48North messenger style bag, visit the 48North Flickr pages.

48North was recently featured on the Fashion-Incubator blog, a project of Kathleen Fasanella. Kathleen is an apparel industry veteran pattern maker who runs a website devoted to assisting designer-entrepreneurs launch their companies and be successful. Kathleen ran a series devoted to products that “seemed so well put together there wasn’t much -if anything- to be made in the way of suggested improvements.” Check out Kathleen’s comments on 48North bags.

In addition to messenger bags and backpacks, 48North will offer diaper bags that men will feel comfortable carrying, duffel bags, totes, and other specialized bags made from natural fabrics.  Our designs focus on style, durability, and function without gimmicks.  Materials include canvas, waxed canvas, leather, cotton, linen, and hemp.

We are committed to designing and manufacturing our products in the United States to the highest standard of quality, using materials sourced in the US when possible. Our bags are designed and built to last a lifetime.

Sincerely,
Paul Jacobson

What’s in a Name?
48North stands for 48 degrees north latitude. This geographic line runs through some of the most naturally pristine and culturally sophisticated places on earth.

The Best of Two Worlds
48North combines the best natural and synthetic materials to create bags that are rugged, waterproof, and beautiful. Natural materials provide warmth and soul that synthetics lack.

Environmentally Friendly
Our waxed fabrics are produced in the U.S.A. using food-grade waxes by the same family-owned business for over 170 years.

The Original High-Performance Fabric
Waxed canvas is a durable fabric that out-performs synthetic materials in a number of important ways:
➣ Extreme water resistance
➣ Appearance improves with age
➣ Recyclable and naturally compostable
➣ Easily re-waxable at home if needed

Styles and Pricing
Biker – Basic Function for Commuters ($145-$155)
Street – For the Non-Biker or Student ($155-$165)
Business – Canvas Lined, Premium Fabric ($250)
Dad – Convertible Diaper Bag – no bunnies ($185)
Tote – Waxed Cotton, Leather, Copper – ($125)

Contact us for more information.