HoverGlide: World’s First Floating Backpack

Sun Sep 15 '19 Announcement
about 5 years ago – Sun, Sep 15, 2019 at 06:35:27 AM

Hello backers!

We wanted to give you an update on production. The small pack frames, as well as many other key components, have arrived at our facility where we will be putting the bags together by hand. 

Bags - We had a portion of the small bags air-shipped from Vietnam so we can get started with production ASAP. The rest of them are on their way via freight ship and are on track to arrive by the week of Sept 23. 

Components - We used different vendors to create the internal components of the small pack in order to take advantage of each vendor's strengths and get the best team available to create that item. Despite our best efforts and significant buffer time built-in, a few vendors are very late in their delivery. That being said, they are on track to get them to use the same week that the bags are set to arrive, which will give us all of the materials that go into the packs and we will begin shipping the small packs ASAP.

We wanted to share with you a look at our production set-up. Sean, our Director of Engineering, filmed a quick sneak-peek of what has come in so far and of our production line. Check it out below. 

We are also submitting our backer survey to BackerKit this week for approval. As soon as they give us the green light, we will be sending those out. We will have another update as soon as we send them out to make sure you keep an eye out for them in your inbox.

Talk soon!
 Larry and the HoverGlide team

Wed Jul 31 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago – Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 07:17:00 PM

Thank you, everyone, for your patience! We have been VERY busy behind the scenes and have a small, yet mighty team working around the clock getting HoverGlide ready for you!

Update on the small HoverGlides

We have made considerable progress on the small HoverGlide.

- We have received the final iteration of the bags (the gold standard) and they are currently being manufactured in Vietnam.

- We are on track to start shipping packs at the end of August.

- As mentioned previously, we have completed the molds and are now making the injection-molded frames.

Update on Large HoverGlide

- We designed the large HoverGlide to take the same small components as the small HoverGlide, so the components for both size bags are being made as we speak.

- We just finished an iteration of the frame for the large HoverGlide and it has been sent off for 3-D printing.

- Unfortunately, the delivery of the large HoverGlide will be a bit delayed.

As we mentioned in a past update, our designer’s studio and everything in it was part of the devastation in the Northern California Paradise fire that destroyed more than 13,000 homes and killed 87 people. As we were in the midst of the design phase, it put us back a great deal in several ways. In terms of this project, he lost his ability to prototype in the U.S. as his sewing machines were destroyed. Because the small HoverGlides were fairly advanced in terms of prototyping he was able to send those prototypes to Vietnam with instructions to a team in Vietnam which could make improvements and send them to him in California. He was then able to go to Vietnam and iterate several more times and generate packs which are currently being manufactured in Vietnam. 

Unfortunately, the large pack was not at the same stage when the fire occurred.  We’ve done everything we can to bring the timeline for the large pack forward to send simultaneously with the small HoverGlide, but we made the decision to delay as didn’t want to sacrifice quality just to “check the box” and deliver. To that end, the large pack is delayed past the delivery of the small pack and is looking likely for a November/December delivery date. We are sorry for any inconvenience that it may cause, but trust us, it will be worth the wait, we are excited to get them to you! 

Thank you again for believing in us and supporting our dream. We are excited to help lift your load soon!

Thanks,
Larry and the HoverGlide team

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When will the small packs be delivered?
We will start shipping at the end of August.

When will the large pack be delivered?
They are on track for a November/December timeline.

Why is the large pack delayed past the small pack?
Because of the fire in Paradise, CA. We go into detail in the update above. 

What if I want to add a bag to my order?
You will be able to do that when we send you the survey.

What if I’ve moved since I contributed to the campaign?
You will have the opportunity to update in the survey that we send out.

What if I have a question that isn’t addressed above?
Please message us, we are happy to answer any questions that you have!

Mon Jun 3 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago – Mon, Jun 03, 2019 at 03:38:34 PM

Hello, 

As the temperatures outside heat up, we get closer and closer to delivering your HoverGlide packs!

We have machined the two molds for the small HoverGlide and have run them with molten plastic. The molds work really well and after minor touch-ups, we will run all the frames here in the U.S. The bags are currently being made in Vietnam.

As you may remember, one major hurdle that we’ve had was the fire in Paradise, CA, which decimated our designer’s studio. While we have worked hard to make up for all time that was lost, this has unfortunately pushed our delivery date for the small packs back to start shipping in late August. We really appreciate your support and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Fortunately, this will still leave plenty of time to enjoy fall weather outdoors with your HoverGlide. We will have an update on the large pack shortly.

We really appreciate your patience and support!

Thanks,
Larry and the HoverGlide team    

Thu Apr 4 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago – Thu, Apr 04, 2019 at 06:08:57 AM

Hello, 

We got our second iteration samples for the small pack back from Vietnam and we wanted to share with you where we are in the manufacturing process.

They were done to test the fit and the pattern with the materials they had laying around, so they are NOT the final colors or the final iteration. Below is a picture that was taken in our lab of the latest samples.


The picture shows the tactical (far left), the commuter (middle) and hiker (far right). 

They are looking good, but we want them to look perfect! After further testing and evaluation, we will send our comments to our designer's crew in Vietnam. 

This is the last round before he goes to the manufacturing facility in Vietnam to do the final samples and start production on the small pack. Once we do final samples for the small packs, we will focus on the large pack.

Thanks,
Larry and the HoverGlide Team

Sun Feb 24 '19 Announcement
over 5 years ago – Sun, Feb 24, 2019 at 08:06:02 AM

Dear Backers,

We are happy to report that the designer of the backpack bag has re-opened their studio after being tragically burned down during the fire in Paradise, CA. We recently flew out to his new studio in California to do a final review of the bag/harness and make final adjustments to the frame for the small HoverGlide. 

During that meeting, we also created updated sewing instructions and made final hardware and material choices. We've sent all of that information and the bags to Vietnam, where the bags and harness will be manufactured.

Next step is that they will send us an improved sample to examine. If adjustments need to be made, we will send our feedback and another sample will be created. This process continues until we have a HoverGlide we are happy with. To speed up the process, our backpack designer will be onsite at the factory in Vietnam to ensure rapid turnarounds of the samples. When the final sample is perfect, we will approve it and manufacturing will begin.

Thanks again,
Larry and the HoverGlide team

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