1st Place

First Internal-Frame Backpack

The innovators, the game-changers, the rebels, and those who throw caution to the wind in the pursuit of something better. These intrepid pioneers are who our Hall of Fame is reserved for. Earning a hallowed place amongst such carry peers is not easy - but then Greg Lowe didn't do anything easy. What he did do was lay the foundation for revolutionizing backpack carry by creating the first internal-frame backpack in 1967.

Working in his garage in Colorado, Greg made carry history by taking a different route to the external-frame backpacks available at the time. His design tackled the load shifting problems of external-frame backpacks by creating a bag that stayed close to the user's back. This close fit allowed users to enjoy more active pursuits with greatly improved load stabilization. His design heralded a new - and for many a better - way to carry backpack loads, and laid the groundwork for the widespread use of internal-frame backpacks today. Greg's internal-frame backpack helped transform an industry and the way people carry, a lasting impact that merits praise and honor in our Hall of Fame.

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Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honour, we bow our heads in the upmost respect and kudos. If this were a dias, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we're sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

First MOLLE

Carry for the armed forces has to endure some of the most demanding environments in the world. Delivering reliability, comfort, durability and ease of use are key - and the first MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system didn't back down from the challenge. The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center designed MOLLE to replace the previously utilized ALICE system.

The first MOLLE system offered a host of benefits, from enhanced load distribution through numerous attachment points, to a new suspension system with heavily padded and adjustable shoulder straps and waist belt for better carry comfort. The system also introduced a contoured plastic frame for improved durability over the tubular aluminum frame used by the ALICE system. Never before had the armed forces been able to customize carry setups quite so well and comfortably as MOLLE's modular equipment and PALS webbing allowed.  We salute you, MOLLE.

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First Polycarbonate Suitcase

Heavy luggage is the bane of travelers worldwide. With the new millennium Rimowa introduced a new way to carry travel gear - and demonstrated that protecting that gear didn't have to involve weighty suitcases built like tanks. The Rimowa Salsa was the first suitcase to be built using polycarbonate. Featuring in aircraft and vehicle construction, the material was known for its useful properties such as impact resistance, durability and light weight - properties which made perfect sense to adopt in luggage construction.

With the first polycarbonate suitcase Rimowa created luggage tailored to harsh and restrictive travel environments - ready to take a beating, without weighing the user down and sacrificing a large portion of their baggage weight allowance. Even better, they were able to offer this lightweight durability in an elegant form. This innovative approach to luggage made traveling significantly easier and inspired the industry, an achievement that deserves our High Commendation.

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