The 2024 - 2025 Weekend Warrior
It’s pretty crazy that a little over a year ago, we launched The Weekend Warrior via Kickstarter for the world to see.
What’s even crazier is that the moment we knew we would be able to fund our project, we started working on improvements for the 2024 - 2025 version.
I personally designed the first Weekend Warrior from scratch, but as a 23 year-old with an Econ degree I knew that I reached the edge of my abilities when it came to product development. We needed to find a team that would help bring our visions for an improved bag to life.
In Early October 2023, we were introduced to the folks over at BagMe and by mid November we were on a plane to Vietnam to meet with our new development team and find a new factory.
Fast forward to today, October 1st, 2024, and we are officially launching the 2024 - 2025 Weekend Warrior.
So what’s actually new about this version? Glad you asked.
Two New Colors:
Vermont Green: I learned to ski in New England so I was obviously going to shout out the state where I had my most yard sales. Growing up in Boston, I frequented Vermont in the Summer just as much as in the Winter. Hikes up in the Green Mountains were a staple of my family’s weekend getaways and Vermont Green is a symbol of the love I have for the beauty of that great state.
Nothing beats a clear blue sky in the mountains. There is something so rejuvenating about skiing in my blacked out goggles with the sun roasting my cheeks. Bluebird days get me out of bed faster than a foot of power. Does that make me insane? TBD.
The Improvements:
I want to quickly explain why we decided to make improvements in the first place. After all, how can you improve a product that just hit the market?
I knew that I had limitations when it came to the intricacies of product design. I was able to develop a strong concept and execute it but to take it to the next level, I knew I needed professional support. The moment I saw that this product really had demand in the market, I got started on finding a team that could help me make these upgrades.
This initial instinct, coupled with multiple feedback campaigns throughout the year, drove the us to make the enhancements outlined below:
The Helmet Canopy
Good luck getting the helmet to fall out of this thing. The 24-25 canopy encompasses the entire helmet, providing full coverage and even an elastic to hold the front in place. The canopy is made out of the same ballistic exterior as the bag, providing your helmet with state of the art protection. We changed the way it attaches to the bag, as it now comes out of a specifically built pocket in which it is connected via hooks. Moreover, the size is adjustable, providing perfect storage for any sized helmet.
The Boot Bag Compartment
The entire boot compartment is now lined with a waterproof tarpaulin. This material is scratch resistant, durable, and sleek. No matter what you throw in that compartment, it's built to withstand it.
The Back Panel
We completely upgraded the padding on the back. We’re using a softer and thicker foam, a much more ergonomic design for breathability, and an entire extra layer of support.
The Laptop Compartment
Now separated by a 5mm Honey-Comb Board, the laptop compartment is revamped with added protection and organization. There is a slot for up to a 17inch laptop, an ipad sleeve, and plenty of room for anything from a second laptop to documents. Now nested below the shoulder straps, the compartment is even further hidden away from the elements.
Internal Organization
This is where we put our traveler goggles on and went to work. We basically added a zipper to everything so that you could bring more without it flopping around. The pockets are big and structured - put whatever you want wherever you think it fits best. The clothing section is now a built in packing cube, allowing you to fit more items in less space. We also updated the internal liner to make sure the inside of the bag had a little extra pop.
Deeper Side Pockets
The side pockets are now bigger and deeper with the same sleek look. You can easily fit up to a 32 oz YETI bottle without worrying about any sort of rips or tears.
An (Actually) Hidden Pocket
A hidden pocket should be actually hidden. Find it right under the goggle pocket (when looking at the inside). The pocket can fit a passport and more (and don't forget to use the AirTag slot right above it!
On top of all of those updates, we added the following:
Thicker and more comfortable shoulder straps with increased padding and a “Yolk” design to improve functionality and back positioning (arguably one of the most important changes)
A sleeve for an Apple AirTag (right above the hidden pocket)
An improved carry handle (the thing you grab at the top of the bag)
Redesigned chest strap with increased adjustability
Higher quality buckles throughout the bag
Loops to make sure all of your straps never slip out of place
ALSO
We rebuilt the boot compartment ventilation so that it’s sturdier.
We optimized the dimensions of the front pockets to fit even more of the stuff you need with you.
And we made bag sleeker, as our development team was able to find inefficiencies in the stitching (I didn’t even know those could exist).
So there you have it. The 2024-2025 Weekend Warrior is officially on the market. Pre-sale pricing will end on November 1st, 2024 with the bag expected to start shipping by November 7th.
I can’t stress enough how critical your feedback was to this process. I learn something new from a customer every single day and I hope that never ends. Want to pick my brain further? Just email me - shai.branover@diamantskiing.com
Keeping Defining Your Journey.
Cheers,
Shai
