Long-time lurker, first-time poster about this specific brand.
I recently stumbled across Haize Project while going down a rabbit hole for a new technical pack. On paper, they look great—sleek French design, X-Pac fabrics, and modular add-ons. But when I dug into the specs and pricing, the math just isn't mathing for me.
I’m hoping the community can sanity-check me here.
1. The "Workshop" Origin vs. The Price Tag Their bags (like the Clamshell or Backpack 0.0) are sitting in the €250–€350+ ($270–$380 USD) range. The branding leans heavily into "Parisian Design," but the manufacturing seems to be the standard "technical workshop" euphemism for production in China or Vietnam.
I have no issue with Asian manufacturing (some of the best technical sewing happens there), but usually, brands manufacturing offshore pass those savings on to the customer or come in at a lower tier than the Heritage/MiUSA brands. At $350+, I'm crossing into Tom Bihn (Seattle) or DEFY (Chicago) territory—brands that have to account for expensive domestic labor. Is the construction on Haize really so superior that it justifies a domestic-made price tag for an import product?
2. The "Uniqueness" Factor I've got a closet full of bags (standard ManyBagger problems), so I'm always looking for something that fills a new gap. Haize seems to rely on the standard formula: X-Pac + AquaGuard Zips + Clamshell/Rolltop.
While it looks clean, I’m struggling to see a unique suspension system, access method, or material innovation that I can't already get from 10 other brands for $100 less. It feels like a lot of the cost is tied up in the "Techwear Aesthetic" rather than functional innovation.
The Question: Has anyone here handled these in person? Is there a "wow" factor in the harness system or build quality that photos don't convey? Or is this purely a brand for people who want the Acronym/Techwear look but don't know about the heritage bag market?
Thanks for the insights!
Lesson is: price is completely made up! You might be right that the bags are priced more than they're "worth", but that's up to each individual and the market to decide. Maybe they enjoy their business selling fewer but higher-priced bags. It's up to our collective decisions whether their model is successful :)
You should take a look at Attitude Supply Atd-1 and Atd-2. Made in Milan. I have both and the quality and reserved look are on point.
Holy crap, thought the Haize Project Clamshell 25 was expensive! I’m a fan of the Haize Project since it has load lifters and the bag doesn’t unzip completely like the Aer Pro Pack. Other bags I’m considering are the Able Carry Max EDC, Evergoods Civic Half Zip & Black Ember Citadel H2. I wish I could physically examine any of these bags w/o having to purchase first.
Actually saw that one on today. A bit more the I want to pay for a backpack
Hm. Did a deep dive into their website too. I must say though after watching all the English and french reviews the clamshell seems quite unique in some ways: 1) The accessories ecosystem lets you expand the pack, gives you bike helmet attachment and even outdoor-hiking strapping possibilities
2) Ambidextrous hidden side pockets make it perfect for bar style bike-locks.
3) The harness looks quite unique to me and seems also polarizing as some users report returning it due to the knob in the middle
4) Quite some attachment possibilities on the outside for a rear bike light
Overall it seems like one of the better all rounder backpacks if you want a commuter-tech-hiking-laptop backpack.
I took a look at the bags and although perhaps a bit ‘overpriced’ a lot of the hardware is premium and probably imported, like the Fidlock V-buckles, metal G-hooks, etc. they’re using premiums materials like YKK aquaguard zips, laser cut hypalon, challenge sailcloth, etc. so they’re importing those things. Labor cost is not as low in China as they once were. Fortunate results of the developing world developing. It’s certainly not an original design, looks a lot like the MR Dragon 2.0.