The Chameleon Pack and Sit System

Reproduction update!!! and Production update #3
over 8 years ago – Sat, Dec 02, 2017 at 05:46:00 PM

Hey guys, 

We first wanted to give you the "reproduction" update, and welcome the newest member of the Trailform team into the world! Introducing Edelweiss Suaye! Born on November 27th weighing 5 pounds 7ounces and 19.5 inches long! Congrats to Chris, forging new trails as a new Dad! The last of the 7 brothers to become a dad! 

And now to the production update! You have all been great to be supportive and patient while the Chameleon gets finalized. We have wanted to be super transparent from the get go, but haven't felt like we have had very concrete answers from the manufacturer to pass along. Unfortunately this update is not necessarily concrete either but it is exactly the information we are being given from our manufacturer. 

So here is the latest update we have been given from the factory: 

We were told on Wednesday this week that in the "pre-production" samples are shipping in another 12 days. The factory has been collecting all the raw materials in order to ensure everything is perfect. That means YKK shipping zippers and other factories getting the correct 420d nylon that is abrasion resistent etc...  After we receive four (1 of each color) pre-production samples that meet our standards. Then we will give them the go ahead to place our large order and commence the mass production. They have told us 35-45 days turnaround time, as soon as we give them the okay on the samples. So if everything goes perfectly, (which so far we have learned it usually doesn't) and if we don't need further tweaks to the Chameleon, and they honor that timeline, that makes best case scenario, 8-10 weeks before we ship all your packs! I genuinely believe everyone is doing the best they can. 

We sure are getting antsy to move this as quick as possible as we know you guys are too. So thanks for staying positive with us. We still have all the confidence in the world this will be a great product all around. As soon as we get the most recent samples here we will be sure to post some pics and keep all of you further updated as we go. 

Go lift somebody today!

Pete, Mark, and Chris

TRAILFORM

Production Update #2
over 8 years ago – Mon, Nov 13, 2017 at 12:44:10 AM

Hey everybody, we hope your autumn adventures are going well. Like I mentioned in the last post, we have been anxiously going back and forth with our manufacturer to explore any potential ways to minimize the delay. We've decided it's best to make sure speed is a second priority to quality and that we really focus on getting the Chameleon made right, rather than rushed. They let us know that the packs won't be done in time for the holidays, at least not the way we wanted and we're super bummed. We take the blame for that. In hindsight we are learning some good lessons about communication and expectations with our factory. We know this is super inconvenient for you guys and of course you want your packs ASAP, and rest assured we do too! 

We would like to thank everyone again for your patience and continued support while we work out the rest of the minor details that will make the Chameleon awesome! To be fully transparent the original November timeframe was their "best guess," back before they knew this pack was a lot more than just another backpack. (We have had to be careful about it getting knocked off and protect our intellectual property.) As soon as we know a REAL estimated delivery, not just a guesstimate, we will let you know. We should have even more clarity by next week! 

The good news is we are all about staying positive, life is just better when we take these minor roadblocks or frustrations in stride and not let them affect our happiness, outlook or vision. You can all still look forward to an awesome product rest assured! 

Pete, Mark and Chris

TRAILFORM

Production Update
over 8 years ago – Mon, Oct 23, 2017 at 03:21:20 PM

Hey everybody, I'm glad to be giving you guys an update on how the production process is going. Two things have added some time to our fulfillment goal. The first we knew would add a little extra time if we pulled it off, which were all of the extra additions and final tweaks to to the Chameleon to make it as feature rich and adaptable as we wanted and maintain our price point. Happy to announce, we did It! We can officially include all of those added features as listed in update #13! Second, as advised, we have taken a few extra steps to protect our intellectual property as much as possible and now we are waiting on the manufacturer, to give us a new estimated delivery date. Not sure yet how long the delay will be but we hope it is minimal, and we will inform you as soon as they tell us their new target goal. We will let you know ASAP when we know. 

We know you guys are waiting patiently and we appreciate that. We are doing everything we can to deliver as timely as possible. It's been a fun and at times challenging learning experience for us, but that's part of what makes this an awesome adventure. That's why all of your support means so much. We plan to give you guys more regular updates from now through the home stretch! 

Keep showing us your adventures on Instagram and Facebook! Spread the word about the Chameleon! 

Thanks a ton

Pete, Mark, and Chris

TRAILFORM

Last call for surveys!
over 8 years ago – Mon, Oct 02, 2017 at 02:04:50 PM

Hey guys, thanks for being so responsive and getting your surveys turned in. We will finalize everybody's orders this coming Friday. For those of you who haven't yet, please get those finished ASAP! If you are having issues finding it, please click here. You can recover the survey and fill it out before we finalize everybody's address and order confirmations. Again, surveys will close this coming FRIDAY October 6th. So please hurry! 

Survey: https://the-chameleon-pack.backerkit.com/

Please let us know if you have any issues or have questions. 

Get out there and forge new trails!

Pete, Mark, and Chris

TRAILFORM

Survey questions...
over 8 years ago – Mon, Sep 25, 2017 at 06:48:19 PM

Hey everyone thanks for your swift responses to the survey, about two thirds of you have finished those already. Thanks a lot! If you haven't yet, please do ASAP to help us be as efficient as possible. Please click here if you lost your survey email, or if you never received one, this link can guide you to the survey recovery page! You can enter your email address to receive another survey link.

https://the-chameleon-pack.backerkit.com/

On a separate note, a few people have wondered about what the Orange and Gray will look like, so we attached the original color swatch from our Kickstarter update #5. The pack will primarily be a burnt orange with some grey accents. 

 Also regarding the Custom Switch Bags, thanks for catching the vision! Some have asked for more transparency about shipping costs, which we are more than happy to give! 

Because those are to be made between now and Spring, and sent out around May 2018, obviously they'll have their own separate shipping cost. We assure you we collected bids from USPS, UPS, and Fed Ex. They all have weight and quantity minimums, and the prices we were given reflect any shipments 5 lbs and below. It is the same pricing we recieved for the backpacks. We realize internationally that is not very convenient but those are the rates we were given. We hope to have a few other cool products ready to market by that time too, so we can offer those and you can have options to add additional items by then if you want to help offset some of the shipping costs. When it comes time to get ready to send those Custom Switch Bags in May 2018, we will send out surveys, just like we are now, and be sure to have everything accurate for delivery. 

You guys are the best backers ever, thanks for your continued patience and support! Honestly, we couldn't do this without you guys!

Keep getting outside, and remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @trailform, and show us your adventures!

Pete, Mark, Chris 

TRAILFORM