Hello everyone, this is Nagata.
master-piece has been rolling out a stream of new releases, and today I’d like to spotlight one of my personal favorites from the 2025 S/S Collection—the casual series “HugSack.”
As I mentioned in an earlier post, master-piece is now in its 31st year. Drawing on three decades of experience and knowledge, we’re challenging ourselves to create items with concepts that differ from our current core lineups—things we purposefully haven’t produced before.
Through relentless material innovation, evolving technology, and shifting trends, many outdoor brands have moved away from using leather or metal parts. master-piece, however, embraces these elements to craft distinctive products that blend street‑friendly functions with a well‑balanced mix of low‑tech and high‑tech materials—features rare in today’s outdoor market.
Although a mountain pack and an everyday backpack may look similar, they require different materials and functions. A bag is indeed a tool, but it’s not just a tool. There’s the thrill when you pick it up, the feel of leather in your hand, the heft of metal parts. master-piece pursues a high level fusion of everyday functionality and fashion appeal, releasing numerous series that balance contemporary needs with our own identity.
What Is “HugSack”?
This series is inspired by American‑made outdoor packs from the 1990s–2000s, re‑engineered for city use. It carries the aura of that era while integrating the functionality modern life demands.
The standout feature is the padded main compartment. Designed for today’s lifestyle, it shields your laptop, camera, and other delicate gear from external impact.
• Materials & Details
- Main body combines 600d recycled polyester oxford (RENU®) with 420d nylon oxford (PVC‑coated). The top gusset is further treated with a highly water‑resistant PVC coating—balancing the ruggedness of mountaineering packs with the lightness needed for everyday carry.
- Zippers feature the era‑defining coil type with nylon piping for smoother operation. The daypack and shoulder bag use extra‑robust No.10 zippers for added toughness. Cord pulls are heat‑sealed to prevent loosening or fraying.
Mountain packs include internal frames to guard contents against rocks and branches, while compression straps keep the load from shifting. We adapted that idea for daily use—perfect for safely carrying cameras, tablets, and laptops.
• Color Palette & Thread Choices
The colorways were rebuilt from genuine vintage bag details:
- GRAY × BLACK × PURPLE – inspired by a 1990s “Brand D” classic
- SAX × BEIGE – referencing a late‑ʼ70s “Brand J” piece
Back in the day, bags were typically sewn with a single thread color—often black—for efficiency. We faithfully replicated that nuance here: gray variants use black thread, sax variants beige thread. The BLACK colorway stays tonal overall, with only the embroidered logo as an accent.
• Logo & Modernized Specs
Instead of solid satin stitching, the HugSack logo is rendered in a hand‑drawn outline using three colors of thread—capturing vintage vibes with original flair.
The “HugSack” series deliberately omits leather and metal hardware. Yet we’ve introduced features that didn’t exist back then—magnetic buckles, interior mesh pockets, cord loops—for convenient everyday usability.
In Closing
Vintage and second‑hand pieces are being rediscovered and re‑valued across furniture, home goods, and apparel. HugSack embodies that spirit—classic on the outside, state‑of‑the‑art on the inside, if you will. Rather than a pure reissue or replica, it’s a modern evolution with a retro soul.
In short, HugSack recreates the craftsmanship of bygone American pack‑making—meticulously built in Japan. A truly indulgent series of bags.
Please check them out at our flagship stores, authorized retailers nationwide, or our online shop.
Thank you for reading.
– Nagata
▼ Explore the HugSack series here.
