Product concept I put together for my University of Oregon M.S. Sports Product Management application. It's pretty interesting to see how aligned I was to the product creation process prior to enrolling into the program, yet what I've learned over the last 15 months would allow me to refine and improve this initial concept pitch. Especially when it comes to telling a story! (Please excuse the typos :/ )

1. EQUATOR PACK
Tapping into a Growing Market Segment
With Modular Running Pack Solutions
Presented by Steve McQuaide

2. 1. Introduction
2. Market Opportunity & Trends
3. Primary Research
4. Product Concept
5. Go to Market Plan
OUTLINE

3. INTRODUCTION

4. INTRODUCTION
Trail running continues to be one of the
fastest growing segments of sports
products. Innovation continues to thrive
in this market as demonstrated by the
adoption of Hoka One One maximalist
shoes, new hydration concepts, and
apparel innovations.
As trail runners continue to test the limits
of human endurance, a need has arisen
for packs that support self-sustained
multi-day adventures.

5. INTRODUCTION
While trail running has seen attempts at
breaking into the fastpacking1 pack market,
most are either running hydration packs
with oversized storage capacity, or
modified backpacking packs with reduced
capacities – nothing truly designed for
multi-day running adventures.
There is demand for running packs that can
both function as a day-to-day running
pack, as well as support the athlete over
multi-day adventures. This product concept
looks to achieve that goal.

6. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES & TRENDS

7. GOOGLE TRENDS
Trail running in the United States experienced a boom in interest
beginning in 2011 and that interest has remained steady since.
As of July 2016, there were a reported 145 100-mile races in the
United States alone, and interest in Ultra Marathons (races longer
than 26.2 miles) is surging while interest in road races is declining.
In 1992, the inaugural Hardrock 100 allowed entry to “anyone with a
pulse”, and 24 years later in 2016 there were 1,639 entries into the
lottery for the coveted 152 race bibs.2

8. GOOGLE TRENDS
Worldwide, trail running has had a steady growth in search interest
since 2008. Ultramarathons and ultralight backpacking have not
seen the same growth in interest.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Trail running: (Worldwide) Ultramarathon: (Worldwide) Ultralight backpacking: (Worldwide)
2004 2008 2012 2016

9. GOOGLE TRENDS
In the United States, we see a drastic increase of interest in trail running in
2011, which reflects the opportunity of the market. As interest in Ultralight
backpacking and Ultramarathon intersect in 2016, we can infer that runners
are becoming more interested in exploring outside of race settings.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Trail running: (United States) Ultramarathon: (United States) Ultralight backpacking: (United States)
2004 2008 2012 2016

10. MARKET OPPORTUNITY & TENDS
While interest in ultra-distance running is surging, there are barriers to participation in
ultramarathons such as race entry caps, prohibitive cost factors for race entry and travel, and
seemingly large leaps in race distances offered: from 100k to 100 mile, 100 mile to 200 mile,
and so on. These barriers are leading to athletes exploring their perceived limitations through
self-sustained long distance runs outside of race settings.
This interest is no better demonstrated than through the explosion of interest in FKTs (fastest
known times) – record attempts for established trails like the John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest Trail,
and Appalachian Trail to name a few.
Runners are already exploring these options, it is time they have a pack that meets their
unique demands.

11. MARKET ANALYSIS
A Google US search for “Fastpacking
Packs” yielded:
• 22,600 results – Not highly
competitive
• Google Shopping – indicating retailers
are bidding on the term
• Most organic results are articles
discussing fastpacking, not product
results
• We also see the presence of forum
questions like “a good fastpack?”
indicating users are looking for
product.

12. MARKET ANALYSIS
• The lower half of page 1 Google
results for a “fastpacking pack” search
shows additional article and forum
content.
• We see product reviews, but no brand
presence for this search term
demonstrating that brands are not
optimizing their website for this topic
• This reveals the competition within the
market place is not high, and it would
be fairly easy for a brand to rank well
for fastpacking terms.

13. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
In a 2016 Forbes article, Adidas revealed their trail running pre-
orders were up 62% over the previous year.
Industry-wide, Outdoor Industry Association revealed that trail
running grew as a segment by 11% over the last 3 years.3
This data demonstrates a continued and steady growth pattern
that is projected to continue into the next decade.

14. PRIMARY RESEARCH

15. PRIMARY RESEARCH
A survey was conducted within a group of 84 self-identified
runners, many of which had significant experience in trail running.
Questions asked during this survey looked for general
demographic information, running experience, hydration pack
preferences, and gauged interest in multi-day running trips.
The following slides explore the information discovered through
this survey.

16. COMMUNITY SURVEY
84 44Male
40Female
76%Between Ages 30-49
96%College Educated or Higher
Respondents
DEMOGRAPHICS

17. COMMUNITY SURVEYRUNNING EXPERIENCE
20%
25%
28%
13%
14%
RUNNING MILES PER WEEK
0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 40+
4
0
11
1
3
23
20
13
6
2
3
10k or less
15k
21k (Half Marathon)
25k
30k
42k (Marathon)
50k
50 Mile
100k
100 Mile
More than 100 Miles
0 5 10 15 20 25
LONGEST RACE DISTANCE

18. COMMUNITY SURVEYHYDRATION PACK PREFERENCES
22%
51%
11%
16%
DO YOU USE A DIFFERENT HYDRATION
SYSTEM FOR TRAINING VERSUS RACING?
Yes, I have different
hydration systems for
training and racing
No, I use the same
hydration system for
training and racing
I do not use a hydration
system during racing
I do not use a hydration
system at all
4.06
3.73
4.58
4.03
4.35
2.6
2.71
3.37
2.93
Liquid Capacity
Storage Capacity
Fit & Adjustability
Weight
Stability (Low Bounce)
Style/Color Options
Weather Resistance
Price
Versatility (Road, Trail,
Backpacking, etc.)
0 1 2 3 4 5
RATING (1-5) OF PACK CHARACTERISTICS

19. COMMUNITY SURVEYHYDRATION PACK PREFERENCES
75%
1%
24%
WOULD YOU CONSIDER PURCHASING A PACK
SYSTEM THAT ALLOWED CUSTOMIZATION OF
WEIGHT, STORAGE, HYDRATION CAPACITY, AND
GEAR INTEGRATION DEPENDING ON HOW FAR
YOU ARE RUNNING?
Yes
No
Not sure
15
11
10
7
22
18
1
2
I do not use a hydration
system
$10 - 34
$35 - 74
$75 - 99
$100 - 139
$140 - 179
$180 - 199
$200+
0 5 10 15 20 25
HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND ON YOUR PREFERRED
HYDRATION SYSTEM?

20. COMMUNITY SURVEY
52%
54%
Of respondents…
INTEREST IN MULTI-DAY RUNNING
Have gone on a
backpacking trip of
more than 1 day
Are familiar with
Fastpacking
56%
Have considered an
overnight self-
supported running trip
(run, camp, run, etc.)

21. COMMUNITY SURVEY
While the sample size of this survey is not large enough to be statistically
significant, we can use this data directionally to infer interest in the sport of
fastpacking, as well as the need for a pack designed for multi-day runners.
• Fewer than half of the runners surveyed have run 50 miles or further
• Over 56% of those same respondents expressed interest in multi-day
running adventures.
• 51% of respondents use the same pack for training and racing
These observations led to the concept of a modular pack that can be stripped
down for short runs and races, and can be built up for multi-day excursions.

22. PRODUCT IDEATION

23. IDEATION
There are a number of pack solutions that are designed specifically
for run training or racing, and packs that are designed for light
weight or ultralight backpacking – but they have significant flaws
that prevent from being appropriate for fastpacking
Running Pack/Hydration Pack Cons
• Lack of storage capacity
• Lack of essential outdoor survival
tools
• No sleep system integration
• Lack of gear organization
Ultralight Pack Cons
• Lack of oscillation stability
• Lack of accessible storage
• Lack of fit adjustability
• Lack of gear organization

24. MISSION
Equator Packs aims to produce running packs that provide
superior fit and adjustability, intelligently designed storage
solutions, and modular component integrations for a variety of
running adventures.

25. CONCEPT
EquatorPack is a running pack that can be stripped down to the
most streamlined racing pack with minimal storage, weight, and
hydration capacity. It can also be built out to support runners on
multi-day adventures by integrating essential outdoor gear, shelter,
and bear canisters. The versatility of the module design makes this
pack appropriate for any running distance and duration up to 4
days.

26. CONCEPT
A key component of fit and adjustability is fabric and material
selection. Fabrics must provide a soft feel to the body, function well
for breathability and moisture wicking, provide water-resistance
when necessary. Below are some proposed materials selected for
the base vest, pockets, straps, and modular components.
• Base-Vest: Open weave technical mesh for breathability and moisture
management.
• Base-Storage: Core vest pockets of stretch mesh
• Modular Stuffsacks: Cuben fiber for weight reduction and water-resistance
• Straps: Nylon, stretch nylon, and paracord for adjustability and payload
stability

27. CONCEPT
• The front of the base vest has two
core pocket solutions: on the
shoulders and beneath the
EquatorAdaptor (modular
component adaptor)
• The base vest is secured with
adjustable elastic chest straps
• The base vest also has adaptors for
a hip belt to stabilize larger
payloads.
• Elastic trekking pole dock allows
users to secure trekking poles for
hands-free carry.

28. CONCEPT
• The front of the base
vest has two
EquatorAdaptors for
modular components
• Default component is
two water bottle
attachments
• Additional components
• Large waterproof
zippered pocket
• Small waterproof
zippered pocket
• 1200 lumen
rechargeable LED spot-
light

29. CONCEPT
Rear pack design
• EquatorClips
separate the rear
component grid
• Components can
snap in vertically,
horizontally, or on
quarters of the grid.
• Components can be
stacked out with
additional straps that
integrate into the
core clips.

30. CONCEPT
Rear components:
• Large horizontal
stuffsack
• Small quarter
stuffsack
• Horizontal kangaroo
pouch of stretch
mesh
• Bear canister straps
• First Aid Kit with
outdoors essentials
Large Stuffsack
Small
Stuffsack
Small
Stuffsack
Bear Canister
S
t
r
a
p
S
t
r
a
p

31. CONCEPT
Rear accessories:
• Compression webbing
• Hook attachments to paracord loops
to secure payload to body and
reduce oscillation.
• Compression webbing doubles as
guy line for a-frame shelter
• Shelter/rain cover
• A cuben fiber tarp system can be
staked out from the guy line to
create a simple a-frame shelter
• Creative folding pattern creates a
waterproof rain cover for the pack
that is secured beneath the
compression webbing

32. GO TO MARKET PLAN

33. GO TO MARKET PLAN
As with any innovative product and new product category, a
strong go-to-market strategy is essential to create demand
where the market may not have known they had a need
before.
The following considerations would be primary focus points
of the EquatorPack go-to-market plan.

34. GO TO MARKET PLAN
Design considerations
• While style and color were not rating as being primary
decision points by survey respondents, we must consider the
gender profile of the market and consider creating gender
specific packs to achieve superior fit and comfort.
Messaging
• Capturing the mission of the brand in a tagline is important
to connect with consumers
• Tagline: Upgrade distance in a snap

35. GO TO MARKET PLAN
Direct to consumer distribution
• As with most start-ups, gaining retail distribution can be
challenging.
• To begin, EquatorPack will be offered direct to consumers online
and through race expos.
• Digital marketing and promotion will be important in the early
stages of the brand.
Retail exploration
• Once better established, explore retail distribution through
specialty running and outdoor retailers.

36. GO TO MARKET PLAN
Marketing Mix
• As stated, most of the marketing will focus on digital with some print
integrations through PR
• Establishing an authoritative website takes time, and a key
component in accomplishing that is content creation.
• Website content should integration seamlessly through social media
outlets and relevant digital publications (runnersworld.com,
trailrunnermag.com, etc.)
• Targeting influential and highly relevant print publications like Trail
Runner, Ultrarunning Magazine, and Backpacker can ease entry into
the market with content creation and brand mentions within articles
• Offlline marketing would be limited to race expos, ambassador
programs, and sponsorship

37. GO TO MARKET PLAN
Educational Content
• Since many runners may not know the adventures they’re
thinking about is called Fastpacking, it is very important to
educate the consumers on the branded website, and on offsite
web properties as well.
• Long form content can work well for content placement offsite
– perhaps a story of an athlete using the gear on a recent trip
• Video content and podcasts are rich media that users
consumer more easily than standard content.
• Video should be a primary component of the educational
content created.