Ryan Hetzel, Independent Softgoods Designer in Squamish, Canada

About

I’m a senior bag and backpack designer with over 15 years of experience shaping products that perform in the outdoors while also translating seamlessly into everyday life. My background is rooted in technical pack design — alpine, ski touring, and fast-moving objectives — but my skills extend to travel and lifestyle bags as well.

My process is grounded in observation and user collaboration. I look for the small details in real-world use that can spark meaningful solutions, whether that’s shaving weight in the mountains or refining carry for daily use. The goal is always the same: to create gear that feels clear, intentional, and built to last.

For nearly eight years at Arc’teryx, I helped guide the evolution of the pack category during a period of rapid brand growth. I focused on protecting product integrity, keeping performance at the forefront, and ensuring designs remained trusted by core users while accessible to a wider audience.

I’m now exploring new opportunities with teams who value thoughtful, functional design — whether in outdoor, travel, or everyday carry. I’m based in Squamish and open to relocation.

Specialties:

• Technical pack design (outdoor, alpine, ski touring, fast & light)

• Travel and everyday carry design

• User-centered research & athlete/consumer collaboration

• Field testing & product validation

• Design for performance, durability, and simplicity

• Category leadership & long-term brand relevance

• Cross-functional development (design, materials, PLM)

Education

Bachelor of Science Geology

Victoria University of Wellington

1998 - 2001

Experience

Designer

Ryan Hetzel Design

Squamish, BC

Jan 2026 - Present (6 months)

Freelance pack and bag design
Design Expert

Arc'teryx

Squamish, BC

Jul 2017 - Jun 2025 (7 years 11 months)

Led the design and development of technical backpacks across alpine, ski touring, and everyday carry categories. Balanced long-term category vision with hands-on product creation, ensuring designs met performance, durability, and brand standards.

Key contributions:
• Designed and refined packs used by climbers, guides, and outdoor athletes worldwide.
• Translated field testing insights into functional, intuitive product solutions.
• Protected product integrity and category relevance during a period of rapid brand growth.
• Partnered with materials, development, and PLM teams to deliver on design intent.
• Supported athlete collaborations, consumer research, and field validation programs.
• Helped evolve the pack line while maintaining Arc’teryx’s reputation for clarity and performance.
Owner

Hetzel Design

Bozeman, MT

Mar 2016 - May 2017 (1 year 2 months)

Owner and lead designer, specializing in freelance design of softgoods. Collaborate with contract clients on wide ranging softgood projects. Investigate present opportunities for new or improved solutions, present design concepts to solve the challenges, in addition to creating build specs and assit in prototype development (on and off shore).
Designer

Lowepro

Petaluma, CA

Jul 2013 - Mar 2016 (2 years 8 months)

Design softgoods for professional and amateur photographers; discover market needs and opportunities, test concepts, develop samples and mock ups, and create technical sketches and design specifications for manufacturing. Specialize in developing products / improving company presence in new markets, such as outdoor / adventure travel and urban lifestyles.
• Actively contribute / partner with Product Manager to produce product briefs for product categories; create / support cohesion of product look and function within brand segmentations; describe design concepts using both 2nd and 3rd methods, including mock ups.
• Provide input to project benchmarks and milestones; schedule meetings with key personnel and present project status to the Product Manager, Design Manager and Product Director on a routine basis; conduct market, fabric, and construction research
• Support Development research and test new fabrics to develop findings; collaborate with Development to create comprehensive design information specification for offshore manufacture; collect / present fabrics and findings for seasonal product collections.
Jr Designer

Lowepro

Jun 2013 - Jul 2014 (1 year 1 month)
Product Developer

Lowepro

Jul 2011 - Jun 2013 (1 year 11 months)

Manage hands on development process of products directly with overseas and domestic factory liaisons and Asia based operatives during direct development trips.
*Work with product managers on costing strategy & negotiations to meet cost targets.
*Coordinate specification packages and ongoing design updates between design team and Asia based development team.
*Travel to tradeshows, industry events, and partner with vendors to track market trends and innovative materials and constructions.
*Communicate status of projects at key milestone meetings and to senior leadership as needed.
*Contribute to sourcing new findings, materials and treatments.
*Offer support to the customer service team with detailed product info and repairs.
* Monitor and maintain material standards and quality control for finished products.
Marketing Coordinator/Design Support

Rickshaw Bagworks, Inc

Apr 2008 - Jan 2009 (9 months)

*Spirited team member of product design, review and development department.
*Hands on development of products, from concept to sample to production.
*Design project management, following time lines, meeting deadlines.
*Set and achieve team and individual goals with minimal supervision.
*Tradeshows: Booth setup, product demonstrations, and facilitate additional distributors.
*Assist in sourcing materials and components.
Owner

Hyryz Bags

Jan 2005 - Jan 2008 (3 years)

*Design and development of Hyryz bags, taking bags from concept illustration to finished products through design, patterning, materials selection, and cut and sew manufacture.
*Costing for products, services, sales and marketing for both retail and wholesale.
*Sourcing of materials and components, from national and international suppliers.
*Processing, problem solving and completion of repairs.
*Developing relationships with manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of outdoor
equipment and materials, including Gore-Tex, Mountain Designs, Mustov, and One Planet.
*Development of branding for both businesses including all print and web needs.
*Proficient and knowledgeable about a range of equipment used in recreational outdoor equipment repairs.
Design and Product Support

Macpac Wilderness Equipment

Jan 2006 - Feb 2007 (1 year 1 month)

*Participation in design reviews and scope for new products.
*Assist with prototyping constructions and modeling methods.
*Excellent technical knowledge of a large range of materials used in product lines.
*Relay customer product feedback to research and design departments.
*Assist with solutions for complex product repairs.
*Work closely with Quality Assurance department for data entry and reporting.
*Departmental project time line management.
*Answer technical inquiries from large customer base.
*Proficient and knowledgeable about a range of materials, techniques and equipment used in recreational outdoor equipment manufacture and repair.
Equipment Repair Technician

Remote Equipment Repairs

Dec 2003 - Aug 2004 (8 months)

*Contribute to a teamwork environment.
*Competent use of an industrial sewing machine.
*Intricate knowledge of manufacturing methods and materials/components used.
*Confidently answer any non/technical queries from end users at the door or on the phone.
*Assess work for the most efficient repair solution and complete with high standard and within allocated time.

Industries

Skills

Elsewhere on the Web

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On Coroflot

@ryanhetzel, member since 2007

Following 1
Followers 5

Ryan Hetzel

Brand Design Lead

Associate Industrial Designer