Create an Ultralight Backpack From IKEA Plastic Tote Bags
These $ 2 IKEA plastic bags at the checkout are virtually indestructible and suitable for just about anything, especially if they’re heavy or uncomfortable, but we never thought we’d see a full backpack made of them. Well, SanDiegoMitch bought three, hacked them and built this ultralight carrying case out of them.
SanDiegoMitch notes that each bag is rated for up to 55 pounds, and with adding some details from an old backpack and some spare fabric, he orchestrated the design (you can check out his plans at the link below) by cutting out the frame and stitching the pieces together. He made the front and back from a single piece and chose a roller top to keep the whole thing waterproof.
The shoulder straps and waist belt are from that old backpack (he found an old SeaWorld backpack that explains the color) and he sewed a sleeve into the back that he could put his sleeping mat into, which serves as a kind of frame. and a stiffener. All in all, he explains that the total cost of the package was around $ 30 including all the extras, and he definitely spent a lot of time on the project, but it was a lot of fun and works well. If you are interested in the same, click on the link below to see more photos than you might need to duplicate the project. Of course, if you only prefer one made by SanDiegoMitch, he sells it too (along with a sleeping mat) on eBay.
My backpack from IKEA | SanDiegoMitch