Is the Cortez a dry bag or a backpack? It’s both. In fact, it’s the best of both. So if you’re going sailing, or kayaking or even bike riding, you don’t have to bring along a dry bag for wet conditions and a backpack for hitting the trails or hitting town. You should be ready for both, because you might not have planned on a wave swamping your boat, or a sudden downpour on the one day you forget to check the weather forecast, but you can be ready for it.
Why not just use a trash bag or a rain fly for a backpack? Because trash bags are for trash, and your backpack shouldn’t be packing accessories for itself. That’s silly.
Does it float? The short answer is “Yes.” For a good, long time. If you stuff the backpack full of gold bars and squeeze the air out, then no. But hey, gold bars.
Why haven’t other companies made this backpack? A waterproof backpack is not a hard idea, but making it does employ complex technology. So you couldn’t have your mom sew this up in the garage. That means most small companies are out. Meanwhile, the TIZIP Waterseal zipper alone is more expensive than many other complete backpacks. We use more expensive, top quality components throughout the Cortez, because we’re betting you’ll appreciate it over time. A more business oriented company would rather sell you three backpacks (all to do the job of the Cortez) with high profit margins than one good backpack. So they’re out, too, and it was left to DeMar Designs to produce the Cortez.
If it’s so expensive to make, why am I not paying $400 for it? Good question. Using normal industry mark-ups, you would be. You’d also be paying for fancy catalogues and endorsements from professional athletes. We’re keeping advertising to a minimum, and counting on our friends and customers to spread the word. We bet you’ll enjoy paying for quality components and design, rather than advertising and empty hype.
What sports and activities is the Cortez best suited for? The idea is versatility. Maybe you’ll need to strap it tight and run to make it in time for a fishing trip. Maybe you’ll stuff it into your sea kayak or take it sailing before putting it on to explore an island for the day. Maybe you’ll wear it while riding your bike or motorcycle and it’ll save your camera gear when a thunderstorm soaks you down to your underwear. Maybe you’ll take it hiking and won’t ever need the waterproof feature – instead you’ll appreciate how the moisture-wicking material and hydro-phobic foam keep you cooler at contact points. Why plan for a specific activity when you can be ready for anything?
Where can I get one? Buying direct from this website is a great way to go. We’ll also be stocking the Cortez in various outdoor and sporting good stores around the country. Check our links pages for updates.
