By Kevin K Burnett  | July 20th, 2025 TrailEagle Co. will be winding down operations at the end of this year. This decision comes after a great deal of reflection, and marks the conclusion of a chapter that has meant so much to those who contributed, supported, and believed in this mission. As we prepare to close operations, we want to share the story, the gratitude, and the significance of what this journey has been. From an Idea to a Real Venture TrailEagle Co. began with a

By Kevin K Burnett  | November 20th, 2025 We’re grateful to share that Trail Eagle Packs has been selected as the 2025 Best Outdoor Gear Design  by GHP News . This recognition highlights the design, innovation, and thought that went into building our packs, from early sketches and prototypes to the final products that made it into the hands of hikers, adventurers, and everyday users. A Recognition of the Work The Best Outdoor Gear Design award reflects a focus on functionalit

By Kevin K Burnett  | June 30th, 2025 Earlier in April, TrailEagle had the opportunity to exhibit at the 20Fathoms pitch event in Traverse City, Michigan. This unique gathering brought together student entrepreneurs from across the state to showcase their ideas, build connections, and learn from experienced founders and industry leaders. We were honored to have a booth representing TrailEagle, sharing our journey and products with attendees. Even better, TrailEagle took home

By Kevin K Burnett  | June 28th, 2025 Today, we’re sharing that our co-founder Wesley Casselman has stepped away from the company to pursue a calling to the priesthood. From the first sketches of our packs to the countless hours spent refining every detail, Wesley’s creativity, dedication, and faith were at the heart of TrailEagle’s beginnings. His unwavering belief in our mission helped bring TrailEagle from an idea to reality. Our entire team is deeply grateful for his many

By Kevin K Burnett  | June 27th, 2025 TrailEagle had the honor of competing at the ICE 2025 Global Pitch Competition  in Montego Bay, Jamaica , and we’re proud to share that we placed 4th overall , taking home $5,000  in prize funding. Competing alongside standout startups from around the world, the event gave us an international stage to share the TrailEagle story, product vision, and mission—and the response was incredible. From live pitch rounds to networking events with g

By Kevin K Burnett  | June 6th, 2025 Today’s a big day—we’ve officially started shipping TrailOrigin 75L packs to our Kickstarter backers. This moment represents months of design, refinement, and community support. And now, for the first time, the TrailOrigin 75L is going into the hands of the people who made it possible. Backers will begin receiving their shipments over the coming days. Each pack ships with care and a note of thanks from our team. To everyone who backed the

By Kevin K Burnett  | May 4th, 2025 In late April, TrailEagle had the opportunity to attend the Startup Grind Global Conference 2025  in Silicon Valley as part of the Lansing delegation , alongside other founders, investors, and innovators from around the world. While most attendees represented software, tech, and AI ventures, we were proud to bring something different to the table — an outdoor gear company rooted in community, design, and impact. Representing TrailEagle at a

By Kevin K Burnett  | April 22nd, 2025 In late March, TrailEagle co-founders Kevin Burnett and Wesley Casselman returned to their roots in a meaningful way—serving as keynote speakers at the 2024 Eagle Recognition Dinner hosted by Scouting America – Michigan Crossroads Council. Held in front of 315+ attendees, including 50 newly minted Eagle Scouts, the evening was a celebration of leadership, service, and commitment—values that have long shaped our journey at TrailEagle. As

By Kevin K Burnett  | April 12th, 2025 TrailEagle is proud to announce that we took home a $10,000 prize at this year’s Burgess New Venture Challenge (BNVC) —MSU’s premier pitch competition for student-founded startups. Hosted by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, BNVC brings together some of the university’s most promising student ventures to pitch live in front of judges, investors, and leaders from across Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 🚀 What

By Kevin K Burnett  | March 17th, 2025 Last week, TrailEagle Packs  had the incredible opportunity to represent Michigan at SXSW  in Austin, Texas! As part of the Midwest House Student College Pitch Competition , we pitched the TrailOrigin 75L  to an audience of founders, investors, and industry leaders. It was an amazing platform to share our mission to innovate the outdoor gear space and connect with other student-led startups doing impactful work. Beyond the Pitch Between

By Kevin K Burnett  | March 6th, 2025 Great gear isn’t just for the backcountry—it should perform wherever adventure takes you. I recently had the chance to bring the TrailOrigin 75L  to Zurich , testing its versatility in a whole new environment. While this pack was designed for the demands of the outdoors, traveling with it in a city like Zurich reinforced just how much thoughtful design matters—whether you're navigating rugged trails or bustling streets. Durability Meets V

By Kevin K Burnett  | February 28th, 2025 It’s official—our Kickstarter campaign is fully funded! This journey started with a vision: to create rugged, innovative outdoor gear  designed for adventurers who push their limits. Because of you—our incredible backers —this vision is becoming reality. What This Means Your support means more than just hitting a funding goal. It means that we’re bringing the TrailOrigin 75L  to life, delivering a game-changing backpack  that blends r

By Kevin K Burnett  | February 9th, 2025 The TrailOrigin 75L Kickstarter campaign has been an incredible journey so far, and we’re thrilled to share some major updates with you! We’ve been listening to feedback, pushing forward with our mission, and making sure our backers get the best possible experience. Here’s what’s new: Exclusive “Hike the Trail” Jerseys Now Available! We’re excited to introduce a brand-new way to support the campaign—our limited-edition TrailEagle “Hike

By Kevin K Burnett  | January 23rd, 2025 Our mission is simple: to enhance outdoor adventures by solving the real-world frustrations hikers and backpackers face. As Eagle Scouts and full-time students, we’ve poured our love for the outdoors into creating the TrailOrigin 75L , a backpack that redefines what it means to hike with comfort, organization, and ease. This isn’t just another backpack or company—it’s a 100% student-owned venture with no outside investors or corporate

By Kevin K Burnett  | January 20th, 2025 When it comes to hiking, camping, or exploring the outdoors, your backpack is more than just gear—it’s your lifeline. As hikers ourselves, we’ve been there: struggling to find rain gear during a sudden downpour, digging through cluttered packs to grab essentials, or feeling the strain of a poorly balanced load. We knew there had to be a better way. That’s why we created the TrailOrigin 75L : a pack designed to make every trip seamless,

By Kevin K Burnett  | January 16th, 2025 This January, TrailEagle Packs had the incredible opportunity to showcase our flagship product, the TrailOrigin 75L Backpack , at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. As a student-founded, innovation-driven company, it was thrilling to bring our vision for the future of outdoor gear to the world’s largest technology showcase. Our Mission: Changing How Outdoor Enthusiasts Pack We’re on a mission to solve the real-world challenges faced by outdoor adv

By Kevin K Burnett   | Jaunuary 8th, 2024 We believe every adventure should be unforgettable, not frustrating. That’s why we’ve spent countless hours designing the ultimate hiking companion: the TrailOrigin 75L . This is more than just a backpack—it’s a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts who demand durability, organization, and comfort. Why the TrailOrigin 75L Stands Out We’ve reimagined what a hiking backpack can be, addressing the common frustrations adventurers face. Whe

By Kevin K Burnett   | December 16th, 2024 When you think of a hiking backpack, you probably imagine it accompanying you on rugged trails, carrying your gear for outdoor adventures. While that’s its primary purpose, a well-designed hiking backpack—like the TrailEagle Fold-Out All Access Backpack—is capable of so much more. Its combination of durability, organization, and versatility makes it a valuable companion in countless scenarios beyond hiking. Here are 10 creative ways

By Kevin K Burnett   | November 1st, 2024 TrailEagle Packs is thrilled to announce that we took 2nd place  and won a $3,500 prize  at the 2024 Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge (MCSC) held at Northern Michigan University! This experience marked an exciting milestone for our team, as we presented our All Access Backpack  alongside over 30 other ambitious startups from across Michigan. The MCSC event was an inspiring showcase of Michigan’s most innovative student entrepren

By Kevin K Burnett   | October 23rd, 2024 When it comes to hiking, having the right backpack is more than just carrying gear. It’s about how easily you can access that gear, stay organized, and focus on the journey ahead without frustration. Anyone who has spent time on a trail knows the struggle of digging through a disorganized pack, wasting precious time and energy searching for essential items. This is where backpack organization truly shines, transforming a potentially s