Eastpak

American backpack brand, stronger in European market than US.

Former Great

Founded: 1952
HQ: USA (heritage) / Europe (operations)
Manufacturing: Vietnam,Bangladesh,Cambodia,Various
Ownership type: Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent: VF Corporation
Acquired: 2000

Ownership

Acquired by VF Corporation in 2000, same time as The North Face. Sister brand to JanSport, Kipling, Eagle Creek (pre-2021).

Why Former Great

Same VF playbook: denier reduction, hardware substitution, warranty narrowing.

Sister brands under VF Corporation

Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
JanSport
Status: Former Great
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - Technical/Outdoor
The North Face
Status: Watchlist
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Kipling
Status: Former Great

See all 4 sister brands

Bags & Packs · Luggage - Softside
Eagle Creek
Status: Approved

Read the full investigation

Investigation · March 23, 2026

Your Backpack Got Worse On Purpose

VF Corporation owns about 55% of the US backpack market. JanSport, The North Face, Eastpak, Kipling. Lower denier counts, generic zippers, warranties rewritten to match the cheaper construction.

Read the full investigation