(L→R) Hybrid Pack Deep Juniper x Ultra Marine ¥22,550, Hybrid Pack Graphite Grey x Sunday Grey ¥22,550, Hybrid Pack Navy x Scarlet Red ¥ 22,550, Hybrid Pack Black x Black ¥ 22,550
To commemorate BEAMS’ 50th anniversary, this hybrid model combines signature designs from and on the left and right sides. Every detail—from the silhouette and materials to the colors, pocket shapes, and shoulder strap specifications—has been faithfully reproduced. We’ve packed in as many of the iconic features from both models as possible, including a suede bottom, a laptop sleeve, and a back zip pocket.
PROFILE
Instagram @gonzo19891016
After gaining experience as a shop staff member, he became a buyer in 2018. With his deep knowledge of both domestic and international brands as well as up-and-coming designers, and drawing on his extensive overseas experience, he oversees a wide range of projects.
PROFILE
Instagram @ogawa_ryo_
He started working part-time in retail around the age of 19 and is currently a buyer in the men’s casual wear department. He is known not only for his passion for fashion but also for his love of motorcycles, and he has already obtained a license to ride large motorcycles.
PROFILE
Instagram @17535_
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1996. Inspired by *Beams Boy*, a brand renowned for its items rooted in vintage American clothing—a style he loves—he was assigned to work as a store associate before being promoted to buyer.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true—a 50th-anniversary commemorative item.
—Both and are backpack brands with a long history. What do they mean to ? Please tell us about them, including what makes each brand special.
Kobayashi: Both and are long-established American backpack brands with over 50 years of history. Both enjoy widespread popularity around the world and are staples in academic settings, particularly among students. Among the many backpack brands available, these two strike the perfect balance for everyday use—neither leaning too heavily toward the outdoors nor veering too far into fashion. The "Hybrid Pack" is the result of combining the unique characteristics of these two brands, which share this common ground.
Stream: In that sense, I think this collaboration was such a bold request—one that could easily have come across as disrespectful to either *JanSport* or *Eastpak*. I was genuinely happy that we were able to make it happen at *BEAMS*. From the planning stage, I believed that a partnership between the two brands would be something people would look back on in 50 or 100 years and think, “That’s amazing!”
—From your perspective as a buyer at *Beams Boy*—a brand within the *Beams* group that’s strongly associated with American brands—what do you find appealing about these two brands?
Kawakai: For someone like me who loves vintage American clothing, both Jansport and Eastpak are must-have, classic backpack brands. Their classic American designs and simple construction are what make them so appealing. And I think there’s great significance in this collaboration bringing together the signature models that serve as the face of both brands.
(Left) The inner lining features the logos of JanSport, Eastpak, and BEAMS—the three companies that made this collaboration possible. This lineup is truly special. (Right) The base models for the “Hybrid Pack” are Eastpak’s “Padded Pak’R” and JanSport’s “Right Pack.” Both are iconic models that represent their respective brands.
