Gravel Entrepreneurs: MoosePacks

Words by Adam Porter - Photography provided by MoosePacks

In his latest edition of Gravel Entrepreneurs, Adam meets with Matt Moosa, the man behind MoosePacks, more than just a bike bag company. They're a "community of adventurers who are passionate about exploring the world on two wheels."

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You had me at yellow saddle bag. I’m a sucker for bright and colorful bike gear, and MoosePacks specializes in exactly that. Their designs are not only practical and tailored, but they also stand out in a crowd.

Thanks for joining me as I talk to fellow gravel entrepreneurs. I met Matt from MoosePacks in person during Unbound 2024. You could pick up on his enthusiasm right off the bat as he told my friend and me about their experience at Unbound and walked us through their wide array of packs.

I love Matt’s story. As you’ll see in the conversation below, it’s often the small moments within an experience that give us the first spark of an idea… followed by that second spark: “I think I could turn this into something.”

Check out my conversation with Matt, and if you’ve been thinking about a new bag, definitely give MoosePacks a look.

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Adam: Let's start with a showdown, who would win a saddle bag packing race: you or your

wife?

Matt: Great question, honestly, probably me, haha. I usually handle all the bike setup stuff, so I’m the one who ends up prepared for the unexpected. That said, tubeless technology has improved so much these days that I haven't cracked open a seat bag in over two years! Still, we always carry the essentials, because you never know when the trail decides to get interesting.

Adam: Before MoosePacks, what were you riding with that wasn’t working? Was there a moment on a ride that sparked the idea, something that made you think, “I could build this better”? 

Matt: Before making bike bags, I used to rely on an old Osprey backpack. It got the job done until it didn’t. The turning point came when my roommate, Chris (aka Big Meach), and I started riding these all-day epics: 6+ hour routes from Boone, NC, through the rugged backcountry of Wilson’s Creek. If you’ve never ridden there, it’s legendary, often called the hardest riding in the Southeast. Back then, we were out on 25mm rim-brake road bikes, tackling long, loose gravel descents and remote climbs with zero resupply options. We needed more, more tools, more food, more reliability. And backpacks just weren’t cutting it.

That’s when the idea for our first bar bag was born. Not as a product, but as a solution to a problem we lived every weekend. It had to be simple, durable, and built for big rides in wild places. MoosePacks keeps its core value and remembers, if it can hold up in Wilson’s Creek, it’s amazing anywhere else.

Adam: Tell me about those early days. What were some of your first designs or field tests like? What worked, what didn’t, and how did those lessons help you create something that fit your vision for both the look and the functionality?

Matt: I started the business in 2015, though at the time it was more of a passion project than a full-time pursuit. It wasn’t until 2020 that I officially turned that hobby into a dedicated brand. Since then, I’ve collaborated with trusted friends and skilled makers to design and build out the product line. While it’s easy to pull something from a catalogue or reverse-engineer an existing design, my goal has always been to create bike bags that fit the bike well, last for the long haul, and look good doing it.

Achieving that requires deep research into materials, precise pattern drafting, hands-on prototyping, and real-world testing. Take our bolt-on top tube bag, for example; it’s been in development for several years. My approach is simple: if I’m going to release a new product, it must be more than just good. It needs to be great—functional, reliable, and thoughtfully designed for real riders.

Quality takes time, and I believe in doing things right. In this space, slow and steady truly does win the race.

Adam: One of the things that stands out about MoosePacks is how dialled the details are, like the paracord whistle zipper pulls. What are some other unique touches or features you’ve built in, and how did those ideas come about?

Matt: I can’t give away all my secrets, I gotta keep a little mystery alive, right? But here’s one thing I will say: if a piece of hardware doesn’t exist for the bag I’m designing, I just make it happen. Literally. I’ll design it myself and track down someone who can bring it to life. Take the lash tabs on our handlebar and seat bags—they’re custom-designed to fit just right and add extra durability where it counts. Every piece is made to work together, from the fabric to the fasteners. It's all about creating gear that performs like a system and looks sharp doing it.

Adam: Since launching MoosePacks, what kinds of experiences has this entrepreneurial journey opened up for you, on or off the bike? What have been some of the key lessons you have learned about launching a cycling-related business?

Matt: One of the best parts of this journey has been the incredible people I’ve met at cycling events, through brand collaborations, and within the tight-knit community that makes up the bike industry. It’s a small world, and everyone seems to be connected in some way, which makes building those relationships feel even more special. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some amazing grassroots gravel events and partner with like-minded brands on product ideas that push the envelope.

One standout moment from the early days was when my friend Ben Wolfe a total legend pro roadie on and off the bike, introduced me to Ted King. At the time, Ted was planning his 2020 DIY gravel ride and needed bags he could trust. That intro turned into a friendship and a creative partnership that continues to push me to refine every detail. Luckily, I’m an ADD perfectionist, so I'm not sweating the small stuff. That comes naturally.

Adam: What’s something you’re working on right now, an update, a new twist, or maybe a feature you’ve been dreaming about for a while?

Matt: All I can say is this, some bad to the bones quick release stuff is in the works.

Adam: I’ve got to ask, what’s actually in your bag? Give us your go-to pack list.

Matt: Honestly, I keep it pretty simple: phone, keys, snacks. No wallet, no cash. I like to roll the dice and rely on the kindness of free water stops, haha. I usually bring enough food to get through the ride and toss in a few hydro packets if it’s hot out. As for snacks, I like cookies or some ride bar. Sometimes I don’t eat anything and just bonk, which is sometimes weirdly effective.

Adam: When you're not designing or sewing bags, what kind of riding are you drawn to? Tell me about the kinds of rides you enjoy.

Matt: These days, I usually only have time to ride a little bit. But when I do, I like to hit the local trails either on the MTB or gravel bike. I try to commute to the post office by bike as much as possible as well.

Adam: To wrap up - Where can people find your products and follow your journey? (Website,

social media, upcoming events, etc.)

Matt: You can find our bags on our website, through social media, and at select bike shops. And if all else fails, just shoot us an email, we’re always happy to connect: www.moospacks.com and @moosepacks on Instagram and Facebook.

But more than just where to find us, I want to take a moment to say thank you. This journey has been anything but solo. To the friends and family who’ve supported us from day one, to the customers who believe in what we’re building, this wouldn’t exist without you.

A special thanks to my Mom and Dad, Donald, Jake, Hawkins, my college professors, the crew at Wrangler, and so many others who’ve had my back along the way.

And of course, saving the most important for last, my incredible wife, Katherine. Her love,

patience, and belief in this dream are the reason MoosePacks is what it is today. None of this

would be possible without her.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

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I love the way Matt wrapped up our conversation. The truth is, we rarely make it through challenges or reach goals alone. MoosePacks may have started as a personal solution for long backcountry rides, but what it’s grown into is a testament to the community behind it and the people cheering it on.

There are some exciting new additions on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next from Matt and MoosePacks. Whether you’re gearing up for your next big ride or just love supporting people who build from the ground up, this is a brand worth watching.