Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Backpacks require leather (or at least the questline)
Leather is considered an end-game resource in this pack (obtained by killing a horse...).
(Although it is obtainable through other means, like Rotten Flesh in a Redstone Furnace, which you have to sacrifice early on...)

Describe the solution you'd like

• Add Alternative Recipies for the Backpack and Upgrade Base not involving Leather.
  I'd replace all leather with Thatldu Ingots in those recipes.
• Don't require Leather as requirement for the first quest.
  Backpacks can be obtained by killing mobs, long before you have access to leather.
• There is currently only a very obscure way to get Saddles, making the "More like a Piggy Hatpack." quest hard to complete.

Describe alternatives you've considered
Keep backpacks as an End-Game gimmick.

Hi. Thanks for your thoughts.

Getting back a redstone furnace is possible after the second chapter, after which making leather from rotten flesh is simple, so I don't think requiring access to leather is such a problem. However, I have thought about it and have made some minor tweaks...

I've gone with a different approach by adding advice to the first quest in the "Pack yer bags" quest on how to obtain leather, which now includes a new recipe to create leather from biltong, so there are other options for getting your hands on some.

I've also added a recipe for making a saddle.

This will be in the next release (1.0.6)

Released in 1.0.6