Thule Group launched its first line of technical backpacks Thursday at the OutDoor Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany, capping a three-year product development effort.


 

“We have over the last three years leveraged our internal design and development skills combined with that of some of the most experienced independent backpack design experts in the field to create a completely new product family of Technical Backpacks,” said Thule CEO Magnus Welander.

 

 

Thule began taking orders for the new Guidepost trekking and Capstone (shown at right) hiking backpacks as well as its Sapling child-carrier backpacks at OutdDoor, which ran from July 10-13. Thule is expected to display the packs at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, which takes place Aug. 6-10 in Salt Lake City. The packs will be available at hiking shops worldwide in February, 2015.

 

 

The packs come in 270 different configurations to ensure an ideal fit for both genders. They also include a “MicroAdjust” suspension system that ensures loads can be evenly transferred to the hips. The torso length of the packs can be adjusted while hiking.

 

 

“We are convinced that we have taken a fresh approach to this category and created some amazing packs in the process,” said Graham Jackson, product manager for Thule’s technical backpacks. “With no two human bodies being exactly the same, we developed quick and easy ways to fully customize our packs for a perfect fit.”

 

 

The launch marks the brand’s second category extension since announcing in late 2013 that it would narrow its focus to outdoor and sports products. In January, Thule launched a new line of child carriers, including bike seats, strollers and joggers. In April, it announced it was divesting its $90 million-a-year trailer business as part of tightened focus on designing, making and selling gear that helps enthusiasts carry their boards, boats, bikes, kids, skis and other gear. 

 

 

Participation in backpacking has increased an average of 4.0 percent a year from 2011 through 2013 to a little over 9 million people, but is growing much faster overseas. Euromonitor forecasts the capitalized annual growth rate of backpack sales, excluding lifestyle packs, will average 5.6 percent from 2013 through 2018, when global sales are expected to reach $17.1 billion.

 

 

Thule already offers an extensive line of day and lifestyle packs and luggage and owns Case Logic, a Longmont, CO company that has thrived by providing cases for smartphones, tablets and other personal devices.