Osprey 50
OUR LEGACY
GUIDES
OUR FUTURE.
In 1974, our first stitches were placed and a legacy of meticulous craftsmanship was initiated.
A half-century later, and we’re just as passionate about inspiring your next summit scramble, snow-capped thrill, singletrack lap and sunrise run as we’ve always been.
As we reflect on this milestone, we extend our heartfelt thanks to a community that has made our journey from untrodden trails to well-worn paths extraordinary. Here’s to the boundless opportunities, countless adventures and endless lessons we all have before us.
Here’s to the next 50 years.
THE
ARCHIVES
Explore where we came from, how we got here and everyone who has been a part of our journey.
1974
Osprey Packs is established in Santa Cruz, CA
Young entrepreneur Mike Pfotenhauer opens a retail shop in front of his rental house in Santa Cruz, California. Drawn by word of mouth, backpackers and travelers seek him out for his custom-fitted, made-to-order packs constructed over several days by Mike himself.
1979
The first Ariel backpack is introduced
In 1979, the first Ariel backpacking pack makes its appearance and is reviewed by Outside magazine.
1990
Osprey moves to Dolores, CO
In 1990, as demand for the great-fitting packs increases, Mike and business partner/wife Diane Wren, move Osprey into an 8,000-square-foot former GORE-TEX factory in Dolores, Colorado, population 864. They begin working with a team of skilled sewers, primarily from the Navajo Nation.
1993
The first women’s-fit backpack is created
Osprey introduces the Isis in 1993, its first innovative custom-fit women's backpack, as part of the legacy for custom anatomical fit.
1994
Operations move to Cortez, CO
In 1994, Osprey production moves to a new facility in Cortez, CO as the company scales to meet demand. Five years later, Osprey moves all operations to this facility in preparation for more expansion.
1998
StraightJacket compression comes to Mike in a dream
In 1998, Mike literally dreams the StraightJacket suspension compression system into existence. These iconic compression straps with padded sidewalls protect contents and keep loads under control.
1999
ErgoPull revolutionizes backpack hipbelts
Osprey introduces its crossbody ErgoPull hipbelt which pulls weight into the lumbar when tightened, revolutionizing backpack hipbelts forever.
2001
Erik Weihenmayer summits Everest
Diagnosed with juvenile retinoschisis at 15 months old, Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind climber to summit Mt. Everest. He chooses the Aether 60 for his 2001 ascent, and Time magazine features him, along with his pack, on the June 18 cover.
Osprey Europe is founded in 2003
Osprey Europe founded
Osprey Europe is established in the UK in 2003 to handle supply of Osprey products to the European market and to increase its recognition as an industry leader.
2003
Mike and family move to Vietnam
In 2003, Mike moves with his family to oversee the development of Osprey's Design and Quality Control Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Intending to live there for two years, they stay for four. Mike recalls, “We visited the factories almost daily to make sure production was running smoothly and that our designs were produced accurately and faithfully.”
2007
The Talon™ Series is launched
Osprey launches the award-winning Talon Series in 2007, which goes on to become one of the leading pack designs in the world.
2009
Osprey launches the All Mighty Guarantee™
After 35 years of independence and innovation, Osprey celebrates by introducing its expanded All Mighty Guarantee in 2009 to help increase the usable life of its products. Free of charge, the company will repair any damage or defect in its product – whether it was purchased in 1974 or yesterday.
2015
AntiGravity suspension is unveiled
Osprey reveals its innovative AntiGravity suspension to the world. This technology provides a continuous backpanel of lightweight mesh that wraps the user in supreme comfort. It sets new benchmarks in carry comfort, breathability, and load management in 2015.
2016
Osprey opens its European HQ: Talon House
Osprey Europe relocates its headquarters to a brand-new bespoke building, referred to as Talon House, designed to support further business growth.
2017
Osprey opens its world HQ: Basecamp
In 2017, Osprey opens its world headquarters in the heart of Cortez, Colorado, on the corner of Empire and Park streets. The roughly 28,000-square-foot building, nicknamed Base Camp, is home to a backyard amphitheater with two trellises designed to resemble Osprey wings.
2018
Adventure at work
Adventure is always around the corner in Southwestern Colorado, where Osprey’s North American headquarters are located.
2019
A new office is built in Ho Chi Minh City
Osprey builds a new Vietnam office in 2019 for its design, quality control, and sample room teams in Ho Chi Minh City and installs 80 rooftop solar panels two years later.
2019
Osprey develops an industry-leading sustainability roadmap
In 2019, as part of Osprey's commitment to meaningful sustainability, it begins rolling out a plan to provide the highest performing and longest lasting technical carry solutions on the market and also be the industry hard goods leader in upstream and downstream sustainability.
2020
Putting healthcare workers first, Osprey presses pause
Equipped with sewing machines, patterns, and material from the local quilt shop, Osprey's repairs team allocates its time and resources toward creating face masks for medical front-line workers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021
Osprey becomes a bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER
In 2021, Osprey becomes a bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER, marking a significant shift toward textile sustainability throughout its supply chain. With its holistic approach based on Input Stream Management, the bluesign® SYSTEM reduces the impact on people and on the environment, ensures responsible use of resources, and guarantees a high level of consumer safety.
2021
Osprey helps found the OIA-sponsored Climate Action Corps
While beginning to calculate, reduce, and offset its carbon footprint through renewable energy purchases, Osprey helps found the Outdoor Industry Association-sponsored Climate Action Corps in 2021. By working together, the Corps aspires to become the world’s first climate-positive industry by 2030.
2022
Team Full Circle Everest makes history
On May 12, 2022—nearly 60 years after the first American expedition reached the summit of Everest and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a Dream” speech—the Full Circle Everest team becomes the first all-Black team to summit the tallest mountain on Earth. Their successful expedition not only inspires the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts—it changes the future of mountaineering.
2023
Osprey launches Extended Fit packs
In 2023, Osprey expands its fit range of backpacking and hiking packs with the launch of Extended Fit packs. This extension of our core pack families is designed to provide optimal performance for bigger bodies. Made with the direct help and feedback of in-field testers, Osprey reworked its hipbelts, shoulder straps, pocketing, and more to deliver an extended fit that truly works like it should.
2024
Mike is featured on the How I Built This podcast
Osprey Founder Mike Pfotenhauer is interviewed in 2023 for the popular How I Built This with Guy Raz podcast, documenting the rise of Osprey over the years.
Unceasing Innovation
A half-century later and we’re innovating carry technology, creating meaningful experiences and inspiring adventure with more energy than ever before.
DOWNBURST M 36
DOWNBURST
tempest
velocity 20
Tempest
Archeon 40
Archeon
Treading
Lightly Into
the Future
We truly cherish our planet and the opportunities it provides us—striving to be not only innovators of high-quality products, but responsible citizens who tread lightly as we cherish the world we live, work and play in.
EARTH PROGRAM
Our Earth Program embraces the inspiration to promote more renewable materials and sustainable processes as we continue to innovate. Earth Program packs help us push that envelope, so we can implement our discoveries, support the market for more sustainable materials and—ultimately—decrease our impact on the environment.
bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER
Since becoming bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER in 2021, the bluesign® SYSTEM has provided us the necessary tools for the promotion, adoption and implementation of safe chemicals usage and responsible practices throughout our supply chain, focused on resources, people and the environment. We are continually evolving our process and finding ways to keep our high-quality solutions in use for as long as possible.
ALL MIGHTY GUARANTEE™
We set rigorous standards for pack functionality, durability and repairability with the intention of providing products that can be used and loved for lifetimes. Our All Mighty Guarantee™ gives repairable packs a second wind, extending their useful life for years to come and ensuring the original resources invested are put to their greatest use.
50TH
Anniversary
Packs
Made specially to celebrate the occasion, these limited-release packs feature premium fabrics and showcase our commemorative 50th Anniversary emblem.
Stories from
the field
How I Built This: Mike Pfotenhauer
Hear from founder Mike Pfotenhauer on his journey with Osprey Packs over the years, including how he got started and a few memories from along the way. Listen to the NPR episode of “How I Built This” to hear more from Mike!
An Outdoors for EveryBody
Celeste Thompson, Osprey Ambassador
An Endless Uphill Winter
Madison Rose Ostergren, Osprey Athlete
The Center Place
Craig Childs, Osprey Ambassador
How I Built This
Mike Pfotenhauer
An Outdoors for EveryBody
Celeste Thompson, Osprey Ambassador
An Endless Uphill Winter
Madison Rose Ostergren, Osprey Athlete
The Center Place
Craig Childs, Osprey Ambassador
Celebrate
with Us
Come out and demo products, connect with a community that shares a passion for adventure and join us in celebrating five decades of innovation and exploration.
Northwest Tune Up
July 12 - July 14, Bellingham, WA
High Lonesome 100
July 19 - July 20, Nathrop, CO
Pacific Crest Trail Days
August 16 - August 17, Cascade Locks, OR
Leadville Trail 100 Run
August 17, Leadville, CO