berghaus

It all started when climbers and mountaineers Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison from the North West of England, frustrated by what they saw as a lack of outdoor equipment, decided to import and distribute it themselves. Their specialist outdoor shop in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, operated under the name LD Mountain Centre and quickly gained a reputation as the very best in high-performance outdoor products from Atomic Skis, Marker Bindings, Nordica Skis and their ilk. LD Mountain Centre was so successful that Lockey and Davison quickly began designing, testing and manufacturing their own equipment and selling it in their shop. They named this high-quality, innovative clothing range, whose inspiration was what climbers really wanted and needed, Berghaus. And so the Berghaus brand saw the light of day.

Did you know...?

... that the name Berghaus was actually taken from the German word 'Berghaus'?

Revolutionary backpacks

Backpacks used to be clunky, uncomfortable pieces of gear that hindered the climbing experience rather than enhancing it. Berghaus quickly changed that. As experienced climbers, Lockey and Davison, the founders of Berghaus, knew there was a market for backpacks that helped distribute weight more efficiently. And so they started making them in the new Berghaus factory in Washington, UK. The first Berghaus backpacks, including the Berg 172 and Berg 272 models, had external frames and basic single compartments. These more traditional backpacks were followed two years later in 1972 by the truly revolutionary Cyclops backpacks – arguably the world's first backpacks with an internal frame.

Did you know...?

... that the German word Rucksack is also used in English?

Outstanding innovations

In 1990, Berghaus, in collaboration with W.L. Gore Associates, introduced GORE-TEX® Dry Socks boot liners, which declared war on wet feet and created a product that has endured to this day. In 1995 Berghaus adapted their extreme range so that all features, such as zips and toggles, could be adjusted with just one hand. A simple but important innovation, especially when you are at an altitude of 900m. In 2005, the most innovative back system to date was introduced. Of course it came from Berghaus. Bioflex®, which was designed to adapt to the body's natural movements, not only stole the show at all the major trade shows in the UK and internationally that year, but was also awarded the ISPO prize for innovation. In 2006 Berghaus received a royal accolade – the Queen's Award for innovation in the design and technical development of outdoor products. Nevertheless, Berghaus' focus is clearly on developing the very best outdoor products for outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Some things never change