Our Story

Unadorned, "clean" design, super lightweight yet stable, versatile....These thoughts were going through my head when I started contemplating the ultimate backpack design in 2012. This also led to the name "chrispacks".

There are thousands of backpacks on the market, many of them of superb quality and fit. As an enthusiastic mountaineer and ski tourer, I had been wondering for a long time why most commercial models often seem so overloaded. In 2012, I started thinking about backpack design myself. I wanted a light, no-frills design. Durable, made from the best materials... and self-made... I couldn't sew before then, and I didn't have a machine either... After much research on the internet, I came across www.extremtextil.de. Here you can find everything and much more of the raw materials you need! When a friend finally lent me her machine, that was the sign for me: now I have to get started! After a few months and a lot of cursing, I was ready. Small pouches and phone cases were "rolling off the assembly line".

Now things really got started. The first "practice backpack" was based on an older pattern, but still had everything important: removable bivy pad, detachable lid pocket, detachable hip belt, rope holder, holder for hydration system, shovel and probe, and external attachment options for skis, ice axe and crampons....

A name was also needed...chrispacks sounds pretty good...

Even though not everything is perfect with this model yet, the "Chrispack 001" was with me on all tours in 2012 and still works excellently! Volume: approx. 40l, Cordura 500, Weight: 800g complete (!)

I still build backpacks occasionally, but since the founding of the Chrispacks shop in 2019, the focus has been on the ultralight trekking shop ;-).

Every Chrispack is a unique piece. I try to produce as little waste as possible. Due to the simple design, almost everything can be repaired. If possible, I salvage old backpacks and reuse all parts that are still usable.

Enthusiastic ski tourer, freerider, mountaineer, hiker, and kayaker.

Tours in the USA, South America, New Zealand, Nepal, and of course in Europe.

Preferably outdoors, and if the weather is bad, we work on the next backpack design ;-). In 2017, we spent half a year on the PCT and have been heavily infected with the UL virus ever since. More about this trip and many others can be found here: www.hobbitshiketheworld.blogspot.com