PHILOSOPHY__HISTORY
In-Sport Fashions Inc.
125 boul. Montpellier
Montreal, QC
H4N 2G3
Ph.: 514-385-1577
or 1-800-465-9637
Montreal, QC
H4N 2G3
Ph.: 514-385-1577
or 1-800-465-9637
Fax: 514-385-9940
PHILOSOPHY
Photo: Dean Howard
Anchored by the design genius of company founder and head designer Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs has long set the standard for comfortably and efficiently carrying your gear. Founded in Santa Cruz, California back in 1974 and based in Cortez, Colorado since 1990, Osprey Packs celebrated 35 years of independent innovation in 2009. Our vision is to inspire and ease your journey. Our team shares a love of adventure and devotion to the outdoors and the environment. We strive to reflect our vision and values in every pack we design and build.
Visit Osprey Packs' Official Site and Blog for more information on the company and products.
HISTORY
| 1974 | Mike Pfotenhauer and Laurie White start up Osprey Packs in Santa Cruz, Ca. |
| 1976 | Breathable mesh panel introduced on Osprey packs. |
| 1977 | Osprey offers custom fit internal frame mountaineering packs. |
| 1978 | Slide adjustable chest strap introduced on Osprey packs. |
| 1979 | First Osprey travel pack – the Outlander. |
| 1982 | Outside magazine reviews the Ariel backpack. |
| 1984 | Convertible top pocket/fanny pack is introduced. |
| 1986 | Osprey adds partners Gabriella Salinas and Diane Wren and begins selling packs wholesale. |
| 1990 | Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren move Osprey into former Gore-texfactory in Dolores, CO (population 864) and hire new skilled workforce,primarily from Navajo Reservation. |
| 1991 | Fortune Magazine profiles Osprey in article on “America's Best”. |
| 1992 | Women’s harness and hipbelt introduced. |
| 1993 | Osprey introduces the Isis an innovative custom fit women's backpack, the first in a legacy of women's custom fit. |
| 1994 | Fusion EX Suspension is introduced. |
| Osprey develops first diecut laminated and taped shoulder straps. | |
| Osprey moves production to new location in Cortez, Co. | |
| 1995 | Pika kid’s pack receives Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award. |
| Recycled HDPE framesheets introduced in Osprey Packs. | |
| Osprey’s first email address acquired. | |
| Osprey begins annual canyon testing trips with sales force. | |
| 1996 | Vector compression/accessory add-on system introduced. |
| 1997 | Osprey begins sewing Leave No Trace principle tags into their backpacks. |
| Osprey athlete, Anatoli Boukreev summits Everest, Lhotse, Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak. | |
| 1998 | Mike Pfotenhauer literally dreams the Straightjacket suspension compression system. |
| ErgoPull hipbelt closure introduced. | |
| Advent pack wins Editor’s Choice from Backpacker Magazine. | |
| 1999 | Osprey expands facility in Cortez and all operations are moved from Dolores. |
| 2000 | Osprey begins to move some production offshore to Korea and Vietnam. |
| 2001 | Osprey begins adding independent distributors around the globe. |
| Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind climber to summit Everestwhile wearing an Aether 60. Erik and his Aether 60 make the cover ofTime magazine. | |
| 2002 | Aether 60 receives the Grand GG award from Outdoor Life Network. |
| 2003 | Aether 75 receives the Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award. |
| Osprey partners Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren and family move to Vietnam. | |
| Design and Quality Control Center in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is formed with Vietnamese staff. | |
| 2004 | Switch 55+5 is awarded Editors' Choice by Backpacker Magazine. |
| Osprey’s first dedicated travel line is introduced. | |
| 2005 | Osprey introduces Custom Molding technology. |
| Osprey Atmos 50 is awarded the 2005 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award. | |
| 2006 | Osprey Meridian 22, the first wheeled travel pack designed by OspreyPacks, wins the 2006 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award. |
| 2007 | Osprey Circuit daypack, designed using 71% recycled materials bycontent, is awarded Outside Magazine's Green Gear of the Year Award. |
| Osprey expands Cortez, Colorado headquarters incorporating LEED likestandards and adding an additional 3600 square feet of office space. | |
| 2008 | Osprey expands U.S. staff to a total of 30 team members while the Vietnam Design Studio increases to 14. |
| Osprey selected by Outside Magazine as one of America's Best Place to Work. | |
| 2009 | Osprey Exos 46 awarded Outside Magazine's Gear of the Year Award |
| Osprey Ace 48 receives Backpacker Magazine's Editors' Choice Award | |
| Osprey Packs Inc. receives Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work Award for the second year in a row. | |
| Osprey Packs Inc. celebrates 35 years of independence and innovation. | |
| Osprey Packs expands product warranty coverage introducing the All Mighty Guarantee - Any Reason, Any Product, Any Era (learn more here). |
