With little fanfare, Osprey Packs ticked off more than four decades of continuous operation this year. What started as a small shop selling custom packs designed and sewn by Mike Pfotenhauer (photo above) grew over the years into the industry-leading manufacturer of performance packs.
Pfotenhaur has remained hands-on with the company (he is still head of design), including moving with his family to Vietnam in 2003 when Osprey was forced to transition manufacturing overseas.
Today, Osprey is still independently-owned, and it makes packs and accessories for backpacking, cycling, hydration, snowsports, climbing, travel, and kids.
Headquartered in Cortez, Colorado, Osprey maintains a product development office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, near the factories where it manufactures. We caught up with Pfotenhauer for a look at 40 years of pack design.
Take a journey through time and the history of Osprey Packs.
