Kelty and their backpacks are an award winning company whose humble, mom-and-pop beginnings have evolved to deserve its world-class reputation. They make some of the most reliable, well known backpacks out there.

Currently based in Boulder, Colo., Kelty began making backpacks in 1952 as the brainchild of hiker and gear-designer Asher “Dick” Kelty (1919 – 2004). He was among the pioneers in backpack design, liberating civilian backpackers from the discomfort of traditional backpacks by making the external-frame pack available to the public, not just the military.

Kelty backpacks have come a long way since then. If you want to see how to choose the best backpack for you, check out my Backpack Buyers Guide.

Take A Look At These Kelty Backpacks

Dick Kelty transformed the traditional wood frames and canvas bags into a body-contoured lightweight aluminum frame outfitted with a more elements-resistant nylon bag. Mr. Kelty added padding to the shoulder straps and secured upright partitions inside the bag, creating a better suspension. His hold-open frame, which was threaded through the top of the bag, allowed easy access.

The most significant detail of Mr. Kelty’s contribution was adding the waist strap, which took the weight of the pack off the shoulders and redistributed it to the hips. The innovations were well received, to say the least.

The Kelty backpack  sold 90 packs in 1953 and grew that number to 220 in 1954. The success allowed Dick Kelty to quit his carpentry business in 1956 so that he and his wife — who was his only partner in the business at the time — could focus on Kelty backpacks fulltime. The first Kelty retail store and factory was opened that year in Glendale, California.

An important mountain-climbing expedition more than 40 years ago helped elevate Kelty’s status as a backpacking giant. On May 22, 1963, climbers Tom Horbein and Willi Unsoeld became the first Americans to ascend the West Ridge of Mt. Everest. At the time of this expedition, only eight men had climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest, all by the known South Col route. Horbein and Unsoeld’s achievement was also the first ascension of the West Ridge and descent along the South Col.

They exclusively outfitted themselves in the Kelty backpack gear on this monumental excursion.

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Kelty is now owned by American Recreation Products. Its gear offerings have expanded significantly over the decades. In addition to offering military and tactical gear such as backpacks, travel bags and accessories, Kelty now manufactures products ranging from clothing to camp furniture.

Fans of Kelty’s quality products can outfit themselves in symbiotic gear: backpacks, camp-site organizers, tents, sleeping bags, clothing and the afore-mentioned camp furniture (chairs, tables).

Kelty also goes from the outdoors to your everyday life, offering its own style of travel gear and kids products, including child carriers, strollers, diaper bags and accessories.