UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
The brand has set out its recovery plan — new investment, a simpler business, a sharper Sonder range.
Inverness will be a loss, though it's obviously selling to a small market and many folk "local" will be buying online anyway. There's a cafe and climbing wall in the same premises so this will be a bit of a test for them too.
Cutting down on product ranges was surely a given. A casual search on their website for jackets, rucksacks and so on throws up a bewildering choice and, in my experience, many times always seemed to be out of stock. It was this that usually put them out of my mind when looking to buy something.
Here's hoping this will turn them around.
Cutting down on product ranges was surely a given. A casual search on their website for jackets, rucksacks and so on throws up a bewildering choice
Looking at the new footwear range, it's a lesson they're struggling to learn; an 'approach' shoe, a 'walking' shoe and a 'multi activity' shoe f'rinstance.
A few thoughts:
- still does not sit with me the 'close, fire, walk away from debt then re-open' approach.
- excessive range and routine lack of stock (in-store and online) meant I have not bought from them in about 4 years, despite having lots before.
- prices of everything were often higher than other brands, particularly in the sale.
Good. As per Matt's comment above, the "close shop, write off debts, leave people up shit creek, reopen" a'la Orange doesn't sit right with me either but like Orange, I really like Alpkits stuff and their aftersales support and will continue to support them as a business.
People haven't stopped shopping at Alpkit because their stores need a refresh and more regional curation, they stopped shopping there because it's no longer the good value for money brand that it once was.
Reduced overheads and better targeted stock should let them address the pricing a bit. Thing is many folk are now quite happy buying that titanium stove (etc) straight from Temu, Alibaba and so on.
As a bit of aside, Here's a discussion with Nick from Alpkit regarding his acquisition of Trakke bags,
arghhhh.....up there ^.......why does the forum occasionally refuse to accept copy/pasted links in threads/posts, I wanted to include the link below into the post above but had to add an additional reply below.
In this episode, I’m joined by Nick from Alpkit—a veteran in the backpack world and a true OG when it comes to thoughtful design and quality manufacturing.
We kick things off with the story of how Alpkit started, from four friends with a passion for outdoor adventures to building a versatile brand that covers everything from travel gear to technical outdoor equipment.
We dive deep into the challenges and advantages of making bags in the UK, including training skilled seamstresses, balancing craftsmanship with production efficiency, and why producing locally can actually be a huge business advantage. Then we pivot to one of the most exciting parts of the episode—the Trakke story. Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand, preserved its iconic designs, and is now paving the way for a new chapter that balances classic aesthetics with lighter, technical gear.
Bums, the Ilkley shop is shutting. Not that I've ever bought anything there but I nearly have and liked the staff so would have in the future, maybe.
Was never convinced about the Inverness store location. Yes, it was paired with a climbing wall and a cafe but it was not in a bit of town most folk would choose to go to unless specifically travelling there. Completely the opposite to Keswick store on the high street for example. TBH it would have been much better located in Aviemore.
I was a very early adopter of Alpkit but have tailed off in recent years. Quality is often not quite big brand but the prices have crept up so there is not as much in it. If you are prepared to shop around or wait for a sale the gap disappears completely. Previously I could forgive it not being quite as good for a good chunk of savings.
There was a period where they made interestingly innovative products - like the Gourdon rucksack for example. I can't recall the last new thing I saw them bring out that I thought, wow- not seen that before from a big brand. And the near miss products like the Brukit - yes it works about as well as the jetboil, but frustratingly a bit bigger which is a pain to pack but even more frustratingly 5mm too short to pop a 220g gas cylinder in and close the lid alongside the burner. Why would you do that unless it's not great R&D.
WAs never convinced about the Inverness store location
Agreed. For me, living on the other side of town it was rarely worth the effort to make the trek to the store only to find they wouldn't have what I wanted in stock.
What was worth the effort, and will be a significant loss to me is the in-store repair service. They've saved a good few things from landfill for me.
We’ve not bought a anything from them and it not been pretty good.
But the product selection is baffling. They do 3 synthetic “down jackets”. One is a touch warmer. The other 2 i still couldn’t tell you how there are differentiated.
My waterproof trousers are still going strong - bought back in 2021 for £75, & my water proof jacket bought back in 2019 is starting to show signs of wear.
The same trousers are today in the sale for £135 (reduced from £159) I would not purchase them for that money.
Then we pivot to one of the most exciting parts of the episode—the Trakke story. Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand,
It might just be me, but I've been interested in hiking & biking since the 90s and I've never heard of them!
My views are pretty much reflected above, frequent purchaser when they were quirky and good value but there's competition from big brand discounters and buying direct from Aliexpress to contend with. Oh, and the phoenix from the flames business.
There was a period where they made interestingly innovative products - like the Gourdon rucksack for example. I can't recall the last new thing I saw them bring out that I thought, wow- not seen that before from a big brand.
I think Sonder does some really good bikes at a competitive price. The Camino is a phenomenally good, well-priced, mountain biker's gravel bike for example, the Transmitter is/was a really fun hardtail etc.
The clothing side of things is more difficult. There's currently very little innovation in technical outdoor clothing and equipment generally - I think the last 'wow!' component/fabric was probably Polartec Alpha - so it's hard to stand out in the middle market, where Alpkit sits. Especially when you can wait until what you want pops up on Sport Pursuit or similar at half price.
The clothing side of things is more difficult. There's currently very little innovation in technical outdoor clothing and equipment generally - I think the last 'wow!' component/fabric was probably Polartec Alpha - so it's hard to stand out in the middle market, where Alpkit sits. Especially when you can wait until what you want pops up on Sport Pursuit or similar at half price.
I'd go further than that and say things from a performance point of view have actually got much worse since everyone had to stop using PFAS.
Their shop in Keswick is an odd one.
We go up there a few times a year to visit family and more often then not end up in Keswick at some point. I always take a look in Alpkit to see if anything catches my eye.
For all the times I’ve been there I’ve never bought a thing as nothing appeals when compared to other brands. Slightly more telling is the fact that I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else buy anything. In there either!
I’ve no idea how that shop survives.
I’ve bought a few things from Alpkit in the past and it’s all been good stuff. The new stuff just looks and feels cheap in comparison.
Yeah, not for me. When they were copyists, they were cheap (AKA 'good value'). Now, they're like all the rest with a brand position similar to Karrimor, Craghoppers, Rohan, Peter Storm etc. All used to be good, now less so and either rubbish or poor value. The only brand I can think of in recent years that went bust and came back better is Mountain Equipment. There early gear was tremendous. Now it's very well designed and bit more sophisticated but still excellent.
Now, they're like all the rest with a brand position similar to Karrimor, Craghoppers, Rohan, Peter Storm. All used to be good, now less so and either rubbish or poor value
Not sure that's quite fair -
Karrimor were once good ( I know a scout leader who still uses his Jaguar rucksack which must be 35 years old) but have been bargain-basement Mountain Warehouse/Sports Direct level for years.
Peter Storm were always 'basic but functional'. It was what your mum bought when you were a scout, even though you begged for the Karrimor...
Craghoppers stuff has always been decent but never 'trendy' as they have a rambler image.
Rohan are uber-rambler and still, as far as I know, produce decent if unexciting kit.
Kit-wise Alpkit are probably a more trendy Craghoppers, but unfortunately they see themselves as a Mountain Equipment.
Agree with most of the posts here, I like Decathlon stuff and I like Rab stuff. But I don't want to buy Decathlon stuff at Rab prices, which is where Alpkit seem to position themselves these days. The Sonder and bikepacking ranges are great, and they have some other nice products, but most of their range is a bit muddled and hard to shop from.
Yeah Karrimor were Berghaus's equal and rival until they went under. I had a Jaguar 4 as my first decent sac back when backpacking required 75l. I wore it out. I still have an Alpiniste, a Hot Route, 2 pairs of panniers and a couple of 25l day sac thingies that are indestructible. The current stuff is trash in comparison (IMO).
Craghoppers in the 1980's was A grade. Then went down market. Regatta level now.
Rohan, similar story. Superstriders and Bags were their shtick. High quality and innovative but went bust and downmarket.
Phoenix, Ultimate etc. All producers of high quality gear, now no more...
I have never been in an alpkit shop (don’t think any are nearby), bricks and mortar shops must be a huge financial drag on a company that started out as direct sales over the internet outfit.
As heartless as it sounds if the business wants to survive I would be hacking back the high street part of the business harder as well as trimming back the product lines.
I can’t imagine their VC angel or whatever he is, is keen on bigger overheads unless he can see a clear demonstration of profitability.
I reckon that 18 month forecast is about right, happy though if they prove it wrong…
Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand,
Sorry what? Trakke made nice bags, Alec is a super nice guy and i fondly remember chatting with them while they sewed bags and i volunteered in the bike shed. But thats wasn't even 20 years ago, how on earth is it a heritage brand?
close, fire, walk away from debt then re-open' approach
That's an understandable response but dealing with business failures has been my day job for nearly 30 years.
For avoidance of doubt and before writing anything more I have no involvement in the Alpkit situation.
The hard reality is that in most/many cases more creditors in number lose out and by far more in total value if you close the doors. In general terms as I can't quite recall how the Alpkit deal was done and I can't be bothered to read the report again to remind myself.
- Assets are worth less on removal and sometimes need to be abandoned completely as uneconomic to sell
- You've not got any support in addressing issues because the staff and infrastructure are gone
- A close and remove strategy costs a lot. Insurances, rent, utilities, agents, auction fees, security issues, waste clearance, unoccupied premises code of conduct, H&S risk management (and I've seen some real screamers left behind there)
- A TUPE transfer (I think there was one here) saves jobs and saves the state a massive whack on step in payments to former employees
- The property leases end, which often causes huge landlord claims once you apply the accepted principles to valuing them
- Suppliers lose a customer (plenty of times I've heard - we will never deal with these ****s again and then find out in a phone call a few weeks later that they are in fact dealing with them again after all).
From a regulatory perspective you've actually got to be able to demonstrate you've assessed this stuff and backed it up with evidence and analysis. If you're selling to a connected party there are further safeguards.
I hope they survive, but I think they need to rethink their products and market position. As others have said their success was based on decent kit as good prices.
Sad to see ilkley going, but I can’t remember the last time I bought something from there. I guess I’ve moved on to other brands.
I thought the Trakke bags were completely out of sync with the brand.
Love my signal ti, but I bought it from their eBay site.
I'm another would-be customer who wanted to buy from Alpkit but got so confused by the product range that I gave up and went elsewhere instead.
Nick shares how Alpkit rescued the beloved heritage brand,
Sorry what? Trakke made nice bags, Alec is a super nice guy and i fondly remember chatting with them while they sewed bags and i volunteered in the bike shed. But thats wasn't even 20 years ago, how on earth is it a heritage brand?
I suppose you’ve gotta spin some story to flog a £300 bag.
I expect I’d really love one if I’d one had one in my hand but the reality is they couldn’t make it work for ever.
Being harsh a high quality bag is nice but there’s a lot of bag makers in that market.
I like a quality product and appreciate the construction but the whole heritage BS always does my head in, a good product doesn’t need a story.
I worked in a shoe factory now obviously a housing estate with shoe type road names because manufacturing sucks.
The Trakke bag thing just makes me think that the folk at the top of Alpkit aren't living in the same world as their target customer base and that they completely lost sight of why they had customers in the first place. Have lessons really been learnt? I guess time will tell.
I have a fair amount of Alpkit stuff but it was all bought in the early mail order days. It was decent, not ground breaking but above all , cheap, £80 for a hooded down jacket etc. Now it seems to be decent not ground breaking but expensive, not a good business model. The shops weren’t a good idea, you need too much stock as well as all the costs involved in maintaining bricks and mortar. As many have said they need a simpler product line at a lower price point. Once you have positioned yourself at the cheaper end of the market it is very difficult to upgrade to being a premium product
Being harsh a high quality bag is nice but there’s a lot of bag makers in that market.
I like a quality product and appreciate the construction but the whole heritage BS always does my head in, a good product doesn’t need a story.
While bags like Crumpler exist I can't see the value in a £300 bag. I bought a Crumpler laptop bag probably 20+ years ago now to carry my G4 Macbook Pro. I still use that bag daily and the only thing wrong is one of the buckles, which my dog chewed, has broken! Crumpler have more 'heritage' too!...
https://crumpler.co.uk/products/dinky-di-messenger-16-classic
The Trakke bag thing just makes me think that the folk at the top of Alpkit aren't living in the same world as their target customer base and that they completely lost sight of why they had customers in the first place. Have lessons really been learnt? I guess time will tell.
The bag/every day carry (I feel sick after saying that) scene is worth $10 billion a year with growth of 10% to 15% a year, if you can capture a minuscule amount of that growth using a story, heritage fabrics and build quality then you will do well.
I bought mum a wee trakke shoulder bag a few years ago and she loves it, the fabric is eventually starting to wear in nicely
While bags like Crumpler exist I can't see the value in a £300 bag. I bought a Crumpler laptop bag probably 20+ years ago now to carry my G4 Macbook Pro. I still use that bag daily and the only thing wrong is one of the buckles, which my dog chewed, has broken! Crumpler have more 'heritage' too!...
My crumpler wonder weenie was bought around 2004 (ish) ad I never leave the house without it...its a bit worn and patched up on the bottom and inside - its no longer dark blue, the velcro on the flap doesn't work anymore and I found out if you place it on a hot stove it melts.
I'm perfectly happy with it, absolutely no intention or desire to buy anything else. You can age it with the mountain biking uk velcro watch strap on the shoulder strap
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And the near miss products like the Brukit - yes it works about as well as the jetboil, but frustratingly a bit bigger which is a pain to pack but even more frustratingly 5mm too short to pop a 220g gas cylinder in and close the lid alongside the burner. Why would you do that unless it's not great R&D.
My £50 Delta was similarly poor QC - inner was about 3cm too long and high. Cracking wee tent that I used a lot after some needlework on the inner..
And the near miss products like the Brukit - yes it works about as well as the jetboil, but frustratingly a bit bigger which is a pain to pack but even more frustratingly 5mm too short to pop a 220g gas cylinder in and close the lid alongside the burner. Why would you do that unless it's not great R&D.
My £50 Delta was similarly poor QC - inner was about 3cm too long and high. Cracking wee tent that I used a lot after some needlework on the inner..
I'm pretty sure my delta is still in the attic, I only used it a few times as the condensation ran down the inner where it made contact, I bought a terra nova solar which to fair wasn't that much of an upgrade but was light for weekend biking trips
The clothing side of things is more difficult.
I actually sent them an idea a year or two ago, but they've done nothing with it.
Along the lines of their "Go nice places, do good things" mantra I suggested an 'adventure' take on a triathlon short. Basically a lightly padded short that has got enough padding to take the edge of cycling but works for running/hiking and swimming too. The idea being that on mega days you put them on; ride, hike or run to somewhere to have a play in the water and then go back all without the need to get your kit off. A mesh pocket or two to hold stuff like your phone or gel and made of a quick dry material. Maybe a little bit 'lycra' for some of you but there is a market for it I reckon. I use my old triathlon shorts (they seem to be disappearing as a thing to buy) to run (sort of) over Cairngorm to have a dip in Loch Avon and back. It feels a very 'Alpkit' product to me.
Also sent them a photo of their exo-rail (seatpack support thingy) that I tweaked with a TIG welder to work with a dropper post. Again - no reply.
I forgot this one earlier when I said they'd not had any innovation - the element wetsuit idea was good...a recreational swimming wetsuit that's not as hardcore racer as a triathlon wetsuit but a lot more utility and easier to put on on your own. Perfect for 'wild swimming'. I see they are now in the clearance section so what do I know!!!!
Good example. When the Element kit was launched, Mrs S and I went to look at/buy it for our open-water swimming as it looked ideal. The Inverness shop had none and couldn't tell when they'd be receiving any. Online had a very limited stock and nothing in our (very average) sizes. I opted for an in-stock email which was about 9 months later by which time we'd bought other kit.
Perfect for 'wild swimming'. I see they are now in the clearance section so what do I know!!!!
I have a friend who is an outdoor clothing designer, pretty much any genius idea I've thrown at her, she's dismissed as basically being 'too niche' for commercial production.
The only brand I can think of in recent years that went bust and came back better is Mountain Equipment. There early gear was tremendous. Now it's very well designed and bit more sophisticated but still excellent.
I love ME, their shell jackets are, ime, the best out there including Arc'teryx - I think their block has gone uber wide in the shoulders in the last few years, ME's alpine cut is just excellent, close fitting without being restrictive.
I think one of the issues with Alpkit is that their stuff is patchy. Some of it is genuinely good, the Katabatic Jacket for example and the Morphosis Hoody, and their top-end mountain shell for the price, but some if it is just a bit meh. With a brand like ME, you can be pretty sure that the entire range is at a level, with Alpkit some of it is actually good, but some of it really isn't, so you're never 100% certain it'll do what you want it to.
I have a friend who is an outdoor clothing designer, pretty much any genius idea I've thrown at her, she's dismissed as basically being 'too niche' for commercial production.
Like my 'ideas' for bike clothing : ) I had a sleeping bag design sampled by PHD ages ago and they made some for sale (I still use it) but the jacket/layer system idea wasn't a goer there or the other 2 places I've worked that have bike clothing lines. Maybe now long distance racing and bikepacking is a bit more mainstream it would work. I'd buy it but that's almost the stamp of 'a bit niche or odd'.
Good to see Alpkit on track though. I was a bit concerned by the scale of things but took it as a sign things were going well. A more concise range seems wise - maybe using the UK manufacturing to have more options for colour etc but fewer basic designs. Better to explain why the 2 or 3 things you have cover the full range of needs/use than keep splitting differences hoping we find what we want.
