Forum menu
Just had an email saying that Alpkit are being placed into administration (I'm a shareholder). Really sad news, albeit the company seems to have over-reached and overexpanded. While the clothing has been on the decline, I still love the bikes.
Was blissfully unaware that they were struggling. Hope they find a way to continue.
Gutted. I loved their gear and bikes! and general attitude. Such a shame
They had strayed quite a way from their original cheap kit remit, which can't have been helped by having bricks and mortar stores. It's a shame, but I haven't got any of their kit (except when I've been given a voucher) since their early days when they were a genuine alternative to the big outdoor brands.
Can't s ay I'm too shocked, last time I looked for a jacket for walking the choice was really limited and nothing special as far as vfm. Shame as the jackets I had from them were very good.
As per munrobiker, the stores seemed a bit odd, the one in Kingston always seemed quiet when I went there and had quite a lot of reduced price stock hanging around.
I'd have thought they would be a brand that could be restructured and turned around.
Been a fan since their early days in a unit in Ilkeston, when they'd drop my orders off on their way home, through to buying a Camino Ti at the end of last year.
I'd have thought they would be a brand that could be restructured and turned around
God, not another Mike Ashley company
Ooof, that's a shame. Like others, I was an early adopter but found them quite poor vfm in recent years compared to the likes of Decathlon and buying direct from Chinese suppliers.
Gawd I hope this doesn't mean we'll be seeing Alpkit branded stuff in Sports Direct soon.
Bugger. Love Alpkit!
Sounds like they already have an investor (not Mike Ashley) to keep it going, but not signed and sealed yet. In the meantime, they have gone into administration to support the winding up of existing company before investment makes them Alpkit 2.0. The statement also says they will keep stores open, no staff losses and will be fulfiling all orders.
Like others have said, I like what they tried to stand for and some of their stuff has been great (Sonder bikes being a brilliant addition withn the stable) but it does feel like too many similar products and not enough variation from what's already out there.
I wish them luck with moving ahead and hoping they can build on the good bits.
I'm a big fan of my Camino, and hoping they get a new investor (a-la Stanton) that keeps the ethos and cuts the waste, as was planning on buying the Ti version when my C2W resets.
Saddened by the direction they went with the clothing from genuinely great niche products and big brand beating value stuff, to an inflated and confusing range of mediocre tat of decreasing quality. Bad executive management seemingly to blame again, which is a shame as the ethos, former designers and staff were great.
Just hope they don't turn into the new Planet X
last time I looked for a jacket for walking the choice was really limited
I'd say the opposite to be honest, they seem to spread their offerings too thin, they have too many product lines. I've just looked and they have six different 'hardshell' waterproof jackets, f'r'example. The bikes are the same, they have 14(!) different models.
To be honest, I think this bodes well for the prospects of them coming out of this; there's is clearly simplification that can be done on the product lines that will hopefully simplify stocking costs. I hope so, I admire their ethos, I have some of their gear and a Sonder bike and wish them well, I hope they can come out of this.
I too have had that email & they have admitted that mistakes were made.
So hopefully they'll come back more Nukeproof than Muddy Fox.
Bad news, hopefully Alpkit 2.0 will return it their foundations.
In my opinion produced far too much. 30 types of t shirt, 20 types of fleece.. Etc. Doesn't seem hard to realise that is a lot of money sat around.
The bikes obviously proved popular, so hopefully this side will be kept going.
Hathersage is always fairly busy.
Hope the staff are doing OK
I haven't bought anything from Alpkit for years. One reason would be the sleeping mats. I've had quite a few and the failure rate was quite high, most were replaced but you lose a bit of trust. Another reason would be Decathlon, if I want something good value and I'm almost guaranteed to be able to pop in and pick one up then that's where I'll go. I've never been in the Edinburgh Alpkit store. Unless you live fairly central it's a bit off the beaten track, I'll drive past it most Fridays but it's not easy parking near it so I've never even stopped for a quick look.
That is a shame, I hope they survive and come through.
I feel they are in a strange position in that there are so many fabulous outdoor brands around with super quality kit. It felt like their prices were pushing higher and so the financial difference between them and say Patagonia was smaller and smaller, but in terms of quality and 'coolness', the difference was still great.
Their original position of value based alternative was far more attractive, as was the niche position they once seemed to hold with various bits of useful low/mid end kit from a reputable company
Ah damn, I've two of their bikes. As already mentioned I hope someone can turn them around that isn't Sports Direct
Flippin heck, does that mean ive now not got a warranty on my receantly purchased Ti Signal frame, just built it up but un ridden... 🤨 ..partly bought due to 10 year warranty...
Flippin heck, does that mean ive now not got a warranty on my receantly purchased Ti Signal frame, just built it up but un ridden... 🤨 ..partly bought due to 10 year warranty...
Says their @Alpine bond' remains, so would assume you're warranty will still stand, as long as the deal goes through.
Shame, hope it can be turned around and the staff looked after.
Still enjoying my Camino Ti.
Their 'value based alternative' was copying good stuff developed by 'proper' outdoors companies using Far Eastern labour/manufacturing, buying it by the container load and selling direct. They then got all up themselves/Cotswold Camping and opened lots of shops/expanded their product lines AKA massively increased their overhead and capital employed.
I always thought they were originally a bit like Hunt; cheapish Chinese stuff, easy to deal with, sold on shore and with a decent (easy) warranty. Once they stopped being that, I'd prefer to go to the companies they originally stole their ideas from.
That's a real shame. Had noticed they have had a lot more sale periods than I've previously noticed over these last few months so was wondering if there was more to it
As others have said, they seem to now sit in a weird position, I feel like they don't know what they want to be, ie Decathlon level clothing at Rab prices. A long way from the cheap n' cheerful brand that I still think of them as.
Looked the other day and they're doing £350+ waxed cotton daypacks alongside £40 Gordon drybag ones 🤷
Shame to see them struggling, hopefully they can pick a lane, slim down the range and get back into a viable position.
I think the only Alpkit item I have is a Quark headtorch, which I like and use a lot, but I’m sure I could find something else that’s just as good. 🤷🏼♂️
Never tempted by any of their bikes, I’m perfectly happy with my Inbreds.
Just got my quote for C2W Camino this afternoon! Is it a risk ordering off them right now, or does it look like still trading?
Quote says delivery week of 5th Feb - too risky?
Oooft, that's a shame.
Like so many on this thread, I've a good few bits of thier kit from early on. Still my favourite riding layer is one of their merino riding jerseys. We've head torches, a few base layers, fleece, trousers, dry bags, accessories and a sleeping bag.
But I've not bought anything for a few years. They didn't offer a saving over many other brands IMO, that was an early big appeal.
My son lived almost over the road from the Edinburgh store, and both sons have friends working there. I have to say the last time we were in (hoody and fleece bought) the store was empty on a damp winter Saturday afternoon, just when I would have thought it was busy...we chatted with sons pal and other staff for a good while - no other customers...
I also tried to get a work (environmental/outdoor education charity) account to buy 30 uniforms. After half a dozen attempts to call / discuss we were basically turned away...so we are all now in Berghaus. Which is another company being restructured alongside Endura....
Hard times.
I think Alpkit starting by making things like Bouldering mats in the uk.
In general there are a brand i like. I’m frustrated by the continual sales. If you wait the prices are great. But the full retail price is hi to make room for the discount. I understand why the sale is attractive as a reason to buy. But for peolet who are less familiar with the brand and only look when they need something it makes them expensive.
I quite like the shops in terms of vibe. But they are a bit odd in that although there do loads of product lines they still have gaps in what they sell. No maps and only a limited range of bikes for example.
Good that the business effectively remains the same for employees from the sound of it, but does that mean all those crowdfunding shareholders are going to get shaken down for pennies in the pound?
I sort of half know the guys who set up originally (mates of mates from my paddling days). Hope all goes well and are back on their feet and staff looked after. We're and always have been helpful, whether st the Ilkeston site or more recent time in the Hathersage shop. And had a repair team to do repairs on kit (not just Alpkit) too which was excellent.
When they set up, they were unique in selling good own-brand kit for half the price of the brands available 20-30 years such as Thermarest, Mountain Harware, Berghaus etc. They've ben squeezed since with the advent of Go Outdoors and Decathlon, along with places like Mountain Warehouse at the cheap end.
Ah bugger! Love the Alpkit stuff I have - most days I'll have worn something Alpkit at some point in the day - current sitting in my Morphosis jacket, genuinely one of my favourite jackets I've owned (old logo too it seems). A lot of their stuff just seemed to fit me well compared to alternatives.
Coincidentally I almost visited the Edinburgh store for the first time on Saturday afternoon - didn't realise was only a few mins walk from the Commonwealth Pool I was at. Thought it'd be dangerous for my bank balance so didn't bother.
Just got my quote for C2W Camino this afternoon! Is it a risk ordering off them right now, or does it look like still trading?
Quote says delivery week of 5th Feb - too risky?
Use a credit card for protection.
Just got my quote for C2W Camino this afternoon! Is it a risk ordering off them right now, or does it look like still trading?
Quote says delivery week of 5th Feb - too risky?
Use a credit card for protection.
I don't know what happens, whether it becomes the scheme provider, your employers or your problem, but buying on a credit card isn't a C2W option...
I always thought they were originally a bit like Hunt; cheapish Chinese stuff, easy to deal with, sold on shore and with a decent (easy) warranty.
I was really disappointed with the Ti post I bought, the design was really cruddy and I was actually relieved it was out of tolerance and impossible to put in the frame as I could legitimately return it. Put me off buying anything else as I figured it was just cheap stuff rebranded.
Still a shame, I liked their community rides etc
Agree mostly/partly with what @boblo said.
A lot of the gear is/was far east stuff maybe not copying, but closely resembling other brands. When you can get the same item from AliExpress for 1/3 of the price, or for not much more outlay then get a Gucci brand, then what's your USP?
Not always the case, though. I think they do have a fair bit of stuff that's designed in house and unique to them that I really like.
Also agree about the too broad /overlapping product lines
Does this mean there might be some mega PSAs incoming.... IGMC
Seriously though I hope it works out for them, think they're a well meaning brand
Hmmm I was going to head to the Ambleside on Friday to try on some overtrousers for an upcoming winter skills course. Do agree though most stuff isn't really cheap any more, I've considered one of their smocks now for a few years but they're always just a little too expensive.
Hmm so who is going to suffer to learn from their mistakes and clear all mistakes for Mk 2 . Doesn’t sit comfortably with me
Any word on the community of crowdfunders and their £4 million investment?
Some of Alpkit’s basic stuff such as dry bags, Gordon rucksacks, their running tights, etc has Kept me coming back to them. I have built up a couple of their frames for others too. I hope they can sort out their problems and carry on.
Any word on the community of crowdfunders and their £4 million investment?
All gone, but we will get shares in the new company, no details yet on how much that will be worth.
Seemingly all written off. My other half is not happy.
That's really a little sad to read.
I've had (not enough) daft, mini adventures that have involved their kit over the years.
Really hope they can come back from this if only in a more limited and focused form.
That's a shame. Hope Alpkit 2.0 works. I have been an Alpkit user over the years from when they started. I think 4 jackets, mats, some jeans, a tent.... and mostly all pretty good. Some returns for repairs and some out of warranty repairs... all fixed to a good standard. No complaints with the repairs and support. The tent in particular, a simple 2 person tunnel gets used many times a year in all weathers for many years now... and it's still reliable. Jeanius jeans are my favourite jeans too.
I think everyone grabbed their first bikepacking stuff from them, probably helped move the bikepacking gear from the niche of small businesses making nice but pricey stuff to more mass produced and cheaper ,making it easier for people to buy and get out there and gave bikepacking a wider audience.