Inspired By Our Heritage

“I thought if I could provide products for the mountaineering community, then I could establish the brand”

– Bruce McIntyre, Founder, Macpac

From Bruce McIntyre’s garage, to a global adventure identity, our journey has been one of creation and innovation.

51 YEARS OF ADVENTURE

“Make the best gear, and inspire people to get outside.”

It’s been our mission since we started. We believe in quality. We believe in sustainability. We believe in the outdoors and its ability to make anyone’s life better, whatever your adventure.

“The idea was that you could travel all over the planet with a Macpac piece. It could take you anywhere. It wasn’t just for fine weather, or just for extreme conditions. It works everywhere.” Bruce McIntyre, Found of Macpac.

IT ALL STARTED WITH A PACK

“We came up with this very first, New Zealand designed internal frame pack. The Torre Egger. That to me, was the real start of Macpac.” Bruce McIntyre

In 1973, Bruce McIntyre started making backpacks from his parents’ garage in Christchurch. The mission was simple: create gear that would last and could handle the rugged terrain of New Zealand’s South Island. He was determined to design something better than the old gear that “hurt like hell.” A visit from a group of mountaineers looking for a pack for their expedition to Patagonia was – in his mind – the true start of Macpac.

Today we’re proud to retain the same design aesthetic across all our products,

“No bells and whistles but the sort of features that we have, are the meaningful features.” Gavin Davidson, Head of Design, Macpac.

But product wouldn’t be anything without a dedicated and committed community to make sure the gear works! Since the early days, we’ve worked closely with a team of athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who live for the outdoors. This partnership provides us with rigorous in-field testing, and a constant stream of feedback from the world’s best adventurers.

DESIGN EVOLUTION

Our founding philosophy has evolved into a collection of apparel and equipment for any climate or scenario. Our product lines cater to mountain climbers, campers, hikers and more broadly, anyone who loves adventure and travel. But in terms of what people use our products for, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Our design philosophy is simple: sustainability starts with products that last. Every material we use in the design process is chosen with quality and longevity in mind. By refusing to cut corners, we engineer gear that will perform at the highest level for a long time. Our products have evolved in a very specific way over the years. The goal has always been to equip adventurers to tackle New Zealand’s unique environment, and to take on the feedback of our community so we can craft products that add value to their experience of the outdoors.

Macpac gear is clean and uncluttered, made of premium materials. That combination ensures that the products last, and can be easily repaired if they get damaged. Our design team works out of our head office in Christchurch, and they take great inspiration from our backyard, which is one of the most diverse in the world.

THE HERITAGE COLLECTION

The heritage collection dives into the archives and draws inspiration from our rich, colourful and technical history. It brings to life new iterations of classics, items inspired by signature items, and new styles for new and old adventurers.

The colourways are a nod to times of retro gone by and pops of colour offer a nostalgic feel. They are all practical, functional pieces, classic to our heritage.

The collection is seasonal with new colours, styles and sometimes, limited-edition pieces. This winter features the classic Halo Down Jacket, Tui Fleece and cosy gloves & beanies.

The products all feature the iconic heritage label, a label that has a lot of history.