The Innovator of Modern Backpacking
While others stuck with heavy wood and canvas, Dick pushed boundaries using nylon fabrics, aluminum frames, padded shoulder straps, and waist belts.
Simple yet genius upgrades redefined comfort. His mission? Make backpacking accessible, fun, and BUILT TO LAST.
By the 1960s, Kelty gear was summiting Everest and exploring Antarctica’s tallest peaks, becoming the gold standard for outdoor adventurers worldwide.
-Russell Rowell, EVP Kelty Product and Industrial Design
“Dick Kelty is widely credited with making backpacking more accessible to the general public.”
From Classic Green to the Great Beyond
Kelty’s signature green packs earned their stripes on trails and expeditions. By 1969, bold red packs joined the mix, and we never looked back.
Tents, sleeping bags, and gear soon followed—colorful, practical, and ready for the wild. Wherever you wandered, Kelty had your back.
Our Legacy Lives On
Kelty isn’t just about gear—it’s about the moments that matter: laughing around campfires, pranking your friends, and hiking a little farther just to see what’s out there.
We still carry Dick Kelty’s spirit of adventure in every pack, tent, and bag we make.
70 years later, our mission is simple: Make it easier for you to get outside, stay outside, and PLAY.
-Dick Kelty
“I realized I was too much of an outdoorsman to ever to be happy working inside again.”
Built for Play. Built to Last.
Now get out there and PLAY.
Kelty is about bringing the adventure to everyone. Whether you're a trailblazer, campfire king, or first-time tent-pitcher, we’ve got the gear (and the laughs) to help you make the most of the great outdoors.
A FEW FUN FACTS
Backpack Bling: In 1963, Kelty gear summited Everest (thanks to a last-minute swap at Base Camp).
Bright Ideas: Our early packs were dyed in a washing machine—green underwear for the whole family included.
Built for Fun: From "tent snakes" to sneaking extra beer into your buddy’s pack, Dick Kelty’s mischievous spirit lives on.