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"It doesn't even feel like I am wearing a pack!"
Aarn Packs was born in Aotearoa New Zealand, Mother Nature’s playground, where spending time in the mountains and on the trails is a way of life.
Our founders Aarn and Devi Tate set out to challenge traditional back pack design thinking. They spent years researching, innovating, and developing new design principles to create a pack that didn’t alter posture, balance and movement.
Aarn Packs and Balance Pockets are designed here in Christchurch, New Zealand, and are available throughout the world. Our design principles stay the same to this day, with a focus on posture, balance, movement, fit, lightness and using science to improve your comfort and health.
We embrace the philosophy of the Cradle to Cradle method and keep sustainability in mind with our design and manufacturing processes.
Our lightweight packs are now made in Vietnam in a professional pack factory with good working conditions. We visit our factories regularly. You can be sure that your pack is not made in a sweatshop!
Aarn Packs continues to be an industry leader in the outdoor adventure scene. We’re proud to have received accolades and awards from DuPont, Trail Kauftipp, Editors Choice at Outdoor, Outdoor Gold Winner, Gear Guide Innovation Awards, and ISPO Brand New Award.
Want to know more? Hear what current Aarn Pack users have to say:
“Love my pack!"
“My name is Patrick Jackson and I own and operate ChangingGear in Whitehorse Yukon. I recently completed another trip over the Chilkoot Pass and met some Australian hikers who were using your packs. They were kind enough to offer to try them and after 5 days using my pack and then slipping your pack on, it was like heavy boots to silk slippers. I was very impressed and they spoke very highly of the counterbalance system.”
Patrick Jackson, Yukon, Alaska
"Our research identified the principles of load carriage. As far as I am aware Aarn Bodypacks are the first to really put the principles into practice"
“For over 25 years I have been conducting international research on load carriage in military and leisure settings. This has involved a wide range of laboratory and field studies of many types of load carriage systems. Our research identified the principles of load carriage. As far as I am aware Aarn Bodypacks are the first to really put the principles into practice.”
Professor Stephen Legg, Centre for Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health
Massey University
"I think the pack is tremendous! It’s the first pack I’ve had that really does what it is supposed to."
"I had back surgery six years ago. Part of a disc in my back was removed. I don’t have any back pain with my Aarn pack as I always had with other packs. Backpacking is the love of my life. I have had one of the best known, highly rated and most expensive internal frame packs on the market. This one surpasses that in terms of comfort. There was no discomfort in either the shoulders or the hips.”
Dr. Jan Lemon, Boulder, CO, USA
Neuropsychologist