Bach

For more than 40 years, Bach has been known for its passion for backpacks and the details that come with them. The Irish-Swiss backpack experts offer durable, functional backpacks in every size for every use. The range extends from handy daypacks for everyday use to practical travel bags and spacious trekking backpacks. Bach relies on light, robust products without unnecessary frills.

An Irish-Swiss cooperation

Bach was founded in the 1970s in Kilkenny, Ireland. As “The Great BACH Packing and Construction Company”, the company started out with seven seamstresses and tailors producing its first external-frame backpacks, inspired by the American Camp Trails backpacks. Things got innovative in the 80s with the development of the Orthoflex back system, a fully adjustable internal-frame backpack.

When Bach went bankrupt in 1989, the Swiss outdoor and travel company Transa stepped in. The Swiss had already been working with the backpack manufacturer in the years before and, together with mountain guide Martin Wiesmann, took over the company in Kilkenny along with its employees, factory building and warehouse. But the start was also rocky for the new “TransBach Ltd.” The fact that success remained limited in the early years didn't stop Bach from continuing to develop new products.

A passion for backpacks

The passion for backpacks and sheer perseverance paid off. After sales slowly grew in the 90s, things picked up further in the 2000s. To keep up with rising demand, Bach built a second production site in Vietnam.

In 2006, Martin returned to Switzerland with his wife. Since then, the Bach backpack lab and design studio have been located near Zurich. In the workshop in Wiesendangen near Winterthur, new Bach products are still developed today. To be able to quickly correct small flaws, the first production run is also made here whenever possible. The site in Kilkenny has also remained in place, where individual products are still sewn and small batches are produced.

Light, durable and clever

Bach offers robust, comfortable and well thought-out backpack solutions for numerous uses. Besides trekking and alpine backpacks, the range also includes travel luggage. Three aspects play an important role in production: carrying comfort, weight and lifespan.

To keep the backpacks as light as possible, Bach relies on an economical, well thought-out design. Without unnecessary frills, the products are only fitted with elements that are truly needed - without sacrificing functionality, of course. The robust Cordura fabric makes the backpack material tear- and abrasion-resistant. With the Weatherproof line, Bach also produces especially weatherproof products.

Sophisticated back systems are precisely matched to how each model is used. Trekking backpacks also come in special fits for women. The women's models have slightly shorter hip belts and narrower shoulder straps. The straps are also more contoured to better match the female body shape.

(Photos: Bach)