Vaude

VAUDE develops innovative, high-quality outdoor products. Founded in 1974, the family-owned company from southern Germany follows clearly defined social criteria for production conditions along its supply chain – for everyone who wants to enjoy real adventures in nature without worry.

Vaude

Fresh snow, crisp air, that first turn through deep powder – moments like these are why we’re drawn outdoors. For over 40 years, Vaude has built the gear for exactly these moments, carrying you reliably through winter and the mountains. And the family business from Lake Constance cares especially about the nature we experience it all in – a commitment recognized with the German Sustainability Award in 2015.

A Passion Becomes a Profession

The name Vaude comes from the initials v. D. of its founder, Albrecht von Dewitz. A passionate mountaineer, he turned his passion into a profession in 1974 and, by founding Vaude, laid the foundation for one of Europe’s leading mountain-sports brands today. As there was little specialized sports equipment in the 1970s, he saw a great opportunity here.

After selling mountain-sports equipment and producing its own backpacks in the early years, the company moved to its new premises in Obereisenbach near Tettnang on Lake Constance in 1980. Its popular "Made in Germany" products are still manufactured here today. In 1992, the range was expanded with bicycle accessories and apparel, before functional bag and backpack collections were added in 1998 under the name Packs’n Bags.

As the first sporting-goods manufacturer, Vaude decided as early as 2001 to produce according to the bluesign® environmental standard. That same year, the in-house Vaude Kinderhaus was created for employees’ children. Since 2002, the company has been a sponsor and official partner of the German Alpine Club (DAV). After 35 years, Albrecht von Dewitz stepped down from management in 2009. Since then, his daughter Antje von Dewitz has led the family business.

Vaude remains strongly connected to its Tettnang location, where a new manufactory was built in 2017. Around 500 people work here. "We made a conscious decision to strengthen production at our headquarters and invest in the new manufactory, because it stands for our values, our roots, and our core competence," says Antje von Dewitz.

The Made in Germany backpacks are popular internationally.

Made in Germany – Bags from Cow’s Milk

Vaude offers a very broad product range. Across its three divisions – Mountain Sports, Bike Sports, and Packs’n Bags – the line-up spans from outdoor apparel to footwear and camping gear such as tents and sleeping mats. Vaude also scores internationally with its backpacks and bags. The Made in Germany products are especially popular here.

From daypacks to travel packs, there’s a suitable bag for every occasion – produced since 1980 in the brand’s own manufactory in southern Germany. The bags are padded with QMilk felt, made from cow’s-milk fibers. Only milk that can no longer be used as food and would otherwise be discarded is used for this.

Awarded: Germany’s Most Sustainable Brand 2015

How strongly Vaude stands for the production of responsible outdoor products is shown by its German Sustainability Award 2015 – a recognition the company worked hard to earn over many years. Since 2001, the share of products processed to the bluesign® environmental standard has steadily increased.

In 2010, Vaude introduced its own product line, Green Shape. It marks models made largely from recycled or bio-based materials – such as QMilk, the Ceplex Green membrane, or recycled polyester – according to Vaude’s own, continuously tightened criteria. Since 2011, 1% of the revenue from Green Shape sales has also gone to environmental projects run by WWF Germany.

Vaude is also a member of the Fair Wear Foundation. For its commitment to fair working conditions, the company has consistently received the FWF’s highest rating – Leader status – since 2015, most recently in 2025.

By signing the Greenpeace Detox Commitment in 2016, Vaude pledged to remove harmful substances from its manufacturing and entire supply chain. That goal has been achieved: its apparel has been finished PFC-free since 2018, and all shoes and backpacks since 2020. Vaude also uses exclusively down certified to the Responsible Down Standard and, since the Summer 2019 collection, fills all sleeping bags with 100% recycled down.

Vaude’s headquarters near Tettnang is DGNB-certified.

Keeping the Ecological Footprint as Small as Possible

This is a particular concern of managing director Antje von Dewitz, who is keenly aware of the responsibility toward people and nature. That’s why Vaude’s headquarters in Tettnang follows this commitment too.

The concept ranges from the organic canteen and an inner courtyard planted according to a biodiversity plan to company E-bikes for employees. At its headquarters, Vaude has measured its CO2 emissions since 2012, systematically reducing them and offsetting the remainder through a Gold Standard–certified myclimate climate-protection project. The building was refurbished for energy efficiency and has been certified by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) since 2015.

More transparency for you – why VAUDE's sustainability claims are changing

Environmental and social claims on VAUDE products may reflect older labeling. For current and updated information in line with EU requirements under the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo) directive, visit vaude.com/empco.

(Photos: Vaude)