kamarg kicks back.. — KINGDOM OF STYLE

Oh I do love a rucksack and I think I have just spotted my next purchase!

Thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, the beloved Austrian mountaineering brand Kamarg is heading back to us this summer.

Its central product, the backpack, will return in its original colors as well as its classic complexion,only the sailcloth has been revised and made waterproof to meet modern requirements. The carrier system works with a rope which serves as a lock at the same time. The shoulder straps are hung-up on the rope, buttons fix the framework. Felt inserts make the straps more comfortable when wearing.

Kamarg was founded in the late 1940s in Graz, Austria, by the Herbert Margutsch and his father (legend has it that Kamarg is an acronym for Karl (“KA”) and Margutsch (“MARG”), Karl being the name of Karl’s grandfather). Their workshop was in the Griesgasse from where one can see the famous clocktower of Graz , which became the logo of the brand.
Kamarg started selling their rucksacks through their own store and sporting equipment stores in Austria. The brand became very popular in Austria in the 50's and 60's as more and more people discovered their adventurous spirit and started exploring the alps by hiking.

By 1960, Kamarg backpacks were shipped to over 2000 stores in the alps but sadly by the 70's the beloved Kamarg lost out to cheaper products from Asia and the the brand went into a deep sleep. Fast forward to August 2013 when Franz, one of the founders, came across a Kamarg backpack when cleaning out the attic of his parents’ house in Austria. The beige Kamarg he found there in a wooden box was used by his father to go to school and then work. It was produced in 1953 and still fully functionable. There was tear but nothing was broken. He washed it and started using it in the coming months and people really liked the simple and timeless design.

One very successful crowdsourcing campaign later and the Kamarg is kicking back into action. In the production, a special focus was placed on sustainability and longevity of the pieces. Individual components of the 12.2 liter backpacks like leather straps and zippers can be reordered after heavy wear.