Vaude
VAUDE is a German outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer (founded 1974, Tettnang) producing sustainable clothing, backpacks, bicycle bags, tents, and sleeping bags for hiking, cycling, and alpine use cases, sold through DTC e-commerce, European dealer networks, and franchise operations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersTettnang, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vaude does
VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of outdoor apparel and equipment, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Tettnang, Germany. The company designs, produces, and sells weather-resistant clothing (jackets, pants, shirts, fleece, vests, functional underwear, cycling shoes), backpacks (daypacks, hiking, cycling, trekking, ski touring, children's), bicycle bags (panniers, handlebar, saddle, frame, bikepacking), tents (ultralight, camping, trekking), sleeping bags and mats, and accessories. Its technology differentiators include the PFAS-free Eco Finish coating, mass-balance recycled polyamide from old tires, Windproof 80 breathable membranes, UPF 50 UV protection without chemical titanium dioxide, and ergonomic hardware such as the Aeroflex 3D 2.0 back system with Shifting Back Length adjustment. Product families are organized into activity-specific sub-brands (Loamer, Moab, Qimsa, Kuro, Tekoa, Scopi, Croz, Monviso) targeting cycling, gravel, mountain sports, and ski touring use cases.
VAUDE's commercial model is a multi-channel DTC-and-wholesale hybrid. The company sells directly to consumers through a 9-country-localized e-commerce platform (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Canada, international), distributes through a European dealer network with store-locator integration, operates a franchise system, runs a B2B shop for retailers and corporate wear customization, and maintains a dedicated second-hand resale platform (secondhand.vaude.com) plus in-house repair services. Additional revenue-adjacent activities include the VAUDE Academy for sustainable business training. Pricing is unit-based with publicly listed prices ranging from approximately €12 for accessories to €1,000 for tents, supplemented by seasonal sales of 20-35% and a 10% newsletter discount.
Sustainability is the central differentiator and is embedded across the value chain. VAUDE has held Fair Wear Foundation Leader Status since 2010, holds the German state Grüner Knopf certification, uses bluesign-certified materials, pursues carbon neutrality across product lines, and operates the proprietary Green Shape label with evaluation criteria described as stricter than other certifications. The company is positioned in third-party industry sources alongside Patagonia and Cotopaxi as a benchmark for authentic ESG integration in outdoor gear, giving it regulatory and procurement advantages as EU supply-chain due-diligence rules tighten.
Vaude firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vaude
- Legal name
- VAUDE Sport GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://vaude.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- VAUDE is a German outdoor apparel and equipment manufacturer (founded 1974, Tettnang) producing sustainable clothing, backpacks, bicycle bags, tents, and sleeping bags for hiking, cycling, and alpine use cases, sold through DTC e-commerce, European dealer networks, and franchise operations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vaude industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Apparel and Equipment
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Apparel Manufacturing (315)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Camping, Hiking & Backpacking Gear Retail (CRAMAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE), Tents, Shelters & Sleep Systems Retail (CRAMAMAH), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC), Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI)
Keywords
Where Vaude is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tettnang
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vaude business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: VAUDE generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales via its e-commerce platform vaude.com, selling outdoor apparel, footwear, backpacks, bags, tents, sleeping bags, and accessories. The online shop serves multiple European countries with localized shopping experiences.
- Retail/Dealer Network: VAUDE sells through a network of physical retail dealers across Europe, with a dealer locator tool on the website enabling customers to find local stores. Includes franchise opportunities.
- Corporate Wear & Customization: VAUDE offers corporate wear and custom tailoring services for businesses, providing customized employee apparel through dedicated B2B shop and special order services.
- Second-Hand Sales: VAUDE operates a dedicated second-hand platform (secondhand.vaude.com) for reselling pre-owned VAUDE products, extending product lifecycle and supporting circular economy.
- VAUDE Academy: Academy for sustainable business practices, offering training and education services on sustainable economics and business practices.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Full-price outdoor apparel and equipment across all categories |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Second-hand and rental products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Vaude product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VAUDE develops, produces, and sells sustainable outdoor gear including performance clothing and casual apparel, backpacks, bicycle bags, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, cycling shoes, hydration systems, and accessories. The company distributes these products directly through its own multi-language e-commerce storefront and a second-hand resale platform, alongside European dealer stores, franchise partners, and a B2B corporate wear channel for customized employee apparel.
Product overview
VAUDE is a German outdoor equipment provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable outdoor apparel and gear. The core offering includes weather-resistant clothing (jackets, pants, shirts, fleece, insulation), cycling shoes, and equipment. Equipment products span backpacks (daypacks, hiking, cycling, trekking, ski touring), bicycle bags (panniers, handlebar, saddle, frame, bikepacking), tents (ultralight, camping, trekking), sleeping bags (down, synthetic), and sleeping mats. Accessories include hydration systems, first aid kits, and replacement parts. The brand operates a sub-brand architecture including Loamer (youth MTB), Moab (Enduro/All Mountain MTB), Qimsa (touring MTB), Kuro (gravel), Tekoa (alpine tours), Scopi (fast summer mountain tours), Croz (alpine tours), and Monviso (off-piste ski touring). VAUDE also offers repair services and a second-hand marketplace to support circularity. The company emphasizes PFAS-free water repellency, recycled materials, Fair Wear Foundation membership, and its proprietary Green Shape sustainability label.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Green Shape: VAUDE's sustainability label for products made from sustainable materials and environmentally responsible manufacturing.
- Eco Finish
Products and services
- Outdoor Clothing (Bekleidung) Weather-resistant jackets, pants, shirts, pullovers, vests, and functional underwear for women, men, and children, designed for outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, skiing, and mountaineering.
- Cycling Shoes (Radschuhe) Specialized footwear for cycling, including shoes for women and men designed for road cycling, mountain biking, and touring.
- Backpacks (Rucksäcke) Daypacks, hiking, cycling, travel, trekking, lightweight, touring, ski touring, and children's backpacks with various capacity and ergonomic features.
- Bicycle Bags (Fahrradtaschen) Pannier bags, handlebar bags, saddle bags, frame bags, and bikepacking bags designed for cycling touring and commuting.
- Tents (Zelte) Ultralight tents, camping tents, trekking tents, and auto tents for various outdoor overnight and multi-day adventures.
- Sleeping Bags and Mats (Schlafsäcke, Isomatten) Down sleeping bags, synthetic fiber sleeping bags, bivy sacks, sleeping mats, and sleep accessories for camping and trekking.
- Hydration Systems (Trinksysteme) 3-liter drinking bladders compatible with VAUDE backpacks, featuring PVC-free materials, plug-and-play connectors, and cleaning brushes.
- First Aid Kits (Erste Hilfe Sets) Compact and comprehensive first aid kits in S and M sizes made from 100% recycled material, suitable for hiking, biking, and outdoor activities.
- Accessories (Accessoires) Headwear, socks, gloves, gaiters, and other accessories for outdoor activities.
- Replacement Parts and Repair Service Replacement parts for camping equipment, bicycle bags, backpacks, bags, and clothing, plus repair services to extend product lifespan.
- VAUDE Second-Hand Marketplace Pre-owned VAUDE products available for purchase via the dedicated secondhand.vaude.com platform, supporting the circular economy and product lifecycle extension.
- Corporate Wear and B2B Customization Custom-tailored employee apparel for businesses via the dedicated B2B shop, offering customized corporate wear aligned with company sustainability commitments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Recycled materials from PET bottles save up to 50% energy and CO2 emissions compared to virgin polyester production
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Vaude
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Vaude technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Vaude partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fair Wear FoundationcoreVAUDE has been a member of Fair Wear Foundation since 2010 and holds Leader Status, demonstrating leadership in fair labor practices. The partnership focuses on ensuring fair wages, equal opportunities, and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain through systematic, partnership-based, and globally-minded approaches.
- BluesigncoreVAUDE products feature bluesign-certified materials, indicating responsible resource productivity, consumer safety, and minimal environmental impact throughout the manufacturing process.
- Hike-A-Way bvbaminorBelgian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Belgium.
- Sport Dinaco INC.minorCanadian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Canada.
- Fond of Good SARLminorFrench sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in France.
- Moon SRLminorItalian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Italy.
- BIOS ABminorSwedish sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Sweden.
- Spring PRminorUK public relations and media partner handling VAUDE press communications in the United Kingdom (Mountain category).
- Proloco Trade d.o.o.minorSlovenian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution (Bike category) in Slovenia.
- HydrapakcoreVAUDE includes Hydrapak drinking systems with their backpacks. Hydrapak bladders are reversible for easy and thorough cleaning, dishwasher safe, and represent industry-leading hydration solutions.
- DAV (German Alpine Club)coreVAUDE collaborates with DAV on athlete and adventure content projects, including documentary films featuring climbers and outdoor athletes, such as the '800 summits in Allgäu' project documenting mountaineering achievements.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vaude competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mammut: Swiss outdoor brand operating across apparel, backpacks, and technical equipment with a strong alpine heritage. Comparable in size, premium positioning, and emphasis on safety/performance, with a similar global wholesale + DTC model.
- Deuter: German backpack specialist with deep product overlap in hiking, trekking, cycling, and ski-touring packs. Closest functional peer in VAUDE's core backpack category.
- Jack Wolfskin: German mid-premium outdoor brand with comparable multi-category product mix (apparel, backpacks, footwear, tents) and similar European retail distribution. The closest like-for-like scale and positioning comparable to VAUDE.
- Fjällräven: Swedish outdoor heritage brand with strong sustainability credentials and a comparable focus on backpacks (Kånken), apparel, and outdoor lifestyle. Direct competitor in the European premium-sustainable outdoor segment.
- Mountain Equipment: UK-based technical outdoor brand with overlapping product range in insulated jackets, sleeping bags, and alpine/mountaineering apparel. Comparable mid-sized European competitor in technical categories.
- Ortlieb: German specialist in waterproof bicycle panniers and bikepacking bags. Directly competes with VAUDE's Fahrradtaschen line, the most distinctive technical sub-category in VAUDE's portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Arc'teryx: Premium technical outdoor brand owned by Amer Sports. Competes with VAUDE in technical jackets, alpine apparel, and packs at a higher price point and global scale.
- The North Face: Global outdoor incumbent (VF Corp) with broad product overlap across apparel, packs, tents, and sleeping systems. Represents the large-scale competitor VAUDE faces in European wholesale and DTC.
- Patagonia: Larger US-based outdoor brand widely cited alongside VAUDE as a sustainability benchmark. Overlaps in technical outdoor apparel, packs, and circular-economy programs, but operates at materially greater global scale.
Emerging players
- Cotopaxi: US-based sustainability-led outdoor brand frequently cited alongside VAUDE as a younger mission-driven peer. Overlaps in recycled-material apparel and packs, with a smaller but rapidly growing footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vaude social profiles
Digital presenceVaude compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Vaude financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vaude leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Vaude subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Vaude funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vaude M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vaude
What does Vaude do?
VAUDE develops, produces, and sells sustainable outdoor gear including performance clothing and casual apparel, backpacks, bicycle bags, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, cycling shoes, hydration systems, and accessories. The company distributes these products directly through its own multi-language e-commerce storefront and a second-hand resale platform, alongside European dealer stores, franchise partners, and a B2B corporate wear channel for customized employee apparel.
Is Vaude a public or private company?
Vaude is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Vaude founded?
Vaude was founded in 1974. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Vaude based?
Vaude is headquartered in Tettnang, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Vaude make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail/Dealer Network, corporate Wear & Customization, second-Hand Sales and VAUDE Academy.
Who are Vaude's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mammut, Deuter, Jack Wolfskin, Fjällräven, Mountain Equipment and Ortlieb. Broad incumbents are Arc'teryx, The North Face and Patagonia. Cotopaxi is listed as an emerging player.
Does Vaude have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vaude.
What industry is Vaude in?
Vaude's product category is Outdoor Apparel and Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAMAA, Camping, Hiking & Backpacking Gear Retail, with a secondary code of IMAOAHAE, Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels). Its NAICS code is 45911 and its SIC code is 3949.