Vaude

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.

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

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

• Outdoor apparel
• Hiking gear
• Cycling bags
• Sustainable backpacks
• Performance tents

Headquarters

HQ city

Tettnang

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. VAUDE Academy: Academy for sustainable business practices, offering training and education services on sustainable economics and business practices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fair Wear FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAUDE 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.
• BluesigncoreTechnology or IntegrationVAUDE products feature bluesign-certified materials, indicating responsible resource productivity, consumer safety, and minimal environmental impact throughout the manufacturing process.
• Hike-A-Way bvbaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Belgium.
• Sport Dinaco INC.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Canada.
• Fond of Good SARLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in France.
• Moon SRLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Italy.
• BIOS ABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwedish sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution in Sweden.
• Spring PRminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK public relations and media partner handling VAUDE press communications in the United Kingdom (Mountain category).
• Proloco Trade d.o.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovenian sales partner handling VAUDE product distribution (Bike category) in Slovenia.
• HydrapakcoreTechnology or IntegrationVAUDE 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAUDE 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/VaudeSport
• Facebookfacebook.com/VAUDE.Sport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vaude
• Instagraminstagram.com/vaudesport
• TikToktiktok.com/@vaudesport
• Xx.com/vaude_sport

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vaude