ABS Protection
ABS Protection is the original inventor and German manufacturer of avalanche airbag backpacks, serving backcountry skiers, ski tourers, mountain rescue services, and military customers across the DACH region with electronic, mechanical, and pyrotechnic airbag systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersGarching Bei München, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ABS Protection does
ABS Protection (legal entity: ABS Sports + Protection GmbH & Co. KG), headquartered in Isny im Allgäu, Germany, is the original inventor and manufacturer of avalanche airbag systems for backcountry winter sports. Founded in 1980 by Peter Aschauer after acquiring the patent from Josef Hohenester, ABS presented the first fully functional avalanche airbag at ISPO in 1985 and has since become the category-defining brand, with 50,000+ systems produced by 2015. The company operates a multi-technology platform spanning three distinct activation mechanisms — electronic (Alpride E2), mechanical (EASY.TECH), and pyrotechnic (SOLID) — all built around the patented TwinBag dual-airbag system providing 7,240 cm² of surface area (largest on market) and 3-4 second inflation.
The product portfolio centers on three backpack lines: VOLTAGE (electronic Alpride E2 system, €1,260-€1,320), VARIO (mechanical EASY.TECH, €710-€770), and the A.LIGHT series (lightweight touring-focused). The modular ZipOn system lets users swap pack volumes (10L-40L) on a single base unit, creating a captive accessory and consumable ecosystem (cartridges €149, refills from €34, service from €79). ABS monetizes through direct-to-consumer e-commerce at abs-airbag.com shipping from Dingolfing to EU and Switzerland, supplemented by a dealer network and the ABS Inside OEM program for third-party integration. Recurring revenue stems from cartridge refills, service, and accessories. Customers include recreational ski tourers and freeriders (primary segment), plus institutional accounts — mountain rescue organizations (Bergwacht Bayern, Bergrettung Tirol/Salzburg), Austrian Alpine Police, and military (Armasuisse, Norwegian Armed Forces).
Ownership is private: ABS was acquired by Spin Capital in 2017 (Dr. Stefan Mohr appointed CEO) and became part of the EDELRID Group in 2022, combining competencies in mountain sports product development and distribution. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
ABS Protection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ABS Protection
- Legal name
- ABS Sports + Protection GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://abs-airbag.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ABS Protection is the original inventor and German manufacturer of avalanche airbag backpacks, serving backcountry skiers, ski tourers, mountain rescue services, and military customers across the DACH region with electronic, mechanical, and pyrotechnic airbag systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ABS Protection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Avalanche Safety Equipment
- NAICS
- Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ski Touring / Backcountry & Avalanche Safety Retail (AT Gear, Skins, Beacons, Probes, Shovels, Airbags) (CRAMAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climbing & Mountaineering Gear Retail (CRAMAAAB), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI)
Keywords
Where ABS Protection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Garching Bei München
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ABS Protection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales (Avalanche Backpacks): ABS generates revenue primarily through the sale of avalanche backpacks and base units. Products include VOLTAGE, VARIO, A.LIGHT E, A.LIGHT TOUR, and A.LIGHT GO series, priced between €710 and €1,320 depending on model and size.
- Accessories and Consumables: Sale of accessories including ZipOn packs (€80-€140), carbon cartridges (€149), triggering handles (€25), and replacement/refill parts.
- Service and Refurbishment: Refill services for carbon and steel cartridges (from €34), full service large (€79-€109), and upgrade options. Extended warranty program available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VOLTAGE Set with Alpride E2 electronic system, sizes 10L to 40L |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VARIO Set with Easy.Tech mechanical system, sizes 10L to 40L |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Service Large, Refill, and Upgrade options |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cartridges and Triggering Components |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Safety and Accessory Products |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adventure and Touring Backpacks |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
ABS Protection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ABS Protection designs, manufactures, and sells avalanche airbag backpacks for winter sports safety. The product portfolio includes three activation technologies—electronic (Alpride E2), mechanical (EASY.TECH), and pyrotechnic (SOLID)—built around the patented TwinBag dual-airbag system, paired with a modular Zip-On volume system ranging from 10L to 40L. Supporting offerings include safety accessories, cartridges, and service/refurbishment.
Product overview
ABS Protection (ABS Sports + Protection GmbH & Co. KG) is a German company based in Isny, founded in 1985, specializing in avalanche safety equipment. The core product portfolio centers on three main avalanche backpack lines: VOLTAGE (electric Alpride E2 system), VARIO (mechanical EASY.TECH system), and A.LIGHT (lightweight touring-focused). These utilize the patented TwinBags dual-airbag technology with 7,240 cm² surface area. The modular ZipOn system allows volume customization from 10L to 40L. Supporting products include safety equipment (shovels, first aid kits, emergency bivis, trekking poles, snowshoes) and adventure backpacks (RIFT, A.RISE). The company operates under the EDELRID Group since 2022.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VOLTAGE: Electric avalanche backpack with Alpride E2 system and Zip-On compatibility. Available in 10L, 18L, 30L, and 40L capacities.
- VARIO
- A.LIGHT
- RIFT
- A.RISE
- A.SSURE
- A.BOVE
- A.LONG
Products and services
- VOLTAGE Set Alpride E2
Quantifiable outcome
- TwinBag system provides 7,240 cm2 surface area — largest on the market
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ABS Protection
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ABS Protection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ABS Protection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bergwacht Bayern (Bavarian Mountain Rescue)coreBergwacht Bayern is a core rescue partner of ABS, using avalanche safety equipment for mountain rescue operations in Bavaria.
- Bergrettung Tirol (Tyrol Mountain Rescue)coreBergrettung Tirol collaborated with ABS on developing avalanche rescue content including first aid procedures and emergency management guidelines.
- Bergrettung SalzburgcoreSalzburg mountain rescue service partner using ABS avalanche safety equipment.
- Alpinpolizei (Austrian Alpine Police)coreThe Austrian Alpine Police uses ABS avalanche safety equipment for alpine safety operations.
- Armasuisse (Swiss Defence Procurement Agency)minorSwiss government defense procurement agency that equips military personnel with avalanche safety gear.
- Norwegian Armed ForcesminorNorwegian military equipped with avalanche safety equipment.
- AlpinwerkstattcoreAlpine workshop partner offering avalanche safety courses and education. ABS refers customers to Alpinwerkstatt for professional avalanche safety training and LVS courses.
- Géraldine Fasnacht (Freeride Athlete)minorProfessional freeride athlete who collaborated with ABS in 2019 to develop a new avalanche backpack integrating a certified climbing harness, resulting in the S.CAPE product.
- CMH HeliskiingminorCMH Heliskiing is a heliski operator partner.
- Edelrid GroupcoreABS became part of the Edelrid Group in 2022. Both companies see the bundling of competencies in developing and producing high-quality mountain sports products as a strategic expansion of market opportunities and safety for mountain sports enthusiasts.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ABS Protection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Black Diamond Equipment: Owns the JetForce electronic avalanche airbag system and Pieps avalanche safety beacons, directly competing with ABS in both consumer and professional/rescue markets across North America and Europe.
- ARVA: French avalanche safety specialist offering the Reactor avalanche airbag backpack and companion beacons, probes, and shovels; competes with ABS in the European alpine safety market.
- Mammut Sports Group: Swiss outdoor brand offering the Protection Airbag System and removable avalanche airbag backpacks (e.g., Mammut Ultralight). Directly competes with ABS in the same ski touring and freeride customer segment.
- Alpride: Swiss developer of the Alpride E2 electronic airbag system used in ABS's VOLTAGE line. Operates as both a technology supplier and a competing airbag pack brand, making it a peer in the underlying airbag technology.
- Backcountry Access (BCA): North American specialist offering the Float avalanche airbag system and complementary safety gear (beacons, shovels, probes). Competes head-to-head with ABS for backcountry skiers, especially in North America.
- Ortovox: German Alpine brand selling the AVABAG modular avalanche airbag system plus companion safety equipment, directly competing with ABS across the DACH ski touring market.
- Scott Sports: Offers the Patrol E1 electronic avalanche airbag backpack series and ski touring packs, competing directly with ABS's VOLTAGE and A.LIGHT product lines.
Broad incumbents
- Deuter Sport: German backpack manufacturer with broad hiking, mountaineering, and ski touring ranges. Competes with ABS for non-airbag adventure backpack customers and in the DACH retail channel.
- Osprey Packs: Established backpack specialist with a broader outdoor/travel portfolio; competes indirectly with ABS in the adventure backpack category (RIFT, A.RISE) and increasingly in airbag-equipped packs.
Others
- Komperdell: Austrian back protector and trekking pole maker that has been an integrated partner with ABS since 2012, supplying certified back protectors for the Vario Base-Unit and selling poles under ABS's A.LONG line. Comparable as a complementary safety/mountain sports equipment maker.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ABS Protection social profiles
Digital presenceABS Protection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ABS Protection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ABS Protection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ABS Protection M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ABS Protection
What does ABS Protection do?
ABS Protection designs, manufactures, and sells avalanche airbag backpacks for winter sports safety. The product portfolio includes three activation technologies—electronic (Alpride E2), mechanical (EASY.TECH), and pyrotechnic (SOLID)—built around the patented TwinBag dual-airbag system, paired with a modular Zip-On volume system ranging from 10L to 40L. Supporting offerings include safety accessories, cartridges, and service/refurbishment.
Is ABS Protection a public or private company?
ABS Protection is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ABS Protection founded?
ABS Protection was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ABS Protection based?
ABS Protection is headquartered in Garching Bei München, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does ABS Protection make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales (Avalanche Backpacks) is the primary driver. The others are accessories and Consumables and service and Refurbishment.
Who are ABS Protection's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Black Diamond Equipment, ARVA, Mammut Sports Group, Alpride, Backcountry Access (BCA), Ortovox and Scott Sports. Broad incumbents are Deuter Sport and Osprey Packs. Komperdell is listed as an others.
Does ABS Protection have an API?
No public API is recorded for ABS Protection.
What industry is ABS Protection in?
ABS Protection's product category is Avalanche Safety Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAJAD, Ski Touring / Backcountry & Avalanche Safety Retail (AT Gear, Skins, Beacons, Probes, Shovels, Airbags), with a secondary code of CRAMAAAB, Climbing & Mountaineering Gear Retail. Its NAICS code is 45911 and its SIC code is 3949.