Who is behind this?
Hi, i am Alex.
I'm an Engineer, long-distance hiker and the founder of WeitLäufer.
My goal is simple: I build the rucksacks that I always wished for on my own trips. Gear that is ultralight, well-thought-out and uncompromisingly functional. Gear that survives 1,000 kilometres and more without you having to handle it with kid gloves.
Until the first Agilist was sold.
My passion lies in long-distance trails. From the classic crossing of the Alps from Munich to Venice to my biggest project to date: the complete traverse of the Alpine arc from Vienna to Nice. That was 1,900 kilometres and over 100,000 metres of elevation gain in four months.
Before this trip I faced a problem. Standing at 1.97 metres tall and with my high standards for weight, I couldn't find a backpack on the market that fit me and met my requirements. The ultralight models were too fragile, barely available in Germany or ergonomically unfavourable. The robust ones were far too heavy.
So I did what I learned as an engineer. I sat down at the drawing board, at the sewing machine, and developed my own solution.
„When I arrived in Nice, I had worn through two pairs of shoes. The rucksack held up. At that moment I knew I had developed something with potential.“
Summer 2017, Côte d'Azur
Two of these prototypes accompanied us for the entire four months across the Alps. They scraped against rocks, got rained on and were loaded to the limit. This was followed by a year and a half of development work and 49 more prototypes, until I with the first Agilist was satisfied. In October 2018, the first small batch went online.
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Three things that in the design process are essential.
Our rucksacks are developed right here in the Black Forest. By hikers, for hikers.
Reduced to the essentials
What you don't need isn't there either. No extra straps, no double buckles, no features that only look good in the sales picture. What remains is well-made: few seams, well-thought-out cuts, materials that I've tested myself over thousands of kilometres.
Designed for long-haul
When you're out and about with a rucksack day after day, you shouldn't feel it and you shouldn't have to keep thinking about it either. The outer pockets are positioned so that you can reach them while walking. The fastener opens even with cold fingers. And yes, the backpack should also look good.
Repair, don't replace
A WeitLäufer is designed to last you for years, not just a few seasons. If a seam comes apart after 3,000 kilometres, send it to me. I repair them myself, here in the lab. And take every repair as information into the next design.
Where the heart lies remains of the brand.
From the initial sketch to dispatch: 4 out of 5 steps take place directly at the WeitLäufer Lab site in Emmendingen. Only the production of the Ultra 200X takes place at the site where the specialised taping machines are located.
Every detail arises from a problem on the trail. The features are then developed right at the cutting room.
Laboratory EmmendingenUltra 200X, X-Pac, UX10, DCF. We test, compare and make an informed choice.
Laboratory EmmendingenHigh-tech taping machines are required for taped Ultra 200X seams.
Vietnamese manufacturingEvery single rucksack is tested in the lab before it goes out.
Laboratory EmmendingenWe ship ourselves. And we repair ourselves, even after years on the trail.
Laboratory EmmendingenFrom DIY project to Companion for your adventures.
Birth of an idea
What began as an experiment became a guiding light: in the summer of 2016, I sewed my first ever backpack out of a blue IKEA FRAKTA bag. Simple, lightweight and without any unnecessary frills. What was intended as a pragmatic DIY project quickly turned out to be Prototype with potential.
From Vienna to the Côte d'Azur
From 24th May to 8th September, my girlfriend and I traversed the Alps on foot in 107 days, from the Vienna Woods to the French Mediterranean coast. 1,900 km, 100,000 metres of elevation gain, two pairs of shoes. This tour laid the foundations for WeitLäufer’s philosophy.
Launch of the first Agilist
On 17 October 2018, the first Agilist is now officially online. 37 litres, X-Pac VX21, minimalist design. It had taken a year and a half and 49 prototypes to get to this point. The first small production run consisted of 15 handcrafted items, which sold out in no time. There appears to be a growing demand for well-designed, lightweight kit that goes beyond mass production.
New Studio & the Minimalist
Moving into the new studio in Emmendingen marked the beginning of a new phase: more capacity, room for development. In the very same year, the Minimalist. 30 litres, from 356 g base weight, designed for day tours and hut-to-hut traverses.
Product maintenance with new features
Taking user feedback into account, Agilist and Minimalist have been further developed: Daisy chains, elasticated base pocket, improved side pockets. Unspectacular, but consistent. And more practical for long tours.
Material experiment with ECOPAK Ultra200
In its search for lighter materials, WeitLäufer carried out its first tests ECOPAK Ultra200 as the main material for the Agilist. A laminate with exceptionally low weight and high tear resistance.
Agilist Model 2024
The 2024 model brought several innovations: outer material made of 100 % recycled X-Pac RX15, newly designed hand pocket, significantly improved elastic external pockets. More storage space, better accessibility.
Three new models in one year
A year of expansion: In May the Trailist, the first running backpack for fast, minimalist multi-day tours. In July the Endurist, a configurable trekking rucksack with a large volume. In October the Custom Agilist, already individually configured from the factory.
Agilist 2026: Ultra 200X & taped seams
With the Agilist 2026, we are taking materials and workmanship to a whole new level. Main material: Ultra 200X. Lighter and more tear-resistant than VX21. The seams are for the first time taped. Weather protection that is unachievable with conventional sewing construction. For the pure manufacturing, we work together with a high-tech ultralight pack manufacturer in Vietnam. Over 10 %: lighter, better protected, cheaper. Evolution instead of compromise.
More about the Agilist 2026
Come along, whether you're planning your first overnighter in the Harz or tackling the PCT. I want your gear to be the last thing you have to worry about.
Happy Hiking.
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