Who is behind this?
Hi, i am Alex.
I am Engineer, long-distance hiker and the founder of WeitLäufer.
My goal is simple: I build the backpacks I always wished I had for my own trips. Gear that is ultra-lightweight, well-considered, and uncompromisingly functional. Gear that will survive 1,000 kilometres and more without you having to handle it with kid gloves.
Until the first Agilist was sold.
My passion is for long trails. From the classic Munich-Venice Alpine crossing 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 tour, I faced a problem. With my height of 1.97 metres and my requirements for weight, I couldn't find a rucksack on the market that fit me and met my needs. The ultralight models were too fragile, barely available in Germany, or ergonomically unsuitable. The robust ones were far too heavy.
So I did what I learned as an engineer. I sat at the drawing board, at the sewing machine, and developed my own solution.
„When I arrived in Nice, I had two pairs of shoes. The backpack held up. In that moment, I knew I had developed something with potential.“
Summer 2017, Côte d'Azur
Two of these prototypes accompanied us through the Alps for the entire four months. They scraped past rocks, got rained on, and were loaded to their limits. This was followed by a year and a half of development work and 49 more prototypes, until 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.
Reduced to the essentials
What you don't need isn't there either. No extra straps, no redundant buckles, no features that only look good in the promotional photos. What remains is well-made: few seams, thoughtful cuts, materials that I've used myself over thousands of kilometres.
Designed for long-haul
When you're out and about with your rucksack day after day, you shouldn't feel it or constantly have to think about it. The outside pockets are positioned so you can reach them while walking. The closure 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 for the next design.
Where the heart is remains of the brand.
From the first 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 backpack is checked 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 started as an experiment became a signpost: In the summer of 2016, I sewed my first own backpack from a blue IKEA FRAKTA bag. Simple, light, 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 24 May to 8 September, my girlfriend and I traversed the Alps in 107 days, on foot, 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 the WeitLäufer 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 at all. There appears to be a growing demand for well-designed, lightweight kit that goes beyond mass production.
New Studio & the Minimalist
The move to the new studio in Emmendingen marked the beginning of a new phase: more capacity, room for development. That 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. Not spectacular, 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 new features: outer material made of 100 % recyceltem X-Pac RX15, neu designte Eingrifftasche, deutlich verbesserte elastische Außentaschen. Mehr Stauraum, bessere Zugänglichkeit.
Drei neue Modelle in einem Jahr
Ein Jahr voller Erweiterung: Im Mai der Trailist, der erste Laufrucksack für schnelle, minimalistische Mehrtagestouren. Im Juli der Endurist, ein konfigurierbarer Trekkingrucksack mit großem Volumen. Im Oktober der Custom Agilist, bereits ab Werk individuell angepasst.
Agilist 2026: Ultra 200X & getapte Nähte
Mit dem Agilist 2026 erreichen wir ein neues Niveau in Material und Verarbeitung. Hauptmaterial: Ultra 200X. Leichter und reißfester als VX21. Die Nähte sind erstmals taped. Ein Wetterschutz, der mit konventioneller Nähkonstruktion nicht erreichbar ist. Für die reine Fertigung arbeiten wir mit einer High-Tech Ultralight Pack Manufaktur in Vietnam zusammen. Über 10 % leichter, besser geschützt, günstiger. Evolution statt Kompromiss.
Mehr zum Agilist 2026
Komm dazu, egal ob du deinen ersten Overnighter im Harz planst oder den PCT in Angriff nimmst. Ich möchte, dass deine Ausrüstung das Letzte ist, worüber du dir Sorgen machen musst.
Happy Hiking.
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