Kelty

1956 - Kelty Full time

Dick Kelty quits his carpentry business to focus on Kelty Packs full-time. He buys an old barber shop and opens his first retail store and "factory" in Glendale, California.

1954 - Sales more than double

Sales increase to 220 packs this year.

1953 - Sales Triple

Kelty sells 90 back packs.

1952 - The Beginning

After several years of making packs in his home garage for friends, Dick sells 29 packs in his first year of business for 24 dollars each. Dick hand-forms and welds each of the frames, and his wife, Nena, sews each of the pack bags. Kelty packs first include aircraft-aluminum contoured frames, padded shoulder straps, waist belts, clevis-pin attachment of pack bags, nylon pack cloth, zippered pockets, hold-open frames, and nylon back bands. The first shoulder straps were produced using wool carpeting for padding. The original clevis pins were made from aircraft rivets.

1969 - Non Green Packs

The new BB5 pack is introduced in red with a large main compartment and five outside pockets. Kelty also brings to market the air mattress, camp pillow, nylon-covered sleeping pad, and rain poncho.

1966 - Antarctica expedition

Kelty packs are used on the National Geographic Antarctica expedition.

1965 - Rain Covers

Backpack rain covers are introduced.

1963 - Mt. Everest expedition

Kelty packs are used exclusively on the first American ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest.

1978 - Waterproof/breathable clothing

Kelty produces their first Gore-Tex clothing. Introduction of six new models of daypacks and the first adjustable-frame kids' packs, the 4/C and 4/D.

1977 - 25th Anniversary

Kelty celebrates its 25th anniversary and introduces the Sonora frame pack, a full-feature pack featuring a front- and top-opening main compartment.

1975 - First Kelty clothing

Kelty introduces down-insulated jackets and special-make-up, Kelty-labeled down sleeping bags. Kelty packs are used on the American ascent of K2.

1974 - Internal frame pack

Kelty introduces its first internal frame packs, the Ruck Sack; the Haul Pack; and the "Tour Pack," which sells for 49 dollars. Down booties and dog packs are also added. Standard D-4 and A-4 external frame packs get padded waist belts.

1973 - "Full-feature" packs

Kelty introduces the Tioga and Serac packs, the first new designs since the early 1950's. The new packs feature a fully padded, one-piece waistbelt, larger-capacity bag, covered zippers, waterproof fabric, and a new cam-lock buckle. The Serac features a covered sleeping bag compartment. Additional daypacks are also added to the line.

1971 - Daypacks

Kelty produces two models of daypacks.

1988 - Radial Pack

Kelty introduces the radically designed Radial external frame pack and the Windfoil series of tents. The 1988 catalog was produced in support of the World Wildlife Fund.

1987 - First women's catalog

Kelty produces its first women's-specific catalog, highlighting internal and external packs, along with sleeping bags designed for women.

1982 - Dick Kelty's Signature 30th Anniversary Pack

An anniversary pack is introduced, featuring Dick's embroidered signature on the label, complete with rain cover and fanny pack. The first Kelty travel-pack series, synthetic sleeping bags, and tents are all introduced.

1981 - Kelty Luggage

Eleven pieces of luggage are introduced. Now six styles of internal frame packs and eight styles of external frame packs are in the Kelty line. The color blue is added to the pack line.

1998 - Pangaea Travel

The Pangaea line of travel packs, luggage and accessories is launched. Kelty moves its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado.

1996 - Grateful Dead

Through a licensing agreement, Kelty produces a line of Grateful Dead products, including a day pack, a fanny pack, and a leather briefcase. A diaper day pack and accessory items are added to the KIDS line.

1994 - Kid Carriers

The child carrier line expands to three carriers. The Panda, Koala and Kangaroo all featured Safety, Comfort and Ease of Use.

1990 - Family camping

Kelty enters the family camping business with rectangular sleeping bags and family-sized tents.

2005 - Camouflage

Kelty adds camouflage fabric to internal, external, and daypacks.

2002 - 50th Anniversary Pack

Kelty commemorates its 50th anniversary with a special-edition frame pack. The KIDS line introduces a completely redesigned line of kid carriers and accessories.

2001 - Hydration Packs and Jogging Strollers

Kelty's first hydration packs are produced. These new pack come with bladders included. The KIDS line is expanded with three new models of jogging strollers.

2000 - Clothing

Kelty introduces a new complete line of clothing including mountain wear, rain wear, wind wear, down-filled and fleece.

2012 - 60 Years of Kelty

Line of Vinage Packs and 60th Anniversary Pack intoduced.