Gold Winner In The Category Multisports
Backpacks for active outdoor use must balance weight, weather resistance, and adaptability – demands that become especially relevant in alpine, water, or multi-day scenarios. The Ortlieb Packman competes in the category of waterproof technical backpacks, a segment where performance standards are high and the range of competing products is broad. It has been recognised as a winner of the European Outdoor Award.
The Packman is an IP64-waterproof, modular outdoor backpack available in two volumes (23L and 35L). Its core function is to provide a weather-sealed carrying system with adjustable ergonomics and a configurable accessory architecture. The product is manufactured in Germany and incorporates a proprietary back suspension system and Ortlieb’s TIDURA® fabric, coated in-house with TPU using German-sourced granules. As a European Outdoor Award winner, it stands out for its integrated design approach and supply chain transparency.
What convinced the jury:
★ Well-Engineered Suspension System
The two-way adjustable shoulder straps combined with the injection-moulded suspension system ensure an ergonomic fit for a wide range of body types, while remaining breathable and easy to clean.
★ In-House Fabric & Production
The TIDURA® core fabric is woven in Europe and coated with TPU directly at Ortlieb’s Heilsbronn facility. The backpack, suspension system, and all major plastic components (except buckles) are manufactured on site, giving Ortlieb direct control over quality and durability.
★ Modular Accessory Compatibility
The backpack supports a configurable system of accessories – including compression straps, rope attachment straps, gear attachment kits, and exterior pockets – and is cross-compatible with other Ortlieb backpacks.
Jury Statement:
The Packman is a coherent system in which materials, manufacturing, and ergonomics are genuinely integrated – not assembled from off-the-shelf components. That level of supply chain control is rare in this category.
Product Scoring:
Made in Germany as a Design Principle
Rated 66% for innovation by the jury – not because it reinvents the belay device, but because it adds an intelligent layer on top of existing systems. The three-step braking cam adjusts support depending on the situation, reducing hard catches and belayer lift-off without removing the dynamic feel that makes climbing fluid.
The two-point shoulder strap adjustment provides ergonomic fit precision across different body types without adding hardware complexity. The modular accessory system extends the product’s functional range without altering the core architecture. The jury’s innovation score reflects meaningful, applied innovation in materials and manufacturing rather than conceptual novelty.
Product Specifications:
- Volumes: 23L / 35L
- Weight: 23L approx. 1,000 g / 35L approx. 1,200 g
- Waterproofing: IP64
- Load limit: 16 kg
- Colours: Black, Dark-Sand, Yellow, Lipstick-Red
- Retail price: €190 (23L) / €210 (35L)
- Made in: Germany (Heilsbronn)
- Guarantee: 5 years
OrtliebOrtliebDesign & Materials
The Packman is built around a fabricless back suspension system – all structural elements are injection-moulded plastic, which makes the system lighter, more cleanable, and free of fabric wear points. The shoulder straps are adjustable at two positions, ensuring that the padded section and chest strap remain correctly positioned regardless of the wearer’s build.
Materials:
- Outer fabric: TIDURA® core – woven in Europe, PU-coated in-house at Heilsbronn using German TPU granules and 100% green electricity
- Plastic components: PE (some glass-fibre reinforced) and POM; injection-moulded locally in Heilsbronn
- Straps: PP webbing
- Seams: High-frequency welded (no stitching on load-bearing seams
Features:
- Waterproof hydration tube port
- Modular accessory system: compression straps, rope attachment strap, gear attachment kit, exterior pockets
- Cross-compatible with other Ortlieb backpack accessories
- Fabricless back suspension: breathable, easy to clean, no fabric wear points
Sustainability:
33% of materials sourced from Franconia, 70% from Germany. Production at the Heilsbronn site operates entirely on green electricity. Manufacturing follows lean principles with upcycling of residues and reduced water and chemical consumption. Replacement parts are guaranteed for at least 10 years. Ortlieb’s internal repair rate averages 29%, with bags averaging 15 years at time of first repair. A customer survey of 622 participants found an average Ortlieb bag age of 11.3 years; bags over 30 and even 40 years old are regularly returned for repair.
Intended Usage
The Packman is designed for use across a wide range of active outdoor contexts:
- Hiking and trekking
- Camping
- Water sports: kayaking, canoeing, SUP
- Climbing
- Winter and snow sports
- Fishing and hunting
- Bushcraft
- Travel to humid or wet climates
Target group: Active users who require durable, weather-resistant gear and value both ergonomic adaptability and short production supply chains. The two-point adjustable suspension system makes the backpack suitable for a wide range of body types and sizes.
