The VAUDE History

From a one-man business to one of Europe's leading outdoor brands! As a pioneer in the outdoor industry, VAUDE has been combining sustainable innovation with a closeness to nature for five decades, from pioneering backpack developments to becoming a full-range supplier of environmentally friendly outdoor equipment made from recycled materials and circular economy business models. Read more.

VAUDE develops the single-origin, recyclable RETHINK products made from recycled PET polyester, which are recycled back into textiles at the end of their life cycle. As a pioneer, VAUDE is thus taking another major step towards a circular economy.

30 % less emissions

VAUDE was able to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in 2023 compared to the base year 2019, while company sales increased by 32 percent in the same period. VAUDE has thus succeeded in decoupling resource consumption from corporate growth. Read more about this.

PFAS-free

Since 2021, all VAUDE materials for clothing, backpacks and shoes have been completely PFAS-free. VAUDE has been voluntarily committed to switching to environmentally friendly PFAS-free alternatives for many years, without any legal requirements. As a pioneer and trailblazer, the outdoor brand shows that it is possible to make functional outdoor products PFAS-free, water and dirt repellent.

Founding of the VAUDE Academy

Founding of the VAUDE Academy for Sustainable Business, which supports other companies with sound expertise in making their organizations sustainable and fit for the future.

The "Green Button" is introduced

The Grüner Knopf (Green Button), the first state seal for socially and ecologically produced textiles, is introduced. VAUDE is the only outdoor company to receive the Grüner Knopf for a large part of its product range. The strict criteria of the company's own label "Green Shape" 

For our climate: Science Based Targets

VAUDE has set itself ambitious, science-based targets for the future climate-neutral production of all its products worldwide. VAUDE intends to use these do its part toward limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees in accordance with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Read more about the company VAUDE.

VAUDE founds an Upcycling Workshop

New products are made out of material remnants from the VAUDE Manufaktur by refugees who are permanent employees – a successful project for integration and sustainability.

The newly built VAUDE Manufaktur production facility at the company headquarters in Tettnang begins operation, helping VAUDE to expand its Made in Germany production which includes high quality panniers and bags. Production in this facility is 100% climate neutral as well as EMAS and bluesign certified. Discover Made in Germany bags and packs.

VAUDE signs the Greenpeace Detox Commitment agreeing to eliminate all harmful substances from the entire supply chain and manufacture its entire collection completely PFC-free (without fluorocarbons) by 2020 at the latest.

Inauguration of the sustainably renovated company building.

In 2015, VAUDE reached the highest possible performance category as "Leader". This status is attained when companies have at least 90% of their total production manufactured in facilities that are monitored in accordance with FWF requirements.

Green Shape is your VAUDE guarantee for environmentally-friendly products – made from sustainable materials and resource-conserving manufacturing. 

Albrecht von Dewitz’ daughter Antje von Dewitz takes over Company Management at VAUDE.

VAUDE becomes an official partner of the German Alpine Association (DAV).

Opening of the company's own VAUDE Kinderhaus, which supports employees in balancing work and family life.

Watch Kinderhaus-Website here (in german).

VAUDE moves the company headquarters to Obereisenbach in Southern Germany, dedicating its new building, which has since then been continuously expanded, adapting to the growing company.

Albrecht von Dewitz founds the company VAUDE, which sells mountain sports equipment and produces its own backpacks.

Albrecht von Dewitz founds the company VAUDE, which sells mountain sports equipment and produces its own backpacks.

VAUDE moves the company headquarters to Obereisenbach in Southern Germany, dedicating its new building, which has since then been continuously expanded, adapting to the growing company.

Opening of the company's own VAUDE Kinderhaus, which supports employees in balancing work and family life.

Watch Kinderhaus-Website here (in german).

VAUDE becomes an official partner of the German Alpine Association (DAV).

Albrecht von Dewitz’ daughter Antje von Dewitz takes over Company Management at VAUDE.

Green Shape is your VAUDE guarantee for environmentally-friendly products – made from sustainable materials and resource-conserving manufacturing. Read more here klimaneutralen Firma VAUDE.

The WWF Germany and VAUDE seal a wide-ranging cooperation in environmental protection.

The VAUDE company headquarters and all products manufactured there are climate neutral. Read more about the Climate neutral company VAUDE.

In 2015, VAUDE reached the highest possible performance category as "Leader". This status is attained when companies have at least 90% of their total production manufactured in facilities that are monitored in accordance with FWF requirements.

Inauguration of the sustainably renovated company building.

VAUDE signs the Greenpeace Detox Commitment agreeing to eliminate all harmful substances from the entire supply chain and manufacture its entire collection completely PFC-free (without fluorocarbons) by 2020 at the latest.

The newly built VAUDE Manufaktur production facility at the company headquarters in Tettnang begins operation, helping VAUDE to expand its Made in Germany production which includes high quality panniers and bags. Production in this facility is 100% climate neutral as well as EMAS and bluesign certified. Discover Made in Germany bags and packs.

VAUDE founds an Upcycling Workshop

New products are made out of material remnants from the VAUDE Manufaktur by refugees who are permanent employees – a successful project for integration and sustainability.

The "Green Button" is introduced

The Grüner Knopf (Green Button), the first state seal for socially and ecologically produced textiles, is introduced. VAUDE is the only outdoor company to receive the Grüner Knopf for a large part of its product range. The strict criteria of the company's own label "Green Shape" 

For our climate: Science Based Targets

VAUDE has set itself ambitious, science-based targets for the future climate-neutral production of all its products worldwide. VAUDE intends to use these do its part toward limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees in accordance with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Read more about the Climate neutral company VAUDE.

Founding of the VAUDE Academy

Founding of the VAUDE Academy for Sustainable Business, which supports other companies with sound expertise in making their organizations sustainable and fit for the future.

VAUDE and all VAUDE products are climate-neutral

The emissions arising from mobility, materials, manufacturing, and shipping are analyzed and systematically reduced. Emissions that are currently unavoidable are fully offset through the independent non-profit organization myclimate. Read more about our Climate neutral company VAUDE.