Founder Friday Series: How Aarn Packs and Luxefly Are Redefining Adventure Essentials
Innovation often stems from simply rethinking the basics.
Aarn Packs and Luxefly are two brands doing just that—redefining comfort and quality for adventurers. In this entry to our Founder Friday Series, we spotlight Aarn Packs and their revolutionary Balance Pockets and Luxefly Basecamp’s gourmet trail meals crafted with premium, locally-sourced ingredients. These companies are proving that even the smallest details can elevate the outdoor experience.
Daniel Farber, Aarn Packs
Aarn Packs may look strange at first glance. With two large pockets on the front straps they stand out from every other backpacking design on the market. But therein lies the genius of this company that came out of Australia and is now based in New Zealand. Thanks to those two front pouches, which hold significantly more than just a phone or a water bottle, the pack weight is distributed more evenly, which takes pressure off the user’s shoulders and lower back and instead sends it to their hips and down their legs.
“Not a week goes by without us getting a message from someone in the world thanking us for changing their life,” said Daniel Farber, one of the company co-owners. “It’s pretty remarkable, and we can see why word of mouth was enough marketing for 20 years.” Not all the packs come with the front pouches, which are called Balance Pockets, but they can be added afterward and come in a variety of sizes. The company’s hero product is the Featherlight Freedom Pro, a 50/55-liter ultralight pack that comes with a highly adjustable harness and works well with Sports Balance Pockets for the ultimate, locked-in and balanced fit. “Jam as much stuff as you can in the front pockets and then go hiking and just feel the difference,” Farber said.
Sara Willis, Luxefly Basecamp
Sara Willis has opened nine restaurants during her long career as chef so she knows what good food tastes like. That’s why she was so appalled the first time she tried a freeze-dried camping meal. “I ate a terrible meal on trail and had never tried one before so the creative and entrepreneurial ideas immediately started flowing,” she said. What she came up with is Luxefly, her own brand of premium trail meals that elevate ingredients and taste.
Everything is organic and non-GMO, and all the meats are free-range and locally-sourced from Oregon where the company is based. The menu is broad, with recipes that range from beef barbacoa tacos to banh mi curry for dinner, and huevos rancheros to french toast for breakfast. Some pouches come in as low as $12, while others, like filet mignon beef stroganoff cost $28. But Willis says you get what you pay for in terms of ingredients and taste. “We are top of the line and if you’re looking for a premium brand and you care about what goes in your body then Luxefly is for you,” she says.
Why These Founders Matter
Founders like these demonstrate what happens when founders listen to the needs of the outdoor community and respond with thoughtful, human-centered design. For retailers, these brands represent the kind of innovation your customers crave: practical solutions that enhance functionality, ease of use, and quality of life outdoors.
Ready to stock products that make a difference? Discover more innovative brands like these at Outdoor Retailer, where the next generation of outdoor solutions comes to life.