VDBS and Ortovox Expand Long-Standing Partnership

In a move that promises to further elevate technical alpine equipment design, the German Mountain and Ski Guides Association (VDBS) and mountain sports specialist Ortovox have officially expanded their long-running premium partnership to cover backpacks.

The new agreement broadens a collaboration that has been in place since 2010, integrating real-world mountain expertise directly into Ortovox’s product development pipeline. The milestone was sealed by Stefan Kohlbauer, Managing Director of Ortovox, and VDBS President Michael Schott.

From Field Testing to Product Innovation

Since 2010, the partnership between Ortovox and the VDBS has focused on developing high-level training materials, digital learning resources, and maintaining a constant feedback loop between mountain professionals and product engineers.

Under the expanded agreement, Ortovox will now equip all four VDBS training teams with technical backpacks. This move directly connects product engineers with mountain and ski guides, hiking guides, and climbing instructors who test equipment under extreme alpine conditions on a daily basis.

The hands-on feedback gathered from these elite instructors will feed directly into Ortovox’s research and development process, helping shape future generations of functional, reliable, and ergonomic mountain sports packs.

Industry Leaders on the Expansion

Leaders from both organizations highlighted the natural evolution of the partnership:

"Expanding our partnership to include backpacks is therefore a logical step," said Stefan Kohlbauer, Managing Director of Ortovox. "By equipping all four training teams, we are intensifying the direct exchange with the professionals and combining their practical experience with our know-how in developing functional and reliable mountain sports equipment."

Michael Schott, President of the VDBS, emphasized the valuable real-world perspective mountain guides bring to equipment design:

"Our members contribute their experience from a wide variety of mountain sports on a daily basis and know the requirements for functional, reliable, and comfortable equipment from practical experience. In this way, we help to further strengthen product development and to help shape products that meet the diverse requirements of mountain sports."

Setting Standards for Alpine Safety and Utility

By putting prototypes and production-line backpacks through demanding daily use across ice, rock, and snow, the partnership aims to set new benchmarks for comfort, durability, and emergency readiness in technical outdoor gear.

For both amateur mountaineers and seasoned guides, the deepened collaboration signals a continued commitment to safety, innovation, and practical excellence on the mountain.