History

 

2002
Introduced our inaugural range of 6 packs including Peak Aspiration, Effortless Rhythm, Essential Rapport (now called Load Limo) and Natural Balance. Compact, Sport, Expedition and Dry Balance Pockets were an integrated part of the range. Key features included U-Flow, Auto-mould shoulder straps , Hip-Surround Load Distribution and Dri-liners.

2003
Introduced 2 new models Liquid Agility and Featherlite Freedom. Liquid Agility incorporated a simplified U-Flow system ideal for daypacks. Featherlite Freedom was a smaller and simpler version of the award winning Natural Balance.

Curved Load Transfer Tubes were introduced on our largest models to create the Multi-Flow hipbelt movement system. The hips could rotate and rock, you could bend forward, and you could twist your hips relative to your shoulders. At the same time weight the hip surround load transfer system was not compromised: some of the pack weight was transferred forwards to the front of the hipbelt even during dynamic movement.

2006
Introduced 2 new models Natural Exhilaration and Marathon Magic. Our models were refocused into 2 distinct ranges, Stronglites and Ultralites. Natural Exhilaration added a tough top-opening fully waterproof daypack to the Stronglite range. Marathon Magic added a fluid performance daypack to the Ultralite range.

Developed with Marcel Hagener, a top NZ adventure racer, the key was to have a pack which moulded to your back like a limpet, no matter how tightly it was stuffed, and whether your back was straight when running or curved when cycling; which allowed amazing freedom of movement, and which enabled you to access energy bars with one hand when cycling. To achieve these requirements we developed the Omni-Flow movement system, interlinking the front shoulder and chest straps into continuous loop on each side of the body, and connecting them by an ingenious Conus clip.

2008
Introduced Guiding Light, a mid-volume Stronglite model, filling the volume gap between Peak Aspiration and Effortless Rhythm. This was a result of collaboration with NZ climbing guide Milo Gilmour and incorporated an innovative rope door behind the head to access and stow a climbing rope without taking the pack off. Balance Gear Racks were also introduced as a way to take the weight of climbing hardware off your shoulders and put it onto the front of your hips when climbing without the Balance Pockets. We also introduced 2 tent models, Pacer 1 and Pacer 2, lightweight 4 season tents designed to use trekking Poles as part of their main support structure, to reduce weight and increase wind capability.

• Robert Jarvis wins the Atacama Desert Crossing race using Marathon Magic.
• Sam Salwei and Jason Magness from Yoga Slackers snow kite across the state of North Dakota, USA in the "To Cross the Moon" expedition.  Aarn Balance Packs allowed gear access at speed with the kites flying. This achievement would have been far more difficult with conventional packs.  

2010
Mountain Magic introduced. This provided a fully waterproof top opening ultralite Balance Pack, large enough for lightweight 3-4 day trips. It utilised the successful Omni-flow movement system developed for the Marathon Magics, large volume Balance Pockets and a mid-volume pack body making a naturally balanced load easy to achieve.

Dri-liners were also introduced on Sport and Expedition Balance Pockets. From the request of professional photographer, Rebecca Thompson, who found that our Balance Pocket system solved a long term problem of hers hiking with camera gear, we developed our first multi-compartment Balance Pockets.