About JanSport

The Beginning

In 1967, three friends were living in Washington: Skip, an outdoor enthusiast; Murray, an engineer; and Jan, an accomplished seamstress.

So, when Murray won a design award from the Alcoa Company for creating the first adjustable aluminum backpack frame, a bit of karma began to take flight. Murray asked his girlfriend, Jan, to create a backpack pattern for his new aluminum frame, and promised her that if it was a success he’d name the company after her. It was, he did, and the JanSport® Brand came to life.

JanSport With Over 50 Years Of Outdoor Exploration

Over 50 Years Of Outdoor Exploration

At 14,410 ft., Mount Rainier is an inspiration.

To our founders, Skip, Jan, and Murray, it was also their headquarters for adventure, where campsites blew away in the wind, nights were spent huddled together in snow caves, and an amazing sunrise rewarded those who made the summit.

In 1972, they began inviting their friends along on what is now the longest consecutive group climb on Mt. Rainier, and an annual JanSport event. The mountain remains a place for us to test our products and ourselves, explore, and share the great outdoors with friends.

Our Products

Not so long ago, students just carried schoolbooks in their hands.

But one day, some University of Washington students discovered JanSport hiking packs and started using them to keep their books dry in the rain. Then and there the campus daypack was born, soon to be known as the SuperBreak.

Since then, we’ve designed packs, bags and outdoor gear to equip you for great adventures and the kind that happen every day. We’re committed to making durable, functional, versatile products you can count on, whether you’re headed into a long day, out with friends or going off the grid. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1967.

Our Values

  • JanSport is the original backpack company since 1967

    Original

    JanSport started making packs and outdoor gear back in 1967. We're about the journey, the discovery of fun, freedom and adventure. Now, over fifty years later, all the cool memories you'll go out and make is still what drives us and everything that we do.

    Read Our Story 
  • Our JanSport Path To Sustainability

    Sustainable

    JanSport was created to help adventurers experience and celebrate the outdoors. In the years since, that mission has expanded to protecting and preserving the outdoors for future generations to enjoy. Today, we're taking a hard look at the Carbon footprint and sustainability of everything we do.

    Our Journey To Sustainability 
  • JanSport - Always With You

    Always With You

    Trust is built over time, so for more than 50 years JanSport has designed packs that last. We stand by the quality and durability of every pack we make with our limited lifetime warranty, so when your pack does eventually wear out as all things do - you'll know without a doubt that you've gotten the most life you can out of your adventures.

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The Journey Continues

Helping you discover your world is still what drives everything we do. We’ll continue to innovate and engineer new, functional gear, as long as you keep exploring.

Explore Our Classic Packs

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