Osprey initially set up a shop in the front of his rental house, catering to backpackers and travelers who wanted custom-fit, made-to-order packs. These packs were meticulously constructed by Mike himself over the course of several days. As the popularity of these perfectly fitting packs grew, Osprey had to move its operations to its present location in Southwest Colorado.
Since its establishment in 1974, Osprey has ensured that every product design is personally overseen by its owner and founder, Mike Pfotenhauer. Having crafted his first backpack at the tender age of 16, Mike's expertise and involvement have been an integral part of Osprey's design process.
