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Collection by Marianne Colahan

Outdoor Gear Built for the Urban Dweller

Founded in 2008 by Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen, Topo Designs is an outdoor lifestyle brand. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company designs wares that are meant to appeal to the Denver residents who live in the city, but love to be outside. As a result, Topo's products are simple, durable, and versatile, blending technical function and construction with urban life.

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As Topo’s founders are from Wyoming and Colorado, the brand keeps the Mountain West as a touchstone, and strives to present the West to the rest of the world. The founders grew up using classic mountain gear with their families, and many of the brand’s designs hark back to timeless styles from the 1970s. The brand also cites Japanese design as an influence, which is evident in the use of color and minimalist details. Although the company has throwback inspiration, Topo Designs prides itself on being a twenty-first century enterprise. The company’s Instagram account is a huge part of its branding, acknowledging the impact of the medium on site traffic. For Topo, imagery is a great way to present a lifestyle, and social media platforms help with outreach. The company also has a Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Flickr presence.
As Topo’s founders are from Wyoming and Colorado, the brand keeps the Mountain West as a touchstone, and strives to present the West to the rest of the world. The founders grew up using classic mountain gear with their families, and many of the brand’s designs hark back to timeless styles from the 1970s. The brand also cites Japanese design as an influence, which is evident in the use of color and minimalist details. Although the company has throwback inspiration, Topo Designs prides itself on being a twenty-first century enterprise. The company’s Instagram account is a huge part of its branding, acknowledging the impact of the medium on site traffic. For Topo, imagery is a great way to present a lifestyle, and social media platforms help with outreach. The company also has a Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Flickr presence.
The brand’s most successful product is its Klettersack—“kletter” means “climbing” in German. The bag is made from 1000d Cordura, a textile that retains its color and is abrasion resistant. The Klettersack features leather lash tabs, which can attach a sleeping pad, jacket, or other gear with accessory straps. Although lash tabs are often found on backpacks as an aesthetic detail, Topo prides itself on only using tabs on products where it is functional component. The pack features heavy-duty number ten zippers for easy pulling, and a yellow pack liner that provides a second layer of protection and makes it easy to find items within the bag. This yellow liner is a feature in all of Topo’s bags.
The brand’s most successful product is its Klettersack—“kletter” means “climbing” in German. The bag is made from 1000d Cordura, a textile that retains its color and is abrasion resistant. The Klettersack features leather lash tabs, which can attach a sleeping pad, jacket, or other gear with accessory straps. Although lash tabs are often found on backpacks as an aesthetic detail, Topo prides itself on only using tabs on products where it is functional component. The pack features heavy-duty number ten zippers for easy pulling, and a yellow pack liner that provides a second layer of protection and makes it easy to find items within the bag. This yellow liner is a feature in all of Topo’s bags.
Every item from Topo Designs is made in the United States, and the company calls to this as a core part of their business. Sustainability, fair treatment of its workers, and knowing the manufacturers and their processes is key to their brand’s mission. The company has a flagship store in Denver, Colorado, and is opening a new retail store in Fort Collins, Colorado this year. Find Topo’s classic Klettersack, versatile Backpack Tote, roomy Duffle Bag, and streamlined Daypack at the Dwell Store.
Every item from Topo Designs is made in the United States, and the company calls to this as a core part of their business. Sustainability, fair treatment of its workers, and knowing the manufacturers and their processes is key to their brand’s mission. The company has a flagship store in Denver, Colorado, and is opening a new retail store in Fort Collins, Colorado this year. Find Topo’s classic Klettersack, versatile Backpack Tote, roomy Duffle Bag, and streamlined Daypack at the Dwell Store.