EXPED was founded in 1983 in Zurich, Switzerland by Andi Brun and Heidi Brun.

The inspiration behind the company came from the founders’ extraordinary experience in 1981, when they spent nine months living in the Canadian wilderness near the Arctic Circle. Armed with only basic tools, they built a log cabin, hunted, fished, gathered food, and survived through a harsh winter. The experience shaped their belief that thoughtfully designed equipment should help people enjoy nature with fewer complications and greater self-reliance. 2

Initially, EXPED operated as a distributor for several outdoor brands. In 1997, the company shifted toward designing and manufacturing its own products after identifying shortcomings in existing outdoor equipment, particularly for European conditions. Its first in-house product was the Orion tent, which remains one of the company’s signature products today. 3

Today, EXPED products are sold in more than 26 countries through specialty outdoor retailers while the company continues to maintain a relatively small organizational structure focused on innovation and product quality. 4

EXPED’s guiding principle is:

Maximum outdoor experience with minimal means.

The company believes outdoor equipment should:

• Be lightweight without sacrificing durability.
• Eliminate unnecessary features.
• Be intuitive and reliable.
• Last for many years.
• Be repairable instead of easily replaced.

This philosophy is reflected throughout its product lineup, where practical performance takes priority over marketing-driven feature additions. 5

EXPED manufactures equipment across several outdoor categories, including:

• Sleeping mats
• Sleeping bags
• Tents
• Tarps
• Backpacks
• Pillows
• Hammocks
• Bivy bags
• Waterproof storage systems
• Ponchos
• Camp accessories

Its sleeping mats are particularly well known in the outdoor industry for combining comfort, insulation, and lightweight construction. 6

Over the past two decades, EXPED has introduced numerous product innovations, particularly in sleeping systems and lightweight shelter design. The company emphasizes extensive field testing and collaborates with specialty retailers, manufacturing partners, and experienced outdoor users to refine its products before release. 7

Notable characteristics of EXPED products include:

• Air sleeping mats with high insulation values
• Ergonomic backpack suspension systems
• Four-season expedition tents
• Waterproof welded dry bags
• Lightweight camping systems designed for long-distance travel

Environmental responsibility is a major part of EXPED’s identity.

Its sustainability initiatives include:

• Designing durable products with long service lives.
• Encouraging repair instead of replacement through repair workshops.
• Using carefully selected materials that balance performance and environmental impact.
• Maintaining long-term partnerships with manufacturing facilities and suppliers.
• Continuously improving production processes to reduce resource consumption.

Rather than encouraging frequent product replacement, EXPED promotes maintaining and repairing equipment whenever possible. 8

Although headquartered in Switzerland, EXPED distributes products worldwide through specialty outdoor retailers and regional partners. The company also works closely with its North American operations, allowing it to serve outdoor markets across Europe, North America, and other international regions. 9

EXPED positions itself as a premium outdoor brand aimed at users who value:

• Reliability in demanding environments
• Lightweight performance
• Functional Swiss design
• Long product lifespan
• Sustainability
• Technical innovation

Unlike many outdoor brands that release entirely new product lines every year, EXPED emphasizes continuous refinement of proven designs over frequent cosmetic updates. This approach has helped establish a reputation for dependable, field-tested equipment. 10

Among backpackers, campers, and mountaineers, EXPED is widely recognized for:

• Premium-quality sleeping mats
• Comfortable camping sleep systems
• Durable expedition tents
• Excellent repair and warranty support
• Long-lasting construction

Community discussions frequently praise the brand’s customer service and willingness to repair or replace damaged products, reinforcing its reputation for supporting equipment over its full lifespan. 11

EXPED is a Swiss outdoor equipment company founded in 1983 that has grown from a distributor into an internationally respected manufacturer of premium adventure gear. Inspired by its founders’ wilderness experience in northern Canada, the brand focuses on minimalist, functional design, durability, and sustainability. Today, EXPED is particularly known for its sleeping mats, tents, backpacks, and camping systems, with a reputation for thoughtful engineering, high-quality craftsmanship, and long-term product support. 12

1. About us | Exped
2. Vision | Exped
3. History | Exped
4. Celebrating 40 years of Exped AG | Exped
5. Homepage | Exped
6. Quality Company, Quality Gear – Exped
7. While we are doing shout outs, shout out to ExPed
8. Newsroom | Exped
9. Our History | EXP
10. Geschichte | Exped
11. L’histoire | Exped
12. Exped | The Outdoors Company