Founder of Osprey named OutDoor Celebrity of the Year

The award, which has been granted by the OutDoor trade show in Germany since 2005, rewards a personality for his contribution to the outdoor industry. This year the award went to the founder of Osprey, Mike Pfotenhauer.

Following Aaron Feuerstein, founder of Malden Mills (now Polartec), who won in 2014, another American takes the award this year: Mike Pfotenhauer, the founder in 1974 of backpacking company Osprey.

The brand, founded in 1974 in California, is named after the bird of prey, which was a personal favourite of Pfotenhauer as a child. With an easily recognisable logo, an eagle with spread wings, Osprey quickly became a popular brand for backpacks – a success it has maintained by introducing new innovative features throughout the years.

In 1976, Osprey was one of the first companies to introduce breathable mesh for increased comfort, and in 2005 Pfotenhauer developed a hip belt that could be heated and moulded directly to the hip.    

The American CEO of Osprey is the 10th personality to be awarded with the “OutDoor Celebrity of the Year” acknowledgement. The prize is granted by an international panel of journalists and industry experts.