Eagle Creek, the iconic adventure-travel gear maker known for rugged duffels, innovative packing cubes, and its signature No Matter What® Warranty, has officially turned 50. The brand marked the milestone this fall with a renewed commitment to the global community that built it - the guides, outfitters, destination operators, and millions of travelers who have relied on Eagle Creek packs for half a century.
Founded in 1975 by Nona and Steve Barker, Eagle Creek started as a small sewing operation making gear for adventurers. Today, its products are recognized worldwide as staples for adventure-ready travel. The anniversary comes just four years after a pivotal moment when outdoor-industry veteran Travis Campbell acquired the brand and relocated its headquarters to Steamboat Springs to refocus on sustainability and durability.
A Half-Century of Innovation for the Adventure Industry
In the mid-1970s, most packs were designed for backcountry hiking, not for airports, buses, and village footpaths. The Barkers spotted the gap and created bags tough enough for both. Early innovations like hidden passport pockets, stow-away backpack straps, and modular organizers, set new standards for how travelers pack.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Eagle Creek gear became a common sight on river docks in Patagonia, bus roofs in Asia, and mountain-town airports across the Americas. The brand’s practical designs helped establish what we now think of as “adventure-travel luggage.”
Surviving Headwinds and Starting Fresh
Global recessions, shifting supply chains, and the pandemic all tested the company’s resilience. In 2021, when the brand faced closure under previous ownership, Travis Campbell stepped in to buy and rebuild it.
Under his leadership, Eagle Creek recommitted to its No Matter What® Warranty—repairing or replacing functional components to extend a product’s life—and accelerated efforts to integrate recycled materials, cut manufacturing waste, and phase out PFAS-based coatings. These steps have become central to its modern identity.
“A Launchpad for Deeper Connection”
For Campbell, the anniversary is less about nostalgia and more about strengthening bonds with the industry that has long supported Eagle Creek.
“Turning 50 isn’t a curtain call - it’s a launchpad to deepen our connection with the adventure-travel community,” Campbell said. “We want every expedition, big or small, to feel better because Eagle Creek is there with you.”
Two Decades as an ATTA Member
That community connection runs deep. Eagle Creek has been a proud member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association for more than 20 years, collaborating with guides, operators, and destinations to equip travelers responsibly. Over the decades, the brand has sponsored ATTA events, supported field expeditions with donated gear, and contributed to sustainability conversations that shape the future of travel.
“Eagle Creek has always been part of our collective toolkit,” Campbell added. “We see ourselves as allies to the outfitters and destinations who welcome travelers - our job is to give them reliable gear that lets them focus on the experience.”
Looking Ahead: Gear That Lasts, Travel That Endures
By 2024, every Eagle Creek product line incorporated recycled fabrics, PFAS-based treatments were eliminated, and pattern efficiencies reduced material waste. The brand also continues to expand its repair program to keep gear in use longer and out of landfills, a model aligned with the sustainability values embraced by today’s adventure travelers.
As Campbell’s team looks to the next 50 years, they remain focused on durability, responsible manufacturing, and innovation that meets the needs of a changing travel landscape.
“Travel will keep evolving,” Campbell noted. “We’ll keep refining our gear so adventurers can explore more intentionally - lighter, smarter, and with less impact on the planet.”
A Legacy Stitched Into Adventure Travel
Eagle Creek’s 50-year journey reflects the same spirit of resilience and curiosity that fuels adventure travel itself. From its first hand-stitched packs to its modern sustainable duffels, the brand’s story mirrors the evolution of an industry that connects people to places, and depends on gear built to go the distance.
Eagle Creek Milestones at a Glance
1975: Nona and Steve Barker sew their first travel packs in Southern California.
1980s: Debuts hidden passport pockets, compression straps, and packable organizers that become industry standards.
1996: Launches the No Matter What® Warranty, pioneering a lifetime-repair pledge for travelers.
Early 2000s: Expands internationally; gear becomes a staple for outfitters and adventure tour leaders.
2003: Joins the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) — now over 20 years of membership and industry partnership.
2021: Outdoor-industry veteran Travis Campbell acquires Eagle Creek and relocates HQ to Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
2022-24: Converts all product lines to use recycled fabrics, phases out PFAS coatings, and expands repair-and-reuse programs.
2025: Celebrates 50 years of supporting travelers, outfitters, and destinations around the world.
