Alpkit Newsletter

Alpkit is a British outdoor gear brand founded in 2004 by four friends – Nick, Col, Kenny, and Jim – who started out in a squash-court-sized unit at the foot of Ilkeston with a simple aim: bring performance kit to outdoor enthusiasts without the premium mark-up charged by big retailers. Operating as the UK's only direct-to-consumer outdoor performance brand, Alpkit sells exclusively through its own channels, which keeps prices fair and quality uncompromised. Today the company is independently owned, co-founder led, and counts over 4,000 customer and staff shareholders from two crowdfunding campaigns. It operates more than 10 stores across the UK alongside its flagship website and manufactures around 30% of its range at a Peak District facility.

Technical Clothing and Outdoor Equipment

Alpkit's product range covers the full spectrum of outdoor activity – from trail running and hiking to climbing, wild camping, open-water swimming, and cycling. Their clothing line includes waterproof hardshell jackets, insulated layers, merino baselayers, technical trousers, and activity-specific tops. Equipment spans tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, backpacks, headtorches, trekking poles, stoves, cookware, dry bags, and first aid kits. The brand's commitment to direct supply means each product is tested thoroughly and priced without a retailer margin added on top.

Sonder Bikes

Alpkit is also the parent brand behind Sonder Bikes, an award-winning range of gravel bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, and touring bikes. Sonder frames are designed in the Peak District and built for riders who want performance-focused geometry at an accessible price. The bikes share Alpkit's direct-to-consumer philosophy and are supported by the same repair and customer service team.

Ethics, Sustainability, and Community

Alpkit is a certified B Corporation and a Living Wage Foundation employer. The company donates 10% of profits and 1% of all sales to the Alpkit Foundation, an independent charity that funds grassroots outdoor projects and helps more people access wild places. Alpkit was the first UK outdoor brand to publish comprehensive sustainability reporting and runs an in-house repair service that serviced over 2,850 products in a single year. Beyond kit, the brand runs the Big Shakeout Festival – a community gathering now in its tenth year and attracting around 1,000 participants – as well as store-based School of Adventure events and a gravel racing series.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alpkit still trading?

Yes. As of 2026 Alpkit is an active, independent British company with over 10 physical stores in the UK and a fully operational website. The brand has grown nearly 50% annually over the past decade and continues to expand its clothing, equipment, and Sonder Bikes ranges.

What is Alpkit's direct-to-consumer model?

Alpkit sells exclusively through its own stores and website rather than through third-party outdoor retailers. This removes the wholesale margin from the supply chain, allowing the company to invest more in product quality and keep retail prices lower than comparable performance brands sold through multi-brand shops.

Where is Alpkit kit made?

Around 30% of Alpkit's products are manufactured in Britain at their Peak District facility, with the remainder made at audited overseas factories. The company publishes a full factory list on its website as part of its transparency and sustainability commitments.

Is Alpkit an ethical brand?

Alpkit holds B Corporation certification, pays all staff at least the Living Wage, and donates 1% of all sales plus 10% of profits to the Alpkit Foundation charity. The company also offers a repair service to extend product life and was the first UK outdoor brand to release comprehensive sustainability reporting.

What are Sonder Bikes?

Sonder is Alpkit's own bicycle brand, offering gravel bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, e-bikes, and touring bikes designed in the Peak District. Like the rest of the Alpkit range, Sonder Bikes are sold direct to consumers, bypassing the traditional bike-shop markup.

Does Alpkit offer free delivery?

Alpkit has historically offered free UK delivery on all orders, consistent with their mission to make performance outdoor kit accessible. Delivery terms can change, so it is worth checking their current website for up-to-date shipping details.

This catalogue and newsletter listing is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Alpkit. For current details, visit the company's official website.