Over the last 20 years we have travelled to more than 50 destinations with our mountain bikes or snowboards, always searching for the best trails and greatest powder runs. We discovered fantastic places and found some amazing downhill runs. But what we couldn’t find was equipment that met our needs. So, we began developing and producing equipment to meet our personal preferences: top-quality, sophisticated products with useful features.
During a shoot for a snowboarding video in the Arlberg, we encountered an avalanche. Fortunately no one was caught, but freerider and product designer Holger Feist crashed on his way through the couloir and injured his back. The cause: the avalanche shovel in his backpack. Holger’s immediate conclusion was that a protector probably would've prevented that.
The idea for a backpack with back protection is born.
The idea of a protector backpack could also work for mountain biking. Plus, the ergonomics of the bike packs at the time were not really suitable. "Like a football on your back!" was Holger’s fed-up conclusion after completing a three-week expedition through Tibet to the Mt. Everest base camp in 2000. The decision was made: There is a better way – we’ll do it ourselves. Back in Munich, Holger started tinkering, stitching and experimenting.
The first prototype of the protector backpack is used on the trails around La Paz. And it works perfectly! But the equipment used during this trip highlights a completely different issue: instead of arriving in a carefully packed box, the mountain bike arrives on the belt at the airport in bits and pieces – fortunately without any parts missing! There is no satisfactory solution on the market for transporting bikes either. It's the trigger for developing the first BIKE TRAVEL BAG – a bag concept thought through to the smallest detail, for safe and convenient transporting of bikes.
One day the phone rings and Bernd Stucke, friend and long-time travel companion from Hong Kong is on the line. He had taken his bike for service to the legendary 'Flying Ball' bike shop in one of our first bike bags. Mr Lee – shop owner and bike expert – is so taken with this bike bag that he immediately orders 50 of them. The first real customer!
So, in 2008, Holger Feist and Bernd Stucke found EVOC. Since then, a lot has changed for us, and yet so little.
Quality, functionality and durability are still top priorities to us. And we are rather proud to say that we’re also setting trends when it comes to design, comfort and protection.
We still travel the world as much as possible with our sports equipment – although, these days, also more and more frequently with our business gear.
We’re still testing all products ourselves and are working every day to improve them just that little bit more. Our DNA is in every single product – and in everything we do, we try and convey our passion for sports and travel.
Products from EVOC are consequently always a little more than just items of equipment. EVOC stands for evolution and the concept of high-quality, sporty backpacks, bags and luggage – with a particular focus on proper protection of man and material.
Protect the things you love!