Meet sustainable Swiss outdoors brand EXPED – plus, win a £110 rucksack!

The rare breed outdoors gear brand with family values and longevity at heart. Swiss-crafted EXPED kit is all about durability and innovation. Plus, win your own Exped Skyline 20 Backpack in our competition.

Hikers walking side by side on forest track with Exped Skyline 20 backpacks

by Kate Milsom |
Updated on

Based on the Swiss plateau of Zurich, under the watchful eye of the Üetliberg mountain, EXPED knows a thing or two about high-quality, durable outdoor gear. At the intersection of Swiss craftsmanship and no-nonsense features, EXPED is all about enabling the maximum outdoor experience with minimal means.

Founded in 1983 by Heidi and Andi Brun, the brand debuted with the stalwart and reliable Orion tent and quickly grew their offering to down mats, then sleeping bags, packs, duffles, and accessories.

From the very start of their relationship, Heidi and Andi were all about making the everyday into an adventure. From opting for a bivvy on the beach over hotels, to leaving everything behind for a nine-month honeymoon like no other, surviving off-grid in the unforgiving Canadian wilderness.

In that time, they learnt that living with nature can be confronting, all-consuming and beautiful in its simplicity. It’s this complete immersion in adventure and appreciation of the great outdoors that is at the heart and soul of EXPED.

“We learnt one thing: the more equipment, the more complicated”, remarks Andi. Heidi adds, “We have always said that we just have to make good equipment that works in the wild, without too much detail. That’s how our philosophy came about.”

EXPED are giving away two of their versatile daypacks, the EXPED Skyline 20 Backpack (RRP: £110). Scroll down for more details.

Refined gear for adventure

Woman stands in the middle of a river with an exped skyline backpack

EXPED are passionate about helping people get the most out of their time outdoors, with gear that’s thoughtfully designed and built to last. EXPED gear is refined for adventure, so you can fully immerse yourself in the moment. Without restraints, with trust that your gear will carry your load wherever you want to go.

Rooted in Swiss design, every product reflects a commitment to precision, simplicity and reliable performance. From backpacks to sleeping mats, EXPED blends core concepts of innovation and sustainable thinking to create gear that works hard, so you can adventure light.

Unlike brands that turn over new models every year with no significant improvements, founders Heidi and Andi wanted to build a different system, where good quality and craftsmanship prevail.

Social and environmental responsibility

Despite its success, decades down the line, the brand still holds firm to its sustainable roots. EXPED has been producing gear with the same family of suppliers for decades.

Social and environmental responsibility is a guiding principle when it comes to the design process and supply chain of all the brand’s gear.

EXPED takes meaningful steps to minimise its environmental footprint. They source materials ethically and carbon-offset their production processes.

Many products are made with bluesign-certified fabrics, while select models incorporate recycled materials, such as PET bottles or reclaimed textile waste. To date, 85% of the line is also 100 % PFAS free. From day one, EXPED has valued quality over profit.

Despite creating high-performance outdoor equipment, EXPED believe that the most sustainable gear is the kind you don’t have to replace. That’s why they encourage repairing and reusing existing products whenever possible. The brand has a repair workshop in Switzerland, where they not only extend the life of used gear, but also gather insights to enhance future designs.

“To keep them in use as long as possible, we design our products according to their intended use and repair them whenever possible, instead of replacing them” – Muriel Weber, Sustainability Manager.

Exped Skyline 20
Price: £110

www.exped.com

The EXPED Skyline 20 Backpack is designed for everyday adventures, whether that’s a day hike, exploring bike trails or navigating daily life. It's made for comfort and versatility. Its compact and lightweight (790g) build allows a body-hugging fit and bulk-free feel.

The flexible Air Flow back system adapts naturally to the motion of the body, delivering ergonomic support and ventilation. Comfort extends over the soft, breathable shoulder straps and stowable hip belt, designed for a secure, chafe-free fit.

Made from durable, recycled polyester with bluesign-approved, PFAS-free fabrics, the Skyline 20 is a pack you can feel good about carrying.

A full-length side zipper extends down both sides of the pack to allow for fast, easy access to the main compartment. Meanwhile, a dedicated pocket accessible from the outer pack can comfortably house a hydration bladder.

Outside, there’s a small zip pocket to keep valuables safe, along with two side mesh pockets for securing larger items like bottles and layers, for quick access on the go. 

Smaller equipment can be stashed away and organised via stretch mesh pockets inside the pack and set into the straps. A pack truly made for all weathers and activities, the Skyline 20 has an integrated rain cover for protection to keep everything secure.

Available in two sizes (S-M and M-L) and two colours, the Skyline 20 is your go-to for low-volume, high-octane adventures.

 Win your own EXPED Skyline 20 Backpack in our competition below.

Price: £110
Volume: 20L, 9kg capacity
Weight: 790g (S-M size)
Waterproofing: 1500 mm water column
Materials: Recycled polyester with PU coating
Colours: Black, gold
Sizes: S-M, M-L 

Pack for adventure

The Skyline 20 Backpack is part of the wider Skyline range, which includes four packs over a range of volumes, primed for all different kinds of adventures.

EXPED Skyline 12 Backpack – £100

A 12L version of the Skyline Backpack, with the same ergonomic Air Flow back system and copious storage options for securing gear and hydration for lightweight adventures.

Check out the Skyline 12 Backpack here.

EXPED Skyline 30 Backpack – £155

With an additional 10L to the Skyline 20, this 30L option has all the features of the 20, along with an adjustable back length and lightweight steel frame, with a padded hip belt to secure a larger load and customisable comfort for a range of frames.

Check out the Skyline 30 Backpack here.

EXPED Skyline 45 Backpack – £185

Primed for multi-day hikes and longer adventures, the Skyline 45L Backpack offers copious amounts of storage, pockets for organising gear, and an additional roll-top  closure section that can be detached from the main pack and worn as a hip bag to keep the essentials close.

Check out the Skyline 45 Backpack here.

Find out more about EXPED and their range of outdoor adventure gear.

How to enter: Win your own EXPED Skyline 20 Backpack

TERMS AND CONDITIONS for “Lyon Equipment” (the “Competition”).

These terms and conditions (the “Specific Terms”) for the Competition should be read alongside  our general competition terms and conditions at: http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/ (the “General Terms”) which will also apply to this Competition. Where there is any conflict between these Specific Terms and the General Terms, the Specific Terms shall prevail.

Entries are restricted to one entry per person.

Entry to the Competition is available via the following routes:

Online at Meet sustainable Swiss brand EXPED – and win a £110 rucksack!

There will be two winners of the Competition. All valid entries will be pooled and [the winner/winners will be chosen by electronic random draw on 10.06.25.

Entries must be submitted during the following entry period:

From 9am on 15.05.25 (the “Start Time”) to 11:59pm on 12.06.25 (“End Time”).

Entries received before the Start Time or after the End Time will be invalid.

However if the winner cannot be contacted within 7 days from the date of the initial attempt to contact them then we will re-draw until we draw a winner that we are satisfied (in our sole discretion) fulfils all of the eligibility criteria and is in compliance with these Terms.

  • Open to UK residents aged 18 years or over on date of entry.

  • Our employees (and their family members) or employees of any company involved in the Competition, including any Prize Provider, are not permitted to enter.

  • We reserve the right to disqualify any entrant or winner who does not comply with any of the eligibility criteria and/or is in breach of these Terms. We reserve the right to repeat the competition mechanic or any stage of it in order to draw a winner that fulfils all of the eligibility criteria and is in compliance with these Terms.

Other entry restrictions are as follows:

Two winners will receive the following prize (the “Prize”):

One Exped Skyline 20 | 20lt Pack

The Prize is provided by Lyon Equipment (the “Prize Provider”). We are not responsible for any aspect of the Prize, including unsatisfactory quality or late delivery or a prize winner being unable to take up any aspect, or the entirety of the prize due to their own circumstances or restrictions.

Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternative will be offered.

OTHER CONDITIONS

Data Protection. Names, email addresses, and /or telephone numbers (which, for all SMS competitions, will be shared with our SMS provider) will be collected and used to process entries. Winner’s details may be given to a Prize Provider to arrange delivery of the prize.  Your details may remain stored after the End Date but will not be used for marketing unless you have ticked an opt-in box on entry. For SMS entries you automatically consent to receive marketing. You may opt out at any time by texting the word STOP to the relevant text shortcode number. If you have opted in to receive marketing communications, then your details will be used in accordance with the information given when you ticked the opt-in box and gave your consent. For more details, see:  http://www.bauerdatapromise.co.uk/.

Intellectual Property And Consents. By entering this Competition, you are consenting to our use of your entry both to publicise this Competition, the magazine or any other magazines or media platforms which we own or control. This means that we may use all names, images, descriptions, photographs video footage, and other information, which you have submitted on entry, in any media, without paying you any remuneration therefore and without any time restriction. You also agree that we may film, record or photograph you in connection with the competition and /or the Prize if applicable. We will own these films, recordings or photographs and we may use them publicly, including on the internet, in any of our magazines and/or for any promotional purposes. You will also have waived any moral rights or right to payment that you may have had.

Miscellaneous.

  • Entries which do not comply with these Terms or the General Competition Terms and Conditions will not be accepted and any entries may be disqualified if we have any reason to suspect that there is a breach of, or non-compliance with, these Terms.

  • Where a competition mechanic involves the answering of questions, the correct answers to questions must match our answers to win (or be sufficiently close in our sole reasonable opinion) to be acceptable. In the event of any dispute about any answers given and whether they are correct, we reserve the right to amend what we deem a correct answer, however we are not obliged to, and our decision in either case is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

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  • We accept no liability for network, technical or signal errors, issues or failures experienced by entrants when entering the competition or at any stage during the mechanic of the competition.

  • As part of your entry or playing of the Competition you must not make any inappropriate, profane, indecent, harmful or offensive statements. If you do so we reserve the right to  disqualify you from the competition. You may be also disqualified from the competition at any time if you are incomprehensible, inaudible or if you appear to be driving, intoxicated or likely to offend listeners. Any prize already won may be withdrawn and re-awarded to another entrant.

  • As far as it is lawful to do so we exclude our liability for any losses suffered in connection with the Competition or any element of the Prize.

We may cancel, end or suspend the Competition where we are required to do so in circumstances outside our control. We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any stage during the Competition if such amendment is necessary to facilitate the administration of the Competition.

Contact Details. Any concerns? Please email: outdoorpm@bauermedia.co.uk. Correspondence will not be entered into regarding any competition which has closed more than 14 days prior to correspondence being received.

H Bauer Publishing is the promoter of this Competition, see: http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/ for details of our registered office and company number.

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