HERITAGE

The unique and highly functional LumaTwist and LumaPivot lanterns highlight this complete line of camp, outdoor, and multifunctional lighting.

Kelty adds camouflage fabric to internal, external, and daypacks.

Kelty commemorates its 50th anniversary with a special-edition frame pack. The KIDS line introduces a completely redesigned line of kid carriers and accessories.

Kelty’s first hydration packs are produced. These new pack come with bladders included. The KIDS line is expanded with three new models of jogging strollers.

Kelty introduces a new complete line of clothing including mountain wear, rain wear, wind wear, down-filled and fleece.

The Kid Carrier line is expanded to six models plus a complete assortment of accessories including a kid’s play tent, a sleeping bag, and travel gear.

The Pangaea line of travel packs, luggage and accessories is launched. Kelty moves its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado.

Through a licensing agreement, Kelty produces a line of Grateful Dead products, including a day pack, a fanny pack, and a leather briefcase. A diaper day pack and accessory items are added to the KIDS line.

The child carrier line expands to three carriers. The Panda, Koala and Kangaroo all featured Safety, Comfort and Ease of Use.

In 1992, Kelty enters the kid carrying business with the "Kelty Child Carrier". This iconic pack was built around a tubular aluminum frame. This kid carrier was based on the classic Kelty pack design proven in 40 years of wilderness use. See the full line of Kelty KIDS carriers.

Kelty enters the family camping business with rectangular sleeping bags and family-sized tents.

Kelty introduces the radically designed Radial external frame pack and the Windfoil series of tents. The 1988 catalog was produced in support of the World Wildlife Fund.

Kelty produces its first women’s-specific catalog, highlighting internal and external packs, along with sleeping bags designed for women.

An anniversary pack is introduced, featuring Dick’s embroidered signature on the label, complete with rain cover and fanny pack. The first Kelty travel-pack series, synthetic sleeping bags, and tents are all introduced.

Eleven pieces of luggage are introduced. Now six styles of internal frame packs and eight styles of external frame packs are in the Kelty line. The color blue is added to the pack line.

American Recreation Products purchases Kelty. Additional pieces of men’s and women’s Gore-Tex clothing are added to the line.

Kelty produces their first Gore-Tex clothing. Introduction of six new models of daypacks and the first adjustable-frame kids’ packs, the 4/C and 4/D.

Kelty celebrates its 25th anniversary and introduces the Sonora frame pack, a full-feature pack featuring a front- and top-opening main compartment.

Kelty introduces down-insulated jackets and special-make-up, Kelty-labeled down sleeping bags.  Kelty packs are used on the American ascent of K2.

Kelty introduces its first internal frame packs, the Ruck Sack; the Haul Pack; and the "Tour Pack," which sells for 49 dollars. Down booties and dog packs are also added. Standard D-4 and A-4 external frame packs get padded waist belts.

Kelty introduces the Tioga and Serac packs, the first new designs since the early 1950’s.

The new packs feature a fully padded, one-piece waistbelt, larger-capacity bag, covered zippers, waterproof fabric, and a new cam-lock buckle. The Serac features a covered sleeping bag compartment. Additional daypacks are also added to the line.

Boston-based CML, Inc. purchases Kelty, and Dick remains chairman through CML’s six years of ownership.

Kelty produces two models of daypacks.

Dick Kelty designs and produces the first stainless steel, quick-release waist belt buckle used on a back pack.

The new BB5 pack is introduced in red with a large main compartment and five outside pockets. Kelty also brings to market the air mattress, camp pillow, nylon-covered sleeping pad, and rain poncho.

Kelty's production facility is moved to a new factory in Sun Valley, California.

Kelty packs are used on the National Geographic Antarctica expedition.

Backpack rain covers are introduced.

Kelty packs are used exclusively on the first American ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest.

Kelty’s retail and mail-order divisions are moved to a larger building on Victory Blvd.

Dick Kelty quits his carpentry business to focus on Kelty Packs full-time. He buys an old barber shop and opens his first retail store and "factory" in Glendale, California.

Sales increase to 220 packs this year.

Kelty sells 90 back packs.

After several years of making packs in his home garage for friends, Dick sells 29 packs in his first year of business for 24 dollars each. Dick hand-forms and welds each of the frames, and his wife, Nena, sews each of the pack bags. Kelty packs first include aircraft-aluminum contoured frames, padded shoulder straps, waist belts, clevis-pin attachment of pack bags, nylon pack cloth, zippered pockets, hold-open frames, and nylon back bands. The first shoulder straps were produced using wool carpeting for padding. The original clevis pins were made from aircraft rivets.