The path to your own textile
We spent several years searching for the right fabric for our bags. This was a truly difficult undertaking in the global and complex textile industry, especially when you don't need 10,000 running meters or more. We also discovered that there's almost no stock available in this specialized field. "Custom-to-order" is the key.
To realistically simulate the high abrasion stresses of bikepacking, we subjected prototype bags made with selected outdoor textiles to a wear and tear test.
It quickly became apparent that many of the Recycling and Dyneema fabrics currently used in bikepacking bags could not meet our requirements. While the textiles were lightweight and some were highly tensile, they developed holes after only a few meters and were then unusable.
The search for suitable partners
For this reason, we decided to have our own sustainable and extremely durable textile woven. This special material was carefully selected and tested to withstand the extreme conditions of bikepacking over the long term. We placed particular emphasis on environmental compatibility, durability, and functionality. The result is an innovative solution that not only withstands heavy use but also meets our sustainability standards. This allows us to ensure that our products are reliable and long-lasting, even with intensive use. We are also quite proud to be pioneers in this field as a small company.
Sensil® Thougtex by Nature after the stress test
The innovative collaboration with BASF, Nilit and our textile manufacturer
Our 560 dtex outer fabric is made with Sensil® Thoughttex ByNature. The yarn is produced entirely in Europe and woven, dyed, and finished with a PU coating on one side at a single location in Germany for Speck Gear. The outside is treated with a PFC-free DWR impregnation.
Nilit is a global producer of polyamide 6.6 for apparel. In collaboration with BASF, the company has developed a new generation of polyamide (Sensil® ByNature) that requires fewer fossil resources. Adipic acid, a key component of polyamide, is traditionally derived from fossil raw materials. BASF now produces it from renewable resources, specifically biomass-balanced adipic acid, which is obtained from the fermentation of organic waste (such as food waste). These bio-based raw materials are blended with fossil raw materials in BASF's production process. The polyamide consists of 96% renewable raw materials and offers the same quality and performance while reducing the use of fossil resources and carbon emissions.
Our bags are sewn—for good reason
Not only the fabric but also the seams are weatherproof, even though they are not glued. This is achieved through a combination of environmentally friendly impregnated thread, optimally chosen needle size and stitch length. This makes the seam sufficiently dense, so that no additional seam sealing or taping is necessary. The latter often lead to weak points, especially with frequent compression.
Even welded seams can lead to material fatigue when subjected to heavy use, UV radiation, or improper storage. Compared to sewn joints, they are less flexible and can only be repaired with special materials.
All individual parts and the finished product are extensively tested for durability and functionality before being launched on the market. We focus on long-lasting connections and tried-and-tested closure systems. All Speck Gear parts are designed for easy repair—even on the go.