This year we are super proud of what we’ve achieved. Inspired by what our customers have done. Humbled by the passion of those working hard to get others outdoors and looking after the places in which we play.
So here we are waving a cheery goodbye to 2024.
Whether you’re one to make a New Year resolution or not, our recommended starting point is to spend just a little more time outside than you did last year. An ‘adventure’ can mean something different to everyone, but if through the year you can tap just a little into what the outdoors can offer back, then we are confident it will bring you a special one.
It can ignite inspiration, create focus and drive determination. It can heal, bring solace and wellbeing across all aspects of your life. It can bring people together.
We are certainly ready to full-heartedly embrace the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025 and we look forward to sharing them with you. Let us know all about your adventures, we'd love to see what you get up to.
Follow us on Instagram and tag @alpkit or @sonderbikes #alpkit #sonderbikes #goniceplacesdogoodthings
But wait! Before we get stuck into the new year, we’ve pulled out some highlights from our 2024.
We turned 20!
What a wonderful journey it's been! Check out what we feel has made the last 20 years of Alpkit evolution so special.
Right here > Alpkit in 20
As a summary of what ignited the dream, this is a slice from our history page.
"We love to be outdoors, talk about being outdoors and hearing about people being outdoors. We love the mountains, we love the lakes, the forested trails. We truly believe getting outdoors is good; I can’t remember when we first coined the phrase Go Nice Places do Good Things but it stuck.
The why behind Alpkit really started so much earlier. Nope, it didn’t drop out of a spreadsheet, on a set date, with a packet full of funding to propel it into the world. Actually, it was launched on a shoestring backed by years of finding adventure in the mountains, and that’s the truth."
These last 20 years have certainly been underpinned by that joy of getting outside and over this time we've had the privilege of being able to grow a business that feeds off those fundamental values and around the fact that a business can be used for good.
You will hopefully have seen this over the years.
- Ensuring key sustainability developments are at the forefront of our product evolution.
- Continually striving for class-leading B-Corp score and beyond.
- Over 3 quarters of a million pounds donated back into supporting thousands of grass root projects and initiatives that harness the outdoors.
- Vibrant communities built around our stores.
Now Outpost is a real highlight for us from the last few years and really sums up what it means to be Alpkit. So if you have some time, why not catch up on all the past issues of Outpost Magazine.
It's a wonderful industry to be part of and we're proud to be doing our bit.
We are here thanks to the support of our customers and their stories. We simply have the best customers. Thank you for being with us on our adventure.
Achieved B-Corp class-leading score.
It was one of those extra special moments when we learned that we had re-certified and achieved our highest B Corp score yet of 122.6. That’s a massive jump from 95.1 which we achieved in 2020 and while that number might not mean a right lot to many without a lot of explanation, what that figure equates to is we are right up there as one of the leading outdoor brands on the global platform for B Corp certification.
From day one, we’ve always tried to do things the right way; we’re advocates for the highest ethical standards and always favour the more environmentally preferred method of production and materials. It's a huge reflection of all the hard work put in by the whole team to ensure that we're doing the best we can as a business.
Read all about our B-Corp and sustainability work.
Continuing impact with the Alpkit Foundation and Continuum
We're proud to have been able to continue to help make an impact through our Alpkit Foundation and this year. Outdoor experiences are powerful and it's always humbling to see the impact that these real activists in our communities make.
This year has seen us tip over £750,000 to support more than 2,500 projects.
Read the Alpkit Foundation impact review.
Every purchase you made through 2024 enabled us to support many grassroots, direct-action projects where a positive difference is made to help people spend time outdoors and protect those places where we are fortunate to explore. So thank you for helping us make this happen.
Read about some of the amazing projects here.
We've carried on collaborations with
- Lindley Educational Trust
- Everybody Outdoors
- Mountain Rescue teams around our store locations
- Association of Mountaineering Instructors
- Mind over Mountains
Whilst with Continuum we've helped pass on outdoor kit to get used, or recycled, through continued links with organisations such as
- Circular Flow
- Re:Down
- Kitsquad
- Aban
- Running Charity
- Asylum Link
- Sheltersuit UK
There really is way too many amazing projects to list, so make sure you keep watch on all the great work next year.
"We can’t thank you enough for your continued support - our partnership with you enables us to help more people experience the transformative power of nature for mental wellbeing, which we all know is so incredibly important " Ian Sansbury, Chief Executive Mind Over Mountains
It doesn't stop here though! Every day of the year whenever you buy something from us for your next adventure, you know that it'll not only be going to help you go nice places, do good things, but it'll be helping so many more have opportunities too.
Our band of merry Alpkiteers
This year saw some wonderful adventures from our team of athletes. Here are just a couple of highlights. But for more stories check out the Daring Deeds pages.
Anna Wells completes Winter Munro Round
Kicking off the year in style Anna completed her winter Munro round in a record equalling 83 days. It was inspirational in sheer determination, but also joy for being in the mountains… no matter what the conditions! It was an amazing journey to follow and a stunning achievement that showed the full spectrum of mountain experiences from days on her own, to sharing moments with friends and family.
Read all about it in her own words. Anna's Winter Munro Round
Harvey Rollason tops British Enduro Series.
Harvey Rollason secured his crown, rounding off the British National Enduro Series with an overall win, finishing off at the last round in Innerleithen where he was crowned the Overall series winner! It was a fitting end to a year full of commitment and dedication to his sport!
Read all about Harveys Win
Hot New Products!
Some big product highlights came through this year.
Sonder El Camino.
We saw the final arrival of our first e-bike as the El Camino arrived and it has been incredibly well received in its first year. In fact it rounded it off by making it into the select group of best electric gravel bikes of 2024 in an end of year Cycling Electric review.
Made for time outdoors our clothing range doesn't compromise, but has developed in line with our commitments to the changing landscapes of sustainability. With this in mind, we've picked out the Sigma waterproof as this year's highlight.
Designed with circularity in mind. It is made with a mono-monomer construction, making it easier to recycle at the end of its life as it doesn't need to be broken down into separate recycling streams. Sigma is made from 100% post-consumer waste recycled polyester which itself is recyclable.
Check out the men's | women's jacket.
Browse our clothing range and set yourself up for a year of adventure.
Men's Clothing | Women's Clothing
SUPS and Roof Tents
The year saw us move into some new segments, helping spread the offering of adventures that we can help support. So much so that you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for restocks in 2025 as we look forward to more in the coming year!
Check out the Delta Stand-Up Paddleboard | Nest roof tent
Late Hot News!
It was a proud moment as we rounded off the year hearing that our Sonder Camino Ti had achieved Gravel Bike of the Year in Cycling Weekly.
"Versatile, durable and fun, it's our Gravel Bike of the Year"
The UK factory has also continued to knock out some awesome UK made products as well as some more exciting bespoke collaborations, such as this new bag system development with Edale MRT and their new vacuum mattress.
Stores - a vibrant community of outdoor connections.
We went from 10 to 11 stores when we spread our wings into Europe. Munich in fact! Here we have teamed up with cycling store Veloroo Cyclehub. It was a very special moment and we're excited to see where this leads over the coming year. Check out Munich
Meanwhile here in the UK, our network of ten stores has had another fantastic year. Making our stores part of the local, and sometimes wider, community has always been an important part of what we do and there've been some wonderful events taking place. From Inverness supporting the Loch and Land Festival, Betws-Y-Coed utilising their Basecamp Loft for education programmes, inspiring talks and films across all the stores, Hathersage sponsoring fell races, Ambleside showing what really sets us apart at Kendal Mountain Festival and so much more.
While the whole 10 stores (and Alpkit HQ!) delivered yet another fantastic Winter Gravel Series raising a whole heap of smiles and donations for the Alpkit Foundation. In fact, there are still rides to go in the current series, so why not get yourself signed up as a new year incentive!
So be sure to check out the School of Adventure page to get involved in all the great activities happening in and around our stores through 2025.
Keep an eye on the SofA Instagram for up-to-date action too.
The Repair Stations continue to be a real highlight, having done thousands of repairs and adaptations over the last year. A service that goes from strength to strength and is now well and truly embedded in what we do and a reflection on our customers needs and beliefs on helping keep kit going longer.
Find out more about the Repair Stations.
Big Shakeout
Then of course there was our annual Big Shakeout, which didn't disappoint again. It was wonderful to see so many people there inspiring each other and making this a special weekend to celebrate adventure and the outdoors.
Phew! That was only a fraction of what we got up to as well this year, so we're already getting excited about what's possible in 2025.
Let's make it a good one. See you out there!