2008 :: Ultimate Direction :: About Us

Ultimate Direction was incorporated, featuring just two models (Racer and Elite). The Trekker and Gemini were added and the Competitor was developed, 1987.

The original fastpack, the Voyager, a pack that allows the athlete to maintain a low center of gravity, was inspired by the Norwegian Birkibeiner cross country ski race, 1987.

During speedhiking and running one day the light came on: if a single strap ran from one shoulder strap, through a pivot point and to the opposing shoulder harness, the pack would stay in place. TorsoLink's articulating shoulder harness was born, 1988.

Evaporade is invented by layering a special combination of specially perforated foams and mesh to create the perfect balance of rigidity, breathability and padding in hipbelts and shoulder harnesses, 1989.

Ultimate Direction was one of the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run's first sponsors. The RacePac line evolved into true high-performance trail and adventure racing packs, 1991.

Ultimate Direction designs the first baffled water reservoir (SportTank™) and begins incorporating them into back packs, 1992.

SportVests™ are conceived where water is stored in a fleece vest that could be worn under a windbreaker and uses the body's heat to keep the water from freezing. The vests also proved that keeping the water close to the back and carrying additional weight in the front improved balance and reduced pack bouncing, 1995.

The 103-mile long Canyonlands' White Rim Trail near Moab, Utah, inspired the Gel Flask™. The logical solution was a small, reusable bottle that would hold 4-5 packets of energy gel. We kept the bottle nozzle end down so that we could eat the energy gel quickly, 1996.

The need for a better fitting hipbelt for men and women of differing shapes inspires the invention of the HipFit System featuring another co-developed product from Nexus®, the Quad Buckle, 1999.

Angled bottle holsters – found on the Access, Express and Lightning – eliminate fumbling for your water bottle while hydrating on the run, 2001.

Women's hydration packs debut, along with a full line of Daypacks and Paddle Sport hydration systems, 2002.

New home and a team of experts land in Louisville, Colorado to start working on the 2005 line of products and innovations, 2003.

Ultimate Direction introduced the Horizontal Holster System™, which became a favorite with runners because it reduced sloshing and the rigid foam casing made it easier to retrieve the bottle with either hand, 2003.

A new lightweight elastic innovation called Strap Secure™ is invented to conveniently wrap loose strap ends of shoulder straps, waistbelt and compression straps to eliminate flapping or hanging, 2004.

The race belt is here. The Lightning is streamlined into a utility belt of hydration, 2004.

The birth of the Wasp™, incorporating the SportVest™ design, brings a new pack to the ultra scene. Swift, aerodynamic and ready to race, 2004.

The revolutionary Kicker Valve is introduced rocking the hydration market with the biggest flow on the market to date and setting a new paradigm in valve technology. It's the first to offer a better, leak proof and maintenance-free valve with a soft pliable mouthpiece for drinking comfort and increased flow, 2004.

With the invention of the iPod and other small music devices hitting the running world, Ultimate Direction accommodates the new little devices with the Groove™ addition. The FastDraw Groove, Access Groove and a few Groove accessories are developed allowing all sorts of electronic devices to accompany the workout, 2006.

The unique Soft Touch, Canteen and Flower Lexan bottles are debuted bringing more fun to the and style to the hydrated adventurer, 2006.

The Active Safety™ light is utilized in the creation of the Volt. A single bottle waist pack with a built in red safety light makes running at dusk and dawn a little less stressful. Flashing or solid, the light can be seen for a mile away. Darkness is made safe, 2006.

The race belt family gives birth to the race bib belt. The Triumph conveniently holds your race numbers in place and sports a four ounce Gel Flask. No more pin holes in your expensive performance clothing, 2006.

For women only. Our line of winning adventure race packs adds three women-specific designs to the team. The Wink, Bandita, and SpeeDiva are designs around their male counterparts (Wasp, Zoom, and SpeeDemon), but feature adjustable sternum straps, women-specific shoulder harnesses, contoured waist belts and TorsoLink™ Suspension Systems, 2007.

Hydration-free bib belts are added to the belt line up. Many races provide fluids up and down the course, so we minimized the belt to accommodate the race number and a pocket or two for gels, salt tablets and the car key, 2007.

The MP3 revolution takes the world by storm and the N-Groove™ series keeps athletes in stride with the music. FastDraw™ N-Groove features a media pocket for a MP3 player with a see through cover. A side stash pocket holds the extra slack of the headphone cord. For those using their MP3 for more than just music, all N-Groove products come with a sensor pocket to securely fasten on laces. Quick dash down the block? The N-Groove™ Arm Band or N-Groove™ Clip On keep the beat, 2008.