2026 saw the birth of a new backpack series: ALK.

The name ALK comes from the Japanese word “aruku”—to walk. Walking is a fundamental human activity and the foundation of outdoor life. That will never change. Yet in today’s highly digital world, we humans have reached a point where we no longer need to move to go anywhere. “Walking = moving” has always been tied to curiosity about the outside world—perhaps that’s what we call the spirit of adventure. In times when information was scarce, people probably walked more and explored more.

Thinking about this led to a simple idea: let’s create a product that supports people’s desire to walk. A backpack that lets you walk anytime, anywhere. That thought ignited the designer’s spirit.

Surprisingly, the development process was smoother than ever before. After all, we had already built and tested countless prototypes through the development of RUSH and ZENN, and we had continued refining derivative models from BUDDY. Drawing on all that experience, development progressed quickly.

Of course, there were still challenges. The back-side opening of the ALK30, for example, took considerable effort. We repeatedly prototyped the frame and back panel to improve accessibility without compromising carrying comfort. Designing the front panel was another challenge. We wanted it to be compatible with ZENN optional parts while still having a distinct identity of its own. After much trial and error, we ended up with something that feels like a close relative of ZENN—and we’re quite happy with it.

There are many more stories behind its development, but as the tagline suggests, ALK is designed to work just as well in the mountains as it does in the city. A backpack that makes you want to walk anytime, anywhere.

So put on your ALK, follow your curiosity, and start walking.

Pack and go!