Our Story

HighSide Packs was created by Will Bechtel and Cole Bechtel, a father, and son whose love for the mountains kept them coming back year after year.  The father and son loved everything the mountains offered, whether it be skiing, boarding, backpacking, hiking, or ice fishing.  When Cole went to college in Colorado, he was skiing every weekend he could.  Yet every weekend he was burdened with being the friend in the group that carries the backpack.  This led to his father Will coming up with a solution for not only his son but everyone who wishes to carry more than a granola bar in their pocket when skiing and boarding.  During Cole's senior year, the father and son created HighSide Packs to provide a comfortable and convenient solution for everyone wearing a backpack on the mountain.