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About Us
Our History | Paddy PallinOur History | Paddy Pallin

 

For over 90 years, we’ve been Australia’s leading outdoor adventure specialists, selling high-quality, technical hiking and outdoor adventure apparel gear from leading Australian and global brands. Whether you’re heading overseas for an international adventure or planning something a little closer to home, our team is here to help. Our extensive experience in everything from hiking and adventure travel to alpine mountaineering, climbing, and trail running ensures that our desire to share our first-hand advice can remain at the core of everything we do. It’s through our experience that we can help you make the most of your adventure and, at Paddy Pallin, experience is everything.

Need a lightweight, comfortable hiking pack but not sure which one might fit you the best? Or want some advice on the most spacious tent for your four-season adventure? Our extensive range ensures we have something suitable for every adventure. Not sure if walking poles are for you, or whether your waterproof jacket is suitable for your next trip? No matter what questions you have, our team has the knowledge to help you get the answers you need. From boots to tents, sleeping mats to sleeping bags, travel and hiking packs to apparel and GPS units, and all the accessories in between, our stores are filled with all the right gear for your next adventure.

Paddy Pallin himself was a gear maker and an innovator; passionate about sharing his experiences with his friends and increasing accessibility to the places he loved exploring so much. When he was unable to find suitable lightweight and durable gear for his adventures, he set about designing and manufacturing his own. His extensive knowledge of suitable materials and key functionalities enabled him to create gear that would withstand Australian conditions, known to be some of the harshest in the world. It was through his pursuit of perfection and commitment to adventure that the Paddy Pallin brand was born. True to his legacy, our knowledgeable team continues to share their experiences today, ensuring our customers are equipped with suitable advice on the best gear available to get the most out of any adventure.

We’ve always cared for the environment that we love to explore, and we ensure our business practices are as sustainable as they can be. Through generations of business, Paddy Pallin has remained committed to our core values, doing what we can to protect and enhance the Australian environment that we all love. Since the 1970’s, we’ve been able to contribute to numerous suitable causes Australia-wide, to help fight for land protection and for the flora and fauna that inhabit it. In 2007, the Paddy Pallin Foundation was established to ensure our mission can be carried on for years to come, targeting our efforts to where they are needed most. Since its inception, we’ve been able to support numerous projects nationwide, from The Wilderness Society in Tasmania to NSW’s Great Koala National Park, building awareness of these important issues.

“The only trips I regret are the ones I didn’t do.” 

- Paddy Pallin

 

The Pallin family taking in the majesty of the Walls of Jerusalem in 1984.

 

Nearly a century ago, a young bushwalker by the name of Paddy Pallin saw the need to improve the quality of outdoor equipment available in Australia. Tired of heavy, cumbersome gear Paddy began to create his own equipment that soon became renowned for its lightweight and functional designs. As a testament to the quality of these early products, many bushwalkers can still be found with sleeping bags and waterproof jackets sporting the retired ‘Paddy Pallin’ label.

In the intervening years between those first pieces of gear and today, the Paddy Pallin brand has grown to become synonymous with high-quality equipment geared for Australian conditions. While the Paddy Pallin brand no longer manufactures its own products we remain committed to providing leading-edge and high-quality adventure clothing and equipment to our customers. That’s why Paddy Pallin sources from renowned, specialised suppliers who share our vision of providing pioneering gear that keeps you on the trail for longer.

 

Adventure and Innovation

Paddy’s early adventures in the Australian bush highlighted the shortage of quality lightweight bushwalking equipment. In 1930, unemployed due to the Great Depression, he grasped the opportunity to start making his own gear. Using a treadle sewing machine in a spare bedroom, Paddy initially made gear for his many friends. Before long, word spread, and Paddy’s lightweight functional designs were soon in demand among fellow bushwalkers, and the Paddy Pallin business was born.

 

Paddy Pallin in 1950 grinning over his newly made rucksack (left); Robert Pallin in the Paddy Pallin store in 1960 (right).

 

Building an Outdoors Community

Paddy readily shared his outdoor experiences and skills so that fresh adventurers could benefit from them. A storyteller and a generous man, he was known for offering great advice & firsthand knowledge. To this end, in 1933 he wrote the classic Australian bushcraft text “Bushwalking and Camping”. He also became a founding member of the Bushwalkers Search and Rescue unit known today as the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad. His support of bushwalking and adventure clubs in NSW is legendary and today it is that tradition of shared experience that is still the heartbeat of our business.

 

Paddy with Arne Kirkemo at the Paddy Pallin Cross-Country Skiing Competition (left); Paddy in his Scout uniform (middle); 1933 first edition of Bushwalking and Camping (right).

 

“When we face danger and difficulty something deep inside us responds to the challenge with a fierce joy; and when the trip is over there is a profound satisfaction”

- Paddy Pallin

 

Quality Lightweight and Functional Gear

Paddy was a gear maker and an innovator. Through each generation of our business our products have kept people comfortable and safe so you have the confidence to head out and explore the world. Today we honour this heritage by continuing to seek out and supply you with the lightest and most advanced gear from the world’s leading brands.

 

Paddy adventuring with the Scout Camp in 1930 with his handmade rucksack.

 

Two threads ran persistently through my enjoyment of the countryside, the desire to explore new areas and to meet the challenges of the rough terrain of moorlands and rugged mountains.”

- Paddy Pallin

 

Don't Bag the Environment 

This initiative encourages customers not to take a shopping bag with their purchase. Every time a bag is refused, we donate money to an environmental cause. Read more about the Don’t Bag the Environment initiative here

 
Paddy Pallin Foundation

Paddy’s memoirs detail the fierce joy and profound satisfaction that he found from meeting the challenges of exploration. They also document the synergy he felt with the bush which he called his true home. In 1975, the Pallin family set up the Paddy Pallin Foundation with the aim of protecting our wild places for future generations.

 

Frank Austin Pallin (1900-1991). Known as Paddy Pallin.

 

"At first light I woke up and gazed out of the tent. A slight mist clung to the surface of the water. The mighty river oaks or casuarinas, their needles pearled with dew, leaned out as if greeting their kin on the other side. A venerable gum tree with stained, marbled trunk stood waiting for the sun, its leaves hanging motionless in the still air. Close by were the ashes of our fire and the blackened billy… This was my true home, I thought to myself. I felt the bush accepted me, and I was quietly content.”

- Paddy Pallin, "Never Truly Lost"


The company today honours this heritage. Still owned by the Pallin family, Paddy’s has concentrated on supplying bushwalkers, travellers and adventurers with the highest quality and most advanced products and knowledge for their outdoors experience.

Because it’s only through our experience that we can help you make the most of your adventure.

Lifetime Club Membership

Join the Paddy Pallin Club for $10.00 and receive a 10% discount on all future purchases.*

Benefits

Exclusive Club Member sales, promotions, and events!
*Club Member discount not applicable to gift cards and services such as repairs. Discount may not be used in conjuction with any offer