Dakine Luggage and Dakine Bags

DAKINE sprouted in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii in 1979 with the invention of their unique DaKine surfboard Leash and its subsequent manufacture. The inspiration for Rob Kaplan’s design for the leash came from Maui's legendary wave conditions. The DAKINE surf leash is designed to withstand the rigorous Hawaiian conditions and sets DAKINE's standard for innovative design and high quality. In Rob's words, 'it was the first leash that you could pull a car with!' Whatever it could pull, it opened up previously unsurfed breaks around the world.

By 1980 Pro windsurfers ask Rob to help build footstraps for their new wave boards, after all he had the sewing machine! Ho'okipa became the international mecca for windsurfing's top athletes and test site for DAKINE products. From 1981-1984 DAKINE defined themselves as the leading innovator in technical windsurfing accessories by developing the first adjustable footstrap, seat harness, and waist harness. Innovations like the Coffin board bag begin a tradition for globetrotting pros using DAKINE bags to get their gear safely to events, beaches and breaks around the world.

By 1986 DAKINE Clothing opened its North American office, manufacturing facility, and warehouse in the outdoor recreation capital for North America - Hood River, Oregon. Besides being the center for mainland windsurfing, it has world-class mountain biking, kayaking, kite boarding, and hiking. It is also strategically positioned at the base of Mt. Hood where summer snowboard and ski camps are the gathering places for the world's top professionals. Innovation through location.

Later on in 1989 DAKINE Clothes first committed themselves to the snowboard market with Dakine Accessories, Dakine Board Bags, and Dakine Gear Bags and became the world leader in this market over the next 15 years. From 1993 - 1998 DAKINE snowboarding became a force on the international scene in the winter glove business with three models (Over 70 models today). The Dakine Bags range broadened with the introduction of the infamous Dakine Heli Pack, which creates the new category of minimalist technical backcountry day packs and the Dakine Heli Pro Backpack which became the standard for technical daypacks and the sport's best selling (and most copied) model.

1999 was another good year for DAKINE when they developed the Dakine Park Pack, as Dakine Skateboard Backpacks stormed the specific backpack niche. The Park Pack's innovation and durability prove to be the combination that leads to other great models like the Dakine Interval Pack, Dakine Station Pack, Dakine Pivot, Dakine Switch Pack, Dakine Messenger Bag and the Dakine Point Pack.

Diversifying in 2001 they developed its first line of Dakine kiteboard specific harnesses and Dakine Kiteboard Accessories. The Fusion Harness quickly became DAKINE's best selling harness surpassing all other models in the line. Bringing you up to date, in 2004 DAKINE will celebrated its 25th Anniversary! Nowadays, DAKINE make innovative products for the surf, snowboard, windsurf, bike, skate and kite market.

In the surf market Dakine Surf Clothing mainly produce Dakine Surf Accessories such as Dakine Leashes, Dakine Surf Packs, Dakine Travel Bags, Dakine Traction Pads, and Dakine Rash Vests. Always top of the design, functionality and fashion stakes, the Dakine Luggage range has few competitors at the top with quality luggage like the Dakine Split Roller and Dakine Over Under.

Dakine Clothing also have their own comprehensive range of Dakine Hoodies, Dakine T-shirts, Dakine Boardshorts, Dakine Walkshorts and more for both Dakine Guys and Dakine Girls. The Dakine Team of sponsored riders list is impressive and diverse including Andy Irons, Ben Beurgeois, Bruce Irons, Ian Walsh, Dean Randazzo, Jason Collins, Kalani Robb, Lisa ANderson, Pancho Sullivan, Raimana Van Bastolaer, Ryan Rawson, Shea Lopez and Sofia Mulanovich.

For those who are curious about the name, Da Kine defines the brand in more levels than one. Da Kine is a Hawaiian Pidgin word used to replace the actual word, such as when the real word has been forgotten, e.g. “What’s the name of that Da Kine thing there?” Da Kine truly is the master of gizmos and widgets in their world leading design and use of technology