Born in a Ballarat shed.Built for the real world.
From late nights at an old table in 2015 to our own workshop on the Sunshine Coast.
The Crashpad Story
From a Ballarat shed to the Sunshine Coast
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May 2015
Where it all began
The Crashpad story kicked off in May 2015 in a dusty old shed in Ballarat, Victoria. We (Brett and Leanne) were over cookie-cutter camping gear: bland designs, zero character, built for showroom shelves, not harsh Aussie conditions. So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work on building something better. Tougher, louder, smarter.
It started with late nights after getting the kids to bed. Music on, a cold beer or coffee in the Ballarat winter, and canvas spread out over an old table. The truth is we had no idea what we were doing at the start, but we had a clear vision of where we wanted to go. So we asked questions. A lot of them. We hunted down people who knew what they were doing and soaked up every bit of advice we could. We got taught pattern making, we experimented, we failed forward and we stitched every lesson into the next prototype.
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The first builds
A sewing machine like a V8
Leanne stitched the first samples on a wild old Toyota sewing machine that ran like a V8: fast, loud and hard to control. But it got the job done and something was born. As the years rolled on the sewing machines became more advanced, more controllable, and the gear got even sharper.
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2016–2017
Breaking the mould
From day one we pushed the boundaries. While others played it safe, we launched with bold colours, including our now iconic Crashpad orange. We were the first to bring out black swags, the first to run two-tone colourways in swags, and the ones who turned swags and bags into a visual statement, not just utility gear. We launched our Stealth wheel bag, which has become our signature pattern. Today it is everywhere, a blueprint for competitors who just couldn't help themselves.
The early gear turned heads. Then it turned into a movement. Our socials blew up, not with influencers, but with real people out there using our gear and tagging us from every corner of the country with our now well-known #flashthecrash. The Crashpad name started popping up at campsites, 4WD meets and inboxes everywhere.
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2018 +
Sunshine Coast
In 2018 we shifted base to Queensland's Sunshine Coast: more space, more sun, more room to grow. And grow we did. From swags to storage, we became the brand people wanted when they wanted gear that doesn't just look good, it lasts.
We expanded the local manufacturing arm of the business: more sewing machines, more staff, more challenges. We still learn, work through problems and fail often, but it's the failures we learn the most from.
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Today
Same spark, bigger crew
We're now proud employers of a growing crew, backing our local community and other businesses, and still designing every product with the same spark and core Crashpad DNA that sets us apart from the pack.
Oh, and the name?
Crashpad. You know – a swag's basically a pad you crash on.
— Fitz, Brett's best mate
It came from a chat around the campfire on a camping trip to the Vic High Country. Brett was stuck on what to call this wild new idea. His mate didn't miss a beat. And that was that. Big shout out to you, Fitz.
Tougher. Louder. Smarter.
Gear built the Crashpad way
Designed by us, tested by us, and backed by thousands of Aussie campers.