Cyclite is now using recycled nylon for its bikepacking bags. The company from Grassau has been part of the "1% for the Planet" initiative since 2025 and supports environmental organisations with a portion of its turnover.
Cyclite, the Bavarian specialist for ultralight bikepacking equipment, has switched its entire product line to recycled nylon. As the Grassau-based company announced in a press release, all bikepacking bags will be made from recycled raw materials from August 2025. These are recycled fibres that are obtained from plastic waste and processed into high-performance materials. According to the manufacturer, this production process is much more resource-efficient than using new materials, as energy and water consumption and production waste are significantly reduced. Another environmental aspect: the products are manufactured completely without PFA, i.e. without perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, which are often used in the outdoor industry for water and dirt-repellent properties. At the same time as the material changeover, Cyclite announced that it was joining the "1% for the Planet" initiative, whereby the company donates one per cent of its annual turnover to environmental organisations.
Recycled materials without compromising on performance
When switching to recycled materials, Cyclite says it attaches great importance to ensuring that the products do not compromise on weight, performance or durability. "Right from the start, our aim was to develop the best equipment for ambitious cyclists - light, functional and durable. By using recycled materials, we are now able to combine this claim with genuine ecological responsibility," explains Max Barnsteiner, CEO of Cyclite. The recycled nylon fibres are obtained from plastic waste and processed into high-performance materials. According to the company, this process is significantly more resource-efficient than the production of new materials. The elimination of PFA in all products represents a further step towards more environmentally friendly production, as these chemicals are considered to be particularly persistent and difficult to break down and are suspected of being harmful to health.
Longevity as a sustainability factor
In addition to the use of recycled materials, Cyclite emphasises the importance of product longevity as a key factor for sustainability. According to the company, the bikepacking bags are manufactured with a special focus on high-quality workmanship and modular construction methods, which should make them particularly durable and easy to repair. "A product that is used for many years saves the most resources in the end. That's why longevity is at the centre of our resource-saving development," Max Barnsteiner is quoted as saying in the press release. This philosophy reflects a trend in the outdoor and cycling industry, where more and more manufacturers are focussing on durable products that can be repaired if necessary instead of having to be replaced after a short time. The modular design of the bags also means that individual components can be replaced if damaged without having to replace the entire product.
Commitment to environmental protection beyond production
By joining the "1% for the Planet" initiative, Cyclite is expanding its environmental commitment beyond its own production. Launched in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, the network obliges participating companies to donate at least one percent of their annual turnover to environmental organisations. "By joining, we want to make an active contribution that goes beyond our production - and thus protect the nature that provides us all with the basis for our sport," explains co-founder Christoph Kirsch. Cyclite's donations go specifically to two organisations: the European Cycling Foundation, which works to promote cycling throughout Europe, and the youth organisation of the Bund Naturschutz, which specifically targets children and young people in Germany with educational work and nature conservation projects. Through this targeted support, the company combines its commitment with its core business of cycling.
Company history and vision for the future
Cyclite was founded in the Bavarian Alps in 2020 by Christoph Kirsch and Max Barnsteiner. According to the company, the two founders have decades of experience in the textile and sports industry, particularly in the development of products for outdoor and aviation sports. They use this expertise to develop ultra-light bikepacking equipment that meets the requirements of ambitious cyclists. The company's vision combines innovation, performance and sustainability. Cyclite's long-term goal is to make the entire production process as resource-efficient as possible - from materials and supply chains to packaging. "We don't see ecological responsibility as a trend, but as an integral part of our DNA. For us, cycling means freedom and experiencing nature - and it is precisely this nature that we want to preserve," says Christoph Kirsch, emphasising the company's philosophy.
Matthias Borchers
Editor
