Blackhawk was founded to provide rugged, trusted gear, designed for people who can’t afford for their gear to fail. Founded by former Navy SEAL Mike Noell, the inspiration for the company came in 1990, when Noell short-roped down from a helicopter into a minefield. As he hit the ground, a strap on his pack failed and spilled his gear across the field, narrowly avoiding the active mines. Poorly constructed equipment nearly cost Noell and his team their lives. He vowed to make gear the right way, gear that wouldn’t let people down. Just three years later, Noell started building heavy-duty backpacks in his garage and selling them to SEAL teams. Today, Blackhawk provides a variety of products made with high grade materials and innovative construction techniques. Made with disciplined craftsmanship, Blackhawk delivers gear that will hold up when it counts.