Paul’s journey began with a vision: to create high-quality, locally manufactured backpacks and outdoor gear that could stand the test of time. Since founding North Ridge in 2008, he has not only built a thriving business but a community of adventurers, suppliers, and dedicated team members who have all played a role in the company’s success.

As he steps into this new chapter, Paul shares a heartfelt message with all those who have been part of his journey:

“To our customers, thank you for your trust and loyalty over the years. Your support has been the driving force behind our innovation and commitment to quality. It has been a privilege to provide products that accompany you on your adventures, and I am proud of the relationships we have built along the way.”

From the very beginning, Paul’s leadership has been about more than just business—it’s been about people. His strong relationships with suppliers, unwavering commitment to quality, and the deep respect he holds for his team are what made North Ridge what it is today.

“To my staff and colleagues, past and present – I extend my heartfelt thanks for your hard work, dedication, and professionalism. It has been an honour to work alongside such a talented and committed team. The achievements we’ve made together are a testament to your skill and perseverance.”

Paul’s influence can be felt in every stitch, every design, and every North Ridge product that has made its way into the hands of adventurers, hikers, and everyday explorers. While he may be retiring, his legacy of craftsmanship and care will continue.

A Message for Longtime Customers & Partners

For those who have been part of Paul’s journey—whether you’ve been a supplier from the early days, a loyal customer who has carried a North Ridge backpack on countless adventures, or a business partner who has worked alongside him—this is a moment to celebrate everything he has built.

If you’ve shopped with North Ridge in the past and are just now seeing this news, rest assured that the company remains in capable hands, with the same commitment to quality and service that Paul instilled from day one.

“As I move into retirement, I do so with deep appreciation for the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met along the way. I am excited to see how the industry continues to evolve and grow, knowing it is supported by people as dedicated and passionate as you.”

Paul, from all of us at North Ridge, thank you for your vision, your guidance, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. You will always be part of the North Ridge story.

If you’d like to send a message to Paul or share your favourite memories of working with him, feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch with the team.

Here’s to the next adventure!

Guillaume reached the summit of the mountain located in Tanzania on Friday, 28 August, accompanied by his biggest fan, his father Guillaume Snr and two guides.

Guillaume, whose interest piqued after learning about ‘Great Explorers’ at school, announced his intention to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain in church. Having been raised to believe that he can do anything he puts his mind to, his training began with the full support of his parents.

To prepare for the climb, he participated in school sport and did some strength training. He spent his weekends in the mountains with his father, hiking as much as possible. Despite the hard lockdown, Guillaume persisted, running in his garden and on a treadmill until he was able to train outdoors again.

Guillaume Jnr and Guillaume Snr were supported by local backpack brand, North Ridge, who sponsored the gear they needed to do the climb. Paul McLaughlin, CEO of North Ridge said of the sponsorship, “few people have inspired me in the way Guillaume Jnr’s determination and passion for reaching his dream has. When I met Guillaume and his family, I knew we had to do what we could to help make that dream a reality”.

Retshegofaditswe ‘Tshego’ Hatang from Little Falls held the previous title for the youngest South African to have climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 at 10-years-old. 6-year-old Coaltan Tanner from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the youngest person in the world to have summited Kilimanjaro.

Guillaume describes reaching the summit as “amazing”. The brave boy has now set his sights on the rest of the seven summits and hopes to inspire others to achieve their dreams, “if you can dream it, you can do it”, he says.

As lockdown continues in South Africa and our mountains and beaches remain closed, we can only but dream of the days we’ll spend in the great outdoors. If you are still yearning to explore what South Africa has to offer, you can do so virtually thanks to a collaboration between Google and South African Tourism. Volunteers carrying a wearable backpack, known as the Street View Trekker, captured some of the many sights the country has to offer including trails, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and South African National Parks. 

Sure, taking a virtual stroll in the Drakensberg won’t exercise more than your fingers, but it will allow you to visualise the many adventures to come. We’ve already explored virtual hikes in Greater Cape Town, here are some of the best virtual ‘hikes’ the rest of South Africa has to offer.

Cathedral Peak, Drakensberg Mountain Range  

Cathedral Peak is a free-standing mountain in the Drakensberg Mountain Range in KwaZulu Natal. It stands at the end of the Cathedral Range and is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable peaks in the Drakensberg. The virtual trail allows you to have a look at the glorious views the Drakensberg has to offer. 

Here’s the view from the top if you’re looking for a shortcut.

Truitjieskraal, Cederberg 

Truitjieskraal is situated in Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve on the eastern boundary of the Cederberg Mountains and is home to stunning sandstone formations and rock art dating back 5000 years. Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve is a World Heritage Site. This virtual tour is easy for kids to navigate.

Just interested in the rock art? Here it is:

Otter Trail 

Named for the Cape clawless otter, the Otter Trail is the oldest and most popular of South Africa’s hiking trails. The picturesque trail follows the coastline between the Storms River Mouth and Nature’s Valley, allowing walkers to experience one of the best multi-day trails in the world. The Otter Trail is often booked for up to a year in advance, but you can have a sneak peek at what it offers right here.

Skip ahead to Jerling Waterfall.

Skip ahead to the Bloukrans River Mouth.

Swartboskloof Trail, Jonkershoek

Located close to Stellenbosch in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, the Swartboskloof Trail offers visitors views of the surrounding mountains and native fynbos. Be sure to check out the waterfalls closeby. 

Jump ahead to the mountain views here.

Elephant’s Eye Cave Hike, Silvermine Nature Reserve 

Elephant’s Eye Cave Hike in Silvermine Nature Reserve is one of the many stunning hiking trails in Table Mountain National Park, offering hikers spectacular views of Cape Town and the False Bay coastline reaching all the way to the Hottentot Holland Mountains. The name is derived from the shape of the mountain which resembles the side of an elephant’s head with the cave located where the eye would be.

Jump ahead to the view here.

Want a virtual walk around Silvermine Dam? You can do that too:

Hole in the Wall, Coffee Bay  

This virtual hike allows you to view some of the most beautiful scenery the Wild Coast has to offer. The hike starts in Coffee Bay and follows the coastline until it culminates at this iconic sea arch.

Skip ahead to the Hole in the Wall here.

Leopard Trail, Motlatse Canyon

Situated in the Drakensberg escarpment region of eastern Mpumalanga, Motlatse Canyon (otherwise known as the Blyde River Canyon) is one of the largest canyons on Earth. The Leopard Trail is one of three routes one can take to the view of the Canyon and the Blyde River below.

Check out the view from the top of the Canyon here.

Looking for more views, here are a few quick stops: 

Explore Kirstenbosch Gardens:

Cross the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge:

Take in the view from the top of the Knysna Heads:

Stroll through the Garden of Eden, in Knysna National Park:

Are you ready for the mountains? Check out our range of backpacks for the perfect adventure gear!

South Africa is on lockdown and we’re all itching to get outdoors again. While nothing can compare with actually being out on one of Cape Town’s magnificent trails, gaping into the shadowy depths of mountain chasms, wandering through ancient forests, or scrambling up rugged cliffs with the sound of trickling water down the mountainside, we can at least experience some of what Cape Town has to offer – right at home! 

If you want to plan an experience outdoors or just need a mental break, you have the option to virtually explore the abundant visual realm that is Cape Town thanks to Google Maps. 

Here are six hiking trails you can “visit” in and around Cape Town from the safety of your couch.

The Pipe Track 

This classic Cape Town trail offers spectacular mountain and vast ocean views. It starts where Kloof Nek Road meets Tafelberg Road and trails a water pipe all the way to Slangolie Ravine. The historical Pipe Track was constructed in 1887 to service the pipe that brought water from Disa Gorge to the Molteno Reservoir in the city. The virtual trail doesn’t lead to the end of the Pipe Track but you can branch-off onto the Kasteelpoort Hiking Trail and head to the Old Cableway Station. 

Lion’s Head Hiking Trail 

Starting on Signal Hill Drive, below the iconic Lion’s Head, this trail winds its way around the mountain, offering panoramic views of its beautiful surrounds. 

Platteklip Gorge 

Lying on the front face of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s own natural wonder, Platteklip Gorge is the most direct route to the top. Platteklip Gorge, meaning flat rock gorge, heads up a deep ravine. If you do some exploring on the summit, you will experience impressive views of the City Bowl, Atlantic Ocean, Robben Island and more. If you have ever hiked up Platteklip Gorge, you know how busy it can get and will appreciate the silence on this virtual hike.

Chapman’s Peak Hiking Trail 

Known locally as Chappies, Chapman’s Peak Drive is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the world. Just above it, the view gets better for those following this Cape Peninsula hiking trail to the mountain’s peak. The virtual trail is rather overcast, so be sure to move towards one of the photo points when you’re done to see the view on a clear day. 

Cape Point 

Take a leisurely (virtual) stroll in the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park. The trail starts at the Cape Point parking area and wanders through the park towards Cape of Good Hope. If the distance is too great to cover online, you can choose to branch off towards Dias Beach instead. 

Noordhoek Beach 

Okay, so this is more a walk than a hike but if you’re longing for a stroll on the beach, take a meander along Noordhoek Beach to Slangkop Lighthouse in Kommetjie. As you roam along the coastline, you can experience views of Chapman’s Peak, the Hout Bay Sentinel and the wreck of the steamship Kakapo. 

There you have it, some of the Mother City’s most iconic trails. Now that you’ve experienced them from the safety of your lounge, grab a backpack and prepare to experience the real thing once the lockdown is lifted.  

We worked together with The Santa Shoebox Project to get ponchos to children in need throughout South Africa.

Below are some photographs of the kids, plus a note from their National Coordinator, Irene’ Pieters

This was the most heartwarming experience I have had for a long time. That something simple like a rain poncho could have a life changing effect on a child’s life. We heard it all again yesterday – when it rains the parents don’t send the kids to school – no money or means to get to a Dr or to buy medication when the kids get sick. They miss many days of school as a result. Even the educational after-school programmes implemented by Pebbles fizzle out as there are just not enough kids to keep it going in the winter months. Lets hope this will all change in winter of 2015!

As a 100% South African manufacturer, we focus on providing great value for money, functional design and lifetime durability.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for all the support you have given us during 2014.

Paul McLaughlin and the North Ridge team