Freedom is far more than something you simply find when you reach a destination. Instead, it develops slowly over time, en route, on the journey in, on the ascent, the descent and the way back out. The Salewa Winter 2025 ‘Sella Free’ ski touring collection is best summarized by its motto ‘Free Your Journey’, which captures this feeling. Furthermore, the collection applies this notion of freedom to developing products that are free and versatile enough to adapt to a wide range of conditions. A central example of this is the ‘Sella Tour 32L/30L W’ ski touring pack, which launches this winter. It was developed in close collaboration with professional ski mountaineers – in particular with Salewa athlete and Glacier Optics founder Arnaud Cottet, who joined the product development team specifically for the project in 2022. He was part of the process right from the start and has been closely involved in the pack’s development, from the initial ideas to prototype testing and improving, right the way through to the final version.

The ‘Sella Free’ collection was inspired by and developed in the Dolomites and is aimed at a generation of mountain enthusiasts who naturally integrate changing snow conditions, new forms of ecomobility, and sustainable equipment into their experience. As such, they embody a new, modern interpretation of ski mountaineering – flexible, responsible and informed by a spirit of adventure. The ‘Sella Tour’ backpack embodies this attitude. It’s a product that combines functionality with emotion – and is designed for maximum freedom and versatility wherever it is to be found – en route.

The ‘Sella Tour’ is a new replacement for Salewa’s tried-and-tested Randonnée pack line. It draws from Salewa’s iconic Dry Back backpacks, but has its own innovative concept: a hybrid full-zip back panel designed for maximum accessibility. It combines the advantages of both rear compartment and side pocket systems to ensure faster access and securer storage. We worked on the ‘Sella Tour 32L / 30L W’ for over three years. This involved numerous stages, including taking prototypes and improved iterations out onto the mountain and then heading back to the workshop to refine them. The result is a ski touring backpack that combines functionality, comfort and innovative details. In my opinion, involving athletes in the development process of new products is particularly valuable – they not only bring their expertise, but also the community perspective. I’m proud to have been part of it.