The Backpacker

While leading one of his first adventures to the Colorado Rockies in the early 1974s, the company's founder, Dale Matthews, noticed most people were scotch-guarding their jeans to repel the snow. He knew there had to be a better way and opened Baton Rouge's first outdoor adventure store stocking the latest and greatest camping and ski gear, includi... ng waterproof ski pants! A half century later, The Backpacker team is still obsessed with "doing adventure right" through the best gear, unique experiences, and personal outdoor experts. After 32 years of ownership and being Baton Rouge's leading outdoor retailer, Dale turned over the Backpacker and its sister company, Backpacker tours, to his youngest son, Michael. In 2007, Michael and wife, Margo, opened the first store in Lafayette's River Ranch development. Fast forward 9 years later and the Backpacker Baton Rouge is voted as one of the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report's "Best Places to Work. With the company's core focus on environment, employees' relationships with customers, wonderful culture, and overall engagement, The Backpacker looks ahead to another 45 years of serving the Greater Baton Rouge and Lafayette markets with that same passion that started it all in 1974. My family has been providing outdoor gear solutions to the company's customers since 1974. How am I rewarded from this job and the company's culture? The truth is that I am rewarded by smiling people. A laugh or smile indicates to me this individual is happy in the environment the company has created and the company's culture has exposed them to a great moment. Whether it is a customer, staff member, or vendor, smiles are my biggest reward. -Michael Mathews, Owner.Read More