I’ve been cycling for over twenty years. I’ve spent that time riding, traveling, and taking bikes apart and putting them back together, always looking for simple, functional solutions for carrying only what is truly essential. I worked as a land surveyor for thirteen years, but at a certain point, I realized that staying on that path meant giving up something important.

That’s how Kicking Donkey began: not as a marketing project, but as a response to a practical need. I sewed the first bags for myself using reclaimed materials, at virtually zero cost. There was no precise plan—just a desire to solve real problems I encountered while cycling. They worked, so I started making them for the friends I rode with, too; they’d ask for them after trying mine out.

From there—step by step, and not without challenges—everything else grew. It was a journey of trial and error, constant improvement, and plenty of miles in the saddle, leading to the complete range of Kicking Donkey bags we produce today. No two items are identical, because every piece embodies the time and care invested by its maker.

Our range of bikepacking bags is constantly evolving. Both we and our customers often encounter new needs, details to tweak, and solutions to adapt. That’s why we put our hearts (and our legs) into creating ever-better bags—designed to be truly used, whether on-road or off-road.

We offer a wide selection of colors and materials to customize our bags. For frame bags, every project is carefully planned and fully custom-made, based on the bike’s geometry and how it will be used. Visit our dedicated page to send us your idea for a custom bag, and we’ll bring it to life for you!

We aren’t fast fashion; we don’t mass-produce, and we don’t chase numbers at all costs. We prefer to grow slowly, maintaining control over what we do and how we do it. Every Kicking Donkey bag is the result of craftsmanship, conscious choices, and a direct relationship with fellow cyclists.

For me, the bicycle is not just a means of transport: it is a way of engaging with the world.
Kicking Donkey is simply the way I have found to keep living that experience every day, working with honesty, curiosity, and respect for those who choose to take one of our products along on their journeys.

I have never been alone on this adventure. Martina, my partner, has worked alongside me from the very beginning and supports me every day. She plays a vital role: she answers your emails, keeps the operations running smoothly, prepares and ships orders, and—above all—rides with me. Together, we travel, create, and test solutions, helping to guide you—in our own small way—toward your own journeys.

We are also supported by a small team of local artisans—people who share our approach to work: attention to detail, respect for materials, and a commitment to doing things the right way, without shortcuts. Every bag is sewn and finished by hand, one at a time.

Stories, news, events, trade shows, tutorials—stay connected to the world of the Kicking Donkey!