ABJL (Architecture by Jake Lah)

ABJL is the name given to new and exciting outdoor products developed by CEO Jake Lah.

Jake has built thousands of tent frames and designed many tent models from top to bottom.
Recently, he decided to include his mark on his new designs – “Architecture by Jake Lah”

Here is a sample of models Jake has been involved with:

Jake feels honored his first collaboration tent with Sea to Summit received both Backpacker Editors’ Choice’ and Outside ‘Gear of the Year’ award. The model’s feature Jake’s Tension Ridge architecture.

Jake has worked with Vaude and Mr. Al Dewitz for some time.
Their work together resulted in the ‘Chapel Tent’ which received the Outdoor Award @ Friedrichshafen.
Jake also designed the ‘Torii’ family tent for Vaude.

Big Agnes asked Jake for the next generation of its successful ‘Copper Spur’ model.
Four years later, a lighter and stronger ‘Copper Spur’ came to market.

Titan was designed to be used as combination shade and tent.

The next generation expedition dome tent became a target for Jake. How can we make it is strong as a tunnel tent?
Can it be freestanding and still easy to set up in adverse wind conditions?
Jake presented a frame architecture to Black Diamond that would soon become their Mission tent.
The model carries both the Black Diamond and ABJL branding.

Communicating with local Korean outdoor enthusiasts led to a “Tent Development Project” where locals could inject their ideas to the product development process.
The first project took over two years to finish and was introduced to the Korean and Japanese markets under the Helinox label.

DAC proudly introduces Helinox.

In 2011, Helinox introduced itself at the corner of Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake with a few trekking poles.
Within ten years, Helinox became far bigger than DAC!

In 2013, Helinox Inc. launched as an independent company under the leadership of Young Lah, Jake’s son.
Helinox is now the largest customer of DAC.