About Us
DVRGE Manifesto
We don’t chase destinations.
We commit to the process.
DVRGE exists for those who understand that the journey is what shapes us. That growth happens in the repetitions, in the early mornings, the late nights, the trials and errors, the long miles no one sees.
Nothing meaningful is accidental.
Progress is built through structure, discipline, and deliberate action. Step by step, day by day.
We believe the way you move through your journey matters.
The way you carry your gear, organize your essentials, and prepare for what’s ahead creates clarity in motion and focus under pressure.
Performance isn’t loud. It’s consistent.
It shows up ready, long before the moment arrives.
DVRGE is designed to support the process - to remove friction, create order, and move with you through every phase of the journey.
This isn’t about arrival.
It’s about who you become on the way there.
Carry with intention.
Trust the process.
Define Your Journey.
The Story Behind DVRGE
DVRGE is inspired by the famous poem, The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost.
In the summer of 2024, after another training session, Andy was packing up his gear when it hit him. After over 20 years in the corporate world and emerging from a world-transforming pandemic, a new chapter was unfolding.
For almost two decades, Andy traveled to compete in marathons, triathlons, and endurance events across the country. Every trip meant the same frustration of digging through a generic gym bag or backpack and searching for race nutrition while his wet swim gear soaked everything else. He was constantly separating clean clothes from sweaty gear and finding his running watch buried at the bottom. He knew that active travelers deserved a simple, better solution designed to create crisp separation and reduce the noise of disorganization and extra packing accessories.
The vision was clear: create a backpack purpose-built for active travelers and multi-sport athletes who refuse to compromise. Whether you're an everyday commuter who hits the gym at lunch, a marathon runner traveling to races, a triathlete hopping between the pool, bike, and track, you need gear that works as hard as you do.
Bootstrapped and with a “kickstart” vision, Andy decided to exit stage left from corporate life at the beginning of 2025 and focus on building a new brand, in a new category of travel gear. He is excited to introduce a premium, high-quality, adaptive, and stylish backpack. Whether its to the gym, that out-of-town marathon, triathlon, jiu jitsu class, or a week long vacation, be part of the journey as we dvrge.
Read more from Andy on Medium. The extended origin story, "The Only Line I Toe Is the Start Line."
Andy Lai, Founder
After 20+ years in the corporate jungle, from the Big 4 to Big Tech, none were big enough for my heart and soul. When I'm not chasing the fountain of youth through sweat and movement, I love all things design - small-space architecture, off-grid log cabin builds, and, of course, backpacks and soft-goods gear.
I have a super soft spot for Bernese Mountain dogs, but nothing melts my heart more than my amazing daughter.
