Fernando Andreis was a young man about to turn 30 years old when he had the idea of making a lighter, more compact and simpler camping tent to carry. Today, at 71 years old, the founder of Trilhas & Rumos is a fundamental figure in shaping the outdoor market in Brazil – thanks to a very clear alignment of purpose.
The goal was to leave his engineering career and move from the Rio de Janeiro capital to Teresópolis – a city of Rio de Janeiro state, known as the national capital of mountaineering. The attraction to the city arose during his youth, on the first of many Petrópolis-Teresópolis crossings carried out to this day. “In my last job, I worked in a suit and tie in the city center, and while tying my tie every morning I thought: ‘I can’t end my life like this'”, Fernando recalls.
His journey in the outdoor market began in 1983, a decade when the industry was incipient in the country, as he remembers: “We used military equipment, like backpacks and surplus items sold in some stores. When expeditions came from other countries, like Germany, it was a race to buy equipment from the members. They would go back home practically with nothing!”.
The camping tents that existed at the time were heavy and bulky – made with metal frames and waterproofed cotton fabric. They were aimed at users of organized campgrounds, not wild camping. It was then that he conceived the first of a series of innovations that marked the Brazilian outdoor activities market: a tent model that was set up with just a fiberglass arch: lightweight and quick to assemble. In 1984, Trilhas & Rumos was born.
With the patent in hand, Fernando began manufacturing in his home garage. It didn’t take long for the innovative tent model to be adopted by Brazilian teams at the Camel Trophy, a jeep competition that traveled the world, and gain visibility.
Cigano tent for 2 people, the first product from Trilhas & Rumos
Marli, the first seamstress, in Fernando’s home garage
With the repercussion, Fernando advanced toward his second innovation: lighter and more functional sleeping bags. The models at the time were also heavy, produced with tow filling, and would mold when coming into contact with water. Trilhas & Rumos sleeping bags were manufactured in a fabric known today as acrylic. The new design featured an opening that allowed it to be used as a blanket.
The success generated by the synergy between the tent and the sleeping bag opened doors for the creation of his third 100% national product: trekking backpacks. The classic 35-liter Trekking inaugurated the category, presenting a versatility that stands out to this day in the outdoor market. Mine has already lasted more than 20 years! Later, the brand expanded to the “Montanha line”, of 75 liters, which remains in the portfolio.
Backpacks have become, since then, the main focus of Trilhas & Rumos to encourage people to leave home and travel to natural environments. Even facing strong competition with imported brands, the company continues to produce various models in Brazil, sold in outdoor equipment stores and on the brand’s website.
Fernando, who in the past participated in hundreds of trade shows, advertised in specialized magazines and participated in events to promote the products, continues doing what he loves and following the market’s transformations: “The consumer has lost the fear of buying online. Increasingly they consume online, give opinions and feedback, which helps a lot. I always keep myself informed to react to market demands.”
Exhibiting at one of the dozens of Trade Shows
Building a great legacy for outdoor activities
Pioneer in the outdoor segment, Trilhas & Rumos contributed to the dissemination of outdoor activities, bringing more nature enthusiasts closer, and opening the market for new brands to emerge.
“Our proposal was always to create a user base, which grew and opened doors for other brands to come later, with more sophisticated and imported equipment. deuter, Columbia and The North Face, for example, only arrived here after the market began to exist. Our legacy is the creation of a market that today has various segments – entry-level, intermediate and top-tier.”
What few know is that when moving to Teresópolis, Fernando’s initial idea was to raise bees. After two years of courses, preparation – and many stings – he decided to change his course and follow other trails. Today, Trilhas & Rumos encourages people to follow Fernando’s example, doing what they love and challenging themselves in contact with nature.
This post is also available in: Português (Portuguese (Brazil)) Español (Spanish)
