Redefining the Tent as a Home Inspired by Nature
This is the story of a brand born from the mountains and cultural legacy of Korea — a brand that believes a tent is more than shelter.
Named after its founder, Jake Lah, JakeLah is a vision of the tent as a home: a space that connects people to nature, to each other, and to themselves.
It all began with a single, powerful question:
⏐"Can we move from simply protecting ourselves from nature to truly enjoying it?"
That question continues to shape every product that carries the JakeLah name.
From Aluminum Tubes to Global Disruption
Jake Lah never set out to be the king of tents. He studied history — not engineering — and wasn’t a hardcore backpacker. But in 1988, he spotted a gap in the market: high-strength aluminum tubing. He founded DAC (Dongah Aluminum Corporation) to supply the outdoor industry with stronger, lighter tent poles. One question guided him:
⏐“Why are tent poles still so heavy?”
That question led to the development of Featherlite, introdused in 1998 — a system 18% lighter than its competitors, without compromising strength.
Today, DAC holds 90% of the global premium tent pole market, trusted by brands like The North Face, Montbell, Hilleberg, Marmot, REI, MSR, Coleman, and Big Agnes. DAC's innocations — including TH72M alloy, the DA17 pole, and modular connector "toys" — have powered tents at Everest Base Camp, Olympic events, and military operations, changing not just how we build outdoors, but where and why.
⏐ “If it weren’t for Jake Lah, today’s backpacking tents wouldn’t exist as we know them.”
— Michael Glavin, Tent Designer, Sierra Designs & GSI Outdoors
Jake Lah — The Man Who Asked the Right Questions
Jake Lah’s legacy is built on a pattern of asking questions that led to real change:
⏐“Why do tents have to be so heavy?” → Led to the creation of Featherlite poles and DAC’s dominance in global tent hardware.
⏐“Why do we always sit on the ground when outdoors?” → In the early 2000s, DAC explored ultralight outdoor furniture. That vision grew into Helinox, now a global leader in outdoor furniture and DAC’s largest client. Helinox launched with community involvement — inviting campers to share ideas and test prototypes. Its flagship product, Chair One, debuted in 2012. Weighing just 850g (1.9 lbs), it supports up to 145kg (320 lbs), folds down to the size of a shoe bag, and can be assembled in seconds. Chair One became a design icon — setting new standards in portability and comfort.
⏐“Why can’t we enjoy standing, comfortable, open-air living in the wild?” → This inspired a complete system of standing-height furniture and livable shelter design.
In 2019, 1,000 Helinox chairs were installed at the Louvre Museum in Paris for an outdoor film screening — turning a piece of camping gear into a medium of public culture. Jake Lah didn’t just design products — he redefined the outdoor lifestyle.
Three Decades of Collaboration
Since 1991, Jake Lah has collaborated with dozens of leading outdoor brands, including LL Bean, Ogawa, Hilleberg, Sierra Designs, and more. damaged consumer products for remanufacturing.
He describes his life as:
⏐“A journey of always heading toward the best path.”
A path where design meets durability, and engineering meets empathy.
Design with Responsibility
Jake Lah’s work has always reflected a belief that design must serve both people and the planet. From the start, his team has asked:
⏐“What do people really need — and how can we give them dignity through design?”
Over the years, they've developed shelters for the UNHCR, Red Cross, military units, and polar research teams. These tents are more than structures — they're human-centered spaces that restore autonomy and protection in the harshest conditions.
That same mindset influences how DAC manufactures its products. In 2008, DAC pioneered Green Anodizing — an eco-conscious alternative to traditional aluminum processing, eliminating toxic chemicals to protect both workers and the planet. To go further, DAC built a closed-loop aluminum recycling system, working with suppliers to reuse scrap and even recover damaged consumer products for remanufacturing.
Volunteeum: Reconnecting Through Camping
Jake's latest initiative, Volunteeum, merges volunteering and sanctuary. Volunteeum is a camp-based program designed for young adults experiencing social isolation, bringing volunteers and participants together to pitch tents, cook meals, and reconnect in nature.
His inspiration comes in part from his mother — the founder of Korea’s Girl Scouts — who dedicated her life to public service. Continuing her legacy, Jake has served as Chairman of the Kakdang Social Welfare Foundation since 2015.
⏐“Volunteering is not about giving away your time,” Lah says. "It's about becoming the owner of your life.”
It’s not about charity.
It’s about community. And healing.
JakeLah: A Natural Evolution
Established in 2019 and named after its founder, JakeLah offers products that blur the boundaries between mobility and comfort, indoors and out. Its designs are rooted in 30+ years of innovation in aluminum technology, structure design, and human-centered thinking — all pioneered by Jake Lah and the DAC team. JakeLah focuses not only on tents, but on creating experiences that let people spent more meaningful time in nature — across camping, expedition, wellness, and even urban spaces.
⏐“We don’t just make tents. We ask: What kind of outdoor space helps people live better lives?" — Jake Lah
Looking Ahead: Designing for the Future
JakeLah is more than a brand. It's a bridge — between nature and the city, between sitting and standing lifestyles, between product and philosophy, between individuals and communities.
Jake Lah once said:
⏐“A tent is more than just a space — it’s a home that connects people and the world around them."
His dream is still unfolding. And at Bigtent Outdoors, we're honored to be part of it — helping bring JakeLah's vision to more people who seek freedom, comfort, and meaning in the wild.
The first JakeLah collection is coming soon — thoughtfully designed to help you live better outdoors, and feel more at home in nature. Stay tuned!
📎 Learn More About JakeLah
🎥 Watch the Story
Discover the heart behind JakeLah’s vision in this short film.
🛒 Explore JakeLah Collection
📄 Download the Brochure (PDF)
A visual and narrative journey through Jake Lah's philosophy.
👉 Download: JakeLah Story Full Brochure (PDF)
📰 Featured Article
Outside Magazine — "The King of Tents: How Jake Lah’s Influence Extends to Every Corner of the Modern Tent Industry"
👉 Read the Full Article
🔗 Visit DAC (Dongah Aluminum Corporation)
Explore more about DAC’s pole technology, innovations, and global partnerships.
👉 Visit the DAC Official Website
