Material Research

Seeing as now all 7 of us have taken hold of specific directions, there has been many questions of what kind of materials we will incorporate. In performance gear, there are many things to consider. The nature of the environment these products will be used in requires extra strength and durability, often waterproofing and antimicrobial qualities as well. Working with light weight materials is absolutely necessary.

Taking a larger view, we have a desire and obligation to consider every aspect of the life span of these materials, from cradle to grave. This requirement leaves us looking in two different feilds for answers. Recycled materials, while being a super good option for using the means we have instead of resorting to fresh elements, still can have a harsh process with all that must be done to make them fit for reuse. Alternative materials, like Hemp and Bamboo have certain characteristics that are beneficial, but the processing for bamboo material especially is consequential.

And as things tend to come down to, the price point of our chosen materials is a huge factor. We believe that there are not enough quality options at price points that make sense. We want to provide the best, with the least material necessary, and the best price for what we deliver. These products should not be of an elite status simple because they are expensive. This goes into a very deep pool of thought that we have skimmed the surface of together. Expect more on this topic.

We were fortunate enough this weekend to meet with a fellow avid adventurer, Erica Tess. We met Erica at Patagonia while preparing for our Ecuador trip, and besides selling us some great clothing, she was stoked to hear about our plans to climb and design at the same go. Erica herself is interested in designing performance apparel and is studying at FIT. So over some strong coffee, we were able to give her a recap of our experience, and get some insight from her on what it's like to obtain fabric samples, find performance materials, and what kind of recycled materials are manufactured, and where we can find them. And then of course we dreamed of the possibility of finding funding and starting our own design studio. Many thanks to Erica, and we look forward to working with her further!