Whereas Rugged Thread, a rising outside gear restore store in Bend, Oregon, formally shaped in 2011, it’s truthful to argue that it bought its begin a number of years prior when its founder and CEO, Kim Kinney, was simply 13 years previous. That is when Kim realized the way to sew, a ability that might finally mix along with her love of the outside.
At 18, Kim began working on the tailor store at Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah. By 20, she owned the store, renaming it Wasatch Design. She skied every single day whereas additionally repairing, designing, and manufacturing ski gear and outerwear on the store till 1997. Again in Oregon, she accomplished her larger schooling at Oregon State College–Cascades whereas constructing what has grow to be Rugged Thread right now: the transformation of damaged outside gear into a brand new restore economic system.
We caught up with one other member of the Rugged Thread group, Josie Kinney, to be taught extra in regards to the firm’s mission and imaginative and prescient for the way forward for gear restore. Josie has labored with Rugged Thread since 2018 doing a little bit little bit of all the pieces (besides stitching!), together with managing their companion relations, operations, gross sales and advertising and marketing, and accounting.
Gossamer Gear: Let’s dive proper into the large questions! Why does Rugged Thread exist and what do you do?
Josie: Our mission at Rugged Thread is to transform outside trade waste into a brand new economic system. We work with people, manufacturers, and retailers to restore technical outside clothes and kit, akin to tents, backpacks, jackets, sleeping luggage, bike gear, skiwear, and all forms of zippers. Kim is the founder and CEO of Rugged Thread and she or he initially began the corporate out of her storage in 2011. Her ardour is to alter the stigma of stitching as a profession path.
Why has Rugged Thread chosen restore initiatives particularly?
The psychology of restore is attention-grabbing on the particular person and company ranges. There are usually three the explanation why folks select to restore over substitute, which we name the three E’s: financial, environmental, and emotional.
Economically, it simply is sensible for many objects. Technical gear is dear, and it’s often cheaper to restore moderately than substitute.
Secondly, repairing gear reduces the environmental burden on the planet. The U.S. throws “away” 16 million tons of textiles yearly [1]. That’s arduous to visualise, however it’s the equal of 1 rubbish truck each second [2]. It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that outdoor-specific clothes and kit is primarily derived from petrochemicals that take as much as 200 years to interrupt down, and which leach dangerous chemical compounds into our waterways and soils within the meantime. The excellent news is that extending the lifetime of an merchandise by an additional 9 months reduces carbon, water, and waste footprints by round 20 to 30 p.c every [3].
Lastly, folks get connected to their favourite objects. Gear tells the tales of the adventures they’ve been on, and a few gear simply can’t get replaced. For instance, Joan and Richard got here to us with their first tent that they purchased collectively shortly after getting married and, now, 50 years later, they’re nonetheless utilizing it and selecting to get it repaired.
[2] https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/what-is-the-circular-economy
[3] https://wrap.org.uk/assets/report/valuing-our-clothes-cost-uk-fashion
Are you able to inform us a little bit about what introduced you, personally, to Rugged Thread and why the corporate’s work is essential to you?
In faculty, I majored in environmental research and thought I used to be going to pursue a profession in conservation. I got here again house to Bend a couple of yr after graduating and began working part-time for Rugged Thread. I rapidly realized that working at Rugged Thread stuffed my need to scale back the environmental influence on the planet. Up to now, we’ve saved over 50,000 kilos of textiles out of the landfill, and that feels wonderful!
As you already know, our motto right here at Gossamer Gear is “Take much less. Do Extra.” In what methods do you assume our partnership collectively helps put that motto into motion?
It’s a terrific motto to dwell by, actually! The partnership between Gossamer Gear and Rugged Thread embodies the concept of shopping for solely what you want, utilizing what you purchase, and repairing when broken. It’s inspiring to work with Gossamer Gear due to their dedication to restore—even when it’s not a guaranty concern. They may subsidize any restore via Rugged Thread by providing a 30% low cost (as much as $30). For instance, if somebody rips the underside of their Mariposa pack and sends it to Rugged Thread for restore, we robotically apply the low cost at checkout. It’s a cool program that actually helps folks take much less and do extra.
What are the other ways a buyer can work together with Rugged Thread?
We do repairs for people nationwide on all the pieces from backpacks to jackets, tents, skiwear, sleeping luggage, and bike gear. Folks can get a quote on our web site, then mail of their merchandise for restore. It usually takes about three weeks (not together with transport) to get your merchandise again.
We additionally work with manufacturers like Gossamer Gear to restore guarantee and non-warranty points. Rugged Thread additionally provides “Design for Restore” workshops for manufacturers and designers who need to design their merchandise for larger sturdiness and repairability.
Lastly, we provide some ideas and methods for do-it-yourself (DIY) restore and kit upkeep. It’s worthwhile to know the way to sew up a rip or change your zipper slider, particularly whereas on path.
How do you hope to see Rugged Thread—and the outside trade as an entire—broaden into the long run?
As an entire, I’d prefer to see the outside trade grow to be a round economic system. The time period “circularity” usually will get thrown round, however it’s a giant endeavor that features all the pieces from designing for restore, to utilizing greener supplies, utilizing sustainable manufacturing processes, upcycling, repairing, and recycling. Briefly, the lifecycle of clothes and kit needs to be a cycle moderately than a linear journey to the landfill. Repairing isn’t the one piece within the puzzle, however it is a vital facet.
For Rugged Thread, particularly, we’re on a scaling plan that takes us from repairing 9,000 objects a yr in 2022 to fifteen,000 objects a yr in 2024. Ultimately, we’d like to develop a co-op of restore services throughout the nation that may share provides, workload, and coaching. We’re continuously hiring and coaching, so in case you or anybody you already know is occupied with working with us, we’d love to listen to from you!
Be a part of the Restore Financial system to Give Your Gear—and Our Planet—a New Chapter
Prepared to offer new life to your previous gear? Be sure that to take a look at Rugged Thread’s web site for extra data on their providers. You can too attain out to us at Gossamer Gear with any questions at: help@gossamergear.com!
Curious what else we’re doing at Gossamer Gear as a part of our sustainability efforts? Be sure that to take a look at our Sustainability Web page for the most recent.
