That’s it. To us that means working to use the best materials and processes available (within reason) for each application. Is it cutting edge? Is it an ancient technique? Maybe. We are open to many types of solutions both novel and time-tested. Weighing them is not always easy. Is waxed canvas better than a plastic-based super fabric? We think so. Is undyed canvas better for the planet than a myriad of beautiful colors? Likely. But will it match your bike? Probably not. It's about striking a balance.

If we can find commercially available thread that is made from a natural material and strong enough to be viable, great. Until then we use what we can and look for leads or try to talk suppliers into making a superior option. (If you have info tell us please!) Until then we continue in our quest to make products that won't outlive you and can be put on the ol’ compost heap when they're through. Because none of us should be around forever.

We take our cues from the past; militaria, hunting bags, old fly fishing sacks , cycle touring luggage. But we’re not re-enactors; we look to infuse tried and true facets with our own twist. Sometimes it's combining unexpected materials, for example: a new use for an old fastener. We are constantly testing, revisiting old designs, both ours and others’, aiming to tweak, improve, play, making functional gear for people living today. Doesn’t hurt if it looks good too. Have ideas? Feedback? Let us know.

Waxed Canvas
Not quite waterproof, but close. Let's call it weatherproof. If you fill a Squall sack up with water, (which we've done) it will leak at the seams in about 5 minutes.  That's about as long as an Xpac bag would last, but unlike an Xpac bag, you never have to worry about it delaminating. When the wax isn't holding water at bay any more, it can be re-waxed as needed. Looks good, feels good. Made with cotton fabric. Biodegradable. The wax used in waxed canvas is a mix of veggie oils, bee's wax and paraffin. Paraffin is made from slack wax, which is a byproduct of making lubricating oil. So it's a recycled waste product, that happens to be food safe.  Eaten an apple, had a piece of shiny candy? You've eaten paraffin.  Mmmm.

Hemp (webbing, fabric)
Super strong (thanks in part to long fibers) and durable.  Hemp is a renewable resource. Antimicrobial. Resistant to ultraviolet light, just like The Cure. Does not deteriorate in salt water. Hypoallergenic. Vegan. Eco-friendly. Free from forever chemicals like PFAS. Biodegradable. Arguably more fun than it's increasingly legal cousin. Hemp is pretty rad. We hope to use more of it in the future, but right now it's in our webbing and straps.

Brass and Aluminum (hardware)

100% better than plastic. Brass has the capacity to be recycled an infinite number of times, whereas most plastics can only be downcycled, making increasingly crappy products. Brass is self lubricating, which is why it's good for bushings, snaps, swivels, buckles. 

Leather (straps, reinforcements)
Nothing beats a cow. We use scraps from a local cobbler for small bits and veg tan when we need a hide because the tanning process is natural and dye free, it smells great, and it ages to perfection. Leather goods almost always outlast synthetic goods, which is why work boots are made of leather, not cordura.

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Who doesn't like a sheep? They're so darn cute. Wool is renewable, provided it's sourced / grown in a smart way. That's most things really. Wool ages well, is naturally anti microbial, doesn't care about exposure to sunlight, is naturally water resistant, and feels fuzzy and lovely to the touch. We use wool from a variety of New England woolen mills.