Mountainsmith Launches New Waist Pack Made From Upcycled Materials

March 14, 2019

Colorado-based heritage brand collaborates with industry leaders to bring the sustainably-made Tripster to market

Golden, CO – Mountainsmith, craftsmen of iconic backcountry equipment and recreational outdoor gear, have announced the launch of the Tripster, a waist pack made from over 80% upcycled materials. The Tripster is now available exclusively at REI stores nationwide and online at REI.com.

In 2018, the REI Co-op challenged Mountainsmith to develop a unique offering specifically for its members. The goal was to highlight Mountainsmith’s 40-year history in waist packs and tap into the brand’s Colorado-based relationship with Green Guru, who also shares a long-standing partnership with REI Co-op stores as a source of upcycled materials from inner tubes and climbing ropes. The Tripster is the result of this project; each one designed and built in the state of Colorado.

“At its roots, Mountainsmith is a fanny pack expert that cares deeply about our environment,” says Torie Palffy, marketing manager at Mountainsmith. “Green Guru, a fellow Colorado-based brand, is arguably the best in the industry at turning upcycled goods into cool, functional gear, while REI provides consumers with locations across the country to recycle various materials. Mountainsmith handled the design aspect of this project, and together we created a truly unique, sustainably sourced product that we are incredibly proud of.”

The production process involves three steps: REI Co-op members drop off old bike tubes and climbing rope at REI, Green Guru takes those recyclables, as well as other excess materials from around the industry, and turns them into pack material. Then, Green Guru employs Mountainsmith’s expertise in waist pack design to build each pack at its manufacturing facility in Colorado. Each pack is constructed with different upcycled materials, so each piece is unique by featuring different colors, patterns and prints.

“We are honored to provide REI Co-op members with a sustainable and unique piece of gear,” says Davidson Lewis, CEO of Green Guru. “Collectively, this project keeps a lot of bicycle tubes, climbing ropes and industrial tents out of the landfill. This helps close the loop on activities we love to be a part of and makes for a greener adventure ahead.” said Davidson Lewis, founder of Green Guru Gear.”

For media inquiries, please contact Mountainsmith PR representative Logan Waddell: logan@groundswellpr.com

For more information regarding Mountainsmith, please visit www.mountainsmith.com.

About Mountainsmith
Headquartered at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, CO for 35 years, Mountainsmith is committed to creating durable provisions for every aspect of your adventure, on and off the trail.  Beginning with iconic lumbar packs in 1979, Mountainsmith products carry an emphasis on utility for those who prefer life outdoors.  Whether that is a solution for the backcountry, the gear closet, the office, the photo shoot, or even the dog; the brand offers tools that serve a purpose and stand the test of time.  Dedicated in its mission to improve the lives of fellow outdoors enthusiasts, Mountainsmith manufactures products that are forged for life.  Visit www.mountainsmith.com to learn more.

About Green Guru
Founded after seeing the need for more sustainable gear in the outdoor and cycling markets in 2007, Green Guru Gear was created to divert old gear waste from our past adventures. Like that mountain bike ride with the blown bike tube, surf session that your wetsuit catches its last wave, the epic climb that your favorite rope takes a core shot or that camping trip or festival where that tent provides it last cover. Collectively all our adventures have some type of gear waste byproducts. Green Guru actively works to divert and upcycle as many of these materials as possible and utilize them as raw materials to build new gear and keep our playgrounds as green as possible. Visit www.GreenGuruGear.com to learn more.