Comments on: 10 Green Brands You Should Know

By: caleb

caleb — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:19:34 +0000

It really is exciting to find organizations (and individuals) who possess the perspicacity to survey a situation and envision alternatives. Personally, I love the Alchemy Goods zipper pull. Problem: we need zipper pulls for our inner tube bags. Problem: we use the tubes but not the valve stems when we make these bags. Solution: use the valve stems as zipper pulls. So simple, elegant and brilliant.
Look back at these brands and you notice that this is a recurring theme: problem: unsustainable and heavy gear. Solution: lighter weight products made out of better material. Problem: “sustainable fashion” has one look, and it’s a bit too ‘granola’ for many people’s tastes. Solution: introduce good materials to sound aesthetics, relish the results.
It’s been said that necessity is the mother of all invention. If so, these brands seem to do a good job of listening to mothers necessity AND Earth.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:02:55 +0000

Thanks for opening my eyes to these companies, mate, I had no idea people were doing such fun and fascinating things with recycled materials.

You’ve even got my aussie mates looking for Australian distributors of GoLite gear. I’ll certainly be looking to GoLite before my next field research gig.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:23:05 +0000

Thanks for the post, Caleb! I really enjoyed checking out these companies. In particular, I loved coming across the Alchemy Goods bottle opener, and seeing the image of the opener next to the original seat belt buckle it came from. http://www.alchemygoods.com/reopener.html They’re almost EXACTLY the same! A powerful reminder that sometimes you just have to look at something with new eyes to see what it could be. I wonder what else is out there that could be reused with a little design tweak!?

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:15:38 +0000

What thorough reviews of five great companies, Caleb! I feel all the more inspired to check into the companies I wasn’t previously as aware of (Go-Lite & Nau, in particular); the factual and informative tidbits are much appreciated.

Thanks for delving into the excellence that is Held Vegan Belts, they are a fantastic company. I’ve had the pleasure of talking with the owner, Micah, when I’ve stopped in… He is seriously as friendly and professional as he appears laid back and down to earth. Knowing they have a massive selection of wonderful bracelets, I walked out with two lovely (and unique) reclaimed rubber bracelets for an extremely reasonable price. Micah (whom I would venture to guess is who you encountered) definitely offered me tea too! Additionally, he gave me a sneak peek at a handsome bag he was working on from reclaimed mudflaps as well as excitedly informing me of a new “program” Held now has wherein when you get tired of your belt buckle on your Held Belt, you can bring it in for a free change!

For fans and future fans of Held, they are ever-expanding their wares. Rumor has it in addition to their belts/bracelets/wallets/soon-to-be-available-bags, they will also be carrying sexy and useful utility belts for both the ladies and gents on the go. Oh and they’re always taking any and all materials that might otherwise get trashed.

Looking forward to your second round of picks, Mr. Bushner!

By: Brett

Brett — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:50:12 +0000

Thanks for the well-written article Caleb. I used a Go-Lite rucksack on the PCT and it made it 2,600 miles without a scratch. Then a junkie jacked it from a construction site I was working at in San Francisco. I hope that guy is still getting good use out of it . . .