Send us a text There are thousands of components on the market. It's awesome, but it can be overwhelming and a bit dizzying. In this episode, we're going to cut through the pages of fluff to give you a list of 6 components you MUST have at all times. These should be staples in the bins of any maker from a basement MYOGer or product designer. Produc…

Send us a text Imagine a world where waterproof/breathable materials really work, where there is mosquito proof apparel, or where fabrics can harvest power like a battery. These (and others) are innovations that Dr. Amanda Mills and her colleagues are working on at the NC State Wilson College of Textiles. Despite their groundbreaking research, they…

Send us a text Whether you're using a dining room table or moving into your own shop, the right space makes all the difference. In this episode, we're back with Daniel McKewen to talk about building your MYOG workshop. We'll give tips for anyone from weekend hobbyists to cottage companies looking for faster production. Listen to hear about: The thr…

Send us a text It's time to think about staying warm on those cold backcountry nights. In this episode, we are talking about how to make a down quilt. Our guest has a lot of experience with down projects and is going to give us his best tips and tricks so you can save some hassle. Listen to hear more about: How to make a reusable quilt pattern Mate…

Send us a text Challenge Sailcloth has been taking the industry by storm with polarizing materials like ULTRA Weave, ECOPAK, ULTRA TNT and others. We sit down with Wes Hatcher (Director of Challenge Outdoor Sales and Development) and talk about what went wrong, what's going well, and what it's like designing outdoor materials for a living. Wes is a…

Send us a text Overview: Pattern building can be tricky. Despite the perils, knowing how to make a pattern is a really good skill for makers to possess. Through good patterning skills you can start to make more featured projects, get a lot more specific on your panel dimensions, and be more confident in your designs. Listen to this episode to hear …

Send us a text Sewing is a skill that can take thousands of hours to hone. We can't replace time on the machine but we can give you helpful tips that should cut out a few hours and a few costly errors from your future projects. Listen to this episode to hear 10 tips to level up your sewing and design skills. Skills that we discuss: 1. How to sew ci…

Send us a text We love shedding the light on cottage companies that you may have never heard of. This week we are talking with Kelsey, founder and owner of KEL Tech gear. A company that makes durable, colorful, and fun every day bags. Listen to this episode to hear tips about working with thicker fabrics, how to find inspiration as an at-home maker…

Send us a text In this episode we are talking about MYOG monstrosities, DIY disappointments, hand-made horrors. We’re reflecting on listener submitted stories and sharing some of our own in this 100th episode celebration. We're sharing the mics today with good friends of the podcast, Francesca Hall and Matt Evans. As we celebrate Ep. 100 we want to…

Send us a text Zpacks is well known for a lot of things. One of which is that they produce all of their gear here in the US. What this means is that they need to hire and train nearly 100 people to make all of this gear. In this episode, we talk to Rob Kibitz, Training Manager at Zpacks about the course that he designed, the techniques they teach, …

Send us a text In this episode we talk about how to make your first tarp. We'll go over popular materials, necessary components, and construction techniques. You won't become a shelter master after this one episode, but it's enough to get you started. Overview: Covering everything from hammocks and ground shelters to multi-use tarps. They share tip…

Send us a text Summary Thomas shares his journey in the MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) community and how he started the Reddit MYOG community. He describes the culture of the community as helpful and welcoming, with a focus on sharing knowledge and assisting newcomers. Thomas also discusses the growth of the MYOG community over the years and the challen…

Send us a text Every so often you meet a fellow maker who is different from the rest of us. They think on a different plane and find inspiration like it grows on trees. Our guest, Marc Shatalow, is that type of guy. A kind, charismatic, and creative person who simply loves to make one of a kind projects. Marc shares insights on fabric dyeing, the b…

Send us a text Overview: One of the hardest achievements in design is maintaining form and function. A maker who is capable of doing both is truly gifted. This is where our guest Andrea Perici comes in. His company Arch Industries makes custom packs that will leave you wanting for nothing. We got to partner with Andrea to create a custom pack. Star…

Send us a text Summary Kjell Lindgren recounts his journey into DIY gear-making, sparked by frustrations from his Boy Scout days and basic sewing skills acquired in elementary school. His DIY mindset was solidified during space station training, empowering him to craft gear for his sons' scouting trips. As a NASA astronaut, Kjell's maker mindset pr…

Send us a text Join us as we chat with Jameson Collins, the brains behind Houda Trail, a custom outdoor gear brand. Get ready for an inside look into Jameson's journey from gear enthusiast to gear maker extraordinaire. They dive deep into the world of outdoor apparel, geeking out over the wonders of Alpha Direct fabric and the joy of tailoring gear…

Send us a text Summary Join us in this episode as women in the MYOG community share their journey, tackling stereotypes and biases head-on. From challenging assumptions to promoting inclusivity, they delve into the unique hurdles faced by women in the outdoor industry. Discover the importance of representation in design, overcoming fit challenges, …

Send us a text Summary In this conversation, Chase from Utah State University discusses the Outdoor Product Design and Development Program. The program offers a unique curriculum that focuses on designing and developing outdoor products. Students have the opportunity to specialize in different areas such as performance apparel, soft goods accessori…

Send us a text Summary Several years ago, you could point to any cottage company and they would likely have several products made out of X-Pac®. Nowadays, it seems like X-Pac® is less used than ever before. In this episode, we talk about why that is and why we feel like its decrease in market share is making it one of the most underrated materials …

Send us a text Summary Embark on an outdoor odyssey with Chris, co-founder of Loop Alien, as he unravels the company's evolution. Loop Alien, a hardware marvel within the Ripstop by the Roll family, crafts tools and kits, transforming hammock setups and tarp rigging into a breeze. Chris delves into the early Ripstop days, his role in the company, a…

Send us a text In the backcountry, your insulation pieces are your lifeline. It's important to select them intentionally and care for them carefully so you can use them freely. In this episode, we talk with down expert, Chad Houghton from UGQ about how to care for your down products and how they fill their quilts in the shop. UGQ Shop UGQ Quillow U…

Send us a text Summary Dan Gerken, the founder of ANDA, shares his journey of starting a cottage company and his participation in the Embark program. He explains the meaning behind the name ANDA and the challenges of working with different fabrics. Dan also discusses the importance of justifying the cost of eco-fabrics and the difficulties of runni…

Send us a text Good design is what sets great products apart from competitors. The problem is that good design can be hard to come by. In this episode we talk about how you can design your products even better and take your at home creations to market. We're joined by a design expert, fellow MYOGer, and Senior Soft Goods Developer Daniel McKewen. A…

Send us a text This is not your average award show. This is the Rippies. We debate and select the top products of the year. From fabrics that we released, components we used, and even products we've seen from cottage companies. Stay tuned for the end to play along in our brand new listener game 'Guess the fabric.' Products Mentioned: Ultra 100X 1.0…

Send us a text allmansright does things a little differently than most cottage companies. Where many companies lead with products and dreams, allmansright leads with vision and passion. We talk with allmansright about how they make their vision pay the bills and why they think it's been so successful. We also talk about their approach to new produc…

Send us a text In this episode, we're going inside the mills where our fabric is made. We sit down with Kyle Baker (CEO at RBTR) about his trip to see where our fabric is made, what machines they use, and why a 7 step process helps us be better makers/designers. Links: 10 Fabric Terms You Need to Know - Blog 10 Fabric Terms You Need to Know - Podca…

Send us a text Car camping is awesome but the cost can be prohibitive for many people. Isaac and Jameson talk about projects that they have made, are planning out, or are inspired make for their car camping rigs. Including the best fabrics, materials, and components for this genre. Projects: Jameson: Window covers Awning Door mat Roof Straps Isaac:…

Send us a text DIY pros Matt and Francesca share their secrets to help make you a better DIYer. These tips could be tools that are a must have, philosophies you need to share, or tips that have saved us time. Guests: Francesca Hall - Maker Extraordinaire @madeby_francesca Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs @redpawpacks redpawpacks.com Show Notes: Fiber …

Send us a text Whether you're making or buying a framed pack, it's important to understand how that frame works and what type you might want. In this episode, we talk about the different frame types that are out there and how you can make them yourself. Or know what to look for from a pre-made product. Our guest today is a good friend of the show, …

Send us a text There are a lot of words in the fabric business. If you don't know the lingo, it can be really frustrating, especially when you're just starting out. That's why we've put together a list of the top ten fabric terms that you need to know. In this episode, Carter and Jameson will run you through the definitions, acronyms, common mistak…

Send us a text Chances are that you want to make apparel. And we want to help you get there. In this episode, we sit down with two prolific makers who help simplify the fear and figure out where to start. Francesca Hall and Delaney Dangerfield are experienced makers who also teach sewing lessons at Delaney's shop. Their expertise, camaraderie, char…

Send us a text The majority of MYOG is making new items. And don't get us wrong, they're awesome! But that means we possess a skill that we may not even realize. By knowing how to sew, we can also REPAIR gear. In this episode, we talk with Claire Beaumont. An accomplished seamstress who has made it her job to professionally repair items. Having sew…

Send us a text In this episode, we do a deep dive with Samson Rope. They are the designers and manufacturers behind popular MYOG items AmSteel®, Zing-It, and Lash-It. We wanted to get an inside look at one of the most historic rope companies in the US and understand more about how they do things. Rope and cord is everywhere. From construction sites…

Send us a text OutdoorINK is a specially designed printing process that enables us to print on over 30 technical fabrics. This means your pack, quilt, tarp, or any other project can have limitless colors, patterns, and designs. In this episode, we talk with one of the brains behind the whole process, Justin Oliveri. We'll pick his brain on how we d…

Send us a text Pattern building can be tricky. Despite the perils, knowing how to make a pattern is a really good skill for makers to possess. Through good pattern skills you can start to make more featured projects, get a lot more specific on your panels, and be more confident in your designs. Listen to this episode to hear about: The three method…

Send us a text Several years ago, Josh Stein was making his own UL backpack at home. Now, Josh is the R&D Coordinator at Hyperlite Mountain Gear. This isn't a rags-to-riches story, but more insight on how one of the biggest names in the cottage industry still has roots in the maker community. The pioneering post-cottage company has exploded in popu…

Send us a text We made the mistakes so you don't have to... make the same ones. This episode is packed with essential tips and tricks that will save you time, frustration, and potentially even money! You shouldn't fear the trials because those will be your ticket to new opportunities. But there's no reason to make the same mistakes we have. That's …

Send us a text A lot of amazing things happened at Trail Days this year but not everyone got to be in Damascus with us. Using the top of a cooler and a camp chair as our studio we take a live look into the booths, people, and characters that make the hiker community so infectious. Listen if you want to hear about: The coolest gear at AT days The bi…

Send us a text If your problem is inspiration, then this podcast is the solution. Lance and Jameson sit down to chat with Creative Director from Carryology, Taylor Welden. Taylor joins the pod as one of the most decorated designers we've ever had on the show. Responsible for some of the biggest drops in the carry world and the mind behind some WILD…

Send us a text If you're a normal maker, then you likely feel a rollercoaster of emotions while making something. Have you ever thought about why that is? It has a lot to do with the mindset that we bring to the sewing table. I wanted to dig into the mentality of a maker. The good, the bad, the hilarious, tumultuous, infuriating, and the peaceful. …

Send us a text Many of us love the cottage industry because of the stories and people that are behind the gear. They're not faceless companies that we're buying from, they're people, families, and stories that we're buying into. Terra Rosa Gear (Evan Howard) is a great story that we've been fortunate to know for a long time. This story revolves aro…

Send us a text Shoulder straps are like ***holes, everyone's got one and a lot of them stink. But life is way too short to live with uncomfortable shoulder straps. In this episode, we're going to give you all the pros and cons when it comes to making your own shoulder straps. Whether you're making your first pack and you need simplicity or looking …

Send us a text Wouldn't it be nice if there was a scoring system that gave you quantitative info on what machine might be best for you? Heath Jackson has devoted the last 6 years to creating this tool. Like many makers, he had a dream of making a project to enable his outdoor pursuits. What started as just a tool became his infatuation. Since then …

Send us a text In this episode, we'll dive into important factors to consider when designing for women, such as avoiding the "Shrink it and Pink it" mentality. Our guests will share their insights on this issue and how to approach designing for women in a thoughtful and inclusive way. We'll also discuss common fit issues in women's outdoor gear, su…

Send us a text This episode is about the gear that you make for everywhere but the backcountry. We're talking about every day carry and travel gear. Hear about the items that we recommend you make to make your life a little easier on the go. It's not far fetched to say that we talk most about gear for outdoor pursuits. However, that's only part of …

Send us a text What does it take to design modern gear? In this episode, we're talking with Darwin (yes, that Darwin) and Matt Evans about their collaboration on the brand new Evolved Supply Co. We'll talk about the steps that they went through to design, test, and prototype, re-design, and re-test the products that they are bringing to the market.…

Send us a text Every so often we like to do a deep dive on a particular topic. In the past, we've meandered down the rabbit holes of tapes that you may see in the MYOG world as well as discussed seams that are crucial for any DIYer. Working with zippers is a must for any MYOGer. However, different projects will require different zippers. And differ…

Send us a text There's a lot to look forward to in a new year. For our podcast crew, that means plotting the projects we're most excited to work on over the next 12 months. For the first time, we'll be talking about the apparel items we're designing and the gear that's accompanying us on our 2023 adventures. There are three sections that will instr…

Send us a text In this episode, we spotlight San Francisco-Based maker, Amy Guan. Her company, MODOKOT is epitomizing what it means to build a small brand through great design, personal reflection, and familial inspiration. The quality of Amy's products are second to none, but what is even more compelling is being apart of Amy's story. She's the ty…

Send us a text If RBTR had an awards show, this episode would be it. We'll talk about the gear we made, our favorite new materials and components, an unpopular opinion on sewing, and our watch list of companies we learned about in 2022. Show Mentions: Fabrics 1.0 mm Poly/UHMWPE Reflective Cord Reflective Shock Cord Polartec® Fleece X-Pac® RX30 Veno…