Ripstop on the Record

Send us Fan Mail 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, insight for time management, and why community...

Send us Fan Mail 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 sincerely thank everyone who has ever list...

Send us Fan Mail 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, and the attributes he looks for in a sewing mach...

Send us Fan Mail 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 tips for beginners and discuss vario...

Send us Fan Mail 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 challenges of moderating a large community. He highligh...

Send us Fan Mail 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 backstory of his Mystery Ranch bag project, and...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Starting with a new pattern on X-Pac® V15 in a new c...

Send us Fan Mail 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 proves invaluable, enabling him to solve...

Send us Fan Mail 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 to fit just right. Jameson spills the bean...

Send us Fan Mail 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, and supporting women-owned brands. Explore strat...

Send us Fan Mail 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 accessories, or equipment. The program cultivates a maker...

Send us Fan Mail 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 to makers and cottage companies.  Plus, we talk...

Send us Fan Mail 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, and the intricate design process behind Loop...

Send us Fan Mail 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 UGQ Instagram UGQ YouTube UGQ TikTok Takeawa...

Send us Fan Mail 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 running a one-person show. He concludes by sharing hi...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Also, stick around to hear how Daniel's...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Dyneema Composite Fabric Polart...

Send us Fan Mail 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 products and about Liv's early MYOG projects...

Send us Fan Mail 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 - Podcast  How We Make Fabric - Blog   Associated...

Send us Fan Mail 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:  Truck bed drawer system Under-seat storag...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Optic Scissors Seam Ripper  Find Us on Social M...

Send us Fan Mail 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, Brandon McIntyre. As co-founder of Sup...

Send us Fan Mail 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 mistakes, and uses for each of the...

Send us Fan Mail 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, charisma, and personalities make for a fun epis...

Send us Fan Mail 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 sewn with big companies like Filson, Pat...