Mission Workshop is the brain child of the same guys who started Chrome. They sold Chrome several years ago and waited out the non-compete clause, and when the time was right they launched Mission Workshop.

The Mission Workshop evolution has been similar to Chrome’s. Start with bags (you don’t have to deal with size runs and colorways like clothing), then move into apparel, maybe eventually footwear. The gear is a bit more upscale than Chrome, and it’s all made in the U.S. while Chrome has moved much of their production overseas.

The situation is a bit like my friend Chris who was trying to sell a canoe that he built. It took him ages to make the canoe, but he said that he wanted to sell it because he’d learned from all his mistakes and would be able to make the second one much better.

Not that it’s fair to always compare Mission Workshop to Chrome, they’re gear is extremely well made and their style would fit in anywhere. And Chrome also makes fantastic gear. And now they’ve making high end jackets. Their waterproof offering sells for about $400 and the Merino jacket is $255. Check out the photos of the models wearing them and always looking at something much cooler than the photographer.

So…anyone want to buy a canoe?

It’s tough to be a green retailer since the essence of your business is getting people to consume your goods. This is especially hard for a fashion company that builds in a planned obsolescence to their outfits. No one is more cognizant of this than Patagonia. I would consider Patagonia more of a gear company than a fashion company, but it’s impossible to argue that there isn’t a fashion component to their gear. And a company that designs stylish gear shouldn’t be demonized for doing so. So they’re faced with a quandary: What can we do to be greener given the inherent nature of our business? Well, they came up with the Common Threads Initiative. And they opened an eBay storefront to help people buy and sell their durable goods, regardless of how out-of-fashion they may be. And they also have a pledge you can take, which sounds, frankly, like a terrible idea for anyone, but hey, it might work for you.

The Ski Showcase, it’s like a Showcase Showdown only better because it includes skis instead of RV campers and washer/dryer combos. A couple of my friends at Backcountry.com spent several business hours testing skis for this coming season and putting together a guide with all the latest offerings. Check it out here.

When the world runs out of oil and we have to make things like bike helmets out of natural products instead of petroleum-based plastic, Coyle Wood Designs is going to have a huge jump on the market. Until then they’ll be the guys making weirdo wooden hats; they’re like confused Dutch people. Coyle Wood Design’s wood helmets are, in fact, CPSC certified, so you’ll have something to yell at your friends when they’re laughing in your face.

via Gear Junkie

Further proof that Vibram Five Fingers have real staying power, footwear behemoth Adidas is launching a line of their own foot gloves even though they won’t be able to count on any military contracts. I bet you’re thinking, “Now why didn’t Vibram patent that foot glove design?” Well, astute reader, they did. They’re currently suing Fila and if history repeats itself Adidas is lawyering up for their inevitable lawsuit.

via Gear Junkie