Upcycling in the outdoors

Upcycling reinvents outdoor gear by transforming used equipment into unique, durable pieces. A creative response to obsolescence, where performance finally goes hand in hand with responsibility.

What if the future of outdoor gear were hidden in its past? Faced with the accumulation of abandoned technical equipment, kitesurf sails, climbing ropes, neoprene wetsuits, a new wave of creators is transforming this "waste" into resources. Outdoor upcycling is much more than a trend: a philosophy where performance rhymes with durability, and where each piece tells a story.

Through brands like Cousons Cousine, Artefact, and 909 Upcycling, and designers like Nicole Mclaughlin or Sasha Bouquin-Sagot, these brands and creatives prove that a garment or accessory can be at once technical, unique, and committed. Here, luxury is no longer in the new, but in reinvention, where every seam, every material, carries the traces of a first life.

Less waste, more adventure: upcycling is redefining the codes of the outdoor world, proving that protecting nature starts with no longer overburdening it.

909 Upcycling is redefining the boundaries of fashion by transforming upcycling into a practice that is both artistic and industrial. The French brand draws its inspiration from the waste of the textile industry: fabric scraps, unsold stock, advertising tarps, or downgraded leathers, to give them a second life in the form of unique, desirable pieces. Each creation is the result of a meticulous process in which the constraint of materials becomes a design opportunity, giving rise to models with impeccable finishes and singular stories.

Their approach to manufacturing is based on a balance between craft tradition and responsible innovation. In their partner workshops, located in France and Europe, the materials are sorted, cut, and assembled with a precision that combines manual know-how and low-tech techniques. The brand favors simple tools and low-energy processes, such as natural dyeing or hand stitching, to minimize its environmental footprint. This method, documented in detail on their blog, reveals the behind-the-scenes of upcycling on a large scale, where each step is designed to reduce waste and maximize product durability.

909 Upcycling does not just recycle: it rethinks our relationship with consumption. By offering limited, even unique, pieces, the brand encourages a slower and more conscious fashion, where the value of a garment lies as much in its aesthetics as in its impact. Their radical transparency, illustrated by manufacturing stories and emissions reports, makes them a committed player in the circular economy. More than a brand, it is a manifesto for a more virtuous textile industry, where each creation becomes the symbol of a possible balance between creativity and respect for the environment.

Source :

909 Upcycling

Source :

909 Upcycling

Based between Boulder (Colorado) and Brooklyn (New York), Nicole McLaughlin is a multidisciplinary designer who has been pushing the limits of sustainability since 2018. Where ecology is often reduced to a marketing argument, she turns it into a concrete, accessible and resolutely creative philosophy. Her approach is to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary: forgotten objects, industrial waste or abandoned materials become in her hands functional pieces, full of wit and inventiveness. For Nicole, waste is not a problem, but a raw material, an opportunity to rethink our relationship to objects and production.

Her work, both clever and practical, proves that the circular economy can be desirable. By repurposing elements as varied as worn-out socks, advertising tarps or scraps of technical fabrics, she creates unique pieces that defy the codes of traditional design. Her collaborations with prestigious brands: Hermès, Arc’teryx, Nike, Gucci or Vans, to name just a few, have made an impression on the industry by showing that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. Her influence extends beyond the boundaries of design: in 2020, she was a finalist for the Beazley Design of the Year at the Design Museum in London, and her works have since been exhibited in institutions such as the Berman Museum (Pennsylvania), the Anchorage Museum (Alaska) or Cornell University.

Recognized as one of the leading voices of her generation, Nicole McLaughlin joined the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 ranking in 2022. Her work, praised by media outlets such as The New York Times, Vogue, GQ and Footwear News, inspires as much through its boldness as through its commitment. More than a designer, she is a storyteller: each piece tells a story of reinvention, where waste becomes the starting point for a new creative adventure.

Source :

Nicole McLaughlin

Source :

Nicole McLaughlin

Artefact reinvents outdoor gear by transforming technical waste into durable bags and accessories. Born from a passion for outdoor sports and design, the brand gives a second life to high-tech materials: kitesurf sails, Zodiac boat fabric, climbing ropes, or neoprene wetsuits, originally designed to withstand the most extreme conditions. Rather than destroying them, Artefact transforms them into unique, robust, and functional pieces, thus extending their life cycle far beyond their original use.

In collaboration with outdoor giants such as Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’teryx, and Petzl, Artefact collects irreparable equipment, prototypes, or production offcuts. These materials, though technically high-performing, are often destined for destruction. The brand selects, cleans, and reassembles them in partner workshops in Europe (Portugal, France, Slovakia), favoring artisanal and low-tech methods. This results in products designed to last, repairable and full of history; each piece tells the story of a material saved from oblivion.

Unlike recycling, which requires energy-intensive processes, Artefact focuses on upcycling: an approach that preserves the technical qualities of materials while avoiding the production of new waste. This philosophy helps reduce the environmental impact of the outdoor industry while offering unique creations, where every detail: a seam, a texture, a color, speaks to their past. From climbing-rope keychains to paraglider-fabric backpacks, each product embodies a concrete alternative to overconsumption.

Founded by sports and design enthusiasts, Artefact was born from a simple observation: even the most technical gear ends up being thrown away, often because of minor defects. Rather than watching them disappear, the team imagined a model where waste becomes a resource. Today, designers, artisans, and adventure lovers combine their know-how to create pieces that are both useful and inspiring, proving that the circular economy can go hand in hand with aesthetics and performance. With Artefact, the adventure never ends: it is reinvented.

Source :

Artifact

Source :

Artifact

Sasha Bouquin-Sagot embodies a new generation of creators where fashion serves people and experience. Originally from Marseille, this independent designer traces his path between haute couture and outdoor culture, echoing his first passion: climbing. For him, clothing is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a functional, accessible, and meaningful tool, where every technical detail becomes a response to everyday needs.

His journey began in haute couture workshops, where he refined his craftsmanship and precision. But it was by discovering a style that blends technical garments and urban style, inspired by outdoor gear, that he found his path. This movement, born from the worlds of mountains and adventure, reflects his own philosophy: pieces designed to serve, not to impress. Ergonomic cuts, durable materials, thoughtful finishes… At Sasha’s, fashion becomes once again what it should never have stopped being: an extension of the body, in the service of action and freedom.

What sets Sasha apart is his refusal of fashion as a mere consumer object. For him, creating means contributing. Whether through his involvement at GERTRUDE or his personal projects, he places the human dimension at the heart of his approach. His workshop? A "family of friends." His creations? Garments that improve everyday life, without ostentation, but with meticulous attention to detail: a well-placed pocket, a reinforced seam, a breathable fabric. His goal is not personal enrichment, but positive impact: helping others feel better, move more freely, and live more lightly.

For Sasha, fabric is not neutral: it carries values, emotions, a story. Every piece he designs is meant to convey energy, whether it be the ruggedness of a recycled climbing jacket or the softness of a hand-knit sweater. His approach reminds us that fashion can be both practical and poetic: a balance between technique and sensitivity, between utility and inspiration. In a world where the textile industry is often criticized for its waste and individualism, Sasha offers an alternative: a fashion that brings people together, protects them, and makes them want to move forward.

With him, clothing becomes once again what it has always been: a companion on the journey.

Source :

Sasha Bouquin-Sagot

Source :

Sasha Bouquin-Sagot

Cousons Cousine is a Belgian brand that creates bags called Tantine, designed as reliable everyday companions. By rethinking our relationship with objects, it combines utility and aesthetics while giving new life to reclaimed materials, with each piece handcrafted in a Brussels workshop for guaranteed uniqueness.

Founded on eco-responsibility and sustainability values, the brand focuses on products designed to last, encouraging mindful consumption. Tantine bags, sturdy and elegant, adapt to daily life thanks to their timeless and functional design.

Source :

Let's Sew, Cousin

Source :

Let's Sew, Cousin