Giving gear a second life: What is Dope Snow and MONTEC’s Renewed clothing program?
The Dope Snow and MONTEC Renewed clothing program gives snow gear another chance at the mountains. We carefully restore Dope and MONTEC items to ready-to-ride condition while simultaneously reducing our waste and environmental footprint. Want to know more? Read on.
Here at Ridestore, we regularly brainstorm ways to help preserve Mother Nature and the mountains we all love. However, we’re not greenwashing: we’re fully aware that we manufacture and sell snow gear. And, hey, the most sustainable ski gear is the gear that’s never made. One solution? A collection of restored Dope Snow and MONTEC products ready for the hill rather than the landfill. That’s the Renewed collection.
It all began when we explored ways to reduce our waste and environmental impact. We had an idea: what if we focused on refurbishing our existing items so we didn’t throw styles away unnecessarily? Renewed was born. But how does it work? And is it better to buy repaired clothing rather than brand-new? We have the answers and more below. So, let’s get started.
Giving skiwear a second life
What is the Renewed program?
How the Renewed program works
Why repairing beats replacing
Gear that’s better for you and the planet
What is the Renewed program?
Launched in 2021, Renewed is our collection of refurbished skiwear products. We inspect, repair, and restore Dope and MONTEC items so they’re ready for the mountains once more – instead of going to waste.
Of course, it helps that our designs are durable and repairable to start with, as the longer something lasts, the less often a rider needs to buy a new ski jacket and snow pants. However, after countless falls, après sessions, and ski trips, it might be time for us to step in and mend a product. So, with our partners, we repair elements such as broken buttons and fabric tears. That way, garments are once more ready to ride.
How the Renewed program works
The Renewed program is in place to give gear a second life. And every team at Ridestore, Dope Snow, and MONTEC communicates and collaborates on this initiative. We also work with fantastic, trailblazing partners, including Tersus Solutions in North America and RecoMended in Europe and the rest of the world.
Let’s take a closer look at the five steps that go into our Renewed process:
- 1A Dope or MONTEC product arrives in need of some attention and care.
- 2We photograph, catalogue, analyse damage, and share these insights with designers and manufacturers. Passing on this information helps us identify and resolve common issues, improving our overall durability and repairability.
- 3Depending on location, Tersus Solutions or RecoMended wash, waterproof, and repair the garment. They also perform quality checks and make sure every item is ready to be used again.
- 4Once the product is restored, we add it to our Dope Snow or MONTEC Renewed collection.
- 5A rider purchases the item at a discounted price and takes it on more mountain adventures.
Across Dope and MONTEC, our Renewed collection features three categories:
Great
Almost-as-good-as-new condition. These items are fully wearable with no significant visible flaws.
Good
Wearable with minor flaws, such as visible repairs or small stains. These items might have been washed once or twice, too.
Pre-loved and visible repairs
Well-used with evident wear and tear or noticeable repairs. However, these items are still fully functional and ready for the mountain again.
Regardless of the category, each Renewed item meets the same high-level durability and quality standards as our new styles. And the Renewed collection includes more than just refurbished pre-worn products. The range also consists of carefully rescued and repaired designs that originally featured defects, such as those with minor pattern misprints or seam issues.
Why repairing beats replacing
Renewed focuses on repairing skiwear. This is our answer to the clothing industry’s traditional ‘take → make → waste’ approach. This outdated model involves companies extracting raw materials and producing garments with little consideration for what happens to an item once it is no longer in use. And typically it ends up in a landfill.
Instead, renewing and reusing products establishes a circular model. This keeps materials and designs in a continuous loop, preventing them from going to waste. By creating durable, repairable designs that last, we’re avoiding the need for riders to replace their skiwear so regularly. Ultimately, this helps us reduce waste and unnecessary production. And it’s this circularity that’s become our philosophy behind Renewed.
Gear that’s better for you and the planet
We understand that consumption is never going to be completely climate-neutral. However, Renewed is one way we can reduce our environmental impact. What else does this mean for you and the planet?
Circularity
Every Renewed garment means one less new item is produced. Our designs also feature recycled materials. This combination enables us to reduce waste and reliance on raw materials, bringing items that would have otherwise gone to landfill back into the commercial cycle.
Quality
Even if they’ve had repairs, all Renewed items meet the same high standards MONTEC and Dope are known for.
Affordability
Buying from our Renewed collection means you can secure adventure-ready gear at a lower price.
Continuous improvement
Each repair teaches us something about how we can improve our designs to last even longer. The longer they last, the fewer new items we need to make. And less production is always better for the planet.
Wrapping up
Over the years, Dope Snow and MONTEC have become bluesign® System Partners, seen a drastic reduction in plastic packaging, and incorporated recycled polyester into their designs. And the Renewed collection is another step on the Ridestore, Dope, and MONTEC journey to work more sustainably and help our planet.
We get there’s a long way to go. We understand that a 100% sustainable industry may never be achievable. However, by purchasing Renewed over brand-new, you’re supporting repairability and sustainability, and helping us grow a little greener, so hopefully, those mountain peaks stay whiter for longer. Check out the Renewed collection today.
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