NEW AT EMPIRE - TOPO DESIGNS
NEW AT EMPIRE - TOPO DESIGNS
Just like a lot of us at Empire, Topo Designs is rooted in mountain culture and outdoor living mixed with a love for exploring cities and travelling the world. Taking inspiration from historically proven classics, Topo Designs takes advantage of innovative technologies to ensure a perfect match between timeless look and modern functionality.
Uncomplicated and utilitarian and two words that describe the brand really well. Pieces with a sense of design and style through simplicity mixed with classic styling, functionality, durability and a particular attention for quality. This is what you get when you buy Topo Designs and the reason why we wanted to have the brand’s products so much.
A few favorites
The Rover BackpackThe bag that put Topo Designs on the map. The Rover Pack Classic has a tough 1000D nylon base and lightweight, water-resistant pack cloth upper with a cinch top closure. An exterior front pocket and top flap pocket give quick access to smaller items and internal laptop sleeve keeps your computer secure. Expandable side pockets hold your water bottle or extra gear.
The Block Shoulder Crossbody Bag
The front of the Block Bag features two mesh slip pockets and a zippered pocket, while the large main compartment has a zippered pocket with a key clip. Heavy duty YKK zippers add some signature Topo Designs flair. Bottom compression straps keep the silhouette sleek.
The Mountain Insulated Jacket
The Mountain Jacket is insulated with PrimaLoft® Black Eco Insulation, a sustainably built synthetic fill that performs like down. PrimaLoft® Black Eco Insulation is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles to keep you warm while keeping plastic out of the landfill.
The Mountain Jacket is built from waterproof nylon oxford fabric with taped seams at critical points to keep you warm (and keep the elements at bay). Four-dimensional cargo pockets allow plenty of room for you to stash your keys, gloves or phone. Each Mountain Jacket uses 27 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles in its PrimaLoft® Black Eco Insulation.
A bit of history
Topo Designs started in Colorado in 2008 when Jedd Rose and Mark Hansen, two outdoor living and outdoors gear fans, partnered up in an effort to create exactly the kind of products they’d love to use every day and ultimately, to share their vision with the rest of the world.
In 2008, Jedd bought a sewing machine and began concepting, designing, and sewing packs in his Fort Collins basement, while Mark set out around Denver looking for resources and partners needed to build those designs. They were lucky enough to find local Colorado people that were just getting started like them and worked with them to produce Topo Designs’ initial offering of products, continuing to work with them to this day.
High end manufacturing
Topo Designs offers products that are a bit “high end” compared to your regular skate brands. This all starts with an unparalleled attention to quality in the confection of the garments. The jackets, shirts, bags and other accessories are made using the highest quality materials, working with the most talented people, to make the best quality product, that offers the most versatility, and the longest life span possible and that can be used anywhere, from the forest to the city center.
Topo Designs clothes are also created locally in the USA. The fact that the products are made locally by a team of young manufacturers who were just getting started in the business when Topo’s creators first approached them made it possible for the brand to have a manufacturer that’s close to home and to grow with said manufacturer. The brand still works with the same people today and the connection between the designers and manufacturer couldn’t be more organic.
Better for our environment
The Topo Designs MAP Pact initiative is designed to ensure the simple concept to Maintain, Act, and Protect the communities that the brand is part of. Starting with employees and individuals to overall sustainability all the way to concrete actions to protect the land we live on. This brand really acts on responsible decisions when it comes to their materials and products.
Topo Design also promotes the community aspect of things and want people to engage and improve their own circles, natural places and spaces around where they live, so they can see an immediate change, and can easily recruit others to protect the important places where they live. After all, taking advantage of the great outdoors is one of the brand’s main mission and to be able to do so, they work hard to preserve it.
Long lasting products
Like we mentioned earlier, building products that stand the test of time and can work anywhere is Topo Design’s goal. Whether you’re traveling the globe, visiting urban centers or heading to the backcountry, they want to make sure everything that will follow you in your day to day will always come back in one piece, year after year.
Because Topo Design offers high quality products that will last you for a long time and that are a bit more expensive, they can also offer one of the best warranty there is on their apparel and backpacks lines. If there’s any defect on it, they will send you a new one. If you want to keep your product or if the type of damage is not covered by the warranty, the brand’s repair program is also amazing!
Repair program
Topo Design repairs program is focused on creating a rehab center for those well-loved pieces so they can stay in the family—ultimately reducing the number of pieces that are unnecessarily discarded for something new.
Great and durable products not only build a relationship with their owners, but tend to be used so much that they suffer from a bit of tough love. Instead of replacing them, send them back for repair! The guys at Topo Design will be happy to get them nursed to health and back in action.
