Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

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1972

founded in Estes Park, Colorado by Jim Heiden* & Nancy Grimes

1977

produced catalogues selling Gore-tex clothing

pioneers in Gore-Tex apparel, primarily for climbing & skiing

1978

supplied the shell garments for the North Ridge of Latok expedition

1979

moved to Longmont, Colorado

1980

brand was sold for about $700,000, which Heiden and Grimes split 50/50

1982

still had a catalogue, but were rebranded as Chinook Sport

With labels now saying ‘Boulder, Colorado’

2013

brand briefly reappeared, selling daypacks with the old Banana Equipment label.

* Prior to founding Banana Equipment Jim Heiden started his outdoor career as a manager at Midwest Mountaineering. After Banana Equipment Jim

Heiden was with Leading Edge. He also served as Director of Products for Performance Bicycle; Marketing Manager for Nike, Inc.; General Partner for

InterSource, LLC, which sourced products for Lands’ End, REI, Moonstone Mountaineering, Trek, Orvis and L.L.Bean; and as the first Vice President for

Montbell America, where he set up the company’s U.S. operations. Later in 2003 he founded Teko Socks, the world’s leading manufacturer of

environmentally friendly, high-performance socks made from recycled and organic materials. He stayed with Teko for five years, until 2008. He then, in

2009, partnered with Jeff Weidman, another industry veteran to form a consulting partnership focused on sustainability, known as the Heiden/Weidman

Group.