The dream of an employee-owned, benefit corp Kitsbow is ending.  It is devastating and disappointing – in ways that words cannot possibly convey. Terrible for our community Old Fort and McDowell County, North Carolina. In each of the past three years, Kitsbow injected an annual payroll of approximately $2 million dollars into a rural town previously in economic decline for 30 years. Our presence sparked a resurgence of employers – two manufacturing operations have since followed to Old Fort, adding more jobs to the local economy. This is also terrible for our investors, new and old, and a ..read more

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Kiel Reijnen, a father, sailor, and Gravel Bike Racer.  Kiel shares many values with Kitsbow, including a deep appreciation for intentional and purposed-designed elements in life.   Kiel spent years racing road bikes, most recently in Europe for the Trek-Segafredo team. Since then he's adjusted his priorities to gravel riding and racing, and several other loves. He told us about a few of them in this wide-ranging discussion:   Kitsbow: Kiel, tell us about the intentional and purposed designed elements in your l ..read more

If you're reading this, you probably already know that we make high quality, super durable apparel that should last for years. With this commitment to quality comes a lifetime warranty.  Normal wear and tear isn't covered, but any other failure in the manufacture of the garment is covered, with no time limit.  That's not common in apparel.    OUR MISTAKE Over the past year, we came to realize that one of our most popular products, the Mescal Ventilated Shorts, had a belt buckle problem. It slips for many customers. Really, when we thought about it, it is obvi ..read more

Our First Year...      as an employee-owned Benefit Corporation was a doozy: we survived one of the most difficult economic environments in decades for U.S. manufacturers and apparel brands.  One of our four central goals as a benefit corporation is to support, develop, and create careers (not "just" jobs) for our employees. They are, individually and collectively, the purpose for our being. And their commitment and dedication to this challenging year was extraordinary. Sales were depressed for every apparel brand, outdoor recreation brands struggled with excess invent ..read more

Guest Blog Written by Curtis Hall, Kitsbow Ambassador & Head Coach at Bare Fit Adventure Training Nothing makes me want to get out and ride like being stuck in the car for hours, unfortunately those same conditions make for cranky hips and lower back. Since surely I’m not alone in this, below are my 3 favorite movements to get my hips & spine trail ready for some fun after lengthy holiday travels. These moments will not only increase your riding performance, they with reduce chances of injury and speed post ride recovery. This is hands down my favorite hip mobility movement. Opt for s ..read more

Guest blog written by Andrew Kota. Executive Director of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina & 2022 Kitsbow Ambassador   Kitsbow moved from California to Old Fort, North Carolina because of its close proximation to Pisgah National Forest, the natural beauty of this part of the country, and some of the best mountain biking in the world.   Protecting land and water resources around Lake James, the very first in a chain of lakes along the Catawba River in both North Carolina and South Carolina, has been a conservation priority for Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina for more ..read more

Written by Kitsbow Ambassador, Curtis Hall There’s a certain & specific joy that stems from what I like to call Type 2 gear. This, much like Type 2 Fun, is gear definitely not intended or ideal for a specific adventure (or any adventure in some cases) but adds to the lasting satisfaction of it. Keeping up with roadies on my steel single speed… Hiking the Appalachian train in huarache style sandals… Taking my gravel bike on XC trails… Opting for jorts on epic rides while my fancy bibs hang there wondering what’s wrong with me… Every crank simultaneously reminds how ill suited they are for ..read more

What's in your Tool Box?  Guest Blog Written by Ryan Carlson Currently and for the past 22 years I have guided, instructed and educated people in the outdoors. I am currently the Executive Director of the Wilderness Education Association (WEA). With 600+ backcountry field days in the past 20 years, I recently noticed something special while leading a WEA 8 day backcountry expedition – something that has never happened before. In most trades, one of the key fundamentals of a professional is to have the right tools. This does not  exclude outdoor leadership! The right tool d ..read more

Ambassador Highlight ft Shanna!  Shanna joined the Kitsbow Ambassador Team in 2022.  She currently lives in Western North Carolina and is a positive influence in the bike industry locally and also across the nation.  She has dedicated herself to empowering women and getting them out on bike!  We are proud to have Shanna as part of the Kitsbow family!  Continue reading for an in-depth interview with Shanna where we talk about bikes, business, and sustainable business (from manufacturing clothing to mountain bike skills clinics).     The Power of Pisgah ..read more

A UNIQUE SHIRT BORN IN THE U.S.A. In April, 1982, Bruce Springsteen recorded the iconic Born in the U.S.A. track for the album of the same name.  Approximately forty years later, Kitsbow began taking orders (and shipping) an amazing new garment that has already captured the hearts of those lucky enough to help test the prototypes. It has nothing to do with Bruce, but it too was Born In The U.S.A. Introducing: The Denim Icon The Denim Icon is available in 17 different sizes/fit combinations initially, and in two different colors. Consistent with Kitsbow’s innovative productio ..read more