Jody and Amy have been forever obsessed with finding inventive ways to make their trail experiences better. As lifelong hikers, they know that even the best trails can pose hazards to their ankles, feet, and calves. Errant rocks, fresh snow, brambles, and bugs can all sideline a hike, but traditional gaiters were never as comfortable—or easy to use—as they would have liked. 

For more than 10 years, Jody played with designing and sewing a replacement that performed better than her old gaiters. As her models improved, they started attracting attention on the trail. Her fellow hikers began stopping her. “I have gear envy,” they’d say. “Where’d you get those?”

About a year ago, Jody decided to commit to meeting that trailside curiosity. She asked her daughter, Amy, an apparel designer who specializes in zero-waste pattern-making and sustainability, to join the project. With Jody’s experience as a business leader and entrepreneur lighting the way, the two make an unstoppable team. Already, they’ve iterated more than 75 development samples, filed a patent, engaged strategic partners in every aspect of the business, and met with more than a dozen mills and factories to create a supply chain that meets their high standards for durability and sustainability. 

With Gear Envie, Jody and Amy have launched a brand on a mission to make innovative, performance-oriented accessories that inspire confidence among outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Gear Envie takes its first steps with Hikas, but reinventing the gaiter is only the start of their journey.