Upcycling old gear into something new is more than just an eco-friendly practice; it's a creative way to breathe new life into materials that might otherwise end up in the trash. That’s exactly what one innovative company based in Colorado is doing—taking things like old bike tubes, climbing ropes, and sleeping pads, and transforming them into useful products that help reduce waste.
It all started when the company’s founder, Davidson Lewis, noticed how many bike tubes were tossed aside. Working at a bike shop, changing flat tires was a daily task, but seeing so many tubes go to waste stuck with him. After completing his industrial design degree, Lewis launched his business with the goal of turning that waste into something valuable, instead of letting it pile up in landfills.
The company’s process is known as upcycling, which is different from recycling. While recycling breaks down materials and typically creates something of lesser value, upcycling takes something discarded and turns it into something new, functional, and often more durable. Over time, the company expanded its focus beyond just bike tubes, incorporating climbing ropes, wetsuits, and even tents and awnings, creating a wide range of outdoor gear like backpacks, bike bags, and various accessories.
One of the company’s latest projects is a travel kit made from repurposed materials. This 12-inch pouch, which can hold toiletries, electronics, or other small items, helps keep outdoor gear waste out of the landfill. It’s made from parts of old bike tubes, climbing ropes, and sleeping pads, each of which has a unique story to tell.
The materials used for the kit are particularly ideal for upcycling. Bike tubes, for example, are often discarded after being punctured or damaged beyond repair. Climbers also regularly replace ropes when they show signs of wear. Sleeping pads, too, can become unusable once they start leaking or getting punctured. To the company, these materials are only “waste” if you insist on using them for their original purpose. In fact, they see so much potential for creative reuse.
To gather these materials, the company set up collection efforts at various locations like bike shops and outdoor stores across the country. Each travel kit uses components like a third of a bike tube for the bottom and handle, adding durability and grip. The zippers, while not upcycled, are sourced locally, contributing to the sustainable ethos. The patchwork from old sleeping pads gives each kit a playful, colorful look that’s impossible to ignore.
What’s really impressive about this project is the sheer amount of gear being saved from landfills. Each batch of travel kits diverts hundreds of bike tubes, sleeping pads, and thousands of feet of climbing rope from ending up as waste. It’s a great example of how even the most durable outdoor gear can have a second life.
The company encourages people to get involved and donate their old gear to keep the upcycling cycle going. Whether it’s a used bike tube, climbing rope, or old wetsuit, the company is always looking for contributions. And if your bike gets a flat, you can drop off your tube at a participating shop to help give it a new purpose.
By taking what would normally be discarded and turning it into something practical, this company is proving that old gear doesn’t have to be waste—it can be a resource for creating something new and valuable.