In 2009 Michael Collins bought a sewing machine from Target and started producing his own creation—a carry system for skis and snowboards that allowed a skier to hike in the side country with all their gear, hands free, without a pack. And from there, with the help and support of members of the TGR forums, and just by being a mountain man, he was able to grow his business from one sewing machine to many more, and now manufactures premium outerwear under the Freeride Systems label, built to withstand just about anything. We sat down with Michael to understand his unique approach to outerwear–homegrown, made in the USA by well-paid and supported employees, and taking every opportunity to help out worthy causes along the way. And ski.
What's the story behind Freeride Systems?
One of the original pen drawings of Freeride System's first product–a pack-less carrying system for skis and snowboards that folds down into the size of a fist.
I originally started sewing a small carry system for skis and snowboards so you did not have to use a pack to carry board or skis in in the sidecountry. The first one was made from guitar straps and it accommodated a shovel and probe for quick backcountry strikes and allowed you to roll up the webbing and put in your pocket for the downhill.
In 2009 three tele-skiers saw my system and asked if I made it or where I bought it. Right then and there, I thought I better start making it commercially or someone would take my idea and run with it. So, by March of 2010 I was sewing them with a plastic machine from Target and selling them on the TGR forums and through some small mountain consignment shops in Summit and Lake Counties in Colorado. I never planned to be in the apparel business in the beginning, but later that winter, forum members wanted to support what I was doing, which was foregoing a career while living in a shack in the mountains and pursuing skiing full time.
I had placed an ad in local paper for some more people to sew and one person I ended up talking to could make jackets. So, I decided to combine all the missing features from other brands' jackets I had used into one garment made in Colorado and affordably priced.
Why do you feel like Freeride Systems was needed in the outerwear world?
This stuff is designed by someone who is living and recreating in the mountains full time. The apparel has everything you’d need: zippers you can operate with a gloved hand, a hood that goes up and down over a helmet without unzipping the collar, it’s very waterproof, windproof, very breathable, fully seam taped, made in Colorado and priced affordably. We are the only company doing anything like this in the state and one of very few in the nation.
How does your company relate to the TGR forums?
I was a TGR forum member for many years before I even thought about the webbing business. I was always looking to score deals on used equipment because I was poor, and I was looking for beta about all things related to inbound and backcountry skiing and other cool stuff. And what happened is I found a community instead of just bland information.
I was a TGR forum member before I even thought about the webbing business. I was always looking to score deals on used equipment, and I was looking for beta about all things related to skiing and other cool stuff. And I found a community instead of just bland information.
The forums always felt like home and I fit in with the type of banter that goes back and forth in that community. I really enjoy the verbal sparring and tone. But, in the end, the best information about many things including skiing, but not limited to skiing, are found in the TGR forums. For example: a cheap place to stay on a Dominican Republic backpack trip, parking lot camping information for ski areas, ski reviews, and the best boutique ski makers and skis available.*
*Right now, Michael's even letting forum members trade in their old Freeride Systems jackets for as much as $200 towards a new one.
How do you test your products to know they will perform anywhere?
Among the many working professionals putting Freeride Systems outerwear to the test are ABC News' weather and disaster reporters.
I personally test and refine all my products myself inbounds skiing, bootpacking, and backcountry skiing. I’ve use this stuff from 9,000 to 14,000+ feet elevation. I know it works. I also provide uniforms to mountain professionals like search and rescue teams, road and bridge (snowplow operators), transit and airport authorities which are all located in high altitude alpine environments.
If they work and perform well for us here in the high country of Colorado, they will work from Boston to San Jose to Calgary to the Chugach. We have never had a single unhappy customer return a garment in almost five years and thousands of jacket sales.
You mentioned on your website that you guys take an active roll in charitable initiatives. What sort of initiatives are you interested and how are you contributing them?
Our number one charitable organization is the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. They do all the forecasting for avi conditions in the backcountry and this year, we are also making the field forecasters' jackets. These guys are responsible for saving countless lives by giving us one of the tools in the quiver for making good decisions related to backcountry travel.
Personally, as the owner of the company, I benefit daily in the winter from what they do, so they are a priority recipient for our charitable endeavors. We also will fund or donate to a food bank in Leadville, Colorado, and to many individual skier initiatives that are related to the TGR forums. If someone is in dire need and lost their winter garments to theft, fire, etc., we are there to get them back on an even keel. We also do this in our local mountain community.
Why is it important to produce your outerwear in the U.S.?
Freeride Systems' Antero II 3L jacket, made in the USA.
Producing domestically keeps more dollars in our local economy. When 100% of everything we bring in from a sale gets spent locally or domestically, the impact is greater compared to foreign made goods. We also provide really good jobs for local people. Our top sewers earn as much as $28 an hour and some have kids in college, and I am proud of that.
Other people working within our production, such as engineers, can make $70 an hour or more. I am proud of that as well. If you buy a jacket from us, we are also investing proceeds into new equipment that we buy from U.S. vendors. Our last machine acquisition retailed for $18,000 and that money stayed in the USA.
What is your company most known for?
We are known for being real mountain people making high performing mountain goods. We may look like a bunch of hippies, but we perform like top professionals. From a business point of view, you’d never know we have long hair, frequently camp in a parking lot for powder, and go a few weeks without showering sometimes. Our policy here is ski, then work, and I think people really value that.
Like what you see? Any member of the TGR Community (you!) can get a 30% discount on any and all Freeride Systems product by using the discount code "TGR30" at checkout.
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About The Author
stash member Leslie Hittmeier
Leslie is a freelance writer and photographer. Storytelling is her focus and she spends her time following badass skiers and climbers around in their natural habitats. As an obsessed skier and climber herself, she plays and trains in the Tetons.
Micol
October 30th, 2014
Ha, you made ldvil local Jeff a star in that first picture with the snowboard on his back. He is going to hate us or love us. Not sure which one yet.
homebrewd
November 6th, 2014
Keep up the solid work Mike! I’ll be snagging a hard shell from you when the funds are available!
Micol
August 18th, 2015
Thanks Man! I appreciate your support. We have hardshells out for the first time this year. Our past jackets have been laminate fully seam taped hybrid hardshells. The new Antero 3’s are pure fully seam taped hardshells. see them here: http://www.freeridesystems.com/category/hardshell-jackets
kailas
May 31st, 2015
Mountain people? Your from Tennessee, not Colorado.
kailas
May 31st, 2015
Your ski strap is a stolen idea, they were invented by people in Aspen over 30 years ago.
Micol
August 18th, 2015
Gee, you seem to be a bitter ole fellow. I wasn’t even around 30 years ago. If you are talkin about the Highlands strap that thing is a joke compared to BP1 and I never even saw it till a couple of years ago. And, ftr i grew up in East Tenn in the foothills of the Smokey Mtns where I hiked as a Scout and trained for things like the 150+ mile Philmont trip as a boy. I aspired to go West permanently from those days on the trail and I did it. What have you achieved besides showing yourself to be an ole codger? You also need to quit stalking me with personal messages like you have been too while I’m addressing your other crap comments. You know where and who I am. Who are you? Anonymous, foul mouthed (in pm), wasted ole shell of a human form that can do nothing but criticize. No one on the forums, and I mean no one likes or respects you. Go away troll