Outdoor brand finds novel use for hot-air balloon fabric
UK-based outdoor brand True Mountain has explained how a meeting with a fabric supplier led to a range of bags to store trail shoes after founder Tim Butcher noticed rolls of hot-air balloon fabric in the factory.
The supplier, Allied Textiles and its spinning division William Reed, formerly specialised in fabrics for apparel but has expanded into more technical textiles in recent years.
One of its largest businesses is hot air balloon fabric, which is windproof, waterproof and antimicrobial, which Mr Butcher realised would work for the shoe bags.
Mr Butcher said the proximity of True Mountain’s manufacturing location to the supplier in Lancashire means lead times can be measured in days rather than weeks.
The company was launched in 2013 by Mr Butcher and Jojo Burns, both of whom had worked in the outdoor industry for many years, to focus on small runs of UK-made clothing, including baselayers, pants and running jackets.
