Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy
Since 2020 we have been working with Berghaus to prolong the life some of their useable fabrics. End of life products make their way to our workshop in Kendal from Berghaus HQ in the North East and we pick our way through them to make new products like bum bags, wash bags and even blankets.
Not knowing what will come in next certainly keeps us on our toes, but that’s what Dirtbags is all about – creativity and resourcefulness!
Check out our collection:
Rehaused
Rehaused collaborative project between Dirtbags and Berghaus. Using Berghaus end of life fabric to create a sustainable solution to textile waste ending up in landfill. Wash bags, bum bags and chalk bags.
They are here, our limited edition collection of tie dye chalk bags.
They started life as a canvas tent. Holes in the side, and dodgy zips – it had had enough of camping (let’s be honest, sometimes we all have) and ended up on our doorstep.
We took apart the tent, separating the usable canvas fabric from the ground sheet, zips, windows, buckles and webbing.
We then sent off a small sample to Stan at Tor and Edge to see whether we were able to dye the boring beige fabric. He back with the colours which would take.
Holy Magenta, Batman!
The rest of the fabric was then sent down to him to work his tie dye wizardry.
We used this fabric to make a collection of chalk bags and boulder buckets. The fleece linings of these came from jumpers collected from various lost properties at climbing walls. The webbing is surplus stock from another company, and the canvas backs/ bases as from an end of roll from another local business.
Grab yours while you can. Why are they more expensive than the standard bags I hear you ask? We paid Tor and Edge for their handiwork. we all need to support small businesses during times like these. They look incredible…
Dirtbags are joining forces with a new non-profit organisation to save yet even more textiles from landill.
While we use all of the otherwise unusable fabrics and components, Outdoor Gear for Good resell all of the products still good for use. All of the profits are then sent to the European Outdoor Conservation Association, funding projects throughout the UK and Europe to help preserve our beautiful green spaces.
This means that between the two of us; faulty returns, samples, offcuts, retired gear and deadstock, stay out of the bin and put back to good use.
A family business. Turning a spider infested, dusty empty space into a workable unit took plenty of hard work and time. It was all hands on deck!
Space Sharing
So how does the collaboration work? We are two separate businesses, but we are just working in the same space. Dirtbags will have a sewing workshop downstairs while the upstairs can store the stock for Outdoor Gear for Good. Operating in the same space means we can share ideas, and pass useable / unusable textiles between us.
Before and during. Becoming more like home each step of the way.
Mini Store
What’s ace about our new space is the opportunity to be able to create a corner showing off our products. Right in the front entrance we have created a ‘mini store’ where the general public are welcome to bob in and see what we have to offer, something we weren’t able to do in our previous property.
These special products are made using old inflatable mats sent to us from Alpkit to repurpose. And repurposed we have, nothing goes to waste here.
They are tough, and water resistant. And what’s more, we will send £2 from every order made from this collection to the Alpkit Foundation. If that isn’t circular enough, then I don’t know what is.
Petrol Blue Large Stuff Sack
Roll top dry bag made from a repurposed camping mat. £2 from each sale goes to the Alpkit Foundation.
In every Alpkit store there are donation boxes so you can donate your old and unwanted outdoor gear. Many of these donations go to brilliant charities and good causes such as:
But..some things these organisations cannot use. And this is where Dirtbags step in. Any wetsuit, broken beyond repair items, and now climbing rope will come to us for repurposing.
