I grew up in Maine, where the outdoors wasn’t something you planned around—it was just there, waiting. My childhood was filled with hikes, hunts, and fishing trips that taught me how nature could push me to explore and reset. It’s also where I learned the hard way how much the right gear matters. I’ve been cold, wet, and frustrated in the wrong jacket. I’ve made the budget choice, thinking it was smart—until it failed when I needed it most. That’s when I started paying attention to what really lasts.

I still remember the first time I saw a GORE-TEX demo. A membrane glove was placed on my wet hand and submerged in ice water. Within seconds, it was dry. That wasn’t just staying dry from the outside—it was about staying dry from the inside. Breathability. Comfort. The ability to keep going, stay longer, and be fully present outside.

That moment stuck with me. And over the past two decades at Gore—in Fabrics and beyond—I’ve gotten to see what goes into making that kind of performance real: the science, the testing, the obsession with performance. I’ve also seen something else: how often people settle for cheap gear that underperforms and ends up in a landfill. That cycle of compromise and waste doesn’t have to exist.

That’s why I founded GORE-TEX AccessWear, a new venture in partnership with leading outdoor brands. We offer premium multi-brand jackets through a flexible subscription model—so people get the right gear for the conditions they’re facing right now, and return it when things change. We clean, maintain, and recirculate each piece to keep it in use as long as possible. It’s a better experience for users—and a smarter, more sustainable model for the planet.

Everyone deserves access to performance gear they can count on. Gear that’s been cared for, not just worn. That’s what AccessWear is about.

I love being out in nature, especially in the mountains. No matter how tired I get after a day of hiking, skiing, biking, or paddling, I always feel recharged. There’s something about being outside that gives back more than it takes. And I’ve always loved swapping stories and advice with people who feel that same energy. But the truth is, it’s a lot harder to enjoy without the right gear.

I grew up in the woods of northern Maine, where the weather doesn’t mess around. My dad had a GORE-TEX rain jacket he bought after one particularly wet and miserable canoe trip on the Allagash. It was a prized possession and strictly off limits for anyone but him. I had the second-tier gear instead. It got me through sometimes, but I still had more uncomfortable days than I care to remember.  As I got older, I started building my own collection of good outerwear.

My first proper hiking jacket came soon after college, and it helped turn my interest into a passion. Then one for skiing. Later, one for biking. I came to understand why my dad didn’t want to risk loaning me his. It wasn’t just expensive. It was something you came to depend on. And it took years of trial and error, along with a fair amount of money, to find what worked for me, my activities, and my taste.

That experience stuck with me when I joined Gore. We were helping great brands make great gear. But I saw the same problem again and again. People who wanted to explore the outdoors were being held back by their gear. The great gear designed by activity was really expensive, and the cheaper stuff usually ended up letting them down, getting replaced, and - too often - headed to the landfill. A waste of time and money, and literally “waste” for the planet. So the more I heard about circular models, the more I thought - this could be the answer to the nagging question.

How do we help people avoid the costly, frustrating trial-and-error years I went through? How can we work together to give more people access to better gear, so they can experience the outdoors the way it’s meant to be? And make sure that gear gets used as much, and as long as possible?

That’s the heart of GORE-TEX AccessWear. Helping more people have great experiences outside, with less waste. Better for people and the planet. And a belief that we can go further when we do it together.