The Legacy Project: Extending the Life of Outdoor Gear
At Keela, we’ve always believed that good kit should last. Since the 1980s, we’ve been repairing outdoor clothing in our UK factory, long before repair and reuse became common talking points. What started as a practical way to support our customers has grown into a central part of our approach to responsible manufacturing.
The launch of the Legacy Project in 2023 formalised that commitment. It’s a seven-branch initiative designed to keep outdoor clothing in use for as long as possible, reduce unnecessary waste, and support more sustainable consumption.
Seven Ways to Make Outdoor Kit Last Longer
Through the Legacy Project, we’ve identified seven key areas where we can extend the life of outdoor gear:
- Blueprint – One-of-a-kind, unique samples
Pushing boundaries is in our DNA. Our designers constantly explore bold ideas – new styles, fabrics, and constructions – that sometimes don’t make it into our main collection. These exclusive blueprint pieces are the result: unique, one-off samples that tell their own story and offer something truly original.
- Archive – Classic, discontinued designs
For years, we’ve kept ‘gold seal’ samples of every product to maintain our high standards. When designs are discontinued, these pieces often end up stored away—but they deserve more. Our archive brand of the Legacy Project brings these classic originals back to life, ready to be enjoyed on new adventures.
- Second Life – Repurpose or remake your old gear
Saying goodbye to a trusted jacket can be hard – but that’s where Second Life comes in. Send it back to us and we’ll repurpose its fabric into something new, like a gym bag. Feeling creative? Use our open-source patterns, guides, and videos to remake your gear at home.
- Clothing Hospital – Replace not repair
Since the 1980s, our Clothing Hospital at our UK headquarters has been bringing gear back to life. Whether your gear has braved one storm or a hundred, we focus on repairs over replacements, ensuring your kit lasts a lifetime instead of ending up in landfill.
- Deja-Vu – Unique or refurbished versions of our classic designs
Sometimes we receive items with minor marks, have been tried on, or repaired, making them unsellable as new – but still ready for the hills. We refurbish each piece to meet out high standards, giving you the chance to own a unique or like-new version of our classic designs.
- Reclaim – Turning spare fabric into kit
Occasionally, we end up with spare rolls of fabric – either from testing new materials, leftover from production, or rare finds we couldn’t resist! Usually enough for 20 – 50 pieces, we put them to good use, either giving existing designs a new twist or creating something entirely new. These limited runs let us experiment, get creative and have a bit of fun.
- Recycle – a thoughtful goodbye for well-worn gear
Sometimes, a piece of kit has simply been loved too much to repair or repurpose, but its story doesn’t have to end in landfill. Send it to us, and it will join our recycling programme, where it is shredded and transformed into insulation – or something entirely new! A fitting new chapter for kit that has been through it all.
Together, these branches represent a full-circle approach to sustainability: designing for durability, providing options for repair, and closing the loop when a product reaches the end of its journey.
Garment Care: How To Keep Your Outdoor Kit In Good Condition For Longer
While repair and repurposing are important, the simplest way to extend the life of your outdoor gear is proper care. The most sustainable kit is the kit you already own, and looking after it ensures it performs at its best for years to come.
Practical Tips for Extending the Life of your Outdoor Kit
- Wash Only When Needed – Frequent washing wears out fabrics. Only wash garments when performance or hygiene requires it.
- Use the Right Detergent – Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, conditioners, or harsh detergents. Specialist cleaners are best for waterproof and technical garments.
- Dry Naturally – Hang to dry; avoid radiators or spin dryers.
- Store Correctly – Never store wet garments folded or compressed.
Caring for Waterproof Gear
- Close zips and Velcro fastenings before washing.
- Wash at 30–40°C using specialist soap or pure soap flakes.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent residue.
- Hang to drip-dry naturally.
- Reproof your garment if it no longer repels water effectively.
Extra Considerations
- Keep gear away from chemicals like oils, perfumes, and insect repellents.
- Protect sensitive items in waterproof containers before storing in pockets.
- Avoid fabric softeners – they can reduce breathability.
Taking care of your kit in these simple ways keeps it performing at its best and extends its life for many more adventures.
The Keela Clothing Hospital
Launched in the 1980’s, the Clothing Hospital is the longest-running element of the project. Based in our UK headquarters, under the same roof as our design and production teams, it has been repairing jackets, trousers, and specialist outdoor gear for decades.
Sometimes the work is straightforward – replacing a zip or patching a seam. Other times, the repairs are more complex: a waterproof that’s taken damage in severe weather, or a much-loved jacket torn during an expedition. In each case, our goal is the same: to keep good kit in use and out of landfill.
Over the years we’ve repaired everything from hillwalking jackets to expedition kit. Each repair helps reduce waste and ensures that the resources used to make the garment in the first place continue to deliver value.
A great example comes from one of our customers who brought in his Keela reversible fleece jacket for repair. Over the years it had been a trusty companion in all conditions – until it fell victim to puppy life. Their Flatcoat Retriever chewed through a pocket and loosened the zip. Rather than replacing it, he chose to revive it, and our team carefully repaired the pocket and replaced the zip. “I genuinely didn’t think it could be revived, let alone look so smart,” he said.
With design and repairs all carried out under one roof, we’re able to support local skills and ensure quality at every step. From everyday adventures to extreme expeditions, our commitment is simple: kit that works and keeps working.
To find out more about Keela’s Legacy Project, visit their website.
Keela Outdoors – Outdoor Clothing for all weathers
