Who We Are
Switchback Gear Collective is a local, women-led, and community-driven 501(c)(3) committed to advancing equity in outdoor spaces. Our nonprofit was founded by eight public health professionals who saw a lack of affordable outdoor gear in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
We envision a future where experiencing the outdoors is accessible, inclusive, safe, and affordable for all people.
Why Do We Exist?
Time outdoors is necessary for physical, mental, and spiritual health. However, not everyone has access to outdoor spaces because of a variety of structural barriers. A recent NC State study found that women and racial minorities are much less likely to participate in outdoor recreation. Why is that?
Exclusivity-- the outdoor community is a largely white and able-bodied space. People are at risk of experiencing sexism, racism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination when recreating outside.
Cost-- outdoor gear has historically been extremely expensive. Something as simple as a pair of hiking boots can cost up to $300!
Lack of knowledge-- if you have never been camping, how do you even know where to start and be safe while recreating outdoors?
Our goal is for Switchback to be a community-based tool to increase health equity and facilitate the redistribution of gear, knowledge, and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce barriers to outdoor activities by providing:
Equitable access to low- to no-cost outdoor gear,
Opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in outdoor recreation and safety,
Build community around the importance of movement for physical and mental health, and
Promote sustainable outdoor recreation in the Triangle area of North Carolina.Â
We stay true to our mission by:
Offering free-to-borrow gear at our Switchback Gear Libraries
Distributing secondhand gear at a pay-what-you-can model at our pop-up sales, and
Organizing free outdoor-related workshops
Our Vision
We envision a future where experiencing the outdoors is accessible, inclusive, safe, and affordable for all people.
