Season One: What We've Learnt
May 07, 2026
OP PRESS | 01
Something we’ve been wanting to do for a while is create a space to share what’s actually going on behind Open Project - the decisions, challenges, wins, and things we’re still figuring out. In essence, a clearer look at what we’re doing and why.
OP Press won’t stick to one lane; sometimes it’ll be products - what’s coming, what’s changed. Sometimes harder parts like delays, manufacturing, our limitations as a business. And sometimes the things we’re genuinely psyched on - films, comps, sustainability, trips, and moments worth sharing.
We don’t want to force this, OP Press will happen when there’s something real to say.
Starting with apparel.
SEASON ONE
Open Project launched in July ‘25 and with that our first run of apparel. We didn’t really know what to expect, we’re not fashion designers, we’re climbers focused on making clothing that is great for climbing with less impact on the planet.
Things moved quicker than we thought! We sold out fast and were left with gaps in stock for longer than we would’ve liked, but the feedback was positive - free movement, comfortable and durabable. People were climbing in it and living in it. It felt surreal to have people psyched on the gear we’d been working hard to create.
WHAT WE HEARD
Before our products go out to the public, we test everything ourselves and then give them out to our athlete team for more feedback and changes. Our athletes are a huge part of our process and we couldn’t do it without them.
Once we get the clothes out there, we listen to how we can make them better again. There was a call for more expression and graphics. This season we’ve worked with artists Louie Dodd and Cole Smith to make something we feel really psyched on. For us it feels like a natural evolution of the brand.
We’ve also worked on different details and fits across the board:
- Pants slightly more relaxed
- Tees moving to a more oversized, box fit
- Crews designed to drape with looser fit
THE HARD PART - FABRIC
This is where our real challenge has been.
One of our core values is sustainability, extending to the use of responsibly sourced materials to reduce impact. Many of our products, like our crash pads, are made with certified recycled materials. That’s our benchmark.
Our ‘25 season apparel, although stated as recycled by the manufacturer, weren’t third party certified. As we’ve become more experienced we’ve learnt about the importance of third party certifications for environmental practices. We can’t be 100% sure that our apparel truly uses recycled materials based on good faith alone.
We’ve also learnt that our ‘25 season pants, listed at 97% recycled cotton, likely couldn’t be crafted as such. Recycled cotton fibres are shorter and usually need blending with other materials to hold strength.
This raised more questions than answers. So we made the call to start again.
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
In the midst of being out of stock, we went back to the drawing board to find new manufacturers, new materials and third party certifications.
It hasn’t been easy; with long delays, higher costs and extensive testing. For a small company this hits hard, but it’s a non-negotiable for us to stay true to what we want to be doing for people and the environment.
WHERE WE’VE LANDED
Next season’s apparel is 100% certified.
We’ve partnered with a manufacturer that aligns with our impact goals - not just around materials, but also ethical standards for people involved in manufacturing. It’s a big step up as it means higher production costs and larger order quantities, but we’re psyched to be cultivating something that we believe will resonate with people.
WHAT ELSE IS CHANGING
We’re also stepping away from traditional gender splits.
Next season is built around:
- High or low waist pants
- Full length or cropped tees
Wear what feels right to you. This shift feels overdue and it aligns with how we see climbing and community anyway.
New season lands in June - we can’t wait to release it, and hope you feel as psyched on it as we do.
Open Project Team
