SOUL~No Summit Without Stewardship

Well-worn and well-loved. These climbing shoes are a testament to the grit, growth, and gear that shape mountain culture- and why repair, reuse, and conscious choice matter more than ever. Photo Credit: Aritlces In Common

A Trailblazing Take on Gear, Culture, and Climate

Articles in Common is redefining what it means to recreate responsibly. In a gear-driven world where sustainability often feels like a privilege or a burden, this platform offers a radical alternative: a lifestyle movement where doing good is built in, not bolted on.

Founded by climate activist and former apparel designer Emme Hayes, Articles in Common blends circular resale models, repair culture, and climate advocacy into one community-powered ecosystem. It’s not about perfection—it’s about participation.

“We’ve been conditioned by outdoor brands that we need the latest and greatest gear to do whatever we want to do outside,” says Hayes. “That mentality has to change in order for the outdoor industry to become a truly sustainable, climate-friendly industry.”

The Why: Sustainability Without the Struggle

Most people want to do better for the planet, for future generations, for the places they play. But the outdoor industry has trained consumers to carry the weight of every ethical decision: what to buy, how it’s made, where it ends up.

Articles in Common flips the script. It creates systems where reuse, repair, and redistribution are effortless.

“We’ve been taught that it’s our responsibility to make the right choice,” Hayes says. “But that choice should already be built into the system. You shouldn’t have to fight for it.”

This is the blueprint for a lifestyle movement—one where sustainability happens naturally and collectively.

Built-In Circularity: Wild Up & ReSole

The Wild Up membership program rewards users for reselling gear through a simple tier system, earning between 55% and 75% of the sale value depending on total gear sold. Members get access to streamlined support—photo submissions, pricing assistance, and optional local delivery—making the process intuitive and low-lift. The membership kicks off at $98/year, and Wild Up handles everything from pickup to payout.

For pro athletes, Wild Up offers an added challenge with serious heart: they can choose to donate their commissions to a climate-impact nonprofit. Each athlete gets a personalized “gear closet” page to promote the organization they’re backing, turning used gear into direct funding for climate action. It’s all part of flipping the script and setting a New Standard for The Outdoors.

Meanwhile, the ReSole Project tackles climbing shoe waste head-on, collecting hundreds of pounds from gyms and funneling them into repair programs. It’s a grassroots response to one of the least recycled gear categories in the outdoor space.

These aren’t bolt-on features. They’re the foundation of a system that makes circularity the default, and action the norm.

Emme in the High Sierras- where vision meets vastness. Out here, surrounded by granite and sky, she's not just rethinking gear- she's rewriting the story of stewardship. Photo Credit: Articles In Common

How Snow-Loving Consumers Can Start Shredding Sustainably

Whether you ride hard all season or just chase a few powder weekends, here’s how you can

help reshape snow culture:

• Buy used gear first – The most sustainable jacket is the one already hanging in someone else’s closet.

• Get creative with old gear – Ski boot flower pots? Ski fences? Repurpose poles for home DIY? All fair game.

• Attend ski swaps – Move gear locally, build community, reduce waste.

• Repair before replacing – Patch it. Re-waterproof it. Save busted buckles. Build a home repair kit.

• Question the brands – What happens when this jacket tears? Who owns the repair process?

• Push producers – Sustainability isn’t a consumer chore. Pressure brands to reduce production and lead the change.

A Movement for All Seasons

Articles in Common is more than a resale site—it’s a rallying cry for better outdoor culture. A culture that prioritizes longevity over novelty. Stewardship over status. Connection over consumption.

“There’s a different way of approaching the outdoors,” Hayes says. “It doesn’t have to be about conquering the next summit or checking the next thing off your list. Let’s make it about having as little impact as possible.”

Because no summit is worth it if the path we carve leaves the planet behind.

Let’s patch gear, pass it on, and protect the places we love—season after season.