Flowfold: from trash to treasure.
The things we use day after day are really put through their paces. From throwing your backpack down by the front door at the end of the day, to keeping your wallet in the same pocket as your keys, the items we depend on are put to the test on a daily basis. But are these things we rely on so heavily up to the job? What happens when they fall apart?
Launched in 2010, Flowfold began as a solution to this very problem. After a beloved hand-me-down wallet from his grandfather fell apart, founder Charles Friedman stitched himself a new one from scraps of racing sailcloth while working at a sail loft in Maine. Not only did he repurpose unwanted cut-offs, but he did so to create a product that was super thin, light, and tough as nails. Using state of the art fabrics that are among the lightest and strongest in the world, Charles stumbled upon a genius idea - and so, Flowfold was born.
Fast forward to now, and throughout all their success their mission remains the same: To make quality products that improve the everyday lives of the individuals and communities who use them.
Not your average gear.
We are constantly impressed with the innovative strides Flowfold take with each one of their products. Each new piece of gear comes as a solution to a problem, making versatile items that are lighter and less bulky than anything else on the market. Their wallets, for instance, are worlds away from the bulky leather wallets that spring to mind. Ever struggled to fit your essentials in your pockets once warmer weather rolls around? Or scratched your wallet with a house key, ruining its smooth finish?
So - what’s the big deal about their fabrics?
In geology, ‘flow fold’ describes layers of rock that fold smoothly over time without breaking. The name reflects the strength and flexibility of their products, from fabrics to design, centred on their ethos of minimalism, quality and durability. Flowfold products are built to tolerate year after year of abrasion and abuse from the elements. Folks who love life on the water or in the great outdoors will find their perfect adventure companions in Flowfold. From wallets so light they can float, to storm-proof backpacks and versatile tote bags that are a far cry from your classic canvas. We see them deliver pioneering design and production time after time.
At Buy Me Once, we’re constantly seeking out products of the highest quality. So it’ll come as no shock when we tell you just how excited we are by Flowfold’s impressive range of game-changing materials. Using fabrics trusted in sailboat racing, windsurfing, climbing and mountaineering circles, we can hardly imagine more resilient products of their kind. Considering a fabric’s resilience, flexibility, weight and environmental impact, these guys certainly aren’t interested in cutting corners - for their customers, or the planet. For instance, Challenge Sailcloth’s EcoPak™, the only 100% recycled polyester fabric that is both durable and waterproof.
Over 1/3 of their materials are recycled, and almost all of them are sourced locally. They also manufacture all products in the USA, which decreases the need for non-renewable resources to transport raw materials, along with reducing pollution involved with container shipping too.
Care & a Lifetime Warranty
Flowfold’s fabrics are easy to keep in top condition, prolonging their life even further. Brush off any loose dirt and dried mud. To tackle persistent marks or stains, spot clean using a sponge with mild soap and hang to dry.
Most importantly, Flowfold fabrics are engineered to maximize a high strength-to-weight ration - meaning their fabrics are among the lightest and strongest in the world. Unsurprisingly, Flowfold’s entire product range is covered by a Lifetime Warranty, which covers materials and craftsmanship over the course of the reasonable life of the product.
Heroes of their community.
This brand’s philosophy encompasses their community, making quality products to improve everyday lives and being passionate about their roots in the company’s home state of Maine. Proud to be a Maine-based brand with a global reach, they are committed to supporting our local communities and maintaining full control of their design and production.
In March 2020, as hospitals faced dire shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Flowfold worked with local doctors to prototype a protective plastic face shield. A week later, their workspace had been retooled, equipping them to produce thousands of Flowfold face shields to be sent to hospitals and clinics across the East Coast.
Flowfold take the time and care to build things better, making them last longer. This mission-led small business has proved itself when put to the test, and continue to make waves in groundbreaking design. Strong but flexible, light but durable - Flowfold are proof that things needn’t be the way they’ve always been.