Gear Down, Wild Up: Emme Hayes on Resale, Repair & Rethinking Outdoor Narratives
The best conversations happen outside, and this one was recorded on a little outcove of Donner Lake with Emme Hayes, founder of Articles in Common. Her secondhand marketplace is reimagining what sustainable living looks like for the outdoor community, and she’s not afraid to challenge the industry narrative that puts responsibility on consumers instead of brands.
Together, we dig into the messy reality of outdoor gear, repair culture, and why protecting wild spaces goes way deeper than treating them like our playground.
Protecting More Than a Playground
Emme’s story starts in the fashion industry, where she saw firsthand the toxic cycle of overproduction. That led her to spend more time outside—where she began to feel not only inspired, but protective.
“As outdoors, we so often think about the wild as our playground, but it’s actually home to so many species before it’s our playground.”
Articles in Common grew from that tension: pairing her background in apparel manufacturing with her belief that the outdoors deserves more than marketing slogans.
Resale, Repair & Reality Checks
From pro models that aren’t actually pro, to outdoor brands greenwashing with recycled fabrics, Emme isn’t shy about naming the gap between values and actions.
“You cannot brand your way out of climate collapse.”
We talk about:
Why resale and repair matter more than chasing the “latest drop”
How brands fuel consumer pressure with elitism and false narratives
The role of independent media in telling the real story
Simple ways we can all extend the life of our gear (yes, that includes washing your jacket)
Gear Down, Wild Up at Roam Fest
This conversation sets the stage for something big we’re teaming up on at Roam Fest (Sept 19–21): the very first Articles in Common Gear Drop Station.
“Changing what the drop means…it doesn’t have to be the new stuff. Gear Down, Wild Up is about letting go of what doesn’t serve us and wising up to what really matters.”
👉 Special Bonus: Drop 3+ pieces of gear at Roam Fest and you’ll be entered to win a WildUp Membership or curated resale credit.
Think of it as reshaping “drop culture”—not about the newest jacket, but about giving gear a second life and creating space for a more sustainable outdoor community.
Why You’ll Want to Hit Play
✅ You’re curious about sustainability in the outdoor industry beyond buzzwords
✅ You want to hear an honest convo about consumer responsibility vs. brand accountability
✅ You’re heading to Roam Fest and want to join the Gear Drop movement
✅ You love dogs (Takota, Emme’s pup, makes a cameo 🐾)
Stay Connected
✨ Follow Articles in Common on Instagram
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