What is Dolomite?
This is one of the most frequent questions we answer. Geologically speaking, Dolomite is a type of Limestone. But it means more than that to us. Dolomite represents the co-founders of this company: one of which grew up climbing in Indiana on Dolomite, and the other whose lineage comes from the country that's home to the Italian Dolomites.
About Us
Dolomite started as a lot of ideas start: to solve a problem in a new and useful way. During Josh’s first Triple Crown Competition, he was unsatisfied with the options for carrying his gear while bouldering. Carrying a second backpack and a crash pad was bulky and putting the bag in the pad made it look like a bloated tick. Leaving the gear loose in the pad was messy and (as Josh is prone to loosing everything) inefficient. After looking for bags that already existed but not finding any that met his particular needs, Josh designed a bouldering bag that Candice created as a Christmas present in 2008.
After taking it to the crag a few times, its unique functionality and colorful design peaked interest in fellow climbers and we started taking the concept more seriously. Working through several more prototypes and names, we officially started Dolomite Climbing Bags in 2009 with our Basic and Deluxe Bouldering Bags.
Early 2010, a good friend gave us a great idea – making bags from old banners! Vinyl banners and billboards are water-proof, durable, and the ultimate in eco-friendly: taking something out of the waste stream to give a second life. While there are a few companies using banners to make purses and messenger bags, Dolomite is (as best we know) the only company making sports bags from banners.
In subsequent years, we created our chalk bags, mess bags, and “Market Bags” line. We’ve moved from Hotlanta to Seattle (still much love for the dirty dirty) where we’re being challenged and pushed by equally eco-friendly companies that have some awesome ideas. With backgrounds in environmental science, green building, and ecological restoration, making eco-friendly bags is a natural extension of Candice and Josh’s passion for the environment. Dolomite will continue to make bags out of 1000d coated Cordura for customers who prefer more traditional, tried and true methods.
Combining male and female design aesthetics, Dolomite’s bags have a relatively gender-neutral appeal, spanning from fem chic (pink/purple/white) to male grunge (camo/black/red), usually resting somewhere in between. Josh’s background in design compliments Candice’s deep-rooted background in sewing and the duo work on all aspects of every bag. Dolomite has been and always will be 100% proudly made in the USA. As we grow, it’s important to us to give back to our communities through sponsoring comps, volunteering, and donating to organizations, like the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the Real Change street newspaper in Seattle
Since we design, sew, and use all bags that we sell, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve them and make tweaks or changes as appropriate. We put our bags through extreme daily tests to make sure they perform above your expectations.
Thanks for your support! See you around the crag,
Candice & Josh
Dolomite Climbing Bags
