ALDER | Brand

The Inspiration

After graduating college and moving to Iowa, I found myself building a new chapter of my life. During that time, I also developed a growing fascination with American history while frequently traveling to Colorado to visit my long-distance boyfriend and explore everything the Denver and Boulder area had to offer such as rock climbing, skiing, and hiking.

While spending time outdoors, I realized something about myself: I wasn't drawn to the outdoors in the same way many people around me were. While others were focused on the next climbing project, ski run, or summit, I found myself wondering about the people who had walked these landscapes before us. Although I love to tell people that I recently climbed a 5.9+, I was more interested in the history of a place, the stories hidden within it, and capturing those moments through my Nikon camera than chasing the next achievement.

I also began to notice a pattern within the outdoor industry. Much of the marketing felt centered around performance, pushing harder, going farther, and proving yourself outdoors. As someone who enjoys nature at a slower pace, I often felt like I had to become an extreme athlete just to identify with the brands I was shopping from.

The truth is, I like my pace. I like stopping to take photos. I like reading historical markers. I like finding an interesting rock, learning the story behind a trail, or simply enjoying a quiet morning in the mountains.

Those observations became the foundation for ALDER.

ALDER is an outdoor brand designed for people who value curiosity over competition. Inspired by stewardship, history, and connection to place, the brand celebrates those who slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the stories, communities, and landscapes around them. Through multifunctional apparel, educational storytelling, and community stewardship initiatives, ALDER encourages people to explore thoughtfully, know the place, and leave it better than they found it.

Belong to the Land.