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Help support a hat company that has chosen to manufacture locally! As a small 2-person company, we’ve learned that deciding to manufacture locally and sustainably is a huge gamble. Traditional retail methods rely on pricing only available in factories overseas. By pledging to our campaign and spreading the word, you can help us overcome this hurdle.

Conversation starters and guaranteed smile creators – wearing our hats is an experience! Like walking a husky puppy, be ready for kind smiles, compliments, and the inevitable question, “Where’d you get that hat?”

Each hat tells a story. Through these stories, we want to educate about the landscapes and wildlife of our beloved Province of British Columbia.

MOUNT ROBSON

The Texqakallt Nation originally named Mount Robson Yuh-hai-has-kun, mountain of the spiral road, as indicated by the distinctive rock bands that encircle the peak. Robson is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and statistically speaking, climbing parties have a ten percent chance of reaching the summit. A long time test piece for Canadian alpinists, Robson requires mountain sense, skills and a blessing of good weather regardless of route difficulty. The Canadian Rockies are composed of sedimentary rock, have a distinctively low tree line, pointed glaciated peaks, wide valleys between those peaks, predictably cool temperatures and are largely protected by national parks. Formidable, unsullied, and vast, the Rockies have a way of cultivating humility and gratitude.

Trucker: brown brim - brown mesh - snapback - one size fits all

Raven

Creator, trickster, ancestor, prophet, protector, teacher, harbinger — the raven has an illustrious, international reputation in folklore, religion, literature and beyond. Versatile and cosmopolitan, the raven is equally happy in the city or the country, at sea level or in the mountains. Regardless, raven is friendly, talkative, impervious to the cold and a stalwart of the mountain community. For ski mountaineers the raven has special significance. In the stark, white loneliness of a winter summit, one wonders, “am I meant to be here?” But the solitary raven’s uncanny ability to appear out of the clouds and circle your position, seems to convey a heartwarming approval — an encouraging reminder of the notion that ravens watching over us are the souls of fellow skiers we’ve lost in the mountains.

Trucker: black brim - black mesh - snapback - one size fits all

King Salmon

King salmon (also known as Chinook, Spring and Tyee) are the largest, richest salmon of the species, but they are rapidly disappearing. Overfishing, contaminating fish farms, pollution, dams, warming ocean temperatures and development have all led to the catastrophic decline in salmon populations. Considered a keystone species, salmon provide sustenance for a vast array of animals and organisms and play a crucial role in the health of west coast forests. Along with the fact that generations of First Nation communities have relied on salmon both culturally and economically, the importance of protecting and conserving salmon populations cannot be overstated.

Trucker: black brim - dark green underside - black mesh - snapback - one size fits all

Jellyfish

If you have gazed into the inky waters of the west coast and spied a jellyfish you have fought the urge to reach out and touch its fascinating gelatinous looking form. Jellyfish are free floating ocean drifters that predate dinosaurs. The ultimate dirtbags! They have no blood, bones, brain or nervous system. Instead they use nerve nets to sense and respond to the changes around them. Some have bioluminescent organs that emit light and are used to attract their prey. Once near, jellyfish use their stinging tentacles to stun and catch small fish, shrimp, crabs and tiny plants. Their mouth is in the middle of their body and they use it to both eat and quickly eliminate their food, which is what allows them to float — they have nothing in their systems to weigh them down. Some jellyfish are so big they can be spotted from aircraft, while others are minuscule. Although most jellyfish have short lifespans, one species is considered to be nearly immortal. They can even still sting you once they are dead! Never underestimate the seemingly innocuous jellyfish. Ha!

Trucker: dark grey brim - dark grey mesh - snapback - one size fits all

Green Room

West coast surf culture has evolved. Cold water surfers are continually exploring new sections of coastline by air, land and sea. And locals have proven you can be a professional surfer and live in Canada. Vancouver Island has a vibrant community complete with dedicated photographers, shapers, surf schools, competitions, and line ups where men and women represent equally. In tune with the natural rhythms of the ocean, water people are some of the most insightful and effective activists, raising awareness around plastic pollution, overfishing, damaged coral reefs, seeping toxic waste and a myriad of other consumption based pollutants.

Trucker: black brim - black mesh - snapback - one size fits all

Pika (Youth size - ages 5-13)

Like all alpine habitats, those of southwestern BC have relatively sparse wildlife due to the harsh climate and lack of vegetation. But our cute pikas are stout residents of the alpine and live at the highest elevations. They’re a small relative of the rabbit and hare and are known for their high-pitched calls. Since they do not hibernate in winter, I often think of them living their busy lives below as I ski tour on the barren snowscape above. I am fascinated by their mastery of, yet total reliance on, the alpine realm. Unfortunately, climate change poses a real threat with warming temperatures and diminishing snowpacks. They can die if exposed to consistent temperatures above the mid-twenties (Celsius), and they rely on the winter snowpack to insulate themselves from severe temperatures. Their habitats are isolated high-altitude islands, so pikas cannot migrate to colder latitudes. Because of this, pika populations are considered a bellwether of North American climate change.

Trucker: brown brim - brown mesh - snapback - one size fits all

Trevor and Nevada met twenty years ago. She was living in Golden BC, following a passion for ice climbing and back country skiing and Trevor was fresh out of university taking an avalanche course. If it wasn’t for his giant afro she may not have noticed him.

Five years and many mountains later, they met up to share a flight into the St. Elias range. Trevor was seeking first ski descents and Nevada was attempting a solo of the East Ridge of Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan. As it is with expedition partners, they arrived as friends and left as family.

Soon after the Logan trip they both began to focus on more creative endeavours. Trevor became an industrial designer, focusing on outdoor backpack design and Nevada built a studio in her Golden back yard and began work as an artist.

A decade later they both moved to Whistler. Serendipity, similar lifestyle choices, appreciation of the natural world combined with a passion for conservation and a shared minimalist design aesthetic led to the partnership that is Chicadee Designs.