If a lot of outdoor brands were born in the garage, Gravity Anomaly founder Brendan Miller is holding a screaming newborn.
But while the company just released its first technical products six months ago, Gravity Anomaly’s products have the finished look, feel and competitive pricing of an established company and are all manufactured in the United States, subcontracted to Los Angeles sewing shops.
I recently visited Miller to learn more about the company headquartered on a quiet tree-lined street in Denver.
Established two years ago with the goal of creating functional but casual looking mountain biking apparel, Miller wanted all Gravity Anomaly products to be manufactured in the United States.
“It’s hard to do American manufacturing,” Miller said. “We spent the first 18 months stumbling through it.”
After many lurches forward and back, the company finally contracted with three Los Angeles sewing shops and produced their first tee shirts in 2012.
In June of 2013 they launched their first technical apparel, the Long Haul Short. The Boardroom Jersey came to market in September.
The look of Gravity Anomaly clothing is based on a “work wear aesthetic” that Miller carries through his line.
The Long Haul Shorts ($79) are designed with the all-mountain rider in mind. They are cut past the knee and fit over pads, have a waist adjustment for weight gain and loss through the season, double snaps, nylon fabric and double stitching.
The shorts are cut snug in the crotch so they don’t catch on a bike seat.
The Boardroom Jersey ($55) looks like a classic short-sleeve button up work shirt. It’s made of polyester with an 8% spandex blend for stretch. Polyester mesh along the sides provides extra breathability.
It has some nice details, including two button-closing front pockets, detailed buttons and double stitching.
All the products come with a lifetime warranty.
While the company is new, Gravity Anomaly is already giving back. For every sale of Miller’s latest product, the Trail Worker Jersey, sold, the company will donate $15 to the Colorado Mountain Bike Association for trail rebuilding after late summer flooding wrecked many front-range trails.
Gravity Anomaly is currently available only online direct from Miller’s garage. —Sean McCoy
