Colin Meredith, a designer and avid outdoor enthusiast, harmoniously merges his passion for nature with his extensive expertise in technical fabrics and design. Colin invests his time on the trail and in the studio perfecting and crafting nearly all his outdoor gear. From ultralight tents and packs to high performance running vests and advanced apparel, Colin has become renowned for his unique design ethos and vision.
gravitypope and HOKA recently caught up with him on Vancouver’s North Shore to hear about his latest work, opening his studio in Chinatown, the importance of being active, design inspirations, and more.
Read the full interview below.
Photography by Noah Sahady
Videography by Justin Pelletier
Photo Assist by Ben Fenton
3D Graphic by Quinn Girard
Hey Colin! Can you give a brief introduction, who you are, where you live and what you do?
Hey! My name is Colin and I'm a designer based in Vancouver BC. I make clothing mostly, but I love exploring any craft that I can get access to!
How would you describe your art/design practice?
I would describe my art/design practice as exploration based research and experimentation.
Having lived all over the country, from Victoria to Montreal, how has this informed your design and lifestyle?
Yeah Canada is a vast place, with a lot to pull inspiration from. I think spending some time out east was instrumental in rounding out my taste and understanding of arts and culture.
What are your favourite aspects of living in Vancouver?
I love Vancouver for the scenery, access to nature/Ocean and because the weather is usually mild all year round.
The outdoors are obviously very important to you. How did you discover this aspect of your life?
Yeah I think being outside has always been a part of my life. I grew up on the island playing on the beaches and in the woods, spent my teens skateboarding and then got into running/trail in my early twenties. Time outside, doing activities is something that helps me feel grounded and healthy, and there's inspiration for craft and problem-solving everywhere in nature.
You have been going on a 3km+ run, every day, for over three years. What spurred this, and how do you keep it up?
Haha! Yes, the daily runs have been amazing. I got tired of trying to build and maintain a running schedule that felt sustainable and healthy. I used to be all over the map with my running, doing long 20k+ runs and then not running again for a week, and I thought it would be easier to just commit to 3K everyday, to keep a solid base-level fitness. Most days I try to run more than 3K, but it's good to have the 3K for when life is hectic.
You and your brother are big kayakers and have gone on some large kayak trips. What's your favourite part about being in the open ocean?
Haha - I'm not sure I'd call us "big kayakers", but we've done some trips now, yeah. Traveling by kayak for multi-night trips is really cool, and a fun way to see nature. It's like backpacking but you can carry way-more stuff in the boats, like steaks and Nonny beers.
What pair of Hoka's are you wearing right now and why did you choose them?
I'm wearing the Hoka Bondi 8s for road right now! I love them, and I gravitate towards them for their cushioning.
What is the ideal spring Vancouver day out?
If I can get a run AND and bike ride in, that's the best. Making coffee on the beach is always a hit too.
Do you have any favourite cafes or restaurants that you like to hit for lunch by your studio?
I'm addicted to Say Hey sandwiches...
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration almost everywhere, but nature and natural solutions + patterns is a constant draw for me.
Any plugs or shout-outs?
Thank you gravitypope + HOKA + team!
