What is ripstop and why did we make the Outsider Pants from it?

When you say outdoor trousers, most people imagine either rustly synthetic pants that make you look like you're on an expedition to base camp, or city trousers that look good but seem distressed after the first time you sit in the grass.

We wanted something in between. Trousers that can handle the outdoors, the city, a backpack, rocks, coffee, grass, a train journey, and a spontaneous trip after work. And that's why we chose ripstop.

What exactly does ripstop mean?

Ripstop is a special weaving technique where thicker or stronger threads are woven into the fabric at regular intervals. You often see a subtle grid on the fabric – a discreet checkered pattern. And this grid is the whole game changer.

When the fabric tears somewhere, the ripstop structure helps prevent the tear from spreading further. Hence the name rip-stop – literally "stop ripping."

It's not a magic shield against everything. You can still ruin the trousers if you really try. But compared to classic smooth fabric, ripstop has significantly better resistance to tearing, abrasion, and everyday outdoor chaos.

Why is ripstop used in the outdoors?

Ripstop was developed mainly for situations where fabric needs to withstand more than just a nice Instagram photoshoot. It's used for tents, parachutes, jackets, backpacks, technical clothing, and trousers. Not because it sounds cool, but because it has very practical properties:

It's more tear-resistant.
Thanks to the reinforced grid, any snag won't spread across the entire fabric like drama in a group chat.

It's light but strong.
Ripstop doesn't have to be as heavy as work overalls to be durable. That's its strength – a good ratio between weight and durability.

It's practical for an active life.
You sit on a rock, push through branches, kneel by a fire, lean against a rock, roll in the grass. Ripstop is exactly the type of material that doesn't fuss about every little thing with you.

It looks casual.
And that's perhaps what we enjoy the most. A technical function doesn't automatically mean a technical look. Ripstop can appear clean, simple, and wearable even outside the mountains.

And why cotton ripstop?

In the outdoors, ripstop is often synthetic – typically nylon or polyester. These materials have their place, especially where extreme lightness, quick drying, or high water resistance are needed. But with Outside(r) Pants, we didn't want to make another "plastic" pair of trousers.

We wanted trousers that are comfortable on the body, naturally breathable, strong, functional, and at the same time more connected to natural materials. That's why we chose organic ripstop cotton with GOTS certification.

Cotton feels completely different from synthetics. It's softer, more natural, doesn't have that classic rustly outdoor vibe, and wears more like a piece of clothing you actually want to be in all day.

And ripstop gives it exactly the durability you need from outdoor trousers.

What does GOTS certification mean?

GOTS is one of the strictest certifications for organic textiles. It covers not only the fiber itself but also processing, chemicals, dyeing, and social standards in the supply chain.

For us, it means it's not just about labeling a product "organic" and pretending to be sustainable.

With Outside(r) Pants, we use organic GOTS certified ripstop cotton because we want the material to make sense from the field to the finished product. We don't want to do outdoor simply as an aesthetic. We want to make clothing that has function, a story, and a little more responsibility built in. Without having to change clothes every time you move from the forest to the city.

Who are ripstop trousers for?

For anyone who wants a little more from their trousers than just a nice cut.

For people who sit on the ground. Climb over fences. Carry things in their pockets. Walk on foot. Travel light. Don't want to worry about ruining their trousers on their first weekend out.
And at the same time, don't want to look like they just escaped from an army surplus store.

Outside(r) Pants are for those who want clothing that keeps up. Not clothing that you have to adjust your day to.