1972
founded in Estes Park, Colorado by Jim Heiden* & Nancy Grimes
1977
produced catalogues selling Gore-tex clothing
pioneers in Gore-Tex apparel, primarily for climbing & skiing
1978
supplied the shell garments for the North Ridge of Latok expedition
1979
moved to Longmont, Colorado
1980
brand was sold for about $700,000, which Heiden and Grimes split 50/50
1982
still had a catalogue, but were rebranded as Chinook Sport
With labels now saying ‘Boulder, Colorado’
2013
brand briefly reappeared, selling daypacks with the old Banana Equipment label.
* Prior to founding Banana Equipment Jim Heiden started his outdoor career as a manager at Midwest Mountaineering. After Banana Equipment Jim
Heiden was with Leading Edge. He also served as Director of Products for Performance Bicycle; Marketing Manager for Nike, Inc.; General Partner for
InterSource, LLC, which sourced products for Lands’ End, REI, Moonstone Mountaineering, Trek, Orvis and L.L.Bean; and as the first Vice President for
Montbell America, where he set up the company’s U.S. operations. Later in 2003 he founded Teko Socks, the world’s leading manufacturer of
environmentally friendly, high-performance socks made from recycled and organic materials. He stayed with Teko for five years, until 2008. He then, in
2009, partnered with Jeff Weidman, another industry veteran to form a consulting partnership focused on sustainability, known as the Heiden/Weidman
Group.