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This Company is Branding its Outdoor Apparel as a Way of Life
Action Sports Lifestyle Company Encouraging Customer to go ‘Off the Grid’
Since the start of the pandemic, outdoor activities, RVing, and camping have become the go-to activity for people everywhere. And as the traditional camping season is ramping up, the Escondido-based outdoor adventure clothing brand, Off the Grid, not only makes quality clothing for outdoor enthusiasts, the team also hopes to inspire its customers to live the outdoor spirit every day.
“We want to capture the essence of what it looks like to get away from your day-to-day,” said CEO Bobby Klein.
CEO Bobby Klein and Off the Grid Founder Josh Patterson at pop-up store
Klein is partnered with Josh Patterson, who started the business in 2013. The two men met at their church, and realized a space in the market for their product.
But Off the Grid is more than a clothing brand; the company hopes its purpose statement, “to support and inspire connection through adventure,” motivates customers to continue to get outside, enjoy time with family and friends, and most importantly, to continue to do what they love.
Patterson, who grew up in Escondido, has been an outdoor enthusiast his entire life. “He’s always been an off-road kid,” said Klein. “Going to the desert and the river and enjoying motorsports, has been his lifestyle.” Patterson spent his career working in the lifestyle clothing industry, designing for surf brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver and was the head men’s designer at the Carlsbad-based lifestyle brand Prana before he broke out on his own with Off the Grid.
Off the Grid apparel is made for every terrain
In 2017, Patterson designed and sold the company's now-signature Trailblazer stretch canvas pants through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The pants were so popular and successful, they sold out in just six weeks. With a background in marketing, Klein soon came on-board as the company's CEO.
Knowing the customer base is what is making their brand so successful. Klein explained, “That’s been a huge part of our company.”
Off the Grid’s customers include off-roaders, overladders (those who camp with tents on top of their SUVs), climbers, hikers, motocrossers, and RV enthusiasts. Many of them are also military, retired military, and law enforcement. “They want to be off duty in apparel that is very specific to the function of their sport,” said Klein.
What makes Off the Grid’s apparel so appealing is that the design has all the function with added comfort and a clean, sporty style. “We call it subtle tactical,” said Klein.
The pants come with a nine-pocket configuration, and an upper hip pocket, spacious enough for a wallet or phone, which is better for the wearer’s back especially on long rides. Zippered leg pockets are also handy to stash valuables and keep them secure. The stretch canvas gives the pants more mobility and comfort for long rides, climbing, and movement.
Crafty pocket design helps hold every tool safely and comfortably and hideout denim is made for work or play
Lifestyle apparel has become daily wear for many, and while some brands come at a premium price point, Off the Grid strives to keep its price accessible to all customers. “We just made a decision that we wanted to make it accessible to the average guy,” said Klein. “A lot of our guys are bumping up from the Costco or Walmart brand and are saying they are willing to spend the extra money to get the extra function and quality.”
Shorts, shirts, jackets, and hats round out the clothing options for men. A women’s apparel line is just beginning to come to market with a stylish yet functional pant, and a selection of tops. The Off the Grid logo is a nod to the endurance and grit of the company’s customers. The crossed shovel and ax are important and necessary instruments for these outdoors enthusiasts.
“Those are super important tools when you’re out on an adventure,” said Klein.
As these enthusiasts tend to be way off the grid, they need shovels to dig out of messy situations, and the ax, among other things, helps cut wood for fire. More importantly, these tools represent hard work and perseverance, something that Klein and Patterson feel is at the core of their belief system. The shovel bars logo, which is the company’s shovel/ax logo with flag bars, has recently been added to Off the Grid’s apparel and has been well-received.
Overlanders get both utility and comfort in Off the Grid apparel
While they have made a name in the off-road community and are sponsors of the ultimate off-road race, King of the Hammers, the company is working to expand its brand and have made Escondido its home base, with a storefront on Grand Avenue, which serves as both primary offices and a showroom.
Like Patterson, Klein grew up in Escondido and he sees the city as an inlet to the desert and the mountains. He also realizes there are many people in the city who are outdoor enthusiasts as well.
“So there’s been a resurgence of the outdoor industry, our shorts became our best-selling item during this year of COVID,” said Klein. He emphasized that the storefront location is maintaining the highest COVID standards. “We are being COVID safe. We stay at 15-20% capacity, offer hand sanitizers, and we give away masks at the door.”
Off the Grid is one of numerous action sports and lifestyle brands that populate the 78-Corridor. Amber Tarrac, Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development, said Escondido, which is surrounded by nature, is the perfect backdrop for a company like Off the Grid.
“From the beautiful lakes, mountains and deserts, any outdoor activity is just a short car ride away. Having Off the Grid on Grand gives residents and visitors a place to access outdoor clothing just before they head out for an adventure.” she said.
Meanwhile, Klein hopes to use the storefront as a place to help build community.“We want to work with the City to have an off-road night,” he said, hoping it could somehow happen in conjunction with Cruisin’ Grand.
In the meantime, Klein and Patterson are using their online presence to connect with their customers. Klein is blogging about getting off social media and getting outdoors, while sometime this spring Patterson will be documenting his training for the King of the Hammers, which he hopes to compete in.
“For us, Off the Grid is a state-of-mind,” Klein said.
Adventures Await within Escondido
You don’t have to travel far to enjoy the outdoors. There are many parks and campgrounds nearby for campers, fishers, hikers, and more. Dixon Lake, has year-round camping opportunities, shoreline and boat fishing, hikes, trails, and climbing options for permitted climbers. Some activities have been suspended due to the pandemic. Check the website for reservations and COVID-19 updates.
Off the Grid is located at 157 E. Grand Avenue, Ste. 100. For more information call 442-257-2847
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Escondido Creek Trail Improvements Have Been Granted!
More and more, cities are pursuing improved access to urban trails and pathways as part of their planning and development strategies. These trails are seen as critical contributors to local quality of life as well as economic development.
One such urban trail in the City of Escondido is the Escondido Creek Trail (ECT), an approximately six-mile urban trail that runs east to west from the Escondido Humane Society to Harmony Grove and throughout the downtown area. It is open to pedestrians and cyclists and is accessible at street crossings and access points. The ECT has primarily been a transportation outlet for bicyclists and walking commuters.
Rendering of the Escondido Creek Trail signage.
Thanks to a state grant, the vision to turn the ECT into a linear park began over a decade ago and is now nearing its reality.
In 2020, the City was awarded $8.5 million to make improvements for the ECT from the California Department of Parks & Recreation through the Prop 68 Parks & Water Bond Act of 2018, which aims to create new parks and recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.
Out of 478 applications, statewide, 62 projects were awarded, and the ECT was one of only nine projects funded at the maximum $8.5 million and one of three projects funded in San Diego County.
Map of the Escondido Creek Trail.
The goal is to transform the trail into both a transportation outlet and a recreational park. The project will include improvements on 4.5 miles of the trail (between Harmony Grove Road and Midway Drive) and add nearly 0.4 miles of a new bicycle path (between Harmony Grove Road and Midway Drive). It will also create a double-sided trail on nearly 1.7 miles, one for bikers and one for walkers.
Since the award was granted, City outreach through stakeholder meetings, surveys, and social media has been underway to incorporate community ideas and feedback regarding the improvements. Additionally, an informative web page is available to answer questions and provide feedback.
“The improvements to the trail are going to be transformative and give our citizens a boost in quality of life as more and more people flock outdoors,” said Danielle Lopez, Assistant Director of Community Services.
Lopez added even though the pandemic has made meetings more difficult to schedule, they have had community input on the project. Community feedback and comments include the desire to make the trail safer. One way to do that is to replace the fencing.
“It’s counterintuitive, but the fencing makes people feel like they are enclosed on the trail,” said Lopez. “We will be replacing it with cable link fencing or split rail.” Lighting, new landscaping, water bottle filler stations, recreation amenities, pocket parks for children, butterfly gardens, a bike ramp, and skate features, as well as murals and public art, will be added along the trail.
One of the goals is to make the ECT family-friendly.
“We want to allow for parents and kids who live on the other side of town to get to Washington Park or walk down to Grape Day Park and play on the new play structure or come visit the History Center or the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum,” said Lopez.
Anna Villalobos, Customer Service Representative for Escondido’s Economic Development added, “It’s nice to be able to have access without being on the street.” She said she often rides bikes on the path with her family and feels it is safer than using street access to get places. She also hopes getting the word out about the trail’s usefulness and upgrades will be beneficial to the City.
The City is currently working with design consultant RRM Design Group to design the new look of the trail. There will be another community workshop scheduled in March before the construction planning phase starts and will continue through the end of the year. Construction will begin in January 2022 and has a two-year timeframe to completion.
The City is encouraging businesses along the ECT to orient their stores toward the trail to help boost sales from increased customer traffic along the trail. Shifting business entrances toward the trail will allow trail users to more easily be able to stop in for a snack or coffee.
“The Escondido Creek Trail is an outlet for neighborhoods to connect with our local business community,” said Amber Tarrac, Escondido’s Deputy Director of Economic Development. “Our goal is to work with businesses along the trail to face customer entrances toward the trail. This will make it even easier to entice new and existing customers to access their stores and businesses while using these wonderful new trail amenities.”
Rendering of the ECT along business areas with murals painted along the route.
Ideas such as expanding outdoor dining to face the trail or creating murals on their walls that overlook the trail have been discussed.“We want our business community to feel connected to the trail and use it to increase foot traffic in the area,” Tarrac added.
Businesses along the trail are encouraged to reach out to the Economic Development Division with questions regarding what they can do to help highlight the trail and its access to their businesses. Tarrac also hopes many will continue to participate in the surveys, and attend the final workshop meetings to discuss the designs and plans for the trail.
“Community and business engagement are essential to the success of the Escondido Creek Trail,” she said. “We hope everyone will consider taking part in the discussions to ensure that we reimagine a trail that will continue to improve and enhance our great city.”
The community and businesses are invited to find out more information or to view past workshops in English and Spanish on the Escondido Creek Trail website.
The next community meeting will be posted on the website once it is scheduled. If you have questions or feedback about the trail or wish to get involved, you are invited to submit your feedback here.
Your participation is valued and appreciated.