From Mountain Peaks To City Streets

Adventure is climbing a via ferrata. Going on a first date. Taking on a challenge at work. Traveling the world. Starting a family. Even just sitting around a campfire. And by prioritizing design and performance, we’re helping everyone (including ourselves) enjoy every moment.

TEREN is more than a brand. It’s a lifestyle. It’s freedom to pack less and adventure more, knowing you’re well-equipped for whatever comes your way. It’s adventure travel gear made to feel good when hiking the misty peaks of the Colombian Andes just as much as to look good when exploring the bustling streets of Medellin. 

We are all made for adventure. And adventure is always right around the corner. The only question is, who’s ready for it?

Our Story

In the summer of 2018,

Chris, Nick, and some friends, hit the Blue Ridge Mountains for a week of riding motorcycles and fly-fishing for a RoadRUNNER Magazine article and video. The plan was to explore different routes each day and return to their friend’s cabin each night. But then the storm hit.

With pouring rain, it quickly turned into a week of card games, conversations, and one big business idea.

While the rain came down, they went back and forth about their adventures and frustrations with gear that just never cut it. That’s when the sketching started. And that’s when we all found out when you put a mechanical engineer in a room with a designer, you get one hell of a pair of pants.

After returning home, they developed their tech pack, found the right fabrics, worked with manufacturers, and, thanks to many many cups of coffee, created Trekka’s first prototype. (Yeah, we changed names, but that comes later… ) A prototype born from necessity and crafted with precision. A prototype they were proud of: the Lightweight Traveler Pants.

2018

In the summer of 2018,

Chris, Nick, and some friends, hit the Blue Ridge Mountains for a week of riding motorcycles and fly-fishing for a RoadRUNNER Magazine article and video. The plan was to explore different routes each day and return to their friend’s cabin each night. But then the storm hit.

With pouring rain, it quickly turned into a week of card games, conversations, and one big business idea.

While the rain came down, they went back and forth about their adventures and frustrations with gear that just never cut it. That’s when the sketching started. And that’s when we all found out when you put a mechanical engineer in a room with a designer, you get one hell of a pair of pants.

After returning home, they developed their tech pack, found the right fabrics, worked with manufacturers, and, thanks to many many cups of coffee, created Trekka’s first prototype. (Yeah, we changed names, but that comes later… ) A prototype born from necessity and crafted with precision. A prototype they were proud of: the Lightweight Traveler Pants.

  1. 2018
  2. 2019-2020
  3. 2021
  4. 2022-2023
  5. Today

Our Values

Versatility

We’re just as obsessed with performance as we are with design. We don’t just want you to feel good on the trail (or bike, or rock, or river) we want you to look good when you hit the brewery (or office, or restaurant, or concert) afterward. 

And for the times you’re traveling? You can take it all in one bag without the stress of leaving something behind. If you have the kit, you have everything you need. No matter what. It’s called freedom.

Innovation

Above all, we’re problem solvers. When there’s a need for innovation, we innovate. We make clothes to help you get the best out of your adventures starting at the root of the problem. 

We’re not afraid of a challenge and we’re not here to copy and paste what the rest of the industry is doing. We’re here to give our customers (and ourselves) exactly what we need to be ready for anything.

Quality

We don’t compromise. Quality is as important to us as performance standards. Regardless of price, we won’t compromise one for the sake of the other. Instead, we’ll pursue the best possible materials to create products that are made for any and every kind of adventure.

Our premium fabrics also allow you to wear TEREN gear multiple times between washes, which is not only more sustainable, but also prevents additional breakdown of your clothes over time. Just another win-win.

At TEREN we create our own

Fabrics

At TEREN we create our own

Fabrics

Sometimes, we have to develop our own fabrics to keep up. Like our own Woolmark® certified merino wool — the epitome of natural performance. It regulates body temperature, wicks away moisture, and resists odors for all-season wear. Including soft, lightweight merino wool, it keeps you warm without the bulk, so you stay comfortable on the trail and stylish in the city.

Celebrated for its sustainability and incredibly soft feel, bamboo is a cornerstone of our Daily Driver tops collection. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic, and wildly comfortable so you’ll stay cool and dry through any adventure.

We developed an Aramid-blend fabric known for its heat resistance and flame-retardant properties. Used in our Campfire Puffy, it offers superior protection against extreme conditions. (Or against flying campfire embers.) Its resilience against abrasions and wear allows you to push the limits. And look great doing it.

The Team

Just a few guys with a lot of passion that are reinventing what everyone thinks of as adventure travel gear. One beer at a time.

Chris Loizeaux

Co-Founder / Product Design

  • The first word he ever spoke was "idea" (or so he says...)
  • HUGE Fly Fishing Nerd with a weakness for Very Berry Nerds Gummy Clusters.
  • TEREN's Resident "Maker" - He'll say "I can make that" to almost everything, which is why there are 17 billion "almost finished" projects around the office.

Nick Rader

Co-Founder / Product Development

  • Calls himself "Hybrid - Country" at a certain point everything becomes a hammer.
  • His favorite time of the day is lunchtime, or wait... is it dinner time, no... it must be breakfast?
  • Traveled from the tip of South Africa to the tip of Norway in just one pair of pants. Spoiler, this was pre - TEREN and the pants sucked at everything.

Casey Hyde (Hyde)

Marketing & Web

  • Previously a climber. Now just someone who climbs rocks sometimes.
  • Says his dog, Meadow, is his sidekick like Robin to Batman but we all know who's who in that relationship...
  • Likes long walks across countries, ¡Buen Camino!

James Buck

Customer Service & Retail

  • Obsessed with whitewater.
  • "You sound like you’re from London" - Paul Rudd (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) not true but he ain't from round here.
  • Big fan of the local Chattanooga breweries.

Open roles

We’re a small team with high expectations. We wear multiple hats every day, working, learning, and problem solving together as we continue to build a company we believe in.

Want to be part of the adventure? Send your resume over to contact@terendesigns.com

Careers

Benefits
As a small team, everyone’s always working hard. So, we offer benefits that can keep ourselves and our families at their best, including:

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Hybrid workplace & culture
  • 100% company-paid health, dental & vision plans
  • Maternity/Paternity Leave
  • Apparel Allowance (aka free gear!)
  • Industry Pro Deals
  • Family/Friends Discounts
  • Local Beer on Tap

If the river's running on a Monday, we hit it. If friends are in town on Thursday, we take them climbing. But we’re building something new and ready to put everything we can into it.

Shout Out To Chattanooga.

Whether it’s hitting the Hiwassee river, hiking the Cumberland trail, or grabbing a beer at one of its many breweries, much like TEREN, Chattanooga can do it all. That’s why it’s been named Outdoor Magazine’s Best Town Ever — twice. And that’s why it’s the perfect place for us to call home.