Allmansright Founders Jen Jacobsson-Melo & Livio Melo on Making Ultralight Gear in the Bronx
Backpacker Radio
Zach Davis
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 5 October 2024
⏱️ 93 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jen Jacobsson-Melo & Livio Melo, co-founders of Allmansright, an ultralight gear company located in the Bronx. We learn all about their humble beginnings, including when Allmansright's gear was made in the corner of their 500-square-foot apartment, how a serendipitous run in with a fellow backpacker in Colorado's backcountry led to their first pre-order, how they've scaled up their operation, what it's like running a gear shop in the Bronx, where they draw inspiration for their designs, other small cottage brands doing interesting and good work from around the world, and much more.
We wrap the show with what the contents of our body and blood would be, the triple crown of the worst places to have raging diarrhea, and some teasers from our Northville Placid Trail Hike.
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[divider]
Interview with Livio & Jen
Time stamps & Questions
00:04:55 - Reminders: Join us in Denver on December 7th! Apply to be a 2025 blogger and support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!
00:07:55 - Introducing Jen & Livio
00:08:45 - What is allemansrätten?
00:10:50 - Tell us about moving to the US from the Dominican Republic
00:12:32 - What is the outdoor culture like in the Dominican Republic?
00:14:20 - Do you prefer being in the Dominican Republic or the US?
00:18:55 - What was the journey to you starting to make your own gear?
00:22:20 - How did you know how to make items?
00:24:00 - Tell us about your trip to Colorado
00:25:50 - How did you make gear in your 500 sq foot apartment?
00:30:30 - How do you balance gear orders with regular life?
00:31:35 - Tell us about going to design school
00:35:00 - What other gear companies serve as inspiration for you?
00:41:00 - What piece of gear are you most proud of?
00:43:40 - Do you have any plans to make a larger version of the pack?
00:45:00 - Discussion about the Krafs Stuff Sack
00:49:00 - Do you have any plans to break into the shelter space?
00:50:00 - Tell us about your shop in the Bronx
00:51:30 - Tell us about the hiker community in NYC
00:53:30 - What are some of the cool hiking opportunities near New York City?
00:57:29 - Have you experimented with apparel at all?
00:59:40 - Are there any materials you’re excited about?
01:01:00 - Discussion about creating new products
01:03:52 - What is your goal around sustainability?
01:04:35 - Discussion about packs
01:06:17 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your outdoors hot take?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 6 Gas Station Resupply Recipes for Thru-Hikers by Kimberly Fetherston
QOTD: What is your body and blood?
Triple Crown of the worst places to have uncontrollable diarrhea
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | In today's episode of Backpack Radio, present by The Trek, brought to you by Element, we are joined by Jen Jacobson Mello and Livio Mello, co-founder of All Man's Right, an Ultra Light Gear Company located in the Bronx. We learn all about their humble beginnings, |
| 0:14.6 | including when all men's right gear was made in the corner of their 500 square foot |
| 0:18.8 | apartment, how a serendipitous running with a fellow backpacker in Colorado's backcountry led to their first pre-order, |
| 0:25.6 | how they've scaled up their operation, what it's like running a gear shop in the Bronx, |
| 0:29.9 | where they draw inspiration for their designs, other small cottage brands doing interesting and good work from around the world, and much more. |
| 0:38.8 | We wrap the show with the contents of what our body and blood would be, it'll make sense, sort of, |
| 0:44.1 | the Triple Crown of the worst places to have raging diarrhea |
| 0:47.7 | and some teasers from our Northville Plaza Trail hike. |
| 0:51.3 | But first, if you've listened to this |
| 0:53.7 | podcast for any period of time I've sounded like a broken record about the |
| 0:57.8 | importance of supplementing with electrolytes while backpacking. During my |
| 1:01.8 | first through hike I landed in the hospital with a condition called hyponatremia, a fancy term for low blood sodium levels. |
| 1:08.8 | Symptoms included intense headaches, dizziness, and generally feeling like a bag of Richards. |
| 1:14.7 | This happened as a result of heavy sweating, over-consuming water, and under-consuming electrolytes. |
| 1:20.1 | A couple of saline IVs and a hefty medical bill later, and my energy was magically restored. |
| 1:25.6 | Somewhat counterintuitively, but electrolytes become even more important in cold temperatures and at elevation, |
| 1:32.2 | as our thirst decreases at a faster pace than we lose |
| 1:35.6 | fluids via sweat and urine. In other words electrolytes and backpacking go |
| 1:40.4 | together like peanut butter and jelly which is why I'm thrilled to introduce |
| 1:44.1 | today's sponsor, Elements. Element is a science-backed Zero Sugar Electrolight Drink |
| 1:49.8 | Mix designed to support active hydration and a healthy lifestyle. |
| 1:54.0 | A element has enough sodium, and magnesium |
... |
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