Ahh…the beauty of the Internet. I came across Sendero Provisions Co. when scanning through the ‘grams, and was instantly drawn to their hats.
Their hats have a really cool feel: a mix between the Patagonia versions that are everywhere, and a hat you earn from visiting a national park, wilderness preserve, or hunting preserve. Sendero has a really cool story. Texas born, the company is the brainchild of two geologists who spent a lot of time in the American deserts of TX, AZ, and UT. Here’s a little ‘feel’ for their brand:
Their hats are built to take a beating. They are structured hats made out of a heavier cotton canvas, with a patch of various decorations. All are inspired by the Southwest wilderness, as well as by the US National Parks. They look great out of the box, but will look even better after developing a little patina:
Hunter and Aaron were nice enough to give us a little background on their company:
What is the inspiration behind Sendero? If you want the short answer: we’re addicted to the wild American West, and the adventures it holds. We believe in wide-open space, free-flowing rivers, public land, quality gear, live music, art for art’s sake, a well-crafted beverage, and fine Texas BBQ.
For the long answer, we’ll have to take a trip down memory lane… Sendero is two guys: Aaron Bryant, who started the company about two years ago, and myself, Hunter Harlow, who jumped on the Sendero train a little over a year ago. We met during our undergraduate degrees at Baylor University, where we were both geology majors. After graduating and beginning our careers (although technically I never left), we began spending more and more time working, and less time pursuing our greatest passion – enjoying the adventure and beauty of the outdoors. Aaron moved up to the four corners region for geology work, and I started my PhD working in rural Arizona and Utah. These desert sabbaticals were life-changing for us, and they fostered a deep love for the colors, culture, and landscapes of the amazing southwest. Once Aaron moved back to Ft. Worth, he felt he had left a part of himself behind in the desert, and he wanted to re-connect himself wilderness. And that’s how Sendero Provisions Co. was born.
Describe the Pioneros? The Pioneros are essentially our “Ambassador Program,” but we try to aim for a deeper level. “Pionero” is Spanish, and it literally translates to “Pioneer,” which is defined as the first person to explore a new area. It’s a perfect metaphor for Sendero, as we see ourselves as Pioneros in our industry, but it’s also a representation of who we want our ambassadors to be. They are all Pioneros in their own respective path’s of life, and represent all the things we love about the outdoors: adventure and respecting the land.
What kind of person is a Sendero customer? We like to think it’s the individual that takes the challenging, more adventurous path. Someone who’s not scared to mix it up, get lost, or simply hike a trail they’ve never seen before. And that person doesn’t want some plain hat off the shelf- they want a killer different hat made by two geologists!
What is your favorite spot in the US? Hunter: Now these next questions are going to take both of us to answer. Mine has to be Central Texas… Hands down. You can literally do anything there but snow sports. There’s endless, crystal-clear tributaries to paddle and fish. Faulted limestone hills make awesome trails for mountain biking, bluffs for cliff diving, trails for hiking. And then when the day is done you can stuff your face at some famous Texas BBQ joint, I think there’s literally one on every corner in Central Texas.
Aaron: I’m going to be a little more specific, and say the Highland Mary Lakes near Silverton Colorado. It’s a set of cascading lakes surrounded by some of the most beautiful country you’ve ever seen. Wild flower meadows lead right into panoamric views of the San Juan Mountains. Now it’s not easy to get to, probably 8-12 miles round trip and you gain like 1,500 feet in elevation, but that’s part of what makes such an awesome place- it’s off the beaten path, it takes some work, but you get an amazing reward.
Which National Park would you recommend to a traveler? Hunter: I’m going to say Big Bend National Park. 1) Because I’m a Texas homer. But 2) because it’s one of the most wild places you’ll ever find. I’ve got nothing against the big natty parks, but this place is straight up adventure. Gnarly desert scenes, volcanic landscapes, canyons you could spend a lifetime exploring. And the town Terlingua, just outside of the park, is one of the funkiest places you’ll find. I’ve shared many a cold beer and story at the local watering hole.
Aaron: Big Bend has got to be my favorite park as well. Because of how remote and unforgiving it is. The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande was the last area mapped in the continental United States, and it makes for an unforgettable canoe trip. I have spent a lot of time in Big Bend country, and I have never felt so close to nature yet so far away from everything else. Life in that part of the country has never been easy, and you can feel the hard miles traveled by past explorers in those mesmerizing canyons and mountains.
What do we have to look forward to from Sendero? We’ve got a lot coming down the pipe. This spring, we’re basically doubling our hat collections. We’re adding more of the sweet Sendero designs everyone knows us for, but then we’re throwing in some fresh new vibes we dreamed up. We’re also getting everything ready for our first full apparel line that we’re going to drop Fall 2017, as well as branching out into the gear world. We’ve been saying “we’re gonna need a bigger boat” a lot over here!
What’s on your Spotify playlist? Hunter: Ryan Bingham, Shakey Graves, and I like to mix it up with a little Kendrick Lamar.
Aaron: The Moondogies and Ryan Bingham.
We’ve teamed up with the guys to do a giveaway for three Red Clay Soul readers. The fine folks at Sendero Provisions are giving away a hat of their choice to three lucky Red Clay Soul readers. To enter, leave a comment to this post with your favorite Sendero hat. For additional entries:
- +1 (2 Total) ‘Like’ Sendero Provisions on Facebook
- +1 (3 Total) ‘Like’ Red Clay Soul on Facebook
- +1 (4 Total) ‘Follow’ Sendero Provisions on Instagram
- +1 (5 Total) ‘Follow’ Red Clay Soul on Instagram
Entries must be in by midnight on Sunday, February 12th. I’ll announce the winner on Monday around lunchtime.
Special thanks to Sendero Provisions Co. for providing the goods for the giveaway…
Really sweet hats! Hard to choose, but I’d have to go with The Bird Hunter in Jalepeno/Olive. Can’t wait to see their apparel and gear!
Really cool hats, story, and company! For a favorite hat, I’d have to choose the Bird Hunter in Fudge/White.
I would have to go the Yellowstone in charcoal. My girlfriend grew up 40 mins out there and is my favorite park
Big Bend in sage.. ??
Probably the Big Bend hat in Sage.
Big Bend in Sage
Paddler in Charcoal all the way
Very cool story, like the bird hunter as well
Big Bend in Sage.
Really awesome hats. They remind me of the logos you’d see in the 80s and 90s while on family road trips, which is great! I’d love the sage/lilac Big Bend Hat!
Came across them a couple weeks ago on a Facebook ad, and agree they’re pretty cool. Kind of on their plainer side, but I like the Cactus Rattler in sage.
Gotta go with the Cactus Rattler hat in sage
Dig the hats, but REALLY dig the background and thoughtfulness that Sendero seems to have injected into their brand.
Flyfisher hat
Big Bend in sage
Had my eye on the Covey Hat in stone for a while
Pheasant trucker hat
Yellowstone hat in Charcoal
Jumping on the bandwagon here… Big Bend, Sage. Great hats guys!
Bird hunter in olive
The bird hunter in jalapeno is nice
Love these things. Backpacker in yellow for me.
These guys are killing it. Love the paddler in nautical red.
Covey in hunter green is awesome
Having visited Big Bend National Park, stayed in the Chisos Mountains Lodge, and experienced temperature swings in the day–from near freezing early morning in the Mountains–to fry an egg on the desert sands by noontime–to knowing to watch out for mountain lions and javelina hogs–it’s hands down the sage Big Bend cap for me!
Tough call, down to Big Bend or Covey Hat, but Im going to have to go with Covey Hat
I’m a Texas boy and a newly graduated geologist, so the Big Bend hat speaks to me. Love the brand.
Learned about Sendero from a true western Pionero, Emily McCartney. Awesome company. Super excited for what the future has in store!
Favorite hat might have to be Rocky Mountain National Park (navy/slate) but how can you choose just one!?
I love the vibes from the prickly pear, rattlesnake hat, absolutely captures the spirit of the west!
I’m a sucker for a ‘roped’ bill. Love the Big Bend.
Bird hunter in green!!
Sendero Provisions Co. in Teal
Cool hats I like the fly fishing one with the rainbow trout.
cactus rattler in sage
Great company with some great hats! The founders have some really cool stories on how they became a company! Glad they were featured!
Cactus Rattler in sage is my pick!
The fly fisher hat. I need a new one.
I really like the Spirit & Soul-Cider. It really speaks to my soul and as a designer I love the simple cohesive design that pops right off the hat.
-Cheers
Paddler hat in charcoal/black is awesome!
Gotta go with the Bird Hunter.
Navy/Slate Rocky Mountain Hat
Wanted to make sure it counted so I am puttingmy FB comment on here as well: Hard to decide between the Covey and the Cactus Rattler….Super unique and the colors are on point. Looks like they picked out the colors they thought looked good and not the ones that sales indicate do well.
Cactus rattler in sage
Cactus Rattler in sage.
Bird hunter for sure.
Cactus Rattler in sage!
Zion national in olive, gotta start making some eat coast stuff! AT hats and the Smokeys!
Bird hunter hat in orange. Great looking hat
Bird hunter fudge and white. Sweet hat
I have the Big Bend hat, love it! Dig that fly fishing one the most
Fantastic article for such a cool company. I’ve been following Sendero for a few months now, and they’ve helped me sell my wife on how cool the American West is. When I was a senior in high school I went to the Grand Canyon with my dad and uncle; to this day it’s the best vacation I’ve ever been on. So my favorite hat is the Grand Canyon National Park hat, particularly the wine/khaki one.
Thanks everyone, looking forward to more stories from both of you.
I love the Zion Nat’l park hat…..mainly cuz Zion is outrageously beautiful
I love that navy slate rocky mountain hat. Liked and followed on instagram and facebook. Commented on the post and here. Thanks!
Yellowstone in charcoal/orange! Have the Rocky Mtn Park hat and love all of Sendero’s work!!
Great hats! I would love to win the pheasant hat. Your blog is my favorite. I really enjoy all of your cool finds.
Big Bend in Sage
I love the paddler hat in charcoal! 🙂
The cactus rattler caught my attention… have been a fan ever since!
Just curious- did you announce a winner?
big bend hat is killer!
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