Dustin Klein and GOREWEAR: A Cycling Jacket Built on Passion and Sustainability

Driven by his two passions - cycling and creating - working artist, lifecycle cyclist and maker Dustin Klein has been leading the sport’s counterculture for more than 20 years. Founder of the Cadence Collection, and an original member of Mash sf and Fast Friday, more than 100K people regularly tune in to his latest cycling adventures and apparel designs on Everything’s Been Done

Created to inform and inspire cyclists, Dustin’s videos share tips for trips, route reviews and gear reinventions. The last has been a decades-long mission for the creator, who is passionate about designing a kit that helps people ride harder and better. “Back in 2001, I was a cycling messenger in San Francisco with a simple idea,” he explains. 

“I thought, ‘If there's clothing for skateboarding, how come there isn't clothing for urban cyclists?’ It was at that moment that I realized, maybe I should be the one to create pieces that are functional, aesthetically pleasing and designed specifically for cyclists. So for the next 15 years, that's exactly what I did.” 

Turning Unwanted into Usable

Developing his sewing skills, Dustin started creating cycling pieces from discarded materials. These included a jacket made from sail cloth and jerseys using old t-shirts and sweatshirts. “It's actually funny looking at these now,” he exclaims. “They came out way better than I remember! When I feel self-doubt, I look at these pieces as a reminder that I can make interesting things ,even though I have limited resources.” 

Since then, Dustin has reworked or modified apparel to suit his own cycling needs, including a kit from GOREWEAR. “I'd take the  pieces and turn them into whatever felt right. Over the years GOREWEAR kept sending me gear and I'd keep modifying it. I did what any dedicated cyclist would do, I just put my head down and stubbornly kept pushing away. 

“The result of that determination mixed with the resourcefulness of taking something unwanted and turning it into something usable is why this project is so special.” 

The Journey Behind the Jacket

Dustin’s many years of cycling experience has combined with GOREWEAR’s materials technology in the limited-edition collab jacket. Each panel is made using GORE-TEX left over from previous product runs. Inspired by one of Dustin’s other passions - Star Wars - the design combines a unique look with guaranteed rain protection. 

He explains, “The design inspiration for the paneling came from the Ewok Star Wars series, specifically the HK 87 droids. I mixed this with my love of clean, bold colors. Plus I decided to add the ever-functional double zipper and some subtle Everything's Been Done branding - I couldn't help myself!”

The jacket also has an over-the-hood helmet which, combined with GORE-TEX waterproof membrane and secure pockets, makes it ideal for all-weather cycling adventures. The longer, gray back panel keeps cyclists’ backs protected from dirt and moisture, while the Fireball front panels add color and style. 

It’s this fusion of functionality and style which makes the jacket so special for Dustin. “(Where I live) in the Pacific Northwest, a solid rain jacket is not a luxury - it is a necessity. While this piece will meet and exceed all technical rain jacket needs, what makes it so special is the story behind it. From my root of modifying gear, to the years of founding and designing clothing for Cadence - this project brings it all together. 

“Collaborating with GOREWEAR is a 100% natural and completely surreal step in my journey.” 

Watch Dustin's full video on the inspiration of his limited edition Endure GORE-TEX Jacket here.