CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A new start-up clothing company is hoping to add more manufacturing and textile jobs in Charlotte.

  • The alpaca yarn is sent to the company from Peru
  • They then knit the yarn into the multiple different clothing options
  • For more info, visit the company's website

Appalachian Gear Company co-owner John Gage and his business partner set out to create lightweight, high-performance outdoor wear made of alpaca fleece.

From the patent pending way of knitting t-shirts, hats, scarves and hoodies, to the stitching, which Gage calls 'bulletproof,' they designed everything to make the clothing breathable and durable.

"You really only carry a minimum of gear and that’s why we call ourselves Appalachian Gear,” says Gage. “Garments are gear. If your shoes give up on you or your socks give up on you or your shirt gives up on you and you’re in the back country, you’re in trouble."

The alpaca yarn is sent to the company from Peru. They then knit the yarn into the multiple different clothing options and send them to cut and sew plants here in North Carolina.

For more information about "The All-Paca Advantage," visit the company's website.