In a market overflowing with self-proclaimed leaders, we prefer to let our community of loyal customers speak for us. For those discovering Cactus for the first time, we humbly present a few compelling reasons to invest in our gear.With over 30 years of experience, we embody a youthful yet timeless spirit, driven by a team of outdoor enthusiasts who engage in various pursuits beyond their working hours. This passion informs our deep understanding of what truly matters in outdoor gear—what works, what doesn’t, and why it matters. Our products reflect this knowledge, showcasing impeccable craftsmanship and essential features designed for durability and performance.
OUR COMMITMENT TO QUALITY MANUFACTURING
Having been in the industry for over three decades, we recognise the importance of a robust and sustainable supply chain. Our dedication to New Zealand manufacturing is unwavering; many of our products are meticulously crafted in our Christchurch factory, where we also offer repair services for all items.By producing a significant portion of our gear here, we gain the flexibility to execute smaller production runs while maintaining complete transparency with our customers. We believe informed decisions empower our community, and we proudly disclose where and how our products are made.For those products crafted beyond our shores, we partner with partner factories with whom we build long-term relationships, ensuring they meet our stringent quality standards.
FABRICS AT THE CORE OF OUR CRAFTMANSHIP
We take pride in our fabric selection, choosing only the best from around the world to ensure your gear withstands the rigors of the outdoors. Our signature fabrics include:
CanvX – Our family of canvas fabrics that redefine durability. Cotton and polyester are combined for their strength and pliability, then woven into a tight, dense cloth and coated with advanced finishing treatments. These optimize the waterproofness and longevity so that we can ensure it wears in, not out.
- Ultra CanvX 12oz Polyester/ Cotton canvas
This canvas is built for durability. We save it for the toughest and most demanding of uses – our packs/ bags and most rugged trade trousers are all constructed out of this canvas.
- Premium CanvX 12oz Polyester/ Cotton canvas
Using the same fabric as the ultra, but with a lighter final coating, this fabric is optimised for apparel. Designed to wear in slowly, many of our customer consider wearing in our Premium CanvX as a badge of honour.
- 3-Layer 100% Nylon, 3L, 250gsm, HH: 30,000mm
Our hardiest waterproof and breathable fabric, it’s been engineered for outstanding performance and tested by the toughest of the tough. Built for function, we use this in our most demanding wet weather gear.
- 2-Layer 100% Nylon, 2L, 210gsm, HH:10,000mm
A nylon oxford fabric that’s designed to last the distance and keep you protected from the elements. Used in our insulated jacket ranges.
- Merino 81% Merino, 12% Nylon, 7% Elastane, 180gsm
Our blend of merino, nylon and elastane that offers all the warmth and breathability you’re used to, plus added strength to ensure durability.
- C-1000 100% Nylon, 350gsm, 1000D, PU Coating
Renowned for strength and resistance, this nylon oxford is a staple in our packs and equipment range for when a balance of strength and weight is needed.
Design Principles Rooted in Simplicity
At Cactus, we embrace the philosophy of Occam's Razor: simplicity often leads to superior functionality. Our design ethos encompasses the following principles:
- Durability Above All: Our products are built to last, using highly tested fabrics and designed to reduce any potential wear areas and weaknesses. We’ve reinforced abrasion spots, bartacked tension points, bound internal seams and double stitched when necessary so you can get the absolute maximum out of your Cactus products.
- Dependable Materials: It’s deeply important to us that we use fabrics and componentry from manufacturers that we’ve built trust and relationship with over decades, such as YKK zips and Woojin Plastics for buckles. It means that we can back our product – and you can depend on it not failing when you need it most. This is why we don’t often change up our fabrics – we understand that the first layer of durability comes from the quality of the materials used.
- Repairable Design: Our Christchurch factory is equipped to repair all Cactus clothing, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. All products are designed to ensure they can be repaired easily and cleanly. Not as simple as it sounds, but it is important to us that we can repair and not just replace your worn product as many other brands do.
- Efficient Production: Our designs facilitate highly efficient fabric use, allowing us to maximise our fabric as well as reduce end waste. A lot of our smaller products are made from excess fabrics that otherwise would be discarded, giving life and function to what would have been waste.
Our Construction Practices
- Water-Resistant Seams: Internally bound seams provide added strength and longevity.
- Reinforced High-Wear Areas: Strategic reinforcement to combat wear and tear.
- Quality Components: We use the best materials available, including YKK zips and nylon Duraflex buckles for reliability.
- Robust Binding: 1000 denier external edge binding for exceptional durability and abrasion resistance.
