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 recognize 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.
Our Factories
Though we are a small company, we value our team of approximately 80 talented individuals across Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. We treat our people with respect and foster a collaborative environment. As a social enterprise, we uphold social and environmental responsibilities in our operations.
Our diverse workforce includes skilled machinists who produce a substantial portion of our products and fulfill contracts for New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Defence Force. We proudly celebrate the multicultural fabric of our team, representing over 20 nationalities.
Fabrics at the Core of Our Craftsmanship
Fabric is the foundation of our products.
Once upon a time, New Zealand boasted fabric mills in every sizable town, allowing for local sourcing of raw materials. Today, while the landscape has changed, we continue to embrace a hybrid approach, sourcing high-quality fabrics and components from both local and international suppliers.
Our signature fabrics include:
- Premium C-Canvas: A robust 12oz polyester/cotton canvas with an acrylic coating, designed to age beautifully.
- Ultra C-Canvas: A stiffer version of our premium fabric, ideal for our Trade-style Supertrousers.
- C-Canvas: Features the timeless properties of canvas with enhanced stability.
- C-1000: Renowned for strength and resistance, this cordura is a staple in our packs.
- Cactus WTF-3: Our waterproof nylon fabric, engineered for outstanding performance.
- Merino: A blend of 91% merino and 9% nylon, offering warmth and rapid drying capabilities.
- Windpro Fleece: Luxurious Italian polyester fleece that excels in insulation.
We take pride in our fabric selection, choosing only the best to ensure your gear withstands the rigors of the outdoors.
Design Principles Rooted in Simplicity
At Cactus, we embrace the philosophy of Occam's Razor: simplicity often leads to superior functionality. We understand the necessity of educating our community on the realities of design in a world filled with superficial brands.
Our design ethos encompasses the following principles:
- Durability Above All: Our products are built to last, using high-energy synthetic materials to ensure longevity and resilience.
- Streamlined Features: We constantly assess our designs, eliminating any unnecessary elements to maximize utility.
- Repairable Design: Our Christchurch factory is equipped to repair all Cactus clothing, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.
- Efficient Production: Our designs facilitate high-quality fabric use, allowing us to maintain superior standards in all our products.
Our Construction Practices
Our 'Ethical Construction' principles are something we've been working on ever since we started our business. It is our pattern language for making things strong, simple and appropriate to the task. We believe the most ethical way to make a product is to engineer it to last.
Our aim is to design and build durable, useful products. We do this by utilising quality fabrics and components, and design sensibilities gained in over a decade of experience of their properties.
Our construction framework includes:
- 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.
