THE RIGHT PATH

Ralph Dunning | Founder

Today marks the end of an era for my involvement in performance apparel. The apparel world is moving backwards. I refuse to be a part of the problem.

All photos were taken in 2014—the first year of FR. production

We’ve been making performance apparel with Foreign Rider for a few years. I have over 30 years of experience in technical performance and built high-performance apparel for triathlon, cycling, running, and golf. We only use the best inherent technology for our performance pieces, but not everyone understands the difference between real engineered tech and cheap chemically treated fabric.

Explaining the difference is exhausting.

In January of 2025, I sat in 15+ meetings with performance mills from all over the world. Every single one of them told me the same thing; brands want cheap polyester that feels soft. No technology or engineering–only “how do we make it as cheap as possible?”

Yeah. Think about that.

There’s a growing fundamental problem with the apparel world. Brands are cutting corners thinking consumers won’t be able to tell the difference. On the surface, polyester appears to be the same—but it’s not. Performance is made in two ways—it's inherent in the garment so it’s forever, or it’s treated with a chemical to give it moisture-wicking properties. Most brands chemically treat their polyester, which fades with each wash. Washed enough times and you end up with basic polyester that smells and doesn't perform.

Once increased tariffs kicked in, brands pressured factories to cut even more corners. Combine that with the current oil situation, and companies are determined more than ever to cut costs.

There’s a growing fundamental problem with the apparel world. Brands are cutting corners thinking consumers won’t be able to tell the difference. On the surface, polyester appears to be the same—but it’s not. Performance is made in two ways—it's inherent in the garment so it’s forever, or it’s treated with a chemical to give it moisture-wicking properties. Most brands chemically treat their polyester, which fades with each wash. Washed enough times and you end up with basic polyester that smells and doesn't perform.

Once increased tariffs kicked in, brands pressured factories to cut even more corners. Combine that with the current oil situation, and companies are determined more than ever to cut costs.

The problem is real.
This all adds up, and consumers will pay a huge increase for less.

Over the last year, I spent most of my time stabilizing a supply chain in Canada and the USA, where we have complete control over every step. When overseas manufacturing began falling apart last year due to pressure from brands, I knew we had to go back to the fundamentals of why FR. started and why I got into apparel in the first place. We’re focusing on natural materials because you can’t fake it with cotton the way you can with polyester. With us you get what you pay for.

I am proud of what we’ve built, but I’ve always had a gut feeling that we didn’t belong in performance and overseas manufacturing. Having access to every step of the manufacturing process is necessary for quality control, and that can only be done domestically.

As of today we are discontinuing anything synthetic or made overseas. Our synthetic products are made well, but they no longer fit the direction FR. is heading.

I am proud of what we’ve built, but I’ve always had a gut feeling that we didn’t belong in performance and overseas manufacturing. Having access to every step of the manufacturing process is necessary for quality control, and that can only be done domestically.

As of today we are discontinuing anything synthetic or made overseas. Our synthetic products are made well, but they no longer fit the direction FR. is heading.

Once out of stock, we will not be bringing them back…