Our Mission
Since 2015, we've been on a mission to create the best fitting, most comfortable Wildland Firefighter uniforms available. We believe that all bodies deserve to have uniforms that truly fit. We know that the right gear can make all the difference in being able to work efficiently and safely, and that's exactly why do we what we do. We saw a void in Wildland garments - especially for women - and married our backgrounds in apparel design with a passion to give back in a meaningful way to those who are putting their lives on the line keeping communities around the nation safe day after day.
The Problem
Over the last 10 years, the average number of wildfires per year has grown to over 60,000, burning close to 10 million acres annually. Devastating blazes have ravaged communities all over the nation. Battling flames every step of the way are specially-trained wildland firefighters. While there are over 10,000 women (and counting!) on the front lines of fire, women are wearing uniforms made for men. The uniform size chart for manufacturers has not been updated since the early 1990s. There are no size specifications for women's upper torso garments, and the lower torso garments are almost a mirror image of the men's torso, resulting in ill-fitting garments.
Women wildland firefighters are often out on the fire line for days, sometimes weeks at a time. They're climbing rugged terrain, hauling chainsaws and equipment, while dragging pants get snagged on brush and extra fabric gathers in all the wrong places. Due to poor fit of uniforms, many also experience chafing and bleeding. Current uniforms inhibit movement and the range of motion necessary for fighting fires.
Our Solution
After years of research, fit trials, partnerships with industry experts and working with the sizing committee, Green Buffalow introduced the first full women's Wildland Fire uniform (both shirt and pants) to the market in 2020. Our experience as technical designers and our backgrounds in apparel design allowed us to start from scratch, creating a uniform that truly fits, feels comfortable, and moves with the body instead of against it.
Our Campaign Goals
We've successfully completed two rounds of manufacturing Green Buffalow uniforms and have sold nearly all of our inventory through direct sales to wildland firefighters and through a wholesale account. We are raising $50,000 on IFundWomen to scale our production so that we can meet demands for women in fire. Additionally, we'll be starting prototypes on a full uniform for men. Our uniforms fit so well and are so comfortable we've had several men purchase Green Buffalow uniforms - a testament to the fact that we truly are the best fit in wildland.
About Us
Green Buffalow is proud to be a woman and minority owned small business. Our uniforms are designed in Colorado and Made in the USA. Living in Colorado, we're no strangers to fire: Korena's husband has been in wildland for over 20 years. We've seen the effects fire has on the community and the lengths wildland firefighters go to in order to protect them. Our unique experience of being close to fire and our passion for using our talents for good married with our backgrounds in technical and apparel design allowed us to reimagine and create a uniform that felt good to those wearing them.
While Korena & Summer run the business, we're grateful to have a full team of experts, consultants, and friends behind us, helping to guide us in the best path forward.
Our Name Origin
You might be wondering about our name and why there's a 'w' at the end of Green Buffalow. Our name comes from the first documented wildland fire - a Lewis & Clark journal entry from 1804 that reads "...a boy went unhurt in the midst of the wildfire flaim...because a green buffalow skin was thrown over him by his mother. The fire did not burn under the green buffalow, leaving the grass around the boy unharmed." If you look closely at our logo you can see the mirrored image of the boy who was saved by the green buffalow skin.
Thank You
THANK YOU for investing in our project! Your efforts help us continue to invest in the access and inclusion for women in fire!
Recent Awards
We love the IFundWomen mission and the IFundWomen Partners! Our company has benefitted from the coaching program and we're grateful for access to a crowdfunding platform. We're also a recent 2022 Johnnie Walker & IFundWomen First Strides Grant Recipient and a proud 2021 IFundWomen Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.
