DEC/JAN 2018
11
PRODUCTS|
TAILGATE INDUSTRIES LLC
Owner & Designer: Jeff Parks
Address: PO Box 2082
Bend, OR 97709
Phone: 541-508-8391
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tlg8.com
Some people look at a product and try to make it better. Others come up with a business
idea out of necessity. Jeff Parks discovered the latter on his many backcountry snow-
board trips scratching and damaging his goggles in tow. With no room in his pack for a
bulky goggle case, and a goggle sack offering minimal protection, Jeff started to think
about how he could protect his goggles and not take up much room in his backpack.
Tailgate Industries was born out of this need. Jeff Parks figured if he needed this product,
so did the many thousands of people like him who venture in the backcountry each and
every winter. In 2008, Jeff Parks had a few prototypes for testing and handed them out
from the back of the truck. In 2009, the Tailgate Industries website launched and Jeff was
in business.
Growing up in the Se-
attle area, Jeff started
snowboarding in the
80’s, then moved to
Jackson, Wyoming
in the 90’s and later
relocated to Montana.
While living in Bell-
ingham, Washington,
Jeff was invited on a
backcountry trip to Mt.
Rainier and was sold
on the excitement
and adrenaline of the
backcountry touring
on Rainier.
Tailgate Industries is
based in Bend, Or-
egon with two prod-
ucts to protect your
goggles. First, the
Niner goggle case,
the original Tailgate
Industries product, is
a blend of simplicity,
recyclability, and dura-
bility that keeps your
goggles protected.
A semi-rigid goggle
case that is fleece-
lined, low-profile and
uses a 100% lDPE recycled plastic core or ABS with a pocket and overlapping fabrics to
secure and protect your goggles when not in use. This is a low-pro goggle case that fits
in your pack or pocket while you descend and is a mere 3.2 ounces!
Second, is the Gondom® soft goggle cover that provides easy protection while your
goggles are left on your helmet, protecting them everywhere. Constructed with bomber
athletic fabrics, shock cord and soft inner micro-fiber nylon liner that slides easily over
your goggles and holds tight to protect the lens. This soft cover fits easily in your pack or
pocket and fits all styles of goggles.
The raw materials that go into Tailgate’s products are mostly sourced in the USA and
Bend with all manufacturing done here in Bend.
Tailgate’s product line can be purchased direct at www.tlg8.com, at retail shops nation-
wide and the Gondom® is now available on Amazon. Tailgate products can be found in
retail around North America with plans to open up in Japan as soon as a distributor is
locked down. In the winter, Tailgate Industries has a team of three skilled workers to help
get the product order out the door. Tailgate’s products are designed and made for all
goggle wearing athletes: skiers, snowboarders, mountain biking (downhill and enduro),
motocross, and backcountry touring. Designed to be easy to carry with you and light-
weight, your goggles are always protected.
Tailgate Industries is involved with Mt Baker Splitfest, She Jumps in Spokane WA, Teton
Splitboarder and Exum in Jackson, WY and locally with Vert Fest in helping to raise
money for avalanche safety and awareness as well as supporting the NWAC.
For this summer, Tailgate Industries is expanding its line of products to Beer Bandoliers.
Made out of discarded/upcycled bike tubes. This goes over your shoulder and locks in
like a messenger pack, holds and keeps beer cold. An insulated six pack holder you can
take anywhere.
Tailgate Industries ambassadors include Chilean snowboarder/mountaineer Rafael Pease,
snowboarder/mountaineer Kyle Miller, Brendan Burns and Jamie Weeks, guides and
owners of Teton Splitboarder, and Anna Twohig with She jumps.
Locally, Tailgate can be found at Crow’s Feet and Mt Bachelor.
What started out as an idea has blossomed into a great product. Others might have
thought
of something like this, but luckily Jeff Parks’ determination and vision has made your
backcountry experience just that much better. Keeping the visuals great since ‘08!
Neil Korn