Our Story Alpine Sea

We are Robert & Kristin, the Creators behind Alpine Sea Co. We have a combination of over 25 years design experience within the Action Sport, Lifestyle, and Outdoor markets. During the 2020 COVID whirlwind, we both lost our corporate design jobs and were forced to reevaluate our path in life. Reassessing our careers shed a lot of light on an ever present dream of creating a brand and being small business owners. After living in Hood River for almost 9 years, we wanted to expand our roots and become more involved in our local community. We opened Alpine Sea Co. retail + creative space in summer 2021. The name, Alpine Sea, refers to the vast ocean of wilderness that this area of Oregon offers and also illustrates how we are both originally from beach towns, now residing in the mountains.

Bags Made In Hood River

Our Bags are designed and handmade by us in our Studio across the street from our retail shop located right downtown in Hood River, Oregon. Running small batch production allows us to create quality-built products as needed so that we don't over produce or waste materials during the process. Producing locally supports the community around us and continues to add to the legacy of products made in the columbia gorge.

MEET THE TEAM

Kristin

Kristin is a native Floridian who ventured out west after college and pursued a design career in the Outdoor & Action Sports Industry.  She and Robert met back in 2006 while both working for Rip Curl.  They both shared a similar career path, specializing in Bag + Accessories Design, which led them up to Hood River, Oregon in 2012 for jobs at Dakine.

Robert

Robert hails from San Diego.  He graduated from FIDM and worked for brands like Volcom, Rip Curl, Oneill, Vans & Dakine over his 15+ year design career before co-founding & creating Alpine Sea with his wife, Kristin.

Reynaldo

Reynaldo has 20+ years of sewing experience and also specializes in Pattern Making & Stack Cutting.  He met Robert & Kristin while they were all working at Dakine and the 3 of them have been working together designing & creating bags for 12 years, as Rey has been a valuable part of Alpine Sea since day one.

Yolanda

Yolanda joined the Alpine Sea team in 2022.  She has an impressive 40+ years of sewing experience.  She contributes a wealth of sewing skills, knowledge & efficiencies to our Production Studio.  

Eva

Eva helps customers find the right bag and keeps the store running smoothly day to day. When things are quieter, she shifts into production prep, cutting, organizing, and getting materials ready so everything flows efficiently in the studio. She’s also beginning to step into production sewing, learning the process and building her skills.