Return to the mountain: The new MEC (Mountain Equipment Company)
After 8 years of the square logo, MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) revealed a new logo featuring the iconic twin peaks, which originally appeared in the very first MEC catalogues in the early ’70s. The peaks represent the future of the company and its commitment to core values: providing the best technical gear, offering expert advice and helping to build outdoor communities.
MEC worked closely with Hulse & Durrell, a Vancouver-based creative agency, who design other iconic Canadian logos like Canadian Olympic Committee and Design Canada. The deep forest green is a nod to the classic hue of MEC backpacks and fleece jackets. The new font type Mountain Sans was designed by Julien Hébert in Montreal.
This year, MEC has donated $1 million to Canadian outdoor organizations as part of their Outdoor Impact program. Highlights since the launch includes:
The introduction of the MEC Avalanche Safety Grant. Aimed at non-profit
organizations that serve racialized communities, it will allow more people to access the winter backcountry safely.
Helping Spirit North reach 2,700 Indigenous youth across 40 communities,
including 953 in-school and 336 after-school sessions, knowledge and skill-building events with students, parents, educators and community.
Helping Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada expanded its educational programming and training across the country, growing its membership to 21,797 climate action advocates. MEC funding also supported the execution of the POW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan, recognizing that diversity and equity in the outdoor space are integral to solving climate change. This includes advocacy work on Bill C-12 and the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, likely the single most important piece of climate policy ever passed.
The release of the first CPAWS Report Card for Canada. The report card tracks and
assesses how Canada did against its target of protecting 17% of land and 10% of the ocean in Canada, by the end of 2020, on the way to protecting 30% by 2030. CPAWS is committed to helping Canada meet its targets.
MEC made it a high priority to create sustainable material targets for MEC Label. Progress so far since it launched in April 2021: 25% of apparel is Fair Trade Factory Certified, 30% of apparel is made of recycled polyester, 91% of apparel is made of bluesign® approved material, and natural fibres are either 100% organically grown or Tencel.
