From 3 Friends to a Growing Flock—This Is Your Story Too
About Us
If you’ve hiked the Issaquah Alps, you know the trails twist through dense forests, past towering old-growth trees, moss-covered logs, and endless ferns. Our family traditions ran deep in these mountains—whether we were racing up the Hill of Champions or making the trek to Debbie’s View on the 4th. At the time, we didn’t know just how much these hills would shape us. Now, traveling these trails feels like returning home—that’s why we named our company Squak.
Hamilton and Bennet, two Issaquah natives, became friends through their local scout and church group. They shared countless adventures—50-milers, canoe trips, winter campouts—you name it. As life moved on, their paths split. Bennet thru-hiked the PCT and CDT and became a competitive ultrarunner. Hamilton married Alli—a bear-hunting, backpacking wonder—and took on a different adventure: raising a family.
During the worldwide pandemic, Hamilton, Alli, and Bennet came together and hiked the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier where many business ideas were exchanged. Two years later, Squak emerged.
Our Mission
We never planned on starting an outdoor gear company. And the fact that we’ve made it this far is, in many ways, a miracle. As Squak has grown, so has our sense of what it represents—and the responsibility we feel to the community that’s grown with it.
We know we’ll continue to evolve. But right now, these are our thoughts and hopes for Squak:
- We believe everyone deserves access to quality gear at a fair price. We hope to make the outdoors accessible.
- We’re not interested in spending tons on ads and influencers. We'd rather invest in our community—with great deals, thoughtful design, and gear that actually holds up out there.
- We believe layering systems are essential to having a positive experience in the outdoors.
- We want to build community, inspire exploration, and make a positive impact.
- We believe gear should be shaped by the people who use it. That’s why we listen, test, tweak, and build together—because the best ideas come from the trail, not the boardroom.
- We want to make sure we’re living life. Squak is our way of taking risks, being creative, and pushing ourselves.
As Squak grows, it feels a lot like navigating the trails of Squak Mountain—challenging, beautiful, and always full of unexpected moments. Those trails taught us resilience and wonder. This company has too.
Here’s to the road ahead—to new adventures, meaningful gear, and stories we get to write together. Squak isn’t just our business—it’s our passion, and the life we want to live.
– The Squak Team
Hamilton, Alli, and Bennet