Our Story
It all started with a lost fleece—and a leap.
Hamilton—one of our co-founders—is normally a pretty responsible guy (well, mostly). But one day, he lost his favorite fleece. Maybe it slipped off on a hike. Maybe he knows exactly where he left it (a warehouse in Hebron, Kentucky, during a work trip). Who can say?
He called up Bennet, another normally responsible co-founder, to ask for mid-layer recommendations. Every option was either too expensive, too complicated, or just… off. So Hamilton decided to make one himself.
He found a manufacturer that could build what he wanted: affordable, well-made gear ready for real adventures. Then he called up his childhood friend Bennet and his wife Alli and pitched a half-baked idea:
“What if we bought 300 hoodies and tried to sell them out of our basement?”
We’re still not sure what possessed us to say yes—probably some mix of blind optimism and divine intervention—but it worked.
We dove in: sketching designs, testing prototypes, and building Squak from the ground up. Pretty soon, we realized Squak wasn’t just about us—it was about everyone who shares our love for wild places and good gear that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Today, Squak is still about taking chances. It’s about making better gear with the community—gear that’s accessible, affordable, and built to help more people get outside.
Our Mission
Since 2020, both Squak and our vision have grown a lot. Hamilton and Alli have been building not just a company, but a family—and a bigger dream of what Squak can become.
Life as parents is busy (sometimes really busy), but we’re proof that you don’t need endless free time or fancy gear to get outside. Our belief is simple: the outdoors is for anybody—even regular parents sneaking in adventures between nap times and snack breaks.
Meet Our Team
HAMILTON
Besides trying to keep up with Alli and his two boys, he enjoys fly fishing mountain streams (claims the smaller fish are harder to catch because of their tiny mouths…), bushwhacking and later regretting it, trail running, and pitching big dreams to anyone who’ll listen.
ALLI
Mom of two wild boys, registered nurse, and born adventurer. She’s run a 50-miler, gone on a bear hunt, lived in Africa as a missionary, and once won a tractor-driving contest at the state fair. A true people person with a heart for the outdoors—if you can’t find Alli, check the nearest map. She’s probably planning her next family adventure.
ANNA
This lady believes in hobbies and collects them like coins. Skiing, running, sewing, are the most consistent, but don't be surprised when she decides to go to a week long surf camp or you see her at your local gymnastics class.
TYLER
Passionate about people, products and adventure-Tyler loves pushing his limits. In his free time you’ll find him getting lost on long trail runs in the mountains, rock climbing with his wife, or scheming up his next wild adventure. (Which probably involves biting off more than he can chew)
His poorly grown mustache acts as his main source of energy and reckless abandon when working on new projects for Squak.
BENNET
He’s hiked the PCT and CDT, fought wildfires, worked on an Alaskan fishing boat, and placed 3rd at the Tahoe 200. Born and raised in Issaquah, Bennet loves running, skiing, or anything that gets him outside—and doesn’t feel quite right without a pack on his back and a thru-hike on the horizon. He loves mentoring others and swapping stories with the people he meets along the way.
