Meet Nick Higgins, Burgeon's Retail and Community Manager bringing the brand's mission to life in the store, on the trail, and in the community.
Nick Higgins grew up playing in the woods in Framingham, Massachusetts. Since then, he never really stopped.
At Burgeon, he's the person making sure every interaction, in the store, on the trail, or at a community event reflects what this brand actually stands for.
Ask him why he came here and he doesn't talk about the job description.
"The community involvement aspect of Burgeon is what truly drew my attention here. Making sustainable alpine inspired apparel that benefits the communities we work and live in."
Ask him what keeps him here and the answer is just as straightforward.
"Every day is a reminder I am in the right place in my life to have landed here."
The Gear Guy
Nick worked in the outdoor apparel and gear industry before Burgeon. He knows what good gear looks like and he has opinions about it.
"Forethought into fit, features, material choices, and design choices that operate in as streamlined a manner as possible. I want my gear and clothing to be something I don't need to think about when out in the field."
His most-used Burgeon piece is the Alpha Direct 60 Hoodie. He uses it year round for road running, trail running, and pretty much every high aerobic activity.
"It's the true pinnacle of active insulation with superior moisture management during high aerobic output activities."
One thing he did switch after joining Burgeon was his baselayers. He moved from traditional wool to Burgeon's Flume Baselayer.
"Tencel has been literally magical during high exertion activities, especially during the colder months."
Made Here. Lived Here.
Nick's favorite place in the White Mountains is anywhere above treeline on the Twinway, deep in the Pemi. He swims in the river behind the shop. He ice climbs in winter. He's also run 100 miles to bring clean water to underserved communities in Uganda. The outdoors isn't a backdrop for Nick. It's the whole point.
Which is why his advice to people heading into the White Mountains is cut and dry.
"Practice turning back on a good day with perfect weather. When the time comes to make that decision under extreme weather conditions it will be that much easier. You never want the first time turning around from a summit attempt to be in full conditions."
What Made in New Hampshire Means
For Nick, those four words carry real weight. Making apparel in New Hampshire isn't the easy path. It's the right one. It means a commitment to doing things responsibly, close to home, in a way that's built to last.
"To me it's about doing what we believe to be the sustainable and responsible thing for the future of our planet and everyone that is a part of that."
What's Next
Nick isn't here to stand still.
"We strive day in and day out to offer amazing clothing, sustainably stitched right here in the White Mountains, while benefiting the communities we work and live in."
And Nick is quick to remind us that his focus is on deepening those community relationships in the store, on the trail, and beyond.
"We truly stand behind every stitch that goes into our clothing, with the heart of that being our community involvement and giveback."
Off the clock you'll find Nick reading, writing, and spending as much time in the mountains as possible.
It turns out the person making sure Burgeon's mission shows up in every interaction is someone who lives that mission every day.
