Why We’ve Been Quiet
If you’ve noticed that things have been a little quieter than usual lately, you’re not wrong. It hasn’t been intentional. From the end of January through the first week of April, my primary job hits its busiest stretch of the year. The hours get longer, the days get tighter, and I spend a lot more time away from home than I’d like. By the time I do get a day off, the honest truth is that my priority is my family. That doesn’t leave much room for product research, social media posting, or the behind-the-scenes content I normally try to keep up with.
This time of year always tests the balance between career, family, and passion. Northwinds is deeply important to me, but it’s still my second job. When life compresses the schedule, something has to give—and lately that’s been posting frequency and outward visibility. That’s entirely on me. I’m still working to find the right rhythm between providing for my family, being present at home, and continuing to build Northwinds the way it deserves. The work hasn’t stopped; it’s just been happening a little more quietly.
The Bino Harness Delay
Now, unfortunately, the next update doesn’t come at the best time. The bino harness has been delayed. During testing, we identified a few improvements we wanted to make—small adjustments that we felt would meaningfully improve performance and durability. Once hunting season wrapped up for the seasons we participate in, our ability to get back into the field for more photos and real-world testing naturally slowed down. That alone made progress feel a little more gradual than we hoped.
On top of that, our manufacturer made a pricing adjustment that significantly changed the equation. In order to secure the pricing we needed to keep the harness viable, we were required to increase our initial order from 100 units to 250 units. For a small brand, that’s a substantial jump in inventory. The harness is not cancelled—far from it—but we can’t responsibly place an order of that size until we open additional sales channels and have a clear path to moving that quantity. Carrying 250 units without reliable distribution would put unnecessary strain on the business. So for now, it’s delayed while we work toward the infrastructure needed to support it properly.
Two New Products Landing Soon
The good news is that while one product has slowed down, two others are officially ready to step forward. We’ll soon be releasing our handmade duck call lanyard and duck strap. Both are constructed from 550 cord and will be arriving to us shortly. It took longer than expected to find a manufacturer we were truly confident in, but that was time well spent. We didn’t want to rush into a partnership that didn’t meet our standards.
The duck call lanyard was designed with function and flexibility at the forefront. It features removable, double-loop drops so hunters can carry as many—or as few—calls as they want. The double-loop design was non-negotiable for us. One of our field staff once lost half of a call in the marsh because their lanyard was single loop, and that was enough to convince us it wasn’t the right approach. At the same time, we noticed that many lanyards on the market had fixed drops. That meant if a newer caller only had one or two calls, they were stuck with excess paracord hanging around their neck. We wanted something modular—clean, adaptable, and purpose-built for how someone actually hunts.
The duck strap follows the same construction method and material philosophy but is more straightforward in concept. We saw many straps built from multiple materials with stitched connection points. While there are certainly quality manufacturers producing those, every stitch represents a potential failure point over time. We opted for a single, continuous 550 cord strap—simple, durable, and built to withstand seasons of use without separating. As much as we appreciate the aesthetic of leather straps, 550 cord allowed us to maintain durability, consistency in materials, and a more accessible price point. The standard capacity is 12 ducks, making it practical without being overbuilt.
Alongside these gear releases, we also took a hard look at our apparel lineup. Over time, it started to feel cluttered—too many lower-quality designs, too many ideas that didn’t fully represent who we are becoming. We’re finally beginning to see what resonates with our customers and what doesn’t, and that clarity has helped us sharpen our identity as a brand. We scrapped a number of designs that never truly gained traction and others that, honestly, weren’t the best representation of what we want Northwinds to stand for. Moving forward, we’re focusing on clean-cut, throwback designs that harken back to a different era of both hunting and lifestyle. Retro and vintage concepts will take the forefront as our “grounded in the lineage of hunting” identity continues to unfold.
We’re continuing to learn as we grow, and every challenge—whether it’s time management, production logistics, or refining our identity—teaches us something valuable. We’re looking forward to getting back into the field soon, testing gear, taking photos, and sharing more of what we love. The new duck call lanyards and duck straps will be live on the website soon, and we’re genuinely excited to finally get them into your hands.
