The brainchild of Kay Sadowitz, a 15-year PNW local, Switchback Repair fills a very Seattle niche: local, accessible outdoor gear repair. A solo operation, Switchback offers hands-on, personalized service built around the motto “Worn. Torn. Reborn.’ Keeping good gear on the trail and out of the landfill is what it’s all about for Kay.
Originally from New England, Kay moved west following her passions for experiential education, sustainable farming practices, and the general outdoor lifestyle the region is known for. After spending time teaching, farming, and making art in Port Angeles and on Orcas Island, Kay, her partner, and their dog Tilly moved to Seattle where she began working in local repair shops.
As a self-described tinkerer, Kay has always tackled new projects and challenges by taking them apart to learn how they work, and solving problems with practical solutions. Kay tells us, “I’ve always been drawn to using existing materials as a jumping-off point for projects and ideas (like collage). I’ve dabbled in sewing for years but got serious about it 6 or 7 years ago.” With an artistic background like that, repairs at Switchback can take a whimsical turn for those who choose to let Kay use her artist’s eye along with her sewing skills.
In 2024, she saw an opportunity to put the skills she had learned in repair together with her passion for sustainability and set up Switchback Repair, operating out of a basement workspace in NW Seattle. Switchback’s goal is to provide a local option for gear repair by focusing on outdoor softgoods like jackets, sleeping bags, pants, tents, etc. Beyond repairing damage like rips, replacing zippers, and patching worn spots; Kay tackles modifications like adding pockets, straps, lash points, and making adjustments to the fit and/or function of all sorts of gear.
With an established network of drop-off locations (Six as of writing) around Seattle and the ability to accept mail-in jobs, folks from all over Seattle now have a resource to keep their seasoned, and expensive, gear on the trail and out of the local landfill. Kay sees Phinneywood locals as a natural audience for Switchback, given our combined penchant for outdoorsy endeavors and taking a repair-first approach (see the monthly repair cafe at Greenwood Hardware and the PNA tool library as perfect examples).
Pricing is project based after an initial estimate, and turn-around averages two weeks (but can vary project to project). For more information or to contact Kay with questions, please visit the Switchback Repair homepage at https://www.switchbackrepair.com/.