#1
Colorado gives damaged gear the strongest chance of a second life.
It combines broad repair access with strong donation, resale and recovery options.
The US Gear Rescue Index
Can this gear be saved?
A small tear, broken zipper or worn strap does not always mean the end. Check the damage, compare your options and find the most useful next step.
Start with what you own
What needs help?
Illustrative guidance only. Technical or safety-related damage should be professionally assessed.
The best gear is still in use.
Where you live can shape what happens to damaged gear. This index explores where repair, reuse and textile recovery are easiest to reach.
Explore your state50states compared
4plain-language measures
1Gear Rescue Score
What the index shows.
These illustrative findings demonstrate how a national repair-access story could be presented.
91
Massachusetts leads for second-life options.
Its mock score reflects a dense network of resale, donation and clothing-bank services.
94
Vermont makes repair information easiest to find.
Clear public guidance helps residents understand what to repair, pass on or recover.
Where gear gets another chance.
Choose a measure, then select a state to see how it performs. Darker tiles show stronger access.
All 50 states
Full ranking.
On smaller screens, swipe across the table to compare all four measures.
| Rank | State | Gear Rescue Score | Repair Access | Second-Life Options | Textile Recovery | Repair Information |
|---|
How the index works
Simple measures. One clear score.
Each state receives a score out of 100 for four areas. The scores are combined into the final Gear Rescue Score, with repair access carrying the greatest weight.
Repair Access40%
Second-Life Options30%
Textile Recovery20%
Repair Information10%
What does Repair Access measure?
The number and spread of tailors, clothing-repair services, outdoor-gear specialists and community repair services.
What are Second-Life Options?
Places that help usable clothing and gear move to another owner, including donation organizations, resale services, clothing banks and gear exchanges.
What does Textile Recovery measure?
The availability of services that accept clothing and textiles that can no longer be repaired or reused.
What is Repair Information?
How clearly public websites explain where people can repair, donate, reuse or recover damaged items.
Reference framework
US Census BureauPopulation and relevant business categories
Repair Café InternationalCommunity repair locations
State environmental agenciesTextile guidance and recovery information
Public service directoriesSample location and service checks
About this prototype
This independent CiteDelta portfolio concept uses illustrative rankings, scores and findings. The model was designed around the types of information available from the named sources, but it is not a verified state-level study. Patagonia was not involved in its creation.