About us
OUR STORY
Rock Island Gear Ltd is a born and bred Newfoundland clothing company. Established in the winter of 2016, Rock Island Gear (RIG) came to formation when three Newfoundlanders recognized the opportunity to create a product that represented the pride, passion and culture of their people. Inspiration for the designs came easy as a lifetime of cultural experiences served as the back drop.
The blueprint for Rock Island Gear is simple; provide quality clothing at an affordable price with stylistic designs that reflect the beauty of our people, our province and our humour. Our designs focus on both province wide themes as well local community designs that provide Newfoundlanders with the opportunity to wear their hometown pride on their sleeve. The signature “709 State of Mind” slogan was specifically created to represent and emphasize the mindset of the typical Newfoundlander, to show our passion and pride we have for our beautiful province.
Who we do?
ABOUT US
#709StateofMind
Rock Island Gear was built on pride — pride in where we’re from and how we live.
Founded by Preston Pardy, Kaywood Elliott, and Chris Diamond, RIG was created to represent the mindset of Newfoundland; tough, loyal, resilient, and unapologetically real. We saw a gap between generic apparel and clothing that actually means something. So we built our own.
RIG isn’t fast fashion. It’s everyday gear made for people who carry the 709 with them, whether they’re on the island, working away, or representing from across the country.
This brand stands for community, hard work, identity, and never forgetting your roots.
It’s more than a logo.
It’s a 709 State of Mind.
OUR VISION
WHO WE ARE
Rock Island Gear is a Newfoundland-born apparel brand built for people who carry the 709 with pride.
We create bold, comfortable, everyday gear inspired by island grit, coastal culture, and small-town toughness. Whether you’re repping your roots at home or away, RIG is about identity, not just clothing.
We believe in hard work, loyalty, community, and never forgetting where you came from.
This isn’t fast fashion.
This is 709 State of Mind.
OUR MISSION
To build a recognizable Newfoundland lifestyle brand that represents pride, resilience, and the unapologetic spirit of the 709.
We’re here to create quality gear that feels good, looks strong, and carries meaning, clothing that connects people to where they’re from and who they are.
Every design is built to spark conversation, create identity, and remind you that no matter where life takes you, the island stays with you.
WHAT WE DO
Rock Island Gear was co-founded by Preston Pardy, Kaywood Elliott, and Chris Diamond, three Newfoundlanders with a shared vision to build a brand that represents the grit, pride, and identity of the 709.
What started as an idea to create apparel that actually feels like home has grown into a lifestyle brand rooted in community, culture, and confidence.
We’re not just selling clothing.
We’re building something people wear with meaning.
Preston Pardy
