Melanzana Outdoor Clothing — Attraction in Leadville

I have been a long-time Melanzana supporter, but unfortunately, my last experience attempting to support the brand will be my last. The appointment system has become a complete joke with appointments are now booked 6-8 months out.

During my last visit I was driving from Denver back to Telluride, (which does require a less direct, out of the way trip to go through Leadville). I didn't bother looking at the website to see if there was an appointment because my trip was unplanned at the last minute and I knew there wouldn't be an appointment (last I had checked on a different trip, appointments were 1 1/2 months out). I decided to put in the extra miles and hour to go through Leadville to see if by chance there was a cancellation. When I arrived, I was greeted by a girl with a snotty attitude (yes girl, I say this because a woman would know better than to speak to customers while in a customer service position with such a poor attitude) who when I asked if there happened to be any cancellations that day, referred me to a sign. Clearly agitated from having to answer this question all day long, she said the next appointment available is 6 months out in April. She pointed me toward the blemish rack and said I could shop there. Unfortunately, the sizing of what was available was very limited and I did not have any luck finding anything in my size (which also appeared to be the case of everyone shopping the blems). This was not the first time this had happened, I've attempted many times since the appointment system started to pop into Melanzana during random trips to the front range. Each time having no luck.

Additionally, since Covid, the quality of the product has declined. The supply chain shut down Melanzana's operations at one point, which is originally what forced the wait-in-line system. But apparently it also gave them a reason to reduce the quality while upping the price. They are now using recycled plastic to make their products out of and the micro-grid fleece hoody is noticeably thinner than the original version. While I'm all for recycling plastic, these hoodies aren't holding up as long as they used to and are wearing down...(I can't say more quickly because none of my previous hoodies ever really wore down). Additionally, they are charging more for these V2 recycled hoodies (nearly $20 more, from $68 to $86) in the past two years! Sorry Melly, but at $86, the Micro-Grid Fleece just ain't worth the price (or the trip, or the headache with the appointment system).

After my last visit, I am done. It's apparent that I will never be able to schedule an appointment, and I done making the out of the way trips to Leadville in the hopes of getting in on a cancellation. I commend anyone who has the ability and flexibilty to plan their visit to, or trip through Leadville down to an exact time that far in advance. Good for you! However, most folks traveling through our fine state, who will go out of their way just to swing into the shop do not have that ability.

It's sad for me, being a native of Colorado and having been a supporter of the brand for so long, but it's become apparent that Melanzana has no desire to support its customers and improve the overall customer experience. I will now be shopping elsewhere and supporting alternate local made-in-Colorado brands when I am in need of a...

I made TWO separate trips from Atlanta to Leadville just to make an appointment to buy couple Mellies for my wedding. My wife and I both have Colorado Trail specific YouTube Channels (it's actually where we met) where we offer tips and tricks to folks hiking the trail. Because the trail and Leadville mean so much to us, we wanted to take a bunch of photos in them on our wedding day and do reviews to support Melanzana on our channels. When I finally made it to Melly for my appointment (trip two), I could see the product I wanted behind the counter but was told that I couldn't buy it because "it wouldn't be fair to people who made appointments" even though I did in fact have an appointment. So, two flights to Denver and two-hour trips to Leadville was still not sufficient for me to buy one of their products.

Here's the thing: the system they use is bonkers and creates more problems than it solves. More than this, the product isn't good. I took my original Melly on my through-hike of the CT last year and it became clear that it was poor quality material (pilled immediately as shown in the photo) and was only marginally warmer than a t-shirt. I needed to add layers if the temp dropped below 65 or so. Still, we wanted to support the local business with our wedding photos and social media, but sadly they thought it'd be 'unfair' to sell us a product they had in stock even though we went through their arcane and unclear process to be able to buy.

My recommendation to you, dear reader: buy a quality product from a store that doesn't think it's crazy to actually sell products. Not only will you save TONS of time, you will also save money. They say to check the website for information, but the website isn't updated regularly and even when it is, the information you need isn't in one place: important details are peppered about throughout the site and many times the information isn't current. You have to be Nancy Drew and super lucky to figure out how to buy, and if you don't catch some small detail buried 8 pages deep, they will look at you shocked that you think you can just set up an appointment, drive to Leadville, show up for the appointment, and buy something from a store.

Anyway, good luck, Melly.

Edit 11/16: Below, Melanzana says they "worked hard to make things right for Jared," but none of this happened. Instead, Melanzana offered to re-explain their policies to me. That's it and that's all. Nearly every one of their one-star reviews here mention the reservation system and how bad it is--it's very telling that Melly can still, with a straight face, believe that it "ensures a high-quality shopping experience." Such is life. Again, good...

I just had to take a moment to express my absolute delight with my recent purchase from your store. As a first-time customer, I'm truly blown away by the experience, and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts with you all.

First and foremost, I am deeply impressed by your commitment to local craftsmanship and sustainability. Your dedication to producing high-quality, locally-made products right there in Colorado, aligns perfectly with my personal values. In a world dominated by mass-produced goods, it's refreshing to see a company like Melanzana thriving while staying true to its roots.

Now, let's talk about the real MVP – Avery! Avery is hands down the best employee I've ever had the pleasure of encountering in a retail setting. THe knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for your products showed through. Avery shared fascinating stories about the company's journey and values. It's clear that Avery is a true embodiment of what Melanzana stands for, and I couldn't be more grateful for their exceptional service.

The moment I stepped into your store, I felt a warm and inviting atmosphere that's truly unique. It's evident that you all take great pride in your work, from the meticulous craftsmanship of your pieces to the friendly and knowledgeable staff like Avery.

And speaking of the garments, I am over the moon with my purchases. The quality, comfort, and functionality of your products are simply unmatched. I can already tell that these pieces will be longtime companions on my outdoor adventures.

Thank you for creating such an exceptional company with a strong commitment to values, sustainability, and community. I'm proud to be a part of the Melanzana family, and I look forward to many more visits and purchases in the future.

Please extend my heartfelt thanks to Avery and the entire Melanzana team. You've truly made a loyal customer out of me, and I can't wait to spread the word about the incredible experience I've had with your company.

Make sure you make an appointment ahead of time to make sure you get to enjoy the full experience. (I'm already scheduling my next appointment- They are a little...