About 45th Life

45th Life was created out of a deep connection to place — and a belief that the best moments in life happen when we slow down enough to notice them.

The 45th Parallel runs halfway between the Equator and the North Pole. It cuts through Northern Michigan, where our roots are planted, and serves as a daily reminder of balance - between work and rest, movement and stillness, ambition and appreciation.

That idea guides everything we do.

A Life Shaped by the Outdoors

We believe the outdoors doesn’t have to be extreme to be meaningful.
It’s found in early mornings, familiar trails, quiet water, changing seasons, and time spent with people you care about.

Our products are designed to be part of that life - worn often, lived in, and taken along for the everyday moments that make up something bigger.

Why We Do Things Differently

Many of our products are produced on demand. This allows us to reduce waste, be more intentional, and focus on quality over speed. It’s not the fastest way to operate — but it’s the way that aligns with our values.

We believe in making fewer, better things.
In choosing process over shortcuts.
And in building something that lasts.

Rooted in Community

We’re proud to call Northern Michigan home and to have a physical storefront in downtown Gaylord. Community matters to us - not as a buzzword, but as a responsibility.

45th Life exists because of the people who wear our products, share our values, and choose to support a brand that’s grounded in place and purpose.

Life on the 45th Parallel

This brand is for those who find meaning in the in-between moments.
For those who understand that adventure doesn’t always require distance.
And for those who believe that how something is made matters just as much as what it is.

This is 45th Life - shaped by place, guided by intention, and inspired by the life lived along the 45th Parallel.