FEATURED RAF OUTFITTER VENDOR: MATT JEWETT OF MTN STRAPS

When RAF Administrative Director Tricia McKenna met Matt Jewett and his display of locally made Mtn Straps products at the Bozeman farmers market, she loved the looks of their dog collars, dog leashes, and ski pole straps. Knowing that many RAF folks have dogs, she asked Matt to create RAF-branded collars and leashes to sell in the RAF Outfitter.

Matt began his business like so many of us, by taking out a loan for his first piece of machinery. He was nine years old, and borrowed thirty-two dollars that went toward a lawnmower. “I paid my dad back within two weeks,” Matt says, establishing his good credit – beginning with the Bank of Dad.


“By the time I left for college I had a partner, two trucks and up to four seasonal employees,” Matt says. After graduation from Montana State University, he went to work for an upstart company named Cannondale which, just a year before, had introduced their first bicycles. “I went into it with a two year game plan, yet stayed for thirty,” he adds.

The owner was a passionate pilot who would fly from Cannondale’s home office in Connecticut to their factories in Pennsylvania twice each week. Beginning with a Conquest Turboprop, the commute picked up speed with a Learjet. Matt spent a lot of time in those aircraft, often in the front right seat, discussing business issues in the relatively quiet flight deck.


“When I was at Cannondale, all bikes, clothing, and accessories were made in their own factories. I grew to love manufacturing and the challenges it presents. When the opportunity to create Mtn Straps came along, I knew I wanted to control production and not farm it out overseas.”


Matt obtained his startup cash by selling a Subaru, and today, Matt and his colleagues manufacture artisan ski pole straps and pet collars and leashes. “We’ve been going seven years now and I’m still finding ways to improve production flows,” he says.


“Ski pole straps are still a big part of our business. There are eight million skiers in the US. Our pet business is larger and year-round. The US pet industry is estimated to be 152 billion dollars a year in sales. Needless to say, we have plenty of runway in front of us to keep growing,” he says.


Initially, to get their products into consumers’ hands, Mtn Straps displayed at local farmers markets. “While we no longer do farmers markets, but the folks I met in those early years gave us the encouragement to know we were on the right path,” Matt says.


Although Covid brought trials, pet stores were considered essential business. Since Mtn Straps controls its own production and sources all its materials in the states, they were able to keep going when others had their products stuck overseas.


“I’m still having a ball with Mtn Straps. Many of my friends are retired and shake their heads seeing the time I put in,” he says. Bicycles are still a big part of Matt’s life during his precious off-time. He volunteers with the Southwest Montana Mtn Bike Association. In winter, he says, “Somebody has to test our ski pole straps, so you can find me at Big Sky and Bridger on a regular basis.” Not far from home he can also enjoy fishing, hiking, and backcountry raft or canoe trips each year.


What’s next for Mtn Straps, we asked Matt. “This business can continue to scale and grow far beyond where we are today. Dare I say, the sky’s the limit?”


See the RAF-branded Mtn Straps products at the RAF Outfitter.


Submitted July 29, 2025

Posted in News

    Recent Posts

VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE CAMPING AT NEW HAMPSHIRE AIRPARK

June 23, 2026
RAF New Hampshire Liaison John Meade coordinated a work party over the June 13-14 weekend at Hawthorne-Feather Airpark, 8B1. The paved 3,260-ft runway lies in a forested valley three miles south of Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Additionally, there is a 2,000 foot adjoining turf landing area to the East of the paved runway. The airpark is privately owned, but is open to the public, and camping is allowed. A group of 11 volunteers showed up to help, including RAF Director Bill Brine. The group helped open up five campsites on the southern end of the airfield, installed a commemorative flagpole, and weed-whacked along drainage ditches and a walking trail. “With volunteers from six different states and great weather, this was a special day, with plenty accomplished,” Meade said. Submitted June 23, 2026

WORTH THE READ: NEIL MORTINE GUEST EDITORIAL

June 18, 2026
Our many RAF supporters have such vast and varied experience, and we’re capturing some of their words of wisdom to share with you. This guest editorial is by Neil Mortine, a marketing and relations executive, RAF Supporter, and husband of RAF Ohio Liaison Christine Mortine.

UBCP HELPS RAF REOPEN TAYLOR FLAT AND "EXPAND THE MAP"

June 17, 2026
Taylor Flat Airstrip, just a stone’s throw from the wild and scenic Green River as it carves through spectacular Utah canyons, is officially reopened. Thanks to a cooperative effort between the RAF and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP), Taylor Flat Airstrip, TF9, is one more recreational destination pilots can once again enjoy as the RAF works on Expanding The Map ! In 2023, dialog was initiated with the BLM to reopen the airstrip. Daggett County got involved, and RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig navigated the required NEPA process. Lessig was instrumental in preparing a right of way (ROW) lease agreement application, coordinating between Daggett County, the BLM, and other stakeholders, and gathering information to assist the BLM throughout the required Environmental Assessment. “Thanks to Wendy taking action as the RAF Liaison, and her professional persistence following through the lengthy public review process, Taylor Flat Airstrip will reopen as another unique backcountry destination," RAF President Bill McGlynn said. The RAF and UBCP teamed up May 9 to revitalize the airstrip, which had lain dormant for thirty years. “The work party was a resounding success,” Lessig reports. ”We are grateful for the twenty-five volunteers who hand-picked rocks from the airstrip, and used them to mark the runway corners and threshold. “

WE'RE ALL PART OF SEE'ING

June 16, 2026
Starting this month, we’re sharing messages from our RAF Safety, Education and Etiquette “SEE” committee. We hope you like the way we present these stories, and most importantly, we hope you’re one of those folks willing to sit around the campfire and help your friends become better at this thing we call backcountry aviation. We all see things that might not end well. We don’t intend to call anyone out for what might already be a bad day in someone’s flying life. In the interest of safety, we’re inviting you to be part of the culture starting with, “see something, say something.” The hard part might be how to politely deliver that message, and even more important, how to react if we are on the receiving end of someone’s comment. It takes maturity to accept input, especially at one of those moments when maybe we realize things could have just gotten much worse for us. I know I’ve been in “that place” when some thoughtful input about my flying or behavior has been offered. Part of flying is to always strive to be better; and when we aren’t at our best, try to own our shortcomings, learn from them, and move forward. I think about this often. I worry that if we don’t work at getting this part right, at best we risk losing access due to bad practices or behavior; and at worst we risk people getting hurt or worse. It’s that last piece that keeps me up at night. Of all the joys that doing this work brings us at the RAF, the risk of people getting hurt is what I think about the most. Safety, education, and etiquette are tied. Getting these right means the best outcome. So, get out there this summer. Get some grass stains on your wheels, get some bugs on your windscreen, get better at your craft of flying the airplane, meet some new people, and for sure start to create those special friendships that begin around a campfire under a starlit night. - John McKenna, RAF Chairman Submitted June 16, 2026

TWO STRIKES AND WALK AWAY

June 15, 2026
By RAF Director Bill Brine and the RAF's Safety, Education, and Etiquette Committee. Too many backcountry accidents happen on the third approach. After two unsuccessful attempts at landing, the pilot is tired, anxious, behind the airplane, and making decisions with a brain that has been running down since the first go-around. The airstrip hasn’t gotten easier. Third time’s NOT a charm. What’s driving this is cultural. Baseball is “three strikes, you’re out.” Could this thinking have joined us in the cockpit? We aren’t playing baseball out here. The backcountry does not give you that third strike. It gives you consequences. Our RAF Code of Conduct calls on each of us to establish personal minimums based on sound aeronautical decision-making — before we need them. Decide your limits at the kitchen table. Write it down. Brief your passengers. Commit to it before you start the engine. That’s when the rule does its job and leads to that hoped-for experience you set out on. Here is one worth considering: two attempts, fly away, head somewhere else . Not because your mission failed, but because you made a sound decision. Flying away is not defeat. Head to your alternate. Land, shut down, and let everyone decompress. Unload gear, leave passengers, go back solo, or call it a day. Those are good outcomes. Submitted June 15, 2026 Photo Credit: Scott Newpower