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When your job includes traveling 25,000 miles, shearing animals on 500 farms, and dodging spit for four months straight, you don’t have time for gear that fails.
Meet Neil Kessler — alpaca shearer, animal whisperer, and 1620 lifer.
Based in Scarborough, Maine, Neil hits the road every February to give alpacas, llamas, goats, and even the occasional camel their summer cuts. It’s dirty, demanding, and damn hard work — which is exactly why his gear matters.
“I used to blow out the crotch on a pair of jeans every week,” Neil says. “These pants? Three months in and I haven’t had a single blowout.”
From Florida to upstate New York, Neil spends long days bent over, hauling animals, brushing off fiber, and taking whatever spit comes his way. He’s head-to-toe in 1620 because it’s the only thing that holds up.
“I’ve tried everything — store-bought stuff just doesn’t cut it. The stretch is huge. The durability is next-level. They’re the most comfortable pants I own — I even wear them on my day off.”
Even after dozens of washes (and plenty of fiber and animal funk), Neil’s gear still looks sharp. That’s what makes it different — and why he’s stuck with us for years.
“This job’s never boring,” he says. “Every day, every animal, every farm is different. But what stays the same is needing gear that works just as hard as I do.”
This is the first in a series highlighting the folks who put our gear to the test. Real work. Real people. Built for all of it.
Check out appalachianshearing.com and connect with @appalachianshearing on Instagram. For the best workwear on the planet, visit 1620usa.com and learn more about 1620 Workwear's company uniform program.
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