Our Story
Designed for women, by women.
What We Do
More than just fitness equipment. It’s a mindset.
The Carry is the first weighted vest and rucking brand purpose-built for women—redefining a category that’s long overlooked our needs. Rooted in the science of walking with weight, our gear helps women build strength, boost bone density, and support longevity—through elevated, functional, and sustainable design.
Mission
To inspire women to age powerfully, one weighted step at a time.
Welcome
to The Carry
To be in the carry is to carve out space for your health, to pick up something heavy—physically or metaphorically—and move forward. It’s about choosing to build strength over obsessing about your size, to choose action over overwhelm, and to become the hero of your own story.
Esther stepped into The Carry while navigating perimenopause and reclaiming her health. Cortney found it in the wake of postpartum, rebuilding from the inside out. We met through our eldest children who attended preschool together—and bonded over shared experiences and a passion to make a difference. Together, we’re creating the product we couldn’t find—and the community we wished existed.
Our Values
Strength is Beautiful
We believe strength and style coexist. Building muscle, preserving bone density, and aging powerfully are beautiful acts of self-care—not sacrifices of femininity.
Built for Real Life
Our products are designed to meet women where they are—adjustable, washable, modular—so that strength training fits effortlessly into modern, busy lives.
Together is Stronger
We don’t glorify isolation or comparison. We champion community, encouragement, and lifting each other up—because strength grows stronger together.
Age Powerfully
We reject the idea that aging is decline. Midlife is a new beginning, and building strength is the ultimate rebellion against a system that overlooks women's longevity and health span.
Progress Over Perfection
Strength isn’t measured by perfection. It’s earned through every weighted step, every choice to keep going. We celebrate the everyday process of growth. The opportunity to make positive changes to your health is ever present. You have time, but also: the time is now.
Sophistication With Grit
We lead with elegance—but never lose our edge. Our aesthetic is modern, timeless, and elevated, infused with the grit and fire of women who mean business.
The Founders
Esther Sedgwick
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Spent 10 years at Microsoft launching hardware products: Windows Phone, Xbox, Microsoft Band, and Surface PCs. Served as a Marketing & GTM executive at two Seattle-based startups prior to founding The Carry. Esther is also the creator of Mad Alice—a Substack on women’s hormone health and longevity. A former volleyball player now working to maintain her ‘everyday hybrid athlete’ status.
Cortney Bigelow
Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer
Brand and community builder in martech, fashion and photography. Founder of The Grey Edit, a lifestyle blog where she’s partnered with top brands as an influencer, and The Grey Edit Photo, a platform dedicated to empowering women through self-love and branding. A former cheerleader and cardio queen turned barbell betty who pairs weighted walks with strength classes and sauna seshes.
Advisory Board
Dr. Stephanie Estima
Dr. Stephanie Estima is a Doctor of Chiropractic with 19 years of clinical experience and a leading expert in female-centric health span, metabolism, and performance—known for helping midlife women thrive through evidence-based strategies that are both scientific and practical. She’s the bestselling author of The Betty Body, host of the top-rated podcast BETTER!, and a sought-after voice in women’s health featured by Women’s Health, MindBodyGreen, Mindvalley, and more.
Natasha Milovic
Natasha Milovic has spent nearly two decades working across a variety of finance roles at Microsoft, managing both multibillion-dollar and incubation businesses. She is currently the General Manager & CFO of Microsoft’s Advertising & AI organization, where she is deeply involved in propelling long-term profitable growth. Natasha earned bachelor's degrees in Accounting and Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington. She resides in the Seattle area and enjoys traveling, hiking, fitness, and trying different cuisines.
Building the next generation of strong ass grannies.
Made with care and unconditionally loved by our customers.