American made - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Does anyone know of a list of American made hiking gear and clothing.I find it very frustrating to find American made, I refuse to suport Red China. Cowboy

cowboy

#2

Equinox Ltd. is a company in Williamsport, PA that manufactures typically lightweight gear. I use one of their Pamola ultralight packs and love the fact that they are “Made in USA”

HikePA

#3

You know, it’s funny. Growing up in the 60’s everyone complained about cheap goods that were “Made in Japan.” Now, the Japanese products (especially their cars) are pretty high quality. Today a similar situation exists with Chinese products (especially toys).

But things are different now - Chinese imports have negatively impacted middle-America (look at Walmart). Regarding Chinese toys - it may not be politicall correct to say this, but: play the toy safety issue by simply not buying any toy that says “Made in Chinas.”

Sorry for getting off the hiking gear subject.

The Unknown Hiker

#4

I think most hikers would agree that its best to minimize your footprints while both on and off the trail.

I have nothing against China per se but I will always try to buy equipment that is locally made and that is not made in sweatshops or countries that have unethical labor practices.

While it would be nice to save a few bucks at Walmart, I would much rather pay a fair price and hope that I am supporting a company that pays decent wages and has decent working conditions.

This doesn’t mean it has to be American but I would rather spend locally.:boy

Stryker

#5

I’ll second Stryker; we just need to pay attention to where we get gear and materials. I too try to buy locally as much as possible, and most of my favorite gear manufacturers are small American or Canadian operations. The best policy always seems to me to look to see if a small/hiker-owned business is doing something first before going on to the big gear houses. You’ll often find that the cutting edge of gear isn’t with the big boys and their production cycles anyway, but with the entrepreneurial enterprise of the small guys.

Strategic

#6

I really don’t care where my gear is made as long as it is a
quality prodoct.I drive a Toyota car,but then I found out it was made in the USA.Most of my clothing is made in China,India,or Indonesia.We live in an era of international trade.Car parts are made all over the world,does it really matter? After having said that,one prodoct that I own and use is my ULA Backpack.USA company based in UTAH, Great Company,outstanding gear,geat people running the company:boy

old&in the way

#7

sleeping bags: Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends
packs: ULA, Six Moons, Gossamer Gear (I believe)
shelters: Six Moons, Tarptent

Good post. Support local small gear companies. Excellent customer service, good product, acessible, etc.

A-Train

#8

I got lead poisoning from my pack, couldn’t resist, sorry…Tarptent, Gossamer Gear, Feathered Friends; got them all. Great stuff.

Bushwhack

#9

Sorry, don’t know of such a list. There is a decent cottage industry here, and like those above I patronize Tarptent, Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, ULA, Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, Hennessey Hammocks, etc.

But I think many of the US companies out-source at least some of their sewing to Asia. They’ll tell you if you ask, and I’d recommend that you do. They like to hear from hikers, since they are hikers themselves.

“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Ray Jardine publishes some ideas for do-it-yourself gear in “Beyond Backpacking”. But I doubt even the fabric and webbing and buckles you can buy are US-made.

We’ve become a global economy. Except for some wheel lug nuts and spark plugs, I challenge you to find an English-sized bolt head on a Chevy or a Ford.

garlic

#10

My Feathered Friends bag (purchased in '02) has a little American flag sown on the end. It wasn’t cheap but is well worth every penny I paid for it. You can say it was “custom made” as I spoke directly with the manufacturer, who asked a number of questions (my height, zipper length and position, etc.) to make sure I was getting the right bag for me.

Actually, as mentione above, it is quite easy to find “big three” hiking gear made in the USA.

skeemer

#11

I tried to get my gear in the US - Yes it DOES matter… especially when you watch your job get outsourced! They best investment I made for my hike was my feathered friends sleeping bag.

Boo-Boo