American Made Climbing Products

Organic

5.10 rock shoes I think. The last three pairs I bought all said made in the USA. Their other shoes I think are imported.

Jake Jones wrote: Supporting our altruistic environmental practices and humanitarianism that's so much better than the rest of the world... not so much.

Russ Walling wrote:

Jake Jones wrote: Yes Jim. I realize that. That's why if you read the rest of the post and put it in context, it is facetious, as it was meant to be.

While I believe the original post was "What companies make products in the USA?" it seems the thread has devolved into "It doesn't matter where the products are made because factory workers are getting treated like shit and the environment is getting raped regardless of where they are made."

Personally I do like to buy American when practical and would like to resurrect this thread for more input on who makes what in the USA. I am especially interested in high performance outer wear as that seems to be very difficult to find.

As a side note, I find it amusing that I can drive down to my Union Hall (in my German automobile assembled in Mexico fueled by foreign oil) and purchase T-shirts, hats, and other products all Union made in the USA for a more reasonable price than I can find a similar product made in a factory in China.

Boissal must be a factory owner in China..

^^^f*ck this guy. keep this thread alive! I don't think the OP was being hypocritical, just seeking out American made climbing gear. Nothing wrong with that...

I have heard that BD is bringing all of their manufacturing back to the US. I assume that includes their new line of outerwear.

^^ I was at the SLCoutdoor retailer show in August and one of the BD reps told me they are doing manufacturing in Utah again... not sure how much, but that is what i was told, and we were specifically discussing their new ultralight cams...

I've worked for a number of 'Made in USA' companies with the largest being Mystery Ranch.

Dana Gleason is truly an icon in the world of pack design and consistently has stated that his manufacturing ethos is in strong support of Made in America.

Right after I left the company they moved their entire recreational line across seas to Asia.

I truly feel that is was necessary for them to survive in the recreation market. Their fire gear, hunting packs, and military packs are all made in the USA.

Wild Things which was adamant about supporting American Manufacturing basically is shut down.

Yes there are hundreds of large sewing contractors in Large cities, Seattle in particular, that make most 'Made in America' goods. Of course with the labor of refugees. I'm not arguing ethics here, just matter of fact.

I have my own small line of climbing packs that I make myself here in Oregon. It's a labor of love that would be economically unrepeatable. Regardless, I find a lot of delusional delight in it and hope that it can be sustainable in the long run.

Anyhow, I love a level-headed discussion the topic.

+1 for Made in America

TUFA Climbing - Made in Oregon

Josh Kornish wrote:Wild Things which was adamant about supporting American Manufacturing basically is shut down.

Brian.

My mentor actually was \ is one of their main ambassadors. I heard that the military contracts were the only thing keeping them afloat.

As an alpine climbing company they are essentially dead. They are still offering a few models through their site but I'm pretty sure they're on the way out.

I along with everyone else would be stoked to see a strong comeback. I know they had some other great packs in the works like a redesign of the classic rice pack.

Again, just my take on it.

This.

Jason N. wrote:using our power as consumers to make it more profitable to be a responsible company. Sure, it may not be possible to do it perfectly but its a step in the right direction.

Most of the latest shipment of BD Camalot C4s that have arrived at some Mountain Equipment Co-op stores in Canada are made in the U.S.

So far, it is easy to tell that made in China ones from the made in the US ones because latter have very rich and darker anodizing, whereas the colours in the made in China cams are pale and washed out in appearance