Buying Climbing Gear made in the USA

OK,
Like many American's these days I would prefer to - if possible - buy as much climbing gear as I can manufactured entirely and/or assembled in the USA. I know this IS going to be pretty difficult - I know we have some rope manufacturers here in the USA but am wondering about hardware as well (carabiners, nuts, cams).

I know that BD has farmed out the assby of their cams and such to China I believe - just wondering what companies might still be doing all of their production and assby HERE in the USA any longer?

Metolius and Yates?

divnamite wrote:Metolius and Yates?

Not sure but Trango maybe?

Isn't it better to just buy the best gear, regardless of where it is made?

John Wilder wrote: Trango- nope, all their stuff is made in either Italy or the Czech Republic.

For all my "soft gear" needs ( i.e. harnesses, aiders, slings, etc.) I buy from Misty Mountain. They make the most comfortable harnesses around, I wear the Cadillac in particular due the fact that its super comfortable and has six gear loops, makes for the perfect trad harness. I live and climb in Boone and have met the owners and been to the factory (pretty much a big cabin in the woods), so I can confidently say that all gear made is in North Carolina by North Carolinians being paid a respectable living wage. When looking for a comfortable, durable, safe and all around great product made in the USA there is no competition in my opinion. Go Misty, you will not be disappointed.

mistymountain.com

Welcome to the new global market, global economy! Manufacturing lines are blurred now. Some parts made here, and some parts made there...

John Wilder wrote: (and I'm pretty sure Misty doesnt make their slings). .

Jonathan Dull wrote: FALSE, I have been to the factory, seen the slings sewn, and seen them tested until breaking point.

you can always try to find some dimpled CCH Aliens off of ebay.

rock_fencer wrote: i think he was referencing the webbing source not so much the manufacturing

don't forget about Wired Bliss. Use to be made in Flagstaff, AZ but I think they moved to CO either way there still made in the US

http://www.wiredblissusa.com/

John Wilder wrote: Metolius makes all of its hardgoods here.

No - I am not saying that I ONLY will buy American - as we know that's virtually impossible and unrealistic.

Just trying to support jobs in the USA is all - keep Americans at work here is all...is it helps.

Like Wilder said...

Metolius manufactures all of its hardgoods and all of its safety softgoods in the US. Their bags and stuff are made in Vietnam. This info being directly from the source.

Don't forget Omega Pacific. I think everything they make is domestic.

Like many manufacturers,Trango sources production to whoever can do the best job. Bigbros, Cinch, the B-52, Squid, RackTags and UltraTape sewing is USA. Cams, BallNutz and ice tools and some of the carabiners come from Korea. Other carabiners are made in Italy. UltraTape webbing comes from France. And so it goes.

SMC is completely manufactured in the USA.

That's said, we now live in a world economy. My '03 Toyota Tacoma, and every other Tacoma was made in the USA.

Climb Safe,
Mal

Out of curiosity, do you buy everything at small Mom-n-Pop shops or buy things at REIs, Walmarts and Home Depots of the World?

The two Trango Pyramids I have say "Made in Korea" right on them, and they date from the mid-nineties. So I' don't think they are "safe" at all if Made In America is your goal.

But it's not really l something I think much about.

John Wilder wrote: Shoes might be impossible, the closest you could get would be high end Sportivas, which are made in Italy.

Evolv climbing shoes are US assembled. They actually fit US sizes as well.

A lot of Petzl's carabiners are made here, including the spirit.

Can confirm that Metolius makes hard goods here in the US, but their plastic holds and hangboards come from China.

Isn't the whole "Buy Local" just a bit of prideful xenophobia anyway?

Bluewater makes the best ropes in the world down in Georgia.