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Climbing gear made by small independent businesses

Original Post
Tricam Proselytist · · Moab, UT · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0

Hey all, I'm in the process of developing a YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing and reviewing climbing gear and accessories produced by small independent businesses, especially those that aren't well known in the climbing community at large or run by one guy out of his garage.

Do you have any suggestions of companies or gear I should include?

Currently my list is heavily, with the exception of Neilico and Misty Mountain Threadworks, Southern California focused, since that's where I live and am most familiar with. I would love to expand this to more areas, so what are your favorite local climbing gear companies?

Edit: Loving these recommendations. Keep them coming. Please include a link to a website/store if possible.

Edit: Since everyone is asking my YouTube channel can be found here (hardly any content at the moment, I got busy with many other things right when I decided to start it.)

Edit: 2020 happened, grad school happened, and the youtube channel did not happen, but I've definitely been just buying stuff from these companies, not reviewing it, and just climbing instead. 

The ever growing list (updated 07/08/24):

Ted Pinson · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 252
Www.rockstonegear.com
They make EXCELLENT chalk bags and just released a crack hangboard.

Totem is a small Spanish company, if that counts.
Nathan.H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 0

I just bought a chalk bag from TUFA climbing.  Has pocket that fits my XL phone.  Nice product!

Steve Tarnowski · · Aztec, NM · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 15

A lot of big wall gear is produced by small companies.

Check out Runout Customs from Fruita CO.

Graham Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0
http://www.grandwallequipment.ca/about.html
Small company based out of Squamish.

https://www.onsightequipment.com/shop/
These guys used to make climbing soft goods (slings, etc...) but now it looks more like just bags and travel stuff.

Cold cold world, Alpine luddites, e-climb... 
Parachute Adams · · At the end of the line · Joined Mar 2019 · Points: 0

www.voormi.com out of Pagosa Springs, CO

Malcolm Daly · · Hailey, ID · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 380

Moses Enterprises. mosesproducts.com Big Wall Stuff

Runout Customs Designs: runoutcustoms.com Big Wall Stuff and custom sewing. Cam repair

Fish Products: Big Wall Stuff and cam slings

D4 Portaledge: bigwallgear.com

Pure Grit: Chalk Bags for Women

Krieg Climbing: custom chalk bags

jds1 · · Michigan · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 30

Another vote for Tufa Climbing.  I’m very pleased with the quality of my newly purchased Mochilla pack.

Jeff

LL Biner · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0
eliteclimb.com/  Jarek makes the lightest ice tools in the world; carbon fiber / kevlar shafts ,armor steel picks
Unfortunately E-climb is no more
Cold Cold World makes some great packs
Rich Farnham · · Nederland, CO · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 297

+1 for Tufa. Built me a nice custom chalk bag a few years back, big enough for my meat hooks. Still looks brand new.

How about Climb Tech? Not sure how big a company is too big, but they make really cool anchor products for climbing and rope access work. Their story here: https://www.climbtech.com/our-story/ 

Didn’t know any better · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 0

Send Climbing. IMO best crash pads and the rest of their gear speaks for itself.

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

I know they’re kind of a big name these days, but Organic remains a small, all-American company.
Organicclimbing.com

Nathan E · · Innsbruck · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 105
Graham Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Did e-climb become elite climb? Their products look VERY similar. 

David N · · Los angeles · Joined May 2017 · Points: 5

Ibbz

Edit: they make great brushes and good pads.
http://www.i-bbz.com/

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,657

See if the thread on this same subject is still around. It was 1.5, maybe 2 years ago, I think.

EDIT - found it:
https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/114775790/favorite-small-brands?page=2#ForumMessage-114777305

LL Biner · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0
Graham Johnson wrote: Did e-climb become elite climb? Their products look VERY similar. 

No, e-climb was Spanish, maybe bought up by Grivel.

Eliteclimb is Polish, and a one man show.
dindolino32 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 25

Grade7 portaledge company, small and new

Ross Ayer · · Southington, CT · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 62

Cold Cold World

Luke Lalor · · Bellevue, WA · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 10

Le Nouveau Blue Light is a small french shop in Sisterone which makes some pretty cool gear. Fancy nults which rotate and large ballnuts rated to take falls. Pretty cool place.

Austin Hancock · · Pleasant Grove, UT · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 382

If you’re in Southern California, you probably already have Orsce shoes on your list? I ran into one of the guys on the team yesterday at Malibu Creek and the shoes looked pretty solid! Dudes name was Chase.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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