Patriotic Gear: 3 American-based Companies That Know What They’re Doing
Gear Guide — By Alexi Ueltzen on July 2, 2009 at 9:36 amLots of people support the “eat fresh, buy local” approach to buying food. I’d like to promote a similar approach to buying your travel and adventure gear, for those of you that live in the States. I call it the “look awesome, buy American” mindset.
Now, I’m not saying there aren’t high quality gear-manufacturers around the world (heck, Arcteryx is based out of Vancouver, Canada and it makes some of the best technical winter gear around), but in honor of the upcoming 4th of July, I’m going to highlight some of the best gear companies that call America home (when their employees aren’t scaling Everest or rafting in Fiji, that is).
REI: It stands for Recreational Equipment Inc, and this well-known outfitter was founded in Seattle, WA. In 1938, Lloyd and Mary Anderson decided to set it up as a cooperative to help outdoor enthusiasts find affordable, high-quality climbing gear. It has since shifted its focus to include most outdoor adventure sports, with a focus on hiking, biking, climbing and kayaking. The things that makes REI special is the consistent quality of its products (no cheap alternatives will ever be found on its shelves) and its member’s benefits; a one-time fee of $20 gets you a lifetime membership, as well a yearly dividend equal to 10% of what you spent at REI in the last 12 months. REI is also one of the most eco-conscious, employer-friendly businesses around.
In short: Equip your trip to anywhere. ANYWHERE.
Sierra Trading Post: Sierra Trading Post also caters to the outdoor enthusiast, but is more focused on hiking and backpacking – although it does include a home decor section - and getting users the best deals possible (35-75% off all their listed products, all the time). Based out of Cheyenne, WY, it was started in Reno, NV in 1986 by Keith and Bobbi Richardson. Over the course of time, the company has stayed true to its three core values, namely, customer service, customer savings and business ethics.
In short: Showing that good guys can finish first. And help you save a bundle doing it.
The North Face: They say it best themselves:
“We are named for the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain. We have helped explorers reach the most unfathomable heights of the Himalayas. But The North Face legend begins, ironically, on a beach. More precisely, San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, at an altitude of only 150 feet above sea level. It was here in 1966 that two hiking enthusiasts resolved to follow their passions and founded a small mountaineering retail store.” Read there rest of the story here.
Since 1966, Northface gear has become internationally famous for its high-quality materials and innovative approach to design.
In short: They push the limits so you can push yours.
Have a favorite product from one of these stores? Know of another great American-based gear manufacturer? Leave a comment and let us know!
REI photo courtesy of functoruser/Creative Commons, Sierra camping photo courtesy of ames sf/Creative Commons, North Face photo courtesy of [cipher]/Creative Commons
3 Comments
These companies do indeed distribute great gear and are good to their customers, agreed. But with so much of their merchandise manufactured overseas, I don’t think you can call them patriotic. They’re shrewd businesses, they have good products. But until the shelves are stocked with American made alternatives, calling them patriotic is a stretch.
That’s a really great point, Pam. For companies like REI and Sierra Trading Post that sell products from hundreds of different manufacturers, there’s no way to avoid internationally-made products (and who’d want to? lots of them are very high quality). And yes, even US-based companies like Northface still outsource. There are few companies who make 100% of their products right in the US like Timbuk2 and American Apparel.