For generations, the strength of our country rested on the power of our factory floors, both the machines and the men and women who worked them. And while a quick glance at storeroom shelves today might lead you to believe that American craftsmanship and ingenuity are dwindling commodities, the truth is, “Made in the USA” is making a big comeback. Both here and abroad “Made in the America” still means something special: quality, dependability, ingenuity, reliability—products that feature cutting edge technologies and innovative styles.
Made in America Still Matters…
This Independence Day, let’s celebrate the idea of America. Let’s celebrate the American entrepreneurs and risk takers that are revitalizing the strength of our nation. Let’s celebrate the beauty of American craftsmanship, creativity and production. Whether your activity of choice is hiking, climbing or bombing down neighborhood hills, a crop of patriotic upstarts and longstanding heritage brands are working hard to ensure that you can find the product for your passion, manufactured right here in America.
In honor of our nation’s 240th birthday, we share some of our favorite brands and products being made right here in America.
Wyoming Whiskey
Headquarters: Kirby, Wyoming
As war with England threatened the U.S. rum supply — which was being shipped from the British-controlled parts of the Caribbean — whiskey, a spirit made from native-grown grains, began to emerge as the patriotic alternative. And America’s love affair with whiskey has continued ever since. So why not continue the American tradition with a Whiskey brand born and bred in the heart of America?
Straight from the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, this whiskey comes from the heart of America’s Wild West. Wyoming Whiskey is produced from the ground up, literally, using non-GMO ingredients and water that comes from a mile-deep, limestone aquifer. The rugged uniqueness and attractive bottle stand as a tribute to the virtue of American ruggedness and self-reliance. And at the end of the day, you get a dynamic and smooth bourbon flavor which make this bourbon a burgeoning legend in its own right.
Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection
Headquarters: Rockford, Michigan
Wolverine has been an American tradition in outdoor lifestyle footwear for 130 years. Simply put, the Wolverine brand has been the sturdy sole that helped shape a nation. Today, Wolverine still offers a full line of American made boots, including the classic 1000 Mile Collection. In 1914, the creation of the first 1000 Mile boot set not only a benchmark for the brand, but also for the competition who were forced to find an equivalent to the iconic boot style.
Today, the 1000 Mile Collection honors the Wolverine heritage with a collection of boots and shoes inspired by archival patterns that are beautifully crafted with meticulous attention to detail using the same construction methods as the original. One of the most beautifully crafted products to come through our doors, these boots are still developed and manufactured in Michigan and embodies the pillars of the brand’s heritage — comfort, durability, function and style.
Darn Tough Vermont
Headquarters: Northfield, Vermont
In the Green Mountains of Northfield, Vermont stands a Hosiery Mill with a sign inside that boldly states, “Nobody ever outsourced anything for quality.” Since the outset, Darn Tough Vermont has held firmly to the belief that when you’re really serious about something you make it yourself. And so it is. Made with the industry’s highest knitting density, Darn Tough socks diminish blisters and bunching for long lasting comfort from the office to the great outdoors. Each Darn Tough sock comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee and is designed, tested and manufactured in Vermont for unrivaled comfort, durability and fit.
Geber American Made Line
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Starting as a Portland advertising agency in 1939, Gerber Gear is now one of the largest knife and tool makers in the country. A classic American brand whose products have global reach and relevance, Gerber’s heritage runs deep. Carried extensively by hunters, soldiers and tradesmen, the brand has forged a foundation of trust with those who rely on their products the most. Need an example? Look no further than the all new Strong-Arm.
Crafting survival knives for the US Military since 1968, the new StrongArm Fixed Blade carries on the Gerber legacy of tough-as-hell fixed blade knives for combat and survival applications. With a sheath that can be mounted in a variety of ways, this knife offers reliable use whether on-duty or off. Featuring full tang 420HC construction, a diamond-texture rubberized handle for impeccable grip, this rugged blade exemplifies what you can expect from Gerber’s line of quality American-made products.
KOTA Longboards
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
KOTA Longboards is a definitive representation of the new generation of American made brands. While they might be the new kids on the block, they’ve already demonstrated a penchant for crafting high performance longboards with a refined style. Taking inspiration from the historic military aircraft flown by the intrepid Knights of the Air, the team at Kota has developed an all-around ride that’s smooth, responsive, and supremely fun. Every board is handcrafted in Denver, Colorado and made from American Hard Rock Maple in Wisconsin.
Cascade Designs
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Cascade Designs — the parent company of Therm-a-Rest, MSR (Mountain Safety Research), SealLine, Platypus, Tracks, PackTowl, and Hummingbird — is just a stone’s throw from the Space Needle. Founded in 1972, the brand has become synonymous with quality and dependable gear suited for virtually any adventure. While 20 percent of their manufacturing takes place overseas, the company designs and manufactures the majority of its gear in the United States with a focus on innovative, long-lasting, useful equipment for the outdoors and outstanding customer service.
Battle Horse Knives
![DSC_1025[1]](http://www.gogumption.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSC_10251.jpg)
Headquarters: Cambridge, Ohio
A family owned business based in Cambridge Ohio, Battle Horse Knives has been serving their customers since 2007 by building high quality, handcrafted knives that masterfully blend precision, power and performance. From bushcraft styled knives to tactical options, every Battle Horse Knife offers an elegant design with a tenacious soul ready for a lifetime of use. When we say lifetime, we mean it – every product crafted by the BHK family comes with a lifetime repair, replacement or refund policy. All told, BHK Knives is the type of brand that reminds you of the caliber of product forged from American ingenuity and gumption.
Princeton Tec
Headquarters: Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton Tec, has been pioneering new technologies and building lights to power outdoor adventures since 1975. Today, more than 40 years since their founding, all of Princeton Tec’s facilities remain located in three New Jersey towns (Bordentown, Trenton, and Berlin) within a one-hour radius from where it all started. Moreover, this year the brand is doubling the size of their New Jersey facility as well as doubling the size of their staff.
As a Made In The USA manufacturer, Princeton Tec understands that honoring the men and women who handle the products, from idea to engineering to the shipping labels, is the only way to maintain a passionate brand. Along with a growing Outdoor sector, the company also provides specialized lighting solutions to tactical and industrial users, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and all branches of the military.
Leatherman
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
While some manufacturers are finding ways to bring manufacturing back to the United States, Leatherman never left. On July 5, 1983 Tim Leatherman incorporated Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. based on a few simple, but fundamental principles: manufacture the highest quality products that deliver excellent value to the consumer, while providing good, living-wage jobs to the local workforce. Thirty years after their founding, Leatherman is still going strong crafting their iconic multitools and knives that are as rugged as the conditions you’re testing them against.
Igloo Coolers
Headquarters: Katy, Texas
Born from a modest metalworking shop back in 1947, Igloo has had a hand in redefining how Americans live, work and play. What began with bringing clean water to the worksite quickly transformed into an industry leading ice chest and beverage dispenser manufacturer, perhaps known best for its Playmate brand.
Today, Igloo is 1200 employees strong and is proud to call—a 1.8 million square-foot, three-building facility in—Katy, Texas home. Whether your adventure agenda involves a day on the river, or a weekend away, you can load up an Igloo Cooler and rest easy.
Hanz USA
Headquarters: Duarte, California
Hanz introduced their first completely waterproof sock for the outdoor industry in 1993. Since then, the brand has established themselves as the technical leader in form-fitting waterproof technology for hands and feet. Every Hanz product features top level, three-layer membrane, seamless constructions that provide superior fit, protection and tactile sensation with less bulk and more durability.
Hanz designs and manufactures all of their products in the U.S.A., and is continually innovating extremity wear for all outdoor activities, including sport, flame-resistant and waterproof products. Hanz Extremity Wear is a family-owned corporation manufacturing all of its products in California. Founded by Cole Williams in 1970, Hanz Extremity Wear has a long history of innovative product development and production techniques. Today, Cole’s daughter, Amy Williams, runs the company, and Cole at age, 89, still shows up for work everyday, continuing to tinker around in the workshop to create the latest and greatest technology.
Yakima
Headquarters: Lake Oswego, Oregon
When Steve Cole and Don Banducci purchased Yakima Industries, it was just a small machine shop in Yakima, Washington. As kayakers and cyclists, these two pioneers saw a better—and bigger—future for hauling recreational sporting equipment. They moved Yakima Industries to the wilderness of Arcata, California and undertook a mission of putting gear on cars and friends in cars.
Today, Yakima stands as the innovation leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions. The brand manufactures all of its cargo boxes at it dual production and distribution facility in Riverside, California. The body of all of the company’s cargo boxes – including both the Yakima and Whispbar brands – are made with 80 percent recycled materials and completely assembled in California.
Liberty BottleWorks
Headquarters: Union Gap, Washington
Liberty is committed to and respects the American Dream. Not only are they managing to craft a quality product in a highly-competitive space dominated by imports, Liberty BottleWorks is the ONLY American made 100% recycled metal bottle in the marketplace. Liberty’s stand is simple and straight forward: making products in America is not only a duty but an honor. Their bottles are made in America by American workers and hiring preference is given to those who have served our country.
More than just American made, Liberty BottleWorks has committed to an impressive level of Environmental Stewardship to protect the land we love. From day one, Liberty has strived to be a zero waste manufacturing facility. They are closing in on a 96% diversion rate. How do they do it? Not simply. Liberty built a factory that uses Super E Motors, Infrared Energy and Vacuum Recovery Units. They filter and reuse their own water three times. They recycle their own scrap. They repurpose nearly everything.