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Backpacking and Outdoors Gear Made in America
Many companies in the outdoor industry and beyond produce items overseas because of cheap labor and material costs, but that doesn’t mean we can’t support the brands who manufacture domestically.
As long-distance hikers, we spend our time meeting America end-to-end. We encourage local business by supporting local outfitters and food truck offering hiker discounts. We inspire menu items and trail angels. Trail towns thrive because of us. We see the trail as a life-changing experience but we also change the lives of those in trail towns.
Below you will find all the gear companies which produce and sell within the US. Products with a “made in China” stamp might be cheaper but do not help our economy or secure jobs for Americans. Shop local and shop smart. REI has caught on by offering a “made in the USA” filter option while online shopping.
This list is composed of big gear companies and small “cottage industry” gear innovators. Some companies who had once manufactured in America but have switched to foreign manufacturing will not be on this list.
If you see an error in this article, or know of a made-in-America backpacking/outdoors company we’ve left out, please leave a comment and we will add it.
Alabama
Exxel Outdoors
Haleyville, AL: Sleeping Bags
Springville, AL: Camping cots
Alaska
Bushbuddy
Tok, AK: Stoves
Arizona
Pa’lante Packs
AZ: packs
California
Bedrock Sandals
Oakland, CA: Running & Hiking Sandals (2019 Badger Sponsorship supporter)
Dirty Girl Gaiters
Orange County, CA: Stylish gaiters
GizzMoVest
Goleta, CA: Custom molded cases for your device
MagLite
Ontario, CA: Flashlights
Western Mountaineering
San Jose, CA: Sleeping bags
Wild Ideas
Santa Ynez, CA: Bear canisters
Oru Kayaks
Los Angeles, CA: Kayaks and accessories
Voler
Grover Beach, CA: Cycling apparel
Colorado
Bear Paw Wilderness Designs
Fort Collins, CO: Tents, tarps, shelters
Katabatic Gear
Lakewood, CO: Down Sleeping Bags
Smartwool
Steamboat Springs, CO: Hiking socks and other merino wool apparel
Warbonnet Outdoors
Evergreen, CO: Tarps, hammocks, underquilts
Wiggy’s
Grand Junction, CO: Sleeping bags
Hummingbird Hammocks
Ultralight hammocks and systems
Grand Junction, CO: Tents, packs, etc.
Melanzana
Leadville, CO: Outdoor clothing
Connecticut
RBH Designs
West Hartford, CT: Outdoor clothing and accessories
Florida
BuzzOff Outdoor Wear
Palm City, FL: Bug Resistant Clothing
Lawson Outdoor Equipment
Port St. Lucie, FL: Outdoor clothing, gear, tent stakes, and other accessories
Loksak
Naples, FL: Waterproof and weatherproof sacks
ZPacks
Palm Bay, FL: Ultralight packs and accessories
Georgia
Goosefeet Gear
Milledgeville, GA: Down Booties
Idaho
Exo Mountain Gear
Boise, ID: Hunting packs
Buck Knives
Post Falls, ID: Knives
Iowa
Fox River Socks
Osage, IA: Outdoors and backpacking socks. Home of the original Sock Monkey!
Ironweed
Iowa City, IA: Panniers
Maine
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Biddeford, ME: Ultralight-focused stuffsacks, packs, and shelters
Minibulldesign
Corinna, ME: Alcohol Stoves
Rambler’s Way
Kennebunk, ME: Wool Clothing
Maryland
Groundbird Gear
Baltimore, MD: Custom made dog gear
Michigan
Underground Quilts
Jackson, MI: Down quilts
Stormy Kromer
Ironwood, MI: Outdoor Clothing
Superior Wilderness Designs
Backpacks and accessories
Minnesota
Duluth Pack
Duluth, MN: Assortment of Gear
Battle Lake Outdoors
Clarissa, MN: Assortment of gear
Enlightened Equipment
Winona, MN: Down quilts and sleeping bags
Four Dog Stove
St. Francis, MN: Camping and backpacking stoves
Frost River
Duluth, MN: Packs and accessories
Wintergreen Northern Wear
Ely, MN: Outdoor clothing
Missouri
Etowah Gear
Independence, MO: Assortment of Gear
Montana
Duckworth Co
Bozeman, MT: Ethically sourced merino wool clothing and outdoor apparel
Stone Glacier
Bozeman, MT: Hunting and expedition packs
White Box Alcohol Stoves
Great Falls, MT: Alcohol stoves
Outa Ware
Bozeman, MT: Custom made outdoor apparel
New Hampshire
Wild Things
North Conway, NH: Outdoor clothing
Minus33
Ashland, NH: Merino wool clothing
New Jersey
Tektite
Trenton, NJ: Flashlights
New Mexico
Little River Packs
Silver City, NM: Packs
New York
Outdoor Equipment Supplier
Rochester, NY: Tarps and camping accessories
Nalgene
Rochester, NY: Durable plastic water bottles and accessories
Tough Traveler
Schenectady, NY: Assortment of different packs, bags, and totes.
North Carolina
Elemental Horizons
Southport, NC: UL backpacks, sleep systems, accessories
LightHeart Gear
Asheville, NC: Ultralight tents; trekking poles, assorted other backpacking gear
Ripstop By The Roll
Durham, NC: Fabrics, DIY kits for tents, tarps, quilts, etc.
Ohio
Hammock Gear
Lancaster, OH: Hammock systems and accessories
Dream Hammock
Fredericksburg, OH: Custom made hammocks and accessories
Oregon
CiloGear
Portland, OR: Lightweight, minimalist alpine and bacpacking packs
NWAlpine
Portland, OR: Alpine and ultralight-focused clothing
Danner
Portland, OR: Boots
Pennsylvania
The Boiler Werks
Pittburgh, PA: Backcountry Boiler
Equinox
Williamsport, PA: Packs, clothing, rain gear, and other accessories
OutGear Recreation
Boiling Springs, PA: High-end hammocks and accessories
DutchWare
Lancaster, PA: DIY hammock and backpacking gear
South Carolina
Tato Gear
York, SC: Stoves, hammock stands, other outdoor hardware
FITS Socks
Charleston, SC: Variety of socks
Terrapin Outfitters
South Carolina (Online Only): Outdoor clothing and gear
Tennessee
Allegiance Footwear
Mountain City, TN: Durable boots and other footwear
Butt In a Sling
Covington, TN: Hammocks and accessories
Yukon Outfitters
Alamo, TN: Hammocks and accessories
Pack Rabbit Products
Garland, TN: Assorted backpacking and day packs
Charlotte, TN: Custom made hammocks, tarps and quilts
Kermit Chair Company
Red Boiling Springs, TN: Camp chairs
Utah
Chums
Hurricane, UT: Eyewear Retainers & Eyewear Accessories for the Outdoors
Clark Jungle Hammock
Salt Lake City, UT: Hammocks and accessories
PackaFeather
Aquarius Plateau, UT: Alcohol and UL stoves
Springbar Tents
Salt Lake City, UT: Camping tents (not backpacking)
ULA Equipment
Logan, UT: Lightweight backpacks and gear
Titanium Goat
Ogden, UT: Tents, bivies and stoves
Vermont
Darn Tough
Northfield, VT: Ultra-durable socks (2019 Badger Sponsorship supporter)
Virginia
Jacks ‘R’ Better
Yorktown, VA: Hammocks, quilts, shelters with an ultra-light focus
Mountain Laurel Designs
Roanoke, VA: Lightweight backpacking gear
YAMA Mountain Gear
Charlottesville, VA: Tarps, shelters, DIY kits for accessories
Washington
Cascade Designs: Seattle, WA
MSR – Stoves and backcountry cooking gear
Platypus – Water bladders/reservoirs
Therma-a-Rest – Sleeping pads/air mattresses (2019 Badger Sponsorship Supporter)
*Cascade Designs also has a manufacturing plant in Midleton, Ireland for the European market
Feathered Friends
Seattle, WA: Sleeping bags, down apparel, and other accessories
Liberty Bottleworks
Yakima, WA: Metal water bottles
McHale Alpine Packs
Seattle, WA: Ultralight alpine and expedition packs
Nanatak Gear
Twisp, WA: Sleep systems
Cloudline Socks
Seattle, WA: Merino wool socks
Wisconsin
Open Country Campware,
Two Rivers, WI: Camp pots, cookware, and more
Wigwam
Sheboygan, WI: Hiking and backpacking socks
Brfur
Mosinee, WI: Outdoor accessories
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Comments 91
Soul Flower Clothing- Golden Valley, MN
It’s an eco-friendly clothing company that sells a lot to the granola outdoorsy crowd 😉
Most items are designed/printed in-house by employees, everything is either fair trade or ethically produced or better for the environment in some way. http://www.soul-flower.com
Hilltop Packs, Waynesburg PA
Awesome comlany and hugely popular not sure how they got missed!
Oh sorry, old article – but you said you’d update!
I think Minus33 in NH manufactures their merino wool garments in the US. https://www.minus33.com/our-story/
Also, check out Polarmax in North Carolina https://www.polarmax.com/pages/made-in-the-usa
Hi,
We are trying to connect with US manufacturers of camping/hiking outdoor equipment who are looking to expand internationally into Australia. If you are please let us know. Cheers Sue
Hi Sue! Duluth, MN may have some outdoor manufacturers that are looking to expand internationally. Duluth, MN is also the furthest inland Port in the US, so we may have some economies to trade/ shipping. Feel free to send me more information about your company and what you are looking for in regards to the type of companies you would like to partner with, and we can see if there may be a fit. Thanks and Cheers!
Josh MacInnes
Business Developer
Business & Economic Development
City of Duluth
411 West First Street
Duluth MN 55802
p 218.730.5323
c 317.697.1866
[email protected]
Hi Sue,
GO-KOT is interested in expanding into Australia.
Teresa
http://www.campingcot.com
205-362-8581
We have a new emergency first aid product that is designed to stop or slow life threatening lacerations and wounds, FDA approved.
Let me know if you are interested
http://www.ExploreSerac.com also offers some great deals when it comes to outdoor hammocks.
Maryland – Groundbird gear. Tailor made dog backpacks – and they look awesome too!
https://groundbirdgear.com
Check out Beyul, we are a small start up trying to focus on made in the USA outdoor gear and apparel. The site is http://www.beyulco.com
Thanks!
Dutch – for hammocks, tarps and all kinds of interesting gadgetry. https://www.dutchwaregear.com/
Minnesota (Duluth) – Frost River Reliable Softgoods – Waxed Canvas Briefcases, Canoe Packs, Daypacks, Shoulder Bags, and More!
https://www.frostriver.com/
Tel:218-727-1472
Vere sandal company. Geneva NY
Exo Mountain Gear, Boise, Idaho – backpacks
Stone Glacier, Bozeman, Montana – also backpacks
Goodhew wool socks, in Tennessee
Brooklyn-based Owen & Fred makes only some of their stuff in-house, but they use only US-manufacturers for all their products.
https://www.owenandfred.com
Mystery Ranch has moved some of their production overseas. See their FAQ at https://www.mysteryranch.com/contact
Exxel uses imported materials and finish the sleeping bags in the US. Do others on this list also use imported materials?
Mystery Ranch only makes their military bags in the U.S. now, all other manufacturing has been moved overseas.
I think Big Sky makes everything overseas.
Out Gear Recreation is another good company to add. They hand make high quality hammocks in Boiling Springs PA. outgearrec.com
Duckworthco.com
Sheep to shelf out of Minnesota ( If I remember correctly )
Nice wool products all made in USA!
Here’s two more:
Wild Ideas, Bearikade food canisters
Oru Kayaks, folding and packable kayaks
I want to thank you. Not only should we support for all the reasons you listed, but as a Catholic, my religion is severely suppressed in China. There is an underground church and pastors and members caught are fined, jailed, or executed. Products are made in near slave labor conditions. I find it disgusting to put an article of clothing on my kids knowing a mom or child was forced to make it. How would we feel if it was our family member in a horrible factory? Never again for me. Thank you. God bless our country and Christ the King. If he reigns, our nation amd manufacturing will be truly great again.
Buckknives.com in Post Falls, Idaho makes most of the stuff they sell on site. They do import some things they sell, but their factory is in Post Falls.
Virginia: Yama Mountain Gear
Hummingbird Hammocks Colorado.
Seattle, Wa based CloudLine makes merino wool hiking socks.
Yukon Outfitters in TN makes great hammocks. Bought one in Damascus and used it all the way to Katahdin.
FITS socks are made in the USA
Superior Wilderness Designs, Michigan
http://superiorwildernessdesignsllc.bigcartel.com/
great list! but I would add Tannergoods.com in Portland, OR!
Custom outdoor clothing.
https://thetrek.co/backpacking-outdoor-gear-made-america/?ref=sidebar
Custom outdoor clothing.
http://outaware.com/custom.html
Check out Outdoor Vitals from Utah. They specialize in sleeping bags, quilts etc.
Their stuff is made in China and sent here. They have a youtube video showing their visit to see the manufacturing of the gear.
Six Moon Designs
8250 SW Nimbus Ave.
Beaverton OR, 97008
503.430.2303
Paria Outdoor Products
PO Box 201328
Denver, CO 80220
Hi Madisson, thanks for US companies outdoor gear.So far we know’REI’ is the the popular branded outdoor gear company.I like them.
The majority of REI’s products are imported. On their website search box, you have to type in Made in USA. Even then, check the product information to make sure it really is Made in the USA. Sometimes things come up in the search because they have “USA” printed on the front of the shirt.
This is a great directory of American-made outdoor gear!
Fieldtex Products designs and mass produces backpacks and tactical bags, as well as EMS, First Responder, and travel First Aid Kits that would make great supply and medical kits for outdoor adventures.
http://www.fieldtexcases.com
Good Day, My Name is R. Wilson and I am with R.Wilson & Rich Limited. I will like to know if you have or make camping tents for sale. If you do then i will like to know the types you have or make as well as the prices and also if you accept credit card payment. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon
Regards
My info
R. Wilson & Rich Company Ltd
601 S San Pedro St,
Los Angeles, CA 90014
240-349-6667
Right Wilson
URGENT ORDER
You could add titanium goat to the Utah companies. They make bivies, tents, and stoves.
There is a small company called UrbanMountainPakks, they make cotton and nylon canvas backpacks and accessories for the outdoors, handmade in NY. Each item is made to order for now but man their packs are great,very comfortable. http://www.urbanmountainpakks.com
Great list! I’d add https://bushbuddystove.com –Bushbuddy, made in Alaska (or so I understand from their site). Spendy but completely worth it, lightweight woodfired stove, incredible for camping, a boil as fast as some gas stoves I’ve used. Obv not useful for places where fire restrictions apply, but excellent otherwise. Now my fave stove I’ve ever used, and that includes MSR Dragonfly, Whisperlite, Coleman car camping stoves, the lot. Thanks for your article!
Hi,
I’d like to recommend our company, ripstopbytheroll.com, to add to the list. We not only sells all the needed fabrics like nylon, silnylon, etc. for cottage vendors/manufacturers but also kits for DIY’ers for such things like as hammocks, quilts, tarps, tents, etc. We are located in Durham, NC.
Many thanks for such a great, ongoing list!
tough traveler packs. Long time maker of packs and luggage in Schenectady, NY
Danner manufactures hiking/hunting/military boots in Portland, OR.
greetings: well you have a wounddrful list but..;
clark hamocks : amarican made in utaha is AWSOME
seek outside: grandjuction colorade;
the best back packs on the market;)
oops: one more;
voler..they make some amazing cycling gear;)..voler.com
in california
Also check roadeavour. They sell good quality outdoor gears for a reasonable price.
I just recently bought an American made off-road mountain bike….frame made in Austin Texas….for over a year previous, I kept my search exclusively to “American made” bicycle frames. While I was somewhat successful, in the end, many of my components were made overseas. Probably impossible these days to stay 100% American. That said, while I usually try to keep my religion separate from my politics, I have to echo Pete D’s Dec. 10th sentiments on clothing made in China.
Madison….very, very nice effort with this….I am pleased to see the younger (new and improved, I hope?) generation taking an interest in this issue! I hope that you will do a better job with the world than my generation’s broken promises did.
I may be mistaken with this suggestion….but Xero Shoes (great sandals) out of Boulder Colorado could be added to this list (I think?).
Looking for companies to partner with for advertising. http://www.joepenn4thhorseman.com . 72 hour bug out bag for 1 person is our main product. Would love to hear from you .
Ironweed bags is located in Iowa and does all their manufacturing in Iowa as well.
The OUTDOOR INNOVATION SHOW is focused on providing a better experience to vendors, buyers, and the outdoor community in a traditional trade show environment with a huge push in innovation. With our strategic partners and bringing in the buyers that ours vendors specifically request we fill that the ROI on this show is going to be big. We focus on small, start ups that we can bring added service to through these partnerships that we have in place.
Please contact me at [email protected] thanks so much.
http://www.outdoorinnovationshow.com
I found an Ohio company that makes custom hammocks
” Dream Hammock LLC”
Fredericksburg, Ohio
sent in Jan 1, 2018
http://www.cedarridgegear.com
Located in Charlotte, TN
Handmade Hammocks, Tarps, and quilts.
Specializing in custom, made to order Gear.
Appreciate this list of US made gear – Thank You!
Brfur – Outerwear / Outdoor Gear – Made in USA – http://www.brfur.com
Thanks!
GO-KOT is the best low-profile camping cot on the market…Made in USA Since 1978! We’d love to be included in an update. Thanks!
http://www.campingcot.com
My MSR titanium pot says: Made in Thailand
/:
Hello,
Melanzana from Leadville, CO makes all their gear here in the US. For more info, please visit http://melanzana.com/catalog/about.php.
Thank you,
Brian
Thank you for keeping and sharing this list. Would you please add the GO-KOT to the list? The GO-KOT camping cot has been made in America since 1978. We manufacture the cot in Springville, AL. You can find us at http://www.campingcot.com
Wintergreen Northern Wear makes indestructible, bug-proof, versatile outdoor clothing out of the small town of Ely, Minnesota.
Frost River makes excellent packs, based in Duluth, Minnesota.
Over Under Clothing, http://www.OverUnderClothing.com, is an American Made outdoor clothing company. They are based out of Jacksonville, FL, and they make high quality clothing and gear all in the USA. The only thing they don’t make in the US is their waxed jackets, they make those in England, as that is where the superior waxed canvas comes from.
-Matt
Looking through Topo Design clothing, I see that most of it is made in Vietnam. Can you add a disclaimer to that vendor (similar to the one for Mystery Ranch)?
Also, Folstaf makes collapsible wading / hiking poles (http://www.folstaf.com/).
Love my Hummingbird Hammock! They’re made in the US also!
Great list! Here are a few more
Wintergreen Northernware, MN (outdoor apparel)
Ragged Mountain Equipment https://ragged-mountain-equipment.business.site (NH) Outdoor apparel
Granola https://granolaproducts.com (TN) backpacks bags
Great List! Some I can add.
Kermit Chair – USA (Not sure what state?)
Frost River – Duluth, MN (various gear, including awesome canoe packs)
Items to Add
Pennsylvania: Dutchware Gear
Utah/Arizona: Pa’lante Packs
New Mexico: Little River Packs
Points of contention:
Enlightened Equipment doesn’t make all of its products in the US.
Oklahoma City, Hyke & Byke
Seems to carry high quality natural down sleeping bags for a great price. Advertises lifetime warranty. Just ordered one so i’ll know more about them soon. Not sure if made on site or not. Has a couple light weight tents also.
Of those, which ones use 100% USA sourced materials?
I can tell you Tato gear makes and sells a design that he took from the designer.
Good morning. How do we get our company listed on your site?
Thank ya kindly
???
The Trek,
Appalachian Gear Company produces performance garments for outdoor adventure activities. We produce all of our products in the USA, and further, we are not a brand marketing company – we actually produce our own fabric in our own facility. Our core products are produced with 100% Alpaca Fiber. We would greatly appreciate being included in your list. If you want to get a better feel for what we do, you can go to our website and social media ; https://www.appalachiangearcompany.com/ ; IG & FB @appgearco
Kifaru Intl based in Colorado for packs, shelters, stoves, and sleep systems.
Not only is the gear made in the US, all of their materials are sourced here.
Katabatic has moved a lot of their down sleeping quilt production to Asia and aren’t currently producing packs, so not really USA made. TarpTent was never produced in Nevada. That’s their office but production was outsourced to a factory in Seattle, Washington. Recently they have started moving most of their tent production to China. Also, Ripstopbytheroll isn’t producing anything. They import fabrics and materials from Asia and re-sell.
Yeah this page seriously needs to get their recommendations correct and make much needed amendments ASAP. Very frustrating to be mislead at every turn when you’re seeking out information about subjects only to see the authors of different sites, blogs etc don’t bother to put enough time and effort into facts.
The Chuck Box Camp Kitchen is definitely missing from this list. They’re made in Hastings, MN https://thechuckboxcampkitchen.com/
corbeaux is a clothing company made in USA
Some of the companies did not have USA made products. Danner footware, so far.
I believe QiWiz (qiwiz.net), the guy who makes the Firefly titanium stove, etc. is a one-man operation out of his garage.
Thank you for this list. I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find usa made products quickly. This helps a lot! Thank you!
Hello,
My name is Thomas Smith, We are looking for a supplier for the following
materials:
(1) Steel Folding Chair with Fabric Seat and Back————( QTY 1000 Unit)
I want to know weather you have this iterms available and if so, how much each of the chair would cost.
Please revert back to me with all relevant information, options, and suitable alternatives.
Note: In addition to the above,Our company standard Payment terms is Net 30 from the date of supplier with your supplier Invoice.Kindly Send your company credit application form alongside with the quote price for the product above.
Thanks,
Thomas Smith
Veritas Technologies LLC
Procurement Dept.
500 East Middlefield Road
Mountain View CA 94043
Phone: (657) 306-4732
Wenonah makes some of the very best canoes out there. You’ll probably see more Wenonah canoes in the Boundary Waters and Quetico than any others. Made in Winona, Minnesota. It’s a family-run company. wenonah.com
Kool-Dri of Reinholds, PA manufactures rainsuits that are lightweight and packable. They are much better than the china made frogg toggs.
I am a Brit. – your staunchest ally – and agree with so many of your sentiments about buying locally and giving local employment. We have a lot of goods dumped on us from P.R.China. Some of the quality is suspect but always cheap and usually copied from somewhere else.
My own particular circumstance is that I used to make military small-arms (the Sterling Sub-Machine Gun, and AR-18 Armalite Rifles under licence from Armalite Inc. in Calif. We also used to make air rifles which were big in Europe. Recently we have designed and developed (and patented) a powerful takedown air gun ostensibly for the backpackers’ market weighing c. 1-lb. Because of our ridiculous gun laws, all except the smallest (.177”) calibre are way too powerful for our country. We have decided that the simplest way of getting to the market is to licence all the manufacture to the largest potential market, viz. USA. We feel that a manufacturer in the backpacker’s field might be a better bet than a large small-arms manufacturer who would naturally give preferment to guns firing explosive ammunition.
Most of the parts can be made by engineering subcontractors, and we can set up the barrel manufacture very economically.
I would be grateful to hear from any American manufacturer in the outdoors industry who could be interested in entering a fast growing industry, or of any suggestions as to how to proceed further.
JE.
Farm to Feet socks are manufactured in the USA in Mt. Airy, NC. They are made of merino wool sourced in the USA. The offer socks for almost anything from daily wear to hiking. They also come with a warranty. I guess one could say I love my Farm to Feet socks!
For those of you checking links, I would advise you avoid the link provided for Brfur, at least as of April 2024. It does not lead to the outdoor gear company page (and is inappropriate).
Just type in “Brfur outdoor gear” into an internet search, and find it that way. As of this post, here is the actual link: brfurco.com
companies to add, Michigan based:
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear (packs, etc)
Yum Pouch (dehydrated meals)