Our Favorite Gear Made in the USA
July 21, 2024
Home > Staff Picks
Finding outdoor gear made in the USA may seem like a challenge these days. But after doing some research, we were surprised how many brands – small and big – are still made in the States. Some brands, like NW Alpine, make being made in the US central to their story, while others required some sleuthing to confirm.
Gear made in the US provides jobs and requires fewer resources to transport across large distances. Each of these items was made by an outdoors enthusiast who wanted to find a solution to a problem. We partnered with Garage Grown Gear to highlight brands made in the States. Here are some of our writers' top Made in the USA outdoor gear items – from ultralight to everyday apparel.
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission — without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Where it’s made: Scarborough, Maine
Gearmaker: Charles Friedman
The Flowfold Recycled Sailcloth Minimalist Wallet has a simple agenda: hold 6-8 essential cards and a few bills of cash with no extra bulk in your pocket. The slim profile and durable, light sailcloth material keeps things simple, and fits comfortably in a typical front or back pant pocket without wearing an outline into your jeans over extended use. These wallets, like other products offered by Flowfold, are made of recycled composite sailcloth originally developed for sailboat racing and windsurfing communities. The fabric has an X-Ply laminate waterproofing mylar to stay slick, dry, and light enough to float weighing in at only 12g/0.4oz.
A bright range of colors also helps you keep track of it or easily relocate when shuffled in with other gear. I’ve dropped mine along a muddy trail, riverbank, and depths of my pack or car console and relied on the bright purple color to catch my eye every time. Going on 8 years together, I trust my essentials fully in this wallet, and can count on a lifetime warranty should I somehow wear it out. Simply put, you don’t need another wallet once you have this one.
Where it’s made: West Melbourne, Florida
Gearmaker: Joe Valesko
The Zpacks Duplex Ultralight Tent was my third Zpacks tent purchase and it certainly lived up to expectations. It has all of the things I love about the Zpacks tents. The Duplex was extremely lightweight (lighter than a lot of solo tents) while being plenty storm-worthy on the notoriously mercurial CDT. Dyneema continues to be a favorite fabric of mine for tents due to its anti-sag properties.
I love the ease of set-up. The double doors and vestibules meant my partner and I weren’t crawling over top of one another to exit. I’ve also used this tent solo and found it to be a great choice when I knew I’d want to keep all of my gear inside with me. I opted for the Freestanding Upgrade which, while it did work, wasn’t necessarily worth it, in my opinion. I found it was still necessary to stake the tent rather heavily. Overall the Duplex is a great choice for long-distance hikes or any trip where weight is of the utmost importance in a shelter. The Zpacks Duplex was the overall winner in our Best Ultralight Tents guide.
NW Alpine Black Spider Hoodie
Where it’s made: Salem, Oregon
Gearmaker: Bill Amos
I basically live in fleece in the fall and winter, and I feel like I'm always looking for that perfect fleece. On a whim, I bought the Black Spider Hoodie from NW Alpine – I think because it was on sale. And guess what? I wore it almost every single day after I bought it (except when on laundry day to get the peanut butter off).
Why is this my favorite fleece? I'm glad you asked! First of all, it's flattering. NW Alpine actually cut this for a female body, they didn't just "shrink it and pink it." It actually looks good on. I like the exposed stitching on the tops of the shoulders too – it adds visual interest.
Second, I love the fabric. It's made from Polartec Power Grid, which has a soft next-to-skin layer – so soft that you could wear it without a shirt underneath. The inner layer wicks moisture to the outer layer, which spreads the sweat out for maximum evaporation. The result is that you stay warm and dry in the cold.
Third, it washes up nicely, and it doesn't pill. I get frustrated when I get a brand new fleece, and it starts pilling before the first wash. The Power Grid fabric has a smooth outer layer that resists pilling. I love it.
Where it's made: Bellingham, Washington
Gearmaker: Gear Aid
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape has saved so many pieces of my gear from shoddy sewing jobs and worse – the trash. Any hike or backpacking trip I set out on, I guarantee that I have a solid piece or three of Tenacious Tape with me. It weighs practically nothing, is tough enough to withstand realistic wear and tear of the trail and then some, and is super easy to apply. It saved me from several nights in a row of seriously miserable downpours with a quick fix of the rain fly. It’s kept my original stakes bag and tent stuff sack in business far longer than I could have ever anticipated. And though I reinforced these with some nylon stitching, the tape would have held just fine without that. I just like the little splash of color. And if you don’t feel like doing unnecessary sewing, Gear Aid makes their tape and repair patches in multiple colors as is!
Where it’s made: Boulder, Colorado
Gearmaker: Mary Swanson
There are certain items I always have with me, especially in the summer, and one of them is a Lava Linens Travera Towel. While I love all of the Lava Linens products, since the release of the Travera towel, it has been my go-to for backpacking, dog walks, and travel because it is lightweight, packable, dries quickly, and doesn’t hold onto dirt or odors. The Lava Linens Travera towel is ideal for those prioritizing sustainability in their everyday and adventure essentials.
It is made from a blend of breathable hemp and TENCEL Lyocell plant fibers, making it not only lightweight and durable but also perfectly suited for versatile daily use. Designed with thoughtful details like reinforced hemp hanging loops and a mini sunglass/key loop, it integrates convenience into its functionality. But what really sets it apart from other travel towels on the market is its commitment to sustainability, and being made from natural fibers, it does not shed microplastics like synthetic microfiber towels. The Lava Linens brand is also featured in our Best Sustainable Outdoor Gear Ideas article.
Where it's made: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Gearmaker: Jonny Waldman
On my first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, my feet were chafed and wrinkled from always being wet. I'd hike all day in wet shoes, hobble around in camp in wet socks, and barely had any time to let my feet dry out and relax before I was at it again. Still, as a dedicated ultralighter, I refused to carry camp shoes until I discovered the Mayfly Ultralight Nymph.
At 1.7 oz for the pair, that's a weight penalty I'm willing to take for happier feet. On thru-hikes, I've used them as town shoes to do zero day grocery runs. I use them in camp to get up to pee, collect water, or put away my bear can for the night. Switching into my Nymphs are one of the pleasures of reaching camp at the end of the day. The Nymphs are the ultralight winner in our Best Camp Shoes guide.
Where it’s made: Norfolk, Virginia
Gearmaker: Paul Thomas
I am so grateful to have found Thrupack’s Summit Bum Classic fanny pack, which won our award for Best for Thru-hiking in our Best Fanny Packs, Waistpacks, and Lumbar Packs for Hiking guide. The Summit Bum pack is an essential piece of gear for me on any length of hike, mostly because I use it to store some of my essentials.
I take my backpack off often for breaks, but my fanny pack always stays on, this means even if I get separated from my backpack I will always have what is in my fanny pack. I make sure to store a lighter, headlamp, and other emergency gear items, along with extra snacks and candy and more snacks. The slip pocket on the inside of this pack is designed for holding a smartphone, allowing for easy access all day long for grabbing photos or looking up the bird you just spotted. Off-trail, this pack is great for walking dogs, short day hikes, or even festivals where you want to be hands-free. I use mine all the time, and since these come in a variety of colors, you are sure to find a favorite that fits your personal taste.
— Sara Kruglinski, operations coordinator and contributing writer
Where it’s made: Vincentown, New Jersey
Gearmaker: Chris Millard
The LiteAF Curve Full Suspension backpack is a great thru-hiking backpack. It is lightweight and durable, and its volume and suspension system can handle the heavy food and water carries sometimes required on thru-hikes. The pack’s body and side pockets are constructed from UltraWeave, which has three times the tear strength and is more abrasion-resistant than Dyneema.
The large, rugged mesh front pocket is large enough for a wet tent, rain gear, and other items needed throughout the day. The water bottle pockets can fit two bottles and are easily accessed while on the move.
Our favorite features are the bottom and upper side pockets. The stretchy bottom pocket allows easy access to snacks or maps and will even hold a full two-liter bladder when necessary. The upper side pockets are the perfect size to hold a cold soak container, stakes, or toilet kit. It’s our top pick for a thru hiking backpack, and we go into much more detail in our in-depth review of the LiteAF Curve backpack.
Where it’s made: Medford, Oregon
Gearmaker: Mandy Bland
PRain Adventure Skirts is an Oregon-based company that makes skirts for, well, adventure. Folks who prefer breezy airflow or the style and ease of a skirt while hiking appreciate the comfort and quality of these Adventure Skirts. In particular, the waistband and deep side pockets are standout features. In addition to hiking in this skirt, I like putting one on after a trail run. It’s cooling, and it makes changing outside easier.
The fabric is constructed of recycled polyester and spandex that meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certificate. It’s also coated in a DWR finish to make it water repellent. There are four (that’s right, four!) pockets in this skirt. And, the skirts come in fun colors!
Founded by Mandy “Purple Rain” Bland in 2014, Purple Rain Adventure Skirts is a small cottage brand based in southern Oregon. Mandy started making the skirts at her dining table in her studio apartment; now the skirts are still made in Oregon and she handles all email correspondence. So, in addition to a comfortable and cute hiking skirt, purchasing from Purple Rain Adventure Skirts comes with the bonus of a closer customer-owner connection.
Where it’s made: Naples, FL
Gearmaker: Linda Kennedy
The OpSak by Loksak looks like a heavy duty Ziplock bag, but it is so much more than that. These smell proof bags keep critters from even knowing you’ve got tasty snacks and they’re waterproof to 200 feet to protect electronics. While they do have a definite life span, they are much more durable than a basic Ziplock.
OpSaks come in 4 different sizes. I use the 12” x 20” to line my Ursack XL (another great made in the USA product). Since these bags are food safe, I also bring two of the 7” x 7” ones with me for cold soaking or rehydrating homemade backpacking meals. I use one for breakfast and one for dinner, as they do retain some flavor from the previous meal, and I don’t particularly like Pad Thai oatmeal.
BPA free and recyclable (though not generally curbside) the OpSak is a great option for anything you want to keep dry, or hidden from the noses of wild animals or hungry thru-hikers. It's soon to be featured in our Women-Owned Outdoor Brands guide.
Where they are made: Brooklyn, Ohio
Gearmaker: MMI Textiles Inc/Bear Saga LLC
Do you love the ritual of finding the perfect tree at least 200 ft away from your camp, for a regulation-perfect bear bag hang of at least 18 ft off the ground and 6 ft away from the trunk? How about getting your rope over that 18 ft high branch without tangling it and getting it stuck? And doing this all after a long day of hiking? Me neither!!!
Let’s be real, not only is it a pain to go to all that effort, reality is you often won’t find a tree where you can even attempt a proper bear bag hang. A poor bear hang doesn’t protect your food from bears, or the bears from the consequences of becoming habituated to human food. If you need more convincing that hanging your food may not be right for you, read Andrew Skurka’s controversial and potentially insulting article “Ineffective and Outdated: Six Reasons Not to Hang a Bear Bag”.
While a bear canister (see a US-made one below!) is a great way to protect your food and toiletries from bears and other critters, most of us aren’t going to carry something so awkward and bulky unless it's legally required. An Ursack, on the other hand is basically just a heavy- duty stuff sack that is made out of UHMWP “bulletproof” fabric, and in the case of the Ursack AllMitey, a Kevlar laminate is added. Touted as “bear resistant”, they do live bear testing at the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), a bear rescue for injured and problem bears.
Make sure you get the right Ursack for you. The Major series is solely bear-resistant, not rodent-resistant. Rodents can use their smaller teeth and claws to get in between the fibers on the Major, in a way bears can’t. For bear AND rodent protection (I’m looking at you ground squirrels, mice and trash pandas) get the Allmitey series. Each series has multiple sizes, depending on the amount of food you generally carry. I opted for the XL, as it will fit all I need for a long weekend with the family, or a longer solo trip. Pair the Ursack with a smell proof OpSak to optimize your system.
When I started using an Ursack last year, I was amazed by how easy it was to properly tie it closed and secure it to a log, the base of a small tree, large rock, or underside of a bridge or picnic table. Make sure to read the directions so you are closing and securing it properly. As Becca mentioned in the section on the Bear Vault, please abide by the regulations for the location you’re in; use food lockers when available and bear canisters when required.
Where it’s made: Newport, Oregon
Gearmaker: Joe LaPointe
I’ve historically rested firmly in the wool base layer camp — wool offers great insulation even when it’s wet, the material isn’t terribly bulky, and it's light enough to avoid being a burden in my pack. I was surprised, then, to discover just how much I love Alpha Direct, a lightweight fleece that’s used in Farpointe’s cult favorite Camp Pants.
Before taking the leap, I couldn’t fathom how Alpha Direct, with its relative bulk and open weave, could possibly compete with wool, but after carrying these pants on the John Muir Trail / Nüümü Poyo this summer, I couldn’t be more in love. The warmth-to-weight ratio is fantastic, more than making up for the fact that these pants take up a slight bit more room in my pack. The open weave makes them incredibly breathable - I’ve been comfortable in nights ranging from the low 60s to the upper 30s. I was worried about the pants losing their warmth in wind, but I haven’t yet experienced that. Still, I carry a lightweight pair of pants in case I need an extra wind break.
In addition, the fabric is super soft and cozy, and the thin, stretchy waistband ensures they never feel constricting, even after I indulge in second dinner. Plus, a contrast-colored inseam gusset not only provides a little modesty, but also means that I have no issue moving around in the pants.
Unlike my wool pants, I think I’ll probably fold my Farpointes into my home “soft pants” rotation as soon as I’m home from the trail - I mean, we all love when backpacking gear pulls double duty, right?
Where it’s made: Framingham, Massachusetts
Gearmaker: Bernie Khalil
Alpha Direct is a miracle fabric. My Vado Apparel Pullover Hoody is my favorite backpacking layer. It’s about 4 ounces, which makes it an easy choice to pack for every trip. It’s my camp shirt at night and my warm layer on chilly mornings. Every time I wear it for too long on those cold mornings, I’m reminded of how breathable it is when I find myself going up a steep hill, in direct sunlight, and not overheating even though I’m wearing a fleece and it’s not cold anymore. If it’s cold and rainy, my Alpha fleece under a rain shell is the least miserable clothing combination I’ve found for those miserable conditions.
I’ve been wearing Alpha Direct fleece for years, and I first started wearing the ultralight material before any American companies were sewing it. Since I couldn’t buy one, I tracked down a few yards of the material and sewed my own hoody. That was the first piece of clothing I’d ever sewn, and the end product was serviceable at best. I used it for about a year, and as much as I loved my homemade Alpha Direct hoody, my Vado Apparel fleece was clearly sewn by someone who knows what they’re doing. Plus, they donate 1% of their profits to Summits in Solidarity, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster justice and equity for People of Color in the outdoors.
Where it’s Made: Gainesville, Georgia
Gear maker: Ben Smith
I bought a pair of down socks from Goosefeet Gear before my 2018 thru hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. I was tired of having cold feet in my sleeping bag and just waiting for them to warm up in my bag. These down booties have made every trip with me since I first bought them.
They come in a rainbow of colors so you are sure to find your favorite, mine is bright purple. It is hard to be grumpy when you are putting on down booties. I swear my feet just spontaneously start dancing on their own once they have down booties on. I love that these are handmade in the USA and that I am supporting a small business. At about 2 oz per pair these are well worth the weight penalty to have in your pack. If you have any off-season trips planned you need a pair of these, if you have summer trips planned, you still should grab a pair for those extra cold nights. You won’t regret it.
— Sara Kruglinski, operations coordinator and contributing writer
Where it’s made: not stated, made in USA
Bear canisters can sound like a dirty word to many ultralight hikers – they are, after all, not particularly ultralight. But as many national parks and forests require the use of bear canisters, it’s important to abide by these regulations for the safety of current and future visitors, including the bears. BearVault, a small family business based in Colorado, makes durable bear canisters of many sizes to satisfy bear canister requirements.
BearVault canisters are transparent, relatively lightweight, durable, and easy for humans to open but not for bears. They come in four sizes: BV425-Sprint (for 1-2 day trips for one person), BV450-Jaunt (4 days), BV475-Trek (5-6 days), and BV500-Journey (7 days).
Not only are these bear canisters durable and reliable in bear territory, they also make great camp chairs in a pinch. When I backpack with a canister, which I often do even in places it is not required simply because I love bears and want to protect them as much as possible, I also appreciate that I have something elevated to sit on. This can be a luxury in the backcountry.
Darn Tough Micro Crew Socks
Where they’re made: Northfield, Vermont
Gearmaker: Ric Cabot
Before thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, I was skeptical that a $20 pair of socks would be noticeably different from a $5 or $10 pair. But all of the hiking forums praised Darn Tough socks, so I bought a pair of Treeline Micro socks. I slipped them on the day I started the trail. Days later, they stood up on their own but still managed not to reek. They were comfortable, even when they became damp to the touch. The Treeline Micro socks lasted 800 miles of daily use before showing signs of wear. They really were darn tough.
Now, after testing dozens of different kinds of socks and tackling thousands of miles of trails over the course of the past 10 years, the Darn Tough Treeline Micro is still the sock I wear almost exclusively. Today they cost $25 per pair, but they retain the same Lifetime Guarantee that makes them attractive to people who go the distance.
— Mary Beth Skyllis, contributing writer
Where they’re made: Santa Cruz, California
Gear maker: Josh Stiles
Camp shoes always felt like a waste to me while thru-hiking. The extra weight didn’t seem proportional to the benefits they provided. Then I received my first pair of Shamma Warrior Sandals in the mail. They weighed just three ounces, came with a simple structure, and they could even be worn as performance sandals.
On a few occasions I even went for a short run while wearing these sandals, and I found that they were protective against uneven and sharp terrain, they provided a little bit of traction, and they were so light that I felt like I was running nearly barefoot. Sometimes I still choose to leave my camp shoes at home, but the Shamma Elite Warrior Sandals made me realize that I didn’t necessarily need to choose between a lightweight pack and a comfortable camp system.
Alpine Fit Women's Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve
Where they’re made: Anchorage, Alaska
Gear maker: Jen Loofbourrow
I didn’t need a new base layer top, but when I visited the Alpine Fit booth at PCT Days last summer, I fell in love with everything I tried on. The Rendezvous Ridge long sleeve has become my go-to long sleeve shirt over the past year for cool weather runs, all the winter sports, sleepwear when camping, sunny hikes, and just lounging around the house.
The sun protective UPF 50 fabric is made with recycled fibers and is infused with silver to prevent odor buildup. The material is refreshingly soft without that plastic-y stick-to-skin feeling that many synthetics have. The backs of the arms feature a fun mountain print that adds a nice touch of style. I’m also impressed with the fit of the Rendezvous Ridge, which comes in 2 different cuts to accommodate a variety of body shapes — I wear the Azalea fit.