Buy American, whenever possible, avoid Amazon
Here’s a short list of stuff that I’ve bought, used, and am happy with.
For something much more comprehensive, check out https://www.usalovelist.com/.
Biking
- Kitsbow - high-end sports-oriented clothing, including things like bibs. I’m going to start phasing out my Patagonia and Rapha gear. Hand-made in North Carolina.
- GUTR Sweatband - I’m a sweaty beast. This is the only sweatband I’ve ever found that even comes close to working. It’s not perfect - sweat still drips all over my bike, but at least it doesn’t literally go into my eyes and cause stinging. Made in Texas.
- K-EDGE Gravity Top Cap Mount - love this for a clean cockpit. Made in Idaho.
Bikepacking
One thing I appreciate about the relatively new sport of bikepacking is there seems to be some emphasis on building in America.
- Original StrapPad - a neat little mount that fits on your water bottle cage bosses. I use it to hold my titanium cook pot. Handmade in Arizona.
- Original Cargo Net - also from Original Free Range, this cargo net is super handy. I wrap it around my saddle bag both for extra compression in addition to securing small bits and bobs.
- Revelate Tangle frame bag - fits my bike, carries my stuff. Not much more to say. Revelate have a pretty interesting and transparent manufacturing statement. The Tangle still seems to be made in the US, but not all their bags are.
- Voile straps - these straps are the gold standard, and you can never have too many of them. They’re made in Utah.
Camping
- Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter - personal water filter. It’s competitive with the Sawyer Mini, which is also made in the US, so you can’t really go wrong here.
Car Stuff
- etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - says it was made in the USA. Read more on my campervan page
Clothing
This is a tough one, there are barely any clothes made in the US anymore.
- American Giant - the best hoodie you can buy, period. Made in North Carolina
- BlackStrap baselayers - mentioned below in the Skiing section. According to this story, they “mill fabric, cut and sew garments, source packaging & run all warehousing operations (quality controlling, packaging etc.) within the USA”.
- Kitsbow - Also mentioned above in the Biking section, but clothing deserves to be specially called out. They’ve got a great story, starting up a sewing school for their local community to improve their labor market. Love these folks. They’re also made in North Carolina!
- New Balance - I don’t actually own anything from NB (see my problematic feet), but it’s cool there’s at least one shoe manufacturer building in the US. Looks like they’re made in Maine and Massachussetts.
Household Items
- Nordic Ware bakeware - they make over 300 products in Minneapolis. I have some baking sheets and a non-stick wok and can highly recommend.
- Vornado Evap40 Humidifier - made in the US from US and imported parts
- Vornado 293 heavy duty fan - I use this to stay cool while exercising indoors
- Twin mattress - for the kid bed
Skiing
- BlackStrap baselayers - best known for their iconic balaclavas, but they make a bunch of other baselayers too. Made in Bend, OR.
- Moment Skis - some of the best skis around. I own the Wildcat 108. Hand-made in Reno, NV.
- WhatVests - replace your bulky annoying backpack with a utility vest. I don’t actually own one, but thought they looked cool. Made in Laramie, WY.
- Edgie Wedgie - helps your kid learn how to ski, hand-made in Utah.
Additional Reading
- Tech Companies Slowly Shift Production Away From China - Vietnam seems to be the winner, and the article says that Foxconn is offering $300/month vs $650/month in China. Over 10 years, workers in China have managed to triple their pay to $9300 annually.