Made in America: outdoor brands who make products made in the USA
Products from brands who manufacture gear and more right here in the United States
USA, North America: Apple pie, Dolly Parton, fireworks, golden retrievers, Abe Lincoln’s beard, and Oprah are just a few things which are quintessentially American. But which brands in the outdoor industry are based in the US and produce the gear we love right here in our own backyard? Fortunately Verde works with several brands who have committed to produce all or some gear in the USA. Take a look below at our partners and their latest products your readers will love to learn more about and feel good about purchasing - helping support local jobs and our neighbors.
James Niehues
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
The great American ski artist, James Niehues has traveled and painted most the ski resorts in the USA, since hanging up his brush painting ski resort maps, James’s shifts his focus to painting and drawing our iconic American landscapes, via his American Landscape Project - a project years in the making to celebrate America's most beloved National Parks and breathtaking landscapes.
Astronaut Ice Cream
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Astronaut Ice Cream, the original source for freeze-dried astronaut ice cream developed with NASA in 1974, is excited to be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Astronaut Ice Cream is made through the process of lyophilization, commonly known as freeze-drying, to turn real ice cream into a crunchy, creamy sweetness that melts in your mouth. Freeze-drying removes 98% of the original water content. The same process is used to freeze dry fruits, which brings out the sweetness and adds an unexpected crunch, while allowing the fruit to retain all of its nutrition.
Key Features of Astronaut Foods:
● 100% real ice cream and fruits
● No refrigeration needed - ready to eat
● Three-year shelf life
● Made in the USA (Boulder, Colo.)
Astronaut Ice Cream is available in four flavors, Vanilla, Neapolitan, Cookies & Cream, and Mint Chocolate. Astronaut Foods Freeze-Dried Fruit is available in four flavors, Whole Strawberries, Peaches, Cinnamon Apples, and Bananas.
Outdoor Research
Seattle, Washington, USA
As long as Outdoor Research has been in business, it has had onshore manufacturing at its Seattle headquarters with highly skilled sewers and manufacturers making technical apparel and gear. That continues today, with onshore manufacturing producing high-end products for the elite units of the U.S. military and - during the pandemic - PPE .
Being steps away from production floors allows the OR team to create, test, improve, and distribute protective equipment with the greatest speed and efficiency. Because this gear is tested in the most extreme environments by our military partners, Outdoor Research is able to leverage the same materials, techniques, and products for the outdoors. OR's onshore manufacturing produces technical apparel and gear for adventurers, armed forces and everyone else who needs protection outside of their home.
Learn about Outdoor Research’s commitment to US manufacturing here>
Tailwind Nutrition
Durango, Colorado, USA
Tailwind Nutrition manufactures all-natural sports nutrition products that are free of GMOs, dairy, soy, and gluten, are easy to digest, and support an athlete’s fueling and recovery needs during exercise. Fully owned and operated out of Durango, Colorado and fully backed by science, Tailwind’s specially formulated drink mixes help anyone— from athletes to astronauts— perform at their highest level by offering complete nutrition and hydration without the worry of food allergies or sensitivities. The latest from Tailwind includes:
Dauwaltermelon Endurance Fuel and Rapid Hydration
Rapid Hydration joined the Tailwind lineup this season and is a refreshing, low-cal way to keep up on electrolytes and hydration. Unlike other electrolyte drinks, Rapid Hydration uses real sugar to help the body absorb the electrolytes faster through the body's active transport mechanism.
Dauwaltermelon Endurance Fuel - Courtney Dauwalter's signature watermelon lime flavor is back as a permanent offering. Endurance Fuel is ideal for longer workouts since it has 50g of carbohydrates per two-scoop serving.
Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pads
Seattle, Washington/ Reno, Nevada, USA
For a minimal pack size and maximum performance, the NeoAir XLite NXT offers the gold standard in lightweight backpacking comfort. With improved warmth and comfort, the NeoAir XLite NXT solidifies the legacy of its predecessor as the finest ultralight air sleeping pad for year-round backcountry adventures. By refining the way our cutting-edge construction technique, the Triangular Core Matrix™, integrates with the warmth radiating ThermaCapture™ technology we reduced the noise by 83% from the previous model. At 3-inches thick, with a horizontal baffled structure, the XLite NXT delivers maximum comfort and support at a minimal weight and packed size. Weighing just 13 oz (370 g)—in the Regular size—and providing a 4-season ready 4.5 R-value, the XLite NXT is the most versatile ultralight sleeping pad on the market and ready to craft better nights under the stars wherever you end up.
Therm-a-Rest’s Compressible Pillows are also made in the U.S. These scamp pillows deliver soft and customizable support in a packable design for better rest on the go. Available in three sizes (Small, Medium, and Large), and an array of colors and prints.
*Note: Many of Therm-a-Rest’s items are made in the U.S. of imported parts, assembled in the U.S.
Mountain Safety Research
Seattle, washington/ reno, nevada, USA
MSR has been engineering standard-setting high-performance outdoor equipment since 1969. A commitment to quality manufacturing and innovation ensures customers are outfitted with the finest, most reliable gear available for outdoor adventures. MSR products made in the U.S. include all of its liquid fuel stoves, Reactor Stove Systems, and WindBurner Stove Systems, all of its Water Filters and Water Storage Products, and its full line up of Snowshoes.
For Fall 2024, MSR will launch new Paradigm bindings on their Explore Series of snowshoes. The Explore Series snowshoes are designed for intermediate to advanced-level snowshoers exploring intermediate to technical, variable terrain, in addition to beginner snowshoers who want to invest in shoes that they can grow into over time.
MSR’s Explore snowshoes are designed for hiking on and off trails while providing comfort and ease of use on extended trips. Three adjustment points and toe stop make getting a perfect, custom fit simple, even with gloves on. The stretch mesh and two front buckles provide a secure grip on steeper slopes and while side-hilling.
*Note: Many of MSR’s items are made in the U.S. of imported parts, assembled in the U.S. A portion of MSR products are made in the company’s Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities.
Backpacker’s Pantry
Boulder, Colorado, USA
Backpacker’s Pantry is a Boulder-based, family-owned producer of gourmet adventure meals made with healthy and sustainable ingredients. Since 1951, the company has been delivering high-quality freeze-dried meals with an emphasis on taste. To give back to the community and planet, Backpacker’s Pantry donates 1% of every sale, everyday to nonprofits around the world through 1% For The Planet and its facilities are 100% solar-powered. Over the 2023 calendar year, the company donated $112,000 to 11 nonprofit organizations and diverted over 100,000 pounds of hard-to-recycle materials from landfills in the past two years.
They have meal options for all diets (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, etc.) and build-your-own Emergency Meal Kits available for purchase for 3, 7 or, 14-days.
For 2024, the company launched five new freeze-dried entrees. The company leaned on its 70-year history to introduce these new gourmet adventure meals. The assortment includes comfort classics and new meals offering international flair including: Fiesta Beef & Vegetable Bowl, White Bean, Chicken, & Green Chile Stew, Drunken Noodles with Chicken, Pesto Pasta with Chicken, and Beef Bolognese.
This dish features traditional wide rice noodles sourced straight from Thailand tossed with chicken, broccoli, red bell pepper, and carrot. Our authentic sweet and spicy tamari and brown sugar sauce will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Thailand. Note flavors of lemongrass, lime, and cilantro as well.
Gluten-free
490 calories per pouch
27g of protein per pouch
$12.99 USD
This dish truly is a fiesta for your taste buds! This one is delicious on its own, in a tortilla, or scooped on your favorite chips. We’ve included all of your Tex-Mex favorites- rice, beef, pinto beans, cheddar cheese, corn, tomatoes, onions, sour cream…you name it! We also added a delicious blend of Hatch green chiles and chipotle for a little kick. Note flavors of cilantro, lime, and cumin as well.
520 calories per pouch
31g of protein per pouch
$12.99 USD
Hincapie Gran Fondo - Road Biking Events
Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Gran Fondo Hincapie has been creating cycling experiences in the United States for over 12 years and recently announced the launch of its latest event taking place in Bentonville, Ark. from Sept. 6 - 8. Gran Fondo Hincapie and the City of Bentonville are working together to grow Bentonville into a road cycling destination to complement the region's existing gravel and mountain biking palmares.
The Gran Fondo Hincapie is more than just a “big ride.” It’s a multi-day cycling celebration with scenic rides, live music, and a family festival with free fun, food, and drinks. The series is hosted by American professional road cyclist and Olympian, George and his family. Participants can choose between a shorter Piccolo, a mid-length Medio, or a longer Gran ride on one of the scenic routes mapped and tested by George Hincapie himself.
The Bentonville, Ark. event (Sept 7-8) adds to Gran Fondo Hincapie’s world-class lineup of other events that take place all over the U.S.A., the next in Bangor, Maine (June 21-22), and then Greenville, S.C. (Oct. 18-19). The Merced, Calif., Chattanooga, Tenn., and Lehigh Valley, Pa. events took place earlier this year.
Registration is now open for all 2024 events, including the Hincapie Gran Fondo-Bentonville, September 7-8, 2024. Link to register here.