Made in China

[okie archer]

Just to be honest it has been bugging me. I have been looking to upgrade my hunting clothes. Looking real hard at Sitka and Stone Glacier. I like the idea of technical clothing for back country mountain hunting (puffy, quality rain gear, warmth).
I'm not in the "bro" "brah" whatever club, just wanting some quality clothing to keep me alive in rough weather conditions.

I can't hardly come to grips with how expensive name brand stuff is when it's made in China. Is it just me or does it bother anyone else?
Just recently I discovered USA made clothing brands like Origin, Forloh, etc. USA companies are expensive also but I really like the idea of being sourced and made right here.
How come I've never heard of these USA companies?
Your thoughts?

 

[MS 9x56]

Simple answer, advertising.

 

[beaglegun]

How awesome would it be if Americans stopped giving their money to companies who outsource their labor to the Chinese communist party and started rewarding American companies who pay American workers who have American families living in America? Pay the extra money

 

[Rainer]

Well companies like Sitka, Stone Glacier, KUIU etc are owned now by PE, the margin is what's king. It's always been about profit, even before PE got involved. Not the fake marketing messages they put out.

 

[nrpate05]

I think Origin's hunt line pretty much failed. I don't know anything about Forloh. I think this long held belief that stuff made overseas is automatically lower quality than gear made in the USA is misleading. Those countries have had the factories for decades and have a long history of making all sorts of stuff and have gotten pretty good at it. We've mostly lost that culture in the US. The quality of Stone Glacier and Sitka are quite high, IMO.

Also, I think it is wrong to blame the American consumer for not ponying up extra cash to buy American made products that may or may not be better quality. That's similar to the whole carbon footprint thing that shifts the blame from politicians/corporations to the American consumer. I'd like to buy American made too - let's hold our politicians accountable and push policies that support American manufacturing. Looks like tariffs alone are not the answer.

 

[okie archer]

Well companies like Sitka, Stone Glacier, KUIU etc are owned now by PE, the margin is what's king. It's always been about profit, even before PE got involved. Not the fake marketing messages they put out.

Excuse my ignorance but what does PE mean?

 

[Moserkr]

I went from cheap gear that worked to expensive gear that worked marginally better. Im going back to the cheap gear that weighs a little more and doesnt have a few extra zippers. Only thing I will spend good money on is footwear and glass. Camo patterns are dead to me. Id love to buy cheap american made gear but it doesnt exist. Id buy from almost any other country than china though.

 

[okie archer]

I'm not really questioning the quality of the overseas stuff like Sitka, SG, kuiu, I believe it's probably pretty good. I guess my conflict is more about bypassing the support of American companies and sending my money to overseas companies.
Feels kinda wrong in a way.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Excuse my ignorance but what does PE mean?

Private equity.

Commonplace for a good business to flourish to be bought by "PE" investors, and then run into the ground based on a sole focus on margins/profits.

 

[Jamen]

If money was not a factor id like to think most everyone would buy american made products vs non. In todays economy i can not blame someone for buying an imported item at a lower cost. I also have no knowledge of those other companies you mentioned. Are they fully American made products? Or are they importing raw materials and "making" their finished product here. If you buy your Legos from China and assemble it here is it truly american made?

 

[SaskHunter]

Most hunters who wear Sitka, Kuiu, Firstlite, etc, etc, do it because their favourite hunting influencer wears that brand or because they like the camo pattern.

There is equal or superior non-hunting brand product out there for cheaper.

Change my mind.

 

[Jamen]

Most hunters who wear Sitka, Kuiu, Firstlite, etc, etc, do it because their favourite hunting influencer wears that brand or because they like the camo pattern.

There is equal or superior non-hunting brand product out there for cheaper.

Change my mind.

I bought all mine 50% off or more. I wont pay full price for it. And i only own 2 pieces that are camo. I could careless who else wears what. I will say it is nice gear. I did not believe the hype of it at first nor was i going to pay the price they wanted. A friend gave me crap because i was wearing 3 brands at the same time "sitka, first lite, and kuiu". Told him it was not a fashion show lol i just wanted to be comfortable.

 

[SaskHunter]

I bought all mine 50% off or more. I wont pay full price for it. And i only own 2 pieces that are camo. I could careless who else wears what. I will say it is nice gear. I did not believe the hype of it at first nor was i going to pay the price they wanted. A friend gave me crap because i was wearing 3 brands at the same time "sitka, first lite, and kuiu". Told him it was not a fashion show lol i just wanted to be comfortable.

Sounds like your buddy fits in the "Most hunters..." category.

Most of the name brand hunting gear I own was bought when Wholesale Sports went out of business and had crazy discounts or I've bought used online. FirstLite used to be alright and reasonably priced with the military discount before it was bought by MeatEater, I'll give them that.

 

[Gulf of America]

Most hunters who wear Sitka, Kuiu, Firstlite, etc, etc, do it because their favourite hunting influencer wears that brand or because they like the camo pattern.

There is equal or superior non-hunting brand product out there for cheaper.

Change my mind.

One thing I will say is hunting brand pants do have some specific features that are hard to find in non-hunting pants. Namely thigh vents, DWR, removable knee pads, and a useful pocket layout. The closest I’ve found are Kuhl Radikal Outsider pants but I found at a very rainy antelope camp that the waxed cotton wets out pretty quickly and is way worse than synthetics once it’s wet. But I don’t have any hunting brand tops - the stuff I ski patrol in (Smartwool, Outdoor Research, Arcteyrx, Patagucci) is just as good and I don’t have to look like a goober wearing camo around town.

 

[BrentD]

My favorite hunting clothes comes frim Amazone and names like Backcountry and Gerry (still out there making decent stuff at decent prices). And then REI for a little down, Gortex, and Smartwool.

 

[IDiot]

I wear my old army ACU's or multicams. They are made in America, pockets make sense usually, pants have slots for knee pads if you like that kind of thing. If you layer you can stay reasonably warm. Yes, there's alot out there thats warmer, lighter and more water resistant but if you are looking for american made, durable and affordable I recommend military surplus.

 

[BrentD]

I wear my old army ACU's or multicams. They are made in America, pockets make sense usually, pants have slots for knee pads if you like that kind of thing. If you layer you can stay reasonably warm. Yes, there's alot out there thats warmer, lighter and more water resistant but if you are looking for american made, durable and affordable I recommend military surplus.

I think Backcountry is made in Canada. Not sure where Gerry is made. Don't really care. But multiple hundreds of dollars for pants is insane. In fact, just one hundred dollars for a pair of pants is insane.

 

[sclancy27]

I think Backcountry is made in Canada. Not sure where Gerry is made. Don't really care. But multiple hundreds of dollars for pants is insane. In fact, just one hundred dollars for a pair of pants is insane.

I mean, if they last 3-5+ yrs I think 100$ pair of pants is acceptable.

 

[hank4elk]

My favorite hunting clothes comes frim Amazone and names like Backcountry and Gerry (still out there making decent stuff at decent prices). And then REI for a little down, Gortex, and Smartwool.

Long time pataguchi and rei owner , most of the OG backpacking and climbing co. stuff. Recently bought some new fleece. Just wished they'd go back to more earth tones..........the colors are horrid now.
I like earth tones. I do wear camo, hunting. Any small edge. Comfort.

I splurged a few years back and got some SKRE stuff...the cost was decider. $750 for a whole set with layers. About the price of used stitka stuff...I don't even know if they exist anymore.
American co. but made elsewhere. Not good when it gets real cold here in NM.
Found some quality wool/syn blend bib and coat to solved that. Again American, but made elsewhere.

I get American Made Jeans and like them. Waiting for more earth tones. Got some good canvas pants. But denim and such sucks while hunting. IMHO.

Looked at Origin and the camo pattern sucks. You'd look like a zebra trying to stalk across these grasslands. Or a ruskie sailor...a rich one.

 

[belshawelk]

Most hunters who wear Sitka, Kuiu, Firstlite, etc, etc, do it because their favourite hunting influencer wears that brand or because they like the camo pattern.

There is equal or superior non-hunting brand product out there for cheaper.

Change my mind.

Could be. I am a 100% Kuiu. I have no idea what influencer wears it. They did a road show many years ago. I tried on some of the stuff and it fit me better than any other hunting clothes. I tried a few items and found it to be the best gear I ever used. From the underlayers to the rain gear, pack, bino harness for me I use it because the of the fit, durability.

Yes sucks they got bought out, but good luck finding a true USA based clothing company that makes fabrics and material. Virtually all companies ( not all) get some items from overseas. Maybe assembles here but all manufactured, that's tough.