For generations, the strength of our country rested on the power of our factory floors, both the machines and the men and women who worked them. Our country’s identity was forged and stitched by generations of makers. American factories were the place where doers and dreamers came together to forge products of legendary status.
What’s true is that America is still the strongest place for engineering, manufacturing, and design. Both here and abroad “Made in America” still means something special: quality, dependability, ingenuity, and reliability—products that feature cutting-edge technologies and innovative styles.
Made in America Still Matters…
The very notion of “Made in America”—at least from a marketing standpoint—is altruistic and born of national pride… a sort of “tug on the heartstrings” between a proud manufacturer and a willing customer. And while federal and state regulations are shifting the definition of “Made in the USA,” we believe that the underlying idea of what it stands for is what remains important: quality, value, job creation, and ingenuity.
This Independence Day, let’s celebrate the idea of America. Let’s celebrate the American entrepreneurs and risk takers that are revitalizing the strength of our nation. Let’s celebrate the beauty of American craftsmanship and production. Whether your activity of choice is hiking, climbing, or simply relaxing at the beach, a crop of patriotic upstarts and longstanding heritage brands are working hard to ensure that you can find the product that matches your passion, manufactured right here in America.
American Optical Sunglasses
Before the invention of the car. Before the radio. Before typewriters, elevators, and telephones. Before electricity, in 1833, American Optical was already helping people see the world. For almost two centuries now, AO has stood as a symbol of American ingenuity, and they are still going strong. This iconic heritage brand is known for being an early eyewear innovator and the originator of some of the most iconic sunglasses in history. During WWII AO supplied over 5 million sunglasses and 10 million goggles to the military.
For almost two centuries now, AO has stood as a symbol of American ingenuity, and we’re just getting started. In our state-of-the-art American factory, AO continues to produce the quality, classic eyewear that defines Original style. It’s no wonder this is the sunwear brand that was the choice of US presidents, the first on the moon, and has been immortalized in Hollywood history.
Wyoming Whiskey
Headquarters: Kirby, Wyoming
American whiskey started its life as a raw, unaged spirit that had, as its main attribute, the power to spur the courage of the first colonists. Whiskey-making was one of the first cottage industries in the land; it was responsible for George Washington mustering federal troops for the first time, and whiskey went with the early pioneers as they traveled westward to explore new territories. Whiskey spurred the women of America to lead a crusade that led to Prohibition, and has played a part in every major war this nation has seen. America’s love affair with whiskey has only deepened as the drink developed into the complex, big-bodied, distinctively American bourbons and ryes of today.
Wyoming Whiskey is continuing the great American tradition of whiskey right in the heart of America. Straight from the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, this whiskey comes from the heart of America’s Wild West. Wyoming Whiskey is produced from the ground up, literally, using non-GMO ingredients and water that comes from a mile-deep, limestone aquifer. The rugged uniqueness and attractive bottle stand as a tribute to the virtue of American ruggedness and self-reliance. And at the end of the day, you get a dynamic and smooth bourbon flavor which makes this bourbon a burgeoning legend in its own right.
ORCA Coolers
Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee
ORCA (Outdoor Recreation Company of America) was born from the idea of making a hard-sided cooler that beat out all the rest. Founded in 2012, its product line includes hard-sided coolers, soft-sided backpack style coolers and a full line of stainless steel drinkware. ORCA consistently outranks competitors in cooler ice-retention tests and customer satisfaction and also holds more licenses than any other cooler brand with over 80 NCAA teams, 32 NFL teams, 30 MLB teams and 30 NHL teams. Whether you opt for their 27oz Chasers, the 75qt Classic Cooler, or anything in between, you get a product built for the outdoor enthusiast utilizing American labor and American-made components.
Want more reasons to love ORCA? More than simply building quality products, the company recognizes its corporate responsibility and the need to give back to those who have helped make it successful. In that vein, the sale of ORCA products helps give back to conservation groups, wounded warrior programs, breast cancer research, and an array of other great causes.
Zippo Lighters
Headquarters: Bradford, Pennsylvania
Experience timeless style and unparalleled quality with Zippo, an iconic brand known for its reliable and long-lasting lighters. Since 1932, the Zippo Manufacturing Company has built American-made windproof lighters for American tobacco enthusiasts, the American military, or anyone interested in keeping a reliable flame at hand. Each and every one of their 12 million lighters manufactured per year is hand inspected for quality control every step of the way. It’s just one of the reasons Zippo lighters have become the epitome of Americana and iconic collectible items.
Today, Zippo’s design center comes up with 30 new creations every year. Some of these are destined to become collectibles, while others will sell to their respective audiences. The company even takes one day out of the year to produce a few 18K gold versions, which are hand polished and cost over $10,000 each. Made in Bradford, Pennsylvania Zippo stands behind its lighters with an “It works or we fix it free” guarantee.
Columbia River Knife & Tool
Headquarters: Tualatin, Oregon
Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) is an American knife company established in 1994, based in Tualatin, Oregon. For nearly three decades, CRKT has relentlessly pursued what’s next building a reputation on design, craftsmanship, and purpose-driven products. This is a brand dedicated to pushing the envelope and relentlessly pursuing what’s next. Through endless collaboration with the best designers in the world, CRKT has built an iron-clad reputation premised on design, craftsmanship, and purpose-driven products.
Recently CRKT has doubled down on its line of American-made products. First announced this summer, CRKT and Hogue Knives are joining forces in a new manufacturing collaboration. The partnership blends the Oregon-based CRKT’s innovative and user-friendly ethos with Hogue’s long history of precision engineering. The result is a stellar series of products starting with the Definitive and LCBK. Both models are high-end folding EDC knives ready to go wherever the road takes you. Made from 154CM steel married to a G10 handle, the designs provide a secure all-weather grip. Both are also among the first in the CRKT lineup to feature a crossbar lock, the ambidextrous, one-handed locking mechanism.
Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet
Headquarters: Allentown, Pennsylvania
We’re all feeling that nostalgic pull towards classic American goods that are durable and well-made—and you don’t get more old-school than a cast-iron skillet. If you’ve spent any time on our site as of late, you’ve been reading a lot about Stargazer Cast Iron, and for good reason. This brand is reviving the American tradition of cast iron manufacturing. 100% American-made, Stargazer has taken all of the best features of the classic American cast iron skillet and added a modern twist.
Stargazer was founded in 2015 by professional kitchenware designer, Peter Huntley. After years of designing products for other companies, Huntley became disenchanted by the lack of quality and accountability present in modern goods manufactured overseas. In a time of unprecedented globalization, he saw more and more classic American brands compromising the principles that made them great, in order to cut costs and bolster the bottom line. It reached a tipping point when he went searching for a new skillet and discovered that, like so many other products, quality in cast iron cookware had been on the decline for decades. Fed up with the status quo, he set out to build a product and a company that could be held to a higher standard.
Battle Horse Knives
Headquarters: Cambridge, Ohio
If you believe, that a quality knife should never compromise on beauty or functionality, then allow us to introduce you to the family-owned business that is setting the standard for custom-made hard working blades. Based in Cambridge Ohio and founded by the father-daughter team of Dan Coppins and Alicia McQuain (formerly Coppins), Battle Horse Knives is now co-owned by the husband and wife team of John and Alicia McQuain.
With a precision focus on superior fit, finish, and craftsmanship BHK is the epitome of the home-spun American brand. From bushcraft-styled knives to tactical options, every BHK offers an elegant design with a tenacious soul ready for a lifetime of hard use. When we say lifetime, we mean it – every product crafted by the BHK family comes with a lifetime repair, replacement, or refund policy. All told, Battle Horse Knives is the type of brand that harkens back to the superior quality products forged from American ingenuity and gumption.
Nalgene
Headquarters: Rochester, New York
Back in 1949, a Rochester, New York chemist named Emanuel Goldberg developed the first plastic pipette holder. Along with three workers, he began the Nalge Company in a small building at 625 South Goodman Street. The goal may have been state-of-the-art polyethylene laboratory equipment, but the end result was the creation of the reusable water bottle. Since then, Nalgene has crafted an unbreakable brand image built upon 70 years of exceptional quality built into each product.
Seventy years since their inception, Nalgene bottles are still made just as they were back in 1949: BPA-free plastic pellets are melted into a tube, then inflated with 150 PSI of air to create the classic 32-ounce bottle. Not only are Nalgene bottles made in the United States, but the resin they are made from is sourced in the U.S. as well. Compared to similar bottles made overseas, the Nalgene model has a 90% lighter carbon footprint.
Danner Boots
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
Over 80 years ago Charles Danner carefully stitched together his very first work boot with a needle and thread, crafting it to withstand the logging industry in the rugged Pacific Northwest. In 1932 he opened his bootmaking business, risking his future on a stubborn belief that, regardless of the economy, superior craftsmanship mattered. Today, Danner boots can be found on job sites and trails throughout the world because the care and dedication to quality that Charles Danner put into that very first pair of work boots remains the same.
Building on the same traditions and high standards of quality instilled by Charles Danner and his family generations ago, Danner continues to design and manufacture a complete line of hiking, hunting, uniform, work and lifestyle boots in its world-class factory in Portland, Ore., USA.
Leatherman
Headquarters: Portland, Oregon
While some manufacturers are finding ways to bring manufacturing back to the United States, Leatherman never left. On July 5, 1983 Tim Leatherman incorporated Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. based on a few simple, but fundamental principles: manufacture the highest quality products that deliver excellent value to the consumer, while providing good, living-wage jobs to the local workforce. Thirty years after their founding, Leatherman is still going strong crafting their iconic multitools and knives that are as rugged as the conditions you’re testing them against. While the company does source a very small number of components from manufacturers overseas, many of these are finished in the US, where assembly takes place.
Liberty Bottleworks
Headquarters: Union Gap, Washington
Liberty is committed to and respects the American Dream. Not only are they managing to craft a quality product in a highly-competitive space dominated by imports, Liberty BottleWorks is the ONLY American-made 100% recycled metal bottle in the marketplace. Liberty’s stand is simple and straightforward: making products in America is not only a duty but an honor. Their bottles are made in America by American workers and hiring preference is given to those who have served our country.
More than just American-made, Liberty BottleWorks has committed to an impressive level of Environmental Stewardship to protect the land we love. From day one, Liberty has strived to be a zero waste manufacturing facility. They are closing in on a 96% diversion rate. How do they do it? Not simply. Liberty built a factory that uses Super E Motors, Infrared Energy and Vacuum Recovery Units. They filter and reuse their own water three times. They recycle their own scrap. They repurpose nearly everything.
Darn Tough Vermont
Headquarters: Northfield, Vermont
In the Green Mountains of Northfield, Vermont stands a Hosiery Mill with a sign inside that boldly states, “Nobody ever outsourced anything for quality.” Since the outset, Darn Tough Vermont has held firmly to the belief that when you’re really serious about something you make it yourself. And so it is. For three generations each and every pair of socks continues to be manufactured in Vermont – not because it’s the easy thing to do – but because they believe it’s the right thing to do.
Made with the industry’s highest knitting density, Darn Tough socks diminish blisters and bunching for long-lasting comfort from the office to the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking for the best hiking socks on earth, stylish lifestyle socks, or a new lifelong running sock Darn Tough has got you covered. Each sock comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee and is designed, tested and manufactured in Vermont for unrivaled comfort, durability and fit.