Gear Talk

5 Pieces of All-Star Gear Made in the USA

Skis and Stripes Forever

America doesn’t exactly corner the market when it comes to manufacturing ski gear. Doing so would require breaking through a European force-field older and stronger than the Alps themselves. It’s no secret how many leading companies in the outdoor industry are forced to rely on an international supply chain, especially when it comes to clothing.

That’s why, especially around July 4, we love celebrating badass gear that’s made right here in the USA. Ski companies ON3P, Icelantic, Moment, DPS (to a degree), and Rocky Mountain Underground all build high quality skis on American soil. For our 2020 roundup, we’ve called out one top women’s ski and one top men’s ski—because you’d miss the fireworks if we got going on each brand’s full roster.

So here’s our 2020 sampler platter of rad gear made right here.

ON3P Woodsman 108

In case you didn’t get it from the name, the Woodsman is made for adventure skiers.

ON3P’s story is as grassroots as they come. You can read the full version here. Based in Portland, Oregon, the company’s journey began when a college kid decided he could make skis better than the ones he was skiing. That original spark lit only 14 years ago, making ON3P’s current line of hand-built, bamboo-core skis (many offered with custom topsheets) pretty impressive.

The Woodsman 108, which debuted for the 2019-20 season, immediately caught the attention of ski testers around the industry…and a few of our staffers, who bought the ski and its wider brother, the Woodsman 116, without skiing them.

For 2020-21, keep an eye out for a new member of the stellar Woodsman collection: the Woodsman 102.

Icelantic Riveter 95

The Riveter 95 stormed onto the scene last winter to become a bestseller.

We’re connected by more than just geography with the crew at Icelantic, based in downtown Golden, Colorado. With a core-skier ethos and grassroots story similar to ON3P’s, Icey builds some of the prettiest skis in the business…and they rip.

The Riveter 95, and its little sister the 85, hit the scene prior last season and caught fire. We love them for their effortless blend of fun with performance. Our first employee to test them said they are the best women’s ski in Icey’s lineup for tackling the mountains of their home state (she tested them at A-Basin, so we trust her). As a one-ski-quiver for a bit of this and a bit of that, they are tough to beat.

Darn Tough Socks

Darn Tough socks continue to dominate the foot game.

Based in Vermont, Darn Tough spent the first part of its existence without focusing any time or energy on marketing. Why? They figured if they made great socks with lifetime warranties, people would catch on. They were right.

Now, Darn Tough socks are ubiquitous for outdoor folks all over the country. If you don’t have a pair, consider us surprised. Then fix that. We recommend stars and stripes.

Phunkshun Powder7 Face Mask

Recycled water bottles have never looked better.

Sometimes, stuff made from recycled water bottles is just plain lame. And that’s a huge bummer, because the concept is dreamy. Similarly, your ski kit has no room for the tasseled and musty scarf your mom wore when she learned parallel turns.

The Colorado-made, Powder7-born Double Tube makes keeping your neck warm an environmental success story and a fashion statement. With mountain-scape artwork by Powder7’s own graphic designer Sarah Beabout, the Double Tube is thick enough for frigid days on the Arapahoe Basin East Wall, yet thin enough to breathe when the sun comes out. Laugh in the face of turtlenecks, face-mask snot-sicles, and everyone else skiing without a Double Tube. Ski wear does not get more Colorado than this. Plus, a portion from the sale is donated to the High Fives Foundation.

Astis Gloves

Astis gloves change the apres game.

Whether you’ve got bad circulation or spend lots of time sipping heady IPAs in eye-watering cold, you’ll be looking for the warmest gloves you can find. Pair that need with an appreciation for unique hand-crafted products that make you look like a movie star, and you get Astis.

Inspired by Cree handiwork and meticulously crafted out of all-natural materials, Astis gloves and mittens are as eye-catching as they are legit. Lined with Polartec Thermal Pro High Loft, they wick surprisingly well and hold up to all types of cold, dry or damp. So goodbye to the screaming barfies.

Missing skiing already? Watch this video.

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