Brands and Stuff That You Love (Emphasis on Quality)

[Darcy]

Cesar Millan Illusion Leash and Collar Set

This is a very high-quality leash/collar set: the pictures and the description don't do it justice. We know our webbing, buckles, and construction around here, and the Illusion Leash/Collar Set is made (in the U.S.) out of very high-quality webbing and buckles. Plus, it works really well: Lily is totally squirrel crazy (she was pretty much bred to be so) and the Illusion collar has proven to be a safe, effective, and gentle way to train her.

[jehingr]

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll certainly want to check out the Stained Glass Candy Company http://stainedglasscandy.com/Index.htm

They are a little mom-&-pop that makes absolutely the most amazing hard candy in the world. The stuff is SO tasty, I drool just thinking about it.

[Darcy]

Click http://www.darntough.com/ to view.

Very nice. Nice colors, too.

[PM4HIRE]

USA Made Performance Socks

Click http://www.darntough.com/ to view.

[Darcy]

Marmalade Pet Care makes attractive cardboard cat scratchers in the U.S.A.
And you can get a free cardboard cat toy from their site, too!

[pretzelb]

After living in a warm weather climate for a long time I guess my pricing of winter performance gear is off. Whatever I buy lasts a very long time because it barely gets much use. I'm sure if I got more use out of this type of gear I'd start to see flaws in the cheap stuff and the value of the high quality stuff.

Then again, I don't think I've ever purchased a custom anything when it comes to clothing. Kind of seems like something too fancy for a guy who likes to wear jeans and a t-shirt. But I am going to read up on it because it might be great for jogging on cold mornings.

[PM4HIRE]

I don't think that they are expensive, custom or not either. In fact, for
high-end quality gear the prices seem very reasonable to me.

Wintergreendesigns.com has much higher prices for US-made jackets.

[Darcy]

If the jackets are of excellent quality, I don't think that they are expensive, custom or not. There's a lot that goes into clothing like that and you pay extra for quality and the assurance that the people who made the jacket make a fair wage. A jacket like that is something you should have for years and years and years, unlike cheaper stuff that might break or fall apart within months.

[judge]

I thought the prices were just insane until I realized they do custom fitting. I'm tempted by this but it is probably geared for cooler weather than I ever see. Still, a nice thin breathable shell for running in the 30s to 40s is something I've wanted.

I thought the same thing until I started looking at other softshell jackets. Some of them are more expensive but without the custom fit. I think some of their lighter jackets can be worn year round, or at least most of it. The pit zip vents that they offer on some jackets would probably make them even more versatile.

[pretzelb]

Great thread! How about beyondclothing.com? Made-to-order, custom-fitted, made in the USA outdoor clothing at reasonable prices!

I thought the prices were just insane until I realized they do custom fitting. I'm tempted by this but it is probably geared for cooler weather than I ever see. Still, a nice thin breathable shell for running in the 30s to 40s is something I've wanted.

[Darcy]

Great thread! How about beyondclothing.com? Made-to-order, custom-fitted, made in the USA outdoor clothing at reasonable prices!

I've been looking for a new Gortex jacket and pants, made in USA or Canada, that wouldn't feel like a hefty bag on me (because every jacket I try seems huge for my frame). Perfect. And they are in Seattle!

[judge]

Great thread! How about beyondclothing.com? Made-to-order, custom-fitted, made in the USA outdoor clothing at reasonable prices!

I'm actually thinking about getting one of their softshell jackets right now, but I'm a bit strapped for cash after all my Tom Bihn orders... So how are their jackets? I just wish I could try on a sample or something first before ordering.

[Chris]

Great thread! How about beyondclothing.com? Made-to-order, custom-fitted, made in the USA outdoor clothing at reasonable prices!

[Darcy]

The thing that makes the products from Tom Bihn stand out is the thoughtful and elegant design.

That's a good point. Just because something is made in the U.S.A. (or other countries with safety, environmental, and labor standards) doesn't mean it's a good product. But when I find something that has thoughtful, attractive design, is made out of fine materials, and is made in countries that have environmental/safety/labor laws and regulations, I feel that much better about it.

[GaryS]

Darcy, Wiggy is a bit of a character. You can read his rants against
his industry on his website. He once spent an hour on the phone with
me talking about politics, he's a big Ann Rand fan.

Uh-oh! That's enough for me.

Actually the Wiggy stuff I've seen (I've been a backpacker and whitewater canoeist in the past and own equipment from an assortment of companies but not Wiggy) is well made but can only be described as "cruder than a stone ax". The thing that makes the products from Tom Bihn stand out is the thoughtful and elegant design. Something Wiggy and some other "Made in America" evangelists omit. I don't care where a product is manufactured as long as it meets my expectations.