UK-made outdoor gear

[Paul_B]

I have been looking into sacks recently and have been interested in Aiguille which is a UK company that is based and manufactures in Stavely, near Kendal in the Lakes. They offer a degree of customisation in their sacks such as special back lengths and even offered to make up a tarp to perfectly suit my own needs.

That has made me think, Are there any other British manufacturers out there? Are there any other small manufacturers we could be supporting that quietly make good quality gear that we don't hear about? Do they offer a customisation, repair or after sales modification service?

Does anyone out there know?

 

[Claudiasboris]

Altberg Boots

 

[Shewie]

Alpkit have got to be worth a mention

 

[Klenchblaize]

Extreme Outdoor Clothing:

http://www.centralgroupuk.com/ebolcastle/extremecc/index1024.htm

Cheers

 

[drewdunnrespect]

the greatest sleeping bag manufacturer in all the world snugpack

 

[Paul_B]

Alpkit have got to be worth a mention

Is it actually made in the UK?

 

[leon-1]

Is it actually made in the UK?

I don't think so, a lot is made abroad and then shipped to the UK using the cheapest possible means of transport (thus providing a saving to the end user).

 

[Shewie]

Is it actually made in the UK?

Technically speaking that would be a big fat no, but they are a British firm and that's got to be worth supporting these days.

 

[Paul_B]

Are Snugpak still made over here?

Some people say RAB is British made down sleeping bags but they might be packed here but with Eastern European down and bags sewn up overseas too I believe. Kind of only finished here. I think that is the same with Honda cars in Swindon. They are only partially assembled here the components and even finished parts are made overseas.

I'm looking at the kind of garden shed / attic type of manufacturers (or more likely smal light industrial / retail units). Kind of like Aiguille and as I imagine the Extreme clothing company is. BTW I've heard a lot of good things about them.

I also like those fabric and component suppliers like Point North and others. Who supply many different fabrics, webbing, buckles, toggles and whatnots for people to sew up their own gear. I even heard one of them got hold of the bona fide goretex too but weren't allowed to sell it as that because they were only selling it to individuals who obviously aren't Gore approved manufacturers so officially it couldn't be called Goretex (but it did get out what it really was).

 

[Shewie]

Pete Hutchinson Designs gear is UK produced I think ?

Nice gear but pricey

 

[Paul_B]

The trouble with "British owned" IMHO is that if it is a reasonable sized company they probably got investment money from overseas investors or it is owned by a British holding company with overseas partners or investment. Unless its actually made over here I'm afraid I'm too cynical to accept it's British. Take Karrimor for example the guy who owns it and Sportsdirect.com and Field and Trek is probably funded in his takeover of all his brands by an overseas bank. Afterall they have the money these days to fund expansion like he made. I might be wrong about this but Its just my cunical nature with the globalisation of every market.

Buy British means British factories IMHO.

Still I like Rab, I like Terra Nova and snugpak and alpkit and... Anything sleek and well marketed. I'm admitedly a gear sucker!

 

[Paul_B]

They are in Stalybridge. Their sale starts in two days! Check out the link below.

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/special-offers.php?cat=79

Also this nice piece of kit.

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=198

 

[Bravo4]

Are Snugpak still made over here?

09' Snugpak 35, "Designed in the Uk, Made in China''.
I can't remember the last time I saw a new pack made in the US.

 

[FGYT]

Technically speaking that would be a big fat no, but they are a British firm and that's got to be worth supporting these days.

in that case so are cotswold camping etc

ATB

Duncan

 

[Shewie]

They are in Stalybridge. Their sale starts in two days! Check out the link below.

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/special-offers.php?cat=79

:why:

 

[EdS]

some Snugpak stuff - the tope end- is still made in Silsden. Although the jury is still out as to if Silsden is British or even in the plane of existance. Go there on a Saturday night and you see.

Uk made:
PDH
POD Sacs
Mardale

 

[Shewie]

in that case so are cotswold camping etc

ATB

Duncan

True but Cotswold sell branded goods rather than their own. If we're talking about supporting British companies then Aplkit get my vote over North face etc.

 

[FGYT]

True but Cotswold sell branded goods rather than their own. If we're talking about supporting British companies then Aplkit get my vote over North face etc.

yes but as everything is made in China to the cheapest price (for the quality ) its about as british made etc and cotswold supports more british jobs as a company

all swings and roundabouts okenest:


ATB

Duncan

 

[Shewie]

yes but as everything is made in China to the cheapest price (for the quality ) its about as british made etc and cotswold supports more british jobs as a company

all swings and roundabouts okenest:


ATB

Duncan

Okay 15 all

 

[gregorach]

There's always Kathmandu Trekking, assuming they're still operating...