UK-made outdoor gear
- Thread starter Paul_B
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Actually, some of it is. I bought the Socks the other week and they are made in the UK.
Hardly anything is made in the UK any more, save for a few cottage industries.
Thus why we are "scuppered" as a country/economic entity.
Thus why we are "scuppered" as a country/economic entity.
Gregorach - That company ceased operating several years ago I'm afraid. There was a good reason why but it is best not to explain on a public forum. However I do believe their stock was bought by Bison Bushcraft. The reason why I think that is last March at the outdoor show I bought their 2.5m square basha/hootchie. When I got home and opened it out there was something about Kathmandu Trekking in it. A very good basha IMHO.
There are a few world class manufacturers in this country (not necessarily in the outdoors sector). They tend to be niche markets though. Ours is one such company and we export our product right around the world. We don't have to market our products as most of the players come to us anyway.
We are not alone neither. I've come across quite a few SMEs that export UK made stuff right around the world. I also know that the government through various agencies throws money at them for various things. We used to get a BusinessLink guy coming in all the time to see what they can do for us. If only the banks are as friendly, bunch of A.holes.
We are not alone neither. I've come across quite a few SMEs that export UK made stuff right around the world. I also know that the government through various agencies throws money at them for various things. We used to get a BusinessLink guy coming in all the time to see what they can do for us. If only the banks are as friendly, bunch of A.holes.
Most of it is from China or other countries, but their socks are made in Britain! So people of the UK, support your outdoor manufacturers and by socks!
Cheers,
So far I think we have the following UK made gear: -
PHD - down stuff
Aiguille Alpine - Sacks, bags, pouches, throwbags/lines, canoeing gear, etc.
Alpkit - socks only
Furtech - Paramo style of clothing
Cioch, slioch - niche clothing manufacturers (made to measure and ventile,
Mountain King - trekking poles made up in the NE England.
Howies (not sure onthis but it is a brand based in N Wales) - Clothing (ethical origins).
Bison Bushcraft - knives and other things
Hilltrek - clothing
Snowsled - clothing
Extreme Outdoor Clothing - clothing they do Karisma type of fleece tops and trews
Altberg - boots
Terra Nova - someof their tent range is made here but only the high end stuff I believe.
POD - sacks although not sure they are still made here. Part of the same group (Equip) as Rab is now.
Mardale - pertex/pile stuff like buffalo stuff.
Buffalo Systems - Arguably THE brand for pertex/pile stuff
Robert Saunders - Tents, but not sure if these are UK made these days
Draw Ltd - Rucksacks (see post 44).
Is that it? Seventeen British outdoor gear manufacturers.
Nearly forgot, I heard of a Cumbrian based manufacturer of kelly type of kettles but its a cottage industry sort of company.
Then you could always add the loads of British makers on this site, but they are probably not companies but people making and selling on for the love of the craft.
PHD - down stuff
Aiguille Alpine - Sacks, bags, pouches, throwbags/lines, canoeing gear, etc.
Alpkit - socks only
Furtech - Paramo style of clothing
Cioch, slioch - niche clothing manufacturers (made to measure and ventile,
Mountain King - trekking poles made up in the NE England.
Howies (not sure onthis but it is a brand based in N Wales) - Clothing (ethical origins).
Bison Bushcraft - knives and other things
Hilltrek - clothing
Snowsled - clothing
Extreme Outdoor Clothing - clothing they do Karisma type of fleece tops and trews
Altberg - boots
Terra Nova - someof their tent range is made here but only the high end stuff I believe.
POD - sacks although not sure they are still made here. Part of the same group (Equip) as Rab is now.
Mardale - pertex/pile stuff like buffalo stuff.
Buffalo Systems - Arguably THE brand for pertex/pile stuff
Robert Saunders - Tents, but not sure if these are UK made these days
Draw Ltd - Rucksacks (see post 44).
Is that it? Seventeen British outdoor gear manufacturers.
Nearly forgot, I heard of a Cumbrian based manufacturer of kelly type of kettles but its a cottage industry sort of company.
Then you could always add the loads of British makers on this site, but they are probably not companies but people making and selling on for the love of the craft.
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Country Innovation's ventile gear is made in Scotland I think.
What about Brasher boots, are they UK produced ?
I think if we dig deep enough as well, we'll find that actually a lot of the big outdoor brands like Berghaus etc use British made fabrics in their designs.
What about Brasher boots, are they UK produced ?
I think if we dig deep enough as well, we'll find that actually a lot of the big outdoor brands like Berghaus etc use British made fabrics in their designs.
If you're thinking of Perseverence Mills AKA Pertex they are owned by Mitsui now and no longer British made.
Gore, Event, sympatex (remember that), Polartec, etc. are not British. I can't think of any mainstream fabric manufacturer that is operating in Britian. Ventile is probably the only thing that is probably made here.
Brasher is part of Pentland group. they distribute Ellesse, Speedo and several other sports brands.
New Balance is a US owned company but does have a limited UK manufacturing.
Gore, Event, sympatex (remember that), Polartec, etc. are not British. I can't think of any mainstream fabric manufacturer that is operating in Britian. Ventile is probably the only thing that is probably made here.
Brasher is part of Pentland group. they distribute Ellesse, Speedo and several other sports brands.
New Balance is a US owned company but does have a limited UK manufacturing.
D
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I would also like to point out that some of the Snugpak gear is still Made in the UK. (Jackets, Sleeping Bags etc)
http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-101&ItemID=14
Just check out the website and look out for the logo, about 50% of our gear is still made in the UK
Stewart
Snugpak
http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-101&ItemID=14
Just check out the website and look out for the logo, about 50% of our gear is still made in the UK
Stewart
Snugpak
