What do these companies have in common?
(Major hat tip to Kim DuToit)
Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)
Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)
Montrail (Seattle, WA)
Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)
Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)
Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)
Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)
American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)
Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)
Watermark (Arcata, CA)
Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)
Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)
Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)
Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)
Vibram (Concord, MA)
Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)
Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)
Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)
Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)
Patagonia (Ventura, CA)
The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)
Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)
Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)
Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)
Trango (Boulder, CO)
American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)
Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)
According to this Yahoo BusinessWire article:
Top Business Leaders from the Outdoor Industry Endorse Kerry-Edwards
The Health of the Great American Outdoors is at Stake
OREGON CITY, Ore.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 14, 2004—Senior executives from leading outdoor manufacturers, retailers and associations across the country gathered today to endorse Senator John Kerry for President and Senator John Edwards for Vice President. They announced their endorsement at a press conference with Senator John Edwards at Clackamus Community College in Oregon City, Oregon.
Let's see - Leatherman does decent stuff but so does Gerber and SOG. Plenty of other outdoor cloting makers so we don't need to be concnerned about Mountain Gear or Columbia Sportswear. Petzl is a bummer since they do have the best headlights but I'm sure there are some other good ones out there. Patagonia was always a little too eletist and overpriced.
Posted by DaveH at November 1, 2004 11:52 AMAhem, political endorsements aside, my dear. As the one who does the bulk of the backpacking and climbing in this relationship:
We are not giving up Capilene (a Patagonia product). The alternative is itchy and smells worse after a couple days on the trail.
You will have to pry my Leatherman out of my cold dead fingers.
The Black Diamond Raven Pro ice axe is still the best balanced axe for the weight (and is not coming off my wish list).
The Sweetwater filter (by Cascade Designs) will contibue to be used.
In addition to really nice headlamps, Petzl makes some very good belay devices. Don't quibble when we head out to climb Mt. Baker.
Metolius also makes very nice climbing gear... You want a trip to the emergency room, or do you want the best gear out there?
American Alpine Institute and Mountain Gear.... Where did you expect to purchase gear in this area? The REI store in Bellingham is a joke. MEC requires a border crossing.
Vibram soles are on the bottom of your hiking boots, and mine. They work really well, don't they?
My Gregory Palisade isn't going anywhere. That pack is a darned good load hauler.
Let's not get carried away here.
Posted by: Jen Halliday at November 1, 2004 02:56 PM