Why Don’t More Hunting Companies Manufacture Camo in the United States?
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 2 months ago
Camouflage made in the U.S. might not sound novel, but it’s a rare product. If hunters are anything, as Fulks points out, they’re a patriotic bunch, emblazoning the stars and stripes on truck sides, bumper stickers and gun stocks. But look at the tags in your new pants, wicking shirts, and down jackets, and you’ll find very few modern-made garments that weren’t made overseas. While Origin isn’t the only company making camo in the U.S.—Forloh and Voormi also manufacture stateside—the company is coming to the public with a splash that includes big names, a high-profile social media presence, and the bootstraps, made-in-America origin story that consumers can’t seem to get enough of.
Roberts and Fulks say domestic production is a matter of principle: Clothing manufacturing can and should return home to the U.S. Other camo companies, like Kuiu, say it’s about the final product: If a Japanese company makes the best waterproof and breathable fabric in the world, then they’re going to source their materials from a Japanese company.
Aaron Snyder, co-owner of Kifaru, says it’s good to see someone else joining the made-in-the-USA game, though he’s reserving final judgement until he sees Origin’s camo in person. (The camo has been available for pre-order, but most consumers have yet to get their hands on the gear.)
“I think that they have an uphill road to hoe because it is a difficult thing to make clothing in the U.S. I think it can be done. We’re doing it and have been doing it for 30 years,” says Snyder. “Only time will tell what that final product will be and what the feedback will be from the end consumer. Are they going to come through and buy it? Is it going to be high quality?”
This is a difficult one, and I have thought a lot about it.
I hate to send my money overseas, and if I can avoid it and get the best product for the money in America, I’ll do that. Ford still makes the very best trucks, especially the ones built in their Kentucky plant. That may soon end because of the idiotic decisions by the Ford CEO to go all EV, laying off so many internal combustion engine workers. That’s why the price of F-250s is so high right now, and still continuing to climb. Everybody knows it’s a stupid decision and waiting until now to buy that new truck ended up being a costly decision.
So with Ford, at least until now, the best was combined with made-in-America, but also combined with high prices. I have always opted for the higher price product rather than cut costs and be sorry later for owning a poor product.
The problem heretofore has been mainly the loss of the Christian work ethic, combined with unionized labor, combined with economic incentives to move manufacturing overseas designed to gut the American infrastructure by the politicians in favor of the economic engineers. They want to bust corporations, make money, and have great products too.
But that just-in-time logistics chain has proven highly problematic, yes? And the poor quality of foreign made components has caused the regulators to prohibit the use of those products where it matters, e.g., nuclear power, or ASME boiler and pressure vessel code work.
As it applied to this point in question, do you want to be in a tree stand with apparel designed for cold weather and freeze to death because the apparel sucks? Do you want to be in the field with rain gear that soaks through in five or ten minutes? Or are you willing to buy gear, part of which is sourced from a foreign company, that actually works?
I opt for the later. I wish all the best to a startup trying to compete with the big boys, but the product had better be good. Here’s a quick note to the company: I’d rather pay more for a product that works. The cost is important, but whether the product works is supreme.
On October 9, 2022 at 10:30 pm, Dan said:
When it comes to consumer goods the typical American is very hypocritical. They scream
they want to ” BUY AMERICAN” but they generally won’t pay the price. So they buy foreign products because they are cost less. Typical two faced NIMBY selfishness.
On October 9, 2022 at 11:02 pm, 41mag said:
I buy mil surplus camo. British desert DPM pattern works in the AO.
Buying American means I buy Carhartt…oh wait they source outside the US and force their workers to get the not-vaxx.
On October 10, 2022 at 7:52 am, Paul B said:
Yeah. I was wanting to update my truck. Now I will just wait till the fallout of the 2020 elections finishes. What goes up must come down.
Problem with Chinese cano is the white glows in the dark. Kind of kills the tree stand when you glow.
On October 10, 2022 at 8:11 am, Ned said:
41 mag – +10 on non-American made pro-vaxx Carhartt.
On October 10, 2022 at 8:59 am, xtphreak said:
True Timber
Camo made in Boiling Springs SC
Disclaimer: I’ve never used it and am not paid for this comment in any way, I just drive by their facility on I-26 north of Spartanburg when I get to go home.
I looked their website up and it sounds like a local boy building his niche.
On October 10, 2022 at 9:02 am, xtphreak said:
just found a link to an article about True Timber
I’m now planning to stop in this week when I head home to the mountains for a looooong weekend
https://wehuntsc.com/true-timber-camo-one-of-south-carolina-s-best-kept-secrets
On October 10, 2022 at 11:24 am, Nosmo said:
“Here’s a quick note to the company: I’d rather pay more for a product that works. “
Ab-so-freaking-lutely.
Performance is king. Always has been, always will be. Cost – within reasonable limits – is flexible. But – just because I am willing to pay more for a high performing product does NOT mean I will accept being scalped nor will I tolerate “almost very high performing.”
Do it right or do not do it at all. Americans are the smartest people on the planet, or at least, we used to be. Historically we have been able to do things others could only dream about. Turning our manufacturing around and making the US world leaders again is achievable.
On October 10, 2022 at 1:14 pm, Mike said:
The hunting industry sold out to the commies over 20 years ago. Go into Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s and start looking at labels/tags – it’s predominantly China/Vietnam. Clothing/fishing lures/predator calls/lower-end hunting boots/hiking shoes/etc, just try to find something Made in USA.
On October 10, 2022 at 1:46 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Mike,
Yes I know. Vietnam isn’t exactly China though. It’s considered an “emerging market.” So is the rest of SE Asia.
They actually take business away from China and the two don’t get along very well.
On October 10, 2022 at 5:18 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
@ Herschel Smith
Re:”That may soon end because of the idiotic decisions by the Ford CEO to go all EV, laying off so many internal combustion engine workers.”
That CEO may indeed be a “green” movement & EV true believer, but it is also possible that he was arm-twisted into acting as he did by someone like Larry Fink, the billionaire globalist, WEF member, and CEO of the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, Blackrock Investment and Equity Fund.
Along with Vanguard and a half-dozen or so other BR competitors, these funds are using their enormous financial clout and leverage to force Fortune 500 companies into following the ‘woke’ agenda and other parts of the globalist program.
Who elected Larry Fink? No one, but here we are….
On October 10, 2022 at 5:21 pm, PGF said:
There’s a lot of bad camo. Most of it is reflective in many types of light. Not only does camo need to break-up shape and size but it should never reflect light back; only appearing, especially at twilight and nighttime, as a darker spot which confuses depth (distance) to the onlooker be they two or four legged.
Many animals are very confused by breakup but all eyes receive light.