While backcountry wool wear from Voormi’s fall 2013 line is made in America, we’d also like to point out that the wool was also sourced in America. Voormi worked with Rocky Mountain Highcountry Merino exclusively to source the wool for its line of Precision Blended baselayers and midlayers. Continue reading Raised in America: Voormi Fall 2013 Collection
Category: Made in America
Made in America: Reclaimed District
Los Angeles skateboard maker District Skates has seen the skateboarding mature but it continues to do things it owns way. This privately owned company has looked to carve out a niche for itself using eco-friendly materials that include reclaimed wood and taking the custom approach with each order. The company does all the planning, laminating, gluing and pressing for each board in downtown Los Angles. But the skating is left to the rider.
Made in America: Dead Trees to Usable Skis
Around since 2009 Meier Handmade Skis makes – as the name suggests – handmade skis. The Colorado-based company also is looking to take what might otherwise be unusable and is finding a use for it. The company is now sourcing wood from pine trees that have succumbed to beetles.
The proliferation of beetles has killed millions of acres of trees in Colorado, but companies such as Meier have managed to find a use for the wood. The result is a quality ski with a wooden core and at the same time it has found a use would the dead trees.
Meier Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Beetles killed trees, Meier made skis]
Made in America: Natural Ride
We’ve seen a few wooden bikes over the years, but the Connor Wood Bikes are ones that could really turn heads. Produced in Denver, these American made bicycles feature frames made of steam bent, hand-sculpted, Kevlar reinforced ash and walnut. The bikes are coated with marine spar varnish to protect them from the elements. Two models are now available – including the Scorcher and Cruister – and both feature 29er wheels that let riders head through the woods on wooden bikes.
Made in America: All That Glitters
From a company like Shinola we’d expect a shinny bike and they didn’t let us down. The Detroit revival company that is known for its quality watches has also taken pride in making quality bicycles. To commemorate its new business the company has introduced a one-off, brass-plated work of art. The Runwell frame was built at the Waterford Precision Cycles in Wisconsin and then brass plated in Detroit. While it isn’t for sale it shows that the company truly knows style.
Made in America: Merlin to do Cycle Magic Again
Last month Competitive Cyclist, an online specialty bicycle retailer, announced that it is reviving the Merlin brand. The titanium bicycle maker, which had been one of the dominant brands making titanium bikes in the 1990s, was purchased by Competitive Cyclists in 2011.
Launched in 1986 as Merlin Metalworks, the company was one of the first to release a titanium mountain bike frame, and in 1988 debuted its first road bike. Competitive Cyclist was proud to announce that Merlin bikes have upheld the tradition and are still 100 percent made in the USA.
Made in America Mission to Ride
Mission Workshop’s is on a mission to provide quality bags for commuter cyclists and the latest result is the Advanced Projects edition, which is made in America and features a waterproof waxed canvas construction. The bag further features the company’s Arkiv closure system and VX liner to ensure that items inside stay dry and protect during the commute year round.
It also offers quick-access outboard pockets, internal zippered pockets, custom aluminum strap hardware and detachable cross-chest stabilizer. The weatherproof roll top main compartment can be used in either the “roll top” mode or in a traditional “flap down” configuration. Mission very possible.
Made in America: POV Backpack
We’ve seen a number of action camera accessories that are designed to change the perspective, including a few wearable systems that change the view from first-person to third-person – putting the rider/runner/athlete in the shot.
The latest gizmo to entry this market is the VuPackPole, a POV/action camera backpack mount, which is now being developed by creator/designer Rodger Dean through a Kickstarter project. This pack is being designed and assembled in Alaska, and the frame is made using a CNC process from HPDE plastic, while the subsystem all and joint is made in Washington.
While this will allow wearer’s to be in the shot, the designers also noted that one problem with typical head-mounted systems is that the video can be shaky and hard to watch. By moving the camera to a pack it is more stable as well. According to Dean the joints will still give under pressure so no worries about getting caught up on branches! Video after the jump
Made in America: Light Board
At the recent SIA Snow Show Light Bohrd showed off its lighted snowboard, but now comes word that the company is also introducing a lighted skateboard. This is a bright idea especially for skaters who look to hit the streets after the sun goes down. The Urban Commuter Longboard is made in Texas and will riders to make a statement while being seen.
Made in America: Reign It In
When out hiking or hunting it helps to have a GPS unit or compass close at hand and secure. The T-Reign ProCase retractable gear tether made in America, and is specifically designed for handheld gadgets and devices. The cases come in three sizes that can hold rangefinders, smartphones, GPS devices and even small cameras.
The ProCase, which made its debut at last month’s SHOT Show, features a 36-inch Kevlar cord with a retraction force of six ounces. The rigid thermoformed body provides a soft yet sturdy impact-resistant cushion while the nylon casing is weather- and water-resistant. It offers a versatile hook-and-loop that can securely fasten to belts and shoulder straps.
It is backed by a lifetime service policy, and is available in black, gray and camo. No one likes to be tethered to anything, but having your gear tethered to you is a never a bad idea. Video after the jump
Made in America: Detroit Cargo Hauler
When we think of Detroit we think of cars and maybe Motown music, or more over how the city could use a turnaround. Fortunately some smaller shops like Detroit Cargo are trying to get innovative and taking the good old Motor City innovation in a new direction with quality products.
This includes the new Jefferson Handlebar Bag that can hold tools, phones and even a change of clothes after riding to work. It offers a stylish retro looking design and is hand-crafted in Detroit from natural leather.
Best and Worst of 2012
Another year is (almost) behind us. Here are look at the best and worst of 2012 in fitness and well-being.
Best of 2012 Spirit of Competition – The London Olympics
Best of 2012 Tech Trend in Fitness – Rugged/Wearable cameras
Best of 2012 Minimalism – Barefoot running trend
Best of 2012 Software – Fitness apps
Best of 2012 Sustainability -Recycling and Upcycling
Best of 2012 Software – Fitness apps
Best of 2012 Sustainability -Recycling and Upcycling
Best of 2012 Equipment – Ultegra Di2 and Electronic Shifting
Best of 2012 Know When to Fold – Foldable skateboard
Best of 2012 Brain Buckets – Improved helmet technology
Worst of 2012 for Fair Play – Lance Armstrong Doping
Worst of 2012 in Sour Grapes – New York Times Magazine profile of Lolo Jones
Thank you for your support. KineticShift will see you in 2013!
Made in America – Detroit Made Bicycle
Detroit earned the moniker “The Motor City” because it was the car city in its heyday. Those times are in the past, but the days of “wheeled” innovation aren’t completely in the city’s rearview mirror. It might not be new car companies, but there is a serious bike movement in Detroit. New startup Shinola, a bicycle company based in the suburb of Waterford, is about to roll out a line of commuter bikes including the Runwell (above), a commuter bike that features disc brakes, Shimano Alfine 11 internally geared hub; and the Bixby, a three-speed that evokes the look of a classic European bike with just a hint of art deco influence.
Shinola’s founders said they’re proud to be in Detroit, and Detroit should be proud to have companies like coming back to town.