Made In America | Evolving Consumer

Made in America: Magic Mushroom

We’ve seen a lot of efforts to make surfboards a whole lot greener, and this has included boards made of recycled and reclaimed materials, but the guys at Mushroom Surfboards are growing boards – via mushrooms. In other words Mushroom Surfboards by Ecovative Design isn’t just a clever name, it is actually what the boards are made from!

The company has created a Myco Foam technology that was first developed in 2007 and uses shroom-based materials for its structure. This means the surfboard “blanks” are entirely biodegradable but also produced from what would otherwise be agricultural waste, such as plant stalks and seed husks, and mycelium. Video after the jump

Made in America: Back to Nature

Go old school with the Natural Log Skateboards, which are hand crafted in San Diego from either vertical grain bamboo or recycled oak with two internal layers of tri-axial fiberglass for added strength. An Entropy Resins Super Sap epoxy will provide protection for the deck and add some bounce.

While these look vintage these boards should endure the test of time.

Natural Log Skateboards

Made in America: Detroit Bikes Are Rolling

While Detroit rusts away, the once proud Motor City still produces some fine products – and that includes the new line of bikes from Detroit Bikes. These durable steel bikes look ready to handle the mean streets and more. The 3-speed A-Type comes with coaster brake and fenders, but takes a page form the Henry Ford Model T playbook, and are available in any color you like – as long as it is black.

If you want one you’ll have to head Michigan as the company is looking to sell locally before rolling out nationwide.

Detroit Bikes Official Website

Made in America: Up and Pull

With summer soon to give way to fall we know that you can never have too many hoodies, and the Dirtball Pullover Hoodie offers more but uses less. It is made in the USA of 50 percent recycled cotton and 50 percent recycled plastic water bottles. So in other words it is almost like wearing a whole lot of nothing.

Dirtball Pullover Hoodie Official Website

Made in America: Wet Bag

While any plastic bag can be used to haul your wetsuit there are better ways of transporting it post dive. The American made Baggu Wetsuit Bag is designed to carry the soggy gear and keep it apart from things you’d rather stay dry.

Originally designed for surfers it is made from water resistant 18 ounce vinyl and offers an exterior pocket for plenty of extra storage. Unlike canvas or other bags this one can be hosed down and hung out to dry.

Baggu Wetsuit Bag Official Website

Made in America: Wooly Jersey

Female cyclists can look forward to a new line of Merino wool cycling gear from Cedar Cycling. This American made line of attire is aimed at the high end of the market, and smartly tailored for women riders.

The company called in 12 females to determine what they liked and didn’t like about cycling clothing, and the result is something that is bound to please most cyclists. The standard jersey is made from their proven StandardWool, which is a blend of Merino wool and nylon. This results in a breathable, anti-microbial, abrasion resistant and shape retaining fit.

The jersey was designed in Oakland, California and sewn up in nearby San Leandro. It will be ready to ride later this summer. The company is now offering it for pre-sale.

Cedar Cycling Women’s Standard Jersey Official Website

Made in America: Cargo Container

Chrome knows a thing or two (or a lot more) about backpacks, but the Barrage Cargo is ready to haul a lot of gear. This made in the USA pack features compression bucks on the side of the bag, a cargo net that can be used to strap down even a helmet, and includes plenty of room in the main waterproof compartment.

It features 600 denier truck tarpaulin, with fully welded seams inside a 1000 denier CORDURA brand grade nylon shell. There are even pockets for U-locks and water bottles, and it is guaranteed for life.

Chrome Barrage Cargo Backpack Official Website

Made in America: Pedal Pushers’ Jersey Speaks the Truth

With the words “Know Your Enemy NYC” this cycling jersey from Pedal Pushers is one we’d say has a hardcore look to it. Anyone who has ridden the mean streets of Sixth Avenue pre-bike lanes can understand this one. While New York City may be far more bike friendly, it still isn’t for the faint of heart. And while this one was made in California we still see it has that Big Apple attitude.

This jersey is for those who can handle a bit of traffic.

Pedal Pushers: Know Your Enemy NYC Jersey

Made in America: Ticket to Transfer

Carrying gear to a race can be tricky. It is bad enough to forget something on a training ride, but forgetting anything on race day is a disaster. The Inside Line Equipment Transfer bag, which can hold 21 liters of gear, will ensure that racers don’t have to sweat the small details because everything you might need fits in this one bag.

The bag is made in the USA of XPAC sailcloth and has seven storage compartments, with entry through the sides or the top. There is even an elastic exterior pocket for a helmet and a drawstring sleeve inside for dirty laundry and shoes while side pockets provide a place just for water bottles. This bag also offers ergonomic shoulder straps with a sternum strap.

Inside Line Equipment Transfer Bag Official Website

Made in America: Perfect Balance

Running shoe maker New Balance likes to keep things fresh by taking a step backwards. This is certainly the case with the New Balance 1300, a retro-looking running shoe that features premium leather, a mesh upper and a molded midsole. The company now employs more than 1,300 U.S. workers – and hence proudly proclaims that this line of “blast from the past” style running shoes is “Made in the USA.”

New Balance 1300 Official Website

Made in America: Upcycled Tent To Shorts

Earlier today we noted that Chrome was using old Cold War era Communist Bloc/Warsaw Pact tents and making waterproof bags. We also heard that J.Crew was marketing a line of Military Tent Shorts. These cargo shorts are made of 1940s era military tents and each was made by hand in the New York City design studios, where one tent only produced one pair of shorts.

Apparently these were so popular that J.Crew has sold out even at $220 per pair. We’ll have to watch and see if anymore should show up.

J.Crew Military Tent Shorts Official Website

Made in America: Boarded Up

While there has been a trend to make “greener” surfboards using a variety of materials, including carbon fiber, for Grain Surfboards nothing beats wood. The company noted that for more than a thousand years surfboards were made of wood and that’s good enough for them.

The makers use Northern White Cedar with a bit of Western Red Cedar along with a natural blend of traditional construction style with New England boat building craftsmanship and the result is one serious surfboard.

Grain Surfboards
[Via Wood Working Network: Wood Surfboards Make Summer’s Top 50]

Made in America: Bike Holster

With a name like Rocky Mountain Holster should we be surprised that the company is introducing a Western themed bike cup holder for cruisers? Andrew Houston reportedly makes each leather cup and beer holder by hand out of leather at his Park City, Utah workshop. He further personalizes these as well.

The Rocky Mountain bike cup holders can carry cans, water bottles, beer, phones and wallets and these attach to a basket, handlebar, pannier or belt. Basically, wherever the leather straps can be looped and snapped, thus giving the bike a western look.

Rocky Mountain Holster Official Website