Today, I welcome Amy Hatch with Garage Grown Gear to the blog. We first heard from her here back in March when she shared her favorite independent outdoor clothing companies. Y’all liked that post so much I invited her back to share her top picks for USA-made stocking stuffers.
And, it’s good timing. She just launched Garage Grown Gear’s online store, featuring independent, early-stage outdoor brands. The story of Garage Grown Gear’s brands follows a similar thread: someone thinks, “Wouldn’t it be cool if …” This individual – often an engineer or designer – begins tinkering in the garage, basement, or attic. Prototypes are handed out to friends, refinements are made, and before long a business is born.
Several – though not all – of the gifts Amy mentions below are available on Garage Grown Gear.
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1. Good To-Go Backpacking Meals
Finally, someone figured out how to make delicious and healthy dehydrated meals for the backcountry. That someone is Jennifer, a former New York City chef. Her and her husband, David, combined their love of food and the outdoors to launch Good To-Go. They opened for business just this year and already they’re getting (much deserved) recognition. Their Thai curry won the Editor’s Choice award from Backpacker magazine. The Thai curry also happens to be my favorite. But you won’t go wrong with their options either: classic marinara with penne, smoked three bean chili, and herbed mushroom risotto. Also, extra points for Good To-Go, because the New England style house that serves as their headquarters is just darling!
{Side note: there will be a review on these meals in the coming weeks!}
2. Enlightened Equipment Booties, Mittens and the … Hoodlum
For years Tim Marshall and his team over at Enlightened Equipment operated out of his Minnesota basement, making damn fine ultralight backcountry quilts. Just this year, the operation moved to a building of its very own, just down the road from Tim’s house. With the expanded space has come expanded product selection. New on the scene, and truly great stocking stuffers: sleeping booties, insulated mittens and the Hoodlum, an insulated balaclava. Like all of Enlightened Equipment’s products, each of these can be customized to meet your exact needs; you choose the color and warmth.
3. Skida Hats, Headbands and Neckwarmers
Skida is one of those companies I just can’t say enough about. It makes hats, headbands and neckwarmers in Vermont that are both uber comfortable and seriously stylish. The patterns are bold, elegant, unique and feminine. And the stretchy fabric makes for a great fit, covering ears and accommodating all head sizes. Skida also has a pretty rad men’s line that tends to fly under the radar. My husband loves the camo pattern Skida hats. Best of all? The company was started by a gal who at the time was in high school, showing that age has little do with dreaming and achieving big!
4. Ragged Edge Carbon Fiber and Kevlar Wallet
It does exist … industrial strength wallets made of carbon fiber and Kevlar. My husband got a Ragged Edge wallet for Father’s Day and six months later it still looks new. The company is not kidding when it says its wallets are designed to last for years. All of them are sewn by a family in a tiny workshop in Virginia. And, if you want to give a gift with an extra special touch, check out the Design It Yourself wallets offered by Ragged Edge.
5. Farm to Feet socks
When it comes to USA-made, Farm to Feet doesn’t cut corners. The wool for its socks is sourced domestically. So is the packaging. As is the ink on the packaging. Listening to the drawl of the good folks who run the North Carolinian operation even feels American. This results in truly awesome socks. I’ve been wearing Farm to Feet socks for a close to a year now, with little sign of wear and tear. After a load of fresh laundry, they’re always the socks that get worn first. I’m particularly fond the Women’s Multisport Greensboro Low style that comes in the colors rouge red or mint leaf.
6. Good Ol’ Heat Factory Hand Wamers
Each family has its own Christmas traditions. In our family, we could count on Santa filling our stockings with hand warmers. I never exactly thought these were the cat’s meow … until they really saved the day one terribly frigid January. Maybe it’s because my circulation is not what it used to be, or maybe it’s because I’m spending more days than ever backcountry skiing, but now I really look forward to my annual resupply of hand warmers. A quick Google search revealed there’s one company making them in the great US of A … it’s Heat Factory.
7. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultralight Stuff Sacks
Do you have someone on your list who loves backpacking? Have they dabbled with – or perhaps jumped with both feet into – ultralight gear? If so, then Hyperlite Mountain Gear should definitely be on their radar, and therefore your radar. The Maine company is known for its packs and shelters, but its accessories should not be overlooked. The company’s stuff sacks are lightweight, water resistant and come in multiple sizes. I even use mine for backcountry skiing in the winter. One stuff sack for food, a second for an extra hat and pair of gloves.
8. Kate’s Real Food Energy Bars
Kate’s Real Food bars are delicious, energy packed and made to fuel long days in the mountains. And, I’m not just saying that because Kate is one of my favorite gals to climb and ski mountains with, though she is! Check out this photo of us from September on the Middle Teton. I’m in the right, Kate is to the left and our friend Abby is in the middle.
Kate’s Real Food sells five flavors of bars. Kate’s favorite is the Stash Bar because she’s a huge peanut butter fan. She also likes the Tiki Bar for a change (that’s the company’s gluten-free bar). My favorite is the dark chocolate Grizzly Bar and cherry-infused Handle Bar. While in Jackson Hole, the original Tram Bar far outsells the others. If you’re unsure which to get, try the 12 bar mixer box, perfect for distributing among stockings.
9. Colorado Backcountry Ski Books from Giterdun
Your success exploring new areas often hinges on good beta. Veteran ski mountaineer Fritz Sperry shares his knowledge of Colorado’s backcountry in his two books: Making Turns in Colorado’s Front Range and Making Turns in the Ten Mile/ Mosquito Range. While there are many great guide books out there, Fritz gets extra props for not succumbing to Amazon. He published both books under his own company, Giterdun Publishing, and sells exclusively through independent stores. I’m unsure whether the paper and ink is sourced from the US, but Fritz definitely has the USA made spirit.
10. Dirty Girl Gaiters
I’ve used Dirty Girl Gaiters for nearly a decade, and they work. Rocks, sticks and snow stay out of my shoes, preventing blisters. The ankle-high gaiters designed for use with shoes have loads of style, personality and flare. It might depend on your mood, or how far you are into a trail race, as to whether you deem the flashy, brightly colored patterns on the gaiters inspiring or obnoxious. Patterns include “Hot to Trot Purple,” and “Lime Gaiterade Hurl.” But, if you must, scroll all the way to the bottom of the store, where you’ll find mundane black. The gaiters are made in Arizona and all profits from the company are donated to “worthy causes, charities and athletes.” A word of caution: be careful what you type into Google when searching for this company.
So now that you’ve heard my recommendations, I’d love to hear from you! What didn’t I include that should be on this list of USA made stocking stuffers for outdoorsmen and women?
GIVEAWAY
Garage Grown Gear offers many of the stocking stuffers mentioned in this post. We’re hooking one lucky reader up with a $50 gift card to Garage Grown Gear. Use it to buy for others, or yourself! To enter the giveaway, use the entry form below. {Enter your e-mail address below to unlock bonus entries for the giveaway. We promise to use your e-mail address only to contact you if you win.}