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edie.montana
Boulder climber
Montana
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 12, 2017 - 12:48pm PT
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So, question. What are your favorite, small, passionate start-up companies that make clothing/gear that are good alternatives to name-brand?
I really like supporting small businesses, and I know in the ultralight backpacking community, often the little companies started by passionate backpackers themselves make some of the best gear.
I'm a total newbie climber FYI. Looking to buy some gear. The reviews on outdoor gear lab are awesome - but they're mostly big name-brands.
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:07pm PT
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Feathered Friends,
Western Mountaineering,
Ray Jardin,
Warmlite
Moonstone was bought
Edit and lest we forget the self described overlord
FISH products first guy to have the brains to use rubber boat fabric for a haul bag.
great rope bag, great haul bag, harness was not up to the rest. maybe he has a new design?
best aid stuff, fish hook etc.
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wayne w
Trad climber
the nw
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:09pm PT
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NW Alpine...
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Moof
Big Wall climber
Orygun
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:30pm PT
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Your mom.
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:46pm PT
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McHale Alpine Packs
http://www.mchalepacks.com
Owner is an oldschool badass who posts here as McHales Navy
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Bruce Morris
Trad climber
Belmont, California
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:49pm PT
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Value Village? The Thrift Shop on Broadway in Denver? Army Surplus store in Colorado Springs?
You can always buck the designer trend!
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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Feb 12, 2017 - 01:53pm PT
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The latest Levi's 559s are stretchy like prAnas.
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Pete_N
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
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Feb 12, 2017 - 02:40pm PT
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Packs from Cold, Cold World...
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Feb 12, 2017 - 03:02pm PT
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The military has some decent gear that you can use as layers. I just bought 10 pullover fleece jacket/sweaters, made by Peckham, less than 2 bucks a piece. It helps that I live next door to one of the biggest training bases in the world
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EdBannister
Mountain climber
13,000 feet
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Feb 12, 2017 - 03:37pm PT
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and not quite on subject but possibly of interest.
dehydrated "backpacking" food is very expensive,
but there are many food items that are dehydrated at your market, or at the 99cents store.
potatoes to ramen, and quaker instant oatmeal, almost anything that says just add boiling water.
note that the above mentioned website for Mike Graham's gear is superb.
Mike started Gramicci in case you do not know.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Feb 12, 2017 - 03:55pm PT
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I remember a guy in the Tetons in 68 or 69 who went by the moniker "pig pen." He didn't have much money so he treated the shabby cotton clothing he owned with a healthy dose of Snowseal. He stayed both dry and celibate...something to consider.
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steve s
Trad climber
eldo
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Feb 12, 2017 - 04:57pm PT
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Costco
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Feb 12, 2017 - 05:45pm PT
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Enlightened equipment for quilts, packs and shelters
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Feb 12, 2017 - 06:27pm PT
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Costco sells some OK soft shells. Not bad for $30
Don't forget Russians were known for using Walmart gear on Denali while only occasionally needing a rescue.
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JC Marin
Trad climber
CA
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Feb 12, 2017 - 08:00pm PT
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Ivanka Trump's line...nope i like Westcomb
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Spiny Norman
Social climber
Boring, Oregon
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Feb 12, 2017 - 09:05pm PT
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+1 on the Westcomb stuff, especially in eVent. Unlike dead bird and patagucci, still stitched in North America (BC), too.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Feb 12, 2017 - 09:07pm PT
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I always wanted to pick up a piece or two from this Etsy shop called Intertwined Designs. Mostly women's clothes, but there are currently a few men's tops. The owner is a climber as well.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/IntertwinedDesigns
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