Something WEIRD Is Happening In the Outdoor Industry 🧐

The American Outdoor Industry used to be dominated by US-based companies making specialized camping, hiking, and other outdoor gear here in the United States as well. But something is changing and it has become especially apparent in recent years. You can find all sorts of budget-friendly camping gear on Amazon from brand names that you often can't even pronounce. That used to be a turnoff, but is it still? And is the gear any good? What happened to US manufacturing in the outdoor industry?

Join me for this LIVE discussion about the current happenings in the outdoor gear industry, the shifts that are occurring right before our eyes, and what, if anything, we can do to change it. I'll be sure to reserve some time for questions and it will be an awesome opportunity to have some casual direct conversation so you can get to know us at Outdoor Empire a little better.

This is a topic I have been thinking about a TON, but haven't managed to figure out how to distill it down to a concise story for a regular video. So it seemed like a great opportunity to do my first Youtube Live stream!

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[MyChannel-vmdw]

I’m all for US jobs and companies but their greed in pricing is outrageous. $700 for an ultralight tent made from $50 of materials? $150 for a backpacking chair? People are sick of being gouged and if the knockoffs are "good enough" for a fraction of the cost, you'd be stupid to pay higher. The US companies need to wise up real quick. These prices are going higher than recouping R&D.

[IPC-D_Media_Unit]

One trick to finding value with "generic" brands is to find the ones that market to the Japanese. Higher expectations of quality than what US consumers will accept, .

[twloughlin]

I did not catch you live, but I did watch the entire replay. All I can say right now is thanks for doing this. Your point of view is one that needs to be heard more often.

[Kaufeetimevideo]

I still use most outdoor equipment I purchased or was gifted in the late 1980s - early 1990s.Made in USA Kelty tent what a great tent. It's wears a few honor patches. White gas lamp, coolers, sleeping bag, 1 burner & 2 burner cook stoves all made in USA by Coleman. Some of that equipment was purchased used and use to this day. All show battle scars, and I am using this weekend. The great outdoors have given me many good memories. It's not the equipment but our attitude and our beliefs that determines our enjoyment of life. Sorry about preaching but that's what I firmly believe. Just something thet took me decades to learn. Go out and enjoy ...

[NLSD]

22:09 - So, although I'm really into hiking and camping, I'm primarily into Amateur (ham) radio -- also rather niche in terms of the number of people worldwide that participate. In that sphere, there's also grumblings about what's offered as 'entry-level' gear by the traditional 'big name' manufacturers like Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu. Icom still offers, for instance, a no-frills High-Frequency (HF) rig that's been on the market for 20 years...for US$500-ish. But for a rig that has a modern feature set, typically it's between $650 and $1300. That's without the additional cost of a power supply, perhaps an antenna tuner, and maybe an antenna (if one doesn't want to home-brew one themselves.) In the ham radio world, Chinese manufacturers have also made in-roads -- with brands like Baofeng, Xeigu, and Anytone. Initially these were very poor quality, but have come along over the years. These Chinese brands have often copied or reverse-enginered technology from the 'big name' manufactuers, and generally come in at a lower price-point than traditional 'big name' manufacturers' gear.

Now, there is a used market for this equipment -- but it's often not discounted nearly as much as one might think. So pointing newbies to the used market isn't always a great tip.

My point here is that what you're seeing in the hiking/camping gear world isn't limited to hiking/camping: it's occurring pretty much everywhere. If you want to break into a new hobby and are looking for a budget-friendly way to do so, your choices are pretty limited; and, if you then tack on the additional requirement that it be American-made *and* budget-friendly, yes: there aren't a whole lot of options available.

What you're often facing is to prioritize the use of budget-friendly kit as an initial entry point, then later prioritize key pieces of kit that gets replaced over time with higher-quality, American-made gear. Often this will be cottage-industry equipment that will carry a higher price-point, but that also meets the additional requirement of being American-based (at least), and also probably much lighter and higher-performing.

[brilliantjackass]

Hi Chase. I didn't catch this live either but watched the whole thing afterward, like others. I like the live format as a good addition to your more straightforward content. Thanks for really pulling this issue apart and highlighting how many big name brands are pretty much selling the same stuff as places like Amazon or Temu. Also that the quality of generic brands is often essentially no different. Thanks too for your deep dives on canvas tents. It really helped me decide on a decent hot tent. Absolutely no regrets with spending the extra dough for a Skyliner and Woodlander setup. I couldn't really afford a camper but am living large in my Springbar. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[Burritosarebetterthantacos]

I bought a Marmot Halo 4 person because it had such good reviews on reddit. It was expensive AF...like $800 and after setting it up I realized it was manufactured so poorly I had to cancel not one but two trips. I should have just got a tent from Cabelas.

[Askfornate]

Saving this for later. As newer hiker, but long time camper, I appreciate you insights!

[BackcountryExposure]

Enjoyed this man. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and find various cottage makers/brands that aren’t in the US. For example, the brand Hill Zero makes some super high quality tents at great prices, but solid designs. Same with Pretents or TFS tents. All in China, but pretty small companies and some rad people running them. Fire Maple too, love what they are doing.

[shanksmare]

Some thoughts in no particular order
1. The most expensive shirt I ever purchased was a T-Shirt from Walmart. Least expensive was a Carhart shirt. One lasted ~2 months the other over a decade.
2. In general, cheap gear is not as good as more expensive gear. (I know "as good" is subjective)
3. If I can avoid it, I do not buy anything associated with China.
4. If I can avoid it, I do not buy anything from Amazon. Almost every manufacturer has an online retail web page.
5. Facebook and Google are evil. Use them as little as possible.  
6. In general, I try as much as possible to buy for quality over other considerations. The most expensive item is not always the highest quality item.
7. A lot of knock-offs are cheap because they ripped off someone else's design/research.
8. Innovation mostly occurs in either the high-end manufactures or the cottage companies.
9. When consumers only/mainly think about price, manufacturing will race to the bottom as quickly as possible and then put a little lipstick on the product.
10. Low quality/durability goods are much harder on the environment than high quality and/or high durability goods.  
~S

[acamparargentina]

I believe that for many many years we were struggling to pay for "brands", for names, for a lot of marketing. Nowadays we got access to the real makers, and they do not care about names nor marketing, they just want to sell and they do sell to us basically at the same prices they used to sell to the brands they produced for. SOMETIMES we pay the price of the lack of quality control, yes, but for the price difference that's a risk worth taking.

[aedanhickey]

I like ozark trail a lot I feel like they have affordable gear for the camper that goes out every once in a while. Now I wish I could find what factory they are made in so I can buy the no name brand of the same item lol

[drinksafewater]

Well done - Always refreshing with pertinent content and common sense.
Temu is biting Big Brand Butts - Amazon is taking too much commission and this competition is good for the consumer. Temu customer service is also better but a ruthless business model for manufacturers / sellers.

[garycase]

I just got a K Bar knife from Temu 10 bucks it’s awesome

[neist]

Nothing against China, but horse stomach sounds... pretty iffy. 😆Enjoyed the video!