Loading... Please wait...The April 2013 newsletter is titled “THE USMC AND NATICK LABS HONOR ME” and notes that they are working with a company in El Paso, TX that is attempting to make a sleeping bag utilizing a sort of lamination of the continuous filament fiberfill as Mountain Hardwear has their bags made in China called Lamina. [...]
As I am sure many of you know, the current administration wants to shut down coal mines which in turn will close power plants that currently use coal as their source of power. The result of this action will mean that people who use electricity from these power plants will not have electrical power to [...]
Quite often these days we hear people say they want to buy products made in America. There are many websites that advertise made in America products exclusively. Retailers are seeing people look at the labels and if the item has a made in China tag they put it back. One retailer told me he had [...]
All of the components that are incorporated in the manufacture of sleeping bags made in the USA can be made with components manufactured in the USA. I know because I buy materials made in the USA. Of the materials I buy the single most important is the insulation.The nylon fabric can be duplicated in Asia, [...]
I never cease to be amazed when I see a new super duper insulating medium and construction method advertised for sleeping bags put on the market. The latest comes from a consortium of three companies. The batting creator Pinneco located in Hong Kong with their product called Pinneco Core, a polyester fiberfill laminated to a [...]
Imagine after me lambasting both organizations starting in 1969 with Natick first and then the U.S.M.C. in 1993 they have combined to present me with the greatest honor I could have asked for. It is often said that copying someone is the greatest form of flattery. And that is exactly what they are doing, or [...]
During October 2012, the Wiggy’s Oregon store opened in Bend, Oregon. REI has a large store there as well since Bend has a very large active outdoor community for skiers, bikers, hunters, fishermen, as well as climbers and recreational campers. Over 4 million people each year vacation there as well. That said, is it any [...]
In the early part of each year the companies that market outerwear start showing the new styles for the upcoming winter. The current trade shows in January and February 2013 are showing what will be in the stores for the winter of 2013/14. In the event the winter is a cold one — i.e. with temperatures [...]
The sale pricing for the sleeping bags has been going on for over two years. Many people call or write asking how long it will continue, and my stock answer is always "until the economy gets better". Hearing this is a relief to almost everyone. However it is not a good sign if the economy [...]
The Lamina line of sleeping bags is manufactured in China for the Mountain Hardwear Company (MH). When the line was first introduced I questioned Paul Kramer who was at the time an owner of the company why he chose the name Lamina and he said it was as close to LAMILITE as could be found. [...]