[Traci]

Geesh... I'm a caver/vertical caver (rappelling & ascending rope in caves) and am bummed that a lot of the equipment used is either made by French companies, or by companies on this list...

[snooker]

Politics and business don't mix. Ask Heinz.

Just stop buying their crap.

Going to be funny to see where the outdoors men go when the woods are closed to people :-} --- Guess they didn't think it through.

[Pete'sWife]

I never heard of any of them.

[Little Pig]

At least Cabela's isn't on there.

[Hard Way]

The following is the text of the email I just sent to Leatherman:

Tim,

I am in need of a new multi-tool, due to loss of my old one. I'm a part-time rancher, shade-tree mechanic, and volunteer firefighter. I was set to buy the "Wave".

I could not believe what I read today, that you are endorsing Kerry Edwards. Holy cow, what a statement! Oh well, Gerber makes a pretty good tool too.

[NAVY-VET2]

Well isn't it so very nice they claim an interest, just on their profits. Someone should ask them what the landscape looks like in Vietnam, Iraq and Afganastan, that is the people's landscape. Crap on all of you, get a tent and go to the moon because you are trying to create an island of your own.

Either be American and scratch for how to keep it just that, or go to hell. Take your businesses offshore to the islands wherever, or better yet Anartica or the moon. Stand for something which supports "the people's of the planet and not just JQ liberal public USA.

[NAVY-VET2]

While you slept...or climbed!

[RicocheT]

These outdoor equipment companies know the Greenies and Libs are quick to boycott (remember the California grape and lettuce industries) any business that doesn't kowtow to the green agenda.

That's why they knuckle under to the bogus lie that Republicans and President Bush aren't doing enough to support the environment.

We know the truth. The world God created is doing just fine and so are America's wild lands. The timber industry has regrown the forests the Greens say are in danger. Our air is cleaner than just about every other country that has any industry.

If the national parks go road-less, the Outdoor equipment industry will fold as folks need access to enjoy nature. Only John Kerry-Heinz and his like who have private helicopters to fly him in to the luxury lodge will have access if the greenies get their way.

[RicocheT]

These outdoor equipment companies know the Greenies and Libs are quick to boycott (remember the California grape and lettuce industries) any business that doesn't kowtow to the green agenda.

That's why they knuckle under to the bogus lie that Republicans and President Bush aren't doing enough to support the environment.

We know the truth. The world God created is doing just fine and so are America's wild lands. The timber industry has regrown the forests the Greens say are in danger. Our air is cleaner than just about every other country that has any industry.

If the national parks go road-less, the Outdoor equipment industry will fold as folks need access to enjoy nature. Only John Kerry-Heinz and his like who have private helicopters to fly him in to the luxury lodge will have access if the greenies get their way.

[bad company]

I have an entire room in my house dedicated to my outdoor equipment. When I go to buy more I will definitly keep this list in mind when I make any future purchases.

[eaglesiniowa]

Well, now I have a whole list of other idiots whose products I will no longer buy. I think when this gets around, they won't have that $18 billion they boast of.

[eaglesiniowa]

P.S. Most of these supposed outfitters are the same ones charging exorbitant prices for their stuff - not to mention that most of their stuff is from overseas manufacturers.

[dd5339]

Dear, "Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA) Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon) Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA) Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA) Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA) Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA) Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA) Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR) Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR) Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA) Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA) Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA) Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA) Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah) Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah) Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA) Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT) Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA) Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA) Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA) Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX) Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT) Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA) Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA) Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA) Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA) Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA) Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA) Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO) Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO) Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)"

Thanks for letting me know what outdoor equipment manufactures I do not want to deal with!

Semper Fi

[fish hawk]

Just got an E from Cabelas this morning. They are having a big sale on Leatherman tools. Don't know if this is a coincident or just the timing. I think most sportsmen are fairly conservative Bush people and Cabelas will feel it if they start getting letters from hunters etc. telling them to dump Leatherman tools or else they will buy elsewhere. Just a thought.

[jamz]

I just sent this to Leatherman...

I'm sorry to be informed of your backing of John Kerry. I've supported your product and suggested it many times to friends and family. I've been in a canoe as I watched my brother-in-law's supertool fall over the side. I've gone back miles to retrieve my Wave that I happened to leave on someone's boat dock where I used it to bait up a Barbie fishing rod for my 3yr old daughter. After hearing your stance in this year's politics, I will no longer suggest or buy your products. Sometimes it's just best to keep your political beliefs to yourself, because in America yes, you do have that right to free speech. But with that right to free speech, you aren't guaranteed a right to be free of scrutiny. So be it.

Thank you,
James Wilkins

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I have several of their waterproof boat bags, they make good equipment but they also contribute to Seattle being one of the most liberal places on earth.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Lee Fromson, president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Peter Bragden, vice president, general counsel, Columbia Sportswear (Portland, Oregon)

Menno Van Wyk, CEO, Montrail (Seattle, WA)

Paul Fish, president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Carn Nielsen, vice president, Mountain Gear (Spokane, WA)

Dan Nordstrom, CEO, Outdoor Research (Seattle, WA)

Jeff Bowman, vice president, Cascade Designs (Seattle, WA)

Doug Phillips, president, Metolius Climbing (Bend, OR)

Tim Leatherman, president, Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. (Portland, OR)

Dunham Gooding, president, American Alpine Institute, Ltd (Bellingham, WA)

Larry Harrison, president, Earth Games (San Clemente, CA)

Jim Clark, CEO, Watermark (Arcata, CA)

Steve Barker, CEO, Eagle Creek Travel Gear (San Diego, CA)

Peter Metcalf, CEO, Black Diamond (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Ashley Korenblat, president, Western Spirit Cycling (Moab, Utah)

Mike Wallenfels, vice president, Mountain Hardware (Richmond, CA)

Roody Rasmussen, CEO, Petzl America (Clearfield, UT)

Tony Post, president, Vibram (Concord, MA)

Kelly Stone, director sales and marketing, Werner Paddles (Seattle, WA)

Joe Hyer, president, Alpine Experience (Olympia, WA)

Mike Sullivan, president, Sullivan Agency (Wimberley, TX)

Bob Olsen, president, Peregrine Outfitters (Williston, VT)

Michael Crooke, CEO, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Brian Bennett, director national accounts, Patagonia (Ventura, CA)

Adam Forest, managing partner, The Forest Group (Lotus, CA)

Gordon Seabury, president, Horny Toad Activewear (Santa Barbara, CA)

Paul Gagner, vice president, Gregory Mountain Products (Temecula, CA)

Tom Campion, founder and chairman, Zumiez Inc. (Everett, WA)

Malcolm Daly, president, Trango (Boulder, CO)

Rodney Smith, president, American Outdoor Products (Boulder, CO)

Joan Keller, president, Le Travel Store (San Diego, CA)


What if the NRA boycotted all these outdoor companies?

Just wondering...

[Senator_Blutarski]

This is a nice reminder of why my favorite brands include Carhart clothing, Buck Knives, and Red Wing Boots.

Of course, lets not forget: Marlin, Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Browning, Mossberg and Ithaca guns, just to name a few.

[Sam Cree]

Anyone know whether or not the fact that the Columbia Sportswear VP is on the list reflects company policy?

[1stMarylandRegiment]

With the exception of Vibram it is easy to find an AMERICAN MADE substitute of the same or better quality for each of these manufacturers.

Note that at least half of them manufcture products for the sheer-face rock climmbing sport, not a very large group.

The garment/hiking/camping/backpacking (Boy Scouts) space is full of suppliers.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

bttt