Brands to get Behind: 10 Outdoor Companies Combating COVID-19
During World War II, the U.S. government encouraged domestic manufacturers to support the war effort. Forget toasters and televisions—America needed tanks, planes, guns, and ammo to put an end to Nazi Germany. And with military-aged men pouring overseas to join the fight, women had to step up at home. This phenomenon—best illustrated by the iconic Rosie the Riveter campaign and her tagline "We can do it!"—saw women working in factories, operating dangerous machinery, and manufacturing the military essentials needed to stay Hitler's hand. Today, in the fight against COVID-19, we see a parallel need for action.
While President Trump recently invoked the Defense Production Act when negotiating with corporations like 3M and GM, among others, he has yet to galvanize domestic producers with far-reaching executive orders. Nonetheless, manufacturers across industries are converting equipment and redirecting resources to support health care and essential workers across the nation.
Fanatics, purveyors of baseball jerseys and a partner of the MLB, has shut down lucrative jersey production and is instead pumping out masks and gowns for health care workers. According to the Miami Herald, Toyota is 3D-printing face shields, and Dyson—you know, the vacuum brand—designed a ventilator from scratch. Bauer Hockey is taking its experience manufacturing helmets to hammer out face shields for medical staff. As we wage war against COVID-19, companies are stepping up to do their part. Because in this fight, the soldiers on the front lines are doctors and nurses, truck drivers and garbage workers, janitors and grocery clerks. And they need our support.
In the outdoor industry, too, brands are overhauling factories to produce face masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), donating products to support essential workers, and running sales that benefit COVID-19 causes. As a small thank you to these outdoor brands, we want to point you towards their efforts. And if you were considering snagging some new outdoor gear in preparation for the end of quarantine, these brands are well worth supporting.
Venture Snowboards
Just last week, we reviewed Venture Snowboards' Carbon Paragon Splitboard, which is one of our favorite lightweight, quiver-killing splitboards on the skin track. The board itself is fantastic, but the actions the brand has been taking during the COVID-19 crisis make us like Venture's products even more. If you're unfamiliar with Venture, the small company is renowned for its bombproof boards, which are handcrafted out of a small wind-powered factory in Silverton, Colorado. Venture has currently shut down board production and is focusing its manufacturing capabilities on making face shields for health care workers. Not only are Venture’s snowboards heavily discounted right now, but any purchase will also help this benevolent brand survive this unprecedented crisis.
Smith Optics, Anon Optics, Zeal Optics, and Maybe You
Goggles for Docs is a movement that supplies ill-equipped medical staff with new and used ski goggles. Brands like Smith, Zeal, and Anon have donated hundreds of goggles so far. If you're looking for a new pair of goggles, keep these brands in mind. And if you have spare goggles or an old pair you don't need, consider donating here.
Shop Smith, Anon, and Zeal
Outdoor Research
Pacific Northwest heavyweight Outdoor Research is transforming its Seattle factory into a mask-making powerhouse, SNEWS reported. Come June, Outdoor Research plans to be cranking out 200,000 masks per day. Of those masks, 50,000 of them will hopefully be in-demand N95 respirators.
Mystery Ranch
Montana's Mystery Ranch—makers of some of the best backpacks on the trail—is working with local manufacturers to sew face masks for the Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital.
Nike
Nike is manufacturing face shields, too, but the shoe and sportswear superpower is doing things a little differently. Nike crafts its face shields from repurposed padding, cords, and even TPU from the brand's fabled "Nike Air" soles. We wouldn't be surprised to find out that sneakerheads are turning these fly face shields into collector's items once the pandemic has passed.
The North Face
The North Face is furnishing medical workers with 60,000 gloves, but that's not all. Through the brand's Explore Fund, The North Face is donating $1 million to support and sustain outdoor communities and causes that are most grievously impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Chrome Industries
While many brands and charities are focused on the noble cause of equipping medical workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), many workers in the foodservice and hospitality industries are simply out of a job. Imagine if you subsisted primarily off of tips, and then all of your tips vanished in an instant—it's genuinely a heartbreaking scenario. Furthermore, many of these workers aren't eligible for unemployment insurance. As such, until April 15th, Chrome Industries is letting customers pick: At checkout, you can use the code GET20 to save 20% on purchases or GIVE20 to donate to the One Fair Wage Emergency Fund, which aims to aid restaurant, hourly, and gig workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Chaco
Chaco's well-known for the longevity of its ubiquitous footwear. And Chaco loyalists will gladly tell you that when straps eventually wear out, it's easy to send in your sandals in for a repair job. But in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Chaco has retrofitted its "ReChaco Factory," as well as its mobile factory bus, to produce face masks and other safety gear for health care providers, essential workers, and first responders. In the meantime, custom orders—yup, Chaco makes custom kicks, and they're as rad as they sound—and sandal repairs will have to wait. But if you need new sandals and want to support the business, put an order in now.
Is your favorite outdoor brand making a difference during the COVID-19 crisis? Send us an email here.
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