Kryptek is Chinese for Camo?

[Bluto]

Color me disappointed. I'm getting geared up for elk season and decided on putting together a set of kryptek. After researching the company and the founders, and pitching the idea and brand to the bros in the squadron I started buying.

I was skeptical when my shirt showed up from Vietnam, then my Alaios pants showed up yesterday..."MADE IN CHINA." This should explain what I've seen about fading/piling issues, etc.

Anyone have other gear they can vouch isn't Chinese garbage? Core4? Kuiu? Russell Athletic?

 

[Stid2677]

Kuiu started out Canadian made, but now is sewn in Japan. I have been more than happy with all the pieces I have and like the Japan items better than the ones that were made in Canada, but much of that is they improved their design as the company has evolved.

You aren't going to find that much made is USA, that UNION label makes the items too expensive. Sad yes,, but people want cheap and cheap comes from cheap labor.

Steve

 

[5MilesBack]

Anyone have other gear they can vouch isn't Chinese garbage?

My Microtex is made in China, but I wouldn't call it garbage. I've been using the same three sets for the past 7 years and they're holding up just fine. No fading or pilling.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Beyond Clothing, Wild Things Tactical and the Arcteryx LEAF gear.

All of of those are US made.

Color me disappointed. I'm getting geared up for elk season and decided on putting together a set of kryptek. After researching the company and the founders, and pitching the idea and brand to the bros in the squadron I started buying.

I was skeptical when my shirt showed up from Vietnam, then my Alaios pants showed up yesterday..."MADE IN CHINA." This should explain what I've seen about fading/piling issues, etc.

Anyone have other gear they can vouch isn't Chinese garbage? Core4? Kuiu? Russell Athletic?

 

[Aron Snyder]

To answer your original question, yes, Sitka, First Lite, Kuiu, Core 4 and other all are sewn by the same 15 year old Chinese kids.

If they drank to much the night before, you could have an Opti sleeve, Highlander body, Vias cuffs and ASAT pockets

Not sure if ALL of them are sewn in the same factory, but if you've ever been over there, you'll know that the factories are pretty close.

 

[Justin Crossley]

There are very few clothes made in the US.

The piling issue is the one thing that I don't care for with the Kryptek line. It really doesn't hurt anything but for the price we pay for gear, it shouldn't happen.

The only pieces that have the issue are the Cerdic hoodie and the sides of the Kratos jacket.

Last year I used Kryptek clothes very hard and they are all holding up very well.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Have pilling starting on my Cerdic hoody after only 4 uses. Not a huge issue but as has been said it shouldn't happen on top tier manufactures.

 

[Bluto]

Steve,
I'm interested in Kuiu, tha is for the point out. USA made would be fantastic, but it's China that's the issue. Totally agree on the union!

Aaron, all good options there - thanks!

 

[dotman]

Yup hard to find hunting clothing not made in China, like Aron said all the top brand are made in China, Kuiu is made in China by a Japanese company incase there was some confusion.

 

[bbrown]

Just got a hoody from Wild Things for Christmas - seems great so far. Not cheap but looks like a quality piece.

 

[boom]

everytime someone brings up Vietnamese made stuff. i like to shout out, "it love you long time!"

for comical support.

americans are bargain shoppers..most of us are anyways. gotta keep cost down, and proft high. i get it.
my apple phone is put together over there..

 

[mtswampfox]

Bought several pieces from gray wolf woolen made in the usa by a really nice guy, jeff aulick, but even he admits finding usa materials is getting hard to make his goods

 

[AZGUY]

I think it is too common to think bad quality when it comes to China. As someone whose profession is built around sourcing, procuring, and contracting manufacturing from low cost regions like China and Vietnam I can assure you that the manufacturing proficiency (quality, delivery, and cost) of these organizations is often times better than anything you will see in the states. You have GREAT manufacturers in China and you also have not so great manufacturers that have a DPPM that will make you want to light your hair on fire which also holds true for many of the comparative manufacturers in the states. The stigma that has been attached to this has existed since the first big outsourcing push 35-40 years ago. Back then Chinese industrial standards were well behind pace with the US but since then have improved dramatically due to a more capitalistic government and cash inflow. True, the labor is MUCH cheaper and allows for greater margins (and many times hurts consumers pocket book less) but just because something says "made in China" it does not automatically mean that is of lower quality.

 

[Cross]

Books can be and have been written about this topic,


But the crux of this issue is that "best" hunting clothes available, are made overseas. Without the ability to dive down into a companies business plan or financial information. The biggest reason historically (and assumed in some cases) why things are outsourced usually comes down to money, and a lot of time just plan greed. This has equal responsibility with the company as it does the consumer and is the direct result of the Cost of Being Cheap.

I am not a supporter of the Unions but in this case I doubt they had a large part in driving manufacturing overseas, it appears to me too much of niche market as these companies seem to be small to medium in size. With pants that can run you $120, jackets running north of $300. These clothes could be made anywhere as they are top tier products. This also highlights a couple current and ongoing issues with the American economy. You can buy American made junk or you can buy top tier American made products but you pay and extra premium for those products. Their is no middle ground anymore. I personally know of American made manufacturers that are riding the wave of Buy American but are running into issues of suppliers of American made materials. As you can see this is a slippery slope, as more has been outsourced than just labor; manufacturing as a whole has been beaten down over the years.


Their is another aspect of this equation beyond just straight math, emotion. We are emotional invested into the products we buy, even more so with our hunting gear. We spend hours analyzing and comparing the products then we invest our hard earned money to purchase them. So I feel that I understand Bluto in expecting more from his purchase. I buy American made products when I can, I research them out extensively where does the material come from where is it built. I know they are more costly but for certain items that is a choice I make. I will champion buying American made products IF they are great quality product.


I said all that because I feel that why we would love a true American made product with price and quality to match our expectations it is much harder than some realize. I have only touched on one area but their are many that affect this exact issue and that are also tied into other aspects of the economy.


* I work in the field of finance as my profession and economics is an interest of mine.

 

[Floorguy]

I got to talk to Butch before I bought any kryptek gear to get the gear they make made in America would make it cost prohibitive he did not like the fact that it had to be made overseas and at least when I talked too him was trying to find a way to bring it stateside. I will say my kryptek gear while chinese made, I don't consider it garbage

 

[cody covey]

My Minimalist pants are pilling like a mofo but other than that I have no complaints. If they were made in america I feel this would still happen. I'm no pro on material or stitches by any stretch of the imagination but I do think that whether clothing is made here or there the fabric or material is still the same and only workmanship can be blamed if something fall apart. Could be wrong but thats my two cents.

 

[AZGUY]

Cross,

I think you make some great points and agree with most of what you say. I was merely trying to point out the stigma associated with manufacture of foreign made goods. I too have managed in a manufacturing environment where 90% of the assembly was done in the states, without unions, very successfully. This topic can be debated until the day is dark with the amount of viewpoints this can yield so I will leave it at this.

 

[Cross]

AZGUY,

Please don't take me wrong my post was not pointed at anyone just my two cents.

I agree with you about the stigma of Foreign made products I own a couple of things manufactured in Japan not because I love Japan, but they are great quality.

 

[Bluto]

Mostly sorry I just got back to this, but also sorry I wasn't a bit more clear.

I took an interest in Kryptek because the pattern makes sense to me, based on research, as an effective one. More than that, to support the fellas that founded it. I'm 18 years and counting into a military career, and thought it was a great story that looked to be behind a great product.

Initially looking up details, I help hope that it was American made - but not even really disappointed (and quite expected) to find the final product was imported. Lots of opinions mixed in with facts about the cost of textile production - but it didn't bother me that much. The first item I ordered was stamped Vietnam, which surprise me some but not the biggest deal. It was my Alaios pants with a Chinese tag that did it. My watch is Swiss, my boots are Italian, so it's not "imported" so much as where they're imported from. I draw the line at Chinese. I just refuse to contribute - the list of reasons long and irrelevant to this forum. (Feel free to assume!)

Make the best product, I'm all for it. Just don't make our particular sellout problem worse to...them.

It was just disappointing to see.

 

[dotman]

Mostly sorry I just got back to this, but also sorry I wasn't a bit more clear.

I took an interest in Kryptek because the pattern makes sense to me, based on research, as an effective one. More than that, to support the fellas that founded it. I'm 18 years and counting into a military career, and thought it was a great story that looked to be behind a great product.p

Initially looking up details, I help hope that it was American made - but not even really disappointed (and quite expected) to find the final product was imported. Lots of opinions mixed in with facts about the cost of textile production - but it didn't bother me that much. The first item I ordered was stamped Vietnam, which surprise me some but not the biggest deal. It was my Alaios pants with a Chinese tag that did it. My watch is Swiss, my boots are Italian, so it's not "imported" so much as where they're imported from. I draw the line at Chinese. I just refuse to contribute - the list of reasons long and irrelevant to this forum. (Feel free to assume!)

Make the best product, I'm all for it. Just don't make our particular sellout problem worse to...them.

It was just disappointing to see.

As said above you better stay away from all the top hunting brands and box store brands as they all come out of China.

I asked Beyond Clothing if they would offer the Kryptek patterns and was told no because they are a competitor. Checkout Wild Things, they make good gear.