Made in China versus USA

[WV Mountaineer]

As a Canadian the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA involves America, Canada, and Mexico) allows me to get an American made pack (kifaru in my case) for a much more competitive price than buying one made in asia because im not paying the extra duty I would be on a MR or kuiu or whatever. NAFTA really helps promote me buying an American made product over something made in china, which is good for you and good for us.

NAFTA only became reality due to politicians. NAFTA only worked well for our neighbors. And, only persisted because of the sovereign strength of the United States of America. I wish nothing but the best to our neighboring countries. But, I don't see any of their governments doing things to help American workers And, I don't think it is the citizens of the United States job to worry about sacrificing their quality of life to make any of the citizens of these places more comfortable. We have our own problems. And, I doubt a very large majority of Americans feel like NAFTA was good because it made things better for Canada at the expense of American Manufacturing.

Both these governments seem at odds to anything that resembles the growth of American middle class. Because they understand you can't have non Americans living like Americans unless you take that opportunity from Americans. Everybody wants to live the best life they can. But, world economies won't support that. What has been stolen from middle class Americans by our politicians, were given to citizens of other countries. So, understand Americans truly want the best for you guys. But, not at the expense of our own working class.

Back to point. There is nothing in any of these packs that could not be sourced here. Some will say otherwise but, it is not true. Maybe it would involve terms that weren't agreeable. But, it is only due to global competition that American products don't fit American needs. And, that is a politician caused problem. Remember that.

So, when a company like Kifaru makes the commitment to go the extra mile and use only things they can source here, it is unbelievable to me that they not be rewarded and acknowledged for doing so by a larger majority of American consumers. I don't blame or hold ill feelings to any company that outsources from other countries. But, we aren't talking cell phones here. Changing a few things about these Assembled in America packs, would make them sourced and made in America. It is really that simple.

I like choices. I own foreign hunting gear. Probably always will. But, my preferred pack will always be sourced and Made in America. That is my choice.

 

[Fins_N_Tines]

I messaged Stone Glacier and they told me all packs are Berry Compliant.

 

[snowcamoman]

Get your Berry goodies without a side of coronavirus!

 

[trophyhill]

As a Canadian the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA involves America, Canada, and Mexico) allows me to get an American made pack (kifaru in my case) for a much more competitive price than buying one made in asia because im not paying the extra duty I would be on a MR or kuiu or whatever. NAFTA really helps promote me buying an American made product over something made in china, which is good for you and good for us.

And how have Americans benefited? And I'm not trying to be disrespectful. What has Canada given the United States in return for our goodwill? I won't even ask what Mexico has given other than cheap labor to the auto industry and disrespect for our borders, not to mention they've become world leaders in drug trafficking and murder of their own people while their government turns a blind eye and criticizes the US every chance they get, but that's a different discussion. Trade wise, what is Canada doing for us? We certainly don't need help building autos. And don't say Canadian whiskey either. Even the Irish got ya beat on that

 

[easilyamused]

And how have Americans benefited? And I'm not trying to be disrespectful. What has Canada given the United States in return for our goodwill? I won't even ask what Mexico has given other than cheap labor to the auto industry and disrespect for our borders, not to mention they've become world leaders in drug trafficking and murder of their own people while their government turns a blind eye and criticizes the US every chance they get, but that's a different discussion. Trade wise, what is Canada doing for us? We certainly don't need help building autos. And don't say Canadian whiskey either. Even the Irish got ya beat on that

If youre asking how Americans benifit in this instance id say I sent my canuck bucks down to Colorado for an American made pack that supports American workers vs some other company for an asian made pack. Im not an economist but theres a whole lot of money that goes both ways over the Canada/US border (“U.S. goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $718.5 billion in 2018. Exports were $363.8 billion; imports were $354.7 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade surplus with Canada was $9.1 billion in 2018” - USTR.gov) and when it comes to mexico im sorry we got lumped in with them...and I didnt vote for our knuckle head leader, but being a Canadian Im required by law to be sorry for him too.
For the record my wife’s Rav4 was made in Kentucky and my truck was made in Flint, so just leave us to make the maple syrup!

 

[trophyhill]

If youre asking how Americans benifit in this instance id say I sent my canuck bucks down to Colorado for an American made pack that supports American workers vs some other company for an asian made pack. Im not an economist but theres a whole lot of money that goes both ways over the Canada/US border (“U.S. goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $718.5 billion in 2018. Exports were $363.8 billion; imports were $354.7 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade surplus with Canada was $9.1 billion in 2018” - USTR.gov) and when it comes to mexico im sorry we got lumped in with them...and I didnt vote for our knuckle head leader, but being a Canadian Im required by law to be sorry for him too.
For the record my wife’s Rav4 was made in Kentucky and my truck was made in Flint, so just leave us to make the maple syrup!

Ok. I'm alright with the maple syrup. As long as it ain't Log Cabin or Aunt Jemima. You got me on that one but growing up in Ohio, we had some pretty damn good maple syrup ourselves

For anyone who hasn't had maple syrup right out of the tap, you ain't lived yet

 

[netman]

I be loving me some Canadian Maple Syrup!

 

[trophyhill]

I like this stuff

 

[Jeremy11]

Agree with your sentiment I actively try to buy products that are;

USA
Australian
European
Japanese

Whenever possible.

Mostly with Chinese rubbish you finish up buying the product made in the above country's any way after the Chinese crap breaks....not that Australia makes too much any more the Polifilth sold us down the river many moons ago, now we are world leaders in gender bending and celebrating anything that degrades normality and the traditional family unit it seems...............the country WAS great once upon a time. The ANZAC's would turn in their graves if they saw whats been done to my country. Decades of writing socialist policy that encourage the stupid and degenerate to breed is beginning to bite us on the ass in my view.

IMO "your view" is biased and intolerant. Change with the times.

 

[Jeremy11]

NAFTA only became reality due to politicians. NAFTA only worked well for our neighbors. And, only persisted because of the sovereign strength of the United States of America. I wish nothing but the best to our neighboring countries. But, I don't see any of their governments doing things to help American workers And, I don't think it is the citizens of the United States job to worry about sacrificing their quality of life to make any of the citizens of these places more comfortable. We have our own problems. And, I doubt a very large majority of Americans feel like NAFTA was good because it made things better for Canada at the expense of American Manufacturing.

Both these governments seem at odds to anything that resembles the growth of American middle class. Because they understand you can't have non Americans living like Americans unless you take that opportunity from Americans. Everybody wants to live the best life they can. But, world economies won't support that. What has been stolen from middle class Americans by our politicians, were given to citizens of other countries. So, understand Americans truly want the best for you guys. But, not at the expense of our own working class.

Back to point. There is nothing in any of these packs that could not be sourced here. Some will say otherwise but, it is not true. Maybe it would involve terms that weren't agreeable. But, it is only due to global competition that American products don't fit American needs. And, that is a politician caused problem. Remember that.

So, when a company like Kifaru makes the commitment to go the extra mile and use only things they can source here, it is unbelievable to me that they not be rewarded and acknowledged for doing so by a larger majority of American consumers. I don't blame or hold ill feelings to any company that outsources from other countries. But, we aren't talking cell phones here. Changing a few things about these Assembled in America packs, would make them sourced and made in America. It is really that simple.

I like choices. I own foreign hunting gear. Probably always will. But, my preferred pack will always be sourced and Made in America. That is my choice.

The response above is the most reasoned, accurate and honest of all the comments to this thread.!!!!!!

 

[trophyhill]

IMO "your view" is biased and intolerant. Change with the times.

I too am intolerant of Chinese rubbish

 

[OldGrayJB]

American made pack components are definitely top quality, but it doesn't make sense for every hunter to pay top dollar for one. No one beats Kifaru's quality. They are also the most expensive pack I've found.

One post said if it costs $20 extra then so be it. I agree but in reality it's more like $120 extra. Sometimes $500 extra. If a guy only hunts 5 days every other year, there's no need to spend $800 on a bomb proof pack.

If a guy on a budget spends top dollar on a pack he'll need to cut back in other areas. Maybe he doesn't go out to eat. That will effect American jobs. Maybe he can't tip the American waiter. Maybe he gets his wife to cut his hair and now the barbershop is struggling.

This is very complex and I'm a big fan of choices. Sometimes I want the best regardless of cost. Other times, it benefits me to be cheap.

 

[Justin.Medcalf]

This thread has me rolling, I love buying American when I can but I just have to point one thing out....All of us on the Rokslide forum would not have it or be able to use it if it weren't for the Asian components in your computer that we all are using! Unfortunately we cannot produce the boards and chips needed to supply todays computers and technology all in America. Everyone of our computers has some Asian pieces in it that are vital to us arguing over buying American or Asian, I love the irony.

 

[Sniff]

It is interesting that Kifaru has figured out how to make a pack 100% American made, to include the sewing needles (as I've been told), but other US companies can't source it....hmmmm.

What Kifaru does is a model for other companies to follow...except for the t-shirts.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

American made pack components are definitely top quality, but it doesn't make sense for every hunter to pay top dollar for one. No one beats Kifaru's quality. They are also the most expensive pack I've found.

One post said if it costs $20 extra then so be it. I agree but in reality it's more like $120 extra. Sometimes $500 extra. If a guy only hunts 5 days every other year, there's no need to spend $800 on a bomb proof pack.

If a guy on a budget spends top dollar on a pack he'll need to cut back in other areas. Maybe he doesn't go out to eat. That will effect American jobs. Maybe he can't tip the American waiter. Maybe he gets his wife to cut his hair and now the barbershop is struggling.

This is very complex and I'm a big fan of choices. Sometimes I want the best regardless of cost. Other times, it benefits me to be cheap.

I think you need to look at everyone's prices again. This gets repeated over and over but it simply is not true.

Kifaru lite frame $350. Reckoning is $284 Total is $634

Exo Mountain Gear K3 Frame is $375. 4800 bag is $274. Total is $649

Seek Outside 5400 Lanner bag kit with frame extensions and lumbar pad is $606

Stone Glacier X Curve frame is $365. 5900 Sky bag with lid is $294 Total is $659

This is as close as a comparison I could make for bag size. I understand you reasoning about upper end packs might not be top priority. But, Kifaru is no where near the most expensive. It is only more expensive then SO.

 

[easilyamused]

I think you need to look at everyone's prices again. This gets repeated over and over but it simply is not true.

Kifaru lite frame $350. Reckoning is $284 Total is $634

Exo Mountain Gear K3 Frame is $375. 4800 bag is $274. Total is $649

Seek Outside 5400 Lanner bag kit with frame extensions and lumbar pad is $606

Mystery Ranch Marshall combo is $575

Stone Glacier X Curve frame is $365 5900 Sky bag with lid is $294 Total is $659

I understand you reasoning about upper end packs might not be top priority. But, Kifaru is no where near the most expensive.

Sure, Kifaru STARTS as being reasonably priced. But by the time I bought the frame, and a bag, and then another bag, and then 2 more bags, and a good assortment of accessories, and then a jacket it was well above the “650 or so” I told my wife...

 

[Lawnboi]

I think you need to look at everyone's prices again. This gets repeated over and over but it simply is not true.

Kifaru lite frame $350. Reckoning is $284 Total is $634

Exo Mountain Gear K3 Frame is $375. 4800 bag is $274. Total is $649

Seek Outside 5400 Lanner bag kit with frame extensions and lumbar pad is $606

Stone Glacier X Curve frame is $365. 5900 Sky bag with lid is $294 Total is $659

This is as close as a comparison I could make for bag size. I understand you reasoning about upper end packs might not be top priority. But, Kifaru is no where near the most expensive. It is only more expensive then SO.

People think you need to buy 500 bucks worth of pockets and accessories for your kifaru, which is why they appear so expensive. However that’s just not the case. You can grab a bag and a frame and be just fine for your hunt.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Sure, Kifaru STARTS as being reasonably priced. But by the time I bought the frame, and a bag, and then another bag, and then 2 more bags, and a good assortment of accessories, and then a jacket it was well above the “650 or so” I told my wife...

You could say the same for the other companies too. I don't see any of them giving you bags, pockets, jackets etc... for buying one of their bags. Oh wait..... Kifaru did give away free bags before.

Tell her that. :^)

 

[easilyamused]

You could say the same for the other companies too. I don't see any of them giving you bags, pockets, jackets etc... for buying one of their bags. Oh wait..... Kifaru did give away free bags before.

Tell her that. :^)

She knows the addiction is real. Ive worked down from begging for the first one, then reasoning through the need for a 2nd one, and now finally all I got was a big eye roll when she saw the most recent rhino on a box.

I just get that feeling when I see an expensive piece of gear that says “made in china” that im being ripped off from markup and middle men. I know that a good amount of what I own is made in big factories overseas and is paying for private jets and yachts but its nice to know I can support a small domestic company when possible.

 

[trophyhill]

Sure, Kifaru STARTS as being reasonably priced. But by the time I bought the frame, and a bag, and then another bag, and then 2 more bags, and a good assortment of accessories, and then a jacket it was well above the “650 or so” I told my wife...

Moral of the story?
You shouldn't be lying to your wife dude