Fuck Yeah Made in USA

I feel it incumbent upon me, with all of the factory videos floating around in the world, to create the Fuck Yeah Made in USA Tumblr. A few of the most recent additions to the world of footwear factories are below in all of their 5D glory! I’m sure I am missing a bunch of stuff here, so submit your favorites in the comments below. [Fuck Yeah Made in USA]

Comments on “Fuck Yeah Made in USA

    sinuhe on September 7, 2011 1:31 AM:

    The Stronghold is my obviously biased favorite…

    Ché on September 7, 2011 1:31 AM:

    Esquivel Shoes (Made in California): http://www

    Strawfoot Handmade (Made in California): http://www

    Kevin on September 7, 2011 10:33 AM:

    very cool post. not sure if you’ve seen this yet or not. pretty fascinating look into how a Steinway piano is made. Some great characters: http://www.notebynotethemovie.com/

    Matt P on September 7, 2011 11:36 AM:

    Nice. Looking forward to watching all these videos. Keep up the good work.

    Paul on September 7, 2011 12:17 PM:

    Shameless plug for my small factory/workshop:

    and
    http://alreadytv.com/tv/

    Thank you!

    Patrick on September 7, 2011 12:35 PM:

    Danners whole “Standards” video series.

    http://standards.danner.com/

    Jared Shepard on September 7, 2011 12:46 PM:

    Granted it’s not in the same ranks as some of these heritage brands, but Lincoln Supply makes great t’s and cotton items all made in the US.

    Robert Hohne on September 7, 2011 2:09 PM:

    Great videos. Looking forward to the tumblr. I’m not exactly sure why these videos would be any less inspiring had they been shot at shops in Canada or Mexico or Norway.

    MOA on September 7, 2011 2:25 PM:

    Great idea! Any chance you can turn the “follow” function on?

    Keep up the great work, Michael.

    -MOA

    Ray Hull on September 7, 2011 3:43 PM:

    Let’s not overlook the western front: ElPaso and the US cowboy boot industry centered there: Lucchese, JB Hill, Stallion, Tres Outlaws, Rocketbusters and some others, but these are the handmade, high-end makers, all featuring gorgeous custom design and made-to-measure works of art.

    http://www.lucchese.com/history.php
    http://www.jbhilltexas.com/index.html
    http://www.stallionboots.com/boots-thumbs.html
    http://www.falconhead.com/index_site.php
    http://www.rocketbuster.com/index.htm

    Giddyap!
    Ray Hull

    Max on September 7, 2011 4:05 PM:

    Soulcraft cycles

    A. Frankel on September 7, 2011 4:30 PM:

    Nice idea sir. Roy Denim has a pretty rad one here:

    Sean Sculley on September 7, 2011 4:39 PM:

    Wonderful and moving.
    An invaluable record.
    Nice to see such fine people making things with care and consideration.
    Thanks

    Dave on September 7, 2011 5:36 PM:

    Great idea, good job

    john on September 7, 2011 8:55 PM:

    aren’t wolverine boots made in rockford, michigan? not wisconsin as stated here…

    KENYAN on September 7, 2011 9:22 PM:

    Vintage Inspired Signage….. Made right here in the USA.

    Luv this post by the way MW…!

    http://youtu.be/LDI0eVLxYTU

    Whitley Weller on September 7, 2011 11:42 PM:

    That Mr. Williams is some “Important Shit”. Well done sir.

    CSP on September 7, 2011 11:56 PM:

    I know Red Wing is a client of yours, but Thorogood also makes their boots and shoes in U.S. (in Wisconsin since 1892). I just bought a pair, and they’re so soft and comfortable right out of the box.

    Mark L on September 8, 2011 11:04 AM:

    Mast Bros-

    Billykirk-

    RJ on September 8, 2011 12:55 PM:
    christopheraugust on September 8, 2011 1:45 PM:

    Brooklyn Circus

    The Ambassador on September 8, 2011 10:25 PM:

    Not to make the process any less interesting or appealing, but any idea what the factory workers’ benefits are like? Health insurance, retirement…probably non-existent. Hand-made, US made, is all cute and stuff, but who/what are we paying for? Just a thought.

    Jonathan on September 9, 2011 10:42 AM:

    This whole “I buy Made in USA because it must be better” thing is kind of stupid (and probably racist). Humans are humans, and if they make something with passion and love, and provide for their families – I couldn’t care less if they’re European, American, Asian, African or whatever. Celebrating Americana and seeing amazing American artisans is fascinating and awesome, but it doesn’t mean Americans are a better “race” of manufacturers just because they are American.

    And by the way, there are still sweatshop-like factories in New York City (garment district). That’s not something to celebrate.

    sinuhe on September 9, 2011 9:30 PM:

    Lot’s of great films in here.

    @Jonathan you just don’t get it. It’s not about how it’s made or what race makes it. It’s about supporting your community and your community will support you back.

    vintageoddsandends on September 10, 2011 5:03 PM:

    West Coast Shoe Company (Wesco), best boots ever made:

    Richard on September 10, 2011 11:43 PM:

    that dude Johnathan is a fool. ever been to China, seen the factories producing as cheaply as inhumanly possible crap quality items? I have. lots of passion and love there.

    charlie on September 11, 2011 7:53 PM:

    Jonathan…..I have been making clothing in the USA for the last 30 years. 20 years ago there were many many factories in NYC. the garment center. At that time, most were Union.
    You can almost count the factories in the garment center now on one hand…in the 60’s 90% of the clothing sold in the USA was made here. in the 70’s 75%..80’s about 30% so on…now…. less than 10%
    There is a connection between unemployment and importing cheaply made products from China…and what richard said..ever been to China…Talk about sweat shops!
    (don’t get me started on how china in polluting the earth…even more than us.)

    Simon Tuntelder on September 11, 2011 8:16 PM:

    Great idea. A good source for inspiration!

    Joshua on September 11, 2011 10:04 PM:

    Raleigh Denim

    Joshua on September 11, 2011 10:08 PM:

    Sweet, you already had the second RD video! Cheers

    BF on September 12, 2011 12:58 AM:

    Am I stupid, or is anyone else having trouble reblogging these tumblr posts?

    brennan woods on September 12, 2011 8:36 AM:

    Fucking brilliant.

    don d on September 12, 2011 5:17 PM:

    how could you forget imogene + Willie!

    https://www.imogeneandwillie.com/story

    Joshua on September 12, 2011 8:54 PM:

    I couldn’t resist this post:

    I think you would be interested in looking at some furniture.

    http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com/

    Beautiful, gorgeous, woodworking designed originally by George Nakashima. It is what I’d describe as Asian, American, Modern in style.

    http://www.leonardsdirect.com/pages/index.asp

    They re-size antique four poster bed frames. They also do reproductions. Very cool stuff.

    http://modernica.net/

    Mid Century Modern, manufactured in LA, streamlined furniture that is well built.

    Cheers to everyone,

    J

    Jonathan on September 12, 2011 11:10 PM:

    I’m know sweatshops in China are terrible. Of course! That’s not my point. I just say that people who think ‘Made in America’ is necessarily better than other countries are fools.

    Shaun Garcia on September 14, 2011 11:39 AM:

    Great stuff out of Nashville TN

    Daisy on September 16, 2011 11:52 AM:

    This is such an awesome idea! #USAFTW

    EJ in Philadelphia on September 16, 2011 7:29 PM:

    Jonathan, Here’s one argument for why a “Made in America” product can be better.

    The people in Brunswick and Freeport, Maine who manufacturer the classic L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Boots actually wear the boots they make and have an appreciation for what works and doesn’t work when walking around in typical Maine conditions of rain, snow, and mud. There’s some degree of confidence and trust in knowing that the people who make these boots also wear these boots and would be among the first to know if there were improvements that could be made. Extensive product testing and product improvement within an immediate feedback loop. If you think these workers don’t have incredible pride in their work, a real sense that the iconic products they are making are going out into the world as representatives and ambassadors of Maine, think again. Although it’s not impossible, I have a difficult time believing that typical Chinese factory workers wear or use or would take the pride in maintaining and improving quality in the products they make as much as their Maine counterparts. Also, having a good idea what a Maine winter is like, I have some confidence that a boot made by Mainers to conquer Maine weather will certainly be good enough for a Philadelphian. That’s my argument for why where a product is made/manufactured is important.

    O, and a decent L.L. Bean video of the boot factory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZmL8xZyipY

    Kyle on September 19, 2011 2:25 AM:

    Seconding Mast Brothers chocolate. They’re brothers with beards. And they freaking love chocolate. And sailing.

    http://mastbrothers.com/
    http://devour.com/video/the-mast-brothers/

    Seamus on September 19, 2011 4:21 PM:

    Come on, how could you not have Nokona on the American list!? These are some of the finest handmade, made-in-America, baseball mitts. They are a testiment to the glove making art!

    http://www.nokona.com/made-in-usa.php

    Don on September 20, 2011 1:05 PM:

    Seriously, do we need the profanity? It’s not only vulgar, but juvenile as well. You are better than that.

    Jane on September 21, 2011 12:20 PM:

    Rock on City of Red Wing.

    Bruce B on September 22, 2011 10:15 PM:

    Here’s the latest from Red Wing, about their Puritan sewing machines.

    http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-video-puritan-stitch-machine

    They don’t just hire Americans to make their boots, they employ a trio of mechanics just to keep those brilliant 100-year-old-machines running like the day they were made. And to the post that asked about wages and conditions in these factories, just take a look at those faces in the Red Wing films. There’s a reason for all the wrinkles: It’s a job for life that allows Americans to buy a home and raise a family.

    Jane S on September 22, 2011 11:22 PM:

    Thanks for having such a nice list. Where are all the women’s clothes? There seems to be plenty of things made in the US for guys but I saw very little for women other than jeans. Does anyone know where I can find some nice tailored clothes for women (that don’t look like they are made for old ladies)? Nice pants, button down shirts, sweaters, etc.

    Nneka on September 24, 2011 11:38 PM:

    Love this post! Here are two more:

    cydwoq shoes:

    calleen cordero shoes:

    Nneka on September 25, 2011 12:28 AM:

    Yuketen:

    Kevin on September 26, 2011 3:49 PM:

    Forgot about Lyon & Healy harps. Made in Chicago, i pass the factory on the “L” everyday to and from work. Totally fun to look in the windows as i go by. There’s 3 vids here after the first paragraph: http://www.lyonhealy.com/about.htm

    Alyssa on September 29, 2011 3:11 PM:

    Love to see all the American made products. Here’s another video for your list (Aurora Shoe Co. Made in rural, Upstate, NY using American materials):

    http://www.aurorashoeco.com/products/howmade.html

    Seanissey on October 1, 2011 2:11 AM:

    Filson still makes many of their items here state-side.

    Videos were obviously made in relation to the vans collaboration but still give a cool look into the Filson factory especially in part 2 of the video series.

    http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=R7sqrPcZah8

    http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=BicK3nfF5SY

    Patch on October 4, 2011 12:44 PM:

    Dusty Signs is nice and simple.

Comments are closed.