America’s 250th
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The United States Semiquincentennial, Quarter Millennium, Sestercentennial or whatever you want to call it, is a time to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. With the signing of the declaration of independence 250 years ago, a course was set to lead us to where we are today. Whether you’re backyard barbecuing, hiking, enjoying a day on the water, attending a parade, lounging by the pool, or watching the sky light up, the celebration deserves the right gear. Celebrating America’s 250th has never been easier with our collection of companies producing unique Made in the USA gear. Below are a few highlighted product reviews.
Freedom Fatigues
Hailing from just north of Detroit, in Clarkston, Michigan, Freedom Fatigues is a veteran and law enforcement-owned apparel brand producing everything from hats and tees to sweatshirts and jackets. Their collection of designs stand out in the crowd and can get you ready from head to toe. I recently picked up their Tonal Blue-Gray American Flag Hat and couldn’t be happier. Custom cut and sewn in America, it provides a medium profile with a pre-curved visor, cotton twill front panels with mesh in the back and an adjustable Velcro closure. For our friends on the range, it doesn’t have a button on the top, which removes interference with ear protection.
Among their extensive collection of range ready hats, ball caps, and trucker variety, you’ll not struggle to find something that fits the bill. Be sure to check out all of their other apparel for a complete setup or compliment with other options reviewed below.
WSI Sportswear & All American Clothing Co.
Proudly established in Eagan, Minnesota, WSI Sportswear is premier apparel brand producing quality athletic and outdoor wear. 100% Made in the USA since 1990, it’s difficult or near impossible to not find anything of interest in their collection. They’ve got women, men, and kids covered with everything from socks and gloves to tank tops, sports bras, leggings, polos, swimwear and much in between.
To compliment my hat from Freedom Fatigues, I picked up a T-shirt from WSI’s Freedom Collection. The SoftTECH™ Flag Tee lives up to the claims of being buttery soft, stretchy, and durable. This lightweight performance tee is perfect for everyday wear and the distressed flag logo on the front allows you to proudly display your pride day in and day out. A combined fabric composition of 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex, the material exhibits advanced wicking, snag-free and anti-microbial features. The SoftTECH™ material is available on designs beyond the flag.
This tee can also be found at All American Clothing Co. All American Clothing Co, based in Arcanum, Ohio offers an extensive collection of apparel, including WSI’s products.
Stop on over to their sites today for a wide variety of gear to get outfitted for the 250th.
BOA
If you aren't familiar with BOA (Built on Athletics), they’ve been a staple in the running scene since 1992. Founded by a competitive track athlete on the hunt for the ultimate split short, the family-owned company has carved out a unique niche. They combine serious performance fabrics with loud, "life-of-the-party" graphic prints. Best of all, they are one of the few remaining athletic brands committed to domestic manufacturing, cutting and sewing the vast majority of their gear right in California and backing it all with a lifetime warranty.
My 4th of July celebration kicks off with a trail run - though "hike" might be more accurate, considering it starts at the bottom of a ski run and finishes at the peak. Aptly named The Rundola, the course meanders up under the resort’s gondola. Don't let the short distance fool you: at just 0.87 miles, it packs a serious punch, climbing 1,810 feet at a grueling 13% average grade.
Based on photos from prior years, patriotic gear is in high supply among the pack. A core piece of my own kit is the shorts you see to the left: The BOA Men’s American Flag shorts. Featuring a split side-seam, an elastic waistband, and lightweight moisture-wicking fabric, these shorts certainly aren't shy about their patriotic expression. BOA offers them in 1-inch, 3-inch, and 3.75-inch inseams, but 3.75 inches is about as brave as I'm willing to get.
I’ve yet to give these a spin, but check back for a performance review after July 4th. I know I’ll be lookin’ good, but will they stand up to the what the Rundola throws at me?
Grace Alley
Now that you’ve outfitted yourself, let’s talk about a broader display of American pride - your residence! If you’re not already flying Old Gory or your current flag was produced outside the United States, we’ve got you covered with a number of companies producing flags on American soil.
Based in Rockledge, Florida, Grace Alley specializes in made-in-the-USA flags. From U.S. flags to military branch and state, this veteran-owned, family-run company can get you setup just right.
My house has been proudly flying the Embroidered US Flag, complete with bracket and pole kit. Crafted from durable Durawavez nylon, this flag is built to endure the elements. It features a heavy-duty polyester heading for extra structural strength, rugged brass grommets for a secure hold, and a four-needle fly hem to prevent fraying in harsh outdoor conditions.
The sleek, black aluminum bracket gives you the flexibility to display your flag at either a 45-degree or 90-degree angle. Engineered to be completely rust-free and wind-resistant, it comes fully equipped with all necessary installation hardware, including mounting screws, for a quick and secure setup.
I can confidently say the quality from Grace Alley is worthy of the investment. If you’re in need, check them out or one of the other companies producing flags in the United States.