Of a Kind

Why “Made in the USA” Matters to Topo

How the Topo guys show America some love.

“We’re global citizens and enjoy things made all around the world, but we’re very proud to be making and producing things in the country we call home,” Mark Hansen says. He and his cohort Jedd Rose design the sort of gear—cross-body backpacks and wooly camping blankets—that begs for a hiking trip to Joshua Tree or, okay, a Saturday morning jaunt to the Boulder County Farmers’ Market. Here’s how and why they keep the Topo Design focus on the U.S. of A. —seth putnam

Jedd: We go to Telluride for the film festival every year, and we see people there dressed to a tee with retro jackets or hiking boots they’ve had for 25 years. That’s the culture we’re surrounded by, and that translates to the gear we make.”

Mark: We get as much as we possibly can from the U.S.: Our Cordura fabric is milled in Connecticut. Another thing that’s a big feature in my mind are zippers, and we specifically get YKK zippers, which are made in the U.S. They adds a premium to the price, but they’re part of what’s important to us.

Mark: The building where our products are made is LEED-certified. When we’re creating things, we want them to have a responsible nature about them. Both of us are interested in not just green buildings but also green products, and that’s what we strive for.”