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Post by hikerjer on Apr 12, 2022 21:04:21 GMT -8
Back in the day when I was just beginning to backpack, Gerry was a fairly well known name in gear and had a pretty good reputation. Somewhere along the way, their stuff just sort of disappeared until recently. Lately I’ve noticed Gerry clothing showing up in places like Costco, etc. This leaves me to believe the name has been bought out and it’s now being manufactured as Gerry but without the previous quality but, of course, I could be wrong. Any insights or thoughts? Is their stuff any good these days?
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Post by downriver on Apr 13, 2022 14:29:47 GMT -8
Gerry sold the company a long time ago. I think it was the early ‘70s (he died a few years back). Costco and Sports Authority have their gear. Seems like more of a lifestyle company nowadays. I looked at a few jackets a few years back, not my style. Pretty cheap regarding cost. Here’s some reading on Gerry. www.oregonphotos.com/Gerry1.htmlRegards, DR |
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ecocentric
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Post by ecocentric on Apr 15, 2022 12:08:32 GMT -8
Didn't they sell kits? I seem to remember if you had a sewing machine, you could get a nice down jacket and sew it up yourself. When I was a college student, back in the Neolithic Age, cheap was an important consideration. Much like carbon dating, my REI member number is 6 digits.
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 15, 2022 12:54:55 GMT -8
I don’t know recall Gerry selling kits. However, I do remember Frostline kits from the same era. Pretty good stuff. I still have a daypack and a duffel a former girlfriend made for me from one of their kits. That was at least 45 years ago. I still use the duffel on occasion.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Apr 15, 2022 14:05:45 GMT -8
I do remember Frostline kits from the same era. I think Holubar did kits, too. |
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ecocentric
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Post by ecocentric on Apr 15, 2022 14:50:49 GMT -8
Yep, I was confusing brands, you guys have fewer cob webs in the belfry.  |
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Post by hikerchick395 on Apr 18, 2022 8:26:31 GMT -8
On the thread drift...I still wear my down jacket that I made from a Frostline kit. Ha...just like some of my other older clothing...quality materials and workmanship last "forever."
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Apr 25, 2022 18:55:58 GMT -8
Didn't they sell kits? I seem to remember Gerry didn't sell kits but Gerry Cunningham, Frostline kits, Snow Lion, and Holubar to name a few were all part of the Colorado Font Range - Boulder 60's revolution in designing and manufacturing gear. Because of my family dysfunction, I cannot access the articles, but my father in freelance writer mode, took me along on a trip to Denver to make the circuit of those folks in 1967. The stories were sold to Better Camping Magazine, and they ran one on the Gerry family. We came home with a pile of Frostline kits. This was before Nixon went to China and the relative price of down was many more times what it is now. Much of it would not make 600-650 fill either. The only Gerry piece I ever had was one of their propane stoves. Much like the cultish Hank Roberts saucer tin. My first down was REI and then moved to better Sierra Designs. |
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Post by hikerjer on Apr 26, 2022 13:13:28 GMT -8
Man, those companies you named bring back some fond memories. Maybe it’s just me but backpacking seemed more innocent in those days.
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rangewalker
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Post by rangewalker on Apr 27, 2022 18:25:10 GMT -8
Man, those companies you named bring back some fond memories. Maybe it’s just me but backpacking seemed more innocent in those days. It was a period of real American innovation. Tents still lagged a bit. To me, tents really took off in mid-80s. I remember Gerry had some starts but Sierra Designs really took off. In the mid 60's when Gerry and others kicked off, it seemed other than Kelty and Camp Trails, most gear was European. |
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