Meet the Makers
VT Gear Makers Festival celebrates companies that are based in Vermont. We love that folks are creating durable products and job opportunities in our small state.
As makers sign up to attend the 2025 Fest, they’ll be added here so you can check them out online before coming to see them in person!
With YourYuckies, stashing clean and used toiletry products in your backpack has never been easier. A convenient, discreet, sustainable plant-based solution to manage your hygiene needs and Carry In - Carry Out as you enjoy hiking trails in the outdoors.
Dedicated to the slow design movement, Ministry of Culture specializes in thoughtfully designed hats, waxed canvas bags, and sustainable clothing. We integrate low-waste practices, source USA-made materials, and emphasize reuse models to create high-quality functional pieces geared to last with a minimal footprint.
JenGreenDesigns allows the professional woman to go seamlessly from bike to board room! Check out our classically tailored pencil skirt: zipper goes up for easy biking; zipper down, and into the office you go!
Mola aims to bring a small scale approach back to clothing production with thoughtfully designed baselayers, mid-layers, & comfort wear. Mola apparel is designed for the activities we enjoy in Vermont from the Green Mountains to Lake Champlain.
Based in Stowe, Vermont, BirdieBlue is an outdoor adventure brand committed to generating joy and protecting our #birdiebluedays by turning OLD, discarded ski clothes into NEW personality filled, and sustainably created bags and accessories….keeping as many clothes out of landfills as possible.
Sluff Wax is 100% plant-based ski & snowboard waxes aimed at having fun on snow while protecting our mountain communities and the environment. Waxes are primarily Vermont grown sunflowers handmade in Huntington and are always PFAS free. Let’s go skiing!
Deliberate Life Designs makes handmade, minimalist running sandals for any adventure. Each pair is made to order selecting from a wide assortment of models, colors and even foot shapes.
Class 4 Designs is a bespoke and small-batch manufacturer of bags for the outdoor recreation industry. We craft simple, intentional products that will last a lifetime of abuse wherever your skiing, biking, or hiking will take you.
We're Bivo - The first stainless steel cycling bottle with a flow rate engineered for cyclists, (and astronauts! no really our engineer worked for NASA). We're here to empower people to perform smarter and think healthier for themselves and the planet.
Rim Saver is a lightweight, easy-to-install tire insert that protects bicycle rims and prevents pinch flat tires. Developed in Vermont, it’s designed for mountain and gravel riders who want to keep their rides safe by protecting their rims and tires from damage.
We are a plus-size outdoor brand revolutionizing the industry through inclusive gear and community building. Our mission celebrates all body shapes in the outdoors. Our first product, the Brecken hiking pant, offers comfort and durability.
We pride ourselves on a brand that is fully customizable, making each hat and beanie unique. Each is hand sewn and knit by women in New England. Our beanies keep you warm and our truckers keep you cool. You will never want to take your hat off.
Fifth Season Canvas creates compostable bike bags made from Waxed Canvas, Hemp, Leather and Brass; gear that lasts for years but not forever. Our bags and products are made by one gal in Middlebury, Vermont.
Tanglefoot Cycles makes tools for exploration.
Tanglefoot Cycles has a bike bag and soft goods line called Fifth Season Canvas, and a component line called Discord Components.
At Alpine Gremlins, we are constantly looking for new ways to make gear lighter and more packable. Our Dyneema® based softgoods will keep your gear dry and organized, allowing you to focus on the adventure ahead.
Adventurous Threads is a mobile and online consignment business that aims to provide affordable outdoor gear and reduce waste by keeping high-quality outdoor equipment in circulation.
Thuja
(thoo-yuh)
Professional quality, locally made, custom outdoor clothing.
Sandbox is a local, no-bound creator space set up to disrupt fast fashion through small batch sustainable production, custom projects and textile reuse. We are proud to offer walk-in alterations, tailoring & repairs, second-hand clothing, workshops, private events, makers swaps and kids camp!
Little Guitar - Big Sound! Hand-crafted from eco-friendly HEMP in Vermont and a true joy to play, ideal for travel and adventure!
Rugged Durability - Ultimate Portability - Exceptional Tone and Playability - Eco-Sustainability
SDR Clothing Company offers custom screen printing, heat transfer, small batch embroidery & design services from our union shop in Burlington, Vermont, as well as high quality, custom dye-sublimated cycling apparel for mountain biking and gravel/road biking.
Nunivak packs are fully custom and made to order every time. Built in a hallway in my parents’ house, you’ll discover that every pack is unique. You choose the size, fit, colors, and style and I’ll bring it to life.
Buggies Bags is a woman-owned adventure bag company that is crafted in the charming village of Johnson, Vermont. We prioritize upcycled materials for durability and sustainability, ensuring our bags withstand daily use and rugged adventures.
Max Jennings is an elementary PE teacher by day and a crafter by night. He has been experimenting with fabric and design through his business, Meet Max VT for 10+ years. His latest projects include flannel bandanas, cloth napkins, zippered pouches and fanny packs.
Authentic Sherpa brand. Functional, natural fiber products, handcrafted in Nepal for the active, caring, and outdoor lifestyle.
Crafted With Pride is the ultimate sourcebook of thoughtfully produced, quality gear made right in your neighborhood. It's the most comprehensive directory of Made in USA apparel, footwear and accessories ever assembled featuring 1,500+ companies committed to domestic manufacturing.
Founded in Stowe, VT, in 1982 by single mom Millie Merrill, Turtle Fur creates responsible, comfortable accessories for every season and adventure. From the iconic Turtle’s Neck® to year-round gear, we inspire you to boldly Step Outside Your Shell.
Dion and NeviTREK Snowshoes design, build and sell snowshoes. With decades of experience in the snowshoeing world, we can equip our customers with several options: from snowshoes for running and racing to winter hiking to general outdoor enthusiasts and first-timers. Our snowshoes are proudly made in Vermont, USA.
More vendors on the way - check back again soon!
Photos below from VT GMF 2024 by Evan Kay / Climb High Productions.
