Approved
Status: Approved59 brands in the Ledger.
Brands whose quality, ownership structure, and stewardship check out. Still worth buying.
59 results
Tools · Pliers & Cutters
Knipex
Status: ApprovedGerman pliers manufacturer. Widely considered the best in the world by tradespeople.
Tools · Screwdrivers & Bits
Wera
Status: ApprovedGerman screwdriver and bit specialist. Known for Hex-Plus geometry and tool quality.
Tools · Electrical Tools
Klein Tools
Status: ApprovedAmerican electrical tools. Standard-issue for US electricians.
Tools · Power Tools
Makita
Status: ApprovedJapanese power tools. One of the two dominant cordless platforms alongside Milwaukee.
Tools · Precision Tools
Wiha
Status: ApprovedGerman precision tools. Screwdrivers, bits, torque tools.
Tools · Power Tools
Festool
Status: ApprovedPremium German power tools. Dominant among high-end woodworkers.
TTS Tooltechnic Systems
Tools · Pliers & Cutters
Channellock
Status: ApprovedAmerican pliers, specifically tongue-and-groove. Made in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Tools · Hammers & Striking
Estwing
Status: ApprovedAmerican hammers forged from single-piece steel. Rockford, Illinois.
Tools · Hammers & Striking
Vaughan & Bushnell
Status: ApprovedAmerican hammers and striking tools. Longtime competitor to Estwing in the traditional hammer category.
Tools · Measuring & Levels
Stabila
Status: ApprovedGerman levels. Industry standard for professional framers and tile setters.
Tools · Precision Tools
Starrett
Status: ApprovedAmerican precision measurement tools. Athol, Massachusetts.
Tools · Multi-Tools
Leatherman
Status: ApprovedAmerican multi-tools. Portland, Oregon. Invented the modern pliers-based multi-tool category.
Tools · Multi-Tools
Victorinox
Status: ApprovedSwiss Army Knife manufacturer. Also kitchen knives and luggage.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Benchmade
Status: ApprovedAmerican folding knives. Oregon City, Oregon.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Spyderco
Status: ApprovedAmerican folding knives. Golden, Colorado. Invented the pocket clip and round hole opener.
Tools · Knives - Fixed Blade
Buck Knives
Status: ApprovedAmerican hunting and outdoor knives. Post Falls, Idaho. The 110 Folding Hunter is iconic.
Tools · Knives - Fixed Blade
ESEE Knives
Status: ApprovedAmerican fixed-blade survival knives. Manufactured by Rowen Manufacturing in Idaho.
Tools · Knives - EDC
Chris Reeve Knives
Status: ApprovedPremium American folding knives. Boise, Idaho. Sebenza is the benchmark high-end folder.
Tools · Automotive Tools
Snap-on
Status: ApprovedAmerican professional automotive and industrial tools. Truck-route sales model.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Tom Bihn
Status: ApprovedAmerican-made travel and EDC bags. Seattle, Washington.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Goruck
Status: ApprovedAmerican rucksacks, originally built for military use. Bozeman, Montana.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - Technical/Outdoor
Patagonia
Status: ApprovedOutdoor apparel and gear. Ventura, California.
Patagonia Purpose Trust / Holdfast Collective
Bags & Packs · Duffels & Weekenders
Red Oxx
Status: ApprovedAmerican-made military-grade travel bags. Billings, Montana.
Bags & Packs · Luggage - Softside
Briggs & Riley
Status: ApprovedBusiness and travel luggage with lifetime repair warranty.
Bags & Packs · Camera Bags
Peak Design
Status: ApprovedCamera bags, straps, and travel gear. San Francisco.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Aer
Status: ApprovedMinimalist EDC and gym backpacks. San Francisco.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Evergoods
Status: ApprovedTechnical EDC packs. Bozeman, Montana. Founded by ex-Patagonia and Mystery Ranch designers.
Bags & Packs · Backpacks - EDC
Bellroy
Status: ApprovedAustralian wallets and bags. Certified B Corp.
Apparel · Socks
Darn Tough
Status: ApprovedAmerican merino wool socks with unconditional lifetime warranty. Northfield, Vermont.
Apparel · Socks
Point6
Status: ApprovedAmerican merino wool socks. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Founded by ex-Smartwool people.
Apparel · Workwear
Carhartt
Status: ApprovedAmerican workwear. Dearborn, Michigan.
Apparel · Flannel & Insulation
Pendleton
Status: ApprovedAmerican wool blankets, flannel shirts, blankets. Portland, Oregon.
Apparel · Workwear
Duluth Trading
Status: ApprovedDirect-to-consumer workwear. Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Apparel · Shirts & Tops
Taylor Stitch
Status: ApprovedAmerican workwear-inspired men's clothing. Certified B Corp.
Apparel · Pants & Bottoms
Outlier
Status: ApprovedTechnical menswear designed and produced in New York.
Apparel · Shirts & Tops
Wool&Prince
Status: ApprovedMerino wool dress shirts and basics.
Apparel · Workwear
Round House
Status: ApprovedAmerican made workwear. Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Apparel · Workwear
Pointer Brand
Status: ApprovedAmerican workwear. Bristol, Tennessee.
Apparel · Outerwear - Heritage
Schott NYC
Status: ApprovedAmerican leather jackets and outerwear. Perfecto motorcycle jacket.
Eyewear · Prescription Frames
Moscot
Status: ApprovedNew York family-owned optician and frame maker.
Eyewear · Sunglasses
Randolph Engineering
Status: ApprovedAmerican aviator sunglasses. Randolph, Massachusetts. Supplies the US military.
Eyewear · Sunglasses
American Optical
Status: ApprovedHistoric American sunglass brand, revived in 2015 focused on the Original Pilot frame worn during the Apollo program.
Eyewear · Online Retailer
Warby Parker
Status: ApprovedDirect-to-consumer prescription eyewear.
Eyewear · Online Retailer
Zenni Optical
Status: ApprovedUltra-low-cost direct-to-consumer prescription eyewear.
Eyewear · Prescription Frames
JINS
Status: ApprovedJapanese low-cost prescription frames, expanding internationally.
Footwear · Heritage Boots
Red Wing Heritage
Status: ApprovedAmerican heritage work boots. Red Wing, Minnesota.
Footwear · Work Boots
Nicks Handmade Boots
Status: ApprovedHandmade work boots. Spokane, Washington.
Footwear · Work Boots
JK Boots
Status: ApprovedAmerican handmade work boots. Spokane, Washington.
Footwear · Heritage Boots
Viberg
Status: ApprovedCanadian handmade heritage boots. Victoria, British Columbia.
Footwear · Dress Shoes
Alden
Status: ApprovedAmerican dress shoes. Middleborough, Massachusetts.
Footwear · Heritage Boots
Russell Moccasin
Status: ApprovedAmerican handmade moccasins and boots. Berlin, Wisconsin.
Footwear · Hiking Boots
Keen
Status: ApprovedOutdoor footwear. Portland, Oregon.
Footwear · Sneakers
New Balance
Status: ApprovedAmerican athletic footwear. Boston, Massachusetts.
Footwear · Casual Shoes
Thursday Boot Co
Status: ApprovedDirect-to-consumer leather boots. New York.
Tools · Power Tools
Hilti
Status: ApprovedPremium professional power tools, anchors, and construction equipment. Rental and direct-sales model rather than retail.
Tools · Power Tools
Bosch (Power Tools)
Status: ApprovedGerman power tools, part of the much larger Robert Bosch GmbH industrial group. The tool division is a small fraction of the overall Bosch business.
Robert Bosch GmbH (92% owned by Robert Bosch Stiftung)
Bags & Packs · Luggage - Softside
Eagle Creek
Status: ApprovedAmerican travel luggage and packing organizers.
Apparel · Outerwear - Heritage
Barbour
Status: ApprovedBritish waxed cotton jackets. Five generations of family ownership. Wax jackets hand-made at the South Shields factory in England.
Footwear · Heritage Boots
Solovair
Status: ApprovedBritish boot manufacturer. Same Northamptonshire factory that made Dr. Martens before Docs moved production overseas.