MSR

So here's the thing about MSR - they've been around since 1969, which in outdoor gear years is basically forever. And there's a reason for that. Seattle-based MSR has been engineering standard-setting high-performance outdoor equipment since 1969. A commitment to quality manufacturing and innovation ensures customers are outfitted with the finest, most reliable gear available for outdoor adventures.

What's kind of interesting is how they got started. When Larry Penberthy, a Seattle engineer, inventor and mountaineer, founded Mountain Safety Research back in 1969, he was notorious. The guy literally started with a newsletter about mountaineering safety - not exactly your typical origin story for a gear company. But that obsession with safety and reliability? It's still baked into everything they make.

MSR product lines include: stoves, fuel, cookware, water treatment and hydration systems, shelters, snowshoes, snow tools, backcountry poles, and global health technologies. The majority of MSR products are made in the company's Seattle, USA and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities. Notice how they're still manufacturing in Seattle and Ireland - not exactly the cheapest option, but it speaks to their commitment to quality control.

The company's owned by Cascade Designs now, which also owns Therm-a-Rest and a few other respected outdoor brands. In August 2001, MSR was acquired by Cascade Designs. But they've kept that engineering-first mentality that made them famous. Their stoves, especially the WhisperLite and PocketRocket lines, have become kind of legendary in the backpacking community.

What really sets MSR apart is their repair-first philosophy. At MSR, we take pride in engineering the highest-quality outdoor gear available, and we stand behind everything we make. MSR gear is built to be exceptionally durable and easily repaired. And we back it up with the best service in the industry, all to keep your gear performing for you-and out of landfills. They actually have full-time technicians restoring thousands of pieces of gear each year. In an age of planned obsolescence, that's refreshing.

Their product range is pretty comprehensive - from ultralight backpacking tents like the Hubba Hubba series to bombproof expedition gear. The water filtration systems are solid too, which matters when you're miles from civilization. And their snowshoes? They've been the standard for winter backcountry travel for decades.

One thing worth noting - MSR isn't trying to be everything to everyone. They're focused on serious outdoor enthusiasts who need gear that works when it matters. Their stuff tends to be on the pricier side, but you're paying for engineering and durability. Today, we're a close-knit team still obsessed with designing the most reliable, high-performance gear possible, using our knowledge of engineering and science to find better solutions to the challenges of the mountains. Collectively, we believe that innovative solutions are bred by challenging convention, and that functionality, simplicity and reliability are the governing elements of enduring design.

The company's also doing interesting work beyond recreational gear. They have a global health division working on water purification solutions for developing countries, which is pretty cool when you think about applying backcountry technology to humanitarian needs.