Don’t Let the Next Blizzard Catch You Unprepared

There’s lots of American-made cold weather gear that can keep you warm while you dig out from the next snow storm.

This past weekend, a giant snowstorm whacked the East Coast, causing schools to close and transportation to descend into chaos. Lots of people have been impacted (including our office!).

You may even have seen your streets de-iced with American Rock Salt (made by members of the United Steelworkers in New York). But what about the snow gear that you need? If you were caught without the snow essentials, looking to upgrade from your previous gear or are just trying to prepare for the next time it snows, we’ve got you covered. Here are seven Made in USA snow essentials that will ensure the next weathermaker doesn’t ruin your day.

Shovels and Scrapers

Perhaps the most necessary of all snow tools are some good shovels and scrapers. We’ve got two recommendations for you here. For a focus on shovels, try out the options from Rugg. The Leominster, Mass. company traces its roots all the way back to 1842 (!!!). Although the company began making wooden hay rakes, today its focus is the Pathmaster shovel, of which it offers many options ranging from plastic, aluminum and steel. Rugg sources the materials for all these options from manufacturers across the United States. You can find Rugg Pathmaster shovels at major hardware stores across the country.

We’ve highlighted Bully Tools before, but we have to shout them out again for their large selection of snow shovels and scrapers. Bully Tools is 100% committed to domestic manufacturing; all of its tools are made in Steubenville, Ohio. Much like Rugg, Bully Tools sells shovels made from various materials. They also sell them in a variety of different shapes, as well as a snow scraper for your driveway. Bully makes all kinds of tools, including those intended for warmer weather if you’re already looking ahead to that!

Hand and Body Warmers

Whether you’re heading outside for work or for play, your extremities need to stay warm. Consider HotHands. You can stick one of these warmers in your gloves, boots or coat to add some artificial heat. These products last anywhere from eight all the way to 18 hours at maximum. You’ll need to check labels, as some HotHands products are made overseas, but the company is working on expanding their Dalton, Ga. production facilities. We love to see it!

Gloves and Mittens

Of course, whether you’re using HotHands or not, you’ll need a good pair of gloves or mittens to wear outdoors. It’s hard to do better than Mainers. The company is based in Trenton, Maine, only 15 minutes away from Acadia National Park. That means way up north. That’s not the only reason its gloves and mittens are hard to beat, though — the company is owned by TempShield, which makes commercial-grade protective gear that can withstand temperatures as low as -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit! Mainers’ gear is not quite that intense, but if the company can make it work at that level of cold, it can definitely provide you with the best protection possible for these freezing January days. Mainers sources over 95% of their materials from the United States, and all of it is sewn into mittens and gloves in Maine!

Roof Shoveling

Your driveway and sidewalk may be easy to get to, but what if you need to clear off your roof? That might seem difficult, but you can make it easier with a roof rake from RoofRake.com. Not all the products this company sells are made in the USA – be sure check labels – but there’s a plethora of well-identified options for you to choose from, including those roof rakes. They’ll help you reach up there and clear off your roof with ease. There’s even options that will help clear off solar panels!

Sledding

You have to do those essential snow clean-up tasks. But it’s also essential to get out in the snow and enjoy it, especially if you have kids who don’t have school. Sledding is a classic activity, and the Retro Racer is a classic choice for a sled. The design was made by Confer Plastics in New York during the 70s before slowly being phased out. However, in 2023, Confer decided to bring the design back to celebrate their 50th year anniversary. Today, Retro Racer is still going strong, delighting kids (and adults!) everywhere. And it’s all made in North Tonawanda, N.Y.

Coats

Finally, you absolutely cannot be caught outside in this weather without a coat. We’ve got an entire blog breaking down seven USA-made coat brands for you to check out! The best option for this weather might just be Wintergreen Northern Wear. They’re another far north company, based in Ely, Minn., where it gets really cold. Plus, founder Susan Schurke started the company by making coats for Arctic expeditions! That’s how you know these heavy duty winter coats, tops and pants will keep you nice and cozy. Just keep in mind that these clothes are made in Minnesota with both U.S. and global materials.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.

Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.

For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.