This is huge news from Arc’teryx as clothing and equipment from their LEAF program continues to increase in popularity with US military customers. Even though you get what you pay for, cost can be an issue for some, but the biggest hurdle is the Berry Amendment which requires that textiles originate and are assembled here in the US.
They are kicking off with production of the Assault Shirt AR and Assault Pant AR which have already been selected for clothing programs within elements of the Air Force. Hopefully, this will soon be followed with the Recce Shirt AR, Atom LT and Alpha Jacket and Pant.
Read their release below.
Vancouver BC (Jan 2 2017) – ARC’TERYX LEAF, the technical leader in performance apparel and equipment, is proud to announce that it has committed to manufacturing in the United States in 2017 and in accordance with The Berry Amendment (USC, Title 10, Section 2533a).
Berry compliant products will allow Arc’teryx to establish its position as a provider of best in class uniform solutions to the US military.
The aim is to create approved, stock issued items, that are inventoried by our dealer network. Arc’teryx is approaching this capability in a scaled and opportunity driven manner. Phase 1 BERRY manufactured uniform products will include the Assault Shirt AR and Assault Pant AR.
“Currently we have not been able to satisfy large volume technical apparel requests by US Military units. Becoming Berry compliant allows us to become a true uniform supplier”. – James Harding, Director of LEAF Commercial.
Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF
Anyone else having trouble accessing the LEAF store? Getting a “Unable to set up your shopping cart.” error and curious if it’s just affecting me.
I think they are doing some maintenance.
Question for those who own LEAF Assault pants – how is the cut? Athletic-relaxed (loser at tights and tapering towards ankles) or more straight fit?
Crye seems to have changed their G3 field pant cut on model by closely following the Army’s relaxed ACU cut, keen to know if Arcteryx has done the same.
Thanks.
more athletic than Crye’s but less athletic than the predecessors, the Sphinx/Talos pants.
Thanks Phil.
Plenty of room in their pricing to retain that exorbitant markup and still make Berry compliant kit. Arc’teryx makes excellent gear but so does Beyond and Crye Precision; paying $500 for pants made in Vietnam is absurd when you can get the same performance at the same price point and support domestic manufacturing.
One man’s opinion.
The only issue is that Arc’teryx likes to portray itself as a leading top-tier uniform manufacturer with everyone else including 2 top US makers like Beyond and Crye falling behind. That’s the perception they’re after but it’s the perception which is also supported by the active duty members swearing by the brand.
There’s quite a bit of a $$ Arc’teryx spends on LEAF design and material R&D including slightly unique features they’d like to recoup through cheaper manufacturing and higher retail cost, afterwards.
None of the LEAF items are made in Vietnam. Prices will be higher for Berry compliant gear, but it will be made for contracts not for the consumer.
That’s true, however still not in the US.
They’re currently made in El Salvador, though.
Yes, if they were already made in the US, Arc’teryx wouldn’t be announcing that they were going to offer Berry complaint manufacturing.
LOL!
OK.
Hmmm
It seems to me that what is absurd is paying over $300 for a pair of pants that might cost $50 to manufacture in quantity regardless of where it is made. R&D costs on pants whose basic design and off the shelf materials hasn’t changed significantly in a decade simply doesn’t come close justify the cost. In my opinion, $320 for what are in reality glorified work pants are in the same category as $700 toilet seats. But then I am just a lowly tax payer, what do I know. On the other hand, Arc’teryx is a brilliant example of the power of good brand marketing.
Dan, it’s because you don’t understand what things cost to build, particularly in the US. You also don’t understand that the street price you see isn’t what the government pays for stuff.
Your patience with the endless stream of skinflints is noteworthy. One might as well hope Arcteryx LEAF transforms into “Welfare Tactical” and offers deals to hoi polloi based on perceived need, intensity of whine, and funded by those willing to pay retail and the meager profits earned on making Berry-compliant clothing for the US military.
So does that mean that LEAF products are now going to be a higher MSRP in canada?
Once again, this is for US contracts only and not for consumers.
I wonder this means they will move Berry production from Puerto Rico (US territory) to the Continental US?
Arc has no manufacturing in Puerto Rico.
We’ll see how this develops they’ve been shouting this for a while. Love some of the gear but the company has lost me and most my teams, I’m not in that circle . My Arc gear says something other than El Sal. Gear is gear if its good its good.. But the brands & the people can make or break it at times . They won’t care either way if they succeed here or not. Like the guy earlier said , perception is key for them. Do we know if Jacket or in play soon?
Actually, they do care. That’s why they’re doing it.
Check out the site.
Some nice updates and I was able to order the Xfunctional pant in “Harrier”.
Nice updates to the Khard and other items.
And yes, they do care.
Mike
Do you know if the Canadian Armed Forces is using Berry Compliant, LEAF gear?
No, they’re using Canadian content LEAF products.
One thing I’ve noticed when it comes down to expensive apparel in this industry is there is no in between, it is
always at complete extremes for price and their fan base. One group of people will swear up and down that the product in this case Arc’teryx is made by god and us average joes don’t know any better. Then there are the people who only rock condor and propper and complain about how expensive Arc’teryx is simply because they don’t make enough money to buy some themselves. While i do own several and i mean several articles of Arc’teryx i can safely say while the product is durable, simple, functional, and most importantly stylish; it is over priced.