I’m very excited to introduce you, if you aren’t already a part of the tribe, to Panda Poles. Owned by Tanner (TanSnowMan and Chief of all things Panda Poles), and located in my home town of Pocatello, Idaho (shout out to Poky peeps), he is making Magic Wands and doing it with style.
What are Panda Poles?
They’re MagicWand ski and trekking poles that are super durable, and built in Pocatello. They come with a very high level of customer service that most outsourced brands can’t deliver (almost all facets of manufacturing and fulfillment are managed in-house in Pocatello).
When designing your ski or trekking poles, you get to choose from two types of bamboo:
- The RA made from sun-dried bamboo
- The Toasty made from flame-cured bamboo
And although the bamboo itself is sourced overseas (finding “eco-friendly” Made in USA materials is a big challenge and almost impossible to find, so hey, there’s a business idea for ya 😊), Panda Poles goes out of its way to source the grips, baskets, hardware, and their shirts in the United States, which is a feat in and of itself.
Why Not Make Panda Poles Overseas?
As Tanner put it, Panda Poles is “dedicated to providing not only a more sustainable product for the ski industry, but a more equitable product as well. In a day and age when most of the money from corporations only makes its way to the chair members and stock holders, with a small fraction finding its way into underpaid overseas employees, it’s become ever more critical to support local economies that take care of employee[s] and community.” Amen brother.
Why Idaho?
Panda Poles is doing business in Pocatello, Idaho, because they prefer to be in the heart of the ski community. Plus, the cost of doing business in Idaho is much lower than other big western states. Panda Poles provides well-paying jobs to a handful of folks, which is churning dollars through the local economy and adding to the sales tax base. They are also leading the charge in providing inspiration to the local outdoor community. Building community has a lot of ripple effects, so good on ya Panda Poles!
What is the Panda Poles Tribe?
The Panda Poles tribe is an ever-growing group of individuals with a collective spirit.
“When someone makes the choice to ski with Panda Poles, they embody the spirit of that which flows with high intentions. The spirit of the mountains… The spirit of the snow… The spirit of compassion, integrity, freedom, nature, and life course through the vibration carried by our brand and in our products. And whether a skier skis with Panda Poles because the poles represent conscious consumerism, or somebody just plain thinks they’re cool looking, the vibration encoded within our brand has called to that person on a deeper level. We are a tribe. We carry the spirit of the mountains and the snow within us.”
Did you know?
Panda Poles also has a great ambassador program for those that want to help spread the word and sell magic ski and trekking poles in their neck of the woods. Perks are included if you fit the mold.
And did you know that a Panda Poles ambassador has the telemark speed world record, clocking 116.22 mph in the Spring of 2017 in Vars, France? Google it.
What piece of American Outdoor Gear does TanSnowMan not leave home without?
…other than Panda Poles products of course…
What’s next?
Panda Poles, like many other companies making American Outdoor Gear, struggles to convince customers of the inherent value in a higher priced product tied to many variables, higher labor costs being one of them. So, my plea is to:
- CHECK OUT Panda Poles and support a great business putting out excellent products, building community, and creating local jobs. And hey, while you’re there, grab a pair of MagicWands.
- If you’re ever in Pocatello, Idaho, stop by Panda Poles and say hello to Tanner and the tribe.
- Continue to check in with American Outdoor Gear Hub’s The Goods for information on other great companies.
- Get out there, face shots are waiting!
Leave A Comment