New England is the hub for outdoor equipment design east of the Mississippi, rivaling epicenters in the Rockies and Pacific states for the sheer density of gearsavvy entrepreneurs and established industry players. And perhaps no state is more on the cutting edge than New Hampshire, where a bevy of small businesses are putting their products to the test in the extremes of the White Mountains.

STOVE ON FIRE Three years ago, JetBoil launched a lightweight, hyper-efficient stove system capable of boiling a half-liter of water in less than two minutes. Today the Manchester-based company produces the best-selling canister stove on the market, outpacing such industry stalwarts as MSR and Primus. “When it comes to designing products, our motto is ‘Test early, test often,’ ” says company spokesman David Eckels. The founders took early designs to the White Mountains, Eckels explains, and would demonstrate prototypes along remote sections of the Appalachian Trail, soliciting feedback from one of their core user groups: AT thru-hikers. “If gear is designed in the environment you plan to use it in, you can be pretty sure it will be ideal for your needs,” he adds. The 20-person company manufactures all of its products at its headquarters, a historic mill building on the Merrimack River. www.jetboil.com, 888-611-9905.

AIRTIGHT DESIGN The term “inflatable tent” doesn’t do justice to the revolutionary design experiments being made by Nemo Equipment. In place of tent poles, the Nashua-based company has created inflatable “air beams” sturdy enough to withstand rugged three-season use. “They’re really burly,” says marketing director Brendan Condit, “and the temperamental weather in the White Mountains has been ideal for testing prototypes.” Founded in 2002, the eight-person operation assembles the tents at its headquarters along the Nashua River. Like JetBoil, the company utilizes a renovated mill building. “There’s a lot of cheap mill space to be found in New Hampshire,” Condit explains. “It’s a great place to be.” www.nemoequipment.com, 800-997-9301.

ON THE WILD SIDE Wild Things has been creating specialized mountaineering equipment for nearly 30 years. Based in North Conway, the company focuses on ultralight gear designed for the planet’s most severe conditions, from the world’s highest peaks to the capricious winter weather of the White Mountains. “We work with local guides to develop products,” owner Marie Meunier explains. “They tell us what works and what doesn’t, and we make modifications based on their feedback.” The company’s clients include renowned mountaineers such as Mark Richey, former president of the American Alpine Club, and the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, which purchase several products for cold-weather military use. The company manufactures all gear domestically at facilities throughout the Northeast. www.wildthingsgear.com, 603-356-9453.

DID YOU KNOW?
Chester Greenwood invented earmuffs in 1873 in Farmington, Maine, today's "Earmuff Capital Of The World."

CHUCKING THE TREND In 1979 Chuck Henderson founded Chuck Roast, a Conway-based manufacturer of fleece apparel and accessories. “Everything we make has been used both here and everywhere,” he says. In contrast, most fleecewear today is stitched “over there,” in China and other far-off locales. Chuck Roast defies the odds by continuing to produce outerwear from its home in the White Mountains. “Staying local is a big part of who we are,” Henderson says. The company has carved a niche catering to environmental organizations, and is actively involved with groups combating climate change. “Wearing a Chuck Roast fleece is an expression of your values,” he explains. “Buying local fleece is the same as buying locally grown food. You reduce your carbon impact.” The company employs 18 people and runs an outlet store in North Conway. www.chuckroast.com, 800-533-1654.