[1]Skip to content [2]Worse on Purpose[3](Open menu) Search the Brand Ledger[4][ ][5]Search [6]Brands[7]Methodology[8]Newsletter ↗ The Brand Ledger Tracking the brands that got worse on purpose — and the ones that didn't. The Brand Ledger tracks 466 brands, from the tools in your garage to the pans in your kitchen. Who owns them, what they used to be, whether they're still worth buying. Updated as things change. Search the Brand Ledger[9][ ][10]Search [11]Browse all brands →[12]Read the investigations ↗ Recently updated [13]View all → • [14] Apparel · Base Layers & Wool Duckworth Status: Approved Merino wool base layers, socks and outerwear made in the US from Montana-grown wool. Bozeman, Montana. • [15] Apparel · Outerwear - Heritage, Socks American Trench Status: Approved Trench coats, knitwear, socks and tailoring made in the US. Ardmore, Pennsylvania. • [16] Bags & Packs, Apparel · Backpacks - Heritage, Outerwear - Heritage Filson Status: Former Great American heritage outdoor gear. Seattle, Washington. Bedrock Manufacturing → • [17] Apparel · Workwear Carhartt Status: Approved American workwear. Dearborn, Michigan. • [18] Footwear · Heritage Boots Red Wing Heritage Status: Approved American heritage work boots. Red Wing, Minnesota. • [19] Footwear · Work Boots White's Boots Status: Watchlist American handmade work boots. Spokane, Washington. LaCrosse Footwear (ABC-Mart) → Verdicts • [20] Approved 147 brands Brands whose quality, ownership structure, and stewardship check out. Still worth buying. e.g. Knipex, Goruck View all → • [21] Watchlist 207 brands Brands with documented risk factors. Either recent ownership changes, conglomerate pressure, or emerging quality issues. Buy with eyes open. e.g. Starrett, Tom Bihn View all → • [22] Former Great 20 brands Brands that used to be worth recommending, but aren't anymore. The product no longer reflects the reputation. e.g. Ryobi, Filson View all → • [23] Avoid 92 brands Brands actively engaged in the enshittification playbook. Licensing models, post-acquisition cost-cutting, brand equity being extracted. e.g. Craftsman, Ray-Ban View all → Latest investigation [24]Made In America, Mostly: How to spot fake heritage Shinola calls itself “The American Watchmaker,” and 92% of its product pages never say where the product was made. Filson charges $149 for an imported flannel shirt. How to read past the heritage story, and where to find goods still made in the USA. [25]Read on the newsletter ↗[26]Read the archive → Newsletter Get the next one. Corporate autopsies on the brands you trust. Subscribe for the investigations behind every verdict on the Ledger. Email address[27][ ][28][ ][29]Subscribe No spam. Nobody pays me to say nice things. Unsubscribe anytime. Ledger [30]All brands[31]Methodology[32]Send a tip[33]Newsletter ↗ Subscribe to Worse on Purpose. New investigations and Ledger updates, direct to your inbox. Email address[34][ ][35][ ][36]Subscribe No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. © 2026 Worse on Purpose. The Brand Ledger is updated as things change. References: [1] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/#main [2] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/ [6] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands [7] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/methodology [8] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/ [11] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands [12] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/ [13] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands [14] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/duckworth [15] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/american-trench [16] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/filson [17] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/carhartt [18] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/red-wing-heritage [19] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands/whites-boots [20] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/status/approved [21] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/status/watchlist [22] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/status/former-great [23] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/status/avoid [24] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/p/heritage-brands-made-in-usa [25] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/p/heritage-brands-made-in-usa [26] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/ [30] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/brands [31] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/methodology [32] https://ledger.worseonpurpose.com/methodology#tip-form [33] https://www.worseonpurpose.com/