When is the last time you went shopping for backpacks, luggage or briefcases and saw the "Made in USA" label proudly displayed? It's probably been quite some time unless you happened to be looking at a Tough Traveler product since the manufacturing of most of these types of goods has steadily gone overseas.

Remaining true to its name, Tough Traveler (www.ToughTraveler.com) offers some of the most durable and rugged products of their kind. It doesn't matter what it is you are carrying with you or where you are taking it - Tough Traveler has what you need to take it with you.

From child carriers to kids' school backpacks and luggage of virtually all kinds, Tough Traveler has it all. Just think for a minute of all the foreign-made school backpacks that are purchased each year and all the American dollars sent to foreign producers. Workers in foreign countries pay no taxes to America, which translates into zero funding for the same schools we are equipping our children to attend. It also means zero dollars for library books when our kids need to write research papers, and it means no extra money available for grants or endowments that help send thousands of America's students to college.

In encouraging others to buy American, I am very careful to explain that we don't need change every single buying habit to have a positive impact on our economy. But if we would all just change at least three buying habits to purchase American products where we used to buy foreign ones, we can re-direct literally millions of dollars into American hands and wallets (maybe even a Tough Traveler wallet!)

Even though it is currently not the beginning of a school year, you can usually tell when a kids' backpack has long past carried its share of textbooks. Nancy Gold, owner of Tough Traveler, challenges you to compare the prices of their backpacks to the ones you find in the major retail stores. Once you do, she is confident you'll find Tough Traveler backpacks very price-competitive, and they will definitely last longer. This is one of those times when "you get what you pay for" really has a meaning.

If a new backpack isn't on your Christmas list, then check out some of the many other products available at www.ToughTraveler.com. There are child carriers, garment bags, hiking packs, briefcases, computer bags, duffel bags, handbags, purses, camera bags, video bags, and even pet products. Whatever it is you need to carry from point A to point B, Tough Traveler has a way for you to get it there. And of course all of their products feature American-made durability, so they're perfect for business travelers as well.

Want to know more about Tough Traveler products including maintenance, accessories and service after the sale? Just log onto the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section of www.ToughTraveler.com for more information that isn't covered here. Or you can give them a call at 1-800-GO TOUGH.

Ever since Tough Traveler started doing business 35 years ago, they have remained true to "Made in USA" and everything it stands for. With a track record like that, you can feel confident they'll be there for you to make sure you're happy with your American-made product. After reading the various testimonials from satisfied customers posted on their website, you get the idea that there is a reason they go by the name "Tough Traveler."

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