The Ultimate Guide to Choosing outdoor clothing suppliers

The outdoor clothing market is vast, offering a wide range of budget-friendly brands, sustainability leaders, and high-end backcountry specialists. From years of firsthand experience testing various hiking, backpacking, climbing, skiing, and everyday products, we've compiled a list of the top outdoor apparel companies. Each brand profile includes a brief history, their most popular offerings, and what makes them unique. For detailed reviews and top picks in different categories, check out our hiking gear, ski gear, and winter gear reviews. If you need specialized recommendations, here’s a great place to start for the best plus-size outdoor apparel options. Our team at outdoor clothing suppliers is available for expert consultations.

Best Outdoor Clothing Brands of 2024

Patagonia

Location: Ventura, California
Popular products: Down Sweater, Torrentshell 3L, and Capilene
What we like: Well-built, stylish, and functional designs focusing heavily on sustainability.
What we don’t: Arc’teryx still leads in technical mountain apparel.

Founded in 1973 by accomplished rock climber Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia is a staple in the outdoor industry known for its vast selection of outdoor apparel. Their products excel at insulation, featuring both technical and casual options. The Down Sweater and Micro Puff are particularly well-regarded. Patagonia's dedication to environmental and sustainability initiatives is noteworthy; they incorporate recycled materials and responsibly sourced down, offer repair services, and sell used gear through the Worn Wear program.

Arc’teryx

Location: North Vancouver, Canada
Popular products: Atom, Beta AR, and Alpha SV
What we like: Top-end quality, craftsmanship, and styling.
What we don’t: Very pricey, and some may not like the trim fit.

As an industry leader in technical mountain apparel, Arc’teryx is revered for its high-quality hardshell jackets, including the Beta AR and Alpha SV. Although the prices are steep, the brand's craftsmanship and attention to detail make their products worth the investment for serious adventurers. One standout piece is the Atom insulator, known for its durability and performance, despite its high cost.

Marmot

Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Popular products: PreCip Eco, Montreal, and Minimalist
What we like: Excellent budget/mid-range options for casual outdoor enthusiasts.
What we don’t: A step down in quality compared to top-tier brands.

Marmot offers excellent value for casual outdoor adventurers. Their budget-friendly range, including the PreCip Eco and Minimalist rain jackets, offers great all-around performance for light outdoor use. Marmot has also made strides in sustainability, incorporating recycled materials and PFC-free DWR coatings in many products.

Columbia

Location: Portland, Oregon
Popular products: Bugaboo, Steens Mountain, and Watertight
What we like: Wide selection of affordable clothing and gear.
What we don’t: Quality and performance are less impressive at reduced prices.

Founded in 1938, Columbia Sportswear stands out in the budget realm with options like the Watertight II rain jacket that can handle moderate precipitation and are often available at great prices online. Columbia also offers a dedicated collection of big and tall options, further expanding their appeal.

The North Face

Location: Alameda, California
Popular products: Denali, ThermoBall, and McMurdo
What we like: Lifetime guarantee and respected insulation collections.
What we don’t: Strong at casual and hardcore ends, less so in between.

The North Face blends high-altitude exploration with casual wear, offering premium outerwear like the Summit Series and everyday favorites like the Denali fleece. Although they tend not to excel in middle ground categories, the brand’s lifetime guarantee against defects is highly appealing.

REI Co-op

Location: Kent, Washington
Popular products: 650 Down Jacket, Rainier, and XeroDry
What we like: Great balance of price and performance.
What we don’t: Doesn’t match the fit and finish of high-end brands.

REI Co-op is a community-focused brand that offers products with high-end materials like PrimaLoft, Pertex, and Gore at reasonable prices. Their gear, including the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket, provides excellent value and performance, making it a solid middle-ground option.

Outdoor Research

Location: Seattle, Washington
Popular products: Foray, Helium, and Ferrosi
What we like: Great value and proprietary waterproofing technology.
What we don’t: Fit isn’t as refined as high-end brands.

Founded by mountaineer Ron Gregg, Outdoor Research is popular in the Pacific Northwest and offers impressive products like the SuperStrand LT Hoodie. Their in-house AscentShell membrane is a standout for its weather resistance and breathability.

Kühl

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popular products: Renegade, Arktik Down, and Freeflex
What we like: Durable and functional on-the-trail clothing.
What we don’t: Utilitarian styling may be polarizing.

Mountain-based Kühl specializes in functional and durable outdoor apparel, from baselayers to down jackets. Their distinctive styling and attention to durability make them a go-to for rugged outdoor activities.

Rab

Location: Derbyshire, UK
Popular products: Microlight Alpine, Neutrino Pro, and Borealis
What we like: High-quality technical mountaineering and climbing gear.
What we don’t: Limited availability in the U.S.

Rab, a U.K.-based alpine specialist, offers weather-ready shells and down jackets that rival high-end brands like Arc’teryx. Despite being harder to find in the U.S., their quality and performance are top-notch.

Prana

Location: Carlsbad, California
Popular products: Stretch Zion, Halle, and Kanab
What we like: Strong sustainability focus and range of sizes and colors.
What we don’t: Not aimed at high-performance use.

Prana is renowned for sustainably made yoga and climbing apparel. They use organic cotton, recycled wool, and RDS-certified down in their products while offering a wide array of colors and sizes.

Fjällräven

Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Popular products: Skogso, Nuuk, and Expedition
What we like: Durable and stylish products.
What we don’t: Pricey and sometimes overly technical looks.

Originally a backpack company, Fjällräven now also produces durable and stylish hiking apparel. Their unique G-1000 fabric blend is particularly noteworthy for its functionality.

L.L. Bean

Location: Freeport, Maine
Popular products: Sweater Fleece, Ultralight 850, and Katahdin
What we like: Seamless transition from outdoors to everyday wear.
What we don’t: Limited availability outside the East Coast.

L.L. Bean is famed for products like their legendary duck boots and offers gears suitable for camping and mild outdoor adventures. They focus on casual yet functional apparel.

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Black Diamond

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popular products: StormLine, Alpenglow, and First Light
What we like: Strong lineup of backcountry-ready gear.
What we don’t: Narrow focus on climbing and skiing.

Although Black Diamond originally focused on climbing equipment, they now offer a solid lineup of outdoor apparel that includes shells, insulation, and accessories designed for backcountry use.

Norrøna

Location: Lysaker, Norway
Popular products: Trollveggen, Lofoten, and Falketind
What we like: Exceptional quality and performance.
What we don’t: Expensive and limited availability in the U.S.

Norrøna challenges Arc’teryx in terms of quality and performance with products like the Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light. They focus heavily on technical gear, making them ideal for serious alpine and backcountry pursuits.

Cotopaxi

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popular products: Fuego, Teca, and Abrazo
What we like: Retro styling and commitment to social good.
What we don’t: Not suited for high-performance use.

Cotopaxi focuses on sustainability and social responsibility, sourcing materials sustainably and allocating a portion of revenue to humanitarian causes. Their vibrant, retro-styled products stand out, though they are more suited for casual use.

Smartwool

Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Popular products: Classic Thermal, Classic All-Season, and Intraknit Thermal
What we like: The industry leader in merino wool.
What we don’t: Expensive products.

Smartwool is the leader in merino wool products, offering high-quality socks and baselayers. Their Classic Thermal baselayers are a favorite for winter activities due to their warmth and moisture-wicking properties.

Helly Hansen

Location: Oslo, Norway
Popular products: Lifa Stripe Crew, Odin, and Verglas
What we like: Proven technical fabrics and waterproofing tech.
What we don’t: Polarizing branding and limited U.S. availability.

Founded by a Norwegian sea captain in 1877, Helly Hansen remains at the forefront of technical materials and waterproofing. Their Helly Tech membrane and Lifa fabric are reliable for active use and harsh conditions.

Mountain Hardwear

Location: Richmond, California
Popular products: Ghost Whisperer/2, Stretchdown, and Crater Lake
What we like: Capable and growing collection of gear.
What we don’t: Quality and innovation have varied.

Mountain Hardwear offers premium down products and Gore-Tex shells, focusing on combining lightweight design with functionality. Their Ghost Whisperer jacket is a standout in the ultralight down category.

Eddie Bauer

Location: Bellevue, Washington
Popular products: CirrusLite, MicroTherm, and Guide Pro
What we like: Over 100 years of experience.
What we don’t: Popularity has decreased over time.

Eddie Bauer has a storied history of outfitting major expeditions and offers a wide range of outdoor apparel. Their MicroTherm series uses premium down and provides excellent performance features like stretchy side panels.

Montbell

Location: Osaka, Japan
Popular products: Plasma 1000 and Versalite
What we like: Leaders in ultralight insulation and rainwear.
What we don’t: Limited everyday appeal.

Specializing in ultralight products, Montbell excels in creating high-performance down jackets and shells for weight-conscious adventurers. Their Plasma 1000 Down Jacket and Versalite rain jacket are favored among thru-hikers and alpinists.

Where to Buy Outdoor Apparel

Shopping for outdoor apparel has never been easier with a myriad of online options. Backcountry and REI Co-op are top choices for their extensive selections and customer benefits. Many brands, including Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and The North Face, have comprehensive websites showcasing their full collections. Supporting local gear shops is also a great way to ensure a proper fit and contribute to the local economy.

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