Patagonia is a well-loved outdoor brand with a rich history in mountain exploration. Founded in 1973 by accomplished rock climber Yvon Chouinard, the company has positioned itself as a staple in the outdoor industry with a vast selection of outdoor apparel ranging from hardshells to baselayers, accessories, and much more. They excel at insulation in particular, with a comprehensive lineup of both technical and casual products, including the legendary Down Sweater (casual) and synthetic standouts like the Micro Puff and DAS Parka (technical).

The North Face, a storied mountain brand with a rich history in high-altitude exploration. Their bright orange and yellow tents are a common sight at high-elevation basecamps around the world, and they’ve accumulated a high-quality team of athletes including pro climbers Alex Honnold and Margo Hayes and dedicated mountaineers Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker

Vancouver-based, Arc’teryx is one of the market’s best outdoor clothing brands, hands down. It’s not the cheapest brand on the market, but their gear will last forever (literally). They make gear of the highest quality, and it shows. Made for hiking, rock-climbing and other technical sports, Arc’teryx gear is made for every type of adventure. Although they are known for high-quality outdoor clothing and technical apparel, they also sell a wide variety of accessories, climbing gear and backpacks.

Marmot is one of those companies that offers the golden combination of good quality and reasonable prices.  Although they produce great outdoor apparel, Marmot also specializes in outdoor gear, like winter jackets, merino wool, technical apparel, rain gear and backpacks. This is one of the few brands that has all kinds of travel gear for sale on its website, including backpacking tents of varying sizes.

Named after the famous volcano in Ecuador, Cotopaxi is a company with a social conscience. I love these guys because they created the Cotopaxi Foundation, which funds sustainable poverty alleviation projects. 1% of their annual revenue goes towards these different organizations, so you can buy their clothing knowing you’re contributing to something good. The outerwear on offer with Cotopaxi is on the lower end of the price scale, but the company hasn’t compromised on quality. Their colorful line of parkas and fleeces are extremely comfortable. And their hoodies and tees are produced with recycled and organic materials.

REI Co-op is well respected among outdoor lovers all over America, and for good reason. With more than 180 stores across the U.S., excellent sales throughout the year, and a host of member benefits, REI stands out as a community-focused brand with a strong commitment to the outdoors. In addition, REI is involved in a number of environmental and community initiatives, conservation efforts, and sustainability practices within its own line of outdoor apparel and gear.

Columbia Sportswear is one of those outdoor brands that has just about everything you could possibly want when it comes to clothing. Whether you’re skiing, hiking or even fishing, Columbia is a brand that is guaranteed to fit you out in style. Specializing in clothing and apparel, Columbia sells high-end jackets, pullovers, and base layers. However, they also sell backs, coolers, and other equipment for travel. Essentially, they stock everything you could ever need for your trip.

The company was founded by mountaineer Ron Gregg after a climbing partner experienced frostbite from a pair of poorly designed gaiters on Alaska’s Denali in 1980. Since then, Outdoor Research has expanded its focus considerably and covers activities ranging from hiking to skiing, with a particularly well-executed selection of shells and insulation (both down and synthetic)

Originally Alfwear, Kühl’s story began in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, where the brand’s founders (including aforementioned legendary mountaineer Conrad Anker) had a goal of creating functional skiing and mountaineering clothing and accessories. Now, almost 40 years later, the brand has evolved into a big-time player in the outdoor apparel world and especially in the lifestyle and hiking realms. From baselayers to down and winter jackets, Kühl offers a nice selection of competitively priced options that will stand up to regular use and abuse.

Originally from New Zealand, this outdoor brand has virtually everything you could ever need for almost every type of outdoor activity. From carry-on backpacks to sleeping bags to rain covers for your luggage, Kathmandu has something for every category. The company also sells clothing, most of which are made using merino wool. There are tons of benefits to wearing merino wool. But the biggest benefit is that it can regulate your body temperature while also staying odor resistant—a huge help for those showerless, multi-day treks! However, Kathmandu produces more than just outdoor clothes for traveling. Their v-neck sweaters, scarves, and pullovers can also be worn lounging at home or spending a day exploring the city.

Black Diamond is one of my favorite outdoor clothing brands to specialize in outdoor sports equipment and accessories. They manufacture stuff for almost every type of activity imaginable! Climbing, skiing, mountain and trail trekking – Black Diamond has it all. One of their best selling items is the spring-loaded camming device for rock climbers. However, check out their site for other accessories like helmets, harnesses, tents, and carabiners. If you’re looking for clothing, then Black Diamond also has you covered. They sell jackets, hoodies, gloves and hats to keep you warm and cozy during your trip.

Berghaus is one of the biggest outdoor clothing brands in the United Kingdom and Europe. Their collection of clothing and footwear is suitable for a wide range of activities, like climbing, biking, and mountaineering. Their insulated jackets and mid layers are perfect for staying warm and cozy no matter where you are in the world. They also sell a collection of items built with Gore-Tex tech, the absolute standard in waterproof clothing. If you’re trekking through rain or snow, you won’t want to go anywhere with Gore-Tex boots or pants. Berghaus also takes measures to ensure that its brands remain environmentally and ethically conscious. They use recycled materials and energy efficient dying processes to produce their clothing. They have also partnered with the John Muir Trust, European Outdoor Conservation Association, and Community Action Nepal to support local projects in different communities.

Fjällräven started in 1960 as a backpack company, and the brand’s Kanken packs and bags remain a mainstay in their lineup to this day. However, the Swedish brand has grown significantly since its inception and is now equally lauded for its collection of upscale hiking apparel. From winter jackets to down parkas, hiking pants, and trekking tights, Fjällräven’s products are stylish, durable, and highly capable in mountain environments.

Wool clothing can be warm, but it’s often itchy and hard to clean or take care of. But not Smartwool! This innovated company has designed a line of itch-free, moisture-wicking and shrink-resistant wool products for different types of outdoor activities. They make base layers to keep you warm, breathable undergarments to keep odors at bay, and even socks and scarfs for winter.

Not many brands can hold a candle to Arc’teryx in terms of outright quality or performance, but Norway-based Norrøna comes pretty darn close. Their hardshell lineup is particularly well executed, including the flagship Trollveggen and ski-focused Lofoten.

Mountain Hardwear was founded in 1993 in Richmond, California by a small group of former employees of Sierra Designs led by Jack Gilbert. Soon after, Mountain Hardwear’s first sponsored athlete, Ed Viesturs, the first American to climb all fourteen 8,000 meter peaks, helped develop several of the company’s products. Today, Mountain Hardwear continues to associate with elite Alpine athletes.

You can’t talk about backpacking without mentioning one of the biggest backpack brands, Osprey. Focusing predominantly on bags, Osprey has a huge range of backpacks for every kind of travel—like the Osprey ATMOS 65, a classic hiking backpack. They also have different bags for cycling, biking, climbing, and even diving! Within the products section on their site, you can shop by activity – this will help you find the exact bag you need, no matter what type of journey you’re embarking on.

Icebreaker is a merino wool outdoor and natural performance outdoor clothing brand headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. It was purchased by VF Corporation, a NYSE listed entity in 2018. Icebreaker was conceived and designed around the philosophy of sustainability, using natural fibres, environmental and social ethics, and animal welfare. The company began by specialising in the creation of merino base layers and now offers underwear, mid layers, outer wear, socks and accessories based on natural fibres. Icebreaker was founded in 1995 by Jeremy Moon, and now supplies its clothing to more than 4,700 stores in 50 countries.

Salomon was founded in 1947 in the city of Annecy in the heart of the French Alps. François Salomon launched the company by producing ski edges in a small workshop, with only his wife and son, Georges, to help. Georges Salomon is credited with taking the company and evolving it toward the global outdoor sports brand it is today. The Salomon Group was purchased by Adidas in 1997 and the official name was changed to Adidas-Salomon AG. The purchase also included TaylorMade and Maxfli. Adidas then later sold the company to Amer Sports in 2005.

Whether you’re trekking through the mountains or skiing down the slopes, Helly Hansen has you covered. Literally. As one of the biggest brands to come out of Norway, Helly Hansen has produced outdoor equipment for almost 150 years. Although they sell a wide range of sports gear and accessories, they specialize in outdoor apparel. Their down jackets, parkas, and rain shells are moderately priced, especially considering the high level of quality. Helly Hansen has also designed a line of life and leisure wear, ideal for hanging around the house or hitting the beach. This is one of the few brands on the market that sells fashionable stuff like swimsuits, dresses, and underwear.

Big Agnes specializes in tents, sleeping pads, camp furniture, duffels, travel bags, apparel and accessories. Founded by Bill Gamber back in 2001 and based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Big Agnes has grown into a successful, sustainability-focused, global leader in the outdoor industry.

The multi-national mega corportation that is Addidas is branching out into the outdoor industry. They have made leaps and bounds towards achieving their goal of being one of the top 4 outdoor companies in the world by 2025.

The company was started by Adolf Dassler in his mother’s house. He was joined by his elder brother Rudolf in 1924 under the name Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (“Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory”). Dassler assisted in the development of spiked running shoes (spikes) for multiple athletic events. To enhance the quality of spiked athletic footwear, he transitioned from a previous model of heavy metal spikes to utilising canvas and rubber.

Dassler persuaded U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens to use his handmade spikes at the 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1949, following a breakdown in the relationship between the brothers, Adolf created Adidas and Rudolf established Puma, which became Adidas’s business rival.

With over 700 stores across the world, German-based company Jack Wolfskin is one of the largest brands for outdoor apparel and sports equipment. They sell everything from pants and fleeces to travel packs and sleeping bags. And if you’re taking your little ones up to the mountain with you, they also have big selection of jackets, tops and footwear to purchase for kids.

Check them out online and browse through hundreds of items for everyday travel, hiking, or skiing. You can even shop through their collection of recycled pants and jackets, which are made from 100% recyclable fabrics! Now you can do your part in protecting the environment while also looking super stylish.

In 1992, the founders of Prana set out to create sustainably made and stylish yoga and climbing apparel, and the brand has mostly stayed true to those roots. Today, Prana is an industry leader in eco-friendly practices, including the use of organic cotton, recycled wool, RDS-certified down, and bluesign-approved fabrics in their clothing. They’re also inviting other brands to join their Responsible Packaging Movement in a collaborative effort to help reduce packaging waste across the entire industry. Prana often offers each piece in a wide array of colors and sizes making the brand very pleasing in the aesthetics department.

La Sportiva is a footwear brand founded in 1928 by Narciso Delladio in Italy. He started his business by manufacturing boots and clogs for farmers and lumberjacks. In World War II, he helped to provide Italy’s soldiers with custom mountaineering boots. In the 1950s, he began to make ski boots and first introduced the brand name of La Sportiva. Today, La Sportiva is a popular brand of footwear for mountaineering, climbing and skiing. Its products are widely available in Europe and North America. In January 2024, it opened its first physical store in Boulder, Colorado. It sponsors athletes across a number of sports including trail running, rock climbing, ice climbing, alpine climbing and skiing. Among those athletes, Tommy Caldwell has received national attention with his partner Kevin Jorgeson when they made the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall in Yosemite, California.