Patagonia is a well-known outdoor clothing brand with a long history of mountain exploration. Founded in 1973 by successful rock climber Yvon Chouinard, the brand has established itself as a staple in the outdoor market, offering a wide range of outdoor apparel from hard shells to baselayers, accessories, and much more. They excel at insulation, particularly with a diverse range of technical and casual items, including the renowned Down Sweater and synthetic standouts like the Micro Puff and DAS Light Hoody.

Patagonia spends a lot of time and money on environmental and sustainability initiatives, such as incorporating recycled materials and responsibly sourced down into their products, offering repair services (at select locations and via mail), and selling used gear through their Worn Wear program. Although Arc'teryx is the undisputed champion in technical mountain equipment, Patagonia gear consistently crosses over nicely between daily and backcountry uses. Expect to spend a little extra for the cachet and Patagonia emblem, but the transparency and stewardship efforts help to justify the expense.

Founded: 1973
Headquarters: California, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patagonia/

Official website: https://www.patagonia.com/home/

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Marmot is a terrific value for the casual outdoor enthusiast. Marmot's blend of cost and quality will leave you impressed with everything from winter jackets to rain gear and ski shells. They do have a few notable high-end performance pieces, such as the Gore-Tex-equipped Orion ski jacket ($500) and mountain-ready Alpinist Jacket ($650), but their strength is in the budget/mid-range bracket.

Some of the most popular Marmot products include the PreCip and Minimalist rain jackets, as well as the Montreal Down Coat, both of which are far less expensive than the competitors and provide excellent all-around performance for light outdoor use. Marmot, like Patagonia, has made significant sustainability advancements in recent years, including the use of recycled materials and PFC-free DWR coatings on several of its goods. Backcountry professionals searching for robust protection and a full package of technical features should look elsewhere, but the value is hard to top for hiking, summer backpacking, around-town use, and other casual hobbies.

Founded: 1974

Headquarters: California, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marmot/
Official website: https://www.marmot.com/

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Columbia Sportswear was founded in 1938 as a hat dealer and has subsequently expanded to represent casual outdoor gear. The company designs and distributes a wide range of outdoor clothing, footwear, accessories, and equipment for men, women, and children. They're particularly notable in the budget category, with huge ranges of clothing and footwear that significantly undercut the competition. Their Watertight II rain jacket is a prime example: It has a sturdy, 2-layer design that can endure moderate precipitation and short jaunts on the trail with considerable comfort.

Columbia Sportswear is known for its cutting-edge technology, such as Omni-Shade, which provides sun protection, and Omni-Tech, which gives waterproof and breathable protection. The company's goods are functional, sturdy, and stylish, and are appropriate for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, and fishing. Columbia items are available at its retail locations as well as through a network of approved retailers and e-commerce websites. In addition, the company has a strong online presence and provides a variety of services, such as free shipping and returns, product warranties, and customer support.

Founded: 1938
Headquarters: Oregon, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbia1938/

Official website: https://www.columbia.com/

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The North Face is a legendary mountaineering brand with a long history of high-altitude exploration. Their bright orange and yellow tents may be found at high-elevation basecamps all around the world, and they've amassed a talented squad of athletes. The North Face is well-known for producing high-quality outerwear that is utilitarian, durable, and fashionable. In its goods, the corporation employs cutting-edge technology such as Gore-Tex, which provides waterproof and breathable protection, and Heatseeker, which provides insulation in cold conditions.

The North Face has a large selection of products for various outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, and climbing. The company's products are designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and are suited for a variety of weather conditions. TNF's Summit Series, which includes the big mountain-ready Tsirku Futurelight hardshell ($750) as well as more approachable down and synthetic jackets, is unquestionably premium gear designed for severe environments and strenuous pursuits. The North Face is also devoted to sustainability and has undertaken a number of steps to lessen its environmental effect.

Founded: 1966

Headquarters: California, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenorthface/
Official website: https://www.thenorthface.com/

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REI Co-op is well known among outdoor enthusiasts around the country, and for good reason. REI stands out as a community-focused business with a strong connection to the outdoors, with 168 stores across the United States, good sales throughout the year, and a slew of member benefits (including a monthly dividend, access to garage sales, and savings on gear rentals and shop services). Furthermore, REI participates in a variety of environmental and community programs, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices within its own line of outdoor wear and gear.

REI committed to producing their own clothes in 2014 and swiftly created a well-rounded collection that includes everything from hard shells to down jackets, winter parkas, and more. Today, the company uses premium materials from companies like PrimaLoft, Pertex, and Gore, with popular options like the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket and XeroDry rain shell incorporating high-end textiles at low pricing. They also recently entered the ski world with their Powderbound and Gore-Tex-equipped First Chair ranges.

Founded: 1938
Headquarters: Washington, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rei/

Official website: https://www.rei.com/b/rei-co-op

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Unlike the brands mentioned above, Seattle-based Outdoor Research (OR) is well-known in one region of the country in particular: the Pacific Northwest. Mountaineer Ron Gregg established the firm after a climbing partner got frostbite from a pair of poorly built gaiters on Alaska's Denali in 1980. Since then, the brand's focus has shifted significantly, and it now encompasses activities ranging from hiking to skiing, with a particularly well-executed assortment of shells and insulation (both down and synthetic).

The company provides a diverse selection of items for various outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, and camping. Their product range includes jackets, pants, shorts, shirts, hoodies, fleece, base layers, footwear, gloves, hats, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and more. Outdoor Research is known for producing high-quality goods that are functional, long-lasting, and inventive. In order to provide better performance and protection for outdoor lovers, the company incorporates sophisticated technologies into its products.

Founded: 1981

Headquarters: Washington, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorresearch/
Official website: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/

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Kuhl ranks 7th on the list of the best outdoor clothing brands in the US. Originally known as Alfwear, Kuhl's journey began in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, where the brand's founders (including the aforementioned great mountaineer Conrad Anker) set out to create effective skiing and mountaineering clothing and accessories. Now, almost forty years later, the brand has matured into a major participant in the outdoor wear industry, particularly in the lifestyle and hiking categories.

In general, Kuhl products are renowned for their distinct and often utilitarian style. The Arktik Down Parka, for example, has a hefty shell, a faux-fur hood, and standout paneling along the shoulders and elbows, especially in darker colors. However, Kuhl excels in the durability aspect, and the craftsmanship is great. You will be particularly pleased with their hiking pant lines, including the renowned Renegade. From baselayers to down and winter coats, Kuhl has an excellent assortment of reasonably priced alternatives that will withstand regular wear and abuse.

Founded: 1983
Headquarters: Utah, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuhl/
Official website: https://www.kuhl.com/

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The founders of prAna started out to make sustainably made and beautiful yoga and climbing apparel in 1992, and the company has mostly stayed true to those ideas. Today, Prana is an industry pioneer in eco-friendly methods, such as the usage of organic cotton, recycled wool, RDS-certified down, and bluesign-approved textiles in their clothes. They're also encouraging other firms to join their Responsible Packaging Movement in a collaborative effort to help reduce packaging waste throughout the industry.

One standout in prAna's current collection is their Stretch Zion II pant (and women's Halle II), which is one of our go-to hiking pants thanks to its exceptional balance of comfort and performance. The sophisticated hues make it a feasible alternative for around town and travel, and it also works well as a climbing pant. Those looking for technical, mountain-ready shells and insulation should seek elsewhere, but Prana offers excellent everyday appeal (particularly in outdoorsy locations like Boulder, Bend, and Seattle).

Founded: 1992

Headquarters: California, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prana/

Official website: https://www.prana.com/

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L.L. Bean is an American clothing and outdoor recreation equipment retailer founded in Freeport, Maine in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean. This brand began with a single product: their iconic duck boots, which are still a mainstay in the range today and come in a number of styles, colors, and heights. They swiftly became a well-known lifestyle brand, producing everything from down jackets to sweaters, fleeces, baselayers, flannel-lined jeans, sleepwear, hiking boots, and much more.

L.L. Bean nicely toes the line between casual and performance, while the majority of their items are more suited for activities like camping and hiking than demanding backcountry adventures. The company uses recycled materials in many of its products and has implemented water conservation and waste reduction measures in its operations. L.L. Bean is well-known for its excellent customer service in addition to its high-quality merchandise. Customers can return any goods for any reason for a full refund or exchange under the company's 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Founded: 1912
Headquarters: Maine, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/llbean/
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Black Diamond Equipment is an American firm that creates and manufactures a wide range of outdoor equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and other outdoor activities. The company was created in 1989 and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Black Diamond Equipment is noted for producing high-quality goods that are functional, long-lasting, and inventive.

Given the brand's history, much of Black Diamond's clothing is geared toward climbing and backcountry skiing. However, select crossover pieces, such as the StormLine Stretch rain shell, work well for everyday wear. To provide superior performance and protection for outdoor enthusiasts, the company uses modern technology and materials in its products, such as Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft, and Dynex. Black Diamond is well-known for its outdoor community support in addition to its high-quality products. The corporation supports environmental organizations that strive to conserve areas where people play by sponsoring a variety of athletes and events in the climbing and skiing communities.

Founded: 1989
Headquarters: Utah, US
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdiamond/
Official website: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/

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Cotopaxi began producing apparel in 2014, but founder Davis Smith had been planning the socially conscious outdoor business for years. Smith committed to developing a business centered on giving back after spending much of his childhood in destitute areas of Central and South America, and Cotopaxi does a lot of that today. The company's initiatives span from environmentally friendly material sourcing to contributing 1% of annual income to their eponymous foundation, which focuses on granting grants to humanitarian organizations and other nonprofits.

In addition to their continued efforts in ecological and social stewardship, Cotopaxi is noted for its distinct retro styling, with brilliant colors and striped patterns that set them apart from the competition. Their Fuego down jacket and Teca Calido windbreaker are two particularly popular options, featuring fun aesthetics and quality materials that function well for casual outdoor use while also looking nice about town. You can visit the Cotopaxi website or other online retailers to find the latest pricing information for their products.

Founded: 2014

Headquarters: Utah, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cotopaxi/

Official website: https://www.cotopaxi.com/

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Eddie Bauer is the last firm on the list of the Best Outdoor Clothing Brands in the US. This brand began in 1920 as a tennis shop in the back of a local hunting and fishing outfitter and quickly grew into a dedicated outdoor business. Since then, the firm has supplied several historic trips around the world, including the early peaks of K2 and Mt. Everest in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, their product selection includes everything from hiking boots and accessories to insulated coats, rainwear, winter parkas, and more.

Eddie Bauer provides notable items at the technical end of the spectrum and has a sizable casual following. However, they aren’t very popular among the average outdoors-goer. Eddie Bauer is well-known for manufacturing high-quality outdoor gear and clothing that is built to resist the rigors of outdoor sports. The company has a long history of invention and has created a number of patented technologies that improve the performance and longevity of their products.

Founded: 1920

Headquarters: Washington, US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiebauer/

Official website: https://www.eddiebauer.com/

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