Arc'teryx is a Canadian outdoor apparel and equipment company known for its high-performance products. The company was founded in 1989 in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and has since established itself as a leading brand in the outdoor industry.

Arc'teryx is recognized for its innovative designs, advanced materials, and attention to detail. The brand specializes in producing technical clothing, backpacks, climbing gear, and outerwear for a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, climbing, skiing, and mountaineering.

One of the distinctive aspects of Arc'teryx is its commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technologies and materials to create durable and functional products. They have developed their own proprietary technologies, such as GORE-TEX® and Arc'teryx's own waterproof and breathable fabrics like N40p-X and N80p-X.

Arc'teryx's products are known for their superior performance, fit, and durability, making them popular among outdoor enthusiasts, professional athletes, and adventurers worldwide. The company's attention to detail and commitment to quality has earned it a loyal following.

Headquarters: North Vancouver, Canada

Popular Products: Sabre, Macai, Rush, Alpha SV

Website: https://arcteryx.com/ca/fr/

Patagonia is an outdoor clothing and gear company known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The company was founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard and is based in Ventura, California.This is one of the best ski apparel brands in the world.

Patagonia offers a wide range of outdoor clothing and gear for activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, surfing, and more. Their product line includes jackets, pants, shirts, sweaters, baselayers, accessories, and backpacks, among other items. Patagonia is known for its durable and functional products, designed to withstand rugged outdoor conditions.

The brand spends a lot of time and resources on environmental and social stewardship in addition to producing some of the highest-quality outerwear on the market. Patagonia stands head and miles above much of the competition when it comes to advocacy and sustainability because of programs like their Worn Wear used gear program, traceable down and recycled materials, and commitment to donate 1 percent of sales to environmental non-profit organizations. In fact, Chouinard recently donated his ownership of the $3 billion company to a foundation and trust that works to fight climate change and preserve untouched nature.

Headquarters: Ventura, California

Popular products: SnowDrifter, Powder Town, Triolet, PowSlayer

Website: https://www.patagonia.com/home/

Helly Hansen is a Norwegian brand specializing in outdoor apparel and gear, with a particular focus on sailing, skiing, and other outdoor activities. The company was founded in 1877 by Helly Juell Hansen and his wife, Maren Margarethe, in Moss, Norway.

Helly Hansen initially started as a producer of waterproof oilskin jackets, pants, and other protective clothing for sailors. Over the years, the brand expanded its product range to include a wide variety of outdoor clothing, including base layers, mid-layers, outerwear, footwear, and accessories.

Helly Hansen is known for its high-quality and durable products, designed to withstand demanding weather conditions and provide optimal performance. The brand incorporates innovative technologies and materials into its garments to ensure functionality, comfort, and protection from the elements.

While Helly Hansen is recognized for its sailing heritage, it has also established a strong presence in the skiing and outdoor sports markets. The brand offers specialized ski clothing, including jackets, pants, and base layers, designed for cold and snowy conditions.

Headquarters: Oslo, Norway

Popular products: Alpha, Legendary, Odin Mountain

Website: https://www.hellyhansen.com/

Outdoor Research which is one of the best ski apparel brands is an outdoor gear and apparel company based in Seattle, Washington. The company was founded in 1981 with a focus on providing innovative and functional gear for outdoor enthusiasts.

Outdoor Research offers a wide range of products designed for various outdoor activities, including hiking, climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and more. Their product line includes jackets, pants, gloves, hats, gaiters, and other accessories. The brand places an emphasis on creating durable, high-performance gear that can withstand challenging conditions.

Despite not enjoying the same level of national acclaim as companies like Patagonia or Columbia, Outdoor Research (OR) has a devoted following among outdoor enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. We've tested a number of their ski-specific clothing, such as the adaptable Skyward and Skytour lines, the backcountry-ready Hemispheres suit (now upgraded to the Hemispheres II), and the lightly insulated Kulshan Storm Bibs. OR has a reputation for being value-driven, and its ski clothing frequently costs $100 or more less than the luxury competition.

Headquater: Portland, Oregon

Popular Products: Bugaboo, Alpine Action, Whirlibird

Website: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/

Columbia is a well-known brand that specializes in outdoor clothing, footwear, and accessories. The company was founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, by Paul Lamfrom, and initially focused on manufacturing fishing gear, such as hats, vests, and jackets.

Over the years, Columbia has expanded its product range and gained a reputation for producing high-quality outdoor apparel suitable for a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, skiing, and fishing. The brand is known for its innovative technologies and commitment to creating durable and functional outdoor gear.

Indeed, compared to products from companies like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and Helly Hansen, Columbia's offerings are much less high-end. When compared to Arc'teryx versions with Gore-Tex, the Bugaboo's basic shell and lining are less breathable, feel bulkier, and are more prone to wetting out (even Patagonia's H2No membrane is significantly superior at keeping moisture out). However, not everyone need advanced functionality, exceptional mobility, or top-tier waterproofing, and it is very difficult to match Columbia's performance and price point. In conclusion, there is a reason why so many Columbia jackets are worn on the slopes, especially in regions like the Northeast where the ski season is shorter and backcountry skiing is less common.

Headquater: Portland, Oregon

Popular products: Bugaboo, Alpine Action, Whirlibird

Website: https://www.columbia.com/c/ski-clothes/

Flylow Gear is an apparel brand that specializes in creating high-quality and durable clothing for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor adventures. The company was founded in 2005 by Greg Steen and Dan Abrams, who wanted to design gear that could withstand the demands of backcountry skiing.

Flylow Gear is known for its focus on performance, functionality, and style. Their products are designed by skiers for skiers, and they prioritize the needs of active outdoor enthusiasts. The brand has gained popularity among backcountry and freeride skiers for its durable construction, attention to detail, and commitment to creating gear that lasts.

Flylow offers a range of products including jackets, pants, bibs, gloves, and accessories. Their apparel is designed to withstand rugged terrain, harsh weather conditions, and the demands of high-intensity activities. Flylow Gear is often praised for its durable fabrics, reinforced stitching, and functional features like ample pocket space, ventilation zips, and helmet-compatible hoods.

In addition to their focus on durability, Flylow also emphasizes style. Their designs often blend a modern aesthetic with classic mountain-inspired elements, resulting in apparel that looks good both on and off the slopes.

Headquarters: Denver, Colorado

Popular products: Baker, Lab Coat, Malone

Website: https://flylowgear.com/

One of the best ski apparel brands in the world is Black Diamond which is a well-known brand in the outdoor industry, specializing in equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and other mountain-related activities. The company was founded in 1957 by Yvon Chouinard, who later went on to establish the popular outdoor brand Patagonia.

Black Diamond is renowned for its climbing equipment, including harnesses, carabiners, climbing ropes, belay devices, and protection devices. They are known for their high-quality, durable, and reliable gear that meets the standards of climbers of all levels. Black Diamond also produces a variety of equipment for skiing and snowboarding. This includes backcountry ski boots, touring bindings, climbing skins, avalanche safety gear, and ski poles. Their products are designed to enhance performance, safety, and enjoyment in alpine environments.

Although Black Diamond still has a ways to go before they can match the leading companies in terms of reputation and overall quantity of products offered, they have recently displayed a flair for innovation. They have created a flexible membrane they call BD.dry that, like Outdoor Research, strikes a compromise between weather protection, movement, comfort, and breathability.

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah
Popular products: Mission, Recon Stretch
Website: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/shop/skiing-snowboarding/

The North Face is an outdoor clothing and equipment company that specializes in manufacturing and retailing products for outdoor activities and exploration. It was founded in 1966 by Douglas Tompkins and Kenneth "Hap" Klopp in San Francisco, California.

The North Face is known for its high-quality and durable apparel, footwear, and gear designed for various outdoor pursuits, including hiking, climbing, camping, skiing, and snowboarding. Their product range includes jackets, pants, shirts, sweaters, shoes, backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags, among other items.

The company's logo features a stylized version of the Half Dome, a famous granite rock formation in Yosemite National Park. The North Face has a reputation for producing reliable and technologically advanced products that can withstand harsh weather conditions and demanding outdoor activities.

Their 3-in-1 ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate, for instance, is well fitted, has premium features like pit zips for dumping heat quickly, and includes their down-mimicking ThermoBall Eco synthetic jacket, which we've found does a nice job mixing warmth and weather protection. They perform particularly well in the resort category for jackets. Another favorite is the Freedom Pant, which offers a fantastic balance of durability and insulation for regular indoor wear.

Headquarters: Alameda, California

Popular products: ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate, Freedom

Website: https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us

Norrøna is a Norwegian outdoor clothing and gear company that specializes in producing high-performance products for various outdoor activities. It was founded in 1929 by Jørgen Jørgensen and is based in Lysaker, Norway.

Norrøna offers a wide range of outdoor apparel and equipment designed for activities such as skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, hiking, and general outdoor exploration. Their product line includes jackets, pants, base layers, mid-layers, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and accessories.

One of the key focuses of Norrøna is quality and functionality. The company places great emphasis on technical design, utilizing advanced materials and innovative features to ensure its products meet the demands of outdoor enthusiasts. Norrøna is known for its attention to detail, durability, and performance in extreme weather conditions.

Environmental sustainability is also a core value of Norrøna. They prioritize using organic, recycled, and bluesign® approved materials in their products to minimize their environmental impact. Norrøna is committed to responsible manufacturing practices and ethical sourcing of materials.

Headquarters: Ventura, California

Popular products: SnowDrifter, Powder Town, Triolet, PowSlayer

Website: https://www.norrona.com/fr-FR/produits/femmes/

Strafe Outerwear is an outdoor clothing brand that specializes in producing high-performance ski and snowboarding apparel. Founded in 2009 by John and Pete Gaston, two brothers and professional skiers, Strafe Outerwear is based in Aspen, Colorado.

Strafe focuses on creating technical outerwear specifically designed for the demands of backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Their product line includes jackets, pants, mid-layers, base layers, and accessories. The brand combines functionality, durability, and style to provide athletes and outdoor enthusiasts with the gear they need to perform in challenging mountain environments.

One of the key features of Strafe Outerwear is its emphasis on performance and protection. The company utilizes advanced materials and technologies, such as waterproof and breathable fabrics, to ensure their garments can withstand the rigors of backcountry adventures. Strafe also pays attention to details such as strategically placed pockets, helmet-compatible hoods, and ventilation systems to enhance functionality.

Strafe Outerwear is committed to environmental sustainability as well. They strive to minimize their environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials, including recycled fabrics, and by partnering with blue sign-certified factories to ensure responsible manufacturing practices. This is one of the best ski apparel brands in the world.

Headquarters: Aspen, CO

Popular products: Capitol, Pyramid

Website: https://www.strafeouterwear.com/