What are the best outdoor and hiking sportswear brands?

Trail-tested or mountain-approved, these brands outfit explorers from casual day hikes to serious alpine expeditions. Some are icons, others are cult favorites — which earns your vote?

1

The North Face

One of the world's most recognized outdoor brands, offering a vast range of jackets, boots, and packs trusted by explorers and everyday adventurers alike.

2

Patagonia

California-based brand renowned for combining high-performance outdoor gear with a pioneering commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical manufacturing.

3

Columbia

Oregon-based brand delivering accessible, versatile outdoor clothing and footwear, known for proprietary technologies like Omni-Heat thermal insulation.

4

Arc'teryx

Canadian premium brand considered the gold standard in technical mountain apparel, known for exceptional craftsmanship, Gore-Tex shells, and minimalist design.

5

Salomon

French brand dominating trail running and hiking footwear, famous for its lightweight trail shoes, technical boots, and advanced trekking apparel.

6

Merrell

Iconic hiking footwear brand trusted for durable, comfortable trail shoes and boots designed for everything from day hikes to multi-week backcountry expeditions.

7

Osprey

America's leading backpack brand, celebrated for its ergonomic, feature-rich packs ranging from daypacks to expedition-ready load carriers with a lifetime guarantee.

8

Black Diamond

Salt Lake City-based brand that is the top choice for climbers and alpinists, producing best-in-class harnesses, carabiners, trekking poles, and headlamps.

9

Mammut

Swiss Alpine brand with 160+ years of heritage, offering technically advanced ropes, hardshell jackets, and climbing gear trusted by professional mountaineers worldwide.

10

Marmot

California outdoor brand known for high-quality down insulation and Gore-Tex jackets that balance technical performance with everyday wearability.

11

REI Co-op

America's largest outdoor retail co-op and house brand, offering excellent-value gear across apparel, footwear, and packs with a strong focus on member sustainability.

12

Rab

British brand born in the mountains of the UK, specializing in premium down sleeping bags, expedition-grade insulated jackets, and hardshell climbing clothing.

13

Fjällräven

Swedish brand famous for the Kånken backpack and G-1000 fabric, blending Scandinavian simplicity with durable, timeless outdoor clothing built to last decades.