Brands
The makers we go back to, and our current picks from each.
A short list on purpose: brands we have worn, carried or used ourselves. Each page has a few words on who they are, then the markdowns we would buy, deepest cut first.
- 686686 was founded in Los Angeles in 1992 and makes snowboard outerwear and apparel.See picks →
- adidasadidas, founded in Germany in 1949, is the second-largest sportswear company in the world.See picks →
- AltraAltra, founded in Utah in 2009, makes every shoe with a zero-drop platform (heel and forefoot at the same height) and a wide, foot-shaped toe box.See picks →
- BirkenstockBirkenstock is a German footwear company with roots going back to 1774, known for the contoured cork-and-latex footbed in its Arizona, Boston and Gizeh models.See picks →
- BrooksBrooks, based in Seattle, has made running shoes only since 2001 and is known for consistent fit from version to version.See picks →
- CarharttCarhartt has made workwear in Michigan since 1889 and is still family-owned.See picks →
- Columbia SportswearColumbia Sportswear, based in Portland, Oregon since 1938, makes outerwear, footwear and apparel across a wide price range, and owns Sorel, Mountain Hardwear and prAna.See picks →
- DALBELLODalbello is an Italian ski-boot maker founded in 1974 in Asolo, and is now part of the Marker Dalbello Völkl group.See picks →
- GiroGiro was founded in Santa Cruz, California in 1985 and made the first lightweight ventilated bicycle helmet.See picks →
- HardyHardy has made fly reels and rods in Alnwick, England since 1872, and its Perfect reel is one of the oldest designs still in production.See picks →
- HurleyHurley was founded in Costa Mesa, California in 1999 as a surf brand and is best known for its Phantom boardshorts.See picks →
- Hydro FlaskHydro Flask, from Bend, Oregon, popularised the vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle when it launched in 2009.See picks →
- KeenKeen was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2003 and built its name on the Newport, a sandal with a rubber toe bumper.See picks →
- MerrellMerrell, based in Rockford, Michigan, makes the Moab, the best-selling hiking shoe in the world, and the Jungle Moc slip-on.See picks →
- Mountain HardwearMountain Hardwear was founded in California in 1993 and has been part of Columbia Sportswear since 2003.See picks →
- New BalanceNew Balance is a privately held Boston company that has made athletic shoes since 1906 and still assembles some of its 990-series shoes in the United States and United Kingdom.See picks →
- OspreyOsprey has made packs since 1974 and is based in Cortez, Colorado.See picks →
- SalomonSalomon, founded in Annecy, France in 1947, started with ski bindings and now makes trail running and hiking footwear, ski boots and skis.See picks →
- SmartWoolSmartwool was founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 1994 and made merino wool socks mainstream.See picks →
- SmithSmith Optics was founded in Sun Valley, Idaho in 1965 and built the first goggle with a sealed double lens.See picks →
- StanleyStanley has made vacuum-insulated bottles since 1913, and its all-steel Classic bottle in Hammertone green is the original.See picks →
- The North FaceThe North Face started in San Francisco in 1966 and is now the largest outdoor apparel brand in the world, part of VF Corporation.See picks →