With the increasing popularity of outdoor sports around the world, outdoor brands in various countries are gradually emerging.
In the previous two articles, we introduced the well-known outdoor brands in Germany and Europe, and there are many friends in the background who urge you to change the outdoor brands in other countries and regions.
So even if it's a bit "off the rails", we'll continue to explore the best outdoor brands around the worldToday I would like to bring you an introduction to the American outdoor brand.
As one of the world's largest economies, the development of the outdoor industry in the United States has also attracted much attention. The United States is not only blessed with a unique natural environment, but also has some of the world's top outdoor brands, providing high-quality outdoor equipment for outdoor enthusiasts around the world.
Next, let's appreciate the charm of American outdoor brands together!
patagonia
Patagonia.
location: ventura, california
Sophisticated, functional design with a focus on sustainability.
Patagonia is a beloved outdoor brand with a rich history of mountain adventures.
Founded in 1973 by successful rock climber Yvon Chouinard, the company has become a mainstay in the outdoor industry, with a wide range of outdoor apparel products from hardshell outdoor apparel to basic outdoor apparel, accessories, and more.
The company specializes in thermal insulation products and has a complete lineup of technical and leisure products, including:The legendary Down Sweater(Casual) down jacketand Micro Puff and Das Parka(technical) and other rayon products.
Patagonia micro puff jacket.
Patagonia has invested a lot of time and money in environmental protection and sustainability, including the use of the best materials and responsibly sourced down in its products, the provision of repair services, and the adoption of the product"Used clothes program"Used gear.
Although the arc'Teryx is the undisputed leader in technical mountaineering apparel, but Patagonia has always maintained a good balance between everyday and off-road use.
columbia
Colombia. location: portland, oregon
A wide range of products for affordable clothing and gear.
Founded in 1938 as a hat dealer, Columbia Sportswear has grown to become a representative of casual outdoor wear.
Especially when it comes to economical products, Columbia Sportswear is in a league of its own, offering a wide range of apparel and footwear products at lower prices than its competitors.
theirsWatertight II Jacket(Pictured below) is a good example: Priced at $100 and often available online for lower**, this jacket has a double-layer construction that's durable enough to handle moderate rainfall and short trips with ease.
Watertight II Jacket
Still, "you get what you pay for" price reductions are almost always accompanied by a decline in quality and performance, and the Columbia company is not known for high-end materials or long-lasting designs.
For example, the Watertight soaks much faster than the more advanced hard shell, and breathability is compromised by the cheap construction and lack of underarm zippers.
However, value for money is still a big selling point for many, and recreational recreationals who don't need top-of-the-line waterproofing or technical features can save a lot of money without much compromise (provided you don't have too many requirements for gear).
Finally, the Columbia company also offers it specifically for tall people"Big tall one"series, which will increase its audience.
the north face
North. location: alameda, california
A highly regarded warmth collection with a dazzling assortment of co-branded styles.
The North Face tent.
The North Face is a long-established mountaineering brand with a rich history of adventure activities at high altitudes. Their bright orange and yellow tents are a common sight at high-altitude base camps around the world.
They also have a team of high-quality athletes, including professional mountaineers Alex Honnold and Margo Hayes, as well as dedicated mountaineers Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker.
When it comes to outerwear, TNF's pinnacle line—from the Pumori Gore-Tex Pro hardshell coat for the mountains ($800) to the more approachable down and synthetic outerwear—are undoubtedly premium products designed for harsh conditions and demanding requirements.
North Pumori Gore-Tex Pro Hardshell Jacket.
Impressively, The North Face also excels at casual styles, as evidenced by its legendary, ubiquitous denali fleece and city-ready thermoball jacket.
The downside is that they don't seem to have found a solid middle ground yet – their forte is either serious mountaineering or everyday gear.
However, the new fabric Futurelight, which has been launched strongly in recent years, is like a complement to the products of the middle ground in the north. This fabric is lighter and softer than traditional gore-tex and has good breathability and waterproofing.
The north side is trying to "soft-shell" some of the hard shells by using the fabric to stabilize the middle ground between serious mountaineering and everyday gear.
But then again, with ARC'Compared to Teryx and Patagonia, TNF's core clothing line is generally a notch below in terms of quality and overall attention to detail.
marmot
Marmot. location: rohnert park, ca
An excellent affordable mid-range product for casual outdoor adventurers.
Groundhogs are a little less well-known than the brands mentioned above, but they are a great value for casual outdoor adventurers in North America. From winter jackets to rain gear and ski wear, Marmot has always impressed us with its balance between ** and quality.
They do offer some well-known high-end performance offerings, including the Gore-Tex-equipped Orion ski jacket ($500) and the mountaineering-ready Alpinist jacket ($650), but the relatively low-budget and mid-range offerings are their forte.
Among the marmots' product line, the most popular are the Precip (now Precip Eco) and Minimalist raincoats, as well as the Montreal down jacket, as these products are much lower than their counterparts and offer excellent overall performance for light outdoor activities.
Like Patagonia, Marmot has made considerable progress in sustainability in recent years, including the use of ** materials and PFC-free DWR coatings on many of its products (including some of the main bestsellers such as the aforementioned Precip ECO).
Outdoor professionals looking for rugged protection and a full suite of technical features should look elsewhere, but for hiking, summer backpacking, excursions around the city, and other leisure activities, the value of marmot products is unmatched.
However, in China, because of the business problem, the famous "national rat" and "American rat" have been formed. "National rat" is China's first business in the domestic production of marmot, we do not judge which is right and which is wrong, but from the product itself "national rat" workmanship and fabric selection are inferior to the American rat, and it is not recommended to buy. However, some classic discontinued styles have always been available at very low prices on the national rat side, and they can also be regarded as a replica.
outdoor research
orlocation: seattle, washington
Usually the price is cheap, and the company's self-developed waterproof technology is reliable.
Headquartered in Seattle, Outdoor Research (OR) is particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Founded by mountaineer Ron Greg, the company has since expanded significantly to include activities ranging from hiking to skiing, especially in the choice of shells and insulating layers, including down and synthetic cotton.
I've always liked their Superstrand LT hoodie, which is as warm and compressible as a puffer jacket. Helium and Ferros are two other very popular product lines. Especially for those who like outdoor trail running, the Helium series is a product line that focuses on lightness and breathability.
The company's own waterproofing technology is rarely widely recognized by outdoor gamers, but OR proprietary Ascentshell membranes – found in designs like its Skytour ski suits and Microgr**ity raincoats – have proven to be impressively weather-resistant, mobile, and breathable (though slightly less than the more advanced Gore-Tex in terms of full protection).
While not always so fitting, the OR gear always maintains a good balance between ** and performance. All in all, I think it's a bargain brand like Columbia with ARC'A nice middle ground between high-end professional brands like Teryx.
rei co-op
reilocation: kent, washington
* Perfect balance with performance.
Rei Co-Op has a great reputation among outdoor enthusiasts across the United States, and for good reason. With more than 180 locations across the U.S., REI Co-Op sells year-round and offers members access to a range of benefits, including annual bonuses, garage** gear rentals, and discounts on store services.
It's a community-focused brand with a strong commitment to the outdoors. In addition, REI is involved in many environmental and community initiatives and implements sustainable practices in its own outdoor clothing and gear collection.
In 2014, REI began its own outfits (which can be understood as "made in Beijing") and quickly formed a comprehensive lineup from hardshell jackets to down jackets and winter parkas.
Today, the company uses high-quality materials from brands like Primaloft, Pertex and Gore-Tex, and high-end fabrics are used alongside popular products like the Stormhenge Down Blend Jacket and the XeroDry Waterproof Jacket**.
More recently, they've also ventured into skiing with the launch of Powderbound and the First Chair line with GORE-TEX.
All in all, REI gear is surprisingly cost-effective. While they can't be as cost-constrained as high-end brands and can't be as top-notch in assembly and workmanship as they are, consumers don't have to pay a high price for choosing REI.
black diamond
Black diamonds. location: salt lake city, utah
Impressive river tracing shell and insulation.
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, started another company in the late 50s of the 20th century that specialized in the production of mountaineering hardware: Chouinard Equipment. Decades later, the company filed for bankruptcy, and Black Diamond emerged as a continuation. The brand still puts most of its efforts on climbing gear, including its cornerstone product, the Camalot range.
But in 2013, they made a big push into outdoor apparel. Since then, Black Diamond's product range has grown considerably to include an impressive selection of premium shells, insulation, base layers, and accessories such as hats and gloves.
Most of Black Diamond's clothing is based on rock climbing and cross-country skiing, which is in keeping with the brand's background. However, there are also several crossover products that are suitable for everyday wear, including the Stormline Stretch jacket.
Black Diamond's self-developed BDDry waterproofing membrane (for Stormline), which isn't impermeable like Gore-Tex, but offers a good balance of protection, mobility, and breathability at a relatively low cost ($180 for Stormline).
However, black diamonds still have a long way to go as a rising star in the field of outdoor clothing.
mountain hardwear
Yamahiro. location: richmond, california
Powerful shells and an ever-growing range of snow gear.
Mountain Hardwear was once out of the limelight, but recently they've made significant strides in both quality and sustainability, and I think their current range has a lot to offer.
Most notably, the company stands out for its premium down products and ever-increasing selection of gore-tex outerwear and snow gear.
The latest launch, Ghost Whisperer, is a great example of this: from the first generation it has helped define the ultralight down jacket category, and the latest"/2 "It continues to lead the way with a weight of less than 9 ounces (about 255 grams), excellent packability, high-quality down and full functionality. It's the best choice year after year for outdoor adventurers looking for lightness and speed (Sanho has also introduced a lighter version of the UL).
When it comes to hard-shell products, the brand's Exposure 2 series (from the minimalist Paclite to the premium Gore-Tex Pro) strikes a good balance between protection and weight, and its ski lineup also features Gore's proven films. All in all, the brand is on the rise, and I'm delighted with their recent progress.
What about buying outdoor clothing in the U.S. in general?
In the U.S., online shopping is as easy as it is in China, with a variety of gear retailers and manufacturers selling most of these brands.
Backcountry is particularly prominent in the outerwear market, with a wide range of brands, colorways, and sizes to choose from. Rei Co-Op is another great place to shop, both in-store and online, with many offers and discounts available to members throughout the year.
In addition, many of the above companies have their own official products**, and you can access their entire product range.
Overall, U.S. outdoor brands have certain advantages in terms of product design, quality, and brand influence. However, each brand has its own advantages and disadvantages, and consumers can choose the right brand for them according to their needs and budget.