Best of the Best: Best Outdoor Clothing Brands on the Market

If there’s one thing every traveler should have, it’s high-quality gear from one of the best outdoor clothing brands on the market.

When I think about the top outdoor clothing companies, I look to see if they have three things: comfort, durability, and style.

The last of these often tend to be the hardest to find. There’s no point in having a winter jacket that lasts a lifetime if it looks terrible. Fortunately, there is plenty of gear out there that still looks good, even as you take on the great outdoors.

As a heads up for first-time buyers: outdoor clothing can get pricey. The first time I bought a heavy-duty down jacket I almost had a heart attack. But, that winter coat has lasted me four years so far and helped me brave the winds of Patagonia.

Outdoor clothing is expensive but well worth the investment. I’m a strong believer in buying gear for life—just as long as you get the right travel gear.

Here are some of my favorite outdoor apparel brands to help get you started:

Marmot: Most Affordable Outdoor Clothing Brand

Marmot is one of those companies that offers the golden combination of good quality and reasonable prices. In fact, they’re more affordable than other big name brands on this list. For $100, you can get an all-purpose jacket that will last you years (or even decades).

Although they produce great outdoor apparel, Marmot also specializes in outdoor gear, like winter jackets, merino wool, technical apparel, rain gear, and backpacks. This is one of the few brands that has all kinds of travel gear for sale on its website, including backpacking tents of varying sizes.

Have you ever gone camping with a sub-standard tent? I have–it’s not pretty. Invest a little in one of Marmot’s quality tents and you won’t regret it next time you’re caught camping in a downpour.

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Cotopaxi: Most Eco-Friendly Outdoor Clothing Brand

I love these guys because they created the Cotopaxi Foundation, which funds sustainable poverty alleviation projects. 1% of their annual revenue goes towards these different organizations, so you can buy their clothing knowing you’re contributing to something good.

The outerwear on offer with Cotopaxi is on the lower end of the price scale, but the company hasn’t compromised on quality. Their colorful line of parkas and fleeces are extremely comfortable. And their hoodies and tees are produced with recycled and organic materials.

Llama fiber and goose down are staple materials among the brand’s products—these guys are good. With Cotopaxi, you can stay warm while also doing your share to help the environment.

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Patagonia: Best Outdoor Clothing Brand for Down Jackets

Another one of the most popular brands is Patagonia, which distinguishes itself in this sector with its commitment to saving the environment. The brand’s new ReCircle line contains clothing made from renewable wood and recycled cotton scraps.

They also give 1% of their earnings to non-profit groups and organizations. Over the past 35 years, they’ve donated more than $89 million different grassroots environmental campaigns around the world. This means you can shop for and wear your new gear guilt-free.

They sell an array of items, including clothing, backpacks and bags, sleeping bags, jackets , and more. In terms of quality, their items are high-end, but the prices remain in the midrange region. While jackets can run into the hundreds of dollars, at Patagonia you can kit yourself out reasonably well without breaking the bank.

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Smartwool: Best Outdoor Clothing Brand for Merino Wool

Wool clothing can be warm, but it’s often itchy and hard to clean or take care of. But not Smartwool! This innovated company has designed a line of itch-free, moisture-wicking and shrink-resistant wool products for different types of outdoor activities.

They make base layers to keep you warm, breathable undergarments to keep odors at bay, and even socks and scarfs for winter. Prices tend to be higher than average. But trust me – they’re some of the softest and comfiest pieces of clothing you’ll ever wear!

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Columbia: Best All-Around Outdoor Clothing Brand

Columbia is one of those outdoor brands that has just about everything you could possibly want when it comes to clothing. Whether you’re skiing, hiking or even fishing, Columbia is a brand that is guaranteed to fit you out in style.

Specializing in clothing and apparel, Columbia sells high-end jackets, pullovers, and base layers. However, they also sell backs, coolers, and other equipment for travel. Essentially, they stock everything you could ever need for your trip.

Having tried out a number of its products, I can vouch for the brand with confidence. The brand’s products are high quality with excellent durability and I wouldn’t have survived Peru’s Sacred Valley without my Columbia hiking boots. I also love their Ascender Soft Shell Jacket, which is versatile enough to wear in the spring or in the fall.

Bonus: Columbia’s products are very affordable!

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The North Face: Best Outdoor Clothing Brand for Snow Sports

The North Face might be one of the most recognizable brands on this lis. No doubt you’ve already seen people sporting this mainstay outerwear brand on some hiking route somewhere. Once you try a pair of pants or a jacket, you’ll see why they’re considered one of the best outdoor brands in the world.

Whether you need a rain jacket for skiing or pants for yoga, The North Face has got you covered and you won’t look like a dork wearing its gear.

Besides clothing, The North Face also specializes in luggage, backpacks, rain gear and winter jackets. Not to mention, the brand is pretty moderately priced given its excellent quality.

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Osprey: Best Outdoor Brand for Hiking & Backpacking

You can’t talk about backpacking without mentioning one of the biggest backpack brands, Osprey.

Focusing predominantly on bags, Osprey has a huge range of backpacks for every kind of travel—like the Osprey ATMOS 65, a classic hiking backpack. They also have different bags for cycling, biking, climbing, and even diving!

Within the products section, you can shop by activity – this will help you find the exact bag you need, no matter what type of journey you’re embarking on.

In addition to backpacks, Osprey offers a range of bag-related accessories, including bag covers and toiletries packs. They also sell durable packing cubes to keep your clothing and other items organized while traveling. If you’re looking for a bag that you’ll get some serious wear out of, search no further.

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Credits to TravelFreak