Favorite brands of outdoor clothing?

[Kirby ★]

I've got a number of upcoming birthday and Christmas gifts for relatives including my niece, nephew, their significant others and my brother in law.  All of them are pretty outdoorsy and athletic, with hobbies including hiking, cross fit, martial arts and camping and they tend to work out regularly. 

I often give cash for gifts, but I like to get some tangible gift as well. But I'm not really up on popular brands.  None of them are especially trendy or big on "labels" but I don't want to give them something too cheap that they wouldn't want to wear/use.

So what are some brands that you like?  Something you'd be happy to get as a gift that might be a bit of a splurge?

 

[ChrisL]

My daughter and many young women are big Lululemon fans.  

[maddmaxx ★]

Wal-Mart

Now you know how I can afford to race RC cars.

[KrAzY]

Kuhl (pants and shirts)
Arc'teryx (rain gear)
Mammut (winter gear)

[dinneR ★]

Patagonia. It's not cheap, but it does last. I ski/bike/hike/climb in their gear. 

I have some jackets and other gear from Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Arc'terx as well, but Patagonia is my go to brand.

[sheep_herder ★]

Those made of wool and not from China.

[jsharr ★]

Most of my outdoor clothing comes from the Scout shop.

[KrAzY]

Just now, dinneR said:

Patagonia. It's not cheap, but it does last. I ski/bike/hike/climb in their gear. 

I have some jackets and other gear from Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Arc'terx as well, but Patagonia is my go to brand.

Pataguchi is what I call it.. been taken over by the younger crowds trying to look him... blah.. 
Actually they do make some good gear, but I found their stuff to destroyable for my stupid outdoor hiking antics. Then again I used to just hike in old FD turnout gear that we remove the inside from. Worked great for bouldering cause I could not tear them apart

[KrAzY]

Just now, jsharr said:

Most of my outdoor clothing comes from the Scout shop.

Because you want dress like a toddler from the 50's does not mean someone else does

[sheep_herder ★]

2 minutes ago, KrAzY said:

Pataguchi is what I call it.. been taken over by the younger crowds trying to look him... blah.. 
Actually they do make some good gear, but I found their stuff to destroyable for my stupid outdoor hiking antics. Then again I used to just hike in old FD turnout gear that we remove the inside from. Worked great for bouldering cause I could not tear them apart

Needed toughness, certainly keeps me away from the popular brands.

[Razors Edge ★]

6 minutes ago, dinneR said:

Patagonia. It's not cheap, but it does last. I ski/bike/hike/climb in their gear. 

Tough to disagree.

 

38 minutes ago, Kirby said:

I've got a number of upcoming birthday and Christmas gifts for relatives including my niece, nephew, their significant others and my brother in law. 

@dinneR is right, but I'd question it for younger nieces and nephews who may still be growing.  I think that stuff is too nice to use for a year or two and then grow out of.

For one of my nieces, I got her a multi-purpose "camping" blanket, which is also a dorm blanket and a great memory reminder.

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

Smart wool and Icebreaker for socks, hats, and base layers where I want merino wool. I like Duluth Trading for pants and shirts. I need a new winter jacket. My Columbia jacket is around 15 years old. 

[dinneR ★]

3 minutes ago, KrAzY said:

Pataguchi is what I call it.. been taken over by the younger crowds trying to look him... blah.. 
Actually they do make some good gear, but I found their stuff to destroyable for my stupid outdoor hiking antics. Then again I used to just hike in old FD turnout gear that we remove the inside from. Worked great for bouldering cause I could not tear them apart

It's not cheap, but they pay their workers a premium. I don't have a problem with that. They spend more money on standing up for what they believe in than other companies. I appreciate that. I've had a fleece pullover for more than 20 years. It lasts. My mt. bikes shorts take a beating and still look good. 

I've never regretted a piece of gear that I bought from them. 

I've got some stuff from Sweet Protection and it's good, but damn I broke a snap within the first month. 

[Further]

I like LLBean and Columbia 

[KrAzY]

5 minutes ago, sheep_herder said:

Needed toughness, certainly keeps me away from the popular brands.

Dickies and carhart and Whall are good work tough brands

[Kirby ★]

7 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

@dinneR is right, but I'd question it for younger nieces and nephews who may still be growing.  I think that stuff is too nice to use for a year or two and then grow out of.

 

Sadly, I'm so old that the "younger" niece and nephew are both well into their 20's.  

[sheep_herder ★]

https://www.ridgemerino.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwj7CZBhDHARIsAPPWv3e0XcgCShOtJL9Ka2pEm6ARUwl52p_FgmHTTnf6ZhKqKzfS57pJWT0aAm0JEALw_wcB

[Razors Edge ★]

16 minutes ago, Kirby said:

Sadly, I'm so old that the "younger" niece and nephew are both well into their 20's.  

I'm spanning the nieces and nephews in the 34 yr age down to a new one just several months old, so I know about getting old now

[MoseySusan ★]

34 minutes ago, sheep_herder said:

Needed toughness, certainly keeps me away from the popular brands.

Cartwright?

[dinneR ★]

Just now, MoseySusan said:

Cartwright?

Ben?

[MoseySusan ★]

Our wool stuff is Pendleton, Smartwool, Ibex. I think Ibex is out of business, though. We both have a very lightweight Buff neck warmer that we wear when it’s chilly. Our wet-weather gear is Marmot. Daypacks are Osprey, and they weigh nothing. I’m not sure the brand of rapid boil stove, but mr. likes his so much he gave one to each of the kids, and they really like them. My StS takes his when he climbs 14-ers. 

[MoseySusan ★]

7 minutes ago, dinneR said:

Ben?

My bad. It’s Carhartt. 

[Parr8hed]

3 minutes ago, MoseySusan said:

My bad. It’s Carhartt. 

I like Carhartt.  

Most of my outdoor wear says Smash House on it. 

[Further]

Northface is conspicuously absent...I remember when the NF was good stuff 

[bikeman564™]

I have a Patagonia fleece pullover that's probably near 30 years old, its still in new condition and I wear it a lot. Very well made. Same with Columbia. I like Under Armor for base layer stuff for cycling.  Heat Gear is the model.

[ChrisL]

10 hours ago, Parr8hed said:

Most of my outdoor wear says Smash House on it. 

I still have a bunch of Booster Swag the coaches would have made for us.  I just can’t get myself to unload it.

[petitepedal ★]

Smart wool or Darn Tough socks...different brands size differently so clothing can be a challenge.

[Randomguy]

Patagonia for the all-around when you include warranty and customer service, Marmot, and REI's own brand is a good value pick if you aren't buying Columbia for that.

[groupw]

Smart wool socks are amazing! I like Columbia. If you have an outlet mall near you, look for a Columbia store. Their bargains seem to be honest bargains. 
Younger daughter works at REI. She is big into Patagonia. Their price/value dynamic seems all over the place. 

[MickinMD ★]

Brands?  Warm for Winter stuff, cool for Summer stuff.

Oh wait!  I do prefer packages of 4-6 tee shirts, in a few different colors. with pockets from Fruit of the Loom or Hanes.

I almost always want a pocket in the tee shirt for my phone, a pen, etc.

 

[Airehead ★]

I like LL Bean for outdoor stuff that isn’t technical. Cannot go wrong with their high pile fleece for cozy comfort.
 

Also like Marmot and Patagonia. 

[Longjohn ★]

Speedo

[Square Wheels]

Anything from Sears or Woolworths.

[bikeman564™]

REI brand is also good stuff

[bikeman564™]

Just now, Square Wheels said:

Anything from Sears or Woolworths.

shopped at both, K-Mart too, blue light special.

[Square Wheels]

Just now, bikeman564™ said:

shopped at both, K-Mart too, blue light special.

I remember being in the store hearing about the blue light special on product xxxx in isle 7.  It was a cool idea.

[bikeman564™]

1 minute ago, Square Wheels said:

I remember being in the store hearing about the blue light special on product xxxx in isle 7.  It was a cool idea.

Yes, there would be a cart w/ a blue light on a pole

[Airehead ★]

9 minutes ago, Square Wheels said:

Anything from Sears or Woolworths.

You sound like Cheese

[Square Wheels]

Just now, Airehead said:

You sound like Cheese

I miss him.

[Airehead ★]

What did you end up getting them @Kirby?

[Ralphie ★]

On 9/22/2022 at 11:41 AM, Further said:

I like LLBean and Columbia 

Same here. And damn, I miss Performance. Had a Polartec fleece pullover that disappeared a few years ago that I really miss.  I recently ordered two jerseys from the current performance in Chino, CA. Not sure how or if it is related to the old Perfornance. 

[Ralphie ★]

On 9/22/2022 at 9:14 PM, Further said:

Northface is conspicuously absent...I remember when the NF was good stuff 

I do love the Northface heavy coat my daughters bought for me for Christmas a few years ago.  Still like new and very warm. 

[maddmaxx ★]

Tractor Supply.

[MickinMD ★]

I love whatever is cheap and warm at Costco and Walmart.

I also like to dress in layers in the colder weather, and make sure I have tee shirts, flannel shirts of various thicknesses, sweatshirts, unlined windbreakers, light and heavy jackets.

That way, if I take Jake for a walk and it's windy on the high ground of a walk, I can zip up a jacket or tie it around my waist by the arms, etc.

[Wilbur ★]

On 9/22/2022 at 11:06 AM, ChrisL said:

My daughter and many young women are big Lululemon fans.  

So are many men who appreciate women.

[smudge ★]

Columbia for jackets and fleece, not boots.

I've been on a Merrell kick lately. DoSmudge1 lives near factory outlet and outlet mall, so I've been scoring some pretty nice deals.

I think my new favorite long johns are 32 Degrees. 

Smartwool socks FTW.

Love my fleece lined Wrangler pants from Walmart.

Love my Tubbs snowshoes. ANY aluminum trekking poles with cork handles. (In other words, no obscene price tag necessary.)

CamelBak hydration packs (I have 3), and hydro flask bottles.

[Scrapr ★]

6 hours ago, Square Wheels said:

Anything from Sears or Woolworths.

We found a Woolworth in Kehl Germany. Just over the Rhine from Strasbourg so multi language sign

[shootingstar]

Hmmm. 

• REI has been good (when I lived in VAncouver and went shopping in Seattle at their flagship downtown store), but I don't see one near prairie city where I live.  
• Mountain Equipment Co-op used to have a lot more choice, etc. and with all that choice, some durable clothing.  Have cycling jackets, jerseys, gloves and rain pants.
• Personally find lululemon a bit expensive. However I've bought several short swirly skorts which are perfect for cycling and travelling /visiting without looking too bike oriented. (Really, going to a family BBQ, I prefer not too look cycling oriented, especially family seldom see me in person, living in another province) I'm not terribly fussy on "brand" on ordinary dark tights but the quality must be such to last for 1-3 yrs. of bike riding without material pilling or getting too thin, plus movement without seams breaking and waistband not loosening, after several washes.  
• Kelly Hansen for very tough walking (and cycling) shorts. Their jackets look great, seem technically protective, but haven't bought one yet.
• Wood's makes very warm winter parkas. Like the red one, I bought.  Their other model lines are also very good after I looked at them in person over the past few years.  Beats buying expensive Canada Goose (which is why I never have bought).  The quality of Wood's shirts, etc. also look good to me.
• Performance when they existed and when I did travel in the U.S...for their jerseys.
• Black Diamond for very cold winter gloves and mitts for winter sports.
• Sugoi...I have 1-2 bike jerseys kicking around.  They tend to be expensive. I never took time to visit their annual VAncouver warehouse sale ...it would be just a pile of stuff which requires hrs. of sifting through. 
• Outdoor Research for snowshoes...mine are 18 years old.

 

since I've been cycling daily during cycling seasons in walking shorts for past decade or so, I really like Hansen shorts  material but they are abit expensive. Incredible durability after several thousand km. riding in the shorts.

 

 

[shootingstar]

25 minutes ago, Scrapr said:

We found a Woolworth in Kehl Germany. Just over the Rhine from Strasbourg so multi language sign

Wow. 

We walked into a German sporting goods shop. Maybe it was Karlsruhle or something like that.  Really, I wasn't surprised there was NOTHING for a woman my size to fit into.  Contrast that to wedding dress store in Tokyo....I was shocked.   All of the styles did have sizes that I could fit. Same for another store on business suits for women.  This is what it feels like to live in a country...where people my size and age bracket, are truly the minority.

[Longjohn ★]

31 minutes ago, shootingstar said:

Contrast that to wedding dress store in Tokyo....I was shocked.   All of the styles did have sizes that I could fit.

And you still didn’t buy one?