There are plenty of stale outdoor clothing stores out there. You know the type of place: You’ll surely find that fall flannel when the air starts to get a little crisp, but it’ll only come in a boxy cut red and black and there won’t be many guarantees about the the quality. And then there are the outdoor retailers who have some style. From the brands you know like Patagonia and Duluth to the longstanding classics like Woolrich, these are the nine outdoor clothing shops that you should know when you’re looking for gear and clothes that are rugged enough to stand up to adventures yet stylish enough to wear to that post-hike cocktail bar.
Kühl
About 40 years ago, Alfwear introduced a Peruvian-inspired hat that you could find being worn on almost every ski hill during the 80s. That brand eventually evolved into Kühl, which more than lives up to its mantra of “born in the mountains.” If there’s a piece of clothing you want to wear outdoors, Kühl makes it: fleeces, down jackets, long sleeve button-downs, outerwear, pants — you name it. Despite the fact that all of Kühl’s clothing is stylish enough to wear out after a day on the powder or the trail, it’s made with a focus on function to stay true to the brand’s passion for getting outside and having fun.
United By Blue
If you’re at all interested in protecting the environment—who isn’t?—
United By Blue should be on the radar of everyone interested in protecting the environment while not skimping on style and utility. Founded with the idea that an outdoor brand could also do serious conservation work, United By Blue makes everything from basics like graphic tees, hoodies, and socks, to summer essentials like board shorts and short-sleeve button downs. In addition to making you look good, United By Blue removes one pound of trash from the world’s oceans and waterways for every product sold. The Certified B Corporation is Climate Neutral Certified, and uses sustainable material and ethical manufacturing. Best of all? The company’s bags are certified for life, so you can feel comfortable putting it through some rough use.
Duluth Trading Co.
People who work tough manual jobs are likely very familiar with Duluth Trading Co. As is anyone who has seen a commercial for Buck Naked underwear that “feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.” Since everything from Duluth is designed and tested by tradesman, it’s more than capable of tackling weekend warrior adventures just as competently as yard work, being out on the boat, or mountain biking through inclement weather. And if you’re looking for outdoor gear that goes beyond the standard options you find at your big box superstore, the brand owns Best Made, which itself is close to as good as it gets for everything from axes to kitchenware.
Woolrich
No list of outdoor clothing stores would be complete without Woolrich, the oldest outdoor wear manufacturer in the United States. It’s been around long enough that the Pennsylvania company made blankets for Civil War soldiers, and it still makes those blankets in Pennsylvania today. Need more? Woolrich outfitted Richard E. Byrd for the 1939-40 Antarctic expedition. It’s safe to say that Woolrich knows how to make things that last and stand up to anything you can throw at it. The clothing still has that distinct outdoorsy vibe and utilitarian feel that the brand is known for while also integrating modern fits and finishes that make it perfect for everyday wear.
Kathmandu
Born in New Zealand with Kiwi ingenuity and an open mind, Kathmandu has been producing a continuously adapting collection of products focused on four fundamental principles (original, sustainable, engineered, adaptive) for more than three decades. With lightweight down jackets, convertible rain jackets, fleece pullovers, hoodies and merino tees that are all built with forgiving fits and modern technical fabrics, it’s no wonder that Kathmandu is the leading retailer of travel and adventure gear wit more than 150 stores across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
Filson
Originally established in Seattle in the late 1800s as C.C. Filson’s Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, the name-shortened Filson has come a long way since those days of supplying prospectors passing through Seattle. These days, you’re more likely to find Filson clothing or gear on the backs or in the hands of those who care about menswear because it’s stylish, iconic, and recognizable. But that does’t mean the modern shirts, crisp jackets, and iconic work bags are built any less durably than they were a century ago.
Westerlind
Westerlind is a boutique outdoor shop featuring gear and apparel from around the globe from a diverse selection of brands, ranging from Goldwin and Birkenstock to Danner and Carhartt. The selection of brands alone is reason enough to consider Westerlind a stylish outdoor clothing store, and there’s a good chance you’ll find that piece that the franchised outlet always seems to be out of stock in.
Patagonia
There’s no denying that Patagonia makes some of the most stylish outdoor gear on the market. From down vests and jackets to sweaters and button-downs, Patagonia’s options always fit perfectly. Sure, many Patagonia products don’t always come with an accessible price tag, but its products are built to last, stay in style, and are easily repaired over the decades you’ll be using them. Plus, it’s hard to not feel good about supporting a brand whose founder donated the entire company to fighting climate change.
Topo Designs
If you know Topo Designs, it’s likely because of the brand’s incredible color-blocked bags. But Topo also makes a comprehensive collection of outdoor gear that’s just as stylish, from an ultralight jacket, to shorts, to flannel shirts in a collection of colors as awesome and completely absurd as those available on the bags. Plus everything in the apparel collection is built with the same exacting quality and attention to detail that you’ve come to expect from Topo Designs.
