The Beta: A Pacific Northwest powerhouse known for long-lasting durability, Danner makes boots for hikers, laborers and everyday outdoorsmen. 

The Beta: Founded in 1970 by a couple of San Jose climbers, Western Mountaineering is famous for its commitment to designing lightweight down sleeping bags and apparel that will stand the test of time. 

The Beta: The market for Merino wool is competitive, but Icebreaker takes the top prize with head-to-toe apparel and sustainable practices that do right by Merino sheep. 

The conditions on the trails outside of Montreal, Canada get tough, as the founders of Norda can attest — the 2020-founded running shoes were tested through fields and mountains that span miles of serious altitude and temps ranging from -35℃ to +35℃. 

The Beta: As the name implies, Sea to Summit designs gear for a wide range of outdoor activities, from backcountry watersports to hiking. 

The Beta: Western Rise designs versatile clothing for daily life. Fabrics are waterproof and stretchy as you transition from work to play, and styles are adaptable — functioning from the peaks to pavement. 

The Beta: Dometic’s Swedish-founded tech has been revolutionizing outdoor eating since 2001, and the cooler-maker shows no signs of stopping down, with recent releases in their CFX-powered cooler line that are making it easier than ever to pack a whole trunk of refrigerated wares for all your outdoor endeavors.

The Beta: Named after an active volcano in the Ecuadorian region of the Andes, Cotopaxi is a beloved brand among outdoor enthusiasts looking to blend style and function. 

The Beta: Your hiking and camping setup isn’t complete until you’ve found a backpack to carry the essentials, and that’s where Granite Gear comes in. 

What Icebreaker and Smartwool are to Merino baselayers and socks, Vermont-founded IBEX is to the wooly outerwear. 

One of the newest entrants on this list, Ostrya was founded in 2019, but what the label lacks in history, they make up for in a function-first ethos and next-level small-scale production. 

The Beta: After bagging a few strenuous peaks, you’ll come to appreciate the importance of lightweight gear. 

The Beta: Topo Designs first earned a reputation for durable packs back in 2008, but they’ve since expanded across apparel categories. 

The Beta: Some outdoor enthusiasts prefer exploring the backcountry on bare feet, but the rest of us need a pair of durable socks to help tackle the terrain. 

The Beta: The name references founder Ron Gregg’s dedication to perfecting products through diligent R&D. To his credit, Outdoor Research remains hell-bent on supplying extra capable outdoor apparel. 

The Beta: There once was a time when backcountry food was freeze-dried and dull, but brands like GSI Outdoors have since revolutionized the way we eat food beyond the home. 

The Beta: Duckworth has been operating from their Montana sheep farm for over four generations. 

Bringing up the rear is Japanese camping gurus Snow Peak. While their titanium designs have been serious serious folk for nearly 70 years, the brand has remained relatively unknown. We think it’s time for that to change.