About Outdoor Research
Jul 16, 2018
Outdoor Research's History
Outdoor Research founder Ron Gregg, a nuclear physicist by profession, was a man who truly lived his passion for adventure. He saw the outdoors as the ultimate workplace, referring to the mountains, rivers, and oceans he often explored as “The Big Office.”
In 1980, Ron watched his frostbitten partner get airlifted off a glacier during a summit attempt on Denali. He'd spent months planning a new route in the purest style, skiing 100 miles from the road to the base of the climb. Halfway to the summit, their trip ended because of the failure of a pair of gaiters. Stubborn to the end, Ron refused a seat on the helicopter and descended alone for two weeks back to his car, pondering what had happened.
Somewhere along the way, he realized he could fix the gear problem and devote his life to pursuing his passion for adventure. By the end, he knew one thing: He wasn't returning to his old job.
Back in Seattle, Ron reacted by searching for a solution to prevent this situation from happening again. The result was a functional, insulated gaiter, the X-Gaiter™, which held snugly and was versatile enough to fit a variety of boots. The following year, Outdoor Research was founded from this original inspiration and its resultant innovation.
Product Design
In the 1980s and early 90s, Outdoor Research built a reputation on functional, quality outdoor gear that pushed the limits of innovative possibilities. Ron led a function-forward approach to creating solutions that allowed people to explore the outdoors with the best protection against the elements.
Today, they still manufacture, sell, and earn awards for these same products year after year. Their gear and commitment to innovation stand the test of time.
Outdoor Research's Roots In U.S. Manufacturing
Since 1981, they have been building outdoor gear and apparel in Seattle. Creating American jobs and building Made in the USA products are a hallmark of their business. Today, the company operates out of two U.S. factories, one of which shares their corporate headquarters in Seattle, WA, and another in El Monte, CA. The proximity to their production floors allows them to make, test, improve, and distribute their products with accelerated speed and efficiency. This accessibility and expertise allowed the company to respond to the medical community's needs in 2020 by manufacturing PPE for essential healthcare personnel.
Sustainability & Responsibility
At Outdoor Research, their love for the outdoors goes hand in hand with their responsibility to protect the planet. They have set science-aligned targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are taking action to achieve them. The company is investing in renewable energy and sustainable materials, reducing waste, and working with like-minded partners throughout their supply chain. Science, data, and ethical responsibility guide their decision-making as they balance brand growth with the need to protect the planet. Outdoor Research is committed to transparency in their business practices, identifying areas for improvement and making strides to mitigate their global environmental impact while continuing to create premium outdoor gear and apparel for those who love being outside.
Climate Action Corps
Outdoor Research is a proud founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Climate Action Corps. They are not only ensuring that they meet all expectations of the CAC but also developing their own plan and approach to measure the business’s carbon footprint. Calculating this measurement is a complex, involved process that takes years to perfect, but it will ultimately guide them to their greatest emissions opportunities and help reduce their impact on the earth.
Climate Action Goals
Their responsibility is to be stewards of the environment. They are already experiencing altered ski seasons due to changing snowpack conditions, wildfires limiting access to recreation areas, and rising sea levels threatening coastal regions. They recognize the urgent need for action to address the pressing issue of climate change. To mark their efforts toward addressing these and other climate changes, they have announced their 2030 climate action goals.
Renewable Energy
Outdoor Research is committed to taking action to power its direct-owned and controlled North American operations through renewable energy. Through their partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), they purchased approximately 1,000 MWh of renewable electricity in 2022 through Renewable Energy Certificates (REC). Each certificate traces energy production back to its source and certifies that 100% of Outdoor Research's energy usage in North America originates from renewable energy facilities through the purchase and retirement of RECs.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
As of January 1, 2025, all new Outdoor Research products will be free from intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, including the durable water-repellent (DWR) treatments and membranes in their outerwear and rain shells. The company has worked tirelessly to transition away from these chemicals, adopting alternatives that maintain the trusted weather protection and performance customers rely on. Their partnership with Nikwax aftercare products reflects the future of high-performance rainwear and outdoor apparel without PFAS technologies.
bluesign® System Partnership
bluesign® is a system that provides safer and more sustainable environments for people to work in and for everyone to live in. Powered by a holistic approach, bluesign traces each textile’s path along the manufacturing process, making improvements at every stage from the factory floor to the finished product. Simply put, bluesign changes the environmental impact of textiles for good.
To ensure they are better corporate citizens, bluesign provides a chemical framework that allows them to take ownership of their supply chain inputs and reduce the impacts of the products they sell. Bluesign is the partnership of choice for mills, brands, and retailers that desire a true “chain of custody” approach for their supply chain, augmenting efforts in the areas of safety, quality, risk, integrity, and more.
Recycled Content
Each of Outdoor Research’s products made with recycled content maintains the same quality seen in other gear, but with less impact on the planet. When customers buy gear made with recycled content, they reduce waste, energy usage, and dependence on petroleum. By increasing the use of recycled materials, the company aims to reduce or even eliminate the harm caused by manufacturing and production processes.
Certifications like the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) create better ways to trace and verify recycled content, setting high sustainability standards for any manufacturer making these claims. Their goal is to achieve 100% GRS certification on all products that use recycled materials.
Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) safeguards the welfare of geese and ducks that provide down and feathers for the products many love, independently certifying down and feathers against animal welfare requirements and tracking them from farm to final product. 100% of Outdoor Research products that use down comply with RDS – customers will notice the stamp of approval on each down product page and on each product’s hangtag. They have exclusively used down certified by RDS since 2016, receiving their first RDS Down Brand Certification in 2017, and they recertify their RDS certification on an annual basis.
Track My Down
Customers can now trace the origin of the down insulation used in Outdoor Research gear. By following the instructions included on the hangtag, they can see where and when their insulation was procured. This tool makes it easier for customers to trace their own products, while also holding the company accountable by providing greater visibility and transparency for partners and customers alike.
Outdoor Research founder Ron Gregg, a nuclear physicist by profession, was a man who truly lived his passion for adventure. He saw the outdoors as the ultimate workplace, referring to the mountains, rivers, and oceans he often explored as “The Big Office.” In the 1980s and early 90s, Outdoor Research built a reputation on functional, quality outdoor gear that pushed the limits of innovative possibilities. Ron led a function-forward approach to creating solutions that allowed people to explore the outdoors with the best protection against the elements. Today, we still manufacture, sell, and earn awards for these same products year after year. Our gear and commitment to innovation stand the test of time.