Blog

The OR Story

At Outdoor Research, we built a company from a feeling: the urge to get out. It's what drives us. We love coming to work every day and inventing ever better solutions to what nature throws our way. But we're more than just the gear we build. We're part of a community of friends whose lives are connected by our common need to be outside. Our tribe is devoted to exploring our outdoor passions and challenging ourselves in the mountains, water and deserts of the planet we love so much.

In 1981, a brilliant scientist and adventurer named Ron Gregg watched his frostbitten partner get airlifted off a glacier 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. Barely halfway to the summit, their trip ended with the failure of a simple pair of gaiters. Stubborn to the end, Ron refused a seat on the helicopter and descended alone for two weeks, pondering what had happened. Somewhere along the way he realized he could both fix the gear problem and devote his life to pursuing his passion for adventure. By the end, he knew one thing for sure: He wasn't going back to his old job.

Ron Gregg built Outdoor Research on the idea that life is an adventure, and the best gear makes it more fun. Though he died tragically in an avalanche more than a decade ago, his legacy remains at our core. In our world, it's not about chasing heroes; It's about being on the journey. It's not how often we get out as much as how often we want to be out that makes us who we are. Our goal is to do all we can to expand the tribe of people who share our belief that progress is spiritual and life is unimaginable without the quest.

And we want you in it, because we're pretty sure that the bigger our tribe gets, the better off the world will be.

Outdoor Research. Designed By Adventure.

Durable Lightweight Storm Protection

More durable and lightweight than ever before. The Helium Rain Jacket and Pants take durable lightweight waterproof protection to an entirely new level. Diamond Fuse technology enables the Helium Rain Kit to be 5x more tear-resistant than the award-winning Helium II Collection, and an even lighter weight. Completely seam-taped, waterproof, yet still breathable and comfortable in rugged conditions, the new Helium Rain Jacket and Pants will be the first thing any hiker, peak bagger, or off-trail adventurer will pack for the most durable lightweight rain protection.

Powered by Diamond Fuse technology.

Pertex developed Diamond Fuse technology as a unique way of improving the durability and abrasion resistance of fabrics without adding any unnecessary weight. Diamond Fuse fabrics use yarns with unique diamond shaped filaments that lock together to create a durable and highly abrasion resistant fabric. This engineered structure allows Diamond Fuse fabrics to remain very stable over extended wear and washing.

Layering Up

Building on the success of the Vigor Collection, the full zip and quarter zip options for Women have increased the options. This is your guaranteed ticket to layering intuitively and effectively for adventures in changeable weather conditions.

Outdoor Research's Vigor Full Zip Jacket is a comfy, stretchy fleece with some great technical features. The versatility of a full zip means ventilation is always quick and easy. The next to skin comfort is second to none.

Each Vigor piece is powered by ActiveTemp, the thermo-regulating technology that adjusts to your body temperature to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during high-exertion activities. The clever hybrid construction gives zones of greater breathability with the classic grid pattern on the back and under the arms. Elsewhere warmer though still really stretchy fabric is used giving you great thermo regulation. You get 2 hand warmer pockets and a chest pocket. Thumb loops keep the warmth in and keep the sleeves in place when layering.