Next Adventure
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (outdoor sports equipment) |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Deek Heykamp, Bryan Knudsen |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , United States |
Area served | Portland metropolitan area |
| Products | Outdoor sports equipment |
Number of employees | 200 (2020s) |
| Website | www |
Next Adventure is a retailer specializing in outdoor sports equipment, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA. Established in 1997, the business expanded to include three more outlets within the Portland metropolitan area. Although the owners initially planned to shut down operations by late 2025, they ultimately sold the company to local investors in October.
History
In July 1997, Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen, longtime friends and outdoor aficionados with prior experience in Seattle, launched Next Adventure on Southeast Grand Avenue in Portland, Oregon. Their initial stock was predominantly secondhand gear—about 80 percent—acquired from garage sales and thrift shops. By 1999, the store achieved revenue of , maintaining a profit margin between six and eight percent.
Subsequently, the business grew to include an additional retail location and two water sports centers across the Portland metropolitan area, alongside developing an e-commerce platform. Revenue increased from in 2012 to by 2015. By 2017, approximately 65 percent of the inventory comprised new products. The workforce expanded from 75 employees in 2012 to 150 by 2019. Over nearly three decades, Next Adventure reached a peak employment of 200 staff members and annual sales totaling .
Up until 2021, Next Adventure facilitated recurring excursions involving skiing, kayaking, and backpacking; however, these tours were halted due to legal challenges.
In May 2025, founders Heykamp and Knudsen revealed their intention to close Next Adventure by the end of that year, citing retirement plans and difficulties finding buyers amid economic uncertainty. This announcement followed similar closures among Portland's outdoor retailers after the pandemic. Nevertheless, in October, local investors purchased the company with plans to transition it into community ownership. Two locations in Portland and Sandy continued operations, while the Scappoose Bay store was rebranded as The Paddle Shack.