Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research

Company type	Private
Industry	Outdoor clothing and equipment
Founded	1981
Founder	Ron Gregg
Headquarters	Seattle , United States
Products	Technical clothing and equipment for alpinism, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, paddling, backcountry skiing and snowboarding
Website	outdoorresearch.com

Outdoor Research is a Seattle-based producer specializing in technical clothing and equipment tailored for outdoor activities such as alpinism, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, paddling, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

Company background

Ron Gregg, originally a nuclear physicist and mountaineer, left his scientific profession in 1980 to participate in an expedition to Denali, North America's tallest summit. During this climb, after spending a night exposed at 12,500 feet under temperatures dropping to -20 °F, Gregg's climbing companion developed frostbitten feet and required helicopter evacuation. This experience motivated Gregg to develop solutions addressing the challenges of cold, wet, and vulnerable feet in extreme mountain conditions.

The following year, Gregg established Outdoor Research and introduced the company's inaugural product: the X-Gaiter. In 1982, REI featured Outdoor Research’s First Aid Kit on the back cover of its catalog; all 1,000 units from the initial batch sold out within days. By 1984, the company had expanded into protective handwear with the Modular Mitts—among the earliest gloves designed with a layering concept that included a removable inner liner and an external hard shell.

Outdoor Research gained recognition in 1986 when it was listed among Inc. magazine’s top 500 fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The brand ventured into apparel manufacturing in 1993 by launching its first clothing item: soft shell pants inspired by Gregg’s climb of Aconcagua, South America's highest peak. In 1995, Outdoor Research further solidified its presence by acquiring its current headquarters located at 2203 1st Ave South in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood.

Tragically, on March 17, 2003, Ron Gregg lost his life in an avalanche while skiing in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson, British Columbia. Later that year, Dan Nordstrom acquired Outdoor Research with a vision to grow the company while preserving its reputation as an innovative producer of mountaineering gear.

In 2007, Outdoor Research entered the adventure culture scene by sponsoring Vertfest at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington state.

In 2014, Youngone Corporation—a manufacturer known for outdoor and athletic apparel—made a strategic equity investment in Outdoor Research.

Products

Outdoor Research provides a lifetime warranty that protects against any manufacturing flaws in their products.

The design process for their equipment incorporates real-world feedback from a dedicated team of professional outdoor athletes and brand representatives.

Since 1997, the company has maintained a continuous collaboration with the American Mountain Guides Association for product testing and development.

From 2011 onward, Outdoor Research has earned 23 accolades from Outside Magazine, 21 awards from Backpacker Magazine, along with multiple Gear of the Year and Editor’s Choice honors from respected outlets such as National Geographic, Runner’s World, and Backcountry.

Athletes and ambassadors

The brand endorses professional athletes and ambassadors who excel in the key sports that define Outdoor Research’s focus. Among these is rock climber Beth Rodden, renowned for her pioneering first female ascents in Yosemite Valley, including a redpoint climb of the 5.14c Meltdown. Another notable ambassador is Hans Florine, a highly accomplished climber known for setting numerous speed records and completing over 100 ascents of The Nose on El Capitan.

Additional members of the Outdoor Research ambassador team include professional skier and television host Zack Giffin, known for Tiny House Nation; Sarah Hueniken, an expert guide in alpine climbing and ice climbing; and Martin Volken, a Swiss-American specialist in ski mountaineering guiding.

Non-profit alliances and partnerships

Outdoor Research actively partners with organizations dedicated to environmental conservation, climbing access, and certified outdoor guiding. Their affiliations include collaborations with the Access Fund, American Mountain Guides Association, Leave No Trace, The American Alpine Club, among other groups highlighted on their website.