Women-Owned and Women-Founded Outdoor Brands
Celebrate international women’s day with these female-founded, women-owned brands
Updated with 5 more brands on November 23rd, 2024
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Treeline Review is a women-founded, women-owned outdoor gear review website.
We write gear reviews for every body and every gender, but also know that women make 82 cents on the dollar to a man (and that number is lower for women of color). This reality means our gear reviews are steeped in a reverence for your money and your time.
For International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating other women-founded and women-owned brands in the outdoor industry.
#InternationalWomensDay is among many things, a global call to purchase from business that are owned, founded and built by women so that women around the world can continue to build their own destinies and be an agent of change.
Learn about these brands, follow and subscribe them, and show them love for International Women’s Day.
treeline review
Founders: naomi hudetz and liz thomas
Website: Treeline Review
Instagram: @treelinereview
Where to Find: on their website and various outdoor festivals and educational events across the country
Treeline Review was founded by two friends and hiking partners, Liz Thomas and Naomi Hudetz. As thru-hikers, they loved nature and this planet. Their love for being outside inspired them to get more people outdoors and for everyone to need fewer things to do it.
Liz and Naomi founded Treeline Review as a gear review website centered on buying less stuff. They wanted to make it easier for people to get outdoors by removing barriers and gatekeeping around the language and way we write about gear. They wanted to save people time and money as they tried to understand what would be best to get outside.
Our goal at Treeline Review is to create welcoming and inclusive gear reviews that make it easier for people of all backgrounds and experience levels to find and choose quality gear. We want you to feel at home in the outdoors and in the outdoor community.
We create reader-supported, mission-driven objective gear reviews that are independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission — without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Alpacka raft
Founder: Sheri Tingey
Website: Alpacka Raft
Instagram: @alpackaraft
Where to get: Alpacka website
The first Alpacka packraft was built in a Chugiak, Alaska basement in the fall of 2000. Since then, Alpacka has led the industry in research and development, pushing the boundaries of design, reliability, advanced materials, and an established infrastructure for customer service that allows for quick and easy repairs or upgrades.
Alpacka Raft continues to refine and define the sport of packrafting, by creating bombproof packrafts bolder and more rugged than the most skilled athletes, but so stable and streamlined they’re perfect for entry-level adventurers. Made in Mancos, Colorado, Alpacka Raft packrafts can take you anywhere. You'll find Alpacka Rafts in our Best Packrafts guide.
swift industries
Founder & CEo: martina brimmer
Website: Swift Industries
Instagram: @swiftindustries
Where to Find: Swift Industries, The Pro’s Closet
Every single person that leads a department at Swift Industries identifies as female. As the captain of the ship, Martina works alongside three incredible women to run a team of fourteen talented people.
The collective intellect, awareness and passion that drives decision making at Swift Industries is inherently impacted by our experiences as women in a dramatically male-dominated industry. We believe that fostering collaboration, personal development, and collective growth are as impactful and central to our success as drive, authority, initiative, and analytics. It is our dream for this model of leadership to be the norm across all companies in our industry, regardless of the gender configuration of their management teams.
Just as Swift has normalized female leadership in our own company, we would love to participate in building a world in which we can walk into meetings with business advisors, bankers and other institutions of power and no longer find ourselves the only non-male people in the room.
Kula Cloth
FOUNDER AND OWNER: Anastasia Allison
Website: Kula Cloth
Instagram: @kulacloth
Where to find: REI, Garage Grown Gear, Kula Cloth website
kula cloth® was born during a trip to the alpine lakes wilderness in Washington state. Anastasia Allison was enjoying a spectacular sunset over Robin Lakes when she walked around a larch tree to discover... a giant pile of toilet paper. Upon returning home, she started researching Leave No Trace options for toilet paper in the wilderness. She discovered the concept of a pee cloth and decided to give it a try (even though she had to admit — it sounded a little weird at first). She didn't like the idea of a bandana, so she bought a small blue piece of microfiber. This piece of fabric was a game changer for her — as a women's backpacking instructor for nearly 10 years, she started encouraging all of her students to use a pee cloth in the wilderness.
THE MISSION OF KULA CLOTH® IS TO:
• Encourage Leave No Trace practices by normalizing conversations around hygiene through the use of an intentionally designed pee cloth
• Cultivate a community of individuals who promote stewardship through leading by example
• Use Kula as a vehicle for good in the world to support organizations, artists, and individuals that are working to diversify outdoor spaces
You can read about Kula Cloth in our Eco-friendly Gear Swaps guide as well as our Gift Guides for Best Gifts for Hikers, Best Gifts for Skiers, Best Gifts for Campers, and Best Stocking Stuffers for Outdoors People.
Garage Grown Gear
Founder: Amy Hatch
Website: Garage Grown Gear
Instagram: @garagegrowngear
Garage Grown Gear was founded by Amy Hatch with a vision of elevating small, startup and cottage outdoor brands. At the time, brands like Gossamer Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear and Zpacks were already established with devoted customers. However, as a whole, cottage ultralight backpacking gear and the small brands who supplied it were still on the fringes of the outdoor industry. A chance meeting with Lloyd Vogel, who won an ultralight backpacking gear giveaway that Amy was running, led to a merger with Lloyd's company, The Big Outdoors. Together, they want Garage Grown Gear to be the REI of ultralight gear.
DOVETAIL WORKWEAR
Co-Founders: Kate Day and Kyle Marie Begley and Sara DeLuca
Website: Dovetail Workwear
Instagram: @dovetailworkwear
Where to get: Amazon, Scheel's, Dovetail website
The Portland-based company originally launched as Moxie and Moss, an extension of co-founders Kate Day and Kyle Marie Begley’s landscaping company. Their concept was simple, but at the time, revolutionary: redesign workwear (think: Carhartt) to provide better options for women doing any number of jobs, hobbies, and pursuits that require thoughtful, tough-as-nails clothing that can hold tools, withstand rough conditions, and fit a variety of body types.
Apparel expert Sara DeLuca joined the team and in 2018, they re-branded as Dovetail, expanding their offerings to overalls, shorts, shirts, and a parade of stylish, but sturdy pants that are just as home in a welding shop as they are at a brewpub.
Paradis Sport
FOUNDER AND OWNER: Sarah Weihman
Website: Paradis Sport
Instagram: @paradis.sport
Where to find: Paradis website
Former D1 athlete Sarah Weihman founded Paradis Sport because she couldn’t find high quality athletic underwear that worked. Thousands of women were complaining about the same thing: other brands rode up, fell apart quickly, or were uncomfortable. She enlisted top female industry experts to help design performance underwear that women want and deserve, and then fit-tested the prototypes with elite athletes across 30 sports (a unique and revolutionary approach). “Active underwear is a rapidly growing segment share that has long been overlooked,” Weihman says of the USD 80 Billion Innerwear industry. “Underwear is the foundation of what athletes wear for peak performance.” Paradis Sport quickly developed a pro athlete following which includes members of the US Ski Team, USA Triathlon, US Swimming, Team Canada, and World Cup soccer players among others. Their underwear come with a Stay-in-Place Promise, so you can focus on workouts, not wedgies!
With a passion for good food and the outdoors, Chef Jennifer Scism co-founded Good To-Go in 2014 with her husband, David Koorits. A graduate of The French Culinary School in Manhattan, Jen has cooked at New York Times 4 Star-rated restaurants, owned the Michelin-rated restaurant, Annisa, in NYC, and has beaten Mario Batali on Iron Chef with that team. In preparation for opening Annisa, Jen and partner Anita Lo traveled the world for over a year, visiting 20 countries and sampling food from every walk of life. Those travels inspired Jen’s menu for Good To-Go. With each dehydrated gourmet meal she creates, she prioritizes taste and ingredients—only using recognizable, pronounceable ingredients that provide the fuel needed for whatever adventure you’re on.
Chef Jennifer and Good To-Go have won multiple accolades, including 3 Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards as well as being named to The Saveur 100, Saveur Magazine’s list of its favorite foods, people, places and things in 2020. All Good To-Go meals are gluten free and offerings range from meat-based to pescatarian to vegetarian and vegan.
Title Nine
Founder: Missy Park
Website: Title Nine
Instagram: @titlenine
Where to get: Title Nine website and stores
Title Nine is dedicated to providing outdoor and athletic wear for women. They design and sell women’s clothing that’s well-made and versatile.
Title Nine typically invests in small businesses run by women who are shaking things up in the industry. To learn more, check them out at one of their 19 retail locations, or on their website. You can learn more about Missy on this episode of How I Built This.
Symbiosis Gear
Founder: Sarah Berkeley
Web: Symbiosis Gear
Instagram: @symbiosisgear
Where to find: Symbiosis Gear website, at various outdoor festivals and educational events across the country including San Juan Sports, Creede, CO, Ski & Bow Rack, Pagosa Springs, CO
Gardenswartz Outdoors, Durango, CO
Sarah Berkeley founded Symbiosis Gear after her frustrating experiences trying to find an ultralight backpack that fit while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Motivated to change the industry, she doesn’t want other women backpackers to experience the discomfort, extra expense, and discrimination that she did. So she launched Symbiosis Gear in 2024!
Symbiosis Gear is founded on the principle that phenomenal gear for women should be widely available so they feel supported and empowered both on and off the trail. After two years of design and testing, they launched their first product, the Aspen.
The Aspen is a frameless, ultralight backpacking pack designed for women. Created with inclusivity at the heart, it has boob-friendly S-curve straps, a 3-way adjustable sternum strap, and a waistbelt that accommodates a wide range of sizes and shapes. Symbiosis Gear is proud of these features and knows women backpackers will love them, too.
Oboz Footwear
President: Amy Beck
Website: Oboz Footwear
Instagram: @obozfootwear
Amy Beck joined Oboz as president in April 2019 after leadership positions at Smartwool and Lucy Activewear, as well as Cole Haan. Oboz is dedicated to crafting quality footwear for all folks who visit trails, and they’re invested in good practices for the environment, sustainability, and workers. During Amy’s time as President, she’s advocated for the Over 50 Outside program for women over 50. We’ve highlighted their footwear in our Best Hiking Shoes guide, and wrote a single-product review of their Bridger Insulated Winter Hiking Boots.
Itacate Foods
Founder: Martha Y Díaz
Website: Itacate Foods
Instagram: @itacate_outdoors
Where to get: Garage Grown Gear, Itacate Foods website
Itacate Foods’ founder, Martha, was born in central Mexico, immigrated to the San Francisco Bay area with her family at age 10, and would camp around the state and national parks throughout the region. A former participant in the REI Path Ahead Ventures program, she’s an example of what it means to follow your passions and spread joy for your true culture and roots.
Badger Balm
Co-founder: Katie Schwerin
Co-CEOs: Emily Schwerin-Whyte and Rebecca Hamilton
Instagram: @badgerbalm
Where to get: Badger Balm, REI, Target, Walmart, and other retail outlets in the US and 14 other countries
Back in 1995, Bill and Katie started hand filling tins of the original Badger Balm in their kitchen. 25 years later, Badger is still family owned and operated. The company is now led by second-generation family owners and Collaborative Executive Officers Emily and Rebecca, and is a proud women-owned business. You can find Badger Balm in our Best Body Sunscreen and Best Reef Safe Sunscreen guides.
Alpine Parrot
Founder/Owner: Raquel Vélez
Website: Alpine Parrot
Instagram: @alpineparrot
Where to Find: Alpine Parrot website
Raquel Vélez is the Founder and CEO of Alpine Parrot, an outdoor apparel company that caters specifically to people of size and people of color. She brings with her almost two decades of engineering experience, having received her degree in mechanical engineering from Caltech, worked and studied as a robotics engineer, and eventually shifting over to software engineering and engineering management. Now, as an apparel engineer, she's creatively tackling one of the oldest (and most polluting) industries by creating sustainable, inclusive clothing for a market of people who have so often been neglected in the outdoor space. As a plus sized Latina who discovered her love of the outdoors later in life, Raquel has put an incredible amount of careful consideration into the design of each product, focusing on great fit and quality construction. She was named one of Outside Magazine's Outsiders of the Year 2021.
Raquel is also the author of the Treeline Review guides to Snowsports in Bigger Bodies.
Noso Patches
Founder: Kelli Jones
Website: Noso Patches
Instagram: @nosopatches
Where to get: REI, Noso Patches website
Noso Patches are the most unique all-purpose patches that fix rips, snags and tears while adding personal style.
Developed and tested in the Tetons, Noso Patches make your jacket eye-catching, not for the holes, but for the design you’ve created. Personalize your gear like sleeping bags, tents, or the apparel you love most. Whether it’s a nylon windbreaker or down jackets, anything can be revamped or restored.
Super easy to use at home or in the field, Noso Patches are made of 30D ripstop nylon, uncoated and down proof with a high tenacity and heat/light inhibiting qualities. Noso’s adhesive lasts longer than others on the market. With no sewing required, the heat activated technology creates a permanent bond without an iron. Just throw it in the dryer or better yet, leave it in the sun to activate the adhesive. Noso Patches are incredibly durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions and multiple washes, without gumming up on the sides. You'll find Noso Patches in our Eco-Friendly Gear Swaps guide.
Purple Rain Adventure Skirts
Founder/Owner: Mandy Bland
Website: Purple Rain Adventure Skirts
Instagram: @purplerainskirts
Where to Find: Garage Grown Gear, Purple Rain Adventure Skirts website
Purple Rain Adventure Skirts was founded by Mandy ‘Purple Rain’ Bland in 2014. During a 2012 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail Mandy was inspired to try hiking in a skirt. Unable to find what she wanted, she went about designing her own. Hacking up an old pair of convertible hiking pants, adding a comfortable waistband and some pockets, Mandy then headed back out on trail testing the design on the PCT that following summer. Thus, the Purple Rain Adventure Skirt was born.
The business began as a side hustle on a dining room table and has evolved to a studio in downtown Medford, Oregon. The skirts are still proudly made in Oregon.
You will hear about Purple Rain Skirts in many of our guides including: Best Hiking Skirts and Dresses, the Pacific Crest Trail Gear List, the John Muir Trail Hiking Guide and more.
Photo by Jarvin, CC BY 3.0
Kari Traa
Founder: Kari Traa
Website: Kari Traa
Instagram: @karitraa
Where to get: REI, Amazon, evo, Backcountry
Kari Traa is a three-time Olympic medalist, and when sponsors finally came on the scene with clothing for athletes, it was only designed for the men's team. Kari crocheted and knitted her own beanies during training and competitions. Her colorful beanies became so popular with friends and skiers that she decided to turn the hobby into a business. And so, the Kari Traa brand was born.
Youer
Founder: Mallory Ottariano
Website: https://www.shopyouer.com/
Instagram: @shopyouer
Where to get: online
In 2012, Mallory was fresh out of architecture school and looking to keep a creative outlet alive so she bought a $100 Serger (sewing machine) on eBay and started sewing clothes that were “colorful and weird and one of a kind.” After years of iterating, Youer was eventually born. Youer specializes in fun, patterned, and unique baselayers, leggings, dresses, fleeces, and more.
Farm to Summit
Founders: Jane and Louise Barden
Website: Farm to Summit
Instagram: @farmtosummit
Where to get: Garage Grown Gear, Cripple Creek Backcountry
Farm to Summit was founded in 2021 by Jane and Louise Barden, a Durango-based couple with a passion for adventure and shared love for farm fresh and flavor-packed meals. Together, Jane and Louise combined their passions to create Farm to Summit – a dehydrated food company on a mission. Farm fresh, flavor packed, sustainably produced and packaged, and working to reduce food waste within our system!
Coalition Snow
Founder & CEo: Jen Gurecki
Website: Coalition Snow
Instagram: @coalitionsnow
Where to Find: REI, Backcountry.com, evo
Jen Gurecki is the founder and CEO of Coalition Snow, a women-owned and operated ski and snowboard brand. Coalition’s mission is to put an end to shrink-it-and-pink-it and toxic bro culture and amplify a community that values camaraderie over competition and solidarity over sending.
She also founded Zawadisha, a social enterprise whose mission is to provide small loans to rural Kenyan women to finance their livelihoods.
Jen Gurecki holds a master’s degree from Prescott College and dropped out of their PhD program when she realized that being a CEO was more productive than being a grad student. She’s been featured in Outside Magazine, Huck Magazine, Red Bull Magazine, and Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 50 Most Daring Entrepreneurs. She spends her evenings wondering what Joan Jet would do and reminiscing about that time she cycled across Africa.
Hartford Gear Company
Founder: Georgia Wetmore
Website: Hartford Gear Co
Instagram: @hartfordgearco
Where to get: Garage Grown Gear
Before Georgia Wetmore was a backpacker, she was an All-American collegiate rower. After college, she discovered ultralight backpacking, and "was able to tap into that same physical and mental intensity I had been craving."
Now she makes ultralight, no-frills bags and accessories for backpackers and non-hikers alike. Her gear is made to stand up to the elements and to time. She (and we at Treeline) believes the most sustainable gear is made to last.
girls fight back
owner & CEo: nicole snell
Website: Girls Fight Back
Instagram: @girlsfightback
Where to Find: Girls Fight Back website and on tour internationally
Nicole Snell is an international speaker, facilitator, and self-defense instructor who specializes in sexual assault and violence prevention education, gender-based violence prevention, personal safety, and empowerment. She is committed to ending violence in all of its forms by educating others and advocating for change. She believes in social justice, equality and that everyone has the right to walk through the world feeling safe, powerful, and confident.
As an outdoor enthusiast, solo adventurer/traveler, and hike leader, she uses her skills to encourage others to expand their world, explore and do what brings them joy—without limits. Her company Girls Fight Back’s self-defense class was awarded “Best Online Self Defense Class” by VeryWellFit, and winner of Tastemade Travel’s Best Resources for Solo Female Travelers.
She teaches online and group self-defense classes for a variety of clients from K-12, colleges and universities, to the military, to BIPOC organizations, to hiking, running, and outdoor organizations.
Nicole Snell is also the author of the Treeline Review guides to Lightweight Hiking Boots and How to Hike Solo and How to Road Trip Solo.
Ik’splor
Owners: Karissa Tuthill, Kailey Tuthill, and Barb Tuthill (Chief Mom Officer)
Website: https://iksplor.com
Instagram: @letsgoiksplor
Where to get: online
Sister and mom-founded, Ik’splor was created by two women looking for sustainable, high-quality layers to help get themselves and their kids out the door and into nature. They specialize in making base layers and merino wool clothes for babies, kids, and the whole family. The brand is women and family-owned and the apparel is designed and based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Têra Kaia
co-founders: Bridget Kilgallon and Lauren Breitenbach
Website: Têra Kaia
Instagram: @terakaia
Where to Find: Têra Kaia website, at the flagship store in Bishop, CA, independent gear stores internationally
Têra Kaia co-founders Bridget Kilgallon and Lauren Britenbach have a mission to redefine the way clothes fit and function, and encourage you to be your outside self. Their basewear is designed by women, for anyone who is tired of traditional bras. The climber and swimmer-founders created the brand to create a functioning sports bra that was designed for different kinds of bodies. After 40 iterations, the first model of the Toura (still their most popular model) was born. The Bishop, California-based company focuses on ethics and sustainability and publishes a report to track progress. They also run a repair program to reduce waste and help people get the most out of their gear.
You can read about Têra Kaia in our guide to Best Sports Bras D+ Cup and Up.
Julie Shang (far right) at the Trail Days Festival in Damascus, Virginia.
toaks outdoor
owner: julie shang
Website: TOAKS Outdoor
Instagram: @toaksoutdoor
Where to Find: REI, Campsaver, Garage Grown Gear
As an engineering Ph.D as well as an avid outdoor enthusiast, Julie Shang co-founded TOAKS in 2011 in Thousand Oaks, California. (TOAKS gets its name from the town of Thousand Oaks!).
As an engineer, Julie enjoys working in titanium because it is lightweight, durable, non-rusting, and non-toxic. Drawing from her own experience exploring the outdoors, she creates innovative products crafted in titanium for the outdoor community.
TOAKS specializes in titanium pots, cutlery, stoves, tent stakes, and flasks. TOAKS products are notable for their world-class quality and thoughtful user-friendly features. For example, her mugs have curved handles with a finger rest that provides comfort and reduces overheat. Her innovative lid handles can both be positioned upright when cooking and laid flat for easy packing. Furthermore TOAKS’ unique silk-smooth uniform pot surface, and its mirror-like polished cutlery set it apart.
TOAKS uses its special sand blasting technology for surface treatment to avoid the acid waste pollution with no any sewage discharge. TOAKS team stands behind their products with life time warranty of normal use. She looks forward to serving everyone in the outdoor community!
You can read more about TOAKS in our Best Cooking Pots for Backpacking guide.
Green Goo
Founder: Jodi, Jen, and Kathy Scott
Website: Green Goo
Instagram: @greengoohelps
Where to get: Garage Grown Gear
Green Goo is a women-owned, family-operated business – founded by Jodi, Jen, and Kathy Scott.
They make potent, portable first aid and body care products using only plant-based ingredients infused in enriching oils. They started small, making products for friends, family, and the local farmers market. Green Goo now aims to make organic more available and more affordable, while educating the world on sustainable business and healthcare practices.
Thousand Helmets
Founder: Gloria Hwang
Website: Explore Thousand
Instagram: @explorethousand
Where to get: REI, Thousand website
Thousand is an urban mobility brand with a goal to save a thousand lives annually by providing riders with safety essentials. The Los Angeles-based brand was founded in 2016 by Gloria Hwang after she was inspired to design a helmet that riders wanted to wear. From its vintage-inspired Heritage Helmet, award-winning Chapter Helmet to its innovative lights and Jr. line, Thousand is known for style, convenience and innovation.
As a public benefit corporation, Thousand offsets all of its carbon emissions and contributes to environmental projects while also encouraging safe cycling and other alternative modes of transportation. You'll find Thousand Helmets in our guide to Best Bike Commuter Helmets. You can read more about Gloria on REI’s podcast.
AdventurUs Women
ceo & Founder: Saveria Tilden
Website: AdventurUs Women
Instagram: @adventuruswomen
Where to Find: AdventurUs website
Saveria Tilden strives to create affirming environments to learn new skills including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and paddling. AdventurUs retreats allow participants to try outdoor activities in beautiful environments in retreats that encourage friendship and skill-building while connecting with nature in stunning locales. AdventurUS outdoor retreats are created for women by women. AdventurUs Women creates life-changing outdoor experiences that encourage fun, laughter, and friendship. The retreats welcome women of all ages, races, sizes, backgrounds, and experience levels and participants of all gender identities and expressions who feel that a women’s retreat is the right space for them.
As a company and a community, AdventurUs Women is intent on supporting other women both in their outdoor journey and as professionals. To that end, whenever it is possible, Saveria commits to promoting and partnering with companies that are owned and operated by women. By prioritizing hiring women guides, developing robust community standards at our events, and committing to ongoing learning about social justice and inequity, we are committed to creating an inclusive space at AdventurUs Women, and to be advocating for access and inclusion in outdoor recreation at large.
moxie cycling Co.
Founder: Heidi Yakowski
Website: Moxie Cycling Company
Instagram: @moxiecycling
Where to find: Amazon
Led by former competitive cyclist Heidi Yakowski, Moxie’s mission is to get more women to experience the joy of being outside and on their bikes. She says, "During our talks on a ride I found out that women are passionate about not only riding but what they wear and how it feels when they ride. And that there were very few choices for them.”
Moxie does this by making apparel that is not only comfortable but fits women of all shapes, sizes and riding preferences thereby making cycling more inclusive and welcoming for women who may not have felt comfortable in traditional cycling clothes.
"I knew I could create something better than the current choices. A line of apparel that was cut for women and on trend, while providing the performance they demanded as serious riders," said Heidi.
Ultimately, what drives Heidi is a love for cycling and the knowledge she is helping to empower other women through sports. "Made by women who ride, for women who ride, is really what Moxie Cycling is all about. My goal is to get more women on bikes, because when women ride bikes they become healthier, stronger and more confident."
Tough Cutie
Founder and CEO: Brittany Coleman
Website: ToughCutie
Instagram: @toughcutie
Where to find: REI, Public Lands, Garage Grown Gear, and woman-owned, family-owned, and minority-owned shops across the US
ToughCutie is a Black woman-owned premium outdoor sock company. Founded by Brittany Coleman, we first encountered this brand at PCT Days and they're making a splash for their craftsmanship-oriented socks. The socks are made in the U.S. in a woman-owned factory. You'll find ToughCutie in our Best Hiking Socks guide.
Oiselle
Founder: Sally Bergesen
PRESIDENT: Arielle Knutson
Website: Oiselle
Instagram: @oiselle
Where to find: Oiselle website
Oiselle is a Seattle-based athletic apparel brand by women, for women. They specialize in running apparel for women athletes of all ages, paces, and places, and bring together a community of women. You'll find Oiselle in our guides to Best Women's Running Jackets and Best Women's Running Shirts, as well as our Tips for Running in the Dark guide.
backcountry foodie
founder: Aaron Owens Mayhew, MS, RDN
Website: Backcountry Foodie
Instagram: @backcountry_foodie
Where to Find: Backcountry Foodie website
Aaron Owens Mayhew founded Backcountry Foodie in 2017 to be the leading source for ultralight backpacking recipes and meal planning resources. As a registered dietitian and ultralight long-distance backpacker, Aaron created Backcountry Foodie while preparing homemade, lightweight meals for her thru-hike attempt of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017 and subsequent thru-hike of the Oregon Coast Trail in 2018. Her goal is to give backpackers the recipes, resources, and know-how to maximize their nutrition, reduce their food weight, and simplify meal planning for their next adventure. You can learn more about Backcountry Foodie in our What to I Eat on a Thru-hike guide.
Shredly
Founder: Ashley Rankin
Website: SHREDLY
Instagram: @shredly
Where to get: REI, Backcountry, SHREDLY website
SHREDLY was founded by Ashley Rankin, who sought to design mountain biking clothes for women that “look good, feel good, and fit good.” At this time, 93% of their products are made from recycled materials, and they’re working toward 100%. You'll find Shredly in our Best Women's Mountain Bike Shorts guide.
Branwyn
Co-Founders: Katie Sadler, Sarah Palmer, and Shawna Lauringson
Website: BRANWYN
Instagram: @branwynofficial
Where to find: BRANWYN website
BRANWYN is a “performance innerwear” company that makes underwear from natural fibers. Their sustainability efforts focus on renewable materials, waste reduction, and transparency. If you’re curious about their products but aren't sure you’ll like them, they offer a money-back guarantee after 14 days, free exchanges for 30 days, and a 1-year warranty. That's about as good as it gets in the outdoor industry.
hiking my feelings
founder: sydney williams
Website: Hiking My Feelings
Instagram: @hikingmyfeelings
Where to Find: Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple Books, Audible
Sydney Williams founded Hiking My Feelings on a mountaintop east of San Diego, CA in 2018 – a mantra, battlecry, and most importantly a replacement to the eating and drinking that had once been go-to methods for handling the reverberating emotions of lived trauma.
Since that day, she’s been on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature.
colorado aromatics
founder: cindy jones, Phd
Website: Colorado Aromatics
Instagram: @coloradoaromatics
Where to Find: On the website, at the Boulder and Longmont Farmer’s Markets, at their storefront in Longmont, CO
Cindy Jones is a PhD Biochemist, herbalist, and founder of Colorado Aromatics farm-to-skin care. She grew up hiking, gardening, and farming. Using her deep knowledge of skin physiology and a thorough understanding of ingredients from her scientific background, Cindy works to formulate products that are natural, effective and practical. She operates a Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) farm that grows over 30 different herbs/vegetables used in Colorado Aromatics skin care.
Colorado Aromatics products are perfect for every skin, but particularly skin that has been damaged due to the outdoors.
blaze physio mobile physical therarpy
founder: dr. morgan brosnihan, pt, dpt
Website: Blaze Physio
Instagram: @blazephysio
Where to Find: Along long distance trails including the Arizona Trail and PCT, telehealth CA, MD, AZ, OR, WA, running analysis/training sessions online everywhere
Dr. Morgan Brosnihan, PT, DPT has been a Physical Therapist since 2017 and is passionate about helping her patients make progress to get back to, or keep doing what they love. Morgan has worked both as a traveling therapist, and a clinic manager.
With a range of experience from trauma hospitals, to rehab, to outpatient facilities, Morgan has an eye for medical complexities, and complex recoveries.
“From helping patients learn to walk again, to helping athletes continue their endeavours, I am thankful for my knowledge and I hope with this platform I can reach more people to help them keep going, no matter where they are in their journey.” You can find her along the trail on the Pacific Crest trail, John Muir Trail, and Arizona Trail.
Alpine Fit
Jen Loofbourrow, owner and founder
Website: Alpine Fit
Instagram: @alpinefitco
Where to Find: Garage Grown Gear, online or visiting their workshop
Alpine Fit Alaska is based in Anchorage Alaska and make women’s and men’s base layers, hiking shirts, hats, neck gaiters, and other headwear. Our values are making our gear ourselves, designed for the types of outdoor activities and long extended wilderness adventures here in Alaska, and fit options for different body proportions.
We started making the products ourselves here in our workshop and are growing our little crew of stitchers and industrial equipment to supply our growing customer base. We have customers that include every day adventurers to some well known expeditioners and "Alaska famous" wilderness lovers. You can learn more about Alpine Fit in our guide to Best Hiking Tights.
Icelantic Skis
CEO: Annelise Loevlie
Website: Icelantic Skis
Instagram: @icelantic_skis
Where to find: REI, evo, Backcountry, local specialty retailers
Annelise Loevlie didn’t start Icelantic, but having been friends with the founder since childhood, she’s been with the Colorado-based ski company almost since its founding in 2005. When it was time to really take the company from a money-losing project and into profitability in 2014, she grabbed the poles, dropped in, and headed downslope. Since then Loevlie has navigated the moguls and tree wells of the ski industry, like Mikaela Shiffrin, and is CEO of one of the largest U.S.-made brands of skis in the country.
Not only does the company produce skis made in Colorado, they also produce them with some of the coolest graphics out there, like their National Parks Collection. The dreamy vistas of which you could almost be forgiven for staring at as you’re tripping to get off the lift. The skis also carry their bombproof 3-year warranty, so if you do mess them up on the lift—they’ll fix ‘em!
Gnara
Founder: Georgia Grace Edwards & Charlotte massey
Website: Gnara
Instagram: @gnara_apparel
Where to find: Garage Grown Gear
Co-founder Georgia Grace Edwards got the idea for Gnara (formerly known as SheFly) during her time as a summer glacier guide in Alaska. While her male co-workers could easily and discreetly unzip their flies to pee, she was forced to trek across dangerous crevasses until she could find the privacy to remove 3 to 4 layers of clothing in freezing temperatures. This process made her so cold that she chose to cut her water consumption and risk dehydration instead — a common tradeoff for female hikers and backpackers.
Tired of wearing clothes that simply weren’t designed for her anatomy, Georgia Grace teamed up with avid outdoor enthusiasts and fellow classmates Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey to launch SheFly in 2018 out of their college dorm rooms in Vermont.
Today, Gnara is an all-female led team committed to providing apparel that makes the outdoor industry more accessible for all.
LIGHTHEART GEAR
Founder: Judy Gross
Website: LightHeart Gear
Instagram: @lightheartgear
Where to get: LightHeart Gear website
LightHeart gear is made for hikers, by hikers. Founded by thru-hiker Judy "HeartFire" Gross, they specialize in ultralight tents, rain gear, and apparel and also do custom gear. Based in North Carolina, they have a small store where you can shop, try out tents, and try on the clothing. Everything is manufactured in the U.S.
Wild Rye
Founder: Cassie Abel
Website: Wild Rye
Instagram: @wild_rye_
Where to find: REI, Backcountry, evo, Wild Rye website
After nearly a decade in the outdoor industry, founder Cassie Abel knew women deserved better options. At Wild Rye, she's making those options a reality. And a community to match. Wild Rye's mission is to bring women+ (women, femme, and non-binary identifying folks) beautiful and technical mountain apparel that inspires confidence and gets more women outside.
In addition to building a better product for women, Wild Rye is dedicated to creating a community that celebrates the thrills and the spills, the snack breaks and the summits and the triumphs and failures. You'll find Wild Rye gear in our Best Women's Mountain Bike shorts guide.
Skida
Founder: Corinne Prevot
Website: Skida
Instagram: @skidagram
Where to find: evo, Backcountry
Skida was founded in the winter of 2008, when Corinne Prevot made hats for her cross-country ski teammates and friends at Burke Mountain Academy. As demand and buzz grew beyond the New England ski community, Skida added more products to the line to keep everyone warm and colorful. Fourteen years later, the brand is still committed to local production, limited edition products, and a fresh perspective.
You’ll see Skida mentioned in our guides What to Wear Cross-Country Skiing and Cold Weather Running.
Miss Mayfly
Website: Miss Mayfly
Instagram: @miss.mayfly.fishing
Where to find: shesfly
Miss Mayfly was the revelation of Kim Ranalla, a passionate female angler who saw a need for well-fitting and flattering gear for women anglers. The first chest wader hit the market in 2018 and quickly gained recognition across the nation.
In 2019, Kim accepted an investment opportunity and placed Miss Mayfly under the control of a holding company. However, on July 5, 2023, after three years under the partnership, Kim reclaimed her brand by buying out the holding company’s shares. She once again became the sole owner of Miss Mayfly.
Miss Mayfly’s mission is to empower anglers of all shapes and sizes, providing fit-focused fishing and wading gear designed to achieve unmatched outdoor performance. They pride themselves on creating product solutions tailored specifically to a woman’s body.
FunLovin Fleecewear
Founder: Kelli O’Keefe
Website: FunLuvin’ Fleecewear
Instagram: @funluvin_fleecewear
Where to find: Blue Ridge Hiking Company
FunLuvin’ Fleecewear was founded by Kelli O’Keefe in 2017. Kelli is a female boater who was inspired to create her own line of clothing based on her love for adventures in the outdoors. The river fuels her soul, and it was on the river where FunLuvin’ Fleecewear was born. She wanted to create fun, functional, and affordable clothing that’s versatile and can be worn on all the adventures.
All FunLuvin' products are made in the USA – Colorado and Idaho, to be specific.
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