Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research in the index

In the August 2026 edition, Outdoor Research ranks #16 of 184 brands overall and #9 of 60 in Apparel. Its Scale score is driven most by social audience, with site traffic its relatively weakest signal. Over the past year, branded search is declining, with a seasonal peak in November and December, and site traffic is growing strongly. Its Momentum score of 61 says the brand is growing overall (50 means flat).

About Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research designs technical apparel and gear for people who spend time outdoors in variable weather, from hiking and backpacking to mountaineering, skiing, trail running and travel. The range covers rain jackets, insulated and fleece layers, soft and hard shell garments, base layers, pants, and accessories such as gloves, beanies and gaiters, along with gear items including gaiters, duffels, bivy sacks and gear care products. Products are organised by weather condition—rain, sun, wind and snow—as well as by activity, reflecting a focus on function suited to specific outdoor conditions.

The brand sells directly to consumers through its own website, offering separate men's and women's collections, including extended sizing, alongside seasonal and limited-edition releases. It positions itself around resilience in the elements, with messaging built on trail-tested performance rather than lifestyle branding. Outdoor Research also collaborates with technical fabric-care brand Nikwax within parts of its range. Its D2C model includes standard e-commerce features such as free shipping thresholds, sales sections and text-message alerts for product drops.