Arc’teryx Alternatives: Best Outdoor Gear Brands

Arc’teryx is one of the best brands when it comes to outdoor gear. Their products are high-quality, incredibly reliable, and so expensive that they’re not even an option for a lot of people. If you’re also trying to find some Arc’teryx alternatives that offer similar quality at a more attractive price, you’re definitely in the right place!

I’ve included the top ten brands that are worthy alternatives to Arc’teryx. All of them make reliable and durable outdoor gear, and more often than not, they offer better deals for adventurers on a budget. Read on to see the best Arc’teryx alternatives and maybe find a new favorite brand of outdoor gear!

Patagonia

Patagonia is a reliable brand with a clear focus on durability and sustainability. They’re best-known for their Nano Puff jackets with synthetic insulation and DWR coating. Patagonia is also popular for backpacks, ski suits, sleeping bags, insulated and waterproof jackets, and workwear.

They make gear with both synthetic insulation and down, so there are plenty of options for various weather conditions. Patagonia is also popular for making lightweight and packable gear – their best-selling jackets are warm, waterproof, and can fit into the pocket of your hoodie.

In terms of sustainability efforts, Patagonia has made a lot of headway in recent years. They’re using recycled polyester to manufacture a lot of gear and they donate 1% of their sales to various causes surrounding the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.

Also, the brand has significantly expanded upon its Worn Wear program, which is an effort to prolong the life of all the different products.

You can send in any old product back to Patagonia – you get store credit, and they get to either resell that garment or recycle it to make something new. It’s a great sustainability effort that’s helping reduce the amount of waste they produce annually, as well as an awesome opportunity to get some high-quality gear at reduced prices.

Black Diamond

Black Diamond is an outdoor gear brand that is very popular among climbers and skiers. They also make clothes and shoes that are more affordable than Arc’teryx, but not quite as good when it comes to performance.

Black Diamond is best known for its amazing accessories like harnesses, helmets, headlamps, backpacks, axes, and pretty much anything else you can think of that’s used in climbing and skiing.

Their products are not exactly cheap, but they are a lot more affordable than Arc’teryx and even quite a few of their alternatives. Black Diamond gear is known for excellent performance and durability, even when it’s used often and in rough conditions.

The brand offers a limited warranty on most of their products but it’s only valid in the US – in the rest of the world, you’re getting the warranty from the store where you bought the gear.

Black Diamond also makes excellent outdoor recreation clothes. You don’t get quite the same performance as from Arc’teryx, but you’re spending much less money. The brand makes synthetic and down insulated jackets, waterproof gear, and some really great backpacks. Their product range is diverse, with lots of options for both men and women.

Helly Hansen

In terms of quality and performance, Helly Hansen is likely the closest brand to Arc’teryx. Their focus is on outdoor gear and clothing that’s used in wet environments (sea and snow). Helly Hansen is most popular with people who are shopping for sailing, skiing, and outdoor gear. The brand is great for everything from underlayers to jackets, as well as accessories and backpacks.

The only issue is that they’re really not that much cheaper than Arc’teryx. Helly Hansen gear is often in the same price range as Arc’teryx gear, if not even pricier sometimes. So, if you were hoping to save some money by getting an Arc’teryx alternative instead of the real thing, this is probably not the right brand for you.

Helly Hansen is a sustainable and reliable brand that uses only the best materials in its products. They use several proprietary materials and technologies, as well as the market leaders in insulation and waterproofing technologies. Also, a lot of their gear features the RECCO Advanced Rescue System, so they’re the best alternative to Arc’teryx if that’s one of the main things you’re looking for.

Marmot

Marmot is a US brand that was founded in the mid-70s. Their focus is outdoor recreation clothing, and they’re very popular for their excellent jacket, hoodies, waterproof pants, and just great hiking gear in general. Marmot makes everything from lightweight undershirts to extreme weather gear, and they’re a great option no matter what type of clothing you need.

Also, Marmot is significantly more affordable than Arc’teryx and that’s always a plus. They still use the same high-end technologies like Gore-Tex, Down Defender, RECCO, PrimaLoft, Pertex, and many others, so you can expect great performance out of the gear. Marmot is a safe bet if you’re looking for waterproof and insulated gear and clothing that’s high-quality but not too expensive.

The brand also makes backpacks, luggage, and sleeping bags – although these aren’t exactly their best-selling products, they’re still the same quality as the other items, so definitely consider Marmot if you ever need some of those things.

It’s worth noting that the brand has several sustainable approaches, which include manufacturing from recycled materials, using bluesign Approved materials, and responsibly sourced down.

Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research is a US company that’s been around since the 80s. They make high-quality outdoor recreation clothing, equipment, and footwear, and they’re immensely popular because of their affordable prices. Outdoor Research is one of the best options if you’re looking for cheaper Arc’teryx alternatives that still offer good performance.

They’re most popular for their excellent jackets, hiking pants, accessories, and a wide variety of gaiters. It’s worth noting that the brand has a very wide product range, which includes both clothing and accessories for various outdoor adventures, as well as special gear for rough and rugged environments.

The brand uses high-end materials and technologies like Gore-Tex and PrimaLoft in their gear, so there’s no doubt if you’ll get good-performing gear from them. Also, a lot of their products are made with recycled materials, which is just one of their many sustainable practices.

Other sustainability efforts include partnering with select organizations to promote the protection of natural environments, using only responsibly sourced and traceable down, and minimizing their carbon footprint by founding Climate Action Corps.

The North Face

The North Face is another great alternative to Arc’teryx, especially when it comes to jackets and backpacks. Although the brand is mostly focused on manufacturing everyday wear items, they still have a lot of sportier outdoor products in their range. There are jackets for hiking, skiing, snowboarding, as well as a lot of lightweight and packable rain jackets.

TNF is also considered a fashionable clothing brand, and it’s a favorite of celebrities. If you like to stay stylish even when you’re climbing mountains, this is one of the best brands to consider. It also helps that they’re significantly more affordable than Arc’teryx, especially in the US market!

The brand uses high-quality materials in their products, and they’re generally known for excellent performance and reliability. They’re a great choice for waterproof and insulated gear, and it’s worth noting that they use both down and synthetic insulation in their gear.

TNF also offers products with various water and wind resistance levels, with a lot of options that are entirely windproof and waterproof.

Finally, The North Face remains a brand worth considering even if you need special gear for hiking or climbing. They’re not exactly best-known for that section of their product range, but it exists and it features some really amazing items.

Mammut

Mammut is a Swiss company that makes clothing and gear for outdoor sports. They have lots of products for hiking, skiing, climbing, mountaineering, and even something for the urban jungle. The brand is one of the leaders in specialty gear and they’re easily one of the best alternatives to Arc’teryx for high-end outdoor gear.

Mammut is very popular for its amazing collection of boots for climbers and hikers. Their footwear is incredibly durable, stable, and most importantly, comfortable to wear. People who need shoes for rough mountain conditions often turn to Mammut and they’re never disappointed. The brand is also known for high-quality jackets, hoodies, and incredibly tough climbing equipment.

One thing that’s not so great about Mammut is that their items are pricey. They’re usually a little cheaper than Arc’teryx, but not enough that I could call them affordable. The quality lives up to the price for sure, but if you’re looking for a budget alternative, you might not find as many options in Mammut’s product range.

Norrøna

Norrøna is a Norwegian outdoor gear brand that’s becoming an increasingly popular alternative to Arc’teryx. They use technologies like Gore-Tex, PrimaLoft, YKK Aquaseal, Pertex Quantum, and many others that are only found in the best-performing gear you can buy.

The only problem is that they’re not that much more affordable than Arc’teryx, so if you needed a cheaper alternative this likely isn’t a good one for you. But the prices are easily justified when you look at the materials and the insane warranty.

Also, it’s worth noting that the priciest Norrøna items are the high-end jackets for extreme weather and circumstances. If you’re looking for something like a hoodie, or a lightweight rain jacket, you’ll find that Norrøna has more affordable options in that range than Arc’teryx.

The brand also does outdoor equipment like sleeping bags, tents, skis, and various accessories including backpacks and gloves. Their products are very well crafted and you can expect amazing durability. Even the socks come with a five-year warranty, and if you sign up to be a Loyalty Member, the warranty is extended to 7 years.

Norrøna is also making some serious sustainability efforts, which is certainly a plus in my book. They’re using recycled materials, they donate 1% of yearly revenue to environmental causes, and they don’t source natural fur at all – those are just a few of the things they’re actively doing to improve their general sustainability.

Salomon

Salomon is a famous name in the outdoor gear market. They’re best known for their shoes, which are the go-to for many people who are into hiking and trail running. Salomon shoes are known for outstanding performance and even better durability, which is perhaps the main reason why so many people trust the brand.

Their shoes are so popular that people often forget that the brand also makes jackets, backpacks, skis, boots, and many other things. They’re also more generally more affordable than Arc’teryx, while still using the same high-end materials and technologies like Gore-Tex and Thinsulate.

Salomon is a great option for people who need specialty outdoor gear, as well as anyone who just wants warm and waterproof winter clothing.

The brand is also popular for high-end skis, boards, and bindings, so they’re a great option if you’re looking for items in that range. Their road running collection remains the most popular, featuring high-quality shoes, backpacks, and clothing for runners.

Salomon has done a lot to improve its sustainability efforts in recent years, which is another great reason to support them. They’ve significantly reduced their carbon footprint, and they’ve started using a lot more recycled materials in the manufacturing process.

Columbia

Columbia Sportswear is a great budget alternative to Arc’teryx. The brand has a very wide product range and they make everything from outerwear accessories to camping equipment. If you need jackets, footwear, hiking gear, ski suits, or anything similar, you’ll find that Columbia has some excellent options.

Their sustainable practices are also similar to those of Arc’teryx. Columbia is committed to minimizing their carbon footprint, they use responsibly sourced materials in the manufacturing process, and they’re dedicated to keeping their products out of landfills once they’re no longer wearable.

They’ve even launched a program in the US that encourages people to bring in their old Columbia gear for recycling, which is pretty cool.

Another great thing about Columbia is that they’re significantly more affordable than Arc’teryx. Although they use similar technologies as the Canadian brand, Columbia ultimately has more proprietary technologies like Omni-Heat and Omni-Shield, which allow them to price their products more attractively.

So, if you’re looking for an Arc’teryx alternative that’s equally sustainable and reliable but just a little cheaper, Columbia is one of the top options to consider!