Verification in Progress
Outdoor Research is in our verification queue. We review manufacturing claims carefully before listing products — some brands have both USA-made and imported lines, so we audit each SKU individually. Check back soon, or sign up below to be notified when verified products are ready.
Our Research Notes
Founded 1981 in Seattle, Washington. Operates two US factories: Seattle, WA and El Monte, CA producing Berry-Compliant protective gear, hats, and select apparel. Seattle Rain Hat, Seattle Sombrero, and tactical gear lines made in USA. Website has dedicated Made in USA collection. Other outdoor apparel manufactured overseas. Military contracts for domestic products.
No spam. One email when we publish verified Outdoor Research products.
Outdoor Research designs technical outdoor apparel and accessories in Seattle, Washington and manufactures select premium items at American sewing facilities, producing gear trusted by mountaineers, guides, and backcountry athletes worldwide.
Heritage & History
Ron Gregg founded Outdoor Research in 1981 in Seattle, Washington, after losing a pair of goggles on a Himalayan expedition and deciding to design better solutions to the small gear problems that made outdoor pursuits harder than they needed to be. The company grew from a catalog of specialty outdoor accessories into a full technical apparel brand, driven by a culture of innovation that has produced numerous patents and industry firsts in waterproof technology, insulation systems, and ergonomic design.
Seattle's position in the Pacific Northwest — gateway to the Cascades, Olympics, and Alaska — gives Outdoor Research direct access to serious outdoor testing environments. The brand's gear has been validated in Himalayan expeditions, polar traverses, and technical alpine climbing routes around the world.
Made in Seattle, Washington
Outdoor Research operates US sewing facilities in Seattle, Washington where select premium gloves, mitts, and accessories are manufactured by skilled American sewers. The domestic production capability allows rapid prototype iteration and small-batch production of specialized items — an advantage in a performance gear market where getting the design right matters more than scale efficiency.
Items produced in Seattle include the Pro Model glove series and other high-specification accessories where precision hand sewing and quality control justify domestic production costs. For outdoor athletes who want specific items bearing genuine American manufacturing credentials from a company with four decades of Seattle heritage, Outdoor Research's domestic lines deliver.
Browse Outdoor Research on Amazon
Products may not yet be fully verified. Check back as we complete our audit.