Top 50 Outdoor Companies to Work For in 2025
Find your dream career with companies that combine passion for the outdoors with exceptional workplace culture. These industry leaders offer competitive benefits, sustainability commitments, and opportunities to work where your love for nature meets professional growth.
Why Work for an Outdoor Company?
Purpose-Driven Work
Outdoor companies attract employees who share a passion for nature and adventure. Your work directly supports getting people outside and protecting the environments we love.
Like-Minded Community
Work alongside people who value adventure, conservation, and outdoor recreation. Company cultures often include group hikes, climbing sessions, and outdoor volunteer opportunities.
Exceptional Benefits
Many outdoor companies offer unique perks like gear discounts, paid time off to explore nature, product testing opportunities, and even "Yay Days" to get outside during work hours.
Sustainability Focus
Leading outdoor brands prioritize environmental stewardship through sustainable practices, ethical sourcing, and corporate activism. Your career contributes to protecting our planet.
The Top 50+ Outdoor Companies
These companies represent the best employers in the outdoor industry, chosen for their workplace culture, employee benefits, sustainability commitments, and career development opportunities. Each offers unique advantages for outdoor enthusiasts seeking meaningful careers.
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Industry leader in sustainability and employee benefits. Known for environmental activism, fair labor practices, and comprehensive benefits including on-site childcare and paid time off for activism.
Global outdoor brand offering diverse career paths from retail to product development. Strong commitment to exploration and environmental stewardship with excellent employee discount programs.
REI
Employee-owned co-op providing exceptional benefits including profit sharing, generous gear discounts, and paid time to explore the outdoors. Named one of Fortune's Best Companies to Work For multiple times.
Family-owned company with Portland headquarters offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and strong emphasis on work-life balance with flexible schedules.
Marmot
Mountain sports brand focused on technical innovation. Offers collaborative work environment with opportunities for gear testing and outdoor adventure as part of the job.
Merrell
Leading hiking footwear brand with opportunities across design, marketing, sales, and retail. Known for supporting employee outdoor pursuits with gear allowances and adventure days.
Climbing and skiing equipment company attracting passionate outdoor athletes. Employee culture centers on testing gear in real conditions and pushing boundaries of outdoor sports.
Osprey
Premium backpack manufacturer with strong environmental ethics. Offers product testing opportunities, sustainability initiatives, and a collaborative team environment.
Orvis
Fly fishing and outdoor lifestyle brand with family-oriented culture. Strong commitment to conservation with 5% of pre-tax profits donated to protecting nature.
Arc'teryx
Premium technical outdoor brand based in North Vancouver. Known for design innovation, craftsmanship, and supporting employees' outdoor pursuits with industry-leading benefits.
Keen
B Corp certified footwear company committed to social and environmental responsibility. Offers creative work environment with generous volunteer time and sustainability programs.
Yeti
Premium outdoor brand experiencing rapid growth. Offers competitive compensation, stock options, and dynamic work culture centered on outdoor lifestyle and quality products.
Technical outdoor apparel company known for innovation in mountain sports. Collaborative culture with opportunities to test gear in extreme conditions.
Employee-owned company designing problem-solving outdoor gear. Strong ownership culture with profit sharing and emphasis on testing products in the field.
Thule
Swedish company specializing in outdoor transport solutions. Global career opportunities with emphasis on design, quality, and sustainable practices.
Yakima
Outdoor transport and cargo systems company with innovative culture. Offers hands-on product development and testing opportunities.
Big Agnes
Colorado-based camping gear company with strong team culture. Known for innovation in sleep systems and commitment to outdoor community.
Prana
Sustainable activewear brand with Fair Trade certified production. Strong values-driven culture with emphasis on yoga, climbing, and environmental stewardship.
Icebreaker
Merino wool specialists with commitment to natural fibers and sustainability. Global company offering diverse career paths from sourcing to retail.
La Sportiva
Italian climbing and mountain sports brand with family heritage. Combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation in footwear design.
Salomon
French mountain sports brand offering trail running, hiking, and winter sports opportunities. Part of Amer Sports with global career paths.
Outdoor lighting innovator with engineering focus. Offers opportunities in product development and testing in extreme conditions.
Petzl
French company specializing in climbing and safety equipment. Family-owned business with commitment to quality, innovation, and safety.
Therm-a-Rest
Pioneer in camping comfort and sleep systems. Part of Cascade Designs with focus on innovation and outdoor testing.
Premium climbing and skiing equipment manufacturer. Employee culture built around mountain sports and testing gear in real conditions.
Gerber Gear
Over 80 years of knife and tool manufacturing. Offers engineering and design opportunities in outdoor and tactical markets.
K2 Sports
Multi-brand action sports company with diverse opportunities. Includes skiing, skating, and outdoor sports brands.
MSR
Mountain Safety Research brand focusing on backcountry equipment. Engineering-driven culture with emphasis on reliability and innovation.
Award-winning outdoor gear company known for design innovation. Creative culture with focus on solving outdoor challenges through engineering.
Trade organization representing outdoor industry interests. Offers opportunities in advocacy, research, and event management.
Sustainable food division of Patagonia focusing on regenerative agriculture. Offers unique intersection of food systems and environmental activism.
Smartwool
Merino wool performance brand with sustainability focus. Offers opportunities in design, marketing, and sustainable sourcing.
Snow Peak
Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand with minimalist aesthetic. Growing U.S. presence with opportunities in retail and product development.
Sport Hansa
Outdoor gear distributor with diverse brand portfolio. Offers opportunities in sales, marketing, and distribution.
Stanley
Over 100 years of outdoor drinkware innovation. Experiencing rapid growth with diverse career opportunities.
Goal Zero
Portable solar power solutions company. Offers opportunities in renewable energy and outdoor innovation.
Snowboard apparel brand with creative culture. Offers design and marketing opportunities in snow sports industry.
Chaco
Outdoor sandal brand known for durability and sustainability. Offers opportunities in product development and outdoor lifestyle marketing.
Deuter
German backpack manufacturer with over 125 years of experience. Global company with emphasis on ergonomics and sustainability.
Grangers
Outdoor gear care specialists. Offers opportunities in product development and sustainability in gear maintenance.
Hydro Flask
Insulated drinkware brand with rapid growth. Part of Helen of Troy with diverse career opportunities.
Jetboil
Portable cooking systems innovator. Part of Johnson Outdoors with focus on engineering and outdoor cooking.
Kammok
Innovative outdoor gear company specializing in hammocks and shelters. Direct-to-consumer brand with creative culture.
Adventure travel company offering unique career opportunities. Combines outdoor guiding with travel industry experience.
Leatherman
Premium multitool manufacturer based in Portland. Family-owned company with 25-year warranty on products and strong employee culture.
High-performance backpack manufacturer. Known for military and wildland firefighting packs with opportunities in technical design.
Nalgene
Iconic outdoor bottle brand. Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific with opportunities in product development and sustainability.
Innovation-focused division creating next-generation outdoor gear. Offers opportunities in research and product testing.
Australian outdoor gear company with global presence. Known for innovative lightweight solutions and minimalist design.
Smith Optics
Performance eyewear and helmets for outdoor sports. Offers opportunities in optical innovation and action sports marketing.
Teva
Original sport sandal brand with decades of outdoor heritage. Part of Deckers Brands with diverse career opportunities.
Wigwam Mills
American sock manufacturer since 1905. Family-owned company with commitment to domestic manufacturing.
Hestra Gloves
Swedish glove maker with 90+ years of family craftsmanship. Combines traditional techniques with modern innovation.
Camp Chef
Outdoor cooking equipment manufacturer. Offers opportunities in product development and culinary outdoor innovation.
Vail Resorts
Largest ski resort operator in North America. Offers diverse opportunities from mountain operations to corporate roles with extensive remote positions.
Specialized
Premium bicycle manufacturer with passion for cycling. Offers opportunities in bike technology, retail, and cycling advocacy.
Is your company missing from this list?
Email us at kyle@getoutdoorjobs.com to be considered for inclusion
What Makes These Companies Great to Work For?
Strong Values & Mission
The best outdoor employers have clear missions beyond profit. They prioritize environmental sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and social responsibility. Companies like Patagonia donate a percentage of sales to environmental causes, while REI closes on Black Friday to encourage people to get outside.
Employee-First Culture
Top outdoor companies invest heavily in employee wellbeing through comprehensive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and unique perks like gear discounts (often 40-60% off), paid volunteer time, and dedicated outdoor adventure days. Many offer profit sharing and employee ownership programs.
Outdoor Integration
These companies don't just sell outdoor gear—they live it. Employees are encouraged (and sometimes required) to test products in real conditions. Many companies sponsor employee adventures, provide gear allowances, and schedule team building through outdoor activities like climbing, skiing, or backpacking trips.
Career Development
Leading outdoor companies provide clear paths for advancement with mentorship programs, skills training, and leadership development. They promote from within and value diverse experience—from retail floor to corporate offices, from product design to marketing and beyond.
Career Paths in Outdoor Companies
Product & Design
- • Product Designer
- • Gear Developer
- • Materials Scientist
- • Quality Assurance Tester
- • Prototype Engineer
Marketing & Creative
- • Brand Manager
- • Content Creator
- • Social Media Specialist
- • Photographer/Videographer
- • Digital Marketing Manager
Retail & Sales
- • Store Manager
- • Gear Specialist
- • Territory Sales Rep
- • Account Manager
- • Retail Experience Designer
Operations & Leadership
- • Supply Chain Manager
- • Sustainability Director
- • Operations Coordinator
- • HR Specialist
- • Executive Leadership
How to Land a Job at a Top Outdoor Company
1. Show Your Outdoor Passion
Outdoor companies want to hire people who genuinely love the outdoors. Highlight your outdoor experiences, certifications (Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace, etc.), and personal adventures in your resume and interviews. Share stories that demonstrate your connection to outdoor recreation.
2. Research Company Values
Each outdoor company has unique values and missions. Study their sustainability initiatives, corporate activism, and brand story. Reference specific programs or values in your application to show authentic interest beyond just getting a job.
3. Start in Retail
Many outdoor industry leaders started in retail. Companies like REI and The North Face often promote from within. Retail experience provides product knowledge, customer service skills, and demonstrates commitment to the brand while getting your foot in the door.
4. Network at Industry Events
Attend Outdoor Retailer trade shows, climbing festivals, and local outdoor industry events. Join organizations like the Outdoor Industry Association. Many jobs are filled through personal connections and industry networking before they're even posted publicly.
5. Highlight Relevant Skills
Beyond outdoor experience, emphasize transferable skills like project management, digital marketing, sustainability expertise, or technical skills. Show how your unique background can contribute to the company's mission and bring fresh perspectives to the team.