Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear's name undeniably tells a tale. "Mountain" is, well, for the mountains, while "Hardwear" is truly the most telling word of the pairing–every piece is, literally, built for hard wear. Combined, these two words map the plot of Mountain Hardwear's story; a story running parallel to our collective ambition outdoors. You see, you can't just show up to climb an ice face or ski a remote line on the mountain; you actually have to put the work into it. Likewise, since 1993, Mountain Hardwear has realized the necessity that innovation plays in living up to its own name. More importantly, though, its advancements supply the tools you need to conquer the seemingly unconquerable. As technologies have changed, Mountain Hardwear has never been one to simply adopt and adapt. Instead, it actually initiates the shift in trends through strategic partnerships that lead to the development of innovative new materials. Much of this is traceable back to 2001, when Mountain Hardwear partnered with W.L. Gore and Associates on the development of the venerable Windstopper fabric. Today, it's a household name, but back then, it required a truly pioneering spirit to roll the dice. The same was true when Mountain Hardwear went solo on the development of its highly breathable DryQ Elite jackets and pants or its Ghost Whisperer down insulation pieces, creating new standards in lightweight, protective outerwear. Since its early days in California, Mountain Hardwear's unyielding passion for perfection has extended itself to nearly every category of adventure and freedom. In the camping and expedition domains, Mountain Hardwear invented standards like Crossflow construction, the Tension Shelf, and the Tension Arch for its tents. For backpacking, it produced the first waterproof sleeping bags in 2003, followed up by Coolwave Suspension for its backpacks. For skiing and ice climbing, it was the first to produce both men's and women's jackets with welded seam technology–a feat that also helped to revolutionize the industry for ski jackets and ski pants. And in 2005, it adapted this technology to produce the first welded softshell and down jackets. Not surprisingly, Mountain Hardwear's innovative spirit translates into a host of patents. Sure, that's something to take pride in, but all of this was done simply because Mountain Hardwear believes that nothing should be impossible, and that anything worth having is worth some hard work. As Mountain Hardwear even says, "We think that the magnificence of the outdoors is magnified when it's shared."

Find Mountain Hardwear gear for sale at Backcountry.com. Shop a huge selection of Mountain Hardware tents, jackets, gloves & more.

Mountain Hardwear - Jackets, Pants, & Tents

Its name captures the brand's essence with clever simplicity-Mountain Hardwear. From Exum Ridge to Everest, hardcore mountaineers have relied on Mountain Hardwear to get them through the toughest conditions. Check out Gore-Tex shells, weatherproof soft shells, technical fleece jackets, pants, and more.

Mountain Hardwear's name undeniably tells a tale. ""Mountain"" is, well, for the mountains, while ""Hardwear"" is truly the most telling word of the pairing–every piece is, literally, built for hard wear. Combined, these two words map the plot of Mountain Hardwear's story; a story running parallel to our collective ambition outdoors. You see, you can't just show up to climb an ice face or ski a remote line on the mountain; you actually have to put the work into it. Likewise, since 1993, Mountain Hardwear has realized the necessity that innovation plays in living up to its own name. More importantly, though, its advancements supply the tools you need to conquer the seemingly unconquerable.
 
As technologies have changed, Mountain Hardwear has never been one to simply adopt and adapt. Instead, it actually initiates the shift in trends through strategic partnerships that lead to the development of innovative new materials. Much of this is traceable back to 2001, when Mountain Hardwear partnered with W.L. Gore and Associates on the development of the venerable Windstopper fabric. Today, it's a household name, but back then, it required a truly pioneering spirit to roll the dice. The same was true when Mountain Hardwear went solo on the development of its highly breathable DryQ Elite jackets and pants or its Ghost Whisperer down insulation pieces, creating new standards in lightweight, protective outerwear.
 
Since its early days in California, Mountain Hardwear's unyielding passion for perfection has extended itself to nearly every category of adventure and freedom. In the camping and expedition domains, Mountain Hardwear invented standards like Crossflow construction, the Tension Shelf, and the Tension Arch for its tents. For backpacking, it produced the first waterproof sleeping bags in 2003, followed up by Coolwave Suspension for its backpacks. For skiing and ice climbing, it was the first to produce both men's and women's jackets with welded seam technology–a feat that also helped to revolutionize the industry for ski jackets and ski pants. And in 2005, it adapted this technology to produce the first welded softshell and down jackets.
 
Not surprisingly, Mountain Hardwear's innovative spirit translates into a host of patents. Sure, that's something to take pride in, but all of this was done simply because Mountain Hardwear believes that nothing should be impossible, and that anything worth having is worth some hard work. As Mountain Hardwear even says, ""We think that the magnificence of the outdoors is magnified when it's shared.""

Smartwool

Why wool? Merino wool, specifically, is naturally hydrophobic, highly breathable, and antimicrobial. In other words, it truly is the "smart" wool. Merino's characteristics lend themselves perfectly to products like t-shirts, socks, and underwear, because merino fibers wick and breathe better than most engineered synthetic fibers, while also neutralizing odors and providing a softer hand against the skin. But SmartWool's products are about more than just the raw material. Great care is taken in the production of the wool it uses to ensure products of not only the highest quality, but ones that are ethically and sustainably created.  The lush, jagged mountains of New Zealand play host to the majority of the world's Merino sheep. SmartWool works closely with small, experienced growers in this region to ensure the best yarn. A Merino sheep is only shorn once per year; to put that in perspective, one sheep's wool equates to only 40 pairs of SmartWool socks or seven mid-weight base layers. For this reason, every sheep is considered precious, meaning that SmartWool lives by the ethos that good wool requires a happy sheep. That's why SmartWool pioneered the humane treatment of sheep in New Zealand and refuses to source from any growers who don't abide by its standards. It was also the first to extend long-term contracts to growers, providing a sense of security that enables them to continue extending quality care and supervision. Continuing this philosophy, you'll find that 90% of SmartWool's products are knit in America. Your favorite slippers, beanie, pants, or mittens are all ethically produced in encouraging work environments. This means that you get a product that's made with love—from start to finish.  Sure, getting to the finished product isn't easy, but SmartWool wouldn't have it any other way. The end result is, after all, a remarkable thing to behold–a natural product, with an ethical footprint, that outperforms nearly every synthetic on the market. It doesn't get much better than that.

Find a huge selection of Smartwool socks plus Smartwool tights and slippers at Backcountry.com. Nothing but top-notch comfort for a top notch athlete.

Smartwool - Socks, Gloves, Tights & Slippers

Why wool? Merino wool, specifically, is naturally hydrophobic, highly breathable, and antimicrobial. In other words, it truly is the ""smart"" wool. Merino's characteristics lend themselves perfectly to products like t-shirts, socks, and underwear, because merino fibers wick and breathe better than most engineered synthetic fibers, while also neutralizing odors and providing a softer hand against the skin.
 But SmartWool's products are about more than just the raw material. Great care is taken in the production of the wool it uses to ensure products of not only the highest quality, but ones that are ethically and sustainably created.
 The lush, jagged mountains of New Zealand play host to the majority of the world's Merino sheep. SmartWool works closely with small, experienced growers in this region to ensure the best yarn. A Merino sheep is only shorn once per year; to put that in perspective, one sheep's wool equates to only 40 pairs of SmartWool socks or seven mid-weight base layers. For this reason, every sheep is considered precious, meaning that SmartWool lives by the ethos that good wool requires a happy sheep. That's why SmartWool pioneered the humane treatment of sheep in New Zealand and refuses to source from any growers who don't abide by its standards. It was also the first to extend long-term contracts to growers, providing a sense of security that enables them to continue extending quality care and supervision. Continuing this philosophy, you'll find that 90% of SmartWool's products are knit in America. Your favorite slippers, beanie, pants, or mittens are all ethically produced in encouraging work environments. This means that you get a product that's made with love—from start to finish.
 Sure, getting to the finished product isn't easy, but SmartWool wouldn't have it any other way. The end result is, after all, a remarkable thing to behold–a natural product, with an ethical footprint, that outperforms nearly every synthetic on the market. It doesn't get much better than that.

Backcountry

Backcountry.com’s first sale, an avalanche beacon, shipped from a garage in a small town in Utah in 1996. With hard work, perseverance, and a serious passion for the outdoors, that garage marked the beginning of a real success story.  Nearly 20 years later, Backcountry.com has grown dramatically, but has stayed true to its roots and core values. Employees are encouraged to ride their bikes at lunch and take off to ski on powder days. This authentic outdoor passion is immediately evident on the site, which is home to a huge, rapidly-growing knowledge base as well as an enthusiastic community of customers. Initially, ski, camp, and climbing equipment and clothing were Backcountry’s focus. While the lion’s share of its sales were jackets, pants, hats, and accessories, the company was better known for equipment, such as skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, backpacks, tents and sleeping bags. As implied by the name, touring equipment was, and still is, a core category, but the company has added many new product groups since the ‘90s, including mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, and later stand-up paddleboarding and even surfing. These days, Backcountry.com carries gear for every season, every climate, and every type of terrain on earth. It also features quality apparel from little-known brands around the world that its buyers have located in their search for intriguing new products. Backcountry has always relied heavily upon an outdoor-savvy staff. One of its founders, Jim Holland, was an Olympic ski jumper. Pro snowboarders and sponsored skiers work in merchandising and marketing. Copywriters regularly miss days to compete in mountain bike races. Even the CEO is an accomplished climber. Expertise and authenticity have always been priority at Backcountry.com, and it shows in every aspect of the site and the culture. From humble beginnings in a garage to one of the most trusted outdoor retailers in the world, Backcountry.com has come a long way in the last 19 years. Hard work and business savvy were key components, but it was passion for the outdoors that made Backcountry.com what it is today.

Our gear is just as good or better than anything else out there. Hit it hard, love it, and break it, and then tell us how to make it better than ever. 

Backcountry.com

Backcountry.com’s first sale, an avalanche beacon, shipped from a garage in a small town in Utah in 1996. With hard work, perseverance, and a serious passion for the outdoors, that garage marked the beginning of a real success story.
 
Nearly 20 years later, Backcountry.com has grown dramatically, but has stayed true to its roots and core values. Employees are encouraged to ride their bikes at lunch and take off to ski on powder days. This authentic outdoor passion is immediately evident on the site, which is home to a huge, rapidly-growing knowledge base as well as an enthusiastic community of customers.
 
Initially, ski, camp, and climbing equipment and clothing were Backcountry’s focus. While the lion’s share of its sales were jackets, pants, hats, and accessories, the company was better known for equipment, such as skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, backpacks, tents and sleeping bags. As implied by the name, touring equipment was, and still is, a core category, but the company has added many new product groups since the ‘90s, including mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, and later stand-up paddleboarding and even surfing. These days, Backcountry.com carries gear for every season, every climate, and every type of terrain on earth. It also features quality apparel from little-known brands around the world that its buyers have located in their search for intriguing new products.
 
Backcountry has always relied heavily upon an outdoor-savvy staff. One of its founders, Jim Holland, was an Olympic ski jumper. Pro snowboarders and sponsored skiers work in merchandising and marketing. Copywriters regularly miss days to compete in mountain bike races. Even the CEO is an accomplished climber. Expertise and authenticity have always been priority at Backcountry.com, and it shows in every aspect of the site and the culture.
 
From humble beginnings in a garage to one of the most trusted outdoor retailers in the world, Backcountry.com has come a long way in the last 19 years. Hard work and business savvy were key components, but it was passion for the outdoors that made Backcountry.com what it is today.

Helly Hansen

In 1877 Helly Juell Hansen crafted his first oilskin waterproof jacket for the harsh waters of the Norwegian fishing industry. Over 130 years later, Helly Hansen remains at the forefront of  apparel innovation, creating garments and gear to aid individuals working in the most rugged, merciless environments on the planet. From deep-sea survival suits to the latest in ski and snowboard outerwear, Helly Hansen applies the same function-focused, safety-first mindset to help you excel in extreme conditions.

Find the latest Helly Hansen outerwear and base layers at Backcountry.com. Stay warm, dry, and safe with Helly Hansen gear in some of the most extreme conditions.

Helly Hansen - Ski Jackets, Pants, & More

KUHL

While KÜHL is known today for great fitting pants and wool sweaters, the origins of the KÜHL story can be traced back to the snowy Wasatch Mountains of 1983 with a Peruvian-inspired polar fleece cap known as the “Alf Hat.” The hat was the brainchild of John “Alf” Engwall, who partnered with a young Conrad Anker and brothers Jay and Kevin Boyle to market the “Alf” to serious skiers and mountaineers. Driven to build a business around the mountain lifestyle they loved, as well as to fund the obsession with climbing and skiing that they all shared, they founded a company called Alfwear.  The Alf Hat became the go-to choice of avid powder skiers in the ‘80s and the fledgling company enjoyed a relative amount of success. Then tragedy struck when a car accident took the life of John Engwall. The three remaining partners continued to run the business for several more years, until in 1989, following the loss of several key accounts, the original Alfwear partnership was dissolved. Conrad Anker went on to pursue his legendary career as a professional mountaineer and Jay Boyle began to attend graduate school. What remained of the company (several boxes of the original Alf Hat) was left to Kevin Boyle who went to work transforming the brand.  Drawing on his passion for skiing, art, and mountain life, Kevin envisioned a new line of clothing, and in 1990 he turned Alfwear into the company we know today as KÜHL. The first product KÜHL introduced was the Jacquard Jacket; a fleece top featuring thumb-loop cuffs (a first in outdoor clothing) and underarm gussets for freedom of movement. The jacket rapidly became popular in the outdoor community and even won the Polartec Apex Award for Design Excellence.  As the company began to build on the success of the Jacquard Jacket, careful attention was paid to ensure that the skiing and climbing lifestyle lived by the founders would continue to inspire and guide the brand—an initiative that is maintained to this day. Design work continued and the line expanded to include pants, shirts, shorts, and hats for both men and women. Today, the KÜHL line of clothing features unique weaves, carefully selected fabrics, vintage washes, and renowned attention to fit—especially with their pants. You’d be hard pressed to find a genuine disciple of mountain culture who doesn’t have a pair of KÜHL pants in their weekly rotation, evidence of the like-minded designers who bring each KÜHL garment into existence. For great fit, freedom of movement, and a sense of style that is truly “born in the mountains,” look no further than KÜHL.

While KÜHL is known today for great fitting hiking pants and comfy wool sweaters, the origins of the Kuhl run much deeper…

KÜHL Outdoor Clothing

While KÜHL is known today for great fitting pants and wool sweaters, the origins of the KÜHL story can be traced back to the snowy Wasatch Mountains of 1983 with a Peruvian-inspired polar fleece cap known as the “Alf Hat.” The hat was the brainchild of John “Alf” Engwall, who partnered with a young Conrad Anker and brothers Jay and Kevin Boyle to market the “Alf” to serious skiers and mountaineers. Driven to build a business around the mountain lifestyle they loved, as well as to fund the obsession with climbing and skiing that they all shared, they founded a company called Alfwear. 

The Alf Hat became the go-to choice of avid powder skiers in the ‘80s and the fledgling company enjoyed a relative amount of success. Then tragedy struck when a car accident took the life of John Engwall. The three remaining partners continued to run the business for several more years, until in 1989, following the loss of several key accounts, the original Alfwear partnership was dissolved. Conrad Anker went on to pursue his legendary career as a professional mountaineer and Jay Boyle began to attend graduate school. What remained of the company (several boxes of the original Alf Hat) was left to Kevin Boyle who went to work transforming the brand. 

Drawing on his passion for skiing, art, and mountain life, Kevin envisioned a new line of clothing, and in 1990 he turned Alfwear into the company we know today as KÜHL. The first product KÜHL introduced was the Jacquard Jacket; a fleece top featuring thumb-loop cuffs (a first in outdoor clothing) and underarm gussets for freedom of movement. The jacket rapidly became popular in the outdoor community and even won the Polartec Apex Award for Design Excellence. 

As the company began to build on the success of the Jacquard Jacket, careful attention was paid to ensure that the skiing and climbing lifestyle lived by the founders would continue to inspire and guide the brand—an initiative that is maintained to this day. Design work continued and the line expanded to include pants, shirts, shorts, and hats for both men and women. Today, the KÜHL line of clothing features unique weaves, carefully selected fabrics, vintage washes, and renowned attention to fit—especially with their pants. You’d be hard pressed to find a genuine disciple of mountain culture who doesn’t have a pair of KÜHL pants in their weekly rotation, evidence of the like-minded designers who bring each KÜHL garment into existence. For great fit, freedom of movement, and a sense of style that is truly “born in the mountains,” look no further than KÜHL.

Bogner - Fire+Ice

Bogner

Marmot

The Marmot story began in 1971. While traveling through Alaska's Juneau Icefield, University of California Santa Cruz students Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley were struck with the idea of starting a mountaineering social club. They dubbed their group the Marmot club, and over the next few years, they fashioned prototypes of vests, sweaters, parkas, and several sleeping bags in their dorm room. It wasn't long before the two, along with friend Tom Boyce, took the leap into business and opened a retail and rental shop in Grand Junction, Colorado under the name Marmot Mountain Works. Marmot was born. 2014 marks Marmot's 40th anniversary. The brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Grand Junction. Marmot is now one of the premier manufacturers of technical jackets, pants, and extreme weather suits, as well as accessories, tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags for all season, conditions, and activities. You'll see the 8000M suit on the world's highest peaks, the Precip jacket and pant on hikers everywhere, the Limelight tent stashed in the packs of backpackers and campers, and the Guide vest on skiers, snowboarders, and winter enthusiasts of all types. Once a mountaineering brand, Marmot has since expanded into interests like urban exploration, trail running, and more. It was in 1974 when Marmot got its first big break in designing its own product. Tom Boyce was contacted by filmmaker Mike Hoover who needed 108 'very puffy' jackets for a shoot for the Clint Eastwood movie The Eiger Sanction. In response, Marmot delivered the Golden Mantle down jacket--its largest order on record at that time, and one that spurred Marmot into a future of creating many of its own in-house designs and technologies. Synthetics like Hollow Core, insulations like Thermal R, and materials like PreCip can all be attributed to Marmot production innovations. Another milestone in Marmot's history occurred a few years later when Eric met Joe Tanner of W.L. Gore & Associates, who introduced him to Gore-Tex fabric. Intrigued, Eric made a few sleeping bags with the new laminate. He and Dave spent seven nights in the bags in a commercial frozen meat locker and tested the bags under fire sprinklers. They were so impressed with the results that they changed over the entire Marmot line to Gore-Tex fabrics, making it the first W.L. Gore customer in the outdoor industry. Marmot continues to partner with leading brands like Gore-Tex, Primaloft, and Polartec to create top-quality products for a wide range of conditions and uses. Today, the Marmot name is stronger than ever. It has grown a lot and evolved, particularly in the direction of more and more ecological sustainability in both its materials and its processes. But one thing has never changed—Marmot's commitment to designing and manufacturing the highest quality performance outdoor clothing and equipment.

Marmot is known for its top-quality jackets, tents, packs, bags, gloves, base layers, and more. Find a wide selection from Marmot at Backcountry.com.

Marmot - Outwear, Backpacks, Tents, & More

The Marmot story began in 1971. While traveling through Alaska's Juneau Icefield, University of California Santa Cruz students Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley were struck with the idea of starting a mountaineering social club. They dubbed their group the Marmot club, and over the next few years, they fashioned prototypes of vests, sweaters, parkas, and several sleeping bags in their dorm room. It wasn't long before the two, along with friend Tom Boyce, took the leap into business and opened a retail and rental shop in Grand Junction, Colorado under the name Marmot Mountain Works. Marmot was born.
 
2014 marks Marmot's 40th anniversary. The brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Grand Junction. Marmot is now one of the premier manufacturers of technical jackets, pants, and extreme weather suits, as well as accessories, tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags for all season, conditions, and activities. You'll see the 8000M suit on the world's highest peaks, the Precip jacket and pant on hikers everywhere, the Limelight tent stashed in the packs of backpackers and campers, and the Guide vest on skiers, snowboarders, and winter enthusiasts of all types. Once a mountaineering brand, Marmot has since expanded into interests like urban exploration, trail running, and more.
 
It was in 1974 when Marmot got its first big break in designing its own product. Tom Boyce was contacted by filmmaker Mike Hoover who needed 108 'very puffy' jackets for a shoot for the Clint Eastwood movie The Eiger Sanction. In response, Marmot delivered the Golden Mantle down jacket--its largest order on record at that time, and one that spurred Marmot into a future of creating many of its own in-house designs and technologies. Synthetics like Hollow Core, insulations like Thermal R, and materials like PreCip can all be attributed to Marmot production innovations.
 
Another milestone in Marmot's history occurred a few years later when Eric met Joe Tanner of W.L. Gore & Associates, who introduced him to Gore-Tex fabric. Intrigued, Eric made a few sleeping bags with the new laminate. He and Dave spent seven nights in the bags in a commercial frozen meat locker and tested the bags under fire sprinklers. They were so impressed with the results that they changed over the entire Marmot line to Gore-Tex fabrics, making it the first W.L. Gore customer in the outdoor industry. Marmot continues to partner with leading brands like Gore-Tex, Primaloft, and Polartec to create top-quality products for a wide range of conditions and uses.
 
Today, the Marmot name is stronger than ever. It has grown a lot and evolved, particularly in the direction of more and more ecological sustainability in both its materials and its processes. But one thing has never changed—Marmot's commitment to designing and manufacturing the highest quality performance outdoor clothing and equipment.

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Mayfly

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Olympus Lightweight Skort - Women's

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Smartloft 120 Skirt - Women's

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Fashion and function meet. Keeps my bum warm while I look stylish out on the town. I pair mine with my go-to Sorels for the cutest mountain town look.

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Merino Sport Lined Skirt - Women's

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