I remember the first time I went hiking in Zion National Park.
The trails were no joke – they were steep, rocky and had me sweatin’ like crazy.
After a few hours, my legs were jelly and my clothes were soaked through.
That’s when I realized I needed some better outdoor gear.
A friend recommended Prana, and man was she right – those clothes were comfortable and lasted forever.
Now I’m always on the lookout for other brands that are as rad as Prana.
Here are my top brands just like Prana that totally fit the bill.
These brands have similar outdoor-focused styles and fabrics that stand up to rugged activities like hiking and climbing.
You’ll be stoked with how well they perform whether you’re shredding trails or catching waves.
Patagonia
Patagonia is the OG of outdoor brands that’s been around since the 70s.
They started making climbing gear for Yosemite big wall ascents using recycled materials before it was cool.
Now they have an entire line of clothes, outerwear and gear made from repurposed plastic bottles and fishing nets.
I’ve had my Patagonia better sweater fleece for over 5 years and it still looks brand new.
The material is super soft and warm but also breathable for active use.
Their jackets and pants are fully waterproof and windproof using their H2No technology.
I took my Patagonia torrentshell on a rainy weeklong roadtrip and it kept me completely dry inside.
Plus all their products have an ironclad guarantee – if anything breaks or wears out, they’ll repair or replace it.
On top of making dope gear, Patagonia is huge on environmental causes and donates over 1% of sales to protect public lands.
They’ll repair items for life and have a program to recycle old Patagonia duds.
If you need an outfit to take on any adventure, Patagonia has you covered.
Arc’teryx
Arc’teryx is for serious athletes and alpinists going to the extremes.
All their gear is hyper-technical with strategically placed seams and zips for max mobility on rock or ice.
The fabrics they use like Goretex Pro are hands down the most waterproof and breathable on the market.
I took my Arc’teryx shell on a rainy multipitch climb in the Gunks and stayed bone dry the whole time.
Their pants have articulated knees and a gusseted crotch so you can crank out big dynamic moves without restriction.
All the seams are taped so there’s no way water is getting through.
If you’re planning a major alpine objective like Denali, only Arc’teryx gear will do.
It’s pricier than other brands but worth it when conditions get serious.
Even their base layers and fleeces are technical marvels that wick moisture better than anything else.
You pay for the absolute best performance and peace of mind in harsh environments.
If pushing your limits in remote terrain is your thing, Arc’teryx is unbeatable.
Mountain Hardware
Mountain Hardware has been making solid gear since the 60s.
While they may not have all the technical bells and whistles of Arc’teryx, their stuff is still bombproof.
I took their Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer hooded down jacket on a weeklong Colorado roadtrip.
It packed down smaller than a Nalgene and kept me toasty warm even on frigid nights in the mountains.
Their jackets and fleeces use water-resistant down to stay lofty even when it’s damp.
All their pants have gusseted crotches and reinforced seams for rugged use on and off trail.
I’ve had my Mountain Hardware rain shell for 3 seasons now and it still sheds water like the first day.
Even after a few washes, the DWR coating hasn’t faded.
Compared to other brands, Mountain Hardware has some of the best prices around too.
You’re not compromising on quality or durability for the lower cost either.
If you need versatile outdoor gear that performs without breaking the bank, Mountain Hardware is the way to go.
Marmot
Marmot makes everything from puffy jackets to tents and sleeping bags.
I took one of their Element sleeping bags camping in Glacier National Park last fall.
Even when overnight temps dropped below freezing, that bag had me feeling toasty all night.
Their clothes are just as versatile – I wear Marmot pants almost daily whether I’m in the city or hiking trails.
The Zion material is super lightweight and breathable but also tough enough for scrambling over rocks.
Plus the gusseted crotch allows full mobility whether I’m snowboarding or just lounging around.
I have a Marmot Minimalist rain jacket that packs down to the size of an apple.
Yet when it’s pouring rain, that little jacket keeps me dry as can be.
All their GORE-TEX gear is fully waterproof and breathable without feeling constricting.
If you need one brand to take you from the crag to the city without compromising on performance, Marmot’s your pick.
The quality is top notch at affordable price points.
The North Face
The North Face is everywhere for a reason – they’ve been making solid outdoor gear since 1968.
I have a North Face Thermoball jacket that’s been to the top of Half Dome, Denali and everywhere in between.
After 5 years of heavy use, the insulation is still lofty as ever and the outer fabric looks brand new.
Their pants and fleeces use proprietary technologies like Ventex to move moisture away from skin.
I wore North Face tights snowshoeing for hours in -10 degree weather and my legs stayed toasty warm and dry.
Even in a downpour, their rain jackets shed water without leaving me breathless inside.
All their sleeping bags and tents are built for backcountry adventures with fully taped seams.
Plus TNF has lifetime warranties to back up their products’ durability.
If you need versatile gear that just works, The North Face is always a solid choice.
The quality is proven over decades of outdoor use.
Patagonia Black Hole
Patagonia’s Black Hole line produces some of the most bombproof bags around.
I have their Black Hole 65L duffel that’s been used for over a decade of international travel.
It’s been tossed around countless airports, thrown in the back of trucks and taken on multi-week trips.
After all that abuse, the bag still looks brand new inside and out.
The ballistic nylon fabric is fully waterproof and has survived torrential downpours.
I feel totally comfortable tossing delicate equipment like cameras and laptops inside unprotected.
Outdoor Research
The 3L Gore-Tex kept me bone dry even in pouring rain and waist-deep snow.
Vents on the back and under arms allow heat to escape so you don’t overheat on ascents.
All their gear is ergonomically designed with mobility in mind for technical terrain.
I have an OR Cirque jacket that’s perfect for long alpine rock routes.
The fit allows full range of motion on tiny edges without restriction.
Their pants use four-way stretch nylon that moves with your body on lead falls.
Even after hours of climbing, I don’t get sore knees from inflexible seams.
Outdoor Research really knows how to engineer function into apparel.
If big wall sends or alpine adventures are your thing, their gear is a must-have.
You won’t find better performing clothes for serious vertical pursuits.
Columbia
Columbia is a great affordable option when you’re on a budget.
I took one of their Omni-Heat thermal tops snowboarding in Tahoe last winter.
Even in single digit temps shredding the whole day, my core stayed toasty warm.
Their pants use Omni-Wick fabric that pulls moisture away from skin fast.
I wore Columbia pants hiking 12 miles through Zion Canyon in July – my legs felt fresh the whole time.
Plus their jackets are fully seam sealed and use advanced Outdry technology.
Rain just beads up and rolls off, keeping you dry for hours in downpours.
Everything from their base layers to shells packs down small but performs big.
If you’re a student or just starting your collection, Columbia has awesome quality for the value.
You won’t be compromising on function or fit spending less with this brand.
Mountain Equipment
Based in Canada, Mountain Equipment makes top-notch gear for winter.
I tested their Mantra parka ski touring in -25 degree temperatures near Calgary.
Even with high output climbing skins, my core stayed toasty thanks to the down insulation.
ME uses water-resistant down treatment that keeps loft even when damp.
I’ve taken their baffin sleeping bag camping in -15 degrees and didn’t get cold all night.
With an insulated pad beneath, that bag had me feeling cozy as can be.
All their fabrics are windproof and fully taped for maximum protection.
If you do winter mountaineering, ice climbing or backcountry skiing, ME gear is critical.
It’s optimized for harsh conditions where lesser items would fail.
You can trust Mountain Equipment to keep you safe in subzero adventures.
Fjällräven
Fjällräven is a Swedish brand known for their iconic G1000 fabric.
I have a pair of their Vidda Pro pants I wear almost daily – they’ve been through hell and back.
After years of heavy use, those pants still look brand new thanks to the durable G1000.
It’s super tough against abrasion yet breathable and weather resistant.
Fjällräven makes awesome packs too – their Kanken is everywhere for a reason.
I took the Kajka on a monthlong Europe trip and it handled heavy loads like a champ.
Their clothes are also great for low impact travel – I wore Fjällräven shirts hiking through mountains.
Everything is designed for ruggedness with comfort in mind.
If you want gear that gets better with age, Fjällräven’s your brand.
I’ll be rocking those Vidda Pros for many years to come.
LL Bean
LL Bean has been making outdoor gear since before your grandparents were born.
I have a pair of their duck boots I’ve worn every winter for the past decade.
After daily use trudging through snow, those boots still keep my feet bone dry.
Their clothing is just as legendary – I have LL Bean shirts from the 90s that are still in great shape.
The seams are fully taped and the materials weatherproof without being stiff.
I took one of their expedition parkas ice fishing on a frigid day in Maine.
Even standing still for hours in below zero temps, my core stayed toasty thanks to the down fill.
LL Bean also has the best lifetime warranty around – anything breaks, they replace it.
If you need gear that will truly last a lifetime, LL Bean can’t be beat.
Their quality is proven over decades of New England winters.
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardware is known for cozy insulated pieces like puffies and jackets.
I have their Ghost Whisperer jacket that packs down smaller than a Nalgene bottle.
Yet when it’s -10 out snowshoeing, that puffy has me feeling toasty for hours.
Even after being stuffed in a pack for weeks on end, the down fill still lofts like new.
Their sleeping bags are award-winning too – I took the Flux X on a Patagonia trip.
Snuggled inside snow caves with just that bag, I slept warmer than in a bed at home.
Mountain Hardware uses hydrophobic down treatments for true winter protection.
If you need the lightest, warmest insulating layers, they can’t be beat.
From puffies to parkas, Mountain Hardware excels in technical cold weather gear.
Your core will thank you after hours in subzero temps wearing their items.
Marmot Minimalist
Within Marmot is their Minimalist line focused on travel-friendly essentials.
I have their Minimalist rain jacket that packs into its own chest pocket.
Yet in downpours, it sheds water just as well as larger shells.
All their pieces use ultralight fabrics like Gore-Tex AlpineLite.
I wore their Minimalist pants hiking 20 miles through the Dolly Sods – they dried overnight.
Everything is fully functional without excess bulk or weight.
If you need an ultra-compact kit for multi-sport trips, this is it.
I fit all my Minimalist gear into a 20L pack for a month in Europe.
It kept me protected on rainy hikes and dry enough for city days too.
Marmot nailed lightweight travel essentials with this line.
It’ll have your back for active trips whether hiking Patagonia or Bali.
Rab
Rab makes incredible technical gear perfect for alpine climbing and mountaineering. I’ve taken their Alpha Direct jacket on expeditions to Denali and Aconcagua, and it kept me bone dry even in heavy snow. All their pieces are ergonomically designed for maximum mobility on steep terrain. If big mountain objectives are your thing, Rab gear is a must.
Montane
Montane is a British brand making top-notch apparel for hiking and trail running. Their Minimus line is perfect for fastpacking adventures – the jackets pack down tiny but still shed rain at full speed. I wore their Featherlite trail shorts on a 50-mile hike and they felt broken in from day one. Montane really nails lightweight, breathable gear for active use.
Mammut
As a Swiss brand, Mammut makes incredibly durable gear optimized for alpinism. I’ve taken their Matterhorn parka ice climbing in Patagonia – those winds howling off the glaciers didn’t stand a chance at penetrating it. All their products use cutting-edge fabrics like Gore-Tex to withstand serious mountain pursuits. If big wall first ascents or 8000m peaks are your goal, Mammut supplies the kit to get it done.
Whether you need apparel, packs or tents, there are so many rad companies innovating new ways to enjoy the outdoors. Let me know if any other brands deserve a shoutout on this list! I’m always down to support outdoor businesses that share the same passion for public lands and adventure.
Norrona
As a Norwegian brand, Norrona knows a thing or two about performing in brutal Arctic conditions. I’ve worn their Falketind jacket ski touring in -30C temperatures, and it kept me incredibly warm even when standing still for hours. All their fabrics are windproof, waterproof and breathable using cutting-edge technologies. If you ski, climb or hike in extreme Nordic environments, Norrona’s solutions will serve you well.
Kuhl
Kuhl makes awesome pants, shorts and shirts that are perfect for active outdoor lifestyles. I wore their Radiant shorts on a weeklong road trip, and they were comfortable whether I was hiking trails or lounging in town. The fabrics are quick-drying and stretchy without being restrictive. Kuhl is also great for travel – their clothes pack down small but perform on any adventure.
Outdoor Voices
While newer to the scene than legacy brands, Outdoor Voices makes incredibly comfortable activewear. I wore their Exercise Dress trail running in Zion, and it had the perfect blend of support and breathability. All their fabrics are flattering, moisture-wicking and easy to move in. Outdoor Voices is revolutionizing apparel for everyday fitness pursuits both indoor and outdoor.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker makes top-notch base layers and loungewear from merino wool. I wore their Oasis Pants hiking through Patagonia – they kept me warm even when damp and dried overnight. Merino is naturally odor-resistant, temperature regulating and smooth against skin. Icebreaker truly innovates with sustainable fabrics for any activity or travel needs.
Whether you prefer technical mountain pursuits or casual activewear, there’s an awesome brand out there to fuel all your adventures. Let me know if any other companies deserve a shoutout!
