Are you an outdoor enthusiast? If so, you’ve likely heard of the Kühl brand. Founded decades ago with a passion for the mountains and outdoor activities, this American-based company has since expanded its line of products to include work and travel clothing.
If you’re a fan of outdoor activities or sports, chances are you’re already familiar with this company. You may have even tried some of their products and experienced the quality they offer.
For those looking for more outdoor clothing options, here are 10 brands that design and sell clothes and equipment similar to Kühl in terms of quality and performance.
Let’s get started!
Contents:
- 1. Patagonia
- 2. Marmot
- 3. Berghaus
- 4. Columbia Sportswear
- 5. Helly Hansen
- 6. 66°North
- 7. The North Face
- 8. Carhartt
- 9. Jack Wolfskin
- 10. Mammut
1. Patagonia
Patagonia official website
Patagonia is an outdoor brand from Ventura, California, USA, founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, a rock climber. It is renowned for its simple, minimalist designs and its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Patagonia’s collections include a variety of outdoor wear such as jackets, pants, backpacks, T-shirts, and hoodies, for men, women, and kids. The brand also uses technical fabrics such as H2No and Gore-Tex, making it suitable for outdoor experts.
Patagonia’s products are generally quite pricey, but customers report that they perform well. If you’re interested in learning more about Patagonia’s high prices, we have an article discussing this here.
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Don’t miss: 10 Outdoor Brands Like Patagonia That You’ll Definitely Love
2. Marmot
Marmot official website
Marmot is an American brand founded in 1974 that specializes in technical clothing, climbing, trekking, and outdoor equipment.
Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntly, students at the University of California, had the idea for the Club Marmot while on a school trip to Alaska.
With the help of Tom Boyce, they transformed an old building into a store selling clothing and equipment for outdoor activities, launching the Marmot Mountains Works brand.
Marmot produces high-quality items for outdoor enthusiasts, such as climbing, hiking, and camping gear, which are tested in the field by athletes and mountain guides to ensure innovation. Today, Marmot offers a variety of clothing and accessories for women and men who enjoy outdoor activities.
Read also: Marmot vs Columbia: Which Brand is Better?
3. Berghaus
Berghaus official website
Berghaus is a company established in 1966 in the northeast of England by Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison, with the goal of producing outdoor equipment. Their first location was a small shop called LD Mountain Center in Newcastle, UK.
Since its inception, Berghaus has been committed to providing innovative and top-level solutions. This approach proved to be very successful, and Berghaus quickly became one of the best brands in the outdoor wear sector.
Today, Berghaus strives for quality and excellence, as evidenced by its many products.
Read next: Berghaus vs The North Face: Which Brand is Better?
4. Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear official website
Columbia Sportswear, also known simply as Columbia, was founded in 1938 by a family who had fled Germany and settled in Portland, Oregon. Despite its worldwide presence, Columbia has maintained its status as a small family business.
It offers a vast selection of outdoor products, and its popularity has grown over the years, in part due to its affordable prices. Columbia’s products are of good quality and available at various price points.
The brand also keeps up with the competition when it comes to materials and technologies, offering a range of technologies such as Omni-Tech, a waterproof/breathable fabric, and thermal reflective systems used in winter jackets. All in all, Columbia is a great alternative to Kühl.
Must read: 9 Outdoor Brands like Columbia that We Love and Why
5. Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen official website
Helly Hansen was founded in Norway in 1877 by sea captain Helly Juell Hansen. Its original headquarters were in Moss, but it has since moved to Oslo.
Initially, the company focused on producing equipment for sailors, but it eventually expanded to the outdoors, with a particular focus on mountain sports.
One of Helly Hansen’s special features is its research into unique technologies, such as Helly Tech, which was developed in the 1980s and has since been perfected to make garments waterproof yet breathable.
Read also:
Is Helly Hansen Good for Cold Weather? (What We Think)
10 Outdoor Brands like Helly Hansen that We Love
6. 66°North
66°North official website
Next, let’s look at a less well-known brand, 66°North. Named after the 66th parallel, this Icelandic brand was founded in 1926 by Hans Kristjánsson. Initially, the brand catered to Icelandic workers and fishermen who had to endure extreme weather conditions every day.
Today, 66°North creates clothing for everyday activities as well as for work, and their garments are comfortable, durable, and able to withstand unpredictable weather like that of Iceland.
The brand offers jackets, vests, pants, and accessories for men and women for various outdoor activities, though their products are generally expensive.
Don’t miss: 7 Icelandic Clothing Brands for your Outdoor Adventures
7. The North Face
The North Face official website
The North Face is an American brand established in 1966 in San Francisco, California by outdoor enthusiasts Douglas and Susie Tompkins Buell. Its logo is a stylized drawing of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Since 2000, The North Face has been part of VF Corporation, which owns many other outdoor brands. The North Face offers a wide range of outdoor apparel and gear, including winter down parkas, school and hiking backpacks, and hiking shoes.
They are also innovators, having developed fabric technologies such as DryVent and Thermoball, the former being a waterproof/breathable fabric and the latter a synthetic insulation that imitates natural down.
While The North Face is generally expensive, there are some affordable pieces in their collections. In recent years, the brand has made strides toward sustainability, reducing its environmental footprint and using recycled materials.
Learn more: Are The North Face Jackets Worth The Price? Why Are They So Expensive?
8. Carhartt
Carhartt official website
Carhartt was founded by Hamilton Carhartt in 1889 in Detroit, USA. Initially, the company produced workwear for railroad workers, soldiers, and marines. It later expanded to include a women’s clothing line.
Now, Carhartt is renowned for its quality work and outdoor clothes, which come in all sizes, for all genders and ages. Carhartt offers a wide range of workwear, such as overalls, jackets, pants, and shirts, as well as outdoor clothing and accessories.
Prices are budget-friendly despite the excellent quality of their materials, which include cotton, nylon, elastane, and polyester, among others.
Don’t miss: 8 Quality Brands like Carhartt: Our Top Picks
9. Jack Wolfskin
Jack Wolfskin official website
Next, we’ll take a look at Jack Wolfskin from Germany, a company founded in 1981 by Ulrich Dausien.
The brand’s mission is to inspire people to go outdoors and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, and their products are designed to make this possible in a safe and comfortable way.
Jack Wolfskin offers a wide variety of outdoor clothing and equipment, making it a European version of The North Face. Prices are also reasonable for many of their products, so you can find everything you need for your next outdoor adventure.
Read also: Jack Wolfskin vs Patagonia: A Comparison
10. Mammut
Mammut official website
Next, we have Mammut, a Swiss brand with over 100 years of history. Founded in 1862 by Kaspar Tanner, the company originally produced ropes.
Today, it has evolved into a global outdoor brand offering products for mountaineering, backpacking, climbing, and hiking. Mammut provides footwear, clothing, and equipment to help you conquer your chosen mountain trail, as well as casual products for city wear.
Prices tend to be expensive, but their products are beautiful, equipped with the latest technologies, and perform exceptionally well.
Read next: 5 Swiss Jacket and Outdoor Clothing Brands that You’ll Love
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