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Fleece is one of the most versatile pieces in a hiker’s layering system. It’s lightweight, breathable, and provides reliable insulation without weighing you down.

Welcome to the OR 25/26 Winter Outerwear Line-Up, featuring weatherproof, breathable, and performance-first ski and snowboard kits. We know choosing the right gear matters, which is why we’ve gathered real feedback from outdoor experts, athletes, and mountain professionals who’ve put these pieces to the test.

The down fill rating number is a measurement of down quality, meaning the cubic inches of loft one ounce of the specific down produces. A higher rating means less down fill is required to capture the same amount of heat.

This past summer, a group of young women ages 17 to 22 embarked on a journey few ever dream of, a 40-day canoe expedition along Canada’s Coppermine River, beyond the Arctic Circle.

Washington is an outdoor playground—national parks, wild beaches, endless trails, ski resorts, rivers, and forests stacked into one state. You could spend a lifetime here and still not scratch the surface. Whether it’s your final road trip stop or just a waypoint on the way to B.C., Alaska, or down the Pacific Coast, Washington delivers year-round adventure.

One of the best ways to celebrate National Dog Day is by hitting the trails with your pup. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, your dog will love exploring new sights and scents. Gear up and have fun celebrating your favorite furry friend. Don’t forget the water bowl and the UPF gear for yourself!

In 2024, Ali Becker and Mathieu Leblanc set out to tackle the freshly released Great Northern Bikepacking Route, now the world’s longest mapped off-road bikepacking route.

Some spend their whole lives searching for their roots—a place to connect, a place to call home.

Starting a new sport, can bring a mix of excitement and a bit of intimidation all at the same time.

Sun protection is a year-round endeavor. Ideally, you should wear sunscreen and other forms of sun protection when you spend time outdoors, no matter the time of year.

At Outdoor Research, our goal is to provide our customers with elite outdoor apparel through sustainable material sourcing and business practices.

Don't let dipping temps keep you from hitting the trail. Follow these tips for more fun, enjoyable winter running. As the temperature drops, so can motivation for running outside. The shock of opening the door from your cozy house … the attention that dressing properly requires … it can all stack up to make getting out there feel more difficult than in the warmer months. With a few simple tips, though, winter can be a season to tackle and even enjoy. Whether running is just your mid-week skiing training, or the running is the goal itself, it’s a great way to maintain or gain aerobic fitness for nearly every outdoor endeavor. Here are five ways to make the most of running in cold weather.  1. Don’t overdress Your body will warm up quickly, so even though you might be cold when you head out the door, stick it out so you don’t have to unload all your layers a few minutes in. A general rule of thumb is to dress as if it’s 10 degrees warmer than the actual temperature but ultimately, you know your body best. Factor in whether you tend to run cold or warm, as well as the intensity of your planned run to decide your best winter running gear.  40-50 degrees: Capris with a light long-sleeved shirt. 30-40 degrees: Capris or tights with a long-sleeved shirt and jacket or vest.20-30 degrees: Tights, a wool baselayer and lightly insulated jacket, plus possible vest.Below 20 degrees: Lined tights, a wool baselayer and insulated jacket or softshell jacket based on weather.   2. Protect your head and hands We lose a lot of heat through our head and hands. So even while you might need to dress more lightly than you expect for your arms and legs, leaving your hands and head exposed will make you cold. If the temperature is lower than 40 degrees, I always wear a light beanie. Below that, a heavier one can keep you nice and toasty without wearing a bunch of layers. Likewise, having warm hands means your body won’t need to work harder to get blood all the way down to your digits. Have you ever seen marathoners in tank tops and gloves? That’s why.     3. Breathe through your nose Cold air is…cold. Especially with temperatures under 20 degrees, it can hurt to breathe heavily. Luckily for us, our nose is designed to warm and filter air, which can make running in cold temperatures—especially if you’re sensitive to lung conditions—much more enjoyable.   4. Eat, drink, and be merry (and lucid) It’s easy to not drink water when it’s cold, but it’s just as important as when it’s warm out. In many areas, air is drier in winter than in other seasons, and becoming dehydrated can make you even colder. If cold water sounds unappealing, put tea in an insulated bottle in a pack, or use the weather as an excuse for either a mid-run stop or a point-to-point route to your favorite coffee shop. Grabbing a pastry to go with your coffee can also help keep you warm and firing on all cylinders. Winter is not the time to get glycogen depleted and loopy. It’s all in the name of training: many of my long runs have been saved by a pastry and coffee.   5. Choose a goal, build the momentum with friends. It’s always easier to get out of bed on a cold, dark, morning when you know a friend is waiting for you, especially when you’ve laid out your best winter running gear the night before. Pick a race or route that you’re both excited about but that will take some training to realize, and then schedule to meet up for the runs you’re least looking forward too. For some people that’s the long run. But for others, it’s the middle- or end-of-the-week run when you’d rather do anything else than get out of bed early, or head out after work instead of going straight home. And always remember: pastries and coffee always help.   Shop Winter Running Gear

Gloves and mitts are one of the few pieces of gear you use all day, every day in winter. When they work, you don’t think about them. When they don’t, nothing else matters. That’s why handwear has always been core to how we design at Outdoor Research. This winter, we’re introducing the OR Athlete Glove Team—a group of ski and snowboard athletes who trust OR gloves and mitts across competition, filming, freeride, and backcountry skiing and riding. Why these skiers and riders trust our gear is simple:, visible proof of what we’ve been building for decades: technical handwear designed to hold up through long days, changing conditions, and real winter use. “We’ve been making technical gloves and mitts for decades, and athlete trust has always been a big part of that,” says Chris King, Vice President of Brand at Outdoor Research. “When athletes choose our gloves and mitts day after day, that says a lot. The Glove Team highlights that trust and the role our handwear plays from the backcountry to the terrain park and beyond.”   Built on Trust, Not Hype The OR Glove Athlete Team reflects the full range of winter riding—Olympic competition, big-mountain freeriding, and long days filming in remote terrain. Across all of it, one thing stays constant: hands need protection that balances warmth, dexterity, and durability without getting in the way. “Gloves and mitts are one of the few pieces of gear you rely on constantly,” says snowboarder Austen Sweetin. “It matters what you trust on your hands.” For skier Malou Peterson, that trust is earned over time, across different styles of skiing and long seasons spent outside. “I spend a lot of time moving between touring, skiing, and long days outside,” Malou says. “Gloves and mitts are constant in all of that. When you find a pair you trust, they become something you don’t think about—and that’s exactly how it should be.”   Meet the OR Glove Athlete Team Ski Malou Peterson Raised in Åre, Sweden, Malou’s path has moved from traditional competition to adventure-driven skiing in steep, consequential terrain. After years spent in Chamonix refining her backcountry focus, she now splits her time between winter missions in places like Revelstoke, Greenland, and Iceland, and life near the ocean in Southern California. Through skiing, film, and photography, Malou brings a thoughtful, expressive approach to movement and exploration. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Glove, Team GORE-TEX 3-Finger Glove, Aksel Work Glove, Stormbound GORE-TEX Down Mitt     Alex Hackel Known for blending creativity with all-mountain versatility, Alex built his foundation in street skiing before expanding into big-mountain terrain and elite competition. With podiums at X Games and the Freeride World Tour, his skiing is defined by originality, control, and adaptability. Beyond results, Alex connects with a wide audience by sharing the process and craft behind his skiing. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Glove, Arete Modular GORE-TEX Glove, Mt. Baker Mitt, Revolution GORE-TEX Glove     Megan Oldham A technically precise and quietly influential force in freeskiing, Megan transitioned from figure skating and gymnastics into slopestyle with immediate impact. She claimed the Slopestyle Crystal Globe in her rookie World Cup season and has since earned World Championship medals, X Games podiums, and landed a landmark triple cork 1440—continuing to help define the progression of women’s skiing. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Team GORE-TEX Glove, Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc Glove, Stormbound GORE-TEX Down Mitt     Evan McEachran Evan’s career is built on consistency, discipline, and earned trust. Rising through Canada’s club system, he’s represented his country at two Olympic Games, stacked World Cup podiums, and competed at X Games annually since 2015. Off the contest circuit, he shares training and day-to-day skiing with a grounded, process-driven approach. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc Glove, Aksel Work Glove, Snowcrew Leather Mitt     Fin Melville-Ives Hailing from Wānaka, New Zealand, Fin emerged rapidly onto the global stage—earning two World Cup wins and the FIS World Championship title in halfpipe in a single breakout season. Part of a new generation of Kiwi freeskiers, he enters the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic cycle as one of the most closely watched athletes in the sport. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc Glove, Ironsight Sensor Glove, Snowcrew Leather Mitt     Lucas Wachs Shaped by Mount Bachelor and a childhood spent across multiple outdoor disciplines, Lucas built his career through filming rather than contests. With standout segments for IF3, 4BI9, Poor Boyz, MSP, and Level 1, his skiing blends creativity, versatility, and storytelling—equally at home on pillows, park jumps, and big backcountry lines. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Glove, Team GORE-TEX 3-Finger Glove, Aksel Work Glove, Alpinite GORE-TEX Glove       Snowboard Austen Sweetin A product of the Pacific Northwest, Austen is known for versatility that spans resort, backcountry, and everything in between. Over the past decade, his film segments have helped shape modern snowboarding, pairing progression with purpose and a deep understanding of terrain and conditions. Favorite styles: Mt. Baker Mitt, Arete Modular GORE-TEX Mitt, Carbide Sensor Mitt, Adrenaline Mitt     Juliette Pelchat Known as “Jubes,” Juliette brings an instinctive, expressive style shaped by Whistler’s tight-knit snowboard community. A member of the Canadian National Team, she competes at the World Cup level while also contributing meaningfully to snowboard culture through edits, personality, and presence. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Team GORE-TEX Glove, Snowcrew Leather Mitt, Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc Glove     Bryan Fox Bryan approaches snowboarding with a builder’s mindset—with heavy input in board design and shape while riding with intention and curiosity. Grounded in Pacific Northwest terrain, his work bridges riding, product creation, and creative projects, emphasizing materials, feel, and thoughtful design. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Glove, Team GORE-TEX 3-Finger Glove, Aksel Work Glove, Arete Modular 3-Finger Glove     Truth Smith Defined by resilience and work ethic, Truth rebuilt his career after an early setback, earning his way back onto the Canadian Snowboard Team. Balancing competition with film projects through his Shmobb crew, he continues to push progression with a long-term view—eyes set firmly on the 2026 competition schedule. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Hemispheres Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Stormtracker Sensor Windbloc Glove, Revolution GORE-TEX Mitt     Šárka Pančochová One of the most accomplished riders in women’s snowboarding, Šárka’s career spans three Olympic Games, X Games medals, World Cup victories, and elite freeriding. Recently focused on the backcountry, she brought that experience to the Natural Selection Tour—earning a podium in her first appearance and continuing to influence the next generation. Favorite styles: Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Hemispheres Team GORE-TEX Mitt, Team GORE-TEX Glove, Stormbound GORE-TEX Down Mitt     Handwear That Shows Up All Winter For over four decades, we’ve built gloves and mitts to meet the realities of winter—from cold chairlift rides and storm days inbounds to remote backcountry missions. The OR Glove Athlete Team reflects that same mindset: dependable gear, used consistently, across the full spectrum of winter riding. Because when it comes to gloves and mitts, the best ones are the ones you never have to think about. Shop Ski & Snowboard Gloves

As we head into one of the biggest seasons of her career, we sat down with OR athlete and reigning World Champion Zoe Atkin to talk gear, progression, and the mindset that’s carrying her toward Italy. Zoe’s been part of the OR family for five years, and in that time we’ve watched her evolve from a young standout with huge potential into one of the most composed, technically gifted halfpipe skiers in the world. What follows is a conversation about balance, fear, confidence, and the passion that pushes her to excel in skiing and life. Q: How long have you been skiing for OR, and what kits are you wearing? Zoe: I’ve been with Outdoor Research for five years now, and I love to switch up my kits. Powderverse Kit for training — lightly insulated, warm. Cloudchaser Limited Edition Kit in spring — breathable, great colors. Stormtracker Gloves for pipe training — great for mobility. Team GORE-TEX Mitt for free skiing — super warm, love the leather. Q: How did you first get into skiing? Zoe: I started skiing around age two. We lived on the East Coast then, and my parents drove us to Maine every weekend. I instantly got hooked. Q: You live in Park City now. Hot take: East Coast or West Coast? Zoe: West Coast, for sure. But I’d totally go back East sometimes — the culture is fun and people get after it even in icy conditions. Q: Community comes up a lot in freeskiing. What does it mean to you? Zoe: It’s everything. Having great skiers around you helps you push your limits. The stoke is always higher when you’re skiing with others who are chasing the same goals — it brings out the best in everyone and makes it really fun to get out and ski with your friends. Q: Your sister Isabel is a huge inspiration. What was it like growing up with her? Zoe: Growing up with my sister was the best. I never dreamed of becoming a professional skier when I was younger but watching her succeed showed me what was possible. I was at the 2018 Olympics when she won her medal — after that, I wanted to do everything she did. She’s also been an incredible support system. Not many people understand standing at the top of a massive pipe intending to throw your body 20 feet out of it — but she gets it.     Q: Why halfpipe instead of following Isabel into slopestyle? Zoe: Part of me wanted my own identity. For a long time I was “Isabel Atkin’s younger sister.” Superpipe gave me my own avenue to grow into the skier and person I wanted to be. Q: You compete at the highest level and go to Stanford, while a lot of your competition is just focusing on skiing. How do you balance both? Zoe: I grew up in an academically focused household. School was always the main thing and skiing was extracurricular, and I’ve always loved learning. Competing at the highest level is demanding, especially mentally. Stanford gives me space to step away from skiing and be “Zoe the student.” That balance helps me perform better on snow. Q: Does your academic work influence your skiing? Zoe: Definitely, in a couple of ways. First, developing an identity outside of skiing and competition results has been huge for my performance on the hill. The ups and downs of skiing at the highest level are stressful and knowing that I exist outside of competition takes a lot of the pressure off. Second, I study symbolic systems — essentially how thinking systems work. Understanding the psychology of fear, rationality, and performance psychology has helped me push through mental blocks in the pipe. It’s made a big difference. Q: You’re known for big amplitude and high-consequence tricks. How do you balance progression with staying healthy through a long competition season? Zoe: Skiing is a dangerous sport, but I try not to focus on the risks. Instead, I focus on building confidence and staying in the right headspace. By the time I drop into a competition run, I’ve done hundreds of repetitions of every trick and amplitude, building trust in my body and my preparation. I know I’ve put in the strength and body awareness work to handle whatever comes, even when things don’t go according to plan. Q: Walk us through your most recent season. Zoe: 2nd at Copper World Cup, 2nd at Calgary World Cup, 1st at Aspen World Cup, won the Crystal Globe overall, and became World Champion. X Games was hard — I finished 4th and struggled with a trick mentally. But then I landed the run I needed to win the World Cup in the same pipe the next week. That felt good. Q: Can you connect the X Games low to succeeding at World Champs? Zoe: X Games 2025 felt like a big loss. I didn’t want to be 4th ever again. After X Games I recommitted to training — especially a trick I’d feared for years. I worked on it every day for two weeks leading into World Champs. Bit by bit, the fear lessened. I built confidence. Landing that run under immense pressure and winning World Champs felt incredible and validated the work.     Q: What’s training been like leading into the Italy? Zoe: Intense. World Champs was a big turning point — I overcame major mental blocks and landed a high-pressure run after falling on my first run. That proved to me what I’m capable of. I’m getting a ton of reps — more amplitude, more style, more confidence. I have this renewed mentality with my training — in the gym, with my sports psych, on the snow, and going into Italy as world number one feels good. Q: Great Britain doesn’t have a pipe team, so you and your coach run a solo program. Do you miss having a team? Zoe: Sometimes, yeah. But the ski community really feels like a team — we’re all competitors, but we’re all friends. And I like the independence of running my own program and setting my own goals. Q: What’s the dynamic with your coach like? Zoe: He knows me really well, and he knows I want to win. There’s a level of trust we have with each other — we hold ourselves accountable. He really understands my mental process and helps me work past my fear blockers. Q: Thinking back to your first Olympics in 2022, what changed for you? Zoe: My first Olympics was exciting but stressful — COVID tests, charters, not much outside contact. I was 19, put a lot of pressure on myself, and didn’t land the run I wanted. That was tough. Taking a summer off, doing a Europe trip with my sister, and starting at Stanford reset my perspective. I even considered retiring — and then I won X Games that next year. That was a huge confidence boost and a testament to focusing on the process and having fun while you’re doing your sport. Q: What does your dream post-event celebration in Italy look like? Zoe: Aperol spritz. Pasta. Pizza. Gelato. Maybe champagne. The essentials. (Laughs) Q: We get the feeling you’re going to be drinking a lot of celebratory Prosecco. Best of luck in Italy, Zoe! Zoe: Thank you so much.   >> Learn More About Zoe Atkin

Welcome to the season of giving! If you’re anything like us, you probably have a jacket or two ready for a new home. Join us for the OR Annual Coat Drive, happening 12/2–12/9, and help share the warmth. Bring in a gently-used coat or jacket to any of our stores listed below, and receive $50 off a $150+ purchase, redeemable in-store that same day. All coats and jackets will be donated to Mary’s Place, a local Seattle organization that helps women and families move out of homelessness and into more stable situations. Learn more about Mary’s Place below. How It Works Bring in your gently-used jacket to one of our store locations. Receive $50 off any in-store purchase of $150 or more, to be redeemed the same day. Donate the coat or jacket on-site; it will be collected and delivered to Mary's Place. Shop for something new and feel good knowing part of your visit is making a difference. Participating Locations OR Flagship Store: SODO 2203 1st Ave South Seattle, WA 98134 Hours: M-F 10 AM – 5 PM. Sunday 11 – 5 PM OR Bellingham Outlet Store 1501 12th St Bellingham, WA 98225 Hours: M-F 10 AM – 5 PM. Sunday 11 – 5 PM OR Des Moines Outlet Store 21402 24th Ave South Building B, Suite K Des Moines, WA 98198 Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 10 AM – 5 PM. Thursday – Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM *Store Hours Subject to Change A Few Notes · Discount applies to in-store purchase the same day of donation. · Please bring in a jacket or coat that is in good enough condition that it can still be enjoyed. · Multiple coat and jackets donations will not increase the discount amount. About Mary’s Place Since 1999, Mary’s Place has helped thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations. How do they do this? With two emergency family shelters in King County, they keep families together, inside, and safe when they have no place else to go, providing resources, housing and employment services, community, and hope. Each day, the Mary’s Place housing team works with families to address barriers and empower parents to build family stability, secure housing, and prepare for employment. Kids are connected with schools, participate in fun and enriching activities, and go on outings and adventures in Kids Club. In the evening, families in shelter eat dinner, do homework, spend time together, and prepare for the week ahead. Mary’s Place families include two-parent families (pregnant or with children), single parents of all genders (pregnant or with children), extended families, and families with pets! Mary’s Place team of mobile outreach specialists work with unsheltered families where they are, bringing supplies and resources to help address barriers. With flexible funding, the team helps families move quickly into stable housing, bypassing a shelter stay. By keeping families in their homes, preventing homelessness in the first place, reduces trauma, particularly among children, stops the cycle of generational homelessness, and is cost-effective. Mary’s Place ensures donated items go directly to families in need, and your contribution will do exactly that. For year-round ways to support Mary’s Place, visit their website     Why Your Jacket Donation Matters When you bring in a gently-used jacket, you’re doing much more than just decluttering your closet. Here’s what your generosity accomplishes: · Warmth and dignity – A good jacket can make all the difference in someone’s day when they’re facing cold weather. You’re helping someone feel comfortable, protected, and cared for. · Support-in-action – Your donation supports a community organization (Mary’s Place) that’s tackling serious challenges like homelessness and instability for women and children. · Ripple effect of giving – By participating, you’ve modelled a culture of caring. That act can inspire others, family, friends, coworkers, to give what they can, amplifying the impact.

This Giving Tuesday, we’re partnering with Outdoors for All — a nonprofit that’s been breaking down barriers to outdoor recreation for nearly five decades. On December 2, we’re donating 3% of all online sales, made at outdoorresearch.com, to support their mission of helping people of all abilities get outside. What started in 1978 as a small adaptive ski lesson for fifteen kids at The Summit at Snoqualmie has grown into year-round programming across snow, trails, and water. Today, Outdoors for All helps more than 2,500 children and adults discover the joy and freedom of being outside — supported by more than 850 volunteers who show up and make it possible. “Like OR, Outdoors for All has deep community roots in the PNW. Their support helps us expand our reach each year, reducing barriers to adaptive recreation and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of the outdoors.” — Connor Inslee, Outdoors for All Executive Director     The outdoors is better when everyone gets to be out there. Outdoors for All is doing the real work to make that happen, and we’re proud to back them this Giving Tuesday. When you shop on 12/2, you’re helping more people get outside. Thanks for helping support a mission that brings more people into the places we all love. >>> Support & Shop >>> Gear Up & Give Back  *No action is needed at checkout for your purchase to automatically be applied to this match back program. 

“Same Outdoors, Different Mission” isn’t just a campaign tagline—it speaks to what defines our purpose. While we typically say it within the context of combating the same elements with gear tailored to a tactical mission set, we also like to use it proudly to describe our commitment to supporting veterans who have put the uniform away and want to continue seeking other goals. Highlighting the same landscapes and backdrops that once tested mission timelines and resolve, and showcase it as a space for reflection, healing, and clarity for what comes next.   This Veterans Day, we sat down with our partners at Warrior Expeditions to learn more about how they help veterans navigate the disorienting transition from wartime experiences to a civilian world that can feel far removed from the one they once knew.   We had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Revoir – a United States Air Force Veteran who served 11 years with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and now serves as Director of Development at Warrior Expeditions.     OR: Tell us a little about how you got here and your role/background. Michelle: I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with Warrior Expeditions in 2015, prototyped the Mountains to Sea Trail for them in 2016, and became their Director of Development in 2017 after completing a source to sea paddle on the Mississippi River. Before my AT hike, I served 11 years in the Air Force, most of which was as a combat cameraman.       OR: Warrior Expeditions was founded on the idea of ‘walking off the war’ - a perspective lost with modern veterans who are often back home mere days after leaving combat zones with little time to decompress. Can you talk about how that early concept became your model for healing and reintegration?  Michelle: Earl Shaffer was the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in one go. Our founder and CEO, Sean Gobin, was inspired by his trek and Shaffer’s idea of “walking off the war.” Sean realized the therapeutic value he got from the thru-hike and decided to create a program for combat veterans based on this. The transition from combat to home life is abrupt and pretty much non existent for today’s veterans. These long expeditions give us a chance to really process our combat experience by removing everyday stresses while being in nature.     OR: Each expedition you offer - whether it’s the bike, hike, or paddle programs - asks veterans to immerse themselves in the elements for months—covering thousands of miles. Can you go into more detail about each program.  Michelle: We currently offer three programs, hiking the Appalachian Trail, biking the Great American Rail Trail, and paddling the Mississippi River.   Sean started the program with only the Appalachian Trail as an option - a 2,197 mile foot trail from Georgia to Maine. Starting in Georgia, we meet the veterans and shadow them to their first trail town in Blairsville, GA, where we part ways for them to “hike their own hike.” This is our longest expedition, taking the veterans 5-6 months to complete.   Realizing that some veterans couldn’t hike, or didn’t want to hike, Sean added a cycling expedition. The veterans ride the 3,700 mile Great American Rail Trail for approximately 3 months, starting in Washington D.C. and ending in Washington State.   Then in an effort to accommodate veterans who couldn’t hike or bike, he added the paddle program. A source to sea paddle on the Mississippi River is 2,340 miles, so approximately 3 months of paddling, so it was a perfect addition.   Each program is fundamentally the same: Eat, sleep, hike/bike/ paddle, repeat!    OR: What have you found time in the backcountry unlocks that traditional therapy or reintegration programs struggle with?  Michelle: Traditional therapy for veterans typically includes talk therapy and medication. These methods are definitely helpful for some veterans, but unfortunately not for all. Being in the outdoors for an extended period and the repetitiveness of an activity allows your mind to reflect on those experiences you would otherwise avoid. At least that is how it was for me. The expeditions are not a cure, but more of a reset. For me, being out there is a reset that helps me get through daily life.       OR: When you’re out for months facing unpredictable conditions, gear isn’t just comfort—it’s survival. That reality isn’t foreign for veterans who similarly relied on their gear in their prior profession. How did having the right layers, systems, and technical apparel support you or your team’s success during these expeditions?  Michelle: The right gear is extremely important for these types of trips. There’s nothing “comfortable” about being outdoors for weeks on end, it’s more about being comfortable with being uncomfortable. That being said, the right gear can definitely make it more enjoyable. It’s hard to reset your brain if you’re busy fixing broken gear, getting blisters from the wrong shoes, or have clothes that don’t dry out fast enough. The best quote I ever heard about this was from an 80 year old woman at a ski resort who I complained about the weather to. She said, “There’s no bad weather hunny, only bad clothing choices.”    OR: We have a similar saying around here! Your program relies on more than just the healing power of nature, it’s the network of local communities and fellow veterans that sustain the journey and make the impact stick. What have you learned about the power of connection and shared purpose through the warrior expeditions model?  Michelle: One misconception about our program is that the veterans are out in the backcountry foraging for food and not showering for months. In reality, on trips like these, you’re only away from civilization for a few days at a time. We assist our participants with logistical help by coordinating with local trail angels, veteran organizations, and others along each trail. They provide transportation, lodging, and assist with resupply as needed. This can be a real challenge for many of our veterans, particularly at the beginning of their trip. Accepting the help of a stranger with no strings attached is hard. But by the end of the trip, they realize that there are just simply good people in the world.      OR: Warrior Expeditions has helped hundreds of veterans rebuild confidence and purpose through these journeys. As you look toward the future, how do you see the mission evolving, and where can partners like Outdoor Research continue to make the biggest impact?  Michelle: Our partnerships are a huge reason why we can provide these programs to so many veterans. By providing appropriate gear for the veterans through partners like Outdoor Research, we’ll be able to stay on our current course with three expeditions and between 30-40 participants annually. I cannot express enough how invaluable these partnerships are and how deeply grateful we are for your support.     OR: We’re happy to just be a small part of the journey. Thank you for all that you do for our community! We look forward to seeing how it all grows in the coming years.  >>> Learn More about Warrior Expeditions >>> Explore OR Tactical  

Welcome to the OR 25/26 Winter Outerwear Line-Up, featuring weatherproof, breathable, and performance-first ski and snowboard kits. We know choosing the right gear matters, which is why we’ve gathered real feedback from outdoor experts, athletes, and mountain professionals who’ve put these pieces to the test. Their firsthand insights will help give you the confidence to find the outerwear kit that fits your riding style and the conditions you face most. Expert Reviews: Insights from the Field Outdoor Research products are reviewed and tested by ExpertVoice, a platform that connects brands with verified industry experts — including retail associates, professionals, and passionate adventurers to build brand advocacy and product trust. Their trusted feedback can help guide you toward the best ski and snowboard gear for your performance, comfort, and style needs this winter.  The Limited Edition Cloudchaser Kit: Women's Cloudchaser 3L Jacket: "The Cloudchaser 3L Pertex jacket is lightweight and breathable, with a nice feel that was softer and quieter than Gore-Tex. The sizing was roomy but not oversized, it was easy to fit my big puffy under the jacket. I think this kit would be best for someone who needs one outfit to take them from the resort to the sidecountry to the backcountry." - Emily Bettin, McCall, ID Women's Cloudchaser 3L Bibs: "These bibs are excellent for ski touring due to the light and flexible fabric they are made of." - Kathryn Dove, Snoqualmie, WA Men's Cloudchaser 3L Jacket: "This jacket is a hard shell with a softshell feeling. It's nice and stretchy, soft, and generally breathable. Other features include one left zippered chest pocket, bilateral armpit zips, powder skirt, helmet compatible hood with cinches at the back of the head and face, sealed zippers and taped seams, velcro wrist cinches, internal left pocket for gloves, 2 external zippered hand pockets, and a loop on both the inside and outside of the jacket for hanging." - Adam Figuracion, Achorage, AK Men's Cloudchaser 3L Bibs: “Well designed bib with a stretchy fabric that moves well with ski touring. The vents are ample length to let out excess heat. I spent about 25 days touring in them both in the Rockies and back east in varied weather conditions. The water repellant was sufficient for even dense snowfall." - Kevin Quinn, Morrison, CO >>> Shop Cloudchaser Collection   The Hemispheres Team Kit Men's Hemispheres Team Gore-Tex 3L Jacket: "The shell remains a high quality & durable fabric- even while running alpine gates or darting through backcountry trees, I don't have any scrapes on these. The combo between breathability, waterproofness, and windproofness was good as well." - Connor Perkett, Salt Lake City, Utah Men's Hemispheres Team Gore-Tex 3L Bibs: "I'm impressed by how well they held up to both scraping on fallen trees while touring and scraping freshly-sharpened edges while hauling racers. The massive side vents were big enough to remove mid-layers without taking off the bibs, in addition to serving as great vents. " - Alex Ames, Los Alamos, NM Women's Hemispheres Team Gore-Tex 3L Jacket: "This shell has quickly become my favorite. It is light, dry, and vents well. I've worn this jacket on backcountry adventures where it has dumped snow, and on sunny days on resort and it has held its own well." - Kelsey Dunn, Basalt, CO Women's Hemispheres Team Gore-Tex 3L Bibs: "These bibs were my go-to this winter for both in-bounds skiing & backcountry, and as a ski patroller, you are out there no matter the conditions. I live in the Inland NW where it's either dumping, negative temps, liquid precip, or the occasional blue sky. These bibs held up! They kept me warm with just a base layer and with the side vents, it was easy to expel heat during climbs." - Natalie Sprigg, Spokane, WA >>> Shop Hemispheres Collection     The All-New Powderverse Kit Women's Powderverse Jacket: "This is an insulated jacket so it has extra padding around the back/chest area. It's perfect for the colder days on the mountain, I wore it many days ranging from 30 to -5 degrees! Kept me so warm but also was breezy with the huge vents whenever I needed to cool down after a hike or tiring run." - Radhi Ladd, Arvada, CO Women's Powderverse Pants: "Functional comfort for all day in the mountains! These pants were great for recreating in cold and snowy conditions. I was able to take it multiple times downhill skiing and snowshoeing this winter through a variety of conditions. I found it to be great at keeping me warm with the insulation that is built in. The fabric allows you to move freely and includes belt loops with some straps to help synch down." - Britt McCracken, Lafayette, CO Men's Powderverse Jacket: "I wore this jacket mostly for days inbounds at the resort this season, and it excelled in nearly every way. Throughout the season I was faced with weather from the negative teens (Fahrenheit) to the high 40’s, but with space for layers and good ventilation or tight cinching, the jacket handled it all. The material is durable and comfortable, the jacket is warm but not too warm, the vents are well placed and easy to access with gloves on." - Sebastian Wallach, Bentonville, AR Men's Powderverse Pants: "This was also my first time opting for ski pants instead of bibs, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well they performed. They offered plenty of mobility, stayed in place without issues, and handled everything from deep powder to wet conditions with ease. The fit was spot-on and they proved to be a great alternative to bibs. Outdoor Research nailed it with this setup." - Nolan Sawtelle, Eagle, CO >>> Shop Powderverse Collection     Choosing Your Ski and Snowboard Kit This Season Whether you're tackling icy resorts or exploring powdery backcountry trails, Outdoor Research gear is tested by trusted experts to perform in the most demanding conditions. Every test helps us enhance performance, durability, and comfort, giving you confidence that your outerwear is built to handle whatever the mountain throws your way. Backed by years of innovation and experience, our gear not only meets but exceeds expectations, ensuring your journey is safe, exhilarating, and unforgettable. >>> Shop Ski and Snowboard Gear   Reviews and Photos from ExpertVoice 

“Overall, our approach is that we say yes to the customer first and then get after solving the problems at hand” – Alex Rodero, Sr. Director of Operations. For over 30 years, OR has been leveraging our deep expertise across product development, design, engineering, and manufacturing, to build strong partnerships with the U.S. government and NATO allies—earning a reputation as a trusted and premier manufacturing partner.  Today, we’re speaking with Feng He, Director of Manufacturing, who oversees both U.S. factories, and Alex Rodero, Senior Director of Operations. With more than 25 years at OR each, they are key leaders and long-standing pillars of the brand.    OR: Tell us about your roles here at Outdoor Research and how you found your way into this industry.  Feng: As the Director of Manufacturing, I am responsible for running both of our factories in Seattle and California effectively and efficiently. This includes budgeting, hiring personnel, providing delivery timelines, product costing, and new product developments. Coming from a family with some manufacturing background definitely paved my way into the industry.   Alex: As the Senior Director of Supply Chain and Operations for our Tactical business, I am responsible for the oversight of the product, financial planning, and upstream relationships with material suppliers that support our manufacturing operations. As you can imagine, that is quite a range of responsibilities, but it is built on having worked in all those areas over the course of my 20+ year career here at Outdoor Research. While I started out chasing the allure of working in the outdoor industry, it’s been the connection to the manufacturing that has shaped my career and enriched my experience. Having been intimately involved in the product design and production cycles was incredibly beneficial towards understanding, influencing, and directing the strategy side of the business in my current role.       OR: What value and role does OR play from the perspective of the U.S. government/military—both as a manufacturer and as a strategic advisor on gear and capability needs?   Alex: Outdoor Research has a strong legacy built on creating products that solve real-world problems outdoors. That mentality was a core tenant of our founder’s ethos for outdoor pursuits, but it also led to elite military end users seeking out our products when their issued gear was not up to task. We have a long history of being experts in extremely cold weather - particularly in handwear. From those first engagements with the special forces communities, to developing and supplying large scale gloves systems for the Army, Marine Corps, and now the Air Force, we are looked at as trusted partners that provide products and expertise in support of the men and women who serve in extreme conditions.   We have a long history of being experts in extreme cold weather operations - particularly in handwear - but beyond our environmental insight, we are unique in that we wholly own our manufacturing operations- most brands don’t and must subcontract to other partners. By controlling our own manufacturing ops, we can develop, test, prototype, and scale to manufacturing faster than any of our competition. This is what truly differentiates us.      OR: Can you walk me through your current production workflow from raw material intake to testing and final inspection?   Feng: We make mostly 100% Berry Compliant products in both factories. Our production flows from materials ordered from USA vendors, getting that processed into our factories, and then released to cutting, sewing, and final packaging. Throughout the sewing process, we have various quality control gates to ensure that products meet our customers’ quality standards and perform AQL tests for each final production batch as one last check before packaging and shipping to our customers.   OR: With strict sourcing rules for Berry compliance, how do you navigate supply chain disruptions while ensuring the military gets what it needs, when it needs it? How do you manage and track corrective actions when a quality issue is found—either internally or reported from the field?  Alex: The Berry Amendment requires that materials and products be made wholly in the US, so it can be a narrow supply chain which at times can be difficult to manage if disruptions occur. This is exacerbated by the fact that the government is not the best partner when it comes to planning- they are very reactive in how they manage procurement of OCIE (military gear and clothing products). Occasionally, there are larger scale programs that allow us to better plan and deliver on a regular cadence, but more often, the customer base – due to the nature of their job - wants product asap. With that, we do our best to plan stocks of material and finished goods to allow for some fluctuations in that asap business, which in turn keeps the factory production flowing and efficient. It’s a balancing act.   With respect to quality concerns, there are stringent standards in place in our manufacturing operations to ensure all products are compliant and meet both our standards and the specs imposed by the government. For example, when making waterproof products, we test every item multiple times throughout the process to ensure there is no leakage. The end user simply cannot afford to have a garment or pair of gloves they are relying on in extreme cold or wet weather to fail. Failure could result in real consequences, so we take the quality control and assurance protocols very seriously. If any faults do pop up while in the field, wholly owning our own manufacturing process allows us to correct and adapt quicker than anybody in the industry.   OR: How do you manage production scaling when a contract ramps up unexpectedly?  Feng: Managing production scaling – up and down - is always a challenge. We rely heavily on running overtime because hiring new employees and getting them up to speed is very difficult. We also have the second factory in California which gives us more flexibility and opportunity to ramp up production as needed. OR: Tell us about a time you had to pivot or adapt under an extreme timeline or contract pressure.   Feng: We got a contract order to deliver 150,000 sets of gloves within 12 months in 2018. At that point, we only had our Seattle factory running and it would have been impossible to meet that delivery timeline with just overtime and quick hiring. We quickly came to the decision to open a new factory in California - where the workforce and sewing skills were much more readily available. We went through the arduous process of finding a place to set up machinery, hiring and training employees in a matter of a few months. It taught our whole team a lot about how to communicate between factories better and how to handle the challenges of growth. Alex: As Feng said, that was truly a great feat for our team to accomplish- establishing a new manufacturing facility is a legit undertaking- and to do it for products requiring waterproof quality standards added to the stress of the situation. Overall, our approach is that we say yes to the customer first and then get after solving the problems at hand. It results in a very dynamic, high-paced work environment, which means there’s never a dull moment around here. There’re always new challenges, new problems posed by end users, new materials and innovative ideas to grind on. These are the things that make it interesting!      OR: We’re quite proud of our factory workforce. They are skilled operators doing intricate work that requires years of experience to master. How do you train and retain skilled operators & technicians in a high-stakes, compliance-driven environment? Feng: We are very proud of our workforce and value their contributions to our success in serving our government customers. We are thankful that we have been able to retain our skilled operators partly because we respect them and have been able to provide a great working environment for them. They have been a fixture throughout all the growth and changes OR has been through in the last couple of decades. We have a very diverse workforce with different cultural backgrounds and our willingness to learn to understand and respect those differences makes a difference to our employees.   OR: If you could improve one aspect of tactical gear manufacturing for the U.S. government, what would it be and why?  Alex: I think the most difficult challenge with manufacturing gear for the US military is that they are not the best planners and do not give us forecasts. They are the first to tell us this, but it does make it difficult to sustain efficient manufacturing operations. I push on this all the time, but with the challenges around federal budgeting, funding allocations in the defense budget specifically, and regular changeover in government leadership & procurement offices, it’s quite difficult to get a rhythm established. That said, we’ve had some good years recently, and we continue to develop new products with new innovative materials and feel we are well positioned to continue to be a strong partner for our military for years to come.  >> Explore Tactical