Crowning the best outdoor brands of the last year
With the general election looming, we’ve been asking you to elect your favourite outdoor brands. Each year we crown the top 10 outdoor brands according to GO Outdoors customers. Fans out of the outdoors can be fiercely loyal to their favourite brand, but has another brand stepped up their game and impressed over the last year? Here are the results
10. Regatta
Regatta are a brand we all know for making great value outdoor gear. In 2014 they launched their #ItsMyAdventure campaign and really got everyone involved with the outdoors, featuring your photos on their online adventure boards. From a product point of view, a real highlight was the Regatta Iceway jacket which proved to be a real customer favourite here at GO Outdoors.
9. Paramo
When you talk about loyalty, Paramo fans are highly supportive of their favourite gear. Paramo’s unique directional technology separates it from the GORE-TEX and eVent jackets you might find from other brands. Paramo products are made in Bogotá, Colombia in a factory run by the Miquelina Foundation which offers women in desperate conditions a chance to learn trades, earn money and formal qualifications. So when you buy Paramo, you can feel good because you’re supporting a fantastic cause. New highlights from Paramo this year have included the Enduro waterproof, but it’s the classic Alta II that proves the most popular.
8. Mammut
We love Mammut at GO Outdoors, they’re often in our stores demonstrating the fantastic gear they have on offer, and it seems that some of you have picked up on what they’re saying with them reaching 8th in the list. Mammut have been busy over the last year with their Matterhorn projects. We recommend checking out their site for #Project360, offering some fantastic 360 views of some of the world’s most famous climbing routes.
7. Hi Gear
Hi Gear are consistently one of our more popular camping brands. In 2014 Hi Gear evolved once more, offering an even bigger tent range split across Hi Gear Elite, Hi Gear Premium and Airgo by Hi Gear, which included steel poled tents, upgraded versions of their more popular lines and a great new range of inflatable tents. Consistency is key and Hi Gear rank number 7, just where they ranked last year.
6. Craghoppers
Craghoppers are our highest climber in this list, storming into the Top 10 after missing out the previous year. The ever-popular walking brand always offers great value for money, and quality clothing. The Kiwi trousers once again proved to be the most popular walking trousers on offer in our store, and are a real outdoor favourite. This year we’ve also branched out to support the Bear Grylls range, available via our web store for all you budding survivalists.
5. Montane
Montane produce award-winning outdoorwear which I personally think are some of the best looking items you can pick up. This year saw their baselayer brand Primino pick up numerous accolades and for good reason, these baselayers are soft and offer a very clever blend of fabrics. Look for Montane to climb this list next year as their popularity continues to grow.
4. Vango
Another trend in this year’s vote is that camping brands are on the rise, while last year’s top 4 was dominated by clothing brands. Vango rise 2 places from last years number 6. Proving to be one of the most popular brands among DofE expeditions, Vango has its fair share of fans in both wild camping and family camping. Look at tents like the Banshee and the Icarus 500 to find out what all the fuss is about.
3. Berghaus
Berghaus are a brand we all know and love, their popularity spans from the mountains to the high street for great quality outdoor gear. The big news out of Berghaus this year was their acquisition of popular walking brand Brasher, a partnership many hoped would inspire some great walking boots. In 2015 we weren’t disappointed as Berghaus unleashed their take on some of Brasher’s classics, such as the Hillmaster and the Hillwalker.
2. Outwell
They’ve done it again – the highest ranking camping brand on our list. Up from number 5 last year, Outwell is the first name on most people’s lips when it comes to family camping quality. 2014 saw the Montana 6P become an exclusive at GO Outdoors, and as any fan of ‘the Monty’ will tell you, it’s one of the best family tents available. This year we’ve been working with Outwell again to create the Outwell Power Plus, a mobile mains kit that not only rolls away neatly but can also charge your USB devices.
1. Rab
This is win number 3 for Rab – the third year running – and the British brand have been voted your favourite outdoor brand. We reckon they must have some pretty loyal fans and judging by the great reviews you’re always leaving us on Rab gear, it’s clear they’re doing something right. We’ve been working closely with Rab over the last year to not only bring you their classics like the Latok Alpine and the Microlight Alpine, but also to offer you some fantastic online exclusive offers.
Rab are a brand consistently associated with expeditions and the most extreme climates – you can check out the expeditions they have supported over on their website.
Congratulations to Rab! Consider yourselves generally elected GO Outdoors customers’ favourite brand of the year…. can you make it four years running?
A special thanks also to the 1 person who voted ‘Carling’ as their favourite outdoor brand.
