Best Trekking Brands 2025

So, you’ve decided to answer the call of the wild, and your next big adventure is a trek that promises breathtaking views and a test of endurance. Before you hit the trail, there’s one crucial step: gearing up.

Your equipment is your shelter, protection, and best friend in the mountains. When it comes to trekking, the brand you choose can be the difference between a summit and failure.

We’ve scoured the peaks and valleys of the outdoor world to bring you a roundup of the top trekking gear brands, helping you choose durable, high-performance kit that will keep you safe, warm, and comfortable, no matter what the trail throws at you.

The Gold Standard: Brands Trusted by Mountaineers

These brands have built their reputations on decades of equipping serious adventurers for the most extreme conditions. If budget allows, you can’t go wrong with these investment pieces.

Patagonia

Patagonia has earned its legendary status not just for making durable outdoor apparel, but for its unwavering commitment to ethical and environmental activism. They famously use their business as a tool to fight the climate crisis, going so far as to donate their profits to environmental causes. This core mission, matched with the exceptional quality of their clothing—especially their trail-tested base layers and fleeces—makes them a favorite among trekkers who value sustainability as much as longevity in their gear.

Arc’teryx

Often called the “Range Rover” of the outdoor world, Arc’teryx is the brand of choice for those who demand technical perfection. The company is known for its minimalist, sleek designs and obsessive focus on high-performance shells and jackets. By utilizing advanced fabrics like Gore-Tex and developing precise, ergonomic patterning, Arc’teryx gear offers unparalleled weather protection and mobility. If your adventure involves technical terrain or extreme, wet climates, their streamlined and highly functional outerwear is the industry benchmark.

The North Face

A household name for a reason, The North Face represents all-around excellence in outdoor gear for generations. They successfully balance top-tier performance with a recognizable, modern aesthetic, making them as popular on city streets as they are on mountain trails. They particularly excel in innovative insulation, from their iconic puffy jackets featuring advanced down alternatives like Thermoball™ to reliable backpacks and tents. For versatile, cutting-edge gear that never sacrifices style, The North Face remains a global leader.

Mammut

Hailing from Switzerland, Mammut specializes in the most demanding category of the outdoors: true mountaineering and technical climbing. This brand is built around safety, precision, and extreme durability, which is evident in their high-quality ropes, harnesses, and safety-focused apparel. Mammut’s gear is specifically engineered for high-altitude environments, offering the kind of robust, reliable performance that gives trekkers and climbers confidence when facing the most challenging alpine conditions. Sources

The Essentials: Footwear, Packs, and Sleeping Systems

A trekker is only as good as their boots, pack, and sleep system. Here are the brands that dominate these core categories:

Boots & Footwear

• Merrell: Famous for the supremely comfortable and widely popular Moab series. They offer great out-of-the-box comfort for day hikes and moderate treks.
• Salomon: Known for their technical fit and aggressive traction. If you need speed and stability on rugged trails, their hiking shoes and trail runners are a top pick.
• Lowa: A German brand specializing in high-quality, long-lasting leather and synthetic trekking boots that offer superior support for heavy loads and challenging terrain.

Backpacks

• Osprey: Arguably the most popular backpacking brand globally. Their packs are celebrated for innovative features like adjustable torso lengths and exceptional ventilation (to keep your back from getting too sweaty).
• Deuter: A German brand that consistently produces durable, comfortable packs. They often use a “floating” back system to improve air circulation—a godsend on hot days.

Tents & Sleeping Bags

• Marmot: Offers a wide range of reliable tents, bags, and outerwear known for their great balance of price, weight, and performance.
• REI Co-op: The in-house brand of the popular outdoor retailer offers exceptional value. Their tents and sleeping bags are a fantastic entry point for beginners, providing solid quality without the premium price tag.

Tips for Choosing Your Brand

The right gear is more important than the most expensive. It’s important to find the one that fits your adventure as well as your body.

1. Define Your Trip: Are you on a weekend hike or a 10-day expedition? The equipment for a mild coastal path is very different from a high-altitude mountaineering route. Choose brands that specialize in your required conditions.
2. Prioritize the Core: Invest the most in your Boots and Backpack. Poor-fitting shoes mean blisters; a poor-fitting pack means back pain.
   • Pro Tip for Boots: Go to a specialized store and get your feet measured. Try boots on with the socks you plan to wear.
3. Check their ‘Why’: Many modern outdoor brands, like Patagonia and Fjällräven, are leading the way in sustainability. If you care about eco-friendly and ethical production, make their mission part of your decision.
4. Layer Up, Don’t Bulk Up: Look for brands that excel in base and mid-layers (Smartwool for merino wool socks and base layers is a must!) Your clothing should follow the three-layer principle: wicking base, insulating mid, and protective shell.

While high-quality trekking gear brands offer incredible features and durability, remember that the most important element of any trek is your preparation and spirit. Research, choose wisely, and then get out there.

Happy Trails!