19 Biggest Outdoor Brands and Companies

Published on January 31, 2023 at 8:48 am by Fahad Saleem in Lists, News

In this article, we will take a look at the 19 biggest outdoor brands and companies. If you want to skip our introduction about the industry, then take a look at 5 Biggest Outdoor Brands and Companies.

As health and fitness awareness spreads across the globe, the demand for outdoor equipment and apparel continues to increase. Companies around the world are competing to get their slice of the lucrative market that is expected to gain more ground in the months and years to come. A report by UK-based research firm Technavio said that the outdoor apparel market size is expected to grow by a whopping $4.40 billion from 2021 to 2026.

In addition to the outdoor apparel market, there are several other niche markets that are getting the attention of investors. Take hunting, for example. While you don’t come across many hunting equipment companies in the media, the fact is that the hunting equipment market is one of the most robust sectors in the broader outdoor market. Data suggests that the global hunting equipment & accessories market size was valued at $19.90 billion in 2021. This market segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2022 until 2030, according to a Grand View Research report. The report said that several factors are fueling growth in the hunting market, including the growth in safari tourism industry and wildlife management.

The coronavirus crisis was a huge boost to the outdoor industry, as many people saw refuge in camping, fishing and hiking. A 2021 article by WSJ quoted a research report which said that camping equipment sales jumped 25% in the third quarter of 2020 on a year-over-year basis, while sales for golf equipment and bicycles jumped 75% and 50% in the same period, respectively.

Photo by Molnár Bálint on Unsplash

Our Methodology

For this article, we used company screeners and also used manual research to first list down several major outdoor companies operating all over the world. These companies included those making sportswear, footwear, apparel and equipment for outdoor activities. We then picked the 19 biggest of these companies using market cap as our selection metric. All market caps are as of January 4. The list is ranked in ascending order of market caps. One private company also made it to our list due to its sheer popularity and presence in the outdoor industry.

Biggest Outdoor Brands and Companies

19. Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV)

Market Capitalization: $203mn

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) is a sporting goods company on our list that has significant operations in the outdoor segment. Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) sells equipment related to outdoor activities like biking, hiking and camping. The company sells bottles, stoves, backpacks, canopies, cooking accessories and much more.

In November, Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ:BGFV) easily beat estimates for its third quarter. However, for the fourth quarter of 2022, the company said it was expecting same-store sales to decrease in the high single-digit to low double-digit range compared to the fiscal 2021 fourth quarter and to increase in the low single-digit range versus the pre-pandemic fiscal 2019 fourth quarter, on a comparable day basis.

18. Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR)

Market Capitalization: $304mn

Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR) sells outdoor equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, hiking and other related activities. Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ:CLAR) operates several famous outdoor brands, including Black Diamond, Sierra, Barnes, PIEPS, SKINourishment and Rhino-Rack.

17. Johnson Outdoors Inc. (NASDAQ:JOUT)

Market Capitalization: $698mn

Johnson Outdoors Inc. (NASDAQ:JOUT) sells outdoor products like watercraft, diving equipment, camping gear, and outdoor clothing. Its notable brands include Hummingbird, SCUBAPRO, Eureka!, Old Town and Ocean Kayak.

In the third quarter, Johnson Outdoors Inc. (NASDAQ:JOUT)’s revenue jumped 18%, thanks to its fishing business.

16. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW)

Market Capitalization: $910 mn

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) focuses on footwear and the company is known for its famous shoe brands that are used in the outdoors. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) owns Hush Puppies and Merrell. Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) recently said that it has started cost reductions amid the current economic environment. The company will reduce its workforce, which would bring the company a whopping $30 million in savings in 2023.

15. Patagonia (Private)

Annual Revenue : $1.5bn

While Patagonia, Inc. is not a public company, it is among the well-recognized outdoor brands in the country if not the world. Founded in 1973 by a famous rock climber Yvon Chouinard, the company today has close to a thousand employees and its revenue for 2022 was estimated to come in at $1.5 billion. The company sells apparel and equipment for outdoor activites.

14. Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL)

Market Capitalization: $3.59bn

Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) is a New York-based sportswear and footwear company. The company’s footwear products are used in outdoor activities. Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) also sells apparel, like hoodies and shirts, for outdoor activities.

In November, Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) posted solid quarterly results despite a challenging macro environment. The company also upped its guidance. Investors welcomed the news and the stock shot up a whopping 20%.

13. YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI)

Market Capitalization: $3.64bn

Texas-based YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) makes several products for outdoor activities, including water bottles, storage containers, outdoor chairs, outdoor apparel, backpacks, dog equipment and accessories and much more.

In November, Canaccord Genuity started covering YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) with a Buy rating. The firm said at the time that YETI Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YETI) has a strong hold in the industry despite its year to date share price drop in the 2022. The company is also showing solid growth. In the third quarter, Yeti’s revenue jumped about 20%. For the full year, the company expects its revenue to increase by 16%.

12. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (NYSE:MODG)

Market Capitalization: $3.64bn

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (NYSE:MODG) is one of the biggest outdoor companies in the world. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (NYSE:MODG) focuses only on golf, a sport that is swiftly gaining popularity around the world. The company sells golf equipment, more specifically clubs and balls, also including accessories such as bags, gloves, and caps.

In November, Callaway Golf posted an EPS of $0.23, beating the Street estimates by $0.06. Revenue in the quarter jumped 15.4% to come in at $988.5 million, beating estimates by $38.32 million. Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. (NYSE:MODG) also upped its 2022 guidance. It now expects its revenue in the period to come in at $3,965 million – $3,985 million, as compared to the consensus of $3.96 billion.

11. ASICS Corporation (TSE:7936.T)

Market Capitalization: $4.1bn

ASICS Corporation (TSE:7936.T) is a Japanese company that sells sportswear and footwear. In the outdoor space, ASICS Corporation (TSE:7936.T) operates the Runkeeper app, which it bought back in 2016. ASICS Corporation (TSE:7936.T) also acquired Swedish outdoor brand Haglöfs for about $128.7 million back in 2010.

10. Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM)

Market Capitalization: $5.68bn

Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) is one of the biggest outdoor companies in the world. Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) makes outerwear, sportswear, and footwear, as well as headgear, camping equipment, ski apparel, and outerwear accessories. Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM) is also a dividend-paying company. Recently, the company announced a $0.30/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous. The stock’s dividend yield as of January 5 is 1.31%.

In October, the company said that it expects $3.44 billion to $3.50 billion in net sales for fiscal 2022. This revenue shows growth of 10% to 12% when compared to the last year.

9. Newell Brands Inc. (NYSE:NWL)

Market Capitalization: $5.88bn

Newell Brands Inc. (NYSE:NWL) is one of the biggest outdoor companies in the world as it is behind several major outdoor brands including Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio and Marmot. Newell Brands Inc. (NYSE:NWL)’s Marmot brand makes outdoor jackets, rain coats, tents, camps, backpacks, tent accessories and much more. Coleman is known for outdoor grills, camping equipment, stoves, lighting, camping chairs and other outdoor and road trip accessories.

8. Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC-A.TO)

Market Capitalization: $6.5bn

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC-A.TO) operates in automotive, hardware, sports, leisure and housewares sectors. Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC-A.TO) owns Helly Hansen, a famous outdoor brand that sells outdoor apparel for skiing, sailing and hiking.

7. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK)

Market Capitalization: $10bn

California-based Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK) sells a variety of outdoor products. Some of its notable brands include HOKA, Sanuk and Teva. In November, the stock received a Buy rating from Bank of America analyst Christopher Nardone. The analyst thinks Deckers is a high quality stock with a strong growth trajectory. The analyst especially praised the performance of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK)’s HOKA brand, which he thinks is the “crown jewel” in Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK)’s portfolio.

The analyst also said that he sees a “clear runway” for growth and he also expected brand revenue to double by fiscal 2025 and reach $2.2 billion.

6. DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS)

Market Capitalization: $10.3bn

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) is one of the biggest outdoor companies in the world. It’s a sporting goods company with over 50,000 employees. In 2021, the company launched Public Lands, a chain of stores that focuses on outdoor recreation including camping, hiking, and biking.

In December, investment firm Argus praised the company’s third quarter results and increased its FY23 EPS estimate for DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) to $11.88 from $11.25 and set its FY24 EPS estimate at $12.25. Argus analysts noted that Dick’s use of AI in operations is improving the company’s package delivery process and its decreased focus on hunting business is also contributing to positive results.

Here is what Baron Fund has to say about DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE:DKS) in its Q1 2022 investor letter:

“Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. was the first stock Michael recommended to us shortly after he joined Baron Capital in 2003. Dick’s share price has since increased about nine-fold. Unfortunately, we sold our investment in Dick’s about six years ago and, although it was a successful investment, we did not realize the full benefit of Michael’s recommendation. We sold too soon because I was concerned that competition from internet retailers would have a permanent negative impact on Dick’s stores’ profitability. I was wrong. Dick’s stock price so far has about doubled after we sold…and its prospects have brightened!

We sold even though we considered Ed Stack, Dick’s Chairm”n and CEO, a terrific retailer, a great entrepreneur and a special person. Ed had built Dick’s from three bait and tackle stores his dad started into a uniquely positioned, nationwide chain of 730 sporting goods stores. In fact, Dick’s is now the largest nationwide sporting goods chain. Ed had purchased the three bait and tackle stores, the foundation of Dick’s business, from his dad. Ed’s mother loaned him the money to buy his dad’s stores! I’m not exactly sure what that signifies. But it may have something to do with Carl Icahn’s proclamation that “everything I have is for sale except my children…and maybe my wife.”

Ed and his newly appointed CEO Lauren Hobart visited us last month. Ed asked for the meeting to introduce us to Lauren, as well as to discuss the prospects for Dick’s new, large format stores with attached outdoor, student athletic fields. Lauren then described how well its new format stores were doing in two smaller communities. We also spoke about the successes of Dick’s omni-channel retailing efforts and how desirable Dick‘s stores have become to shopping centers trying to lure shoppers to return to their malls.”

Click to continue reading and see 5 Biggest Outdoor Brands and Companies.