Irrespective of whether you are someone who loves hunting for outdoor vintage brands’ apparel to flip them on eBay to make a good profit; tailor your wardrobe as per your unique style; curate a personal collection of vibrant vintage outerwear; make use of the garments’ sturdiness for your own outdoor expeditions; or just to celebrate the nostalgia of times passed: your thrifting adventures will be more rewarding when you are aware of the most sought after outdoor vintage brands that you should be looking for.
We have compiled a list of 4 of the best outdoor vintage brands that you must be keeping an eye out for this year.
List of Outdoor Vintage Brands:
L.L. Bean
This is a fairly famous hunting wear/outdoor vintage brand established back in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean. Over the century, the brand has made use of several iterations of the L.L. Bean tag. The following image is going to help you in dating L.L. Bean articles.
I would advise completely steering clear of the post-2000s articles of L.L. Bean as the quality of clothing really nosedived from there. To the extent that back in 2021, the brand itself raided flea markets for vintage L.L. Bean collectibles to sell to its customers labelling it as their “Pre-loved Collection”.
L.L. Bean does make the argument of being one of the best outdoor vintage brands given how long it has been around. Getting one of its older articles can really elevate the glamour of your basket of thrift finds. It’s Duck Boots / Maine Hunting Shoe / Bean Boots were the company’s first offerings. These boots with the original L.L. Bean logo and Made in USA tag are highly valuable.
In addition, the brand’s vintage hunting jackets, canvas tote bags, plaid flannel shirts, Norwegian sweaters, fisherman’s sweaters and T-shirts are all also decent finds.
Given how wide a variety of products this outdoor vintage brand has produced and how long it has been around, you are sure to come across a hand few of the Beans while thrifting.
Pendleton
Pendleton is the oldest outdoor vintage brand on this list, and arguably one of the most iconic American outdoor vintage brands of all time given how its roots have been woven into the fabric of American history. It’s story began in 1863 when the brand was founded by Thomas Kay and his three sons. Pendleton initially became known for its high-quality blankets used frequently by generations of campers.
Fun fact: Pendleton rolled out a special blanket for guests lodged at the lodges of the Glacier National Park, shortly after the park was opened in 1910. This became known as Pendleton’s iconic Glacier National Park Blanket.
In the 1920s, however, Pendleton took the outerwear market by storm by introducing the iconic Pendleton Flannel Shirts. The Flannel fabric was previously associated with dull colors but the signature Pendleton plaids and jacquard patterns were very vibrant and became popular among ranchers, lumberjacks and hunters who seeked durable and warm clothing.
Any vintage Pendleton apparel you come across is going to be highly valuable, especially the iconic Pendleton shirts. Alongside, their jackets, blankets, coats and other accessories like scarves and hats are also highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. A separate blog can be written over making a case for why it is one of the best outdoor vintage brands out there (and this blog will surely be written on our platform soon).
Patagonia
Patagonia is an outdoor vintage brand focused more towards climbers and explorers. It is also a relatively more recent brand, established back in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, who was a mountain climber himself (which explains the mountain range visible in the background of the brand’s logo). As the man strongly believed in sustainability practices, Patagonia’s clothing was built to last, and it is its unmistakable quality that made it so popular so fast.
Undoubtedly, the most sought-after Patagonia articles include its iconic Snap-T Fleece pullovers and its Synchilla Fleece Jackets. Their baggy and utilitarian outdoor aesthetic is loved by climbers and outerwear enthusiasts. Both the jackets are mostly similar in terms of aesthetic but differ mainly only in the weight of the fleece used. The fleece jackets with crazy Aztec patterns can sell for good money, upwards of around $100. In addition, its inner-lined barn coats and jackets are also highly expensive and worth picking as they are regarded for their sturdiness and craftsmanship.
This outdoor vintage brand has been admired for its vibrant prints and unique designs that truly make it stand out.
Belstaff
Belstaff is also an outdoor vintage brand that has its legacy dating back to over a century. It is focused on catering mainly to motorcyclists and aviators. Unlike the other brands on the list that have USA-based origins, Belstaff was founded in the UK in 1924, by Eli Belovitch and Harry Grosberg, specializing in producing waterproof motorcycle apparel.
It has been the go-to for daring explorers and adventurers over the years: Amy Johnson, the first women to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930, did so while repping a Belstaff jacket; it’s waxed cotton jacket was frequently worn by American Actor Steve McQueen; and a major figure of the Cuban revolution Ernesto Guevera was also a fan. Recently, the brand has also been the go-to for style icons like Brad Pitt and David Beckham.
Since Belstaff would be considered a premium brand still given the high retail prices of its jackets and other accessories, you can get good money upon flipping any authentic Belstaff apparel you come across. Given its superior quality and craftsmanship, the garments are made to last. The most iconic of its products is undoubtedly its TrialMaster Jacket made of waxed cotton, first introduced in the 1950s. Examples of these are shown above. Getting your hands on one of these can guarantee you a sizeable payday upon finding the right buyer.
Additional Tips/Conclusion
As we observed on this list, majority of the most sought-after outdoor vintage brands are based in the USA. As a rule of thumb, when hunting for this kind of vintage apparel, pay attention to whether the label reads “Made in USA” or not. Those that are Made in USA would most likely be authentic vintage and high-quality garments.
In addition to this, do not trust the sizing label mentioned on the tag of vintage apparel. Sizes in those times were made smaller than contemporary sizes i.e a Large from 50 years ago would likely be smaller than a Large today. This is applicable not just for the outdoor vintage brands mentioned on this list but generally for any other vintage apparel as well. So, be sure to take a measurement before you proceed to buy something for personal use.
Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the process! Here are some other vintage brands that are worth picking up. Happy thrifting!$