Outdoor Research Earns Global Recognition with Five Design Awards
OutdoorHub 02.27.13
Forget the Oscars. Outdoor Research, the independent, Seattle-based manufacturer of outdoor apparel and accessories, is kicking off awards season early, earning five esteemed accolades in the extremely competitive outdoor space.
Within the span of one month, five Outdoor Research products were honored by some of the industry’s most discerning critics. The Axiom Jacket earned a coveted spot on the Men’s Journal Gear of the Year list. The Gear Institute lauded the Floodlight as “…the coolest insulated jacket” in its Best in Show Awards, bestowed on the most innovative new products showed at Outdoor Retailer for Fall 2013. In Europe, the Valhalla Hoody earned an ISPO design award in the ski outerwear category, and the Lodestar and Alibi II Gloves took two out of the top three slots for best outdoor gloves/accessories.
The awards are an external validation of the ongoing investment the company has made in strengthening its innovation and design muscles.
“Over the past three years Outdoor Research has invested heavily in developing a strong internal team and process to bring truly innovative products to market,” said CEO Dan Nordstrom. “Over that period, our product offering nearly doubled in size, with innovative new styles like 2012’s Axiom Jacket. For Fall 2013, we were able to spend more time on groundbreaking new styles, like the Floodlight Jacket, Valhalla Hoody and Lodestar Gloves, while simultaneously improving our existing best-sellers, like the Alibi II Gloves. Winning this many awards in one season speaks volumes to our team and our process for bringing innovation that works to the market. Our products are beautiful in their simple functionality, and it shows.”
The elegance of the final design belies the extensive engineering and research that goes into making the brand’s technical apparel and gear. And the employees of Outdoor Research wouldn’t have it any other way. They make gear that works seamlessly for people whose passions, experiences and lives depend on it.
To read the reviews associated with all five awards, please click the links below.
- “Men’s Journal” Gear of the Year Award: Axiom Jacket
- The Axiom Jacket also earned a Gear of the Year Award from “Outside Magazine” earlier in 2012
- “Gear Institute” Best in Show Award, Outdoor Retailer: Floodlight Jacket
- ISPO Awards, judged by an independent, international jury of design and product experts
- Award in Ski Outerwear: Valhalla Hoody
- Gold Award Winner in Outdoor Gloves/Accessories: Lodestar Glove
- Award Winner in Outdoor Gloves/Accessories: Alibi II Glove
