20 Best Outdoor Clothing NZ Stores & Gear Brands 2025

Tracking down outdoor clothing in New Zealand can feel like another tramp in the rain—fun if you’re prepared, frustrating if you’re not. Whether you’re gearing up for West Coast squalls, alpine temperature swings or an impromptu beach mission, the stores you choose matter as much as the layers you pack. We’ve pulled together the 20 retailers and brands Kiwis rate most highly right now, so you can skip twenty browser tabs and get straight to the gear.

Each pick has earned its spot by acing five tests: does it stand up to chaotic NZ weather, tread lightly on the planet, offer fair value, let you shop the way you like—click, collect or try on—and bring something new for 2025? The result is a line-up that mixes century-old woollen icons with fresh direct-to-consumer disruptors and global heavy hitters that keep local stock on hand. Read on and pinpoint your next favourite kit supplier.

1. Kathmandu – The Household Name for All-Round Adventure Apparel

Founded on the South Island and now visible on almost every Kiwi high street, Kathmandu has become the shorthand for “grab it and go” outdoor clothing in NZ. From after-work summit walks to multi-day Great Walks, the brand’s gear sits in countless packs thanks to dependable performance and easy nationwide access.

Snapshot & Brand Story

• Born in Christchurch in 1987, now boasting 40+ stores plus a slick online shop with free shipping over $150
• Summit Club loyalty gives member pricing, rescue helicopter donations, and early access to clearance drops
• In-store fit specialists and gear rentals let you test before you invest

Must-Check Gear for 2025

• HYDROstatic rainwear: 25 K waterproof, PFC-free DWR
• Responsible Down Standard puffer range with colour-blocked “Trailhead” design
• Re-Fleece hoodies spun from recycled plastic bottles
• Kids’ Grow-With-Me trousers—hidden hems unpick to add 4 cm

Why It Made the List

Inclusive sizing (XXS–4XL), lifetime repair service, and both click-and-collect and rural delivery options keep Kathmandu the go-to for hassle-free, weather-proof outfitting across Aotearoa.

2. Macpac – Kiwi-Born Gear Tested in the Southern Alps

If you’ve shouldered a tramping pack in New Zealand, chances are it was a Macpac. The Christchurch company began life in 1973 building bomb-proof backpacks for brutal Southern Alps missions and still designs every piece of kit here before thrashing it on local peaks. That real-world punishment shows up in long-lasting fabrics and clever details that have made Macpac a quiet benchmark for outdoor clothing NZ adventurers trust.

Snapshot & Brand Story

• Originated as “Macpac Wilderness Equipment”; headquarters and design lab remain in Ōtautahi/Christchurch
• 50+ stores across Aotearoa and Australia, plus an efficient click-and-collect service
• In-store Pack Clinic offers free custom fitting and carry-weight advice

2025 Standouts

• Halo Down 2.0 jacket: 100 % recycled outer, RDS fill, now 40 g lighter
• Ultralight Azote packs with carbon-reinforced framesheets
• Eco Elixir rain shells using PFC-free bluesign® fabrics

Loyalty & Sustainability Notes

• ‘Good as New’ trade-in scheme gives store credit for preloved gear
• Textile recycling bins in every branch; closed-loop pilot turning old packs into tote bags
• Commitment to bluesign approval across 80 % of range by mid-2025

3. Bivouac Outdoor – Multi-Brand Specialist for Technical Clothing

When the trip plan graduates from “cruisy stroll” to “ice-axe mandatory”, Bivouac Outdoor is the retailer most Kiwi climbers trust. Founded in 1993 and now with nine stores plus an excellent online shop, it pulls together premium labels normally only seen in European gear dens. Because apparel sits beside carabiners and probes, you can build a head-to-toe, hut-to-summit system in a single basket—a rare convenience in the outdoor clothing NZ scene.

What You’ll Find

• Arc’teryx, Black Diamond, Icebreaker, Salewa, Rab and more
• Genuine alpine hardwear (axes, crampons, beacons) stocked next to soft goods
• Detailed size runs, including women’s-specific technical cuts

Expert Service Perks

• Staff wear-test every season’s range and post honest reviews
• In-store boot-fitting lab with heat-mouldable liners
• Avalanche-beacon demo station for free practice before snow trips

2025 Picks

• Icebreaker ZoneKnit merino layers for temperature-fluctuating missions
• Arc’teryx Beta waterproof shells, now in PFC-free fabrics
• Black Diamond First Light Hoody—synthetic insulation that breathes on the climb

4. Patagonia NZ – Ethical Trailblazer with Ironclad Quality

Patagonia’s Wellington flagship and a handful of NZ stockists deliver kit that soldiers through Milford rain yet keeps your conscience clear. Transparent supply chains, certified fabrics and the lifetime Ironclad Guarantee mean one purchase can clock up decades of summits.

Ethical Credentials

• 1 % For the Planet donor; Fair-Trade stitching on most garments
• Traceable RDS down and regenerative-organic cotton across the 2025 line
• Publishes factory list and wage data online

Iconic Products for NZ Climate

• Torrentshell 3-Layer: 20 K waterproof, stows into its own pocket
• R1 Air fleece breathes on the climb, insulates in huts
• Nano Puff hoodie now 100 % recycled PrimaLoft, just 340 g

Repair & Re-Wear

• Worn-Wear van tours the country twice a year for free fixes
• In-store repair desks extend garment life
• Trade-in credits encourage circular shopping

5. Bushbuck – Direct-to-Consumer Kiwi Performance Wear

Bushbuck shows how lean, online-first operation can still punch above its weight in the rough-and-tumble conditions Kiwis face. By skipping retail middle-men, the Canterbury crew funnels savings into better fabrics and R&D, then tests every prototype on overnight hunts in the Craigieburns.

Brand Focus

Purpose-built for high-output missions—think stalking, scrambling, and fast-packing—Bushbuck gear blends mountaineering tech with hunter practicality, all sold exclusively through its own site to keep pricing sharp.

2025 Must-Tries

• Kayahan waterproof jacket and pants (30 K/20 K, 3-layer, PFC-free)
• CarbonTECH merino-poly thermals that dry twice as fast as pure wool
• Stormproof trekking umbrella weighing just 220 g

Customer-Friendly Policies

• 60-day “test it hard” guarantee with no-questions returns
• Afterpay and Laybuy accepted at checkout
• Pre-paid return label tucked into every parcel for hassle-free exchanges

6. Swanndri – Heritage Wool Meets Modern Design

Founded in 1913, Swanndri proves a century-old wool label can still feel current. Farmers, trampers and city commuters alike bank on its dense Kiwi wool and updated cuts to shrug off sideways rain without cooking inside the bus shelter.

110-Year Legacy

The original Bush Shirt became a cultural icon; Swanndri still sources wool from local farms and spins it in historic mills before adding contemporary trims and YKK zips.

Best Sellers 2025

• Mosgiel wool coat in new women’s silhouette, hidden phone pocket
• Merino-blend hoodie that’s softer and 15 % lighter
• Water-resistant groundsheet jacket folds flat for packability

Sizing & Fit Tips

Runs roomy; size down for streetwear, stick true for layering over thermals.

7. Swazi – Hardcore Hunting & Farming Apparel

When sleet is sideways and the job still has to be done, rural Kiwis grab Swazi. Purpose-built for hunters and farmers, the gear shrugs off thorns, mud and week-long rain.

Made in Levin NZ

Founder Davey Hughes insists on sewing in Levin and even runs factory tours—proof of the “Made tough in Aotearoa” claim.

Gear Highlights

• Tahr XP anorak – storm-proof three-layer shell
• Micro-Plus fleece tops for lightweight warmth
• Wind-proof balaclava beanie doubles as a neck gaiter

Durability Notes

Lifetime seam warranty, plus in-house re-proofing keeps jackets performing season after season.

8. Ridgeline – Value-Packed Outdoor Clothing for the Whole Family

Ridgeline shows you can kit out the whānau without torching the travel fund. Designed in NZ, its wallet-friendly pieces stand up to farms, bush tracks and school camps.

Range Overview

• Camo parkas, microfleece tops and quick-dry trousers tested against matagouri and wet tussock
• Kids’ Monsoon suits keep groms dry without PVC crunch
• Lifestyle tees, beanies and hoodies come in earthy tones or hi-viz blaze

2025 Releases

For 2025 the Monsoon Elite jacket is 25 % lighter yet now rated 20 K/15 K. The Meridian soft-shell gains bonded fleece, giving windproof warmth minus extra grams.

Best For

• Hunters, trampers and family campers who’d rather spend savings on the next trip

9. Icebreaker – Pioneers of Merino Layering

Born on a South Island sheep station in the mid-90s, Icebreaker proved that fine-fibre merino could out-perform synthetics without the plastic pong. Three decades on, the company still designs every garment in Auckland and sources wool from long-term Kiwi grower contracts, guaranteeing both quality and animal welfare. If you want a base-to-outer system that handles Fiordland downpours, Canterbury nor’westers and office air-con in the same day, start here.

Merino Benefits for NZ Conditions

• Naturally thermoregulating: warms when wet, cools when you’re cooking
• Odour-resistant for multi-day tramps—no pack-weight penalty from spare tees
• Biodegradable fibres skip the micro-plastic problem

Key 2025 Pieces

• Shell+ merino-bonded waterproof jacket (20 K/20 K, 550 g)
• ZoneKnit leggings with body-mapped vent panels
• 200-weight Oasis half-zip now in plant-based dye palette

End-of-Life Programme

Icebreaker’s “iCircle” take-back bins in partner stores collect worn-out layers for composting or fibre-to-fibre trials, closing the loop on your favourite baselayer.

10. Action Outdoors – One-Stop Gear Shop with Hard-to-Find Components

Action Outdoors sits in Auckland’s Penrose belt but ships nationwide, making it the secret weapon when your apparel order needs an odd-size shackle, fresh knife or length of Dyneema to finish the job. Unlike pure outdoor clothing NZ chains, the store pairs jackets and gloves with the marine, RV and industrial widgets that keep a mission rolling.

Notable for 2025

• Victory Knives – still stamped and sharpened in Waiuku
• Tecni-Sport waterproof jackets & gauntlet gloves
• Custom-cut rope, cordage and lifting slings (sold by the metre)
• Trojan trailer hardware to keep boat launches smooth

Shop how you want: product-demo video library, same-day click-and-collect, or dial up the crew for old-school advice.

11. Outfitters – Boutique Online Store for Alpine & Climbing Enthusiasts

Run by two Wanaka mountain guides, Outfitters operates purely online and keeps its range tight. If a piece isn’t light, durable and summit-proven, it never hits the virtual shelves—saving you endless scrolling when time-crunched before a mission.

Curated Brand Line-up

• Rab, Montane, Deuter and Edelrid gear hand-picked by IFMGA-certified buyers
• Guide-written sizing notes plus field photos for extra fit confidence

Gear of Note

• Rab Mythic Ultra down jacket tips the scales under 250 g yet packs 900-fill warmth
• Deuter Futura Pro 36 L pack sports the new Aircomfort mesh back for sweat-free climbs

Shipping & Rental Extras

• DHL Express delivers nationwide in two days; free on orders over $200
• Ice tools, beacons and crampons available for hire with pick-up in Queenstown or Christchurch

12. Mons Royale – Style-Forward Merino Street/Trail Crossover

Born in Wānaka and raised on lift laps and loamy switchbacks, Mons Royale proves performance merino can still look sharp at the after-ride pizza joint. The brand’s relaxed cuts, bold prints and bike-specific tweaks make it the bit of outdoor clothing NZ shredders grab when they refuse to choose between function and flair.

Wanaka Roots

• Founded 2009 by freeski star Hamish Acland; design HQ still lakeside
• Heavy backing of Crankworx Rotorua and local enduro events ensures real-world testing

2025 Capsule

• Yotei long-sleeve now in ZQRX-certified merino for traceable animal welfare
• Virage bike shorts add Cordura® seat panels and magnetic pocket closure
• Temple Tech tee gets body-mapped mesh for extra airflow

Sustainability Angle

• Plastic-free, home-compostable mailers on every web order
• Partnerships with regenerative Otago wool farms; aiming for climate-positive certification by 2026
• “Stitch & Ride” pop-up repair booth at major MTB festivals keeps kit spinning longer

13. Earth Sea Sky – Family-Owned Technical Apparel Made in NZ

Christchurch outfit Earth Sea Sky has kept production onshore since 1990. Still family-owned, it turns small batches of truly technical clothing out of its own factory.

Manufacturing Ethos

Every jacket is water-tested in an on-site rain room; offcuts become dog coats and packing bags.

Standout Shells & Midlayers

Flagship Tekapo Parka sports triple-layer PTFE protection and a wired hood, while Eclipse fleece uses 70 % recycled Polartec for lighter, faster moisture management.

Fit & Custom Options

Short and long cuts available; custom tweaks on request and lifetime repairs done at cost.

14. Stoney Creek – Rugged Rural & Outdoor Wear

Born on Hawke’s Bay farms and proven against gorse and drizzle, Stoney Creek keeps shearers, hunters and station hands moving when the elements turn savage. Hard-wearing fabrics shrug off thorns, dry fast and stay quiet, so the same jacket can corral stock at dawn and sneak through matagouri by dusk.

Farming & Hunting Crossover

Gaiter-friendly cuffs, pull-out blaze hoods and silent soft-shell panels let one garment shift from quad-bike maintenance to bush stalking without missing a beat.

2025 Updates

• ThermoFlex puffer now packed with Dupont Sorona insulation—lighter, eco-friendlier, still tough enough to wear under a carry pack.
• Ice-Dry baselayers weave ceramic-cooling fibres for rapid sweat dispersion during hill climbs and yard work.

Size & Colour Range

Sizing reaches 7XL, while tones span muted olive through hi-viz citrus to full blaze camo for bush safety.

15. Mont bell NZ – Ultralight Packable Protection

Mont bell touched down in Aotearoa last year, finally giving local gram-counters access to the revered Japanese ultralight catalogue with GST included and overnight delivery.

USP

• Sub-300 g shells and 800-fill down proven on Hakuba ridgelines
• NZ-exclusive e-shop (2024) shows GST-inclusive prices and 30-day free returns

Gear to Watch

• Versalite 10 K rain jacket — 215 g, packs into its own pocket
• Superior Down jacket shrinks to one-litre, perfect spare layer or hut pillow

Ideal For

• Fast-packers, cycle commuters, and trampers who track every gram

16. Hallenstein Brothers Outdoor Edit – Affordable Urban-Outdoor Hybrids

Hallenstein Brothers, a Kiwi menswear staple, quietly launched an outdoor edit last year. The range mashes runway-leaning silhouettes with enough weather resistance for a quick Rangitoto hike or CBD bike commute, all at impulse-buy prices and making it a tempting gateway for outdoor clothing NZ bargain-hunters.

Fast Fashion Meets Function

• Soft-shell bombers, packable puffers (< NZ$120), and water-repellent joggers that work from office to bush walks.

Price Points

• Frequent 2-for-1 deals plus 10 % student discount keep sitewide baskets cheap.

Quality Caveats

• Only 12-month warranty; routinely reinforce seams and re-spray DWR yearly for longevity.

17. Mountain Warehouse NZ – Budget-Friendly Big-Box Alternative

Mountain Warehouse is the wallet-friendly chain where Kiwis can kit out the whānau fast, thanks to constant promos and huge stock. No fancy frills, just serviceable waterproofs, fleeces and bargain accessories.

Store Coverage

Twelve stores across major centres plus an online shop with four-hour Click & Collect or cheap rural delivery.

2025 Bargains

Standouts: Packlite down vest, 350 g and $99, and clearance tents chopped by 60 % after Easter.

Who It Suits

Perfect for first-time trampers, school-camp lists, and parents replacing kids’ layers yearly on a budget.

18. The North Face (via Premium Stockists) – Expedition-Grade Performance

Heavyweight Himalayan heritage meets Kiwi conditions in The North Face line-up. The US brand doesn’t run a standalone NZ web store, but its hardest-working shells, puffers and trail layers still land here through select retailers. For outdoor clothing NZ shoppers who routinely battle sub-zero alpine starts or sideways Fiordland rain, TNF gear brings proven summit credentials without the guesswork of grey-market imports.

Where to Buy in NZ

• Bivouac Outdoor – nationwide stores + slick e-commerce
• Torpedo7 – flagships carry broad size runs
• The North Face Queenstown – full Summit Series fittings and boot demos

Iconic Items

• Nuptse ’92 Retro Down Jacket – streetwise look, alpine warmth
• Antora 2.5-layer Rain Jacket – light, PFC-free, packs small
• Summit Series FUTURELIGHT shells – 3-layer, nano-spun waterproof membrane

Warranty & Aftercare

Every piece is covered by TNF’s Lifetime Defect Guarantee. If seams pop or zips jam, authorised repair partner G-Tech Outdoors in Christchurch can restitch, re-tape and re-loft locally, keeping downtime and carbon miles low.

19. Salomon Apparel – Trail Running & Fast-Hiking Specialists

Salomon was born on the slopes of Annecy and that mountain-speed obsession still threads through every T-shirt seam. The kit is feather-light, highly breathable and shaped so nothing catches when you’re ticking off switchbacks at race pace.

Brand DNA

• French-Alps design legacy focused on fast, fluid movement
• MotionFit patterning and stretch inserts keep strides unrestricted

2025 Apparel Stars

• Bonatti Cross-Pro jacket: 20 K/20 K, 180 g, stashes into its own waist pocket
• Sense Aero seamless tee tips the scales at 86 g yet dries in under three minutes

Stockists & Sizing

• Available at Shoe Clinic, Running Free, and SalomonNZ.co.nz
• Euro athletic fit runs slim—most Kiwis size up for winter layering

20. Vissla & Sisstrevolution – Surf-Influenced Outdoor Lifestyle Wear

Born on Californian breaks but right at home along Aotearoa’s 15,000 km of coastline, Vissla (mens) and sister label Sisstrevolution (womens) blur the line between surf hardware and casual outdoor clothing NZ wanderers can live in year-round. The fabrics are salt-water tested, the cuts relaxed, and the eco story surprisingly serious for labels that still know how to have fun.

Coastal Credentials

• Eco-Stretch boardshorts spun from up-cycled coconut husks and recycled poly
• Recycled PET fleece hoodies and poncho towels for post-session warm-ups

NZ Availability

• Stocked at Surfers Warehouse and Backdoor nationwide or direct online
• Free fin-key or wax comb tossed into your first web order

Cross-Over Uses

Perfect for van-life missions, beach-to-bush day hikes, summer festivals, or any time jandals are dress code. Lightweight, quick-dry gear that looks as chilled in a café as it does hanging off the side of a longboard.

Wrapping Up Your 2025 Outdoor Kit

Twenty brands, unlimited adventure. From ultralight Japanese shells to century-old Kiwi wool shirts, this line-up covers every budget, body shape and back-country dream. Whether you’re chasing summer singletrack, hunkering down on a windswept ridgeline or wrangling the kids at a soggy campground, the right mix of layers is sitting just a click—or a shop visit—away.

Don’t be afraid to stack heritage with high-tech: throw a Swanndri bush shirt over a Mont bell down sweater, or pair Icebreaker merino with a Patagonia shell. Lean on trade-in, repair and rental programmes so your wardrobe evolves without trashing the planet or your wallet. And remember, the best outdoor clothing NZ adventurers own is the gear they actually use, not the stuff gathering mildew in a tote.

Need the finishing touches—rope, knives, trailer parts or a weatherproof jacket to boot? Swing by Action Outdoors for expert advice and same-day solutions before you hit the track. Happy roaming!