Women-Led Outdoor Brands to Support in 2025: A Women-Led Wednesday Guide
Support women-led innovation in the outdoors! These women-led outdoor gear brands are redefining adventure with high-performance, sustainable, and inclusive outdoor gear in 2025.
Every year, the outdoor industry gets a little more innovative, a little more creative, and a whole lot more inclusive, thanks to women. From ultralight cookware to high-performance baselayers to dehydrated meals that taste like real food, women-led outdoor brands are pushing the industry forward with products that solve real problems, elevate comfort, and make the backcountry more accessible for everyone.
For Women-Led Wednesday 2025, we’re celebrating the women-founded and women-run companies leading the charge in outdoor gear, nutrition, apparel, and backcountry essentials. These are brands creating gear that works because it’s designed by people who actually get outside.
Here are the top women-led outdoor brands every hiker, backpacker, and adventurer should support this year.
Women-Led Outdoor Brands Making Big Waves in 2025
Wild Rye
Wild Rye is one of the most recognizable women-led brands today, and for good reason. Their apparel fits well, performs exceptionally, and celebrates women who ride, hike, ski, climb, and explore with grit and joy. With technical fabrics, inclusive sizing, and playful patterns, Wild Rye continues to reshape what women’s outdoor apparel can look and feel like.
Why we love them:
- Designed exclusively for women
- Highly technical, durable apparel
- Size-inclusive and sustainability focused
- Community-driven + women-run at every level
Kula Cloth
This tiny square of fabric changed backcountry hygiene forever. The Kula Cloth- a reusable, antimicrobial pee cloth -was invented by a violinist turned backpacker turned gear visionary. What began as a simple idea is now an essential piece of Leave No Trace-friendly gear carried by thru-hikers, long-distance cyclists, and anyone who loves the outdoors.
Why we love them:
- Fun designs + artist collaborations
- Truly functional, eco-friendly hygiene solution
- Supports women creators and the LNT community
Heather’s Choice
Heather’s Choice is known for meals that actually taste like real food, crafted with high-quality ingredients sourced close to home. From Packaroons to Salmon Chowder to Dark Chocolate Chili, their recipes hit with flavor, nutrition, and integrity. Heather’s Choice is one of the best women-led food brands in the outdoor world, especially for adventurers who value clean, wholesome ingredients.
Why we love them:
- Made with whole foods and thoughtful recipes
- Woman-founded and Alaska-inspired
- Delicious, nourishing backpacking meals
TOAKS
TOAKS might be famous for titanium pots, stoves, and utensils, but few people know a woman is behind the brand’s vision and design direction. Their cookware is beloved by ultralighters because it’s durable, featherlight, and built for real backcountry use. A woman-led touch behind the scenes has helped push TOAKS to the front of the ultralight world.
Why we love them:
- Industry-leading titanium gear
- Ultralight + ultradurable
- Great for beginners and hardcore backpackers alike
Alpacka Raft
Alpacka Raft was founded by legend Sheri Tingey; a woman who saw the need for better backcountry-resistant rafts and literally reinvented what a packraft could be. Alpacka is still the industry gold standard. Completely American-made, designed with precision, and built to last, Alpacka is what you buy when you want the best.
Why we love them:
- Best-in-class packrafts
- Handmade in southwest Colorado
- Durability + innovation unmatched in the industry
BRANWYN
BRANWYN designs naturally antimicrobial merino essentials created by women, for women. Their bras, briefs, and leggings focus on comfort, performance, and sustainability; eliminating chafing, sweat buildup, and synthetic stink. They’re a women-led brand solving real issues women face outdoors and every day.
Why we love them:
- Sustainably sourced merino wool
- Comfortable, seamless designs for active women
Garage Grown Gear
Garage Grown Gear is the heart of the cottage industry! It's supporting dozens of small outdoor brands, many of which are run by women. Amy Hatch created a space where innovative, handmade, small-batch gear can thrive. It’s a powerhouse for discovering women-led ultralight companies and creative makers.
Why we love them:
- Woman-centric without even trying
- Supports countless small, women-run gear makers
- The best place to discover new cottage brands
Farm To Summit
Farm to Summit is a rising star! Just a two-woman team making insanely delicious dehydrated meals using produce from local and regional farms. They’re a sustainability-minded brand solving food waste, supporting farmers, and feeding hikers with the best flavors in the backpacking world.
Why we love them:
- Southwest Colorado based
- Sustainable + farm-to-pouch ingredients
- Unique, flavorful meals with real nutritional depth
Skida
Skida is iconic: colorful, bold, and community driven. What started as one woman sewing hats for her ski team became one of the most beloved accessory brands in the outdoor world. Their hats, neck warmers, and headbands are playful, functional, and proudly women-run.
Why we love them:
- Fun collab gear
- Fun patterns + technical materials
- Works for skiing, hiking, running, and everyday warmth
Good To-Go
Good To-Go raised the bar for backpacking meals. Created by a chef, the flavors are layered, fresh, and deeply satisfying. This women-led brand produces some of the best lightweight meals on the market; with options that cater to allergies, dietary preferences, and flavor-focused adventurers.
Why we love them:
- The Pad Thai alone makes us swoon
- Chef-crafted meals
- Consistent quality and great nutritional balance
NoSo Patches
NoSo Patches are a sustainable, fun alternative to traditional gear repair tape. Founded by a woman who wanted repairs to feel creative rather than clinical, these patches help extend the life of gear while adding a pop of personality. Perfect for jackets, tents, packs, and more.
Why we love them:
- Simple fix for gear
- Creative, long-lasting repairs
- Supports sustainability and keeps gear out of landfills
Why Supporting Women-Led Outdoor Brands Matters
Women-led brands elevate the outdoors with:
- Gear based on lived experience
- Commitment to sustainability
- Body-inclusive design and functional fit
- Innovation driven by real needs
- Strong community-building values
Backing women-led companies helps diversify the industry, amplify underrepresented voices, and spark a more inclusive and ethical outdoor culture.
Packing It Out
From ultralight gear to adventure-ready meals to beautifully crafted apparel, these women-led brands are shaping a better outdoor future. Whether you're gearing up for backpacking season or building a more thoughtful kit for 2025, choosing women-founded companies is a powerful way to support innovation, sustainability, and community.
This article is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
