Outdoor Research
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Seattle maker of technical outdoor clothing and gloves.
We couldn't confirm where Outdoor Research makes most of its technical outdoor apparel and gloves.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Better-graded outdoor
Graded higher than Outdoor Research, selling the same kinds of things.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where clothes and shoes are usually made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: leather
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Outdoor Research makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses leather in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its leather comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Outdoor Research does not say which countries make most of its products or publish a factory list. In 2019 it ran two US sewing factories (Seattle and El Monte, California) with over 200 workers, but how much of its range they make now is not disclosed. It follows the Outdoor Industry Association's Fair Labor Code and collects third-party verified Higg FSLM social audits from each direct factory every year, but has no published living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Outdoor Research is not rated in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- OR doubles U.S. manufacturing with second onshore factory (SGB, 2019) · search the archive · 2019: owned El Monte, California factory opened alongside Seattle operation; over 200 US manufacturing workers
- Outdoor Research sustainability analysis (Better Trail) · search the archive · Uses SLCP/Higg FSLM; RDS down; leather used without Leather Working Group sourcing
- Outdoor Research publishes inaugural Impact Report (UIAA, 2023) · search the archive · Collections make extensive use of recycled and bluesign-approved synthetic fabrics
- Outdoor Research at Plus Outdoor · search the archive · Australian retailer selling Outdoor Research in its Melbourne shop and online
Published by Outdoor Research or its owner
- Outdoor Research anti-trafficking statement · search the archive · Third-party verified Higg FSLM audits collected from each direct factory every year; code based on OIA Fair Labor Code; no countries named
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Outdoor Research ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/outdoor-research, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Outdoor Research.