Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 25 October 2026
If you want to support genuinely Australian-owned outdoor brands, the key is to distinguish between a brand that was founded in Australia, one that manufactures here, and one that is still Australian-owned today. They aren't necessarily the same thing.
I've checked ownership information and company statements, and there are some excellent Australian-owned options across hiking, camping, outdoor clothing and adventure equipment.
## Australian-owned outdoor brands worth knowing
### Hiking, trekking and technical gear
!Mont Adventure Equipment | Premium Outdoor Gear Since 1981
Mont Adventure Equipment
(Australian company)
Founded in Canberra in 1981, Mont designs and tests outdoor equipment in Australia. Its range includes technical clothing, sleeping bags, tents and packs. Most products are manufactured in specialist factories in China and Vietnam. www.mont.com.au
Best for: serious hiking, alpine conditions and technical gear.
Official website
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!One Planet Extrovert 55L Pack
One Planet
(Australian-owned)
A specialist outdoor equipment company based in Melbourne. It designs and develops gear locally, with most products also made in its Melbourne facility. Its range includes backpacks, sleeping bags and tents. oneplanet.auaustralianmade.com.au
Best for: premium packs, trekking and locally manufactured gear.
Official website
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!Sea to Summit Ultralight Sleeping Pads & Mats | Lifetime Guarantee
Sea to Summit
(Australian-founded; Australian majority investor)
Founded in Australia and headquartered in Perth, it makes sleeping mats, dry bags, tents, travel accessories and camping equipment. Its company announced that Australian investment firm Five V Capital had signed an agreement to become its majority shareholder. seatosummit.com
Best for: lightweight camping and versatile hiking accessories.
Official website
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!Wilderness Wear Cape to Cape Sock | Wilderness Sports AU
Wilderness Wear
(Australian-made and owned)
An Australian company established in 1989, specialising in outdoor socks, thermal base layers and performance clothing. It is particularly worth considering if local manufacturing matters to you. oneplanet.auaustralianmade.com.auwildernesswear.com.auwww.kmdbrands.comannouncements.asx.com.au
Best for: hiking socks, thermal layers and merino alternatives.
Official website
### Camping, 4WD and general outdoor gear
!Adventure Kings Roof Top Tent + 2x Kings Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker - 4WD Supacentre
Adventure Kings
(Australian-owned)
An Australian family-founded outdoor brand focused on affordable camping, 4WD accessories, rooftop tents, awnings and touring equipment. au.adventurekings.com
Official website
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!OZtrail Hightower Mansion 6 Person Tent | Anaconda
OZtrail
(Australian-owned parent)
Part of Adventure Operations, an Australian-owned outdoor products company whose portfolio also includes Kakadu, Companion and Ozpig. OZtrail specialises in family camping equipment, tents, gazebos and outdoor furniture. adventureoperations.com.au
Official website
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Offers outdoor, hunting, camping and adventure equipment, with a focus on durable gear tested for demanding conditions. spika.com.au
Official website
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!Cheeki 1 Litre Stainless Steel Insulated Bottle - Azure
Cheeki
(100% Australian-owned)
An Australian-designed brand specialising in insulated stainless-steel bottles, drinkware and reusable food containers. Its products are manufactured overseas, so ownership and manufacturing origin are separate considerations. cheeki.aucheeki.aucheeki.au
Official website
## What about the popular brands everyone knows?
This is where things get a little confusing.
| Brand | Ownership reality | Verdict |
|--------|--------|--------|
| Kathmandu | Part of KMD Brands, a group headquartered in New Zealand | Not Australian-owned www.kmdbrands.comannouncements.asx.com.au |
| Rip Curl | Founded in Victoria, but acquired by New Zealand-based KMD Brands | Australian-founded, not Australian-owned www.kmdbrands.comannouncements.asx.com.auethical.org.au |
| Macpac | Founded in New Zealand; now wholly owned by Australian-listed Super Retail Group | Australian-owned parent, New Zealand-founded brand ethical.org.auannouncements.asx.com.au |
| Black Diamond | US outdoor equipment brand | Not Australian-owned |
| Sea to Summit | Australian-founded and headquartered in Perth; Australian investment firm announced a majority investment | A strong Australian-owned option, with the latest ownership structure worth checking if you need ultimate beneficial ownership seatosummit.com |
## My shortlist if you want to spend your money locally
- Best for Australian-made technical gear\: One Planet and Wilderness Wear.
- Best for serious hiking and alpine equipment\: Mont.
- Best for lightweight camping accessories\: Sea to Summit.
- Best for affordable camping and 4WD\: Adventure Kings and OZtrail.
- Best for reusable bottles and drinkware\: Cheeki.
One important caveat: Australian-owned doesn't automatically mean Australian-made. Many Australian companies design products here but manufacture them in Asia. If your goal is to support Australian manufacturing and local jobs as well as Australian ownership, One Planet and Wilderness Wear are particularly good places to start.
