Outdoor brands keep betting on Boulder
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Reima storefront in Boulder. Photo: Courtesy of Reima
Two outdoor apparel brands are expanding in Boulder, betting the city's outdoorsy reputation can translate into customers, community and growth.
Why it matters: Boulder has long been a hub for the outdoor industry, and a fresh wave of investment shows brands still see value in being close to the people who use the gear.
Driving the news: Alpaca apparel company PAKA has opened its first U.S. headquarters in a 5,165-square-foot building at 2010 Eighth St., just off Pearl Street.
- Founder Kris Cody launched PAKA in 2016 after he took a backpacking trip to Peru.
- PAKA is calling the Boulder headquarters its "clubhouse," with plans for prototype testing, its first clothing repair program and community events.
Meanwhile: Finnish children's outdoor apparel company Reima opens its first North American store Saturday at 939 Pearl St.
- The pop-up will run through January, selling ski gear, snowsuits and other winter apparel while hosting community events.
- Reima's North American headquarters is in nearby Golden.
- "Boulder is an idyllic community for Reima to set roots in," Marc Cutilletta, Reima's head of North America, said in announcing the store.
The big picture: PAKA and Reima join a growing roster of outdoor brands investing in Boulder.
- Kuhl, Adidas Terex, Himali, Backcountry, La Sportiva, and Teton Gravity Research have all opened outposts in Boulder since 2021.
- Cycling giant Giant Group USA also leased a major Boulder facility this year.
What's next: Sundance Film Festival's impending arrival could give brands another reason to plant a flag in Boulder — and another platform for those already here.
- PAKA, for example, plans to host film screenings and other events at its new headquarters, including an activation around the 2027 festival.