7 LGBTQ+ Outdoor Brands to Support This Pride Month

For a long time, being out and being an outdoors person felt like two separate identities. The wilderness was a place I went to escape stress and judgment. The city was where I more outwardly waved my rainbow flag. But over the years, living in a (surprisingly) outdoor-centered city like Chicago, I’ve found joy in meeting more LGBTQ+ and queer people who love the outdoors, and being gay, as much as I do.

Now that I’m a new mom raising her daughter outdoors, I’ve fully embraced blending these two identities. I want my daughter to know the outdoors is for everyone, including her own family. I’m a firm believer in and advocate for LGBTQ visibility and protection, especially in the outdoors. What does that look like in action? Flying Pride flags at the campground, introducing queer families to the trail, and supporting outdoor brands that give back to LGBTQ+ non-profits and organizations.

This Pride Month, consider supporting brands that don’t just rainbow-wash their gear and call it good. Real support for the LGBTQ+ folks means funding DEI initiatives, programs, and scholarships, paying queer artists and athletes to collaborate, and intentionally supporting the queer community year-round.

These seven outdoor brands are actually showing up and doing the work. Shop with these brands this Pride Month and beyond.

If you’ve ever wanted to look like a walking rainbow on the trail, here’s your chance. Every year during Pride Month, cottage fleece hoodie Sambob sells made-to-order or ready-to-ship rainbow pride hoodies with 10% of all sales benefitting local queer-focused non-profits in their home state of Maine, with over $10,000 in donations since their launch in 2021. The brand sells wide and narrow fits, plus made-to-order options, so buyers have a midlayer that actually fits their body the way they want it to.

This year, a portion of rainbow pride hoodie sales will benefit the Kindling Collective, a queer-centered gear library and outdoor education nonprofit working to make nature accessible to the queer community in Maine. Sambob also donates hoodies throughout the year to LGBTQ Outdoors chapter leaders nationwide.

Chaco

Who knew your feet could ever look so gay?!

I absolutely love wearing my Chacos in the summertime (duh, I’m a lesbian). I own several pairs in a variety of colors because who doesn’t love accessorizing their footwear for an adventure?! I especially love rocking my rainbow Chacos during Pride Month—on the trail,at the lake, and definitely at Chicago’s Pride parade.

For four years, Chaco has teamed up with Brave Trails, an LGBTQ+ youth summer camp dedicated to helping young people find their people, place, and passion in the outdoors. Chaco’s annual contributions to the L.A.-based non-profit supports programming costs and scholarship funds that make camp and outdoor adventures accessible to queer youth who couldn’t otherwise attend.

Farm to Summit

Rainbow pasta in the backcountry, anyone?!

LGBTQ- and women-owned Farm to Summit knows what it takes to make instant craft cuisine for the backcountry. The brand’s dehydrated meals range from comfort foods like Garden Mac and Cheese and Three Bean Chili & Cornbread, to unique flavors like Thai Red Curry. But my favorite happens to be their Rainbow Pasta, which is especially popular during Pride month in June. Farm to Summit donates 5% of every Rainbow Pasta sale to LGBTQ Outdoors in addition to donating meals to organizations working with underrepresented folks in the outdoors, including the queer community, of course. Rainbow pasta tastes better on the trail. Trust me.

BUFF

Queer-it-up with some fun pops of color this summer.

You’ll find me with a BUFF wrapped around my neck on most outings (hiking, biking, fly fishing, and even walks around the neighborhood with my daughter). This month, I’ve been reaching for my Pride BUFF — a part of the brand’s Blank Canvas initiative, which works with artists around the world to turn its signature neck gaiter into wearable art. This year’s collaboration tapped Spanish illustrator José Antonio Roda, whose work leans into bold colors and emotional designs, to launch a series of rainbow and trans-inspired BUFFs.

A portion of sales from BUFF’s Pride collection supports Outright International, a global LGBTQ+ human rights organization. The giveback organization of choice each year is also selected by BUFF employees so that the causes supported actually matter to the people making the products.

Smartwool

Cozy, cushy, and hella gay socks for the trail.

Gay socks? Yasss, qween. Smartwool has been a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community, donating and giving back to queer non-profits ranging from queer-focused organizations like The Center on Colfax and the Venture Out Project to local Pride events like The Pride 5K at Denver PrideFest. The brand has donated over $300,000 over the years, supporting these non-profits and more. Catch me hiking in these rainbow socks not only during Pride month, but all year long.

Flags for Good

Let others know they’re welcome at the campsite.

We don’t often spot other queer families with two moms at the campground like ours, but catching a glimpse of a Pride flag goes a long way in making us feel welcome. In fact, we’ve started hanging a small Pride flag outside our campsite as a way to signal to other queer campers and allies that they’ve got welcoming neighbors — and that they’re welcome here too.

And it’s not just any flag, it’s our Flags for Good rainbow flag that comes with us on every camping trip. The social justice-forward brand operates on a giveback model that lets customers direct a $1 donation to a nonprofit of their choice at checkout. The brand has given out $189,000 in financial support to dozens of non-profits since its launch in 2020. Flag for Good’s catalog ranges from LGBTQIA+ designs to flags donning civic and social justice messages. You’ll find your classic holiday flags sprinkled in there, too.

REI Co-op Outside with Pride Collection

The cutest Pride Month collection you ever did see.

Every year, I tell myself I’m just going to browse REI’s Outside with Pride collection. Every year, my shopping cart disagrees. The brand puts out its own Pride-themed gear, like this year’s super cute Flash 22 Pride Edition Pack and rainbow-patterned REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair, while also spotlighting products from other brands that support the LGBTQ+ community.

Unlike brands that only turn the lights on in June for their Pride focus, REI unwaveringly supports the queer community year-round through federal advocacy (public support and promotion of the Equality Act), workplace programs that include gender-affirming healthcare, pronoun recognition, and a PRISM employee network. They also have ongoing community partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Venture Out Project, Brave Trails, the Inclusive Outdoors Project, and more. Finally, you can rest assured that when you enter an REI store, their policies prohibit discrimination, and staff are trained and equipped to enforce it. Thanks, REI.