Marmot is an outdoor adventure brand with over 50 years of heritage, making it one of the most successful brands for winter jackets.
Whether you’re a fan of mountain climbing or live in a colder climate, Marmot is a brand you need on your radar.
It made its Hollywood debut thanks to Clint Eastwood and has gone on to become an industry leader in high-performance cold-weather clothing and accessories, including tents and sleeping bags.
Marmot is an outdoor recreation clothing and sporting goods company founded in 1974 as Marmot Mountain Works
We’re deep diving into the brand, its 50-year heritage, and whether Marmot is an ethical brand. Our Marmot guide will help you decide whether the brand is worth a splurge next time you’re shopping for a ski or winter jacket.
Marmot: A Half-Century Legacy in Outdoor Apparel
Marmot began its life in 1971 on an Alaskan Glacier by two University of California students. It started as the Marmot Club, founded by Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley, a mountain climbing group with an “oddball spirit of community and inclusion.”
The club led to Eric and Dave creating their own sleeping bags and parkas in their college dorm room, resulting in “Marmot Mountain Works.”
Marmot hit the world stage after Clint Eastwood wore one of their jackets in an action film, ‘The Eiger Sanction.’ It was an almost instant success, with the brand eventually moving to California.
Marmot got its big break after producing and designing 108 Golden Mantle Parkas as a custom order for Clint Eastwood’s 1975 movie, The Eiger Sanction (Credit: Universal Pictures)
Marmot has focused on creating high-performance outdoor apparel, creating a partnership with GORE-TEX in 1976 before launching into womenswear in the ’80s. Its best-selling “8,000 Meter Suit” jacket has been tested on the top of every major mountain in the world.
The 2010s offered an age of evolution for Marmot with a focus on performance wear, creating new waterproof technology while focusing on eco-friendly production.
Marmot has created the WarmCube Expansion technology and incorporated it in their Gallatin 20-degree sleeping bag and 8,000M Suit to keep you warm through extreme weather conditions
Marmot’s latest technological innovation includes the WarmCube Expansion Gallatin 20-degree sleeping bag with an ISPO Gold Award and a supercharged 8,000M Suit with WarmCube technology.
The brand exists to create a world where we can “go outside because it’s the best playground we can imagine.”
Marmot Under Newell Brands: A Synergy of Outdoor Excellence
Marmot is owned by Newell Brands, an American retailer with almost 120 years of experience in the apparel and commercial product industry. It focuses on outdoor products, lifestyle products, and fashion.
Marmot’s sister companies include Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, and Sevylo—all of which fall under the Newell Brands umbrella.
Marmot is owned by Newell Brands, a leading global consumer goods company
The Marmot brand was previously linked to K2 and K2 Sports, which has gone on to be sold to Kohlberg & Company in 2017. Marmot remained with Newell after the brands separated.
The Global Craftsmanship of Marmot Products
Marmot’s jackets are made to “produce performance…that meets the expectations of mountain professionals and enthusiasts”.
Although Marmot is an American brand, its products are no longer made in the United States. It has followed the lead of several other major American brands by moving its production to Asia.
Most Marmot jackets are made in China and Vietnam. None of Marmot’s products are currently made in the United States.
Although it’s a known American brand, Marmot manufactures its products in Asia, with most of its jackets produced in China and Vietnam
Each Marmot product carries the name of its country of manufacturing on its label. You’ll also find the product number sewn into your Marmot jacket.
It’s the best way to identify if your Marmot jacket is real or fake. Marmot jackets since 1996 have included a four to six-digit number; previous products will have a four-digit number combination.
Marmot’s Ethical Stand: Balancing Performance with Responsibility
Innovation is at the heart of the Marmot brand. Its performance-driven outdoor gear and apparel are made in a socially and eco-friendly manner.
The brand is working to reduce its carbon footprint and increase conservation using innovation to minimize its environmental impact and promote employee wellbeing.
Marmot has a threefold philosophy of “people/product/planet.” It works to promote fair, humane working conditions and support social initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.
Some of Marmot’s flagship products are at the heart of its sustainability pledge. The PreCip Eco Family product range is made using 100% recycled, bluesign-approved fabric and PFC-free DWR.
Marmot offers a range of products under the PreCip Eco Family collection, made using 100% recycled, bluesign-approved fabric and PFC-free DWR
It’s worth noting, however, that Marmot lacks the sustainability transparency that is evident elsewhere in the industry. Columbia provides in-depth details about its supply chain and factories, whereas Marmot provides no specific information about its manufacturing on its website.
The question of whether Marmot is an ethical brand is difficult to answer. It utilizes eco-friendly materials and claims to work towards sustainability, but its claims cannot be confirmed without greater transparency, particularly in its manufacturing in Asia.
Marmot’s Market Position: Affordability Meets Innovation
Marmot is a mid-tier outdoor apparel brand. You can expect to pay more than athleisure brands like Lululemon without paying the four-figure price tag of a luxury brand. You can expect to pay around $350 for a Marmot jacket at full price.
Marmot’s ladies’ jackets range from $80 for the Rocklin full-zip jacket to $650 for the women’s WarmCube GORE-TEX Golden Mantle jacket. The brand’s top ticket products are those that feature its innovative warmth technology.
Marmot jackets range from $80 to $650, with the 8000M suit being the most expensive, retailing at $1,600
It’s worth looking out for sales and discounts that can help you save 30% or more on the cost of your Marmot jacket.
Signature Styles: Iconic Marmot Jackets That Define the Brand
Marmot is known as an outdoor recreation clothing and sporting goods company that began as ‘Marmot Mountain Works’ in 1974. It made a name for itself after Clint Eastwood wore its climbing apparel in ‘The Eiger Sanction.’
Some of Marmot’s best-selling jackets include:
1. Women’s ‘Montreaux’ Coat, $324.95 at Zappos
The “Montreaux” is Marmot’s best-selling women’s jacket and is available in an array of neutral and muted tones. It’s designed for everyday wear with a classic exterior that you can style for day and night.
The jacket features a compact yet powerful 700-fill-power-down with a fleece-lined torso and even handwarmer pockets.
Suited for day and night wear, the Montreaux coat boasts a compact-yet-powerful 700 fill-power-down, fleece-lined torso, Durable Water-Resistant (DWR) coating, and Duck Down Defender
2. Women’s ‘Chelsea’ Coat, $379.95 at Zappos
Keep warm as the temperatures drop with the “Chelsea”coat. This insulated, full-length coat combines contemporary fashion trends with the latest high-performance technology wrapped into a lightweight shield.
The Chelsea coat features Marmot’s NanoPro technology, a lightweight and breathable waterproof coating technology that repels rain so you stay dry inside and out for high-performance usage in extremely wet conditions
3. Women’s ‘Prospect’ Coat, $550 at Marmot
The “Prospect” is a long silhouette coat with 800-fill-power-down insulation that has a moisture-resistant Down defender treatment. This jacket is a must-have for commuting in cold climates and is designed for city living.
The Prospect coat has a long silhouette that features Marmot MemBrain 2-layer waterproof/breathable fabric and 800-fill-power-down insulation finished with a moisture-resistant Down Defender treatment
Marmot is a brand that deserves a spot in your winter closet with its accessible price point and high-performance designs.