Arc'teryx
Amer Sports · Canada
Arc'teryx is a Canadian outdoor brand from North Vancouver, known for technical shell jackets, climbing equipment and a minimalist design language. Founded in 1989 as Rock Solid, it is owned by Amer Sports, the NYSE-listed group controlled by a consortium led by Anta Sports.
| Founded | 1989, North Vancouver (as Rock Solid) |
|---|---|
| Founders | Dave Lane, Jeremy Guard |
| Owner | Amer Sports (since 2005) |
| Headquarters | North Vancouver, Canada |
| Stores | More than 80 branded stores |
| Website | arcteryx.com |
What is Arc'teryx?
Arc'teryx designs high-performance outdoor apparel, footwear, packs and climbing equipment. The name and logo refer to the Archaeopteryx, an early bird fossil. The brand is part of Amer Sports, whose other brands include Salomon, Wilson and Atomic, and which reported revenue of 6.6 billion dollars in 2025. Amer Sports itself is headquartered in Helsinki and listed on the New York Stock Exchange since February 2024.
History
Dave Lane founded the company in North Vancouver in 1989 as Rock Solid, making climbing gear. After Jeremy Guard and other investors joined in 1990, it was renamed Arc'teryx in 1991. Its thermolaminated Vapor harness and the Bora backpack built its reputation, and in 1996 it began making Gore-Tex apparel. Salomon, then part of adidas, bought Arc'teryx in 2001, and it passed to Amer Sports with Salomon in 2005. Anta Sports took a controlling stake in Amer in 2019. The company moved to Burnaby in 1999 and returned to North Vancouver in 2005, where its headquarters remain.
Products and positioning
- Gore-Tex shell jackets and insulated outerwear
- Climbing harnesses and packs
- Footwear for hiking and climbing
- Veilance, a minimalist urban line launched in 2009
- Specialist lines for professionals such as LEAF and PRO
Arc'teryx sits at the premium end of outdoor clothing, and its jackets have become status items far beyond the mountains.
Business model and distribution
The brand sells through more than 80 branded stores, over 3,000 outdoor and specialist retailers worldwide and its own e-commerce.
Why it matters
Arc'teryx is one of the clearest examples of a technical outdoor brand turned into a global premium lifestyle label. It is also a reference for how new ownership structures and the gorpcore trend have reshaped the outdoor market. In September 2026 the brand also introduced System 0, a framework for circular design.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Arc'teryx?
Arc'teryx is owned by Amer Sports, which has held it since 2005. Amer Sports is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and China's Anta Sports is its largest shareholder.
Where is Arc'teryx from?
Arc'teryx is a Canadian brand founded in North Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1989. Its headquarters are still in North Vancouver.