Arc’teryx Earns Top Honors in REI’s Partner of the Year 2025

REI celebrates the brands setting new standards in outdoor innovation and sustainability this year. The specialty outdoor retailer, gathered its vendor community this week to announce the recipients of its prestigious Vendor Partner of the Year awards for 2025.

This annual program celebrates brands that excel in product innovation, business efficiency, customer experience, and environmental responsibility. This year, Arc’teryx earned the top honor as the all-around Vendor Partner of the Year, with KEEN, Vuori, Gregory, and Atomic recognized as divisional leaders in footwear, apparel, outdoor hardgoods, and action sports, respectively.

"Kristin Shane, REI’s chief merchandising officer" said, “For over 30 years, our Vendor Partner of the Year awards have celebrated the co-op’s most valued brand partnerships that drive positive change. Out of more than a thousand brands carried in our stores and online, only 16 vendors make the final round – a remarkable achievement. Arc’teryx’s win for overall Vendor Partner of the Year is well-deserved. Across the co-op, we thank them for their shared vision and congratulate their recognition. As a true industry leader in both sustainability and innovation, they continue to set the pace with no signs of slowing down.”

Arc’teryx: Setting the Pace in Innovation and Sustainability

Headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Arc’teryx was founded in 1989 with a mission to always find a better way. This marks the brand’s first time receiving REI’s overall Vendor Partner of the Year award, after previous apparel category wins in 2019 and 2024. Arc’teryx’s focus on product innovation, customer experience, and collaboration has made it REI’s fastest-growing brand for trail running apparel. The company is also a leader in sustainability, ranking in the 90th percentile for REI’s Product Impact Standards and setting science-aligned emissions reduction targets.

Divisional Award Winners

Footwear: KEEN

KEEN, a family-owned brand from Portland, Oregon, has been creating hybrid footwear since 2003. As a long-time REI partner, KEEN leads in innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, particularly in eliminating PFAS from its products. The brand ranks in the 95-100th percentile for sustainability among REI’s partners and previously won the overall award in 2004.

Apparel: Vuori

Based in San Diego County, Vuori has defined the athleisure category since 2015 with its modern designs and signature DreamKnit™ fabric. The brand’s understanding of trend-forward consumers and commitment to evolving REI’s in-store experience has fueled its rapid growth.

Outdoor Hardgoods: Gregory

Salt Lake City’s Gregory is a global leader in expedition, backpacking, and camping gear. The brand is known for educating REI employees, supporting youth outdoor participation through Big City Mountaineers, and powering its facilities with renewable energy. Gregory is committed to substantial emissions reductions by 2030.

Action Sports: Atomic

With headquarters in Austria and Utah, Atomic is the world’s largest ski manufacturer. The brand bridges elite racing with North American freeride culture and saw double-digit growth with REI last year. Atomic is also a leader in sustainability, hosting the Ski Industry Climate Summit and publishing an annual Impact Report with a 2030 emissions reduction target.

Criteria and Community Impact

Established in 1993, the Vendor Partner of the Year program honors brands that embody REI’s philosophy and drive industry-wide impact. Criteria include inspiring innovation, sustainable products, operational excellence, and advancing social and environmental best practices. Employees across REI’s stores, distribution centers, and headquarters nominate vendors in four divisions: footwear, apparel, outdoor hardgoods, and action sports.

REI will make a donation on behalf of each winning brand to the REI Cooperative Action Fund, a nonprofit supporting a more equitable outdoors and research on nature’s impact on health. Since 2021, the Fund has granted nearly $31 million.

A Legacy of Excellence

Past recipients of the Vendor Partner of the Year award include industry leaders such as Black Diamond Equipment, Columbia Sportswear, HOKA ONE ONE, Osprey, and Yakima, highlighting the enduring tradition and high standards of this recognition.

REI’s 2025 Vendor Partner of the Year awards highlight the co-op’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community—values shared by Arc’teryx and all divisional winners. As Kristin Shane emphasized, these partnerships “drive positive change” and “set the pace with no signs of slowing down.”