How Arc’teryx Turned Climbing Gear Into a Luxury Status Symbol
Watch how the upscale mountaineering brand grew from $500 million to $2 billion in revenue by expanding beyond climbers
A $900 Arc’teryx Alpha SV jacket has more than 150 component parts from more than 35 suppliers. The highly technical products are designed for climbers, but the rapid brand growth has also been fueled by “gorpcore,” a fashion trend where technical gear is worn as high-end streetwear.
In the video above, The Wall Street Journal got rare access inside Arc’teryx’s Canadian manufacturing facility ARC’One to learn how the company carved out a unique brand identity in an industry dominated by mainstream giants like Patagonia and The North Face.