Outdoor Products Industry Profile
From the gear manufacturers to the guides who lead people onto Utah’s public lands, the outdoor recreation industry added $9.75 billion to the state’s economy and supported more than 75,000 jobs in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. EDCUtah connects those companies to manufacturing space, distribution networks, and the testing grounds this industry depends on.
Outdoor Products
800%
Higher sporting and athletic goods manufacturing employment density than the national average
63,000+
Square miles of outdoor testing grounds
1,200+
Outdoor products companies located in Utah
3.54
Outdoor products location quotient (2025)
Utah's Outdoor Advantage
Utah’s diverse landscapes provide more than 63,000 square miles of terrain for testing and developing outdoor products in real-world conditions. From mountains and deserts to trails, snow, and varied elevations, companies can test products across a wide range of environments.
Utah’s outdoor products industry benefits from a workforce with expertise in product design, engineering, manufacturing, and outdoor recreation. Universities, technical programs, and an active outdoor community help companies attract talent with both technical skills and firsthand experience using the products they develop.
Utah companies are developing advanced materials and products for outdoor recreation, including carbon fiber applications used in products such as bicycles, skis, wheels, and frames. Companies such as ENVE demonstrate Utah’s expertise in combining advanced materials with high-performance product design.
Utah is home to established outdoor products companies spanning apparel, equipment, sporting goods, and outdoor technology. This concentration of companies and industry expertise supports innovation, specialized talent, and opportunities for collaboration across the sector.
Utah’s proximity to world-class ski resorts, national parks, and outdoor recreation areas creates an ideal environment for developing and testing outdoor products. Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and other activities provide companies with direct access to the environments and consumers their products are designed for.
Utah's Olympic legacy continues
Utah’s world-class training facilities, terrain, and winter sports infrastructure have made the state a destination for Olympic athletes and organizations. With the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics returning to Utah, the state will continue to serve as a training ground and gathering place for athletes from around the world.
Insights from companies operating in Utah’s Outdoor Products industry
Matt Eby
Chairman of the Seawall board of directors
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) are pleased to announce Jack Wolfskin North America ...
The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) are pleased to announce that Kent Outdoors plans to ...
Connect with Utah’s outdoor products industry, workforce, and business resources to support your company’s growth and expansion.
