The Color My Outdoors Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrating Outdoor Brands by People of Color
As the holiday season approaches, Color My Outdoors is proud to present our first-ever Holiday Gift Guide! This curated collection highlights outdoor brands owned by People of Color who are reshaping the outdoor industry with creativity, culture, and purpose. From outdoor gear, apparel, and furniture, this guide celebrates the innovation and impact of diverse voices in the outdoor space. Each gift reflects the beauty, brilliance, and resilience of our communities. Explore these inspiring brands and discover meaningful gifts that will bring joy to you, your loved ones, and the communities behind them.
BACKPACKING & OUTDOOR GEAR
Brand: Icate Foods
Owner: Martha “Yoli” Díaz
Product: Her Aventura Arróz con Leche
Founded by Martha “Yoli” Díaz, Itacate was born from her love for the outdoors and her desire to see her culture reflected in outdoor adventures. After discovering backpacking in college, Martha realized one thing was missing — comfort food she could connect with. Inspired by her Mexican roots, she created Itacate to bring familiar, nourishing flavors to the trail. Her Aventura Arróz con Leche, a plant-based twist on the classic dessert, blends coconut milk, strawberries, chia, and cinnamon — offering a taste of home for every journey.
Brand: Outdoor Element
Owner: Mike Mojica
Product: Scout Feather Adventure Survival Knife
Founded by Mike Mojica, an engineer, veteran, and outdoor enthusiast, Outdoor Element was built from a passion for innovation and a love for the wild. Inspired by his Native heritage, Mike designs tools that blend functionality, preparedness, and respect for nature. One of his standout creations, the Scout Feather EDC Knife, is more than just a blade — it cuts, sparks fire, sharpens, and signals for help. Built for adventure, it embodies the four elements of outdoor readiness. With the Scout Feather, you can explore with confidence and be prepared for anything nature brings.
CLIMBING
Brand: Beast Fingers Climbing
Owner: Aman Anderson
Product: GRIPPŪL TWO
Born in a garage in 2013, Grippūl began when its founder crafted a simple wooden tool to rebuild finger strength after climbing injuries. What started as a personal experiment evolved into a revolution in grip training — bringing precision, portability, and biomechanics together for climbers, therapists, and coaches. The Grippūl Two is the next evolution of that vision: a refined, heat-cast aluminum system engineered to isolate true finger flexor loading without wall interference. Designed for measurable adaptation and injury prevention, it delivers targeted strength, minimal compensation, and maximum transfer. More than just a training tool, it’s a platform where climbing meets applied force science — built for those reclaiming strength and redefining performance.
CYCLING
Brand: Cycling Out Loud
Owner: Kisha Kay
Product: Women’s One Love 2025 Zipperless Jersey
Founded by Kisha Kay in 2020, Cycling Out Loud was born from a desire to create cycling gear that truly fits and celebrates women’s bodies. Tired of unisex designs and limited options, Kisha set out to design bold, expressive jerseys that honor every curve and color the ride with confidence.
Today, Cycling Out Loud outfits cyclists of all sizes with standout designs like the Women’s One Love 2025 Zipperless Jersey, crafted for unity and freedom, and the Men’s One Love 2025 Zipperless Jersey, made for riders who move with heart and purpose. Now in its fifth year, the brand continues to disrupt the industry —proving everybody belongs on the ride.
Brand: Thousand
Owner: Gloria Hwang
Product: Chapter+ MIPS Helmet
Founded in 2015 by Gloria Hwang, Thousand was born from personal loss and a mission to make safety effortless and stylish. After losing a friend to a bike accident, Gloria set out to design bike helmets people would actually want to wear— combining style, safety, and sustainability in every detail. Named after her goal to help save 1,000 lives, the brand’s innovative features like the anti-theft PopLock, comfort-driven fit, and certified protection redefine what a helmet can be. The Chapter MIPS Helmet embodies this vision with elevated craftsmanship, including hand-applied gold leaf detailing, premium automotive-grade paint, and the MIPS Safety System for advanced protection. Engineered for comfort and confidence, it’s a timeless reminder that safety and style can ride together.
HIKING & RUNNING
Brand: WhitePaws RunMitts
Owner: Susan Clayton
Product: Wind And Water Resistant RunMitts
Founded by Susan Clayton, a passionate runner, WhitePaws RunMitts was created to help runners, walkers, and movers stay warm and comfortable through every season. After seeing a runner use socks to keep his hands warm on a cold morning, Susan designed WhitePaws RunMitts as the ultimate cold-weather companion for runners, walkers, hikers, and movers. Patented, thumbless, and convertible, these innovative mittens feature inside pockets for hand warmers, wind and water-resistant fabric, and insulation that keeps your hands cozy without sacrificing mobility. Machine washable and built to last, their comfort and performance rolled into one. RunMitts let you focus on what matters most — your adventure, not the weather.
Brand: Iconi
Owner: Angel Johnson
Product: Core Legging, Balance Blue
Founded by Angel Johnson, a Black Woman Veteran, ICONI — short for “I Can Overcome, Nothing’s Impossible” — is a movement built on empowerment, resilience, and inclusivity. Designed for every body, ICONI’s activewear inspires confidence through high-performance innovation and bold self-expression. The Core Legging in Balance Blue embodies this mission with its high-waisted fit, supportive compression, and moisture-wicking fabric that moves with you. Comfortable, functional, and squat-proof, these leggings are made to help you feel powerful from the inside out — because at ICONI, nothing is impossible.
Brand: Tough Cutie
Owner: Brittany Coleman
Product: Eve Crew V3
Born from the spirit of women who are both fierce and nurturing, Tough Cutie is the brainchild of founder Brittany Coleman, who set out to create socks that honor women’s strength and individuality from the ground up. Designed by women, for women. The Eve Crew V3 delivers comfort, durability, and purpose — crafted for every trailblazer who refuses to shrink herself to fit in. With every step, Tough Cutie celebrates equality, community, and the joy of belonging in the outdoors. Slip on a pair and feel what it means to walk boldly in your own power.
Brand: Conscious Gear
Owner: Charlotte Young Bowens
Products: Vestapak
Charlotte Young Bowens, ultrarunner and founder of Conscious Gear, created the VestaPak™ after discovering that no hydration vests were made to fit bigger bodies, including her own. What began as a DIY solution stitched together on a borrowed sewing machine became the first-of-its-kind, size-inclusive hydration vest designed by and for bigger-bodied adventurers. The ultralight VestaPak™ features recycled materials, moisture-wicking mesh, antimicrobial fabric, spacious storage, and a co-branded 2L HydraPak bladder for long-lasting hydration. Built for hikers, runners, cyclists, and outdoor lovers of all levels, it’s backed by a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. With the Elemental Fit Guide, every explorer can find a vest that truly fits their body and their journey.
Brand: Meltfit
Owner: Ashley G
Product: Essential Jackets Mesh
Ashley G. founded Melt Fit Apparel after losing 70 pounds in 10 months and realizing the industry lacked comfortable, functional workout wear for her new lifestyle. Her brand quickly gained national recognition, earning a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things and features on major platforms like The View and Good Morning America. Today, Melt Fit’s signature Essential Mesh Jacket reflects Ashley’s commitment to performance and style, featuring a stretchy fit, breathable mesh panels, thumbholes for comfort, and convenient side pockets. With a strong business background and Detroit-rooted entrepreneurial spirit, Ashley continues to design athleisure pieces that empower women to feel confident, supported, and seen.
Winter Sports
Brand: Seirus
Owner: Mike Carey
Product: Cat Tracks
As the oldest running outdoor gear shop, Seirus was founded in 1984 by Mike and Wendy Carey with a single innovation: the Cat Tracks® — a ski boot protector designed to keep adventurers safer on and off the slopes. That spark of creativity grew into a legacy of innovation, with Seirus developing over 20 patented designs that redefine warmth, comfort, and performance for winter recreation. The Cat Tracks® remain a trusted favorite, extending the life of ski boots, improving traction, and ensuring compatibility with bindings. Recommended by major brands like Nordica and Salomon, Seirus continues to craft gear that helps make the outdoor experience feel seamless, safe, and unforgettable.
Brand: Aurora Heat
Owner: Brenda Dragon
Product: Reusable Hand Warmers
Founded by Brenda Dragon, Aurora Heat was inspired by her Dënesųłiné heritage and a childhood spent outdoors, where wild fur kept her family warm through -40° winters. Rooted in tradition and sustainability, Brenda created Aurora Heat to share the natural warmth of ethically harvested beaver fur with the world. The Aurora Heat™ Hand Warmers are a reusable, biodegradable alternative to single-use and battery-operated warmers — keeping your hands cozy season after season. Odor-resistant, hypoallergenic, and made to last, they’re a sustainable way to stay connected to nature. Plus, $1 from every purchase supports on-the-Land initiatives for Indigenous youth, educators, and knowledge holders.
Outdoor Furniture
Brand: ITA Leisure Goods
Owner: Jade Akintola
Product: Leisure Chair Erupe
Founded by Jade Akintola, ITA Leisure is the first Black-owned and woman-owned outdoor furniture and goods brand, created around a simple truth: leisure is for everyone. “Ita” means outside in Yoruba — a nod to Akitola’s Nigerian roots. Inspired by the freedom and belonging found in nature, the brand designs inclusive, heritage-inspired essentials that invite everyone to reclaim rest outdoors. Their signature Erupe Chair embodies that spirit, which is lightweight, durable, and UV-protected to weather any adventure while keeping its vibrant charm. Whether you’re in your backyard or beyond, Ita Leisure reminds us that comfort, culture, and connection all belong under the open sky.
Brand: Eighth Generation
Owner: Louie Gong (Nooksack)
Product: Connection Wool Blanket
Founded by artist and activist Louie Gong (Nooksack), Eighth Generation began as a movement to reclaim authentic Native art from a market dominated by “Native-inspired” imitations. Now owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, the brand stands as the first tribally owned lifestyle company offering 100% Native-designed products that honor creativity, integrity, and cultural heritage. The Connection Wool Blanket, designed by Snoqualmie Tribal Members McKenna Sweet Dorman and Jaime Martin, reflects the Tribe’s deep roots in Western Washington through patterns inspired by traditional Puget Sound basket weavings. Its earth-toned design symbolizes intergenerational connection, ancestral wisdom, and the flow of time — each purchase supporting the Inspired Natives® movement and the continued empowerment of Indigenous communities.
Outfitters
Brand: Slim Pickins Outfitters
Owners: Jahmicah and Heather Dawes
SlimPickins Outfitters sells outdoor gear to inspire you for every adventure. Founded by Jahmicah Dawes, the shop is the first black-owned outfitter in the United States. It is rooted in a mission to diversify the outdoors and reconnect Black communities to their historical connection with the land. Guided by the principle that form follows function, Jahmicah curates gear that’s durable, purposeful, and stylish.
Brand: Outlandish
Owners: Ken Bernard and Benje Williams
Outlandish, is a Black-owned outdoor retail shop that is redefining what outdoor culture looks like from its home in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights. Founded by Ken Bernard and Benje Williams, the shop was built to make the outdoors more accessible for Communities of Color. They carry gear from major brands like The North Face as well as emerging BIPOC-owned labels. Beyond retail, Outlandish fosters community through events like Hikeish, a guided hiking series, and Trailish, group trail runs supported by Hoka. Together, Bernard and Williams have created more than a store —they’ve built a welcoming hub where culture, community, and adventure meet.
