Best Australian outdoor clothing brands for families.

If you've ever walked into an outdoor shop looking for clothing for the whole family, only to find plenty of gear for adults and very little that works for the kids, you already know the problem. Maybe the kids' section has a handful of jumpers, the women's range feels like a smaller version of the men's, or there simply isn't anything designed for the way your family actually spends time outdoors.

So what are the best Australian outdoor clothing brands for families?

That's exactly what this guide looks at: Australian and widely available outdoor clothing brands that genuinely cater for men, women and kids, with clothing suited to the conditions we actually experience here, from intense UV and summer heat to cold mornings, scrub, creek beds, muddy paddocks and remote country.

Many established outdoor brands began with adult clothing and later added a small kids' range. Brands such as The North Face, Macpac and Montbell offer varying levels of family coverage. One brand designed from the beginning around the whole family is New Horizon Outfitters, an Australian family-owned outdoor clothing brand built around fishing, hunting and fossicking.

We'll look at New Horizon Outfitters in detail, along with other brands worth knowing. To compare them fairly, we'll consider four things: how well they cater for the whole family, UV protection, breathability in Australian conditions, and whether the clothing is designed for specific outdoor activities rather than simply labelled "outdoor".

What actually makes a family outdoor clothing brand worth buying? Before comparing individual brands, it helps to have a clear way of looking at what makes outdoor clothing genuinely useful for a family.

Not all outdoor clothing is designed for the same conditions, and the differences become obvious once you're spending a full day outside. Men, women and kids: a range designed for the whole family

Buying clothing from one brand can make life easier, particularly when you're getting everyone ready for a weekend away, a day on the river or a family trip into the bush.
But family clothing should be more than simply offering the same shirt in three sizes.
Many outdoor brands have strong men's and women's ranges but limited options for children. Others offer kids' clothing as an afterthought, or women's garments that are essentially a resized version of the men's range.

A genuinely family-focused outdoor brand designs clothing for how each family member actually moves and uses it. Women's clothing should be designed for women who fish, hunt, walk and work outdoors. Kids' clothing needs to allow children to climb, crouch, run and explore. And adult clothing needs to stand up to the same conditions. UV protection and breathability in Australian conditions 

Sun protection is a major consideration for Australian families spending long days outdoors. UPF 50+ clothing provides a high level of protection from ultraviolet radiation, while lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics help make that protection practical in hot weather.

Because there's not much point having a highly protective shirt if it's so hot and uncomfortable that the kids refuse to wear it. For Australian conditions, particularly through summer, families should look for clothing that combines UV protection with lightweight construction and good airflow.

Clothing designed for the activity, not just labelled "outdoor"
Outdoor clothing isn't one-size-fits-all.
A jacket designed for an alpine hike isn't necessarily what you want when you're standing beside a dam fishing on a hot morning.
Fishing clothing needs to provide sun protection, breathability and quick drying.
Fossicking clothing needs to handle rough ground, creek crossings, crouching, climbing and plenty of movement.
Hunting clothing needs to consider quiet fabrics, practical pockets, camouflage or muted colours and the conditions you'll encounter in the bush.
The best outdoor clothing starts with understanding what people actually do outdoors, then designing around those needs.
What are the best Australian outdoor clothing brands for families?
Looking at family range coverage, UV protection, breathability and activity-specific design narrows the field considerably.
Below is an honest look at several brands, starting with one specifically built around the outdoor activities many Australian families enjoy.
New Horizon Outfitters: designed for the whole family
Many outdoor brands begin with hiking, camping or general adventure clothing and later add fishing shirts or other activity-specific pieces.
New Horizon Outfitters takes a different approach.
The range is built around the activities Australian families actually get out and do: fishing rivers and dams, fossicking creek beds, walking through the bush and scrub, hunting, camping and spending time outdoors together.
That focus can be seen in the design details, fabrics, cuts and colourways. Rather than being a general outdoor brand trying to cover every possible activity, New Horizon Outfitters has a clear purpose: practical outdoor clothing for families who actually spend time outside.
The family focus extends across the men's, women's and kids' ranges. Women's clothing is designed for women who fish and hunt rather than simply being a resized men's garment, while kids' clothing is designed for children who are active outdoors.
The clothing is lightweight and breathable, making it suitable for long days outdoors in the often demanding Australian climate. For families spending hours beside rivers, creek beds, paddocks or in the bush, the combination of sun protection, breathability and durability matters far more than simply having an "outdoor" label.
Macpac and Montbell: strong options for hiking and camping
Macpac and Montbell are established outdoor brands with good coverage across adults and children.
Both are worth considering for families who spend their weekends hiking, camping and travelling, particularly where technical outdoor clothing and layering are priorities.
Neither is specifically built around fishing, fossicking or hunting, however, so families who spend most of their time in those environments may find more activity-specific options elsewhere.
Mountain Warehouse: an accessible starting point
Mountain Warehouse can be a practical option for families who are getting started with outdoor activities.
The range covers adults and children, with options including jackets, fleeces and base layers, and pricing is generally more accessible than specialist outdoor brands.
For occasional camping, family walks and general outdoor use, it can be a useful starting point.
For families who regularly spend long days in demanding conditions, however, more activity-specific clothing may be worth considering.
Paddy Pallin and Bogong: strong outdoor retailers
Paddy Pallin and Bogong are well-known Australian outdoor retailers with strong selections of technical adult clothing and equipment.
They are particularly useful for families looking for hiking and camping equipment, although families wanting a complete clothing range for men, women and children may need to shop across several brands.
These retailers are worth knowing if hiking and camping are a major part of your family's outdoor life.
Sun protection and what UPF ratings mean for kids outdoors
Sun protection is particularly important for Australian families who spend long periods outside.
Understanding UPF ratings makes it easier to compare clothing and choose garments that are suitable for long days in the sun.
UPF 30+ versus UPF 50+
UPF 30 blocks approximately 97% of UV radiation, while UPF 50+ blocks approximately 98%.
For children spending extended periods outdoors, UPF 50+ is a useful benchmark when choosing sun-protective clothing.
But UPF isn't the only consideration.
A good outdoor shirt also needs to be comfortable enough to wear for hours. Lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics are particularly important when you're outdoors in Australian summer conditions.
Which brands offer UPF clothing for kids?
A number of international outdoor brands offer kids' UPF 50+ clothing, including Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia, Coolibar, Reima and UV Skinz.
Australian families can access these ranges online, although availability through Australian retailers varies.
When comparing children's outdoor clothing, look for clearly stated UPF ratings alongside lightweight, breathable construction. A heavy fabric may provide excellent coverage but isn't necessarily practical for a hot summer day outdoors.
Australian-made and ethically certified outdoor clothing
For some families, performance isn't the only consideration. Knowing where clothing is made and how workers are treated is also important.
Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation
Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation provides independent verification around Australian-based garment production and worker entitlements.
Wilderness Wear and Ottie Merino are examples of brands with Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation and Australian manufacturing.
Wilderness Wear offers outdoor clothing for adults, while Ottie Merino focuses primarily on merino garments suited to cooler conditions.
If Australian manufacturing and ethical production matter to your family, it's worth checking the current Ethical Clothing Australia directory when comparing brands, as accreditation and manufacturing arrangements can change.
Other Australian brands worth investigating
One Planet manufactures much of its equipment in Australia and is Australian-owned.
Bluey Merino Tasmania is another locally owned brand with an Australian-made focus, while Woolerina produces Australian-made merino clothing and holds Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation.
For families who care about where their clothing comes from as well as how it performs, researching the manufacturing story behind a brand can be just as important as comparing fabrics and features.
Matching the right brand to the way your family spends time outdoors
There isn't one outdoor clothing brand that will be perfect for every Australian family.
The best choice depends on what you actually do when you head outside.
A family who spends weekends hiking through the mountains has different requirements from a family who spends their time fishing a dam, fossicking a creek or hunting in the bush.
Fishing and water-based families
For families spending long days fishing rivers, dams or coastal areas, priorities include sun protection, lightweight and breathable fabrics, quick drying and practical designs.
New Horizon Outfitters is specifically designed around this type of outdoor life, with fishing clothing across men's, women's and kids' ranges.
The focus is on clothing that can be worn for long days outdoors without becoming heavy, uncomfortable or impractical.
Hiking, bushwalking and camping families
Families who spend their time bushwalking, hiking and camping may prefer brands such as Macpac and Montbell, particularly for technical layering and hiking-specific construction.
For families who prioritise Australian manufacturing, Wilderness Wear is also worth investigating, although its family range is more limited.
Fossicking and remote-country activities
Fossicking is hard on clothing.
You're often walking over rough ground, crossing creeks, crouching, climbing, carrying equipment and spending long periods exposed to the sun.
That makes durability, freedom of movement and sun protection important.
New Horizon Outfitters has been designed with these conditions in mind, including clothing suited to families spending time around creek beds, dry gullies and remote country looking for gold and gemstones.
Finding the right fit for your family
When you're choosing outdoor clothing for the family, start with what you actually do.
Don't choose a brand simply because it has a big name or a long list of technical features. Think about where your family spends its time, what conditions you encounter and what you need your clothing to do.
A family that spends most weekends fishing doesn't necessarily need alpine hiking gear.
A family who spends their time fossicking needs something different again.
And a family who hunts, fishes, camps and explores needs clothing that can work across several environments.
For families centred around fishing, hunting and fossicking, New Horizon Outfitters is built around those activities rather than adapted from a general outdoor range.
Explore the New Horizon Outfitters clothing range and see whether it suits the way your family spends time outdoors.