Regatta Great Outdoors

Regatta Great Outdoors, clothing and equipment for outdoor activities

Regatta Great Outdoors is a British outdoor clothing and footwear brand that sells its catalogue through its official online store. Its offering covers technical and everyday garments for women, men and children, as well as accessories and equipment. The company presents itself as a family brand headquartered in Trafford Park, Manchester.

Origin and history of the brand

The corporate story places the starting point in 1977, when Lionel Black, with three decades of experience in the waterproof clothing sector, acquired Risol Products, a modest-sized wholesale business with six employees that supplied workwear and footwear to army and navy stores.

In 1982, Keith Black bought a cancelled order of jackets decorated with a sailing boat and the word "Regatta". The product was a huge hit and gave rise to the brand. The company then moved its operations to Trafford Park and, in 1987, its waterproof jacket received an award from WHICH? magazine. From then on, Risol focused its activity on a single brand, Regatta, and set its main customer as the profile the company itself describes as the dogwalker from Oldham.

Back in the seventies, Lionel Black had travelled to Asia to find a simple, on-trend and good-value backpack, which Risol sold in large quantities. That experience in sourcing fabrics in Asia and building commercial partnerships allowed the company to stay ahead when breathable and waterproof membranes became popular in the eighties.

From Risol to Regatta: expansion and new brands

In the mid-nineties, the business began operating officially under the name Regatta. In 2001, the foot and mouth disease outbreak affected its main customer base, army and navy stores, which led the company to extend one of its workwear brands across Europe, with a presence in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. That same period saw the launch of Dare2b, its ski brand, created to fill a gap in the market.

During the nineties and two thousands, the company diversified its offering with new brands and quality improvements. The company still defines itself as a family business and has its headquarters in Trafford Park, Manchester.

Catalogue: garments, footwear and equipment

The online store organises its range into categories of outdoor clothing for women, men and children, as well as accessories and equipment. Among the listed items are jackets and coats, trousers, fleeces, t-shirts and tops, sweatshirts, dresses, shorts, gilets and swimwear.

The catalogue includes footwear and hiking boots, as well as camping equipment, and is presented as a good value-for-money option for the whole family. The selection is also sorted by gender, size and colour, with a size range from XXS to 8XL in adult garments and from 9-12 months to 15-16 years in children's clothing.

Technologies and materials of the garments

The company identifies its garments through its own and third-party technical names. Among the membranes and treatments mentioned are Isotex, in versions such as Isotex 10000, 15000, Stretch, Stretch 10000, Stretch 15000, Stretch 20000 and Stretch 30,000; Hydrafort and Hydrafort 5000; Isolite, Isolite 10000 and Isolite 15000; Aquadry; H2Oshield; Hydropel; Symmetry; QuickDry; Thermo Guard; Warmloft; Thermo Pro; Thermo Duo; Thermo Air+; Sub Zero Warmth; Feather Free and Feather Free Down Fill; Softshell, Softshell XPT and SoftshellXPT; Extol Stretch; Isoflex and Isoflex+; AEP and AEP Kinematics; Cordura; Coolweave; Durazone; Iloft Ecofill; Thinsulate 3M; NosiLife, Nosi Defence and Nosi Botanical; Solar Shield; Brite Light; Biomotion; RFID Pocket Protection; Thermoreflect; Vect Cool; CO2Renu; Bloom; Triple Stitching; Heat Seal; Water Repellent and Waterproof Fabric, among others.

Brands and collections

In addition to Regatta, the catalogue includes the brands Dare 2b, Craghoppers and Professional. The store also groups collections such as Regatta Life, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely and elements.

Activities and target audiences

The range is classified by activity, reflecting the uses for which the garments are intended: hiking, dog walking, camping, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, trail running, climbing, mountaineering, running, fitness, cycling, golf, gardening, swimming, yoga, travel, festivals, school clothing and workwear, among others.

The company states it maintains a commitment to sustainability and charitable initiatives, and affirms that its mission is to continue encouraging customers to enjoy the outdoors with quality clothing that is comfortable and safe without being expensive.

Location and contact

Email: customersupport@regatta.com