History
Originally named "Rock Solid" by co-founder Dave Lane, the company's first line of products was climbing gear.[6][7] In 1990 Dave Lane sold a 50% interest in Rock Solid to Blair Murdoch and Tim Duholke and his other 50% to Jeremy Guard, and they later changed the company name to Arc'teryx in 1991.[7] The name and logo reference the Archaeopteryx, the transitional fossil of early dinosaurs to modern dinosaurs (birds).[8][7] Guard chose the name to represent the idea of accelerating evolution as characterized by the geologic time scale of fossils.[8][6] Guard was president and principal of the company from 1991 to 2001.[6] Using a heat laminate (thermolamination) technology, the partners designed and marketed the Vapor harness, which would become the company's most popular item.[6] In 1993, after a series of relocations and staff additions, Arc'teryx released the Bora backpack using the same Vapor technology. In 1996, the company introduced technical apparel featuring Gore-Tex after obtaining licenses from W. L. Gore & Associates.[6][7] Arc'teryx re-located its headquarters to Burnaby, British Columbia, in 1999 and then to North Vancouver in 2005.[6]
In 2001, Arc'teryx was purchased by Salomon Group, a French subsidiary of the German retailer Adidas.[9] In 2005, Arc'teryx was sold to Finnish retailer Amer Sports.[10] In 2019, Chinese retailer Anta Sports bought a controlling stake (56%) in Amer.[11] As their apparel line expanded Arc'teryx began manufacturing in international markets, specifically in China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Laos, and Greece.[12] Since the early 2020s, Arc'teryx has co-produced collections with high-fashion brands and designers which expanded their consumer market beyond outdoor enthusiasts.[13]
On September 22, 2025, Arc'teryx launched a fireworks display in Tibet, The Rising Dragon,[14][15] as part of a marketing campaign which resulted in controversy over its potential environmental effects in Shigatse.[16][17]
