Portland Gear
Logo | |
Exterior of the shop in downtown Portland, Oregon, August 2025 | |
| Founded | 2014 in Portland, Oregon, United States |
|---|---|
| Founder | Marcus Harvey |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon , U.S. |
| Website | portlandgear |
Portland Gear is a company based in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] The business uses a "P" logo.[2]
History
The business was founded by Marcus Harvey on Black Friday[3] in 2014.[4][5] He initially sold products from a 1973 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper.[6][7] Portland Gear's first brick and mortar store operated on Southwest 19th Avenue, near Providence Park in downtown Portland,[8][9] before relocating to Southwest 10th Avenue.[10][11][12] The business has also operated as a pop-up at Washington Square, a shopping mall in Tigard.[6] There is a Portland Gear kiosk at Portland International Airport.[13][14]
Harvey's book Product of the People is about the company's first five years (2014 to 2019).[15] Harvey was included in Portland Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list for the success of Portland Gear.[16]
In 2019, a designer accused Portland Gear of copying his work.[17] The company's backpacks and bags are made in Vietnam.[18] In 2021, the business announced a price increase on products because of supply chain issues.[19][20] Another price increase was announced in 2025 as a result of tariffs.[21] Portland Gear plans to open its first retail outlet outside the Portland metropolitan area in Bend's Old Mill District in 2026.[22]
Portland Gear has had high school athletes represent the brand.[23][24][25]
Products
The business sells city-branded travel accessories, including water-resistant apparel and baggage.[26] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business sold "We love you Portland" T-shirts to support health professionals.[27] In 2026, Portland Gear gave away a limited number of T-shirts to Portland Trail Blazers fans.[28][29]
See also
References
- ^ Marum, Anna (2015-04-01). "The making and taking of the @portland Instagram handle". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Luggage and apparel brand Portland Gear picks Bend for first store outside Portland". KBNZ-LD. 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "A Free Portland 'Brand Camp' Teaches Kids about Marketing and Entrepreneurship". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland Gear Expanding into Bend with New Old Mill District Store". The Source Weekly. 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland Gear, @Portland Instagram founder: 'Portland is still the place to be'". Portland Business Journal. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ a b "Portland Gear to upgrade from its Washington Square pop-up store". KOIN.
- ^ "Buy PDX: Portland Gear is Pairing with Jaefields and Planning Expansion". Willamette Week. 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "A full store of all Portland-branded gear". KGW. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ Marum, Anna (2016-03-02). "Portland Gear is finally opening a retail store". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland apparel brand moves flagship store, recommits to downtown core". KOIN.
- ^ "Apparel company moves flagship store within Portland". Portland Business Journal. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Men's apparel store will remain in downtown Portland". KGW. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ Hale, Jamie; Nocera, Veronica (2024-11-22). "The best places to shop at Portland International Airport, from local goods to kitschy gift shops". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ Hale, Jamie; Nocera, Veronica (2025-11-19). "11 great gifts you can grab at Portland International Airport". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "'I get vulnerable': New book shares intimate story of Portland Gear's founding". KOIN.
- ^ "Forty Under 40 2020: Marcus Harvey, Portland Gear". Portland Business Journal. 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "A Designer Says His Blazer Shirts Were Copied by Portland Gear". Willamette Week. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland apparel brand explains 10% price increase in response to tariffs". Portland Business Journal. 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "'Transparency': Portland Gear hikes prices over supply issue". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Logistics Logjam: Portland Gear's Marcus Harvey rides out the supply storm". Portland Business Journal. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland brand announces looming 10% price increase due to tariffs". KOIN. 2025-04-16. Archived from the original on 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ Nocera, Veronica (2026-04-07). "Known for its iconic 'Portland' logo, this local lifestyle brand is starting a new chapter in central Oregon". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland Gear makes first NIL deals with Oregon high school athletes". KOIN.
- ^ "Two Oregon high school athletes make history as first to sign deals for their name, image and likeness". KGW. 2022-10-21. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "High School Athletes Are Getting Paid". Willamette Week. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "Portland Gear on track for best year after selling thousands of bags in a week". Portland Business Journal. 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ "'We love you, Portland': T-shirt sales will provide a token of appreciation to healthcare workers". KGW. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
- ^ Perez, Guillermo Motta (2026-04-21). "Portland Gear steps up to provide free shirts to Trail Blazers fans". KATU. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
- ^ "Portland Gear to give free shirts after Blazers skip Game 3 giveaway". KGW. 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-04-22.