Portland Gear

Portland Gear
Founded2014; 12 years ago (2014) in Portland, Oregon, United States
FounderMarcus Harvey
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon
,
U.S.
Websiteportlandgear.com

Portland Gear is a company based in Portland, Oregon, United States. The business uses a "P" logo.

History

The business was founded by Marcus Harvey on Black Friday in 2014. He initially sold products from a 1973 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper. Portland Gear's first brick and mortar store operated on Southwest 19th Avenue, near Providence Park in downtown Portland, before relocating to Southwest 10th Avenue. The business has also operated as a pop-up at Washington Square, a shopping mall in Tigard. There is a Portland Gear kiosk at Portland International Airport.

Harvey's book Product of the People is about the company's first five years (2014 to 2019). Harvey was included in Portland Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list for the success of Portland Gear.

In 2019, a designer accused Portland Gear of copying his work. The company's backpacks and bags are made in Vietnam. In 2021, the business announced a price increase on products because of supply chain issues. Another price increase was announced in 2025 as a result of tariffs. Portland Gear plans to open its first retail outlet outside the Portland metropolitan area in Bend's Old Mill District in 2026.

Portland Gear has had high school athletes represent the brand.

Products

The business sells city-branded travel accessories, including water-resistant apparel and baggage. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business sold "We love you Portland" T-shirts to support health professionals. In 2026, Portland Gear gave away a limited number of T-shirts to Portland Trail Blazers fans.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Marum, Anna (2015-04-01). "The making and taking of the @portland Instagram handle". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  2. ↑ "Luggage and apparel brand Portland Gear picks Bend for first store outside Portland". KBNZ-LD. 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  3. ↑ "A Free Portland 'Brand Camp' Teaches Kids about Marketing and Entrepreneurship". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  4. ↑ "Portland Gear Expanding into Bend with New Old Mill District Store". The Source Weekly. 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  5. ↑ "Portland Gear, @Portland Instagram founder: 'Portland is still the place to be'". Portland Business Journal. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  6. 1 2 "Portland Gear to upgrade from its Washington Square pop-up store". KOIN.
  7. ↑ "Buy PDX: Portland Gear is Pairing with Jaefields and Planning Expansion". Willamette Week. 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  8. ↑ "A full store of all Portland-branded gear". KGW. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  9. ↑ Marum, Anna (2016-03-02). "Portland Gear is finally opening a retail store". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  10. ↑ "Portland apparel brand moves flagship store, recommits to downtown core". KOIN.
  11. ↑ "Apparel company moves flagship store within Portland". Portland Business Journal. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  12. ↑ "Men's apparel store will remain in downtown Portland". KGW. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Hale, Jamie; Nocera, Veronica (2025-11-19). "11 great gifts you can grab at Portland International Airport". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  15. ↑ "'I get vulnerable': New book shares intimate story of Portland Gear's founding". KOIN.
  16. ↑ "Forty Under 40 2020: Marcus Harvey, Portland Gear". Portland Business Journal. 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  17. ↑ "A Designer Says His Blazer Shirts Were Copied by Portland Gear". Willamette Week. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  18. ↑ "Portland apparel brand explains 10% price increase in response to tariffs". Portland Business Journal. 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  19. ↑ "'Transparency': Portland Gear hikes prices over supply issue". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  20. ↑ "Logistics Logjam: Portland Gear's Marcus Harvey rides out the supply storm". Portland Business Journal. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ "Portland Gear makes first NIL deals with Oregon high school athletes". KOIN.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ "High School Athletes Are Getting Paid". Willamette Week. 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ "'We love you, Portland': T-shirt sales will provide a token of appreciation to healthcare workers". KGW. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2026-04-08.
  28. ↑ Perez, Guillermo Motta (2026-04-21). "Portland Gear steps up to provide free shirts to Trail Blazers fans". KATU. Retrieved 2026-04-22.
  29. ↑ "Portland Gear to give free shirts after Blazers skip Game 3 giveaway". KGW. 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-04-22.