What Outdoor Element does

Outdoor Element is a Colorado-based outdoor adventure and survival gear company founded in 2012 by Mike Mojica and headquartered in Englewood. The company designs, brands, and sells a portfolio of multifunctional, compact outdoor tools organized around five core "Elements of Adventure": cut, combustion, sharpen, signal, and sustainable. Core products include the patented Firebiner and Fire Escape fire-starting multitool carabiners (built around proprietary EverSpark wheel technology with replaceable ferrocerium rods), the Fire Flute 3-in-1 whistle/tinder/ferro-rod pen tool, the Feather series of VG-10 steel survival and camp-kitchen knives, Fiber Light all-natural water-resistant tinder, and a basecamp/camp-kitchen line (Handled, Omni-Tensil, Charlotte's Webbing, Pot Set). Pricing is positioned for accessibility, with most SKUs between $14.95 and $39.95 and bundle discounts available.

The business operates a hybrid distribution model. The primary revenue stream is direct-to-consumer e-commerce through outdoorelement.com (Shopify, multi-currency, global shipping) complemented by a 50,000+ subscriber OE Insiders email program. Wholesale channels include REI Co-op, Scheels, Mountain Equipment Company (Canada), National Park Service Visitor Centers, Ace Hardware, JAX, and a recent Costco.com trial placement via Near Zero. The company enforces a MAP policy and prohibits unauthorized third-party marketplace sales. Marketing combines owned content (OE Blog, OE News), social channels, an affiliate program, Kickstarter product launches, and authentic field-testing partnerships (e.g., filmmaker Andy Best). Recognition includes Backpacker Magazine Best Gadget/Best Atypical Multitool awards, the 2022 Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator win, and selection for the inaugural REI Path Ahead Ventures Navigate accelerator. The company remains privately held, has received no significant equity funding beyond a $25,000 accelerator grant, and operates with 1-10 employees.

Name

Outdoor Element

Legal name

Outdoor Element LLC

Website

https://outdoorelement.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure & Survival Gear

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Navigation, Safety & Survival Gear Retail (CRAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Safety, Survival & First Aid Retail (CRAMAMAG), Hiking & Trail Accessories Retail (CRAMAAAD), Camping & Overlanding Equipment Retail (CRAMAAAC), Hunting & Shooting Specialty Knife/Tool Retail (CRAMAKAH)

Keywords

• Outdoor adventure gear
• Survival multitools
• Fire starting tools
• EDC carabiners
• Camp kitchen gear

Headquarters

HQ city

Englewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales (DTC): Primary revenue stream through owned e-commerce storefront (outdoorelement.com). Products sold directly to consumers at MSRP pricing. Gift cards available in $25, $50, $100 denominations.
2. Wholesale to Retail Partners: Products sold wholesale to major outdoor retailers including REI, Scheels, Mountain Equipment Company, National Park Visitor Centers, JAX, and Ace Hardware. Recently expanded to Costco.com via Near Zero partnership.
3. Affiliate Program: Commission-based affiliate program for partners promoting Outdoor Element products.
4. Kickstarter Product Launches: Crowdfunding campaigns for new product launches such as pen-metheus fire-starting pen. Fully funded product launches through Kickstarter platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Outdoor Element designs, manufactures, and sells multifunctional outdoor adventure and survival gear. Its product portfolio centers on compact, lightweight fire-starting multitools (Firebiner, Fire Escape, Fire Flute) with patented EverSpark technology, the Feather series of survival and camp kitchen knives, natural fire tinder (Fiber Light), camp kitchen tools, and survival bracelets. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through outdoorelement.com and wholesale through major retailers including REI, Scheels, MEC, Ace Hardware, National Park Visitor Centers, and Costco.com.

Product overview

Outdoor Element is a Colorado-based outdoor adventure and survival gear company offering an integrated portfolio of multifunctional gear organized around five core Elements of Adventure: cut, combustion, sharpen, signal, and sustainable. The product line centers on innovative fire-starting tools (Firebiner, Fire Escape, Fire Flute, Fiber Light), the Feather series of survival knives (Scout Feather, Slicer Feather), and camp kitchen essentials (Handled pot gripper, omni-tensil, scrub 'n scrape). The company also offers survival bracelets, accessories, and maintains an Entrepreneur Support collection featuring curated third-party brands. Products are available through their direct-to-consumer website, major outdoor retailers (REI, Scheels, Ace Hardware), National Park Visitor Centers, and increasingly through marketplace partnerships including Costco. The portfolio emphasizes multifunctional, replaceable-part, durable gear designed for both novice and experienced outdoor enthusiasts, with a focus on accessible pricing and sustainable packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Firebiner Patented fire-starting multitool carabiner featuring EverSpark wheel technology, replaceable ferro rod, stainless steel safety blade, bottle opener, screwdriver tip, and hang slots. Titanium coated with 100 lbs capacity and only 1 oz weight. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts needing reliable, multifunctional EDC fire-starting capability.
• Fire Escape First-responder inspired multitool carabiner featuring EverSpark wheel, beefy seatbelt cutter with blade cover, tungsten carbide-tipped window breaker, O2 wrench, hex wrench, and bottle opener. Rated for 125 lbs of gear. Targeted at users needing emergency escape and rescue capabilities.
• Fire Flute 3-in-1 multitool in pen form factor (approximate size of a Sharpie marker) combining 120 dB emergency whistle, water-tight tinder storage compartment, and replaceable ferrocerium rod with hardened striker plate. Includes 3 slow-burning fire tabs and weighs 1.7 oz.
• Scout Feather EDC adventure and survival knife measuring 6.58 inches with 2.65-inch VG-10 steel blade, integrated 1/4-inch hex driver, signal whistle on lanyard, built-in V-notch sharpener in sheath, and attached ferro rod for spark production.
• Slicer Feather Camp kitchen survival knife with 2.8-inch sheepsfoot blade for safety and control, ambidextrous sheath, integrated 800-grit diamond plate and ceramic V-notch sharpener, ferro rod integration, and 115 dB emergency whistle. VG-10 steel with G10 scales, weighing 1.5 oz unsheathed.
• Fiber Light All-natural fire tinder composed of finely ground wood fiber and wax that ignites effortlessly with a spark and burns steadily even after submersion in water. Packaged using eco-friendly recycled materials.
• Handled Pot gripper and fuel canister recycle tool that punches through canister tops or side edges for safe recycling. Includes adaptor for large canisters. Designed for camp kitchen users.
• omni-tensil Camp tool set that functions as a plate for uneven surfaces, includes toothbrush holder, and fits anywhere for trail or camp use. Compact and versatile for backcountry cooking.
• scrub 'n scrape Camp kitchen cleaning kit including scraper, sponge, and towel for cleaning cookware in outdoor settings.
• Charlotte's Webbing Camp organizer for gear organization and storage, designed to simplify basecamp setup.
• Medic Multi-Tool Multi-tool with quick draw case and first aid triangular bandage for emergency medical situations in the field.
• Titanium Windproof Collapsible Stove Lightweight titanium windproof collapsible stove designed for wood burning in outdoor settings.
• Pot Set Lightweight pot set with mesh bag designed for camp cooking.
• Kodiak Survival Paracord Bracelet Survival paracord bracelet containing fishing line, fish hook, jute, and fire-starting buckle. Wearable emergency survival gear.
• Woolly Mammoth Survival Jute Bracelet Survival jute bracelet designed for fire starting and emergency use.
• pen-metheus Fire-starting pen launched via Kickstarter and fully funded in 2024. Combines writing functionality with fire-starting capability.
• Sparky & Scratch Key Key-format fire starter with integrated sparking functionality and scratch tool for emergency fire starting.
• Custom Survival Paracord Custom survival paracord available in 12 to 100 foot lengths for outdoor and emergency use.
• Wombat Whistle Emergency whistle paired with tinder vial kit for signaling and fire-starting in survival situations.
• TweezKey Tweezers integrated into a key-sized tool designed for everyday carry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 lbs capacity in Firebiner (1 oz weight)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Andy BestcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Filmmaker and National Geographic featured storyteller Andy Best partners with Outdoor Element for field use testing. Has used Firebiner for nearly a decade. Currently using feather series knives, fiber light, and basecamp essentials for Pacific Wonderland project. Creates content featuring OE gear in authentic field conditions.
• Near ZeroflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Collaboration resulting in Near Zero Lightweight Backpacking Kit featuring Outdoor Element's Fiber Light fire starter and Firebiner multitool listed on Costco.com. Near Zero founder Scott Jensen recommended OE when Costco buyers requested fire-starting solution. If bundle performs well on Costco.com, potential for nationwide retail expansion.
• REI Path Ahead VenturesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 July 2022Outdoor Element was one of six companies selected for first-ever REI Path Ahead Ventures Navigate accelerator program. 16-week program provided $25,000 equity-free grant, mentorship, curated programming, and access to REI's production, distribution, and marketing expertise. Part of $30 million commitment to support founders of color in outdoor industry.
• Moosejaw Outdoor AcceleratorminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2022One of four winners in 3rd Annual Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator program. Competition-based recognition providing industry visibility and potential mentorship.
• Campfire Co-opcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative group of outdoor brands that prefer to collaborate rather than compete. Participates in Demo Days where outdoor businesses, media, and buyers meet. Builds trust and relationships that lead to opportunities like Costco partnership.
• LymeAlertminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTick-borne disease testing innovation highlighted in OE blog content. LymeAlert won pitch competition at Outside Festival Industry Days and participates in REI Path Ahead Ventures. Partnership appears content-focused with mutual cross-promotion of outdoor safety missions.
• Entrepreneur Support PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated page highlighting products by other small brands including Near Zero, Grim Workshop, Wazoo Gear, Revel Gear. No catch or angle - sharing good gear from trusted people to help others grow.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Leatherman: Iconic multi-tool manufacturer owned by Buck Knives; the category leader Outdoor Element competes against for pocket carry, EDC, and survival multitool placements at REI and other outdoor retailers.
• Gerber Gear: Established multi-tool, knife, and survival gear brand owned by Fiskars; competes directly across the Firebiner, Fire Escape, and Feather knife categories at mass and specialty retail.
• Victorinox: Swiss Army knife manufacturer with deep presence in outdoor retail; competes most directly with Outdoor Element on compact, multifunctional everyday-carry tools and survival accessories.
• 5.11 Tactical: Tactical and outdoor gear brand with multi-tools, knives, and survival accessories; broader catalog than Outdoor Element but competes for similar EDC and preparedness shelf space.

Emerging players

• Barebones Living: Lifestyle outdoor and camp cooking brand offering stoves, kitchen tools, and foraging gear; comparable in target customer and camp-kitchen category to Outdoor Element's Handled, omni-tensil, and titanium stove SKUs.
• Wazoo Survival Gear: Small-batch survival wearables and accessories brand (FireCard, cache kits); explicitly cross-promoted by Outdoor Element in its Entrepreneur Support collection and overlapping on fire-starting and paracord products.
• Grim Workshop: Boutique survival and EDC tools maker producing card-sized multi-tools and survival kits; comparable niche positioning to Outdoor Element and listed in OE's Entrepreneur Support collection.

Direct peers

• SOL (Survive Outdoors Longer): Survival and emergency preparedness brand with overlapping fire-starting, tinder, and signaling products; targets the same preparedness community Outdoor Element serves.
• SOG Specialty Knives: Specialty multi-tool and fixed-blade knife maker targeting outdoor, tactical, and survival use cases; directly comparable in product positioning to Outdoor Element's Firebiner and Feather knife lines.
• UST (Ultimate Survival Technologies): Survival-focused brand offering fire starters, tinder, whistles, and emergency gear; competes directly with Outdoor Element's Fiber Light, Fire Flute, and fire-starting accessory categories at REI and outdoor specialty.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_outdoorelement
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/outdoorelementLLC
• Facebookfacebook.com/theoutdoorelement
• Instagraminstagram.com/outdoor.element
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/outdoor-element

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Outdoor Element