Wild Things
Wild Things is a U.S.-made technical apparel manufacturer and subsidiary brand of National Safety Apparel that designs Berry Amendment-compliant layering systems, FR tactical outerwear, and cold weather garments for the U.S. Armed Forces and other extreme-environment operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersNewport, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Wild Things does
Wild Things is a U.S.-based technical apparel manufacturer founded in 1981 in New Hampshire by mountaineers Marie Meunier and John Bouchard, originally producing lightweight mountaineering gear. The company now operates as a brand under National Safety Apparel and manufactures 100% Berry Amendment-compliant products in the United States. Its core product is a modular layering system—base layers (Polartec Power Stretch), wind layers, soft shells, hard shells (3-layer GORE-TEX Military Fabric), cold weather insulation (PrimaLoft Silver Active, Climashield Apex), and flame-resistant (FR) layers using GORE-TEX PYRAD technology—supplemented by accessories such as overwhites (Multicam Alpine/Snow MARPAT), shelters, and insulated booties.
The company's technology is anchored in third-party-procured, military-grade materials rather than in-house chemistry: GORE-TEX PYRAD for flame/arc protection, Near-IR suppression treatments, Cordura reinforcement, and Berry-compliant U.S. manufacturing. Validations include NAVAIR PMA202 certification (Hard Shell Rescue Jacket FR) and 4-second PyroMan testing on FR products. The commercial model splits between (a) military and government procurement, delivered through three TLS Prime Vendors (ADS, Darley Defense, TSSi), three GSA Schedule partners, and U.S. Base Service Centers, with bulk discounts and quote-based custom orders; and (b) direct-to-consumer e-commerce at unit pricing from $39 to $1,110+, with limited international shipping.
Wild Things' primary customer base is the U.S. military, with named users including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Navy SEAL Teams, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, supplemented by law enforcement and security professionals. The company has fulfilled over 25 military contracts since 2000, with its first major cold-weather clothing systems contract awarded in 2004. The organization is small (11–50 employees), privately held, and discloses no revenue, funding history, or valuation.
Wild Things firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wild Things
- Legal name
- Wild Things
- Website
- https://wildthingsgear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wild Things is a U.S.-made technical apparel manufacturer and subsidiary brand of National Safety Apparel that designs Berry Amendment-compliant layering systems, FR tactical outerwear, and cold weather garments for the U.S. Armed Forces and other extreme-environment operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wild Things industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical & Military Apparel
- NAICS
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms (CRAAALAC), Cold-Weather Accessories Manufacturing (Thermal Sets/Arm & Leg Warmers) (IMAOAFAJ), Outdoor Navigation, Safety & Survival Gear Retail (CRAMAAAE)
Keywords
Where Wild Things is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newport
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wild Things business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: E-commerce direct-to-consumer sales of technical outdoor and tactical apparel and gear through the Wild Things website.
- Military & Government Contracts: Bulk procurement of military-grade clothing systems for U.S. Armed Forces through prime vendors and GSA schedule, including over 25 military contracts fulfilled since 2000.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Base Layer products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wind Layer products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Soft Shell products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hard Shell products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cold Weather products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FR Hard Shell products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FR Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Overwhites products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Shelter products |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Military Bulk Purchases |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels3 records
Wild Things product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wild Things manufactures and sells a comprehensive layering system of technical tactical and outdoor apparel designed for military, law enforcement, and extreme-environment consumer use. The product portfolio spans base layers (Power Stretch), wind layers, soft shells, hard shells (with flame-resistant variants using GORE-TEX PYRAD), cold weather garments (high loft and low loft), overwhites, and tactical accessories. Products are Berry Amendment compliant (100% U.S. manufactured) and certified to military specifications including NAVAIR PMA202 for flight deck use.
Product overview
Wild Things is a technical outdoor and tactical apparel manufacturer offering a comprehensive layering system of performance garments. The product portfolio spans Base Layers (Power Stretch), Wind Layers (Wind Shirt, White Out Overwhites), Soft Shells (standard and lightweight jackets and pants), Hard Shells (including Rescue and FR variants with GORE-TEX protection), Cold Weather insulation (High Loft and Low Loft jackets and pants), and FR Layers (flame resistant hard shells with GORE-TEX PYRAD technology). The company also produces tactical accessories including booties, shelters, neck gaiters, and overwhites designed for military operations and law enforcement. Products feature technical materials including GORE-TEX Military Fabric, PrimaLoft insulation, Cordura reinforcement, and Berry Amendment compliant manufacturing. The company serves U.S. Armed Forces across all branches, specializing in mission-specific gear for extreme environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Active Flex Jacket Advanced hybrid soft shell layer featuring 2.0 oz Climashield Apex insulation bonded to quick-drying stretch liner, with Durastretch 4-way stretch nylon/spandex shell treated with DWR and Near-IR protection. Designed for military operations and extreme weather use.
- High Loft Jacket SHV Fully insulated wind/water-resistant parka with stowable hood for extreme cold conditions, packed with 6 oz PrimaLoft Silver Active synthetic insulation and BALLOON 70 denier ripstop shell for waterproof, windproof protection.
- High Loft Pant Cold weather pants with BALLOON 70 denier ripstop shell and 4 oz PrimaLoft Silver Active USA synthetic insulation, featuring Cordura reinforced seat, knees, and instep for extreme cold protection.
- High Loft USMC Booties Fully insulated booties with EPIC by Nextec shell, PrimaLoft insulation, wool-lined inner sole, and 1000d Cordura outer sole, designed for camp or sleep wear.
- Low Loft Jacket SO 2.0 Lightweight low loft jacket combining Brookwood Balloon 70 Denier nylon ripstop with PrimaLoft Silver Active 2.4 oz synthetic insulation, highly compressible with broad temperature range comfort.
- Wild Things Reversible Low Loft Jacket Reversible low loft jacket with 30 Denier nylon face fabric and 70D Ripstop Balloon Black quilted to 30D Nylon Ripstop, featuring Flex Fabric shell with DWR coating and OCP pattern.
- Winter Watch Cap Expedition-weight thermal beanie made from Power Stretch by Polartec with 87% recycled content, featuring 4-way stretch, wind and abrasion resistance, and Berry Amendment compliance.
- Hard Shell Pant 3-Layer GORE-TEX Military Fabric pants with seam-sealed construction, articulated design for enhanced movement, waterproof side zippers extending to knee, designed for fast travel in nasty weather.
- Soft Shell Jacket Winter weight soft shell jacket with 4-way stretch nylon/spandex bonded to hydrophobic polyester grid fleece, providing warmth and four-season protection with full zip front and pit zips.
- Soft Shell Jacket Lightweight Non-insulated BDU alternative soft shell jacket, the lightest weight option with breathable fabric that dries quickly, treated with DWR and NIR protection for variable weather conditions.
- Soft Shell Pant 4-way stretch soft shell pants with nylon/spandex blend bonded to hydrophobic fleece, featuring articulated design, cargo pockets, and full side zippers for cold weather protection.
- Hard Shell Rescue Jacket 3-Layer GORE-TEX Military Fabric hard shell jacket with fully adjustable helmet-compatible hood, full length pit zips, seam-sealed interior, and concealed waterproof zippers for complete kit access.
- Hard Shell Rescue Jacket FR NAVAIR PMA202 certified hard shell jacket with GORE-TEX PYRAD flame resistant technology providing arc flash and flash fire protection, certified safe for USN and USMC flight deck and aircraft maintainer personnel.
- Hard Shell Pant FR GORE-TEX 2-Layer construction pants with GORE-TEX PYRAD Product Technology for flash fire protection, achieving Gore Defense Performance Standard 2 in 4.8 oz/yd 100% woven nylon shell.
- Hard Shell Jacket FR Flame resistant hard shell jacket with GORE-TEX PYRAD technology providing arc flash and flash fire protection, featuring 40 denier fibers for light weight and rugged abrasion resistance.
- Wind Shirt Breathable wind shirt with 30 denier textured nylon and DWR/NIR treatment, featuring half-zip pullover design with adjustable hem and elastic wrist cuffs, stuffs into zippered chest pocket.
- White Out Overwhites Jacket Snow camouflage overwhite jacket in Multicam Alpine or Snow MARPAT with 70-denier nylon fabric, featuring full front zip, stowable helmet-compatible hood, and near IR suppressant for alpine protection.
- White Out Overwhites Pant Snow camouflage overwhite pants with stretch waistband and 18-inch ankle zippers for easy donning over boots, featuring two hand pass-through pockets and rear storage pocket.
- White Out Overwhites Pack Cover Pack cover in three sizes (3000-7000 cubic inches) made from 70 denier nylon ripstop with DWR, featuring adjustable shock cord and full center line zipper for pack access.
- White Out Overwhites Knuckle Roaster Cover Knuckle roaster cover in Multicam Alpine or Snow MARPAT made from 70 denier nylon ripstop with DWR, providing hand protection in snowy conditions.
- Knuckle Roaster FR FR hand warmer with Burlington Sigma 4 outer fabric providing durability, wind/water resistance and FR protection, with adjustable waist strap and exterior zippered storage pocket.
- Waterproof Shelter 60 x 85 inch waterproof shelter made from 70 denier ripstop nylon with reinforced grommets, designed as lightweight versatile shelter or integrated with quilted Shelter Liner for bivy-sack protection.
- Quilted Shelter Liner 56 x 80 inch quilted blanket with 70 denier nylon NanoSphere DWR shell quilted to 2 oz PrimaLoft Sport insulation, featuring multiple tie-downs for use as emergency shelter system.
- Neck Roaster FR 14-inch double layer FR neck gaiter made from 5.5oz FR Control 2.0 by National Safety Apparel, providing antistatic and fire retardant protection with stretch woven construction.
- Power Stretch Pullover Expedition-weight thermal top with 1/4 center front zipper, made from Power Stretch by Polartec with 87% recycled fiber content, featuring flatlocked seams, thumb loops, and left chest pocket.
- Power Stretch Pant Expedition-weight base layer bottoms with 4-way stretch and athletic fit, moving moisture away from skin and drying quickly for cool weather activity as part of base layer system.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 25 Military contracts successfully fulfilled
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Wild Things
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wild Things technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Wild Things partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ADS, Inc.coreTLS Prime Vendor authorized to sell Wild Things military products to U.S. Armed Forces. Part of the defense equipment and supply distribution network.
- W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley Defense)coreTLS Prime Vendor offering Wild Things products through the Darley Defense procurement network for military customers.
- Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. (TSSi)coreTLS Prime Vendor specializing in tactical and survival equipment distribution to military and law enforcement.
- Owyhee (Initial Attack)minorGSA Partner authorized to sell Wild Things products through the GSA schedule to government buyers.
- Bottom Line SalesminorGSA Partner for Wild Things government sales through GSA procurement channels.
- H.L. Dalis Inc.minorGSA Partner authorized to distribute Wild Things products to government customers via GSA schedule.
- San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision ImpairedminorU.S. Base Service Center providing employment opportunities while distributing Wild Things products on military installations.
- EnvisionminorU.S. Base Service Center for Wild Things product distribution supporting employment for people with visual impairments.
- LC IndustriesminorU.S. Base Service Center providing Wild Things products through their military base retail locations.
- National Safety ApparelcoreParent company / Brand family. Wild Things is a National Safety Apparel Brand, providing fire safety expertise and manufacturing capabilities supporting Wild Things FR (flame resistant) product lines.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wild Things competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Crye Precision: Manufactures tactical apparel, combat uniforms, and plate carriers for U.S. Special Operations Forces and other military units. Directly comparable because Crye invented MultiCam (which Wild Things licenses) and competes for the same SOF and broader military technical apparel contracts.
- Beyond Clothing: U.S.-based technical apparel maker focused on cold weather and combat clothing systems for U.S. Army and SOF customers. A near-direct competitor in the same cold weather layering and Berry Amendment compliant military outerwear category.
- Massif: Manufacturer of flame-resistant military uniforms and combat gear, including cold weather and aviation FR layers. Closest peer on the FR hard shell and FR cold weather product lines, where Wild Things' GORE-TEX PYRAD offerings overlap with Massif's FR system.
- Arc'teryx LEAF (Amer Sports): Military and law enforcement technical apparel line from Arc'teryx, focused on high-performance hard shells, soft shells, and cold weather kits. Competes for SOF and federal agency outerwear contracts with similar premium positioning and GORE-TEX-based layering systems.
- FirstSpear: U.S.-based tactical apparel and gear manufacturer serving Special Operations, federal agencies, and law enforcement. Comparable as a small, SOF-focused technical apparel peer competing for the same niche military procurement dollars.
- Helikon-Tex: Manufacturer of tactical and outdoor military-style apparel including layering systems, soft shells, and cold weather gear. Competes for tactical apparel shelf space and contracts with similar product architecture, though Helikon-Tex is European-sourced versus Wild Things' Berry-compliant U.S. production.
Broad incumbents
- Propper International: Large-scale U.S. military apparel manufacturer supplying uniforms, outerwear, and tactical gear to all branches. Competes with Wild Things on cold weather and Berry-compliant programs but at materially larger volume and broader product breadth.
- 5.11 Tactical: Large tactical and law enforcement apparel and gear brand with deep federal, state, and LE distribution. Overlaps with Wild Things on tactical outerwear and accessories but addresses a much broader, more commercial customer base.
Emerging players
- Triple Aught Design (TAD): Premium technical outdoor apparel brand with crossover into tactical and SOF-adjacent buyers. Comparable on layering system design philosophy and premium pricing, but lacks Wild Things' depth in U.S. military contracts and Berry Amendment compliance.
Regional players
- Tough Prints Apparel / Tactical Distributors: Smaller Berry-compliant U.S. manufacturer of military and tactical apparel. Comparable as a similarly sized domestic competitor chasing the same federal Berry-strict contracts where Wild Things has an incumbent advantage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wild Things social profiles
Digital presenceWild Things compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Wild Things financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wild Things leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Wild Things funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wild Things M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wild Things
What does Wild Things do?
Wild Things manufactures and sells a comprehensive layering system of technical tactical and outdoor apparel designed for military, law enforcement, and extreme-environment consumer use. The product portfolio spans base layers (Power Stretch), wind layers, soft shells, hard shells (with flame-resistant variants using GORE-TEX PYRAD), cold weather garments (high loft and low loft), overwhites, and tactical accessories. Products are Berry Amendment compliant (100% U.S. manufactured) and certified to military specifications including NAVAIR PMA202 for flight deck use.
Is Wild Things a public or private company?
Wild Things is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Wild Things founded?
Wild Things was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wild Things based?
Wild Things is headquartered in Newport, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wild Things make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are military & Government Contracts.
Who are Wild Things's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Crye Precision, Beyond Clothing, Massif, Arc'teryx LEAF (Amer Sports), FirstSpear and Helikon-Tex. Broad incumbents are Propper International and 5.11 Tactical. Triple Aught Design (TAD) is listed as an emerging player. Tough Prints Apparel / Tactical Distributors is listed as a regional player.
Does Wild Things have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wild Things.
What industry is Wild Things in?
Wild Things's product category is Tactical & Military Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAI, Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers, with a secondary code of CRAAALAC, Public Safety & Law Enforcement Uniforms. Its NAICS code is 31599 and its SIC code is 3949.