What Hero Outdoors does

Hero Outdoors is a privately held Canadian online retailer headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, operating a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront for army surplus, airsoft, tactical, outdoor, paintball, shooting, and marine equipment. The company carries 9+ product categories — airsoft guns and parts, authentic military surplus, tactical apparel and footwear, knives and swords, camping and survival gear, paintball equipment, shooting accessories, and the Hero Express marine line — plus add-on services such as custom dog tags, custom engraving, gift certificates, and mystery boxes. The technology backbone is a BigCommerce-hosted storefront supporting CAD and USD pricing, with a physical storefront featuring an in-store airsoft range that provides an omnichannel experience and product-testing capability.

Name

Hero Outdoors

Legal name

Hero Outdoors

Website

https://herooutdoors.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hero Outdoors is a Canadian online army surplus and tactical equipment retailer based in Oshawa, Ontario, selling airsoft gear, military surplus, apparel, knives, outdoor equipment, and marine supplies via e-commerce and a physical storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Army Surplus & Tactical Retail

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (459110), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Hunting Clothing, Footwear & Camouflage Retail (CRAMAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historical & Military Collectibles Retail (CRALAGAM), Outdoor Navigation, Safety & Survival Gear Retail (CRAMAAAE), Hunting & Shooting Specialty Knife/Tool Retail (CRAMAKAH), Archery Equipment & Accessories Retail (CRAMAKAB), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Army surplus retail
• Airsoft equipment sales
• Tactical gear ecommerce
• Military surplus store
• Outdoor recreation supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified in source

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Airsoft: Direct sales of airsoft guns, parts, accessories, BBs, batteries, chargers, gas, and protective gear through the e-commerce platform. Includes new in-stock airsoft guns and used/boneyard items.
2. Product Sales - Apparel & Footwear: Sales of military surplus clothing, boots, tactical footwear, workwear, and accessories for men, women, and children.
3. Product Sales - Military Surplus: Sales of authentic military surplus items including uniforms, gear, collectibles, tents, and equipment from various armed forces.
4. Product Sales - Knives & Swords: Sales of tactical knives, kitchen knives, swords, machetes, multi-tools, and knife accessories.
5. Product Sales - Outdoor & Camping: Sales of camping gear, survival equipment, fishing gear, hunting gear, climbing gear, and related accessories.
6. Product Sales - Paintball: Sales of paintball markers, air systems, protective equipment, apparel, and accessories.
7. Product Sales - Shooting & Firearms Accessories: Sales of air guns, black powder firearms, shooting accessories, ammunition, reloading supplies, optics, and firearm storage.
8. Product Sales - Tactical Gear: Sales of tactical vests, holsters, communication equipment, public safety gear, and law enforcement equipment.
9. Product Sales - Hero Express Marine: Sales of marine equipment, boating accessories, hunting & fishing gear, camping, and outdoor equipment under the Hero Express brand.
10. Shipping Fees: Revenue from shipping fees including Canada Standard Flat Rate ($9.99), US continental flat rate ($30 CAD), and international flat rate ($100 CAD).
11. Gift Certificates: Sale of gift certificates in various denominations for gifting purposes.
12. Buy Now Pay Later (Sezzle): Partnership with Sezzle for installment payment options, generating revenue through transaction processing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hero Outdoors is a Canadian-based online and physical retail store that sells airsoft guns, authentic military surplus, tactical gear, apparel, footwear, knives, paintball equipment, shooting accessories, outdoor/camping gear, and marine supplies. The company operates a BigCommerce-powered e-commerce storefront with international shipping, supported by a physical storefront in Oshawa, Ontario that includes an in-store airsoft range for product testing.

Product overview

Hero Outdoors is an online army surplus retailer based in Canada offering a diversified e-commerce platform with multiple product categories. The core offerings include Airsoft equipment (guns, parts, accessories), Military Surplus (authentic military clothing, gear, collectibles), Apparel (boots, tactical clothing, footwear), Knives & Swords (fixed blade, folding, kitchen, swords), Outdoors gear (camping, fishing, hunting), Paintball equipment, Shooting supplies (air guns, reloading, optics), and Tactical Gear (holsters, vests, communication). The Hero Express sub-brand extends into marine and boating supplies. Additional services include custom dog tags, custom engraving, gift certificates, and mystery boxes. The company operates primarily as a BigCommerce-hosted e-commerce platform serving Canadian and international customers with multi-currency support (CAD/USD).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hero Brand: Store brand product line including camouflage ghillie suits and BDU pants

Products and services

• Airsoft Comprehensive airsoft product line including electric guns (AEG), gas guns, pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, BBs, batteries, chargers, protective gear, and internal/external parts, plus used airsoft guns and a Boneyard section for discounted items. Targeted at airsoft players and milsim participants.
• Apparel Military-style clothing and footwear including boots (men's, women's, kid's), tactical pants, combat shirts, outerwear, headwear, workwear, and accessories, featuring brands like Rothco and Canadian Digital/CADPAT patterns.
• Knives & Swords Selection of knives including fixed blade, folding, hunting, kitchen, machetes, throwing knives, plus sword categories (display, fantasy, historic, Japanese, military), knife-making supplies, sharpeners, and sheaths.
• Military Surplus Authentic military surplus items including clothing, headwear, helmets, vests, web gear, badges, medals, patches, tents, gas masks, and military collectibles from various armed forces worldwide.
• Outdoors Outdoor recreation equipment including bags and packs, camping and survival gear, climbing gear, fishing gear, hunting gear, illumination (flashlights, headlamps), MREs, optics, paracord, and tents.
• Paintball Complete paintball equipment including markers/guns (milsim, speedball, pistols), air systems, barrels, protective masks, hoppers, paintballs, apparel, and accessories featuring brands like Dye, Empire, Tippmann, and Valken.
• Shooting Firearms-related products including air guns (pistols, rifles, pellets), black powder firearms, blank guns, bows and crossbows, bullet reloading supplies, and shooter gear (ammunition, optics, range bags, hearing protection).
• Tactical Gear Professional tactical equipment including communication devices (radios, headsets), holsters, public safety/law enforcement gear, tactical vests (plate carriers, chest rigs), and tactical pouches, including body armor and duty equipment.
• Hero Express (Marine & Boating) Marine and boating supplies sub-brand featuring anchoring and docking, automotive/RV, boat outfitting, camping, cartography (marine maps), communication, electrical, entertainment, fishing, hunting, lighting, plumbing, marine safety, navigation instruments, and watersports equipment.
• Cool Stuff Unique and specialty items including action cameras (GoPro), books and field manuals, flags, mystery boxes, Nerf toys and gel blasters, drones, locksmithing tools, and treasure hunting equipment.
• Gift Certificates Digital gift certificates available in various denominations and themes for gifting.
• Mystery Boxes Surprise product boxes containing assorted tactical, military, or outdoor items at discounted rates.
• Custom Dog Tags Custom engraved dog tags and name tapes with personalization options for military enthusiasts.
• Custom Engraving Service Custom engraving service for various products offered by Hero Outdoors.

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• BigCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationHero Outdoors operates on the BigCommerce e-commerce platform, utilizing their infrastructure for the online storefront, shopping cart, checkout processing, and general website functionality.
• Canada PostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary shipping carrier for Canadian domestic orders.
• UPScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShipping carrier option for domestic and international orders.
• FedExcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShipping carrier option for domestic and international orders.
• RothcomajorTechnology or IntegrationRothco is a major brand partner featured prominently on Hero Outdoors, providing tactical gear and equipment. Rothco has been providing tactical gear for over 60 years and is highlighted as a key brand partner.
• Condor TacticalmajorTechnology or IntegrationCondor Tactical is featured as a major brand partner on Hero Outdoors, offering tactical apparel and gear.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Evike.com: Largest US-based airsoft retailer offering a similar multi-category catalog of airsoft guns, tactical gear, and accessories with both e-commerce and a flagship superstore experience — directly comparable to Hero Outdoors' airsoft-led, omnichannel model.
• Brigade Quartermasters: Long-standing US military surplus and tactical retailer — closest analog to Hero Outdoors' explicit 'online army surplus' positioning with overlapping military surplus, tactical, and outdoor categories.
• Airsoft Megastore: US airsoft retailer specializing in airsoft guns, parts, tactical apparel, and accessories — direct overlap with Hero Outdoors' airsoft, tactical, and parts categories and similar D2C e-commerce go-to-market.
• LA Police Gear: US tactical and duty-gear retailer offering uniforms, holsters, body armor, and tactical accessories to consumers and law enforcement — overlapping heavily with Hero Outdoors' tactical gear segment and law enforcement customer base.
• US Patriot Tactical: US-based tactical and military gear retailer serving law enforcement, military, and tactical enthusiasts with a comparable catalog of apparel, plate carriers, holsters, and accessories — overlapping with Hero Outdoors' tactical gear and apparel categories.

Broad incumbents

• Bass Pro Shops / Cabela's: North America's largest outdoor retailer; overlapping hunting, fishing, camping, and tactical categories. Represents the incumbent retail benchmark for Hero Outdoors' outdoor, hunting, and marine (Hero Express) categories.
• MidwayUSA: Large US hunting, shooting, and outdoor retailer with a far broader catalog and scale — relevant as a benchmark for the outdoor, hunting, and reloading categories Hero Outdoors carries, though its scale dwarfs the subject.
• Sportsman's Warehouse: US outdoor sporting goods retailer with hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting categories — overlapping with multiple Hero Outdoors verticals and reflecting the broader category-level competition.
• Cheaper Than Dirt: US online retailer for firearms, ammunition, and outdoor sporting goods — adjacent competitor with overlapping shooting, hunting, and tactical accessories, though heavily US-focused.

Regional players

• Mountain Equipment Company (MEC): Canadian outdoor and camping co-operative retailer — comparable Canadian geography and overlapping camping, hiking, and outdoor categories, though with less tactical/military surplus focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hero-outdoors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Hero Outdoors