Spotlight on Regatta: What Makes This Outdoor Brand So Popular?

What makes a brand stand out when it comes to outdoor clothing?

For some people, it’s all about technical performance. For others, it’s whether their new waterproof jacket will actually keep them dry. Sometimes it’s simply what’s in stock, in your size, at a price that works.

In the middle of any shopping search for outdoor kit, there’s one name that often pops up again and again:

Regatta.

And if you’ve never owned a Regatta fleece or warmed yourself up with one of their bestselling changing robes, you might have question swirling in your head:

Is Regatta a good brand?

So we’re taking a closer look at what Regatta is all about. That includes where the brand got its roots, what kind of quality you can expect, and why so many outdoor-loving families come back to it time after time.

 

Who is Regatta UK?

Regatta is a British outdoor clothing company, founded in 1981. Their headquarters are in Trafford Park, Manchester; so first things first, they probably know a thing or two about rain!

From the beginning, their goal was simple: make good-quality outdoor clothing that was affordable. 

They knew people needed the right clothes to enjoy the outdoors, but wanted to keep the price point accessible for everyday folk. Over 40 years later, that mission still holds true.

Today, Regatta is considered one of the UK’s best-known outdoor brands. They make clothing for men, women, and kids — from waterproof jackets, fleeces, and walking boots to workwear, changing robes, and pretty much everything else in between. 

5 Reasons Why Regatta is a Good Brand

So if you’ve been wondering what Regatta does well, here are five reasons we think it’s a brand worth having in your wardrobe.

 

1. Good Value for Money

As we mentioned, value has always been at the core of Regatta’s identity.

Even after 40+ years, their kit still tends to sit in the lower-to-mid price range for outdoor clothing, which is exactly what draws many people in. But it also, slightly ironically, leads to the questions we sometimes hear from our customers:

The price is so good… what’s the catch? 

Will it last, or will I be replacing it after a couple of wears?

In our experience, that’s not the case. These are the fleeces that end up being worn every weekend. The waterproof jacket that lives by the door. The walking boots that rack up the miles on your family holidays.

Regatta also packs in more technical detail than you might expect at this price point. The kit might be affordable, but the fabrics and features have clearly been thought through.

A few of the main technologies include:

• Isotex: Waterproof, windproof, and breathable. This is the main form of waterproof protection you’ll find across the jackets, trousers, and walking boots.
• Isoflex: Designed for active movement, with quick-dry performance, water repellency, and stretch for comfort.
• Thermoguard: Soft, lightweight insulation that adds generous warmth. You’ll see this in plenty of Regatta’s winter jackets.

For us, the brand hits the spot. Regatta clothing does what you need it to, at a price that feels manageable. And if you’re someone who is after reliable kit for your hiking hobby, camping trips, or everyday life, it’s hard to go past the Regatta collections.

 

2. Wide Range of Choice

Which brings us to one of Regatta’s biggest strengths: the sheer range on offer.

Whether you’re after a bright softshell jacket or something more neutral, a mens gilet in 3XL or a kids fleece, some walking shorts or a pair of waterproof overtrousers, chances are you’ll find something that fits the bill. There’s simply so much choice.

Across their collections, you’ll find:

• A wide size range: Many styles run from XS to 3XL, with some up to 5XL. The kids’ range is also broad, which makes life easier when you’re trying to sort the whole family.
• Plenty of colour options: From bold reds and bright yellows to classic navy, grey, and black.
• Seasonal ranges: Winter jackets, wellies, fleeces, and thermals for the colder months; shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear for summer; plus all the in-between layers like gilets and softshells.
• Styles for men, women, and kids: Plus unisex options across clothing, footwear, and accessories.

In short, you can kit yourself out head to toe in Regatta if you want to, and many of our customers do!

 

3. Innovation and Collaborations

Alongside their core range, Regatta has launched a number of collections and partnerships over the years — a sign they’re paying attention to what people need, and evolving to meet it.

 

Some highlights include:

• Regatta Professional – a workwear focused line designed for trades, site work, and long days outdoors
• Design collaborations – including ranges with Orla Kiely and celebrity ambassador Giovanna Fletcher
• Licenced collections – like the popular Peppa Pig partnership brought out in 2021, featuring kids puddlesuits, waterproofs, fleeces, wellies, and more

It’s one of the things we like about the brand. These kinds of collections bring something extra, without drifting too far from what Regatta does best. 

For example, the Orla Kiely collab is great for anyone who wants a bit more colour or pattern in their outdoor wardrobe. And the Peppa Pig range has been a real hit; as when kids are excited to wear their puddlesuit, the walk’s halfway won!

It’s a small thing, but it shows how Regatta keeps outdoor clothing feeling relevant, wearable, and easy to enjoy.

You might also know their sister brands:

• Dare 2b, which focuses on performance and ski gear
• Craghoppers, known for travel-ready outdoor clothing 

Both are also proudly stocked here at Avenue 85.

4. Sustainability & Community Initiatives

For many people, being a good brand also includes making thoughtful choices behind the scenes.

Over the years, Regatta has been working to reduce its environmental impact, and, while there’s always more to be done, they’ve made some steady progress.

A few of the steps they’ve taken include:

• Using recycled polyester in 42% of products (2023 figures)
• Sourcing 100% of cotton through Better Cotton
• Ensuring all products are PFOS and PFAS compliant
• Working towards 100% PFC-free waterproof finishes
  

It’s another sign that the brand is thinking long term. Not only about performance and price, but about how their gear is made and the impact it has beyond the checkout.

After all, this is clothing built for the outdoors: the hills, the beaches, the footpaths and forests we all want to keep enjoying for years to come. Sustainability matters here, and it’s good to see Regatta putting the work in.

They also support a number of community projects:

• In 2022, Regatta sponsored CoppaTreks with Gi: a fundraising walk series for breast cancer awareness.
• The Conservation Collective, a global network of local environmental foundations focused on biodiversity and climate action.
• Regatta was also the lead sponsor for the Alzheimer’s Society’s Trek26 event in 2022.
  

For us, it adds up to a brand that’s looking beyond just what it makes, and thinking about where and how it’s used too.

5. Made for Real Life Outdoors

All this leads up to one main point.

Regatta makes outdoor clothing that fits into real life. 

You might be like us, and enjoy going for a hike into the Peaks on the weekend, so you need decent walking boots and a reliable jacket. Or maybe you regularly head to Wales for a camping trip, so you want to invest in a changing robe, and all the bits and pieces for the beach like your swimwear and flip flops. 

And that’s one of the reasons we recommend Regatta so often. It’s made for the kind of outdoors most of us are in week to week, especially if you’ve got kids, pets, or you simply love being in the fresh air. 

That’s always been part of its appeal, right from the very start.

 

 

So, Is Regatta a Good Brand?

For a lot of people, yes absolutely.

We see it in the fleeces that get re-bought in bigger sizes as kids grow. In the boots that come back from a weekend away covered in mud but still holding up. In the repeat orders, the favourites, the questions about when something’s coming back in stock.

And we keep restocking it, because people keep choosing it.

The value, the choice, the thoughtful design, the steps Regatta’s taking around sustainability — it’s all part of the bigger picture. 

Regatta is a brand that works hard for the people who wear it. And in our eyes, that makes it a good one.

Want to Take a Look?

If you're thinking it might be time to add something to your own kit, you’ll find a huge range of Regatta clothing and footwear here at Avenue 85.

Find familiar favourites, new arrivals, and seasonal collections all ready to go.

 

About the Author

A dad to two energetic boys, James spends his weekends juggling football matches, skate parks, and Sunday afternoons at Disley’s very own Lyme Park. While he might not get to hit the golf course as often as he used to, he’s all in for family adventures in the great outdoors - coffee in hand and his favourite Ecco walking shoes on his feet. On the Avenue 85 blog, James loves to help other families make the most of their time outside by sharing his tried and tested tips, whether it’s finding the best waterproof jacket for a rainy day or discovering the best local walks that are perfect for little legs to explore!