Mother’s Day can stump gift-givers. While presents handmade by adorable children go a long way, so does fun apparel and gear that lets moms do their thing in the great outdoors.
For outdoorsy women who are new moms, this Outside gift guide is full of great choices. But here’s a gift idea for moms at any stage: How about an item—or a gift card (because, let’s be honest, most moms know exactly what they want but feel guilty buying things for themselves)—from a company founded by, and run by, a mom?
Here’s a look at a handful of outdoor brands that were started by moms and their founders’ recommendations for great Mother’s Day gifts. Supporting these companies means that these moms can keep on keepin’ on, while inspiring other budding businesswomen.
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Rabbit
runinrabbit.com
This running apparel company was founded by Monica DeVreese, mom of two, and Jill Deering, mom of three (soon to be four). The two started Rabbit in 2013 because they were frustrated with the fit and style of most running shorts available to women at the time. The brand has since grown exponentially and recently launched its first running shoe, the Dream Chaser. Rabbit supports professional and elite runners, running clubs, and what they call “RADrabbits,” everyday runners who have a passion for community…and running.
How does co-founder DeVreese, juggle running a business, running after kids, and making time to run for herself? “It’s pure chaos!” she says. “But I have always thrived on chaos, so it works for me.” Amidst the chaos, she makes sure she carves out time every single day for a run or some type of movement. “This allows me to show up as a better wife, mother, boss, friend, daughter,” she says. “This sacred ‘me’ time can sometimes feel selfish or have guilt associated with it,” she adds, “but to show up each and every day ready to be the best version of myself and perform at a high level, this is non-negotiable.”
Gift suggestions
DeVreese points to the Mother Runner Collection, which includes the brand’s first maternity running tops like the EZ Tee Maternity.
The tee, which is also available in non-maternity, is extremely soft and buttery polyester with a touch of spandex for stretch, plus the maternity version features forgiving elastic at the side seams.
“Rabbit Mother Runners are a community of runners who embody boundless love and whose light influences their sphere. A powerful movement both on and off the road. Growing in number, thriving with support, and embracing their identity,” she says. DeVreese is equally excited about the EZ Tank Maternity.
Title Nine
titlenine.com
Missy Park founded Title Nine in 1989, and the company has remained independently operated ever since. Park was in high school in 1972 when Title IX of the Education Amendments passed, changing the history of women’s sports. Park went on to play basketball, lacrosse, and tennis at Yale University, and four years later, launched Title Nine to champion women’s fitness and participation by selling women’s-specific gear and apparel.
She’s raised two children while running the company and today says that the best part of her job is product testing. (We understand!). “Every single product we carry goes through rigorous user testing by a whole crew of T9ers and friends,” says Park. “Whether we build the product ourselves or we select it from one of our many awesome outdoor brands, we test, test, test so that our customer doesn’t have to.”
Park says that the most important part of her job is ensuring that the company maintains financial independence. “This independence allows us to continue to make choices that best serve the whole crew of moms who call themselves T9ers,” she says.
Title Nine makes and sells its own product, but also selects women’s-specific gear from other companies (most are also run by women) and sells them in their catalog and online.
Gift Suggestions
Park says, “What I’m loving right now is my Cotopaxi lightweight hoodie—It shuts out the sun AND keeps me cool. A-mazing.”
The hoodie is loose-fitting, SPF 50, and can be worn at the beach or on the trail.
Park also loves her Wild Rye MTB shorts (from another mom-run company, see below) “They just got me through a mountain biking trip to Nepal with my gal pals,” she says. And, she says her Title Nine Clamber shorts are the comfiest hike shorts she owns.
“And of course,” she adds, “I have to call out our sports bras—not any one in particular but our whole collection of over 50 different bras that support us through all of our trail adventures.”
Wild Rye
wild-rye.com
Wild Rye has the mission to bring women (“ALL women, femme, and non-binary folks) beautiful and technical mountain apparel that inspires confidence and gets more women outside. Cassie Abel, founder, CEO, and mom, says that she started the company after being frustrated with the offerings for women in the outdoor space, and because she knew the industry “could do a much better job at how brands were speaking to and serving the needs of women.”
“Now seven-plus years in,” she says, “I’m so proud to use the Wild Rye platform to speak out for women’s rights, empowerment, and creating equal opportunities for other women entrepreneurs.” The company has always taken a strong stance in support of reproductive healthcare, and founded Women-Led Wednesday, an annual shopping holiday to inspire conscious consumerism in support of women-led brands.
“We’re in the business of empowering women and my purpose with Wild Rye is to create something that matters, and that’s going to make a difference,” says Abel. “If I’m going to miss time with my kiddo, it needs to matter—to a lot of people—and I believe we’re doing just that.”
Gift suggestions
Abel’s mother’s day gift recommendation is the Eeva Short Overalls.
These shorts are made out of quick-dry, breathable bio nylon, which is a 100% renewable material.
Abel also recommends the lightweight, versatile Alden Anorack, and Riley Short, mountain bike shorts with fun prints, made for women. And keep an eye out for the Ride Fast, Raise Hell benefit tee to be restocked, as net proceeds are donated directly to Planned Parenthood.
Kari Traa
karitraa.com
Three-time Norwegian Olympic mogul skiing medalist (including a gold in 2002), Kari Traa started knitting her own beanies in the early 2000s because she was tired of wearing tukes made for men. “At 28 years old I knew a career in skiing wouldn’t last forever,” she says. “I didn’t have a formal education, but, for as long as I can remember, I have always been a creative soul.” She partnered with company Bula to create a women’s line, “a brand for women,” she says, “colorful, with playful elements and a bit of craziness. We wanted to show the world that women shouldn’t have to choose between looking stylish and being a badass skier.”
Kari Traa started as a brand built for her, by her (their tagline). “As a women-owned and run company, we’re also a brand that supports women/girls in the fight for their rights. We’re vocal, unapologetic and we will always be dedicated to helping women become happier, healthier and stronger…not only at work, but in everything they do—from their roles as friends, mothers, and family members, as well as in their own interests—whether it’s athletics or hobbies.”
“I have two girls myself,” she says, “and I want them to know they can do anything. I want my ‘girls’ at work to feel the same.”
Gift suggestion
“Wearing wool in the summer is inherently Norwegian,” says Traa, “so I have to give love to two of my favorite wool pieces for the Spring—after all, it’s the perfect temperature and odor regulating fabric. Her first pick is the Sanne Light Wool Half Zip.
Perfect for lightweight, breathable layering, it’s made out of 60% wool and 40% modal, a bio-based fabric, and features a high neck and secure chest pocket.
Traa also recommends the Sval Longsleeve, which she says is “a versatile wool baselayer that can be used for hiking and more.” She adds that she’s also loving the 40+ UPF Sanne Sunshirt.