Polaris Industries expanded its powersports business beyond vehicles on December 6, 2012, when it acquired Teton Outfitters, LLC, the parent company of KLIM Technical Riding Gear. The acquisition added one of the industry’s best-known premium apparel brands to Polaris’s growing parts, garments and accessories business.
KLIM was already established as a manufacturer of technical riding gear for snowmobile, motorcycle and off-road enthusiasts. Although the transaction was primarily focused on apparel rather than UTVs, it was an important step in Polaris’s effort to offer products covering more of the riding experience.
Polaris Acquires KLIM and Teton Outfitters
Teton Outfitters was a privately owned company headquartered in Rigby, Idaho. At the time of the acquisition, Polaris said KLIM’s annual sales for 2012 were expected to approach $30 million. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Polaris planned to retain the KLIM name, brand identity and existing operations in Rigby. The company also intended to establish the Idaho operation as an apparel center of excellence that could contribute product-development expertise to other Polaris apparel programs.
KLIM founder Justin Summers said the additional resources available through Polaris would help the company continue developing technical equipment for demanding riders. KLIM had built its reputation around durable, waterproof and breathable apparel designed for snowmobile and motorcycle use, including products constructed with GORE-TEX materials.
Why KLIM Fit the Polaris Portfolio
The acquisition supported Polaris’s strategy of growing its parts, garments and accessories business alongside its vehicle divisions. Polaris was already a major manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides, giving KLIM access to a large and closely related customer base.
KLIM also brought Polaris an established premium brand rather than simply another line of Polaris-branded clothing. Maintaining KLIM as a distinct operation allowed it to preserve the credibility it had developed with riders while benefiting from the resources of a much larger powersports company.
The acquisition was followed by several other Polaris investments in aftermarket equipment and apparel. Polaris acquired Kolpin Outdoors in 2014 and also brought performance-accessory manufacturer Pro Armor into its portfolio. In 2016, the company expanded its riding-equipment business again when Polaris acquired 509, a company known for snowmobile helmets, goggles and technical apparel.
Is KLIM Still Owned by Polaris?
KLIM remains part of Polaris. Teton Outfitters currently operates the KLIM and 509 brands, with product development and other operations continuing in Rigby, Idaho. Polaris also continues to list KLIM among its aftermarket brands.
More than a decade after the acquisition, KLIM remains focused on specialized powersports equipment rather than being absorbed into the general Polaris apparel line. Its products now span snowmobiling, adventure motorcycling, off-road riding, helmets, protective equipment and related accessories.
The continued presence of KLIM within Polaris makes the 2012 transaction more than an expired corporate announcement. It marked an early stage in Polaris’s broader expansion into independently branded powersports apparel and aftermarket products.
Explore more company news, vehicle history and model coverage in the UTV Guide Polaris section.
