A Q&A with Philip from Wilderness Wear

Hi Philip! To start, could you tell us about Wilderness Wear, how it all began and how the business has evolved over the years?

Wilderness Wear’s history begins with socks and an old Tasmanian hosiery company purchased in 1989. Upon relocation to Melbourne, the established sock range was redefined with a new item, the now iconic ‘Kosciuszko’ hiker sock. At the same time, development of ultra-premium polypropylene thermal base layers into the range marked a significant turn.

In 2000 Wilderness Wear acquired the current office, factory and warehouse site, with the facility completed in 2002. All the while, new product lines were being conceived, with research and development of materials, design and technology becoming a significant part of company ethos. By this time, the properties of Superfine Merino wool were also being embraced and the Wilderness Wear brand was established as a leader in the increasingly popular and competitive market.

2006 was defined by international expansion after presence at trade expos in Utah, USA. Distributors were assigned for the USA and Japan the following year and the company continues to market develop in Singapore, Hong Kong and even China.

Today, Wilderness Wear and we who run it remain expansive, always looking for challenges and opportunities with a thirst for improving the old and defining the new. And yes, we still make socks. Lots of them.

That’s quite a journey, from a single sock range to international markets. For anyone discovering Wilderness Wear for the first time, what does the business look like today and what kinds of products do you make?

Everything is designed and manufactured at the Wilderness Wear facility in Preston, Victoria, where we combine traditional knitting expertise with modern technology and performance fibres such as Tasmanian Merino wool. Our products are designed for a wide range of uses including hiking, skiing, running, workwear, military, school outdoor education programs and everyday outdoor performance.

You design and manufacture everything under one roof in Preston. In an era when so many competitors have moved offshore, what has kept Wilderness Wear committed to doing it all locally in Australia?

For us, keeping manufacturing in Australia has always been about maintaining control over quality, innovation and ethical production standards. Having design, product development and manufacturing all under one roof allows us to move quickly, problem solve in real time and continuously improve our products.

That commitment clearly hasn’t come without its challenges. What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to navigate, and what are you most proud of having achieved along the way?

One of the biggest ongoing challenges has been remaining competitive as more textile manufacturing moved offshore over the years. Competing against low-cost imports while continuing to manufacture ethically in Australia requires constant innovation, investment in technology and a strong focus on product quality and service.

Rather than trying to compete purely on price, we focused on what makes us different: premium performance products, technical expertise, fast local development capabilities and ethical Australian manufacturing. That approach has allowed us to continue growing and building long-term relationships with customers who value quality and transparency.

A milestone we’re particularly proud of is continuing to manufacture locally after more than four decades in business, while also expanding our capabilities and product offering. Maintaining and growing Australian manufacturing in the textile industry is something we see as a significant achievement in itself.

Building on that commitment to doing things the right way, Wilderness Wear has been accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia since 2012. What does that long-standing accreditation mean to you and the organisation?

Being accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia since 2012 is something we are extremely proud of. It reflects our long-term commitment to ethical manufacturing, transparency and ensuring that everyone involved in making our products is working in fair and legal conditions.

For us, ethical manufacturing isn’t a marketing exercise. It’s simply part of how we believe business should operate. The accreditation provides customers with confidence that our products are being made responsibly and that the people behind them are being treated fairly.
It’s also important because it highlights that ethical local manufacturing is possible and sustainable in Australia. We see it as an important part of supporting the future of the Australian textile and clothing industry

Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share, anything you’d want readers to take away from the Wilderness Wear story?

We’d love to highlight the importance of supporting Australian manufacturing and the skilled workforce behind it. There is still incredible knowledge, craftsmanship and innovation within the local textile industry, and businesses like us are passionate about helping keep those skills alive for future generations.

We’re also excited about the future of Australian-made technical apparel and continue to invest in innovation, sustainability and product development to ensure locally manufactured products remain competitive on a global level.

To learn more about Wilderness Wear, visit their directory listing and website.