Rab, a British manufacturer of technical mountaineering garments, gear and accessories, is entering the U.S. outdoor market in 2007. Rab was established by Rab Carrington in 1981, an alpinist, climber, and author of numerous first ascents around the world.

Rab's current owner and president Matt Gowar is excited to bring his company’s wares to the U.S. market.”Rab apparel and gear was born from pure UK and Scottish alpinist roots, and we are really excited to bring our collection of the most technical mountaineering-specific apparel and gear to the United States,” Gowar said. “American climbers are really doing a lot to further alpinism, and we view our product line as a perfect complement to such a community.”

Carrington began the company when he was unable to find product suitable to support the ethics and standards he and his climbing partners were spearheading in the British and Scottish mountaineering communities. He began to sew specialized down products in a workshop at home, after learning his craft from Polish expedition partners. The Rab brand continues to be run by climbers for climbers, and is based in the U.K.