If you pay attention to hunting and outdoor gear brands, you might be wondering what’s up with Element Outdoors. Maybe you heard rumors about trouble, or maybe you just haven’t seen as much from them lately. Either way, it’s a fair question: Is Element Outdoors going out of business, or are they still hanging on?
Let’s break down what’s really happening, what’s happening to similar companies, and how to tell what’s fact and what’s just talk.
Where Element Outdoors Stands Today
Element Outdoors is one of those companies that pops up when hunters talk about decent camo without blowing a paycheck. They’ve made a name for themselves by selling hunting apparel—jackets, pants, layering gear, and the like.
They’re not as huge as some players, but they have a presence online and in some specialty stores. Their stuff is aimed squarely at deer hunters, turkey hunters, and anyone who likes getting dirty in the woods. The brand focuses on straightforward, budget-friendly gear, which means they’re competing in a crowded industry.
If you search for updates or headlines about Element Outdoors having trouble, you won’t actually find much. There aren’t any clear reports or press releases out there saying they’re shutting down. Their own website is still up, and you can buy products directly. You’ll also find their items on popular hunting gear sites.
There aren’t any public signs that they’ve filed for bankruptcy or started closing up shop—at least as of now. So, if you’re just browsing or even thinking about buying, know that the store is still open for business.
A String of Recent Bankruptcies in Outdoor Gear
If you’re hearing more chatter than usual about companies going out of business, that’s probably because some big names actually have filed for bankruptcy. It’s been a rocky stretch for outdoor and sports brands.
For example, Liberated Brands made headlines when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early February 2025. You might know them as the group behind Billabong, Volcom, and RVCA. According to filings, they lost some major licensing deals and racked up over $200 million in debt, with a chunk owed in royalties and fees.
Then there’s Pelican International. They run Confluence Brands—think kayaks and other paddling gear. Pelican filed a notice of intention under bankruptcy provisions at the end of February 2025, after seeing their share of financial bumps.
JDI Cumberland Inlet, another player, also went bankrupt in early May 2025. They said they had upwards of $10 million in liabilities, but more assets on the books than debt—a big signal that even well-backed companies can get into trouble quickly.
So basically, yes, some outdoor companies are struggling or even shutting down. The industry isn’t exactly calm waters right now.
How Is Element Outdoors Doing Financially?
Compared to brands like Liberated Brands or Pelican International, Element Outdoors is operating on a different scale. They don’t have a sprawling network of licenses to lose or huge global operations to keep afloat.
That can actually work in their favor. Brands that get too large too fast often take on more debt and risk. The moment their main sources of revenue dry up—maybe from lost licensing rights or slowed sales—they can find themselves in real trouble. That’s what happened to some of those bigger companies.
Element Outdoors is independent and keeps its operations relatively tight. There’s hardly any public information out there about their debts, layoffs, or shrinking operations. Sometimes, companies do a good job of keeping issues quiet, but in industries this small, word tends to get out fast if something’s really wrong.
Right now, there simply aren’t any signs that Element Outdoors is sliding toward bankruptcy or planning to close up for good. Their current financial health isn’t widely discussed, but the absence of bad news—no mention in trade publications or court filings—feels like a good sign.
That said, no company is totally safe. With how quickly things can change, it’s smart to keep an eye out for real updates if you’re a big fan or a loyal customer.
Trends Hitting Outdoor and Hunting Gear Companies
The outdoor and sporting goods industry runs hot and cold. We saw a big spike in outdoor gear sales during the first couple years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was itching to get outside. Some companies ramped up production or expanded, trying to keep up with that demand.
But what happens when things settle down? Not everyone keeps buying at the same pace. Suddenly, companies that grew quickly find themselves with too much inventory or not enough sales. That can lead to layoffs, store closures, or in serious cases, bankruptcy.
For hunting brands in particular, there’s another layer. Younger people aren’t taking up hunting as much as previous generations. In some regions, hunting license sales are actually dropping. When headline brands start struggling, it sometimes shakes up smaller ones too—people start worrying their favorite companies are next.
There’s also a whole mess of competition these days. Companies like Sitka, Under Armour, and First Lite have loyal fans and pretty deep pockets. And then there’s Amazon, where generic outdoor gear pops up daily.
So where does Element Outdoors fit? They’re not a luxury brand, and they’re not a total unknown. They fill a niche for people who want functional, affordable gear. As long as they keep that focus, they can weather industry swings a little better than brands with expensive overhead.
Watching the Rumors—And Looking for Real News
If you’re the kind of person who scrolls Reddit or hunting forums, you may stumble across the question: “Is Element Outdoors going out of business?” That’s usually when actual news is in short supply. Someone sees a sale or a random product out of stock, and suddenly the speculation starts.
It’s easy for rumors to get out of control, especially when other brands really are in trouble. That’s why it’s important to double-check before taking a friend’s word for it. If a major brand like Element Outdoors were really shutting down, outdoor news sites would be all over it. There’d be press releases and official statements. Right now, there just aren’t any.
The fastest way to get updates or see if Element Outdoors changes its business status is by checking their site and social pages directly. Major outdoor industry publications sometimes break this kind of news, so keeping an eye out there isn’t a bad idea, either.
If you like seeing what’s going on in the wider business world—especially with other outdoor brands—sites like Blue Business Mag can be a handy resource. It’s worth scanning every now and then for bigger cross-industry trends that might eventually hit Element Outdoors.
Official bankruptcy filings or government notices will sometimes show up online, but those usually get reported quickly in relevant industry news.
Should You Worry About Ordering from Element Outdoors?
That’s the practical question for most people. If you’ve got something sitting in your cart, do you check out or hold off?
Right now, there’s no solid reason to think Element Outdoors is dodging bankruptcy or planning to vanish overnight. They’re still shipping product, answering customer service emails, and announcing new arrivals.
If a company really was going out of business, you’d probably see fire sales, rapid changes to shipping policies, or issues with returns. Watch for those red flags if you start hearing fresh rumors.
But, as with anything online, use your judgment. Browse reviews, check recent customer feedback, and don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer service team if you need reassurance.
The Bottom Line: Element Outdoors Isn’t Going Anywhere—For Now
Element Outdoors seems to be rolling along, at least judging by what’s publicly available. It can feel unsettling to see so many familiar outdoor brands struggling or going under, but in this case, no hard evidence suggests this company is in trouble.
The outdoor gear world changes fast, and sometimes, news breaks before anyone expects. For now, though, Element Outdoors hasn’t made waves for the wrong reasons.
If you want to stay current, keep their social pages and a few industry news sources bookmarked. And don’t be afraid to ask direct questions if you’re not sure about something you hear or read.
That’s pretty much what we know as of today. If something shifts, you’ll hear about it—but at the moment, you can shop without worry and keep waiting for your fall hunting plans.
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