Born in Alaska’s extreme conditions, Alaska Gear Company has built its reputation on creating gear that holds up where failure isn’t an option. From the iconic bunny boots, reimagined for modern use, to Arctic Oven tents and pulk sleds, the brand blends heritage with innovation. Learn how this Alaska original is shaping the future of winter gear.
Behind the Brand: Alaska Gear Company
For many, Alaska is an adventurous dream of vast wilderness, abundant wildlife, and majestic landscapes. But the reality is often brutally cold, wet, and punishing on both people and their gear. It was from this harsh reality that Alaska Gear Company was born, a brand built on the belief that if equipment can perform in Alaska, it can perform anywhere.
The company traces its roots to 1947, when Alaska Tent & Tarp began producing specialized equipment for life in the Far North. Over the decades, that foundation expanded beyond shelters and aviation gear to a wide range of products built to handle the world’s harshest weather. From bush pilots to backcountry travelers, generations of Alaskans have relied on the company’s equipment when reliability was non-negotiable.
That mindset still guides the brand today. Its simple mantra: Designed. Tested. Proven. reflects a process rooted in Alaska’s toughest environments, where storms and subzero temperatures are routine. The company’s focus is less on chasing trends than on building equipment that holds up when the stakes are high.
Bunny Boots: An Arctic Icon Reimagined
One product that has come to symbolize that philosophy is the Bunny Boot. Originally developed for military use in the mid-20th century, the insulated white boots quickly earned a reputation for keeping feet warm in deep Arctic cold. Long prized by Alaskans, they’ve become one of the most dependable pieces of winter footwear in the world.
Alaska Gear Company has worked to modernize and expand on that legacy. Today their VBX Bunny Boots are available in several variations aimed at different users. The VBX MAX emphasizes insulation and durability for the coldest environments, while the VBX LITE brings core warmth to everyday winter wear. Available in colorways inspired by Alaska’s rugged terrain, the LITE blends function with style. The VBX Composite adds safety features such as reinforced toes and slip resistance for industrial settings. All three models use the company’s proprietary VBX Technology (Vapor Barrier X), an innovative insulation system engineered to trap warmth and block out moisture in extreme cold. Each version nods to the original design: high-quality materials and craftsmanship, built to endure.
Beyond the Boots
Alaska Gear Company’s identity extends well beyond footwear. The Arctic Oven Hot Tent, often called the original “hot tent,” is not just designed for winter camping in Alaska—it’s made in Alaska, too. Its use of Vapex, a moisture-wicking fabric, is one of the reasons these tents remain so durable and popular with cold-weather campers. Meanwhile, Pulk Sleds, also made in Alaska, provide a practical way to haul supplies across snow and ice.
Together, these products reflect the balance Alaska Gear Company aims to strike: equipment that meets the demands of serious expeditions while also offering options for everyday winter life.
Looking Forward
With manufacturing facilities in Palmer and Fairbanks and a growing customer base worldwide, the company is preparing for its next chapter. That includes refining classics, introducing new variations, and applying lessons learned in Alaska to gear outdoor enthusiasts everywhere can trust. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed: in 2024, Alaska Gear Company was recognized as the Made in Alaska Manufacturer of the Year, a testament to both product innovation and community impact.At its core, the philosophy remains unchanged: to make gear that holds up where conditions are harshest and comfort can’t be taken for granted. For anyone heading into the cold, whether that means a mountain pass, a frozen lake, or a snowy city street, Alaska Gear Company stands by a simple promise: Designed. Tested. Proven
