Outback Trading Company is a leading supplier of all-weather outdoor apparel. Established in 1983, Outback Trading Company stays true to its reputation of producing durable and rugged high performing apparel. We are committed to producing hard wearing comfortable clothes for working lifestyles, as well as functional fashion apparel. Outback Trading has a style and fit for all.
Company History
For the past 40 years, Wilson King has brought Outback Trading Company’s quest for Outdoor Apparel literally from around the world. Today, Outback’s customers can be found all over the world in vast and varied adventures. “We are a small company with International appeal.”
It all started with a trip to Japan to compete in the Inter-Pacific Pony Club Nationals. Travelling to a foreign country was a huge eye opener and opportunity for a 17 year old Wilson King, a native of Pennsylvania farm country. His new found passion for travel triggered a year long trek around the world with stops including Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.
Arriving in Australia with only thirty dollars to his name, Wilson bought two broken motorcycles. He merged the best of both and started the next leg of his journey. One particular stop led to his first oilskin duster as a gift. “The Oilskin Duster and Motorcycle were my only family while in Australia.”
When King returned to the states in 1978, his future and career path were still undetermined. One day he grabbed his Oilskin Duster, tacked up his horse and went on a trek through the Brandywine Valley located in the Pennsylvania countryside. It started to downpour. No worries, he had his duster so he kept riding.
It was then that he realised that without his Oilskin Duster from Australia, he would be drenched. This finding was extremely exciting to Wilson. With encouragement he pursued Claybourn Brothers in Australia the manufacture of Wilson’s first oilskin duster. The first shipment of Oilskin dusters were sold out of Wilson’s Jeep Wagoner.
Outback Trading Company was born, created from one man, his horse and his duster. Today Outback Trading is a household name among the outdoor enthusiast. The Oilskin Duster is still a top seller for Outback Trading and has spun off to many styles of hard working outdoor adventure apparel. Outback offers many styles to loyal customers around the world. “We produce unique clothes that work and that people appreciate.”
Outback Trading Company has continued to produce line after line of stunning and functional garments and outerwear, even through tough economic times. "Every time there's a recession, we tend to go back to our roots and a more traditional lifestyle. Our outerwear is reflective of this era. That's where we thrive," said King.
