TiO Essentials: Why Take it Outside Started Making Its Own Products
For more than a decade, we've built Take it Outside around one simple idea: carry products we'd proudly use ourselves.
That's why you'll find some of the world's most respected outdoor and lifestyle brands in our stores. From technical outerwear and performance apparel to everyday essentials, we've spent years curating products we genuinely believe in.
But over time, we kept running into the same problem.
There were certain products our customers wanted that we simply couldn't find anywhere else—at least not at the quality level we expected and at a price we felt was fair.
So we decided to make them ourselves.
What Is TiO Essentials?
TiO Essentials is our private label collection: products we source, test, and brand ourselves.
Today, the line includes canvas bags, lifestyle bags, iron-on patches, socks, accessories, and apparel. While the products may carry our name, they go through the same scrutiny as every other item we bring into our stores.
If a product doesn't meet the standard we'd expect from any brand we carry, it doesn't make the cut.
Our goal isn't to create products simply for the sake of having our own label. It's to fill gaps where we believe we can offer exceptional quality, thoughtful design, and better value.
The Story Behind the Products
When people hear "private label," they often assume lower quality.
The reality is that many of the products you use every day—across fashion, travel, and outdoor industries—are manufactured in the same regions and facilities around the world.
The difference comes down to specifications.
For TiO Essentials, we work with carefully vetted manufacturing partners and focus on the details that matter:
- Canvas weight and durability
- Zipper quality
- Stitching standards
- Material selection
- Print and patch durability
- Overall construction and longevity
Before any product reaches our shelves, it goes through testing and evaluation by our team. If we wouldn't recommend it to a customer, we won't sell it.
Why Private Label Matters
One of the biggest advantages of private label products is the ability to focus more of the product cost on the product itself.
When you purchase a major branded item, part of the price supports things like:
- National advertising campaigns
- Celebrity partnerships
- Sponsorships
- Flagship retail locations
- Large-scale marketing efforts
There's absolutely value in those things, and many of the brands we carry do them exceptionally well.
But it also means a portion of the purchase price isn't necessarily going into the materials, construction, or features of the product.
With TiO Essentials, we're able to invest more directly into quality while keeping pricing approachable.
Canvas Bags Built for Everyday Use
Our canvas totes are a great example.
We've focused on durable construction, practical sizing, and heavyweight materials that hold up to daily use. In many cases, the materials and construction are comparable to bags that sell for significantly more elsewhere.
Designed to Last
Many of our iron-on patches are designed in-house and built to handle real-world wear—including repeated trips through the washing machine.
Everyday Essentials That Make Sense
Our socks and accessories follow the same philosophy: quality materials, dependable construction, and pricing that makes it easy to grab a few extras when you need them.
What's Coming Next?
TiO Essentials is still growing.
We're continuing to expand the collection with more apparel, travel accessories, and everyday products that fit naturally into our customers' lives.
The best ideas often come directly from the people who shop with us, and many of our products exist because customers told us what they wished they could find.
If there's something you'd love to see us make, we'd love to hear about it.
After all, TiO Essentials was created to solve real customer needs—and that's exactly how we'll continue building it.
Pro Tip: Keep Your Canvas Bags Looking Their Best
