The story of Stohlquist is one of purpose, innovation, and a deep connection to the water.

It began in 1977, in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Jim Stohlquist, a passionate paddler and waterman, founded the brand not as a business venture, but as a solution to a simple truth: the gear available at the time wasn’t good enough. Drawing from his own experiences on rivers and in wild water, Jim set out to design and build better equipment—products that prioritized fit, function, and safety in equal measure.

Operating out of a barn near the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Jim handcrafted each product with a detail-oriented, hands-on approach. The focus was simple but ambitious: to create performance-driven apparel and PFDs that worked with the body—not against it—in dynamic water environments. This spirit of craftsmanship and obsession with fit became the foundation for the brand’s reputation.

Over the next two decades, Stohlquist grew steadily, gaining a loyal following among whitewater kayakers, rafters, and recreational paddlers across the U.S. The company stood out for its innovative thinking—developing signature technologies like WRAPTURE™ body-mapped foam for contoured comfort, Graded Sizing™ for better fit across all body types, and Cross-Chest Cinch™ harnesses that kept PFDs secure without restricting movement.

But what never changed was its deep paddling DNA. Every design started on the water. Every product was tested and refined by paddlers. The brand earned a reputation not just for technical excellence, but for trust—among outfitters, guides, and families who relied on Stohlquist to keep them safe and comfortable in challenging conditions.

In 2004, Stohlquist entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Aqualung Group, helping expand its reach while retaining the core values Jim had instilled. With this partnership, the brand broadened beyond whitewater to include touring, fishing, recreational paddling, and youth products, while still holding fast to its roots in thoughtful design and comfort-first engineering.

For nearly 50 years, Stohlquist products became staples on rivers, lakes, and coastlines across the country. It remained a brand trusted by both pros and everyday paddlers—driven by its founder’s original vision of building better gear for life on the water.

In late 2023, the brand faced an unexpected turn. Following corporate changes at Aqualung’s parent company, Stohlquist’s operations were paused. But its story didn’t end there.

In early 2024, Stohlquist was brought back to life under new ownership by Sport Dimension Inc., a company with deep roots in watersports and a portfolio that includes Body Glove. With a renewed commitment to quality and performance, Sport Dimension is investing in the next chapter of Stohlquist—maintaining its trusted designs while expanding the brand’s reach and relevance for new generations of paddlers.