Evo

About Evo

Evo is a retailer specializing in outdoor and action sports gear, combined with a focus on community, travel, and hospitality. The company was founded in 2001 by Bryce Phillips, a former professional skier, who started the business by selling used ski equipment from his garage. Initially an online retailer called evogear.com, the company has grown into a multi-faceted brand with a significant e-commerce presence and physical locations.

The company's business model revolves around an 'evo ecosystem' that integrates retail, experiences, and hospitality. Revenue is generated through online and in-store sales of gear for activities like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, surfing, and camping. Evo also operates a travel division, evoTrip, which offers guided adventure travel packages to destinations worldwide. A growing part of its business is hospitality, with the company opening evo Hotels in key outdoor destinations like Salt Lake City and Whistler, with more planned.

Evo's physical locations are designed as community hubs, often including not just retail space but also art galleries, skateparks, and restaurants. The company has expanded its physical footprint through acquisitions, including Whistler Village Sports and Rhythm Japan, a major retail and rental company in Japan's mountain resorts. In 2022, Evo opened a 100,000-square-foot campus in Salt Lake City that features a hotel, an evo store, a skatepark, a bouldering project, and other complementary businesses. A core part of Evo's mission is community engagement and philanthropy, with a commitment to supporting non-profit organizations that help underserved youth access outdoor activities.