Proudly Canadian: Outdoor Brands We Carry at Frontenac Outfitters

At Frontenac Outfitters, we take pride in supporting Canadian brands that are making waves in the paddling and outdoor gear world. These companies represent the craftsmanship, innovation, and passion that define Canada’s outdoor community. Here's a closer look at the Cannucks we carry in our store.

Jump to a section:

• Delta Kayaks
• Esker
• Esquif
• Fox 40
• H2O Canoe Company
• KIHD Products
• Level Six
• North Water Gear
• Nova Craft Canoes
• Recreational Barrel Works
• Redtail Paddles
• Salus Marine Wear
• Scott Canoes
• TRAK Kayaks

Delta Kayaks

Location: Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Who they are and what they do: Delta Kayaks specializes exclusively in thermoformed kayaks, built with precision in coastal British Columbia. Every model is designed in-house using CAD and over three decades of experience, then finished by hand to ensure high-quality craftsmanship. Delta offers kayaks for all skill levels, combining comfort, fit, and performance in sleek, lightweight designs.

Interesting detail: Delta’s advanced thermoform construction blends durability with weight savings, resulting in kayaks that are tougher than fibreglass and lighter than polyethylene. Plus, their kayaks are completely recyclable, and 100% of their scrap materials are repurposed, making each kayak as environmentally conscious as it is innovative.

SHOP DELTA KAYAKS

Esker

Location: Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Esker builds premium winter camping gear—like hot tents, bucksaws, and axes—crafted with care by Canadian artisans and outdoor experts. Proudly manufactured in Ontario, their gear is designed to perform in the most demanding cold-weather conditions. Esker champions local materials and craftsmanship, ensuring each product reflects Canada’s rugged heritage and wilderness needs.

Interesting detail: Esker’s gear isn’t mass-produced—it’s built by skilled craftspeople who use the gear themselves. From hand-stitched tents to custom-shaped wooden bucksaws, every item is tested in real Canadian winters before it reaches your hands.

SHOP ESKER

Esquif Canoes

Location: Frampton, Quebec

Who they are and what they do: Esquif is a proudly Canadian canoe company born from one paddler’s desire to build a better boat. Founder Jacques Chassé started Esquif to create high-performance, durable canoes for whitewater, tripping, hunting, and recreation. Today, Esquif is the leading manufacturer of T-Formex, a rugged, proprietary material they developed as a replacement for Royalex when it disappeared from the market.

Interesting detail: When the sole manufacturer of Royalex shut down in 2014, Esquif didn’t fold—they innovated. Against the odds, Jacques invested in developing T-Formex, now considered one of the most reliable canoe materials available. Many of the boats built with it are still designed by paddlers, for paddlers.

SHOP ESQUIF

Fox 40

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Fox 40 is a Canadian company known worldwide for inventing the first pealess whistle—a design that revolutionized safety signalling in sport, marine, and outdoor use. Created by a basketball referee frustrated with traditional whistles failing in crucial moments, Fox 40 now manufactures a full line of high-performance safety and signalling gear trusted by professionals and recreationalists alike.

Interesting detail: The iconic Fox 40 whistle is used in over 140 countries, by everyone from Olympic officials to lifeguards and paddlers. Because it doesn’t rely on a moving pea, it won’t jam, freeze, or fail, making it one of the most reliable safety tools in outdoor environments.

SHOP FOX 40

H2O Canoe Company

Location: Newmarket, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: H2O Canoe Company specializes in high-performance tripping, pack, and race canoes built with advanced materials like Innegra, Kevlar, and Carbon Fibre. Every canoe is built-to-order and designed to offer an exceptional balance of strength, weight, and performance. Whether you’re a seasoned expedition paddler or a weekend lake cruiser, H2O canoes are engineered for lasting value and reliability.

Good to know: At Frontenac Outfitters, we work closely with H2O to help you customize your canoe and save on shipping by having it delivered directly to our store. Whether it’s for wilderness trips, racing, or recreational use, we’ll help you get the canoe that’s right for your needs. Your boat, your way.

SHOP H2O CANOE COMPANY

KIHD Products

Location: Ontario

What They Do: A group of backcountry tripping friends who initially got together to create the gear that they wanted to use in the backcountry. Compact stainless steel twig stoves and other creative cookware for the backcountry.

Note: KIHD Twig Stoves are designed to burn small sticks and natural fuel—no need to pack fuel canisters. Additionally, they pack down flat, making them super easy to fit into any pack.

SHOP KIHD

Level Six

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Level Six designs high-performance paddling gear for every type of adventure, from whitewater to calm lakes. Founded by two competitive paddlers in 1997, it has grown into a globally respected Canadian brand known for quality, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Interesting fact: Level Six reduces its environmental impact through eco-conscious materials, PFAS-free technology where possible, and one of the industry’s top repair programs.

SHOP LEVEL 6

North Water Gear

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

Who they are and what they do: North Water designs and manufactures top-tier safety and organization gear for paddlers, rescue professionals, and expedition leaders. Their products are trusted in some of the most demanding environments and built with precision, care, and a commitment to serious quality control.

Interesting fact: Each North Water product is backed by a high standard of craftsmanship, and if something doesn’t work for you, they’ll modify it, replace it, or make it right.

SHOP NORTH WATER GEAR

Nova Craft Canoes

Location: London, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Founded in 1970 in Glanworth, Ontario, Nova Craft Canoes builds canoes rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and Canadian heritage. Their lineup includes everything from ultralight tripping models to rugged expedition-ready canoes, all designed and built in Canada.

Interesting detail: Nova Craft’s thunderbird logo—drawn from the powerful iconography of Indigenous cultures across North America—symbolizes strength and deep respect for the natural world. It was updated in 2009 to more closely reflect the Indigenous art of the Pacific Northwest.

SHOP NOVA CRAFT CANOES

Recreational Barrel Works

Location: Peterborough, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Family-owned and proudly Canadian, Recreational Barrel Works has been outfitting paddlers since 2001 with durable, practical, and affordable gear designed by paddlers, for paddlers. From barrels and harnesses to canoe packs and clever organizers, their gear is built for real tripping conditions.

Interesting detail: Modern pack barrels—now a staple in backcountry canoeing—can trace their roots to olive barrels salvaged from delis and used by paddlers on remote northern rivers. RBW takes that idea further, offering purpose-built barrels that are trusted across Canada. They’re not bear-proof, but they’re a tough and trusted way to keep your gear dry and your food organized.

SHOP RECREATIONAL BARREL WORKS

Redtail Paddles

Location: Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Founded by master paddle maker John Bell, Redtail Paddles is a small family-run workshop crafting premium, handcrafted wooden paddles for canoeists of all experience levels. John started his paddle-making career early, working as a teenager at the North Country Paddle Company. He later created the Northumberland Paddle Company and expanded to supply paddles to Canadian Tire stores. John eventually decided that he wanted to return to a small-scale operation that allowed more creativity within paddle crafting. In 1992, Redtail Paddles was born with a desire to return to the artistry and personal touch of paddle making.

Each paddle is shaped from carefully selected local hardwoods like black cherry, ash, walnut, bird’s eye maple, and sugar maple.

A paddle with personality: No two Redtail paddles are alike. Whether you’re choosing a sleek ottertail for deep, quiet strokes or a beavertail for more power, every paddle is a one-of-a-kind blend of form and function—ready to hit the water or be proudly displayed.

SHOP REDTAIL PADDLES

Salus Marine Wear

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Who they are and what they do: Salus Marine Wear is a proudly Canadian manufacturer of award-winning PFDs, trusted by paddlers, sailors, and rescue professionals across Canada and beyond. Founded in 1999 by Steve Wagner, the company began in a Waterloo basement with a mission to design personal flotation devices that are comfortable, functional, and made to last. Today, nearly every Salus PFD is still made in Canada with care, innovation, and a deep connection to the water.

What makes them stand out: Salus has earned a global reputation for their patented designs, soft-edged construction, and exceptional fit features inspired directly by feedback from passionate water users. From their factory in a renovated Kitchener warehouse, each PFD is cut, sewn, and assembled by skilled Canadian hands with a focus on quality and detail.

Did you know? Salus doesn’t just innovate in design—they’re leaders in sustainability too. Their production process follows a “reduce, reuse, recycle” model, and nearly all by-products are repurposed or recycled to keep waste out of landfills.

SHOP SALUS MARINE WEAR

Scott Canoe

Location: Rouyn-Noranda, Québec (under Abitibi & Co)

Who they are and what they do: With roots going back over 50 years, Scott Canoe was reborn in 2015 when Canadian manufacturer Abitibi & Co brought the brand back to life. Known for rugged reliability, their lineup includes classic tripping designs like the Prospector, built for wilderness travel and everyday paddling alike. Each canoe is made in Canada using durable fibreglass and Kevlar layups.

Something to know: Once a household name for outfitters and cottage-goers, Scott Canoe’s legacy lives on through thoughtful craftsmanship and trusted performance — proudly Canadian, from hull to yoke.

SHOP SCOTT CANOES

TRAK Kayaks

Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Known for: TRAK is a Canadian innovator redefining what’s possible in a kayak. Inspired by traditional Inuit qajaqs, they developed the world’s only high-performance folding kayak with adjustable rocker—the TRAK 2.0. Originally built in Calgary and now crafted in a world-class facility in the Philippines, each kayak is a blend of Canadian design, global collaboration, and expedition-tested performance.

What makes them Canadian: TRAK’s leadership, design team, and operations are proudly based on Vancouver Island. Born from the need to paddle anywhere on Earth—and bring your kayak with you—they’ve stayed small, independent, and focused on creating gear that makes global adventures possible.

SHOP TRAK KAYAKS

We're proud to partner with these exceptional Canadian brands and bring their products to paddlers across the country. Explore our online store to see their gear in action, or stop by the shop, on the edge of Frontenac Provincial Park, for expert advice on what works best for your adventures.

Shop the collection of Canadian Companies Below