If you recently searched “Is Element Outdoors going out of business?” you’re not alone. It’s easy to get mixed up, especially when headlines about “Element” closing stores or filing bankruptcy start popping up in your news feed.
But here’s the quick answer: No, Element Outdoors is not shutting down. In fact, Element Outdoors and Element Skateboards are completely different companies, even though their names sound similar. This confusion led to a lot of questions online so let’s break down what’s actually happening for both Element Outdoors and Element Skateboards.
Two Different Brands: Element Outdoors vs. Element Skateboards
First, let’s clear up the main source of confusion. Element Outdoors is a hunting and outdoor gear brand. They’re known for performance apparel and equipment camouflage jackets, hunting bibs, rugged base layers, and those kinds of things.
On the other hand, Element Skateboards is a streetwear and skateboard brand. You might have seen their iconic tree logo on skate decks, hoodies, or snapbacks at action sports shops or big retailers.
People often hear just “Element” and assume it’s one sprawling company. That’s not the case. They share a name, but there’s no business connection between them.
How Is Element Outdoors Doing in 2025?
Now that we’re clear on which “Element” we’re talking about, let’s dive into where Element Outdoors stands right now.
As of 2025, Element Outdoors is humming along in the hunting and outdoor apparel space. Visit their website, follow their socials, or check reviews on hunting forums you’ll see nothing about bankruptcy, layoffs, or a company meltdown.
Their official website is active, filled with new product launches and regular blog updates. That’s not something you’d expect from a brand about to shutter. They’ve even run gear giveaways and collaborated with popular hunting influencers.
Element Outdoors continues to partner with local retailers and outfitters. The stock at outdoor stores is steady, and major distributors still list their products. From business directories to third-party retailers, it’s clear the company is operating as usual.
There’s also no sign of financial distress, at least publicly. No press releases about searching for buyers. No hush-hush “going out of business” sales. No statements from management suggesting trouble. For everyone shopping for hunting gear, it’s business as usual.
What About Element Skateboards Are They in Trouble?
This is where things get a little more complicated. The big headlines about “Element” closing stores or facing bankruptcy refer to Element Skateboards (and some related brands). Here’s how it unfolded:
Element Skateboards was part of the Boardriders group until Authentic Brands Group (ABG) bought it out. ABG then licensed out each brand for distribution and retail to other companies.
In North America, Liberated Brands held the license for Element Skateboards, along with popular surf and skate brands like Billabong, Quiksilver, RVCA, Volcom, and more. Late in 2024, ABG revoked Liberated Brands’ licenses for all those names.
After losing those licenses, Liberated Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2025. This means a judge will help manage their debts and business decisions during a restructuring or wind-down.
Why Did Authentic Brands Group Revoke the Licenses?
Authentic Brands Group is a major player when it comes to brand ownership think of them as a mega landlord for names like Billabong, DC Shoes, and, yes, Element Skateboards. They typically own the brand name, but let other companies, like Liberated Brands, run the retail and wholesale businesses.
Late in 2024, ABG pulled the plug on Liberated Brands’ licenses to run all physical and online stores for multiple brands, Element included. The reason wasn’t spelled out in detail, but it usually comes down to missed payments, business strategy changes, or sales underperformance.
After the revocation in December 2024, Element Skateboards’ parent company (through Liberated Brands) couldn’t legally operate the brand, rush-order inventory, or manage online stores in North America. Similar moves happened with Billabong, Quiksilver, RVCA, DC Shoes, Roxy, and Volcom.
ABG, though, still owns the names. They have announced plans to find new partners sometimes called “licensees” to take over everything from manufacturing to online sales, keeping the brands alive for the long term.
What Happened to Physical Stores and Online Shopping?
With licenses lost, Liberated Brands had little choice but to liquidate their inventory. They’re now closing or selling off more than 100 stores in the U.S. that used to house Billabong, Quiksilver, Volcom, and Element Skateboards gear. Their e-commerce shops also started heavy discounts and shut down regular updates.
Most of these U.S. retail locations are closing for good by April 2025, though a few about nine, all in Hawaii could stay open longer thanks to their local popularity and unique market.
From a customer’s perspective, you may have noticed deep online discounts or “everything must go” sales. These were just Liberated Brands offloading inventory, not a total end to Element Skateboards as a brand.
Again, this shakeup is all about Element Skateboards, not Element Outdoors. There’s no sign that hunting or outdoor retail partners were impacted. No stores selling camouflage jackets or waders from Element Outdoors closed, and their online shop shows normal operations.
Are Element Outdoors and Element Skateboards Connected at All?
Short answer: No way. There’s no business relationship, no parent company overlap, and no combined licensing deals.
Element Outdoors operates entirely separately. It’s focused strictly on performance hunting and outdoor lifestyle clothing. Think duck blinds and deer stands not skate parks or streetwear.
All of the confusion comes from the name “Element.” If you shop at outdoor retailers, you’re seeing Element Outdoors. If you’re at a skate shop, you’re probably seeing Element Skateboards gear.
So, while Element Skateboards is dealing with new licensees and some retail downtime, Element Outdoors’ shelves and digital carts look just fine.
So Will Element Skateboards Survive?
Even though Element Skateboards’ U.S. retail and wholesale operations hit a rough patch, the brand isn’t vanishing. Authentic Brands Group is actively seeking fresh licensees to pick up the work Liberated Brands was doing.
That means Element decks, tees, and accessories will make their way into stores and online again just under new management. Skate fans won’t see the name disappear, though some stores may have slower restocks in 2025.
This is also true for Billabong, Quiksilver, Volcom, and the rest under ABG’s roof. It’ll be a transition year, but the brands themselves are sticking around.
If you want a broader look at what’s happening with business transitions and retail restructuring, you might enjoy reading industry insights over at United Business Mag.
Recap: Element Outdoors Stays Strong, and Element Skateboards Gets a New Path
Let’s bring this all together and keep it simple. Despite all the mix-ups floating around, Element Outdoors is not leaving the market. Their hunting jackets and gear are still in stores online and physical without any of that “everything must go” anxiety.
The company isn’t owned by Boardriders, Authentic Brands Group, or any surf/skate parent group. It’s a totally separate team, serving a different set of customers. No indicators public, retail, or behind-the-scenes suggest Element Outdoors faces any instability right now.
If you came here worried that your favorite camo bibs or hunting pants would disappear, you can relax. You’ll keep seeing Element Outdoors on shelves and in your online cart this year and beyond.
As for Element Skateboards, it’s true the original North American retail and wholesale licensee (Liberated Brands) is winding down. But the brand’s owners (ABG) are making sure Element Skateboards gear will keep rolling into new stores soon.
So, if you’re a skater or just like their style, expect a handoff to new retailers or distributors sometime after spring 2025.
If you want to keep tabs on who picks up the Element Skateboards license or when certain stores restock, it’ll pay to check the company’s socials and ABG press releases for the next wave of updates.
For now, shoppers and fans of Element Outdoors can keep packing for their next trip no shutdown in sight. And for the skate-obsessed, patience will pay off as operations transition. The “Element” name will stick around, just in slightly different forms depending on which one you’re looking for.
