Has any company ever made the transition from an outdoor themed apparel company to a semi-respectable manufacturer of actual performance gear (jackets,backpacks)?

I don't have the money to start designing and producing real gear, but I think I could try my luck at T-shirts and such. I would use this money to work my way up and become a respectable company, hopefully. I don't want to become just another "outdoors" company like Hippy Tree that just makes crap for college kids.

Any good examples?