For many years during the second half of the 20th century, Karrimor was a world-status innovator and brand in its field of outdoor equipment. Its range covered backpacks, clothing, hiking boots, and other camping, clothing and mountaineering equipment for outdoors activities. At the time of its 2004 receivership, OutdoorsMagic.com website described Karrimor as having a "tremendous tradition", a history that included "legendary" products, and a "very strong brand name", Past owner Industrialinvest concurred, stating that the company had an "international reputation for outstanding name="investindustrial portfolio">[http://www.investindustrial.com/en/investments/karrimor InvestIndustrial's description of its investment in Karrimor </ref> and in a 1996 review of top British manufacturers, "The Independent" described Karrimor as "a leader in its... field", albeit one that it felt had (like other businesses) "failed to invest and expand".