DaKine is an outdoor apparel company specializing in sportswear and sports equipment for alternative sports. The name of the company comes from the Hawaiian Pidgin word "da kine" (derived from "the kind" or "the best").

Rob Kaplan began manufacturing the DaKine Leash in Haiku, Maui , Hawaii in 1979. The DaKine surf leash is designed to withstand the rigorous Hawaiian conditions and opened up previously unsurfed breaks around the world. By 1980, professional windsurfers asked Kaplan to help build footstraps for their new wave boards. The company later developed the first adjustable footstrap, seat harness and waist harness. Their creation of the coffin board bag made travel easier for athletes.

By 1986, DaKine opened its North American office, manufacturing facility, and warehouse in Hood River, Oregon. Hood River was chosen because it is strategically positioned at the base of Mount Hood where summer snowboard and ski camps are the gathering places for athletes. Later in 1989 DaKine first entered the snowboard market with snowboard accessories, snowboard bags and gear bags.

During the 1990s, DaKine entered the winter glove business with three models. DaKine also introduced the Heli Pack, which created a new category of backcountry skiing and backcountry snowboarding day packs, the minimalist technical pack. In 1999, DaKine developed the Park Pack, its first skateboard specific backpack. The Park Pack's innovation and durability proved to be a valuable combination that leads to other models such as the Mike V. and Machnau packs.

Diversifying in 2001, DaKine developed its first line of kiteboard specific harnesses & accessories. The Fusion Harness quickly became DaKine's best selling harness surpassing all other models in the line.