French Connection
Vuarnet sunglasses makes a U.S. comeback with performance and style. By David Clucas Iconic French sunglass brand Vuarnet is returning to the United States. The brand gained its fame and namesake in the 1960s from French professional alpine skier Jean Vuarnet, who wore the shades and won gold at the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw […]
Meb Keflezighi Turns to ElliptiGO to Avoid The Pounding
Star marathoner talks about how he manages the aches and pains that come with aging. By Thomas J. Ryan Meb Keflezighi, probably best known for winning the 2014 Boston Marathon at the age of 38, believes his use of the ElliptiGO has played a large role in extending his elite running career. “When I first […]
Movers & Shakers – Week of April 8
Adidas signed a multiyear partnership with 2015 Major League Baseball American League Rookie of the Year, shortstop Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros. Beyonce introduced her new women’s activewear brand, Ivy Park, with a teaser video accenting different workout looks. Costa Del Mar appointed Holly Rush as CEO effective April 25. She will replace Chas […]
SGB’s Fast Five
Five sunglasses hitting the trends SGB likes for 2016. By Courtney Holden Julbo Drift Campers, mountain bikers and anglers can head straight from the backcountry to the brewery patio without changing their shades thanks to the versatile Drift, $180, from Julbo. Its wide field of vision, rubberized temples and no-slip rubberized nose piece provide coverage […]
Source Of Shades
Summer eyewear brings color to life with a nod to the environment and a touch of vintage flair. By Courtney Holden Warmer weather, longer days and more time spent out in the sun means consumers are reaching more readily for their favorite pair of shades. And they need a pair that fits a long list […]
Villanova’s Buzzer Beater Lifts Nike in NCAA Championship
While the calendar said April, “March Madness” reigned. It was a sibling rivalry of brand sponsorships in Monday’s night’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with Nike’s Villanova taking on Jordan Brand’s North Carolina. Villanova, sporting their dark blue Nike jerseys and white and dark blue sneakers, won the championship with a final-second three pointer, only seconds […]
Nike, Adidas, Under Armour Battle for Talent
For the past few weeks, we’ve noticed sports giants Nike, Adidas and Under Armor waging a bit of battle for … not products … but talent. By David Clucas, Tom Ryan and Jahla Seppanen What is probably no surprise for any company in the active lifestyle industry — good employees are hard find. As baby […]
Michael Charley, Co-Founder, Sunski
Resurrecting the iconic styles of Bond, Bullitt and bygone explorers. By Jahla Seppenan For sunglass entrepreneurs Michael Charley and Tom Stewart, the journey to building their radical-styled Sunski glasses started in … kitchenware? Michael and Tom were really trying to make a business out of being outdoors. They wracked their noggins for every potential business […]
Grand Trunk Launches Hammock Line
By Charles Lunan Domestic production could become the next differentiator in the rapidly growing, but increasingly crowded hammock business, thanks to pressure from consumers. Grand Trunk launched its OneMade collection of U.S.-made hammocks and trunk straps at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in January and Eagle Nest Outfitters (ENO) is evaluating whether to do the […]
Movers & Shakers – Week of April 1, 2016
Adidas teamed with Japanese streetwear designer, NIGO, who is notorious for his wildly outrageous art, house and DJ mixing. The partnership is a celebration of the returning Adidas Originals. Bandier, the activewear retailer specializing in boutique lines from a variety of brands and designers, collaborated with fitness trainers, Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn, who work […]
The Dark Side Of Nike
Footwear and apparel behemoth gives sunglasses a run for its money. By Jahla Seppanen Walk around any city, gym or airport and you’ll see half the people wearing Nike shoes, but close to zero wearing their sunglasses. While looking into leading eyewear brands for SGB’s Summer Eyewear feature, we got to think … how does […]
Hanging Out
Hammocks go social and sales surge with lighter models, warmer winters and a boom on college campuses. By Charles Lunan It’s hammock season, but don’t expect them to hang around too long, particularly if you’re in a college town. Sales of hammocks have grown by about half in the last three years in terms of […]
Where in the World is SGB in 2016
Find out which trade shows our team is headed to this year. In covering the active lifestyle industry —from outdoors to sports and fitness — the SGB team is lucky to be headquartered at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Louisville, CO, between Denver and Boulder. We get a great taste of the people […]
Meet Nature’s Garbage Men
A team of outdoor misfits collected 1,000 pounds of trash while hiking the Appalachian Trail. By Jahla Seppanen How much would someone have to pay you to pick up trash for five months straight? In the spring of 2015, three buddies under the blog name “Packing It Out” did it for free, thru-hiking the Appalachian […]
Goodbye Spandex – SGB Recap of IHRSA 2016
The fitness industry is changing, promoting education over product and wellness over glamour muscles. Here’s why it matters to everyone in the active lifestyle space. By Jahla Seppanen and David Clucas Most of us associate trade shows with edgy new products, but the biggest innovations at IHRSA 2016, and for the fitness industry as a […]
