Adidas Gets Energized by New Style of Urban Running
Photos Courtesy of Adidas In an invite-only run, Adidas brought together a few lucky New Yorkers to participate in the NYC Energy Run — an exclusive 5k geared at highlighting the “experience of the city.” A route was set to highlight the energetic vibe of NYC, while unexpected moments were planted along the track in […]
Process Breakdown: How Nau Recycled Down Gets to Your Jacket
Portland-based clothier Nau is one of the first brands to integrate a next-step in sustainable down production. Beginning with a sustainable vision, Nau worked closely with a number of partners over the course of several years to bring recycled down to life. In France, a vendor gathers down from reclaimed (post-consumer) down duvets and pillows, sorts it, […]
Dallas Cowboys Back as America’s Favorite Football Team
Photo courtesy of Nike and the NFL According to The Harris Poll — one of the longest running surveys measuring public opinion in the U.S. — the NFL Dallas Cowboys have returned to the number one spot as America’s favorite football team. The Cowboys rose from fourth place last year. Sharing the number two spot […]
Giving Back: Lift23 Socks Pair Performance with a Purpose
An Indiegogo-funded ski sock company goes one-for-one, serving both outdoor consumers and thousands of homeless youth in NYC. By Jahla Seppanen “I knew that solely trying to make money from socks was not enough,” said Edward Del Guercio, founder of Lift 23 performance ski/snow socks. Prior to the company’s founding in September 2014, Del Guercio […]
Smell-Proofing Your Apparel
The odor control space has gotten more heated each year. Here are three players in the running with smell-proofing technology… By Aaron H. Bible POLYGIENE Polygiene is a dominant anti-microbial technology that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Some key outdoor brands using Polygiene technology include Patagonia, La Sportiva, Eddie Bauer, POC, Dissent, Sitka and Athleta. […]
Louisville Slugger Hand-Makes World Series Bats
Louisville Slugger made specially branded 2015 World Series bats for players who will be in this year’s World Series. Both Mets and Royals players will swing with Louisville Slugger hand-made bats, including Mets’ Postseason record-setter Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson, David Wright, Michael Cuddyer, Wilmer Flores, Travis d’Arnaud, Juan Lagares and Kelly Johnson. Louisville Slugger […]
Full Insider Guide: Insoles Finding Wider Audience
Photo courtesy of Icebug More cushioning in footwear is encouraging consumers to seek variety and customization in aftermarket insoles. By Thomas J. Ryan The insoles category, continually bolstered by those enduring injuries, has been expanding smartly for years. But the minimalist craze – with its attention to barefoot-feel – worked against the supportive message insoles […]
What’s In Your Jacket? An SGB Materials Primer…
Our Fall run-down of some of the latest fabric and material technologies. While not exhaustive, and you won’t need the periodic table to get through it, our list explores and explains a few innovations retailers and consumers should be looking for this winter and next spring. By Aaron H. Bible COLUMBIA Although much has already been […]
Football Cleats Fill Need for Speed
Photo courtesy of Adidas By Thomas J. Ryan As the pace of the football game increases, speed and quickness are valued not just on the edges of the field but in the trenches as well. With new technologies and construction, football cleats are coming in lighter than ever. But a cleat also has to deliver […]
Fall Fitness Accessories to Boost Indoor Training
By Jahla Seppanen As the weather turns, many runners, cyclists, and yogis forgoe the chill and turn indoors to complete their workouts. If it makes you feel better, everyone does it. From only a year ago, treadmill purchases are up 27 percent, with Pilates hitting its stride with a 78 percent equipment purchase rise, […]
Microsoft Vies to be Your Fitness Wearable with Band 2
Microsoft announced the next iteration of its original fitness wearable – the Band – with a redesigned Band 2 set to hit retail shelves October 30. The Band 2 tracks heart rate, exercise, calorie burn and sleep quality, while providing notifications for emails, texts and calendar alerts. The Microsoft Band 2, starting at $250, also […]
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort Defies Convention
Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort (LVSSR) dumped the traditional ski school model for the second season in a row last year, offering its guests instead the chance to work one-on-one with an instructor — for free. In so doing the resort went from serving 2,200 resort visitors per season to 18,000 in one year, […]
What a strong El Niño means for your part of the country
This year’s El Niño is shaping up to be one of the strongest on record, forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center said in a recent update. What that means for U.S. ski resorts, outdoor retailers and brands this winter will depend on what region they’re selling in. The weather effect, which starts as warmer than […]
W.L. Gore Launches New Insulation Tech for Fall ’16, Updates Windstopper
By David Clucas W.L. Gore & Associates wants outdoor and fitness consumers to rely on its apparel technologies beyond just its iconic waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex. The membrane technology company announced Tuesday that it will debut new shell insulation constructions for Fall 2016 — including updates to its Windstopper product — that offer warmth, protection and breathability […]
Columbia Brings Back Gert Boyle for Largest-Ever Ad Campaign
In the largest campaign of its 77-year history, Columbia Sportswear is bringing back Gert Boyle, the brand’s chairman and 91-year-old matriarch, as well as its “Tested Tough” tagline for the first time in ten years. Boyle became famous in the 1990s after being portrayed in company ads as “One Tough Mother.” She could be seen […]
