Generous Sole Beneath Balega Socks
In 2003, the same year as the company’s founding, Balega, now a leader in run and outdoor specialty socks, founded the Lesedi Project Fund, the company’s official nonprofit charity foundation. Lesedi is a Zulu word meaning “light and enlightenment.” Balega’s entire product line is made at its South African production facility in Cape Town, utilizing […]
Find the Perfect Outdoor Sandal
Versatility continues to be the buzzword that dominates outdoor sandals. Consumers want a mix of comfort and performance, and they are gravitating toward durable styles they can wear on a variety of terrains. Just as athletic influences have crossed over into outdoor in recent years, design sensibilities rooted in everyday fashion are evident in many […]
Ortovox Mountainwear Comes to America
SGB was first exposed to the latest in Ortovox mountain apparel after Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in January in anticipation of its fall launch into the U.S., and we finally had a chance to sit down with Ortovox U.S. Brand Manager Tom Mason to gain a better understanding about what this apparel means to retailers, […]
SUP Brands Inflate with Popularity
It was in the late 1990s, when this combination of surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding began its modern renaissance as an adventure sport. Although the modern upsurge began off the shores of Hawaii and California, the practice has traceable roots dating back hundreds and maybe thousands of years. Richard Ohman, founder, Point 65, a company that […]
Brunton Expands Power-On-The-Go
Go to any networking event and one of the hot topics for retailers is going to be portable power. Both from an environmental standpoint (charging via solar or USB instead of using batteries) and the fact that we are ever-more connected in the backcountry, portable power is a growing market for good reason. Brunton is […]
Shedding Light on Compression Gear
Compression gear rides a strange duality: the highly visible arm sleeves and tights are often seen on high-profile athletes in both individual and team sports, but many people don’t know exactly what benefits compression actually provides. Even explaining compression apparel can be tricky. For many, it fits into that category between fad and magic beans, […]
USA Pro Challenge Rests and Raves at Copper Mountain
Copper welcomes the USA Pro Challenge cyclists and supporters in the only way the authentic mountain community knows how—a festival party. Copper Mountain plans to offer action and cycling-centered activities for the family to enjoy, along with free music concerts and screening of the Aspen finish line. Although cyclists won’t pedal from Stage 3 until […]
Running Apparel, a Runway Success
This year, wellness items (athletic apparel, soul cycle, green drinks) gained significantly in the race against the prescription drug industry. Estimates from the Global Wellness Summit are that while the pharmaceutical industry tops out at an estimated one trillion dollars, the wellness industry has achieved a personal best, more than tripling that number. Saucony Apparel […]
LEKI Enters Camping Market
Hikers, trekkers and skiers know the importance of strong, stable poles to get up the mountain, and a way to relax at the top. LEKI, known in the outdoor industry as the “pole experts,” put two and two together by inventing new products that use existing pole technology in a whole new way – camping […]
MSR Unveils Military-Grade Water Purifier
Seattle-based legacy outdoor brand MSR released at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market what the company is calling the world’s most advanced portable water purifier, the Guardian, $350. In 2009, the U.S. military selected MSR and its bio safety Level II water lab to create a device capable of keeping its service members safe from waterborne illnesses. Five […]
Columbia Reinvents Rainwear
For Spring 2016, Columbia Sportswear is introducing OutDry Extreme, which it touts as the biggest breakthrough in the rainwear category since Gore-Tex introduced conventional waterproof breathable construction more than 40 years ago. In an interview at its New York City showroom, Blaine Perrin, director of product marketing for Columbia, said OutDry Extreme basically brings OutDry, which […]
R.L. Winston’s Boron III Plus Catches Anglers’ Attention
R.L. Winston Rod and Co. has added a series of Plus fishing rods to its line. The “Plus” stands for heightened line speed, extra power and design features to handle monster flies, strong winds, sinking and oversized head lines and of course big catches. Serious anglers will appreciate the versatility offered in the Plus […]
Ahnu Yoga Footwear Aids the Om
Building on the strong retailer response to the upcoming launch of its YogaSport collection, Ahnu has partnered with Blake Brody, a niche maker of premium in-studio footwear, to launch its first women’s slip-resistant, on-the-mat yoga studio footwear product. Ahnu, a division of Deckers Brands, unveiled its first après yoga footwear line in 2012, and Jacqueline […]
Trail Running Contenders Duke It Out for 2016
As with so many growing categories, trail running shoes have gone through drastic evolutions since they became a major player in the industry back in the 1990s. We’ve seen them adapt from basically pared-down hiking shoes with bulky toe bumpers and stiff outsoles to a sort of running slipper with only a thin layer of […]
Red Bull Sponsors Giant Redwood Climb
Santa Cruz rock climber Chris Sharma set his sights on free climbing a new medium last week – giant redwoods in the Northern California old growth glade. In free climbing, he was protected from falls by rope and harness, but Sharma used only his feet and hands to scale a redwood in Eureka, CA. The […]
