The latest news, analysis and data on key outdoor segments including trail running, climbing, b/c snowsports, cycling, kanu & kayak, camping, adventure travel, urban outdoor, hunting & fishing and more.
Strava appoints new Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer
Strava, the connected fitness subscription platform with more than 125 million athletes, has appointed two new executives: Matt Salazar as Chief Product Officer and Rob Terrell as Chief Technology Officer. Both bring extensive experience in successfully scaling global product portfolios, leading organizations through integral growth phases and cultivating high-growth communities.
Deckers creates role of President of Global Marketplace
US company Deckers Brands, owner of a portfolio of brands including Ugg, Koolaburra, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk and Ahnu brands, has promoted Marco Ellerker to the newly created role of President of Global Marketplace, effective Aug. 1, 2024.
Strong demand for travel packs should bolster Osprey sales in EMEA, APAC
Osprey parent Helen of Troy reported 5.4 percent Q4 sales growth for its Home and Outdoor segment to $223.3 million. Segment revenues were sparked by higher sales in the brick-and-mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales from its Hydro Flex business, and international growth led by strong demand for ...
Klättermusen opens first Swedish store after almost half a century
While the Swedish sustainable outdoor brand Klättermusen works with a large number of retailers worldwide, including fashion, sports and outdoor stores, and operates own stores in Asia, including one in Seoul, it did not have any own stores in Europe until the opening of its 36 Kings Road location in ...
Mips with good start into 2024 on the back of bike market recovery
For the first time, the slump in the bicycle market was no longer the main reason for the decline in sales in Mips’ Q1 2024 earnings report, as was previously the case. Not the subcategory “Bicycle,” but the subcategory “Snow” was the main driver of the 6 percent decline in ...
Olympics-bound US climber Jesse Grupper signs with Trango
Colorado-based climbing brand Trango announced a new partnership with U.S. climber and US Olympic team member Jesse Grupper.
Klättermusen opens first Swedish store after almost half a century
While the Swedish sustainable outdoor brand Klättermusen works with a large number of retailers worldwide, including fashion, sports and outdoor stores, and operates own stores in Asia, including one in Seoul, it did not have any own stores in Europe until the opening of its 36 Kings Road location in ...
New addition to Dynafit’s international marketing team
On April 1, 2024, Veronica Glaser joined mountain sports brand Dynafit, part of the Italian Oberalp Group, as Events & Internal Communications Manager.
Mips with good start into 2024 on the back of bike market recovery
For the first time, the slump in the bicycle market was no longer the main reason for the decline in sales in Mips’ Q1 2024 earnings report, as was previously the case. Not the subcategory “Bicycle,” but the subcategory “Snow” was the main driver of the 6 percent decline in ...
Strava appoints new Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer
Strava, the connected fitness subscription platform with more than 125 million athletes, has appointed two new executives: Matt Salazar as Chief Product Officer and Rob Terrell as Chief Technology Officer. Both bring extensive experience in successfully scaling global product portfolios, leading organizations through integral growth phases and cultivating high-growth communities.
Strong demand for travel packs should bolster Osprey sales in EMEA, APAC
Osprey parent Helen of Troy reported 5.4 percent Q4 sales growth for its Home and Outdoor segment to $223.3 million. Segment revenues were sparked by higher sales in the brick-and-mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales from its Hydro Flex business, and international growth led by strong demand for ...
Snowleader raises €15 million
Thomas Roualt, founder and CEO, has announced on his LinkedIn page that Snowleader has raised €15 million in a fourth round of financing in 15 years (the company turned 15 years old last year). According to Fusacq and others, half of the funds stem from equity capital and half from ...
Deckers creates role of President of Global Marketplace
US company Deckers Brands, owner of a portfolio of brands including Ugg, Koolaburra, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk and Ahnu brands, has promoted Marco Ellerker to the newly created role of President of Global Marketplace, effective Aug. 1, 2024.
New CFO at Lowa
As of April 1, 2024, Klaus Flock is the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the German outdoor footwear specialist Lowa Sportschuhe GmbH. Flock joins Managing Director Alexander Nicolai and International Sales Manager Matthias Wanner as part of the Lowa management team. The previous commercial director, Rudi Limmer, will retire ...
New addition to Dynafit’s international marketing team
On April 1, 2024, Veronica Glaser joined mountain sports brand Dynafit, part of the Italian Oberalp Group, as Events & Internal Communications Manager.
Cirql launches fully recyclable midsole made from 30% recycled TPU
US-based insole specialist OrthoLite, the company behind Cirql, a provider of sustainable material solutions for the global footwear industry, has launched a new midsole foam called Cirql rTPU30. According to Cirql, the patented innovation consists of 30 percent recycled TPU material and is manufactured through a chemical-free, supercritical foaming process. ...
Shimano value sales down double-digit in Q1
Even during the bicycle boom in the Covid years, the world’s leading bicycle component manufacturer Shimano Inc. repeatedly stepped on the brakes in its outlook for the time after the pandemic. At least the sales figures for the first quarter of 2024 show that the Japanese company was not so ...
Vista Outdoor leaves option open to sell to MNC for higher price
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Vista Outdoor, respectively Revelyst and The Kinetic Group, continues as the company officially confirmed on April 22 that it has resumed negotiations with Montréal-based MNC Capital in connection with the unsolicited expression of interest dated March 25, 2024, in which MNC indicated it was ...
Fairpoint Outdoors will soon have a new CEO
Hans Maasbøl, the former CEO of Svendsen Sport, has been chosen as the next CEO of Fairpoint Outdoors. He will replace Jens Buhl Jørgensen, the co-founder and CEO of the Danish company, who will step down at the end of May. Jørgensen will remain as a member of the Board ...
Sports fishing equipment market to accelerate at 4% CAGR by 2028
The global sports fishing equipment market is projected to grow by $3.25 billion between 2024 and 2028, namely a 3.97 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period, according to a recent report by research and advisory firm Technavio. The growth year-over-year from 2022 to 2023 was 3.25 ...
Dainese Group appoints Angel Sánchez as its new CEO
Dainese Group, the Italy-based manufacturer of protective equipment and technical gear for motorcycling, mountain biking and winter sports, has appointed Angel Sánchez as the new group’s chief executive, effective Nov. 2. Sànchez will take over from Cristiano Silei, the company’s CEO since 2015, who will transition to non-executive chairman. Sànchez ...
Northwave launches sustainably designed mountain bike shoe
Italian brand Northwave presents the Tailwhip Eco Evo, a new shoe designed using sustainable materials and focusing on circular economy and durability. Northwave calls the shoe an ecological evolution of the existing performance model Northwave Tailwhip, a flat pedal mountain bike shoe very popular with freeride and all-mountain enthusiasts.
Spanish booking platform expands from snow to sun
Vivra hopes to become for sports classes what Playtomic has become for tennis and padel – the top online bookings platform. Founded in 2022 as a booking site for ski classes, the company has expanded from winter to summer sports and put together a network of 50 partner companies operating ...
A glimpse into a neighboring industry
Stephan Brutscher from Sunlight explains why collaborations between camper manufacturers and outdoor brands are the perfect match.
Mips with good start into 2024 on the back of bike market recovery
For the first time, the slump in the bicycle market was no longer the main reason for the decline in sales in Mips’ Q1 2024 earnings report, as was previously the case. Not the subcategory “Bicycle,” but the subcategory “Snow” was the main driver of the 6 percent decline in ...
Strava appoints new Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer
Strava, the connected fitness subscription platform with more than 125 million athletes, has appointed two new executives: Matt Salazar as Chief Product Officer and Rob Terrell as Chief Technology Officer. Both bring extensive experience in successfully scaling global product portfolios, leading organizations through integral growth phases and cultivating high-growth communities.
Shimano value sales down double-digit in Q1
Even during the bicycle boom in the Covid years, the world’s leading bicycle component manufacturer Shimano Inc. repeatedly stepped on the brakes in its outlook for the time after the pandemic. At least the sales figures for the first quarter of 2024 show that the Japanese company was not so ...
Vista Outdoor leaves option open to sell to MNC for higher price
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Vista Outdoor, respectively Revelyst and The Kinetic Group, continues as the company officially confirmed on April 22 that it has resumed negotiations with Montréal-based MNC Capital in connection with the unsolicited expression of interest dated March 25, 2024, in which MNC indicated it was ...
New CFO for Kent Outdoors, secures $100m credit facility, plans sale of bike business
US group Kent Outdoors, which comprises 15 outdoor and action sports brands, including HO/Hyperlite, Connelly, Liquid Force, Onyx, Aquaglide, Barefoot/Fatsac and Bote, has appointed Rob Otto to the company’s leadership team as Chief Financial Officer.
Keen and Namuk collaborate on kids’ sandals
Oregon-based footwear brand Keen announced its collaboration on the limited edition Seacamp sandal with Swiss sustainable outdoor apparel brand Namuk. This latest limited-edition collaboration is in line with Keen’s commitment to promoting access to nature and inspiring the next generation of conservationists. 1 percent of each sale will go to ...
Solo Brands named to the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 list
Solo Brands, the parent company of Solo Stove, Chubbies, Isle, Oru Kayak and IcyBreeze, has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 list. Solo Brands was recognized as No. 2 in the Consumer Products category.
Solo Brands reports Q4 loss on impairment charge
A goodwill charge of $249 million related to its Solo Stove, Oru and Isle businesses negatively impacted Solo Brands’ Q4 results. The operating loss was $240.8 million against an operating profit of $26.8 million for the three months ended Dec. 31. The Q4 net loss was $210.9 million against a ...
Samsonite aims for dual listing
Samsonite International S.A., the parent company of Gregory, High Sierra and a number of travel luggage brands, announced that the company’s Board of Directors has authorized management to seek a listing of the company’s shares on a second leading stock exchange in addition to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Recovery in leisure, business travels boosts Samsonite
Annual profitability at Gregory parent Samsonite rose by 33 percent to $450.3 million from $338.3 million for the 12 months ended Dec. 31. The group’s FY operating profit increased by 51 percent to $743.7 million from $492.1 million as the annual gross margin expanded by 350 basis points to 59.3 ...
Slimmed down Clarus focused on outdoor, adventure
Having completed the divestiture of its former Precision Sport business on Feb. 29, Clarus Corp., the parent of Black Diamond, Rhino-Rack, Maxtrax and Tred Outdoors, says it has taken important steps to realign its brands and inventory levels and position its business for “long-term profitable growth as a pure-play, ...
Samsonite looks at options after reported takeover interest
Samsonite, the parent company of Gregory, High Sierra, Xtrem and other luggage and bag brands, is considering options, including going private after receiving a takeover offer from undisclosed bidders, Bloomberg reports, citing sources said to be familiar with the matter. Some private equity firms have reportedly analyzed a deal with ...
Strong demand for travel packs should bolster Osprey sales in EMEA, APAC
Osprey parent Helen of Troy reported 5.4 percent Q4 sales growth for its Home and Outdoor segment to $223.3 million. Segment revenues were sparked by higher sales in the brick-and-mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales from its Hydro Flex business, and international growth led by strong demand for ...
Nemo announces new and renewed partnerships
New Hampshire-based outdoor gear brand Nemo Equipment has announced its list of 2024 partners that closely align with the company values of innovation, community and sustainability. With an emphasis on access, inclusivity and conservation, the brand has renewed key partnerships and added new ones to get more folks outdoors and ...
Kith and Columbia Sportswear team up again - this time for camping gear
After an outdoor lifestyle collection in 2022 and a fishing collection in 2023, Kith is continuing its partnership with Columbia Sportswear and presents the brand new Kith for Columbia 2024 collection – this time a comprehensive range of apparel, accessories and footwear designed for outdoor camping.
Samsonite aims for dual listing
Samsonite International S.A., the parent company of Gregory, High Sierra and a number of travel luggage brands, announced that the company’s Board of Directors has authorized management to seek a listing of the company’s shares on a second leading stock exchange in addition to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Moncler exhibits at Milano Centrale during Design Week
Italian luxury outdoor brand Moncler has announced an immersive exhibition titled “An Invitation to Dream” at Milano Centrale, Milan’s main railway station. The exhibition will run from April 15 to 21 during Milan Design Week.
Polartec’s Eric Yung: Leading the charge in outdoor apparel innovation and sustainability
In this exclusive article, Polartec’s Eric Yung shares his journey within the company, his principles as a leader and his thoughts on the current strength and growth opportunities within the sporting and outdoor goods industries.
66° North appoints Strategy and Business Development Director
66° North, the Iceland-based sustainable outerwear brand, has announced the appointment of Josefine Laigaard as Strategy and Business Development Director. She will work in the brand’s new satellite head office in Copenhagen and “will play an integral role” in the company’s expansion plans,” 66° North said.
Snow Peak’s lofty FY24 goals will be chased as private company
Snow Peak, the upscale Japanese camping business, which went public a decade ago, will reportedly go private through a management-led buyout with Bain Capital as a partner in a deal valued at approximately ¥50 billion (€310m). The pending transaction was first reported several weeks ago by multiple outlets, including Mergermarket ...
Norwegian investor acquires Cake after bankruptcy
Espen Digernes, a Norwegian investor and CEO of Brages Bilforretning AS, a Toyota and Lexus dealership in Ålesund and Kristiansund, Norway, has acquired Cake, according to Swedish newspaper Breakit.
MyStromer reports sustainable growth in 2023
Despite the major hurdles that the bicycle industry had to overcome last year – overstock, liquidity bottlenecks, etc. – bicycle supplier MyStromer AG was able to score points. Without disclosing detailed sales figures, the Swiss manufacturer of the Stromer and Desiknio brands closed FY2023 with consolidated sales growth of 10 ...
Thule’s sustainability targets confirmed
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) promotes ambitious climate protection measures in the private sector by allowing companies to set science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thule Group’s targets for Net-zero have now been approved by the organization. This is an important endorsement of the company’s sustainability ambitions.
Fox Factory’s SSG sales drop weighs on the overall result for FY23
While Fox Factory’s former Powered Vehicle Division (split in Q2 2023 into the Powered Vehicle Group (PVG) and Aftermarket Applications Group (AAG)) scored with sales growth, the Specialty Sports Group (SSG), which operates the bicycle product brands Easton Cycling, Fox Suspension, Marzocchi and Race Face, ended up with a two-digit ...
Deckers creates role of President of Global Marketplace
US company Deckers Brands, owner of a portfolio of brands including Ugg, Koolaburra, Hoka, Teva, Sanuk and Ahnu brands, has promoted Marco Ellerker to the newly created role of President of Global Marketplace, effective Aug. 1, 2024.
Strong demand for travel packs should bolster Osprey sales in EMEA, APAC
Osprey parent Helen of Troy reported 5.4 percent Q4 sales growth for its Home and Outdoor segment to $223.3 million. Segment revenues were sparked by higher sales in the brick-and-mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales from its Hydro Flex business, and international growth led by strong demand for ...
Lycra launches campaign for new bio-derived Lycra fiber
US fiber and technology solutions specialist The Lycra Company launched an integrated media campaign on Earth Day (April 22) to promote the upcoming launch of bio-derived Lycra fiber made with Qira. The sustainable fiber solution will be available in early 2025 and is the result of a unique collaboration with ...
Vista Outdoor leaves option open to sell to MNC for higher price
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Vista Outdoor, respectively Revelyst and The Kinetic Group, continues as the company officially confirmed on April 22 that it has resumed negotiations with Montréal-based MNC Capital in connection with the unsolicited expression of interest dated March 25, 2024, in which MNC indicated it was ...