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.
Kathmandu Holdings publishes 2021 sustainability report
In its 2021 sustainability report, Kathmandu Holdings provides insight into the CSR and sustainability progress of its three brands, Kathmandu, Oboz and Rip Curl. The group undertook its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) materiality assessment this year, conducted by specialized company Sustainability Partners. An ESG materiality assessment is the ...
Montane with new country manager and PR agency for the U.S.
British outdoor apparel brand Montane has announced a new brand initiative for the U.S. market. Effective immediately, industry veteran Mike Downing of Boulder, Colorado, will assume the role of country manager for the U.S., overseeing all wholesale, professional and direct sales for Montane’s apparel and gear collection. Downing will work ...
U.S. brand Softstar introduces zero-drop waterproof hiking boot
Renowned since the mid-1980s for its in-house designed and hand-made, minimal, leather footwear featuring the “barefoot” feel and zero-drop soles, U.S. footwear brand Softstar is now launching a hiking boot. Privileging high-quality, flexible, responsibly sourced materials that allow for free and natural movement and comfort, the Switchback boot is due ...
Keen receives award for PFC-free Detox the Planet initiative
U.S. publication Good Housekeeping has honored Portland, Oregon-based brand Keen with the Good Housekeeping 2021 Sustainability Innovation Award for its Detox the Planet initiative, launched in 2014, which aims to ensure the brand completely eliminates perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from its footwear. These so-called “eternal chemicals” ...
Program updates for Vertical Pro in Friedrichshafen
Established companies and newcomers from the indoor and outdoor climbing industry as well as rope and belay technology will form the core of the new Vertical Pro trade show on Nov. 19 and 20 in Friedrichshafen. In cooperation with the German Alpine Association (DAV), the climbing hall meeting “Halls & ...
TNF partners with SFMOMA for digital adventure archive
The North Face (TNF) has launched its new fall campaign, “It’s More Than A Jacket,” an initiative that honors the stories of adventures from the brand’s 55-year history. To capture the meaning behind each piece of gear, TNF is launching its first digital crowdsourcing archive, calling on explorers around the ...
The North Face names European members of Explore Fund Council
The North Face is setting up structures of the European branch of its Explore Fund Council, a new diversity and inclusion committee announced last year. The seven million dollar fund available is aimed to improve access to outdoor adventure and nature by promoting more equality in outdoor sports.
Rab lets athletes speak in new podcast series
British outdoor brand Rab (owned by Equip Outdoor Technologies Ltd.) has just launched its new The Mountain People podcast, a podcast series featuring alpinists from Rab’s athlete’s roster who will talk about their love for the mountains and their lives beyond their sports. The podcast is hosted by British alpinist ...
Tecnica rolls out ski boot recycling project in eight countries
After revealing its plans for an end-of-life solution for used ski boots in spring this year, the new “Recycle your boots” project by Tecnica is about to start. The circular project, launching in the Alps region this fall, aims to contribute to protecting the planet by recycling used ski boots ...
Norrøna signs Chris Davenport
Norwegian brand Norrøna has signed two-time world champion extreme skier and ski mountaineering pioneer Chris Davenport as the newest member of its mountain athletes team. Davenport is widely regarded as one of the best big-mountain skiers in the world. Among his ski mountaineering accomplishments, Davenport became the first person to ...
Intersport opens second flagship store in Salzburg
On Oct. 21, the Tscherne family’s second premium location in Salzburg, Austria, opens with a sales area of 4,000 square meters on Alpenstraße. Intersport Tscherne invested around €6 million in the store, which includes the latest in sports analysis technology. From mid-October, 50 employees will be advising customers on four ...
Revised ISPO Awards with four judging dates per year
ISPO Group has announced that it will now honor the highlight products and services of the sports industry four times a year with the latest, conceptually revised version of the ISPO Award. As usual, a jury of experts will evaluate all submissions individually according to criteria such as design, function, ...
Make the Label Count coalition aims to improve planned EU labeling directives
While the EU plans to introduce a sustainability label for clothing as part of its efforts to promote the circular economy and consumer protection, a group of experts and organizations – as part of the new Make the Label Count campaign, which was unveiled Oct. 13 – is working to ...
Craft launches Universal Health Wear collection for U.S. citizens
The U.S. subsidiary of the Swedish brand Craft is launching a new special project: selected apparel lines will be discounted by 10.7 percent for the U.S. market, which is equivalent to the percentage of income that all Swedes pay for their all-covering health care. The new line is called “Universal ...
ILO adopts first code of practice on safety and health in the supply chains
To provide a practical basis for employers, workers and governments to work together to advance occupational safety and health (OSH) prevention culture in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear manufacturing, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has worked out a code of practice on safety and health in textiles, clothing, leather ...
Lowa launches DTC web shop for EU consumers
German mountain and outdoor footwear manufacturer Lowa, part of the Italian Tecnica group, is adding a shopping function to its website www.lowa.com, which was relaunched globally in June 2020. From November 2021, customers from EU countries will be able to order a defined selection of the product range directly from ...
Polyver invests in production facilities, website and logo revision
Swedish boot brand Polyver, based in Pilgrimstad, has finished a renewal process of its online brand presentation and logo. In the new logo, a domestic brown bear replaces the former white polar bear – a move that reflects the broadening Polyver collection that is increasingly supposed to be worn all ...
PrimaLoft starts first consumer-facing campaign to make the unseen visible
Ingredient brand PrimaLoft has launched its first-ever consumer-facing image campaign under the headline “Seek the Unseen.” The new advertising spot wants to inspire users to recognize the surprising emotional moments in life that often pass unnoticed – just like the components of a garment that impact personal well-being and are ...
Public voting phase for EOCA projects starts
The online public voting for the next projects supported by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is now open. In line with EOCA’s current two-year focus, all 17 projects on the shortlist are tackling biodiversity loss in extraordinary landscapes worldwide. They were picked from nearly 250 applications that the EOCA ...
Polartec adds fabric library to Browzwear for digital 3D design solution
The Milliken & Company brand Polartec started a new partnership with Browzwear, a provider of 3D digital solutions for the apparel industry (headquartered in Singapore, with seven offices globally). Browzwear software users will now be able to design and create with Polartec’s performance fabric range. The library of 14 different ...
Global bicycle stocks Q1 2021: The soaring continues
While most of the existing problems caused by the Corona crisis have yet to be resolved, the global stock market is relying on hopes — hopes for a bright post-Corona future. Instead of going into crisis mode, it is simply bypassing all the economic killers that are piling up. Supported by further stimulus packages and the open money floodgates of central banks, the stock market remains high. Our cycling stock chartists are ahead of the curve. They rely on another serious advantage: the bicycle and e-bike sales boom pushed by Corona led to excellent business figures last year. These were announced in the first quarter of this year. Some of the record results were a good impetus for the development of the share value in Q1 2021.
MTB cycletech manufacturer Velobaze calls it quits
On March 25, partners, dealers and suppliers of Swiss MTB Cycletech producer Velobaze received the news that the manufacturer’s business operations “will be discontinued with immediate effect due to the current economic situation.” According to the Velobaze board of directors, this step had to be taken despite significant financial investment ...
MTB Tourism Congress 2021 more international and digital-only
“Roots - exploring the trail ahead” - under this title, the organizer, Mountainbike Tourismusforum Deutschland, invites participants to the sixth German Mountain Bike Tourism Congress. This year, due to the Corona pandemic, it will open its doors digitally only from May 4-6. Apart from that, the organizer promises more international ...
Mips divides product offering into five classes for better diversification
To help brands and consumers select and diversify its products, Mips, the Swedish provider of the eponymous helmet safety technology, has introduced a new product range to better define its helmet safety products and classify them according to their intended use. All future Mips-equipped helmets will be branded with the ...
Belgian investor acquires Santos Bikes shares from Think2Act
Belgian investment holding company Korys Investments acquired shares in Dutch bicycle manufacturer Santos Bikes on Oct. 19. No details were given about the number of shares or the sale price; all that is known is that Korys bought all shares that had been in the hands of previous Santos investor ...
Sea Otter Europe 2022 will be held in autumn
After the fifth edition of the bike show Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona was canceled last year due to Covid-19, this year’s event, held from Sept. 24 to 26, exceeded all optimistic forecasts. According to the organizers, 240 brands from 15 countries and around 45,000 visitors from 50 countries were ...
Intersport opens second flagship store in Salzburg
On Oct. 21, the Tscherne family’s second premium location in Salzburg, Austria, opens with a sales area of 4,000 square meters on Alpenstraße. Intersport Tscherne invested around €6 million in the store, which includes the latest in sports analysis technology. From mid-October, 50 employees will be advising customers on four ...
Revised ISPO Awards with four judging dates per year
ISPO Group has announced that it will now honor the highlight products and services of the sports industry four times a year with the latest, conceptually revised version of the ISPO Award. As usual, a jury of experts will evaluate all submissions individually according to criteria such as design, function, ...
New paddle trade show in Lyon
With the Covid-related postponement of the first Paddledays canoe show in Kassel, Germany, by one year to September 2022, a new player in the European paddling industry has stepped forward: The Paddle Sports Show in Lyon, France, now wants to replace PaddleExpo in Nuremberg, Germany, which was held for the ...
Solo Stoves re-named Solo Brands after acquisitions
U.S.-based camping stove manufacturer Solo Stove is now Solo Brands after announcing on Sept. 3 the acquisition of apparel company Chubbies Shorts, folding kayak manufacturer Oru Kayak (ISPO Brand New overall winner 2014) and ISLE, a maker of paddleboards for yoga, fishing, touring, surfing and more. The company plans to ...
Wesports makes further purchases and recruits e-com pioneer Johan Ryding to the board
WeSports’ previously reported shopping spree does not appear to be over, as the Swedish group has now reported its entry into the water sports and water leisure products market with the acquisition of Finwake, a leading water sports equipment specialist from Finland. Finwake has a strong position in Finland with ...
Global canoeing and kayaking equipment market on the rise, driven by North America
The global canoeing and kayaking equipment market is expected to grow by US$105.37 million during the 2021-2025 period, according to new market research by Technavio. This would represent a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 2 percent during the forecast period, with North America likely to generate 41 percent ...
Clarus sees Q3 sales up 66-67%
Clarus Corp., the Utah-based parent company of Black Diamond and Pieps, said it expects sales in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 to grow by 66 to 67 percent on the year-earlier to reach $107-$108 million, as it pointed to momentum across all brands.
YouGov study sees German consumers returning to winter tourism
In its recent study conducted among 2,049 participants (commissioned by German brand Schöffel), market researchers at YouGov evaluated a rising interest in winter tourism and snowsports. In mid-September, 58 percent of the consumers that are all active in wintersports said they were planning a winter holiday in the coming season.
Dometic introduces new recycled material for camping products
To offer its environmentally-conscious customers lower-impact choices, Dometic has introduced the new material Redux, a lightweight polyester, made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles with Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification. As a start, the new material will be used for the production of a new RV awning and some camping ...
Dometic acquires U.S. cooler manufacturer Igloo
Swedish company Dometic has reached an agreement to acquire Igloo, the U.S.-based manufacturer of passive coolers and drinking vessels. The acquisition is an important step in Dometic’s strategy to grow further in the outdoor industry and creates a strong base for further global growth, the company said. It will also ...
Pelican Products changes hands
Pelican Products, a U.S. manufacturer of protective cases, has been sold by New York-based Behrman Capital to another private equity firm, Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity, on undisclosed terms. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q4, 2021. In addition to outdoor equipment cases, Pelican also makes gun ...
Teva and Cotopaxi partner for capsule
U.S. outdoor brands Cotopaxi and Teva have launched a new cooperative project featuring two footwear styles and a jacket that incorporates design language from two best-selling products, the ReEmber slip-on shoe by Teva and Cotopaxi’s Teca Cálido jacket. Merging both the looks and the sustainability aspects of both companies, the ...
Clarus sees Q3 sales up 66-67%
Clarus Corp., the Utah-based parent company of Black Diamond and Pieps, said it expects sales in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 to grow by 66 to 67 percent on the year-earlier to reach $107-$108 million, as it pointed to momentum across all brands.
PrimaLoft starts first consumer-facing campaign to make the unseen visible
Ingredient brand PrimaLoft has launched its first-ever consumer-facing image campaign under the headline “Seek the Unseen.” The new advertising spot wants to inspire users to recognize the surprising emotional moments in life that often pass unnoticed – just like the components of a garment that impact personal well-being and are ...
Kathmandu Holdings publishes 2021 sustainability report
In its 2021 sustainability report, Kathmandu Holdings provides insight into the CSR and sustainability progress of its three brands, Kathmandu, Oboz and Rip Curl. The group undertook its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) materiality assessment this year, conducted by specialized company Sustainability Partners. An ESG materiality assessment is the ...
Teva and Cotopaxi partner for capsule
U.S. outdoor brands Cotopaxi and Teva have launched a new cooperative project featuring two footwear styles and a jacket that incorporates design language from two best-selling products, the ReEmber slip-on shoe by Teva and Cotopaxi’s Teca Cálido jacket. Merging both the looks and the sustainability aspects of both companies, the ...
Keen receives award for PFC-free Detox the Planet initiative
U.S. publication Good Housekeeping has honored Portland, Oregon-based brand Keen with the Good Housekeeping 2021 Sustainability Innovation Award for its Detox the Planet initiative, launched in 2014, which aims to ensure the brand completely eliminates perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from its footwear. These so-called “eternal chemicals” ...
Didriksons opens pop-up store and showroom in Paris
Swedish brand Didriksons aims to expand its business in the French retail market. For this fall/winter season, the brand has opened a combined pop-up store and order showroom in Paris’ Marais district, which will be open until Dec. 31, 2021. The store is part of the expansion strategy of the ...
Cake supports anti-poaching teams in Africa
Cake, the Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer and member of Scandinavian Outdoor Group (SOG), has successfully delivered the first batch of electric anti-poaching bush bikes to Africa. The quiet and powerful Kalk AP e-motorcycles have been delivered to rangers testing the bikes as part of the Southern African Wildlife College’s (SAWC) ...
Nicolai explores new boundaries between existing two-wheeler classes
At Eurobike, Karlheinz Nicolai, founder and CEO of German premium niche brand Nicolai, showed off the new Eboxx Ultra – “UB1” for short – which bridges the gap between pedelecs and e-motorcycles. “We want to show that there is something more below the car and above the so-called LEVs that ...
Pierer Mobility on track for 11th record year in a row
The current two-wheeler boom has led to record sales of 215,646 PTWs (= “Powered Two-Wheelers” = motorcycles and pedelecs) at Austrian Pierer Mobility AG in the first half of 2021. Compared to the first six months of the previous year, this is an increase of 73 percent. The group sold ...
German bike and mobility industry calls for sustainable mobility summit
On the occasion of the IAA Mobility show in Munich, a broad business alliance, including the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV), has called for a sustainable mobility summit to enable a significant shift from cars and trucks to climate-friendly modes of transport in Germany. “Germany needs a transport turnaround” is ...
PrimaLoft receives Derryck Draper Award for innovation
PrimaLoft® has received the Derryck Draper Award from the OWPG (Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild) for its innovative and sustainable manufacturing process. The judges highlighted PrimaLoft® P.U.R.E.™ manufacturing technology, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent during the production process.
Kathmandu Holdings publishes 2021 sustainability report
In its 2021 sustainability report, Kathmandu Holdings provides insight into the CSR and sustainability progress of its three brands, Kathmandu, Oboz and Rip Curl. The group undertook its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) materiality assessment this year, conducted by specialized company Sustainability Partners. An ESG materiality assessment is the ...
Wildberries expands to Baltics
Russia’s largest online retailer Wildberries is entering Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, but the marketplaces are only available in English and Russian. The company also announced that iOS and Android mobile applications would soon be available in the three Baltic countries. Wildberries indicated that international logistics operators deliver orders in the ...
Pelican Products changes hands
Pelican Products, a U.S. manufacturer of protective cases, has been sold by New York-based Behrman Capital to another private equity firm, Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity, on undisclosed terms. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q4, 2021. In addition to outdoor equipment cases, Pelican also makes gun ...