PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ US B Corp Wild Rye has launched its first-ever women’s outerwear collection, fulfilling a long-held brand ambition to deliver technical, stylish snow gear despite tariff and supply chain challenges
+++ Brandwave, a West Sussex-based specialist sports marketing and PR agency, has been appointed as the UK PR agency for Fjällräven
+++ Haglöfs, official partner of the Swedish Olympic Committee, has launched the Team SWE Mitten as part of its role as official supplier to Sweden’s athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina
+++ Austrian fiber producer Lenzing has introduced Tencel Lyocell-HV100, a new cellulose fiber featuring controlled staple-length variation for a natural, textured look, initially targeting premium denim and later expanding to apparel and home textiles in 2026
+++ HidrateSpark has launched its new Pro smart water bottles and tumblers – the first to integrate Apple’s Find My tracking – with personalized hydration reminders, now available in Apple Stores worldwide
+++ Scandinavian travel gear brand Db has become an official supplier of the US Ski & Snowboard Team ahead of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games
+++ Manitobah, the Indigenous-rooted Canadian footwear brand, has launched its limited-edition Crystal Series designed by Heather Dickson and announced upcoming Fall 2025 collaborations with five additional celebrated Indigenous artists to transform its classic mukluks, moccasins and winter boots into wearable works of art that showcase Indigenous creativity and storytelling
+++ Peak Performance is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Vertical Pro freeride outerwear by launching an upgraded Vertical Gore-Tex Pro series built with PFAS-free Gore-Tex Pro ePE membrane, athlete-tested for big backcountry skiing and now available online
++++ Baffin has expanded its Wedge Collection with three new women’s winter boots – Elba, Rosa and Meribal – combining cold-weather technology with fashion-forward design
+++ Bogs Footwear has upgraded its iconic Classic winter boots with seamless construction, making them up to 30% lighter and more durable, while launching new Hazel women’s boots and Skyline Kicker waterproof kids’ sneaker boots for Fall/Winter 2025
+++ Leki has launched the Cerro S, its first upgradeable entry-level Trigger S ski pole for Winter 2025-26, offering recreational skiers a lightweight, affordable pole that can be enhanced with advanced straps or Leki Trigger gloves for higher performance
+++ Garmont’s new Hexagon GTX hiking boot combines PFC-free Gore-Tex waterproofing, Vibram traction and anatomical comfort features to support demanding multi-day treks with heavy packs in alpine terrain
+++ AKU’s new Bellamont IV collection introduces three eco-conscious, European-made lifestyle shoes that blend durable comfort, transparent sourcing and reduced environmental impact for everyday wear and travel
+++ Swedish grip specialist Icebug has launched three low-carbon winter running shoes – the new Myr Bugrip, Järv Gaiter Bugrip GTX and Arcus2 Bugrip GTX in Grey – combining carbide-studded traction, cushioning and sustainability for safe, comfortable running in icy conditions
+++ Salewa has introduced the new Sella Tour 32L / 30L W ski touring backpack for Winter 2025, co-developed with athlete Arnaud Cottet to combine freeride functionality, comfort and sustainable design
+++ Deuter introduces its redesigned Walker backpack as a sustainable, flexible everyday companion for young professionals and students, featuring recycled materials, laptop protection and a detachable crossbody bag
+++ POC has launched a Robin Goomes signature-edition Coron Air helmet and Ora goggle, celebrating the 2024 Red Bull Rampage winner’s style, roots and influence in mountain biking
+++ Kuiu has launched the Mountain Pro Insulated Hunting Jacket, a waterproof, windproof and thermally adaptive outer layer designed for demanding cold-weather mountain hunts
+++ Smartwool and Icebreaker, both under the VF Corp. umbrella, have signed a four-year partnership with Alterra Mountain Company, becoming the official base- and mid-layer partners across select North American resorts, heli-skiing operators and the Ikon Pass network to promote Merino wool performance apparel on and off the mountain
+++ Rossignol Group has extended its partnership with the FIS Freeride World Tour through 2028, adding the Rossignol brand as the Official Snowboards supplier alongside Dynastar, Lange, Look and Kerma across all FWT Pro, Junior and the inaugural 2026 FIS Freeride World Championships events
+++ Gregory expands its award-winning Targhee series for Winter 2025 with redesigned, PFC-free models offering freeriders and backcountry skiers improved durability, function and sustainability through recycled materials, a 42% lower CO₂ footprint and the proven VertFlex frame system for stability, accessibility and comfort +++
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ Thule Group has appointed its 2026 AGM Nomination Committee, consisting of Patricia Hedelius (AMF Tjänstepension and AMF Fonder), Helen Fasth Gillstedt (Handelsbanken Fonder), Magnus Sjöqvist (Swedbank Robur Fonder), Carina Silberg (Alecta) and Hans Eckerström, Chair of the Board
+++ Snowboard brand ThirtyTwo has announced Brad Alband as its new Creative Director
+++ San Francisco-based tech firm Unspun has announced the appointment of Chris Blakeslee, most recently President and CEO of Athleta and then a Strategic Advisor to the company, as Unspun’s first Independent Board Member
+++ Karl Mayer Group, a global provider of solutions in textile machinery manufacturing, headquartered in Obertshausen, Germany, has appointed Lutz Wolf as the new sole CEO of Karl Mayer Holding SE & Co. KG, effective Nov. 1, 2025
+++ Aspen-based ski and outerwear brand Sport Obermeyer has strengthened its executive team with six appointments, naming new heads of operations, growth, product, sales, finance and merchandising
+++ FIS President Johan Eliasch has been appointed to the IOC’s new Commercial Partnerships and Marketing Working Group and the Coordination Commission for the French Alps 2030 Winter Games
+++ Dog sports equipment manufacturer Ruffwear has named outdoor industry entrepreneur Rob Little as its new Brand President, succeeding interim leader Will Blount, who will remain as an advisor
+++ The American Apparel & Footwear Association has promoted longtime policy leader Nate Herman to Executive Vice President, expanding his role in guiding membership and advocacy initiatives
+++ UK-based textile manufacturer Think Group has hired Harriet Adams as Development Director and Lance Bray as Key Accounts Manager
+++ Otter Products, parent of OtterBox, has appointed former Dickies and The North Face executive Dane Howell as Chief Revenue Officer
+++ Elan Group has appointed Žiga Schmidt as its new Global Director of Sales, bringing over a decade of international leadership experience in sales, marketing strategy, and business development from companies including Enghouse, Margento and Direct4.me to drive global growth for the Slovenian ski manufacturer
+++ CEP Sport’s US subsidiary CEP Running has appointed experienced run-specialty leader and former competitive runner Marc Sylvester as National Specialty Sales Manager to strengthen US retail partnerships and drive growth across its compression apparel and footwear categories +++
LEGAL & INSTITUTIONAL
+++ EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, has announced its rebranding to Recycling Europe +++
RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Goldwin will close its San Francisco flagship on Oct. 31 and open a new flagship in New York in spring 2026
+++ Absolute Run has opened a new 200‑sqm store in Braine‑l’Alleud/Waterloo, Belgium, combining running and cycling under one roof with brands like Asics, Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Saucony and Nike, FootBalance gait analysis, weekly community runs and regional event sponsorship led by entrepreneur Hugues Menschaert
+++ Active Brands Group Scandinavia has appointed Benjamin Elmgren as Field Sales Manager Nordics to support its ongoing expansion in Norway and strengthen retail partnerships across the region
+++ New Hampshire-based Orvis will reportedly shutter 36 more stores in the US – including five outlets – by early 2026, cutting about half of its remaining retail footprint amid ongoing restructuring efforts +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ The North Face and The VF Foundation are committing $1 million to the National Park Foundation to broaden youth access to parks across the US
+++ Clean Rivers has partnered with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to develop scalable waste and recycling infrastructure solutions, starting in Brazil, to combat plastic pollution in rivers and advance circular economy goals
+++ ANWR Kinderhilfe e.V. has donated €4,500 to Kita Sonnenschein in Niedernberg, Germany, to fund new construction and building materials for the children’s learning environment
+++ Keela Outdoors has been named Sustainable Brand of the Year 2025 by The Great Outdoors magazine for its continued commitment to UK-made, long-lasting gear and initiatives such as its People & Planet Fund and Legacy Project +++
CORPORATE AND M&A
+++ Park City, Utah-based public radio station KPCW reports that Vail Resorts’ new CEO Rob Katz earns a $1 million annual salary plus a $1 million bonus and $80,000 in yearly resort credits
+++ Canadian Tire has decided to retain full ownership of its financial services division, a move expected to reduce 2025 leverage and support its long-term retail strategy +++
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