Outdoor Industry Association to Congress: Don’t Sell Off Our Public Lands

Boulder, CO (May 8, 2025) – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) strongly urges Congress to oppose provisions added in the House Natural Resource Committee budget reconciliation package by Representatives Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) and Celeste Maloy (R-UT-2), which mandate the sale of public lands in Utah and Nevada. This proposal bypasses established public land management processes, fails to reinvest in conservation or recreation, and jeopardizes public access and outdoor recreation opportunities for local communities and visitors. 

We urge policymakers to work through existing authorities that ensure transparent decision-making, public engagement, and the protection of our shared resources. Proposals of this magnitude warrant serious deliberation and stakeholder engagement, not last-minute amendments.  

The May 7 launch of the bipartisan Congressional Public Lands Caucus underscores the importance of consensus-based approaches to land management that reflect the values of other enthusiasts, local communities, and the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy. We call on Members of Congress to uphold these values by rejecting legislative efforts to privatize public lands.  

OIA remains committed to working with policymakers, businesses, and advocates to ensure that our public lands remain open, accessible, and responsibly managed for the benefit of current and future generations.  

About Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.

 

 

GREGORY + FINISTERRE: FOR THE LONG HAUL A Summer Bag Range Built for Everyday Adventures

Following the success of their first collaboration in 2024, sustainability-focused outdoor brand Finisterre and Gregory, the US label known for the supreme carrying comfort of its backpacks, have reunited for a new collection built for life in constant motion.

The 2025 drop introduces a three-piece summer bag range – duffel, waist pack and sling pack — a versatile, detail-rich capsule made for the journeys taken every day, and the wild ones we dream about.

The trio of packs, which launch May 6, are designed to move with you — through airports, across beaches, down trails and city streets. Each piece is crafted with precision and honors Gregory’s decades of ergonomic expertise, and a sustainability-first mindset that stays true to Finisterre’s ocean roots.

Made using low-impact materials and built to endure, this is gear that treads lighter so future generations can continue to explore the wild places we love.

The collection includes:

The Duffle – $200: A go-to for surf trips, road adventures, and escapes to the edges of the map. Spacious and built to last, it’s designed with surf in mind — rugged on the outside and intelligently organised on the inside. The Duffle lives by the door, always ready to go.

The Waist Pack – $50: For days that unfold without a plan. Small but mighty, this 24/7 grab-and-go keeps your essentials close, whether you’re on a dawn surf check, an afternoon hike, or heading from the train straight into a meeting.

The Sling – $70: Minimal, intuitive, endlessly functional. Perfect for those fast and on-the-fly missions

— bike rides, market runs, trails to somewhere new. Worn across the body or over the shoulder, it keeps pace with life’s fast lane.

Driving this collaboration is Gregory’s belief that a great pack should be worn and not carried – an ethos that leads all Gregory products to feel like an extension of the human body. Combined with Finisterre’s design perspective and coastal way of thinking, the result is a premium bag range that serves a purpose and feels good to carry.

The GREGORY + FINISTERRE collection launches on May 6, 2025.

Prices range from $50 to $200 and will be available exclusively at finisterre.com and in select stores. Finisterre + Gregory Product and Lifestyle imagery are available HERE.

Finisterre + Gregory media kit is HERE.

ABOUT FINISTERRE

Born from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre makes enduring outdoor wear for an inspired life in and around the sea. It started in 2003 with an innovative fleece that was designed to keep out chill winds and warm up cold bodies. Since these early days, driven by those who have jumped onboard, the brand and product has widened beyond these original beginnings. Yet from their cliff top workshop in Cornwall, they stay true to their original design ethos of functionality and sustainability brought to life in an understated style and identity.

Website: finisterre.com

ABOUT GREGORY MOUNTAIN PRODUCTS

For nearly 50 years, Gregory Mountain Products has been a global leader in expedition, backpacking, daypacks, lifestyle, travel, and camping gear. World renowned for fit, durability, performance, and accessibility, Gregory has won countless awards and recognition from media outlets such as Outside Magazine, National Geographic, Popular Science, Men’s Journal, New York Times, and many others.

Gregory is a product driven company that continues to lead the way in innovative, and experience-enhancing outdoor gear that helps more people experience the benefits of the great outdoors in style and comfort.

Website: gregorypacks.com

 

Cascade Designs partners with new sales agency in New England — Mindful Outdoor Sales

SEATTLE (May 5, 2025) – Cascade Designs, parent company of iconic outdoor brands including Therm-a-Rest, MSR, Platypus, SealLine, and PackTowl, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mindful Outdoor Sales. Founded in 2022, Mindful Outdoor Sales is a dynamic agency made up of outdoor enthusiasts with a deep passion for the industry.

Mindful Outdoor Sales will assume responsibility for the six-state region of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The agency will be succeeding longtime rep Chris Lathrop, who is retiring after a three-decade long career in the outdoor industry.

“Cascade Designs owes Chris Lathrop a huge debt. Chris built Cascade Designs into the category leader it is today,” said David Fee, Vice President of Sales at Cascade Designs. “Over our time working together, Chris not only delivered impressive sales growth, but provided critical feedback on our product strategy, marketing and sales programs, and more. We wish him a well-earned retirement!”

Mindful Outdoor Sales is an emerging leader in the New England outdoor retail landscape. Their team was frequently cited by partners as the go-to agency in the region. The team consists of three experienced agents, with Patrick Manzer and Dustin Marshall serving as the main contacts for Cascade Designs moving forward.

“The Cascade Design team is extremely excited to partner with the Mindful Outdoor Sales team,” said Jaime Buyagawan, Cascade Designs North America Sales Manager. “Patrick and Dustin are the ideal team to take over the territory that Chris built—they have deep experience in outdoor specialty, a strong brand portfolio, and a ton of energy.”

For additional information about Cascade Designs, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

About Cascade Designs, Inc.®

For over 50 years, Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, and PackTowl®, have led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful, and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of its products in market at its Reno, Nev., U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities, and with offices in Seattle, Wash. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit www.cascadedesigns.com.

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TrainingPeaks Named Official Training Platform for Five Life Time Athletic Events, Including Iconic Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run

Louisville, Colo. (April 23, 2025) – TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, has been named the official training platform for five Life Time endurance events, including the legendary Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva. Additional events include the Life Time Rad Dirt Fest and Life Time Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, along with the Life Time Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva and the Life Time Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva running events.

Life Time’s Leadville Race Series running events, highlighted by the historic Leadville Trail 100 Run, are held at elevations above 10,000 feet and rank among the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. Every year, athletes battle steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and the relentless clock to achieve a coveted finish. TrainingPeaks enables athletes to train for events with the support of a calculated, data-driven strategy.

“The Leadville Trail 100 Run isn’t just a race,” said Dirk Friel, Co-Founder of TrainingPeaks. “It’s an endurance challenge where only the best-prepared athletes succeed. You can’t just show up and hope for the best. You need a coach to create a specific training plan to handle the altitude, terrain, and sheer mental and physical demands of the event. That’s exactly what TrainingPeaks provides — proven training solutions for athletes and coaches designed to take on Leadville and beyond. We’re honored to be joining the Leadville family and are excited to support athletes across these renowned Life Time events.”

Athletes and coaches can utilize TrainingPeaks’ comprehensive planning and analysis tools to track their progress, optimize their training, and make informed decisions leading up to race day. TrainingPeaks enhances the training experience for athletes of all levels by offering seamless integration with a variety of coaching services, including Boundless Coaching, which provides personalized training plans and one-on-one coaching for the Leadville Race Series run events.

As the official training platform for The Rad and Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, TrainingPeaks can support riders as they navigate the rugged terrain, variable conditions, and steep climbs. The TrainingPeaks team will be on-site at select Life Time running and cycling events offering fun activations for participants and spectators.

Life Time Athletic Events attract tens of thousands of endurance athletes annually, drawn by the challenge, camaraderie, community spirit and unparalleled experiences. Founded in 1983 to reinvigorate the town of Leadville, Colorado, the Leadville Race Series has grown into a global symbol of endurance and resilience for athletes of all levels.

For more information and event registration, visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run and Athletic Events | Life Time.


About TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks creates endurance training apps and solutions that help athletes and coaches reach their goals. Featuring the world’s largest endurance training marketplace, athletes can find personalized training plans, accredited coaches and easy-to-use apps and integrations to track their progress and reach their goals. TrainingPeaks is trusted by runners, cyclists, and triathletes around the world including Tour de France teams, IRONMAN® World Champions and Olympians. Learn more at trainingpeaks.com .

Design Meets Unmatched Comfort in Shibumi’s Latest Beach Essential

RALEIGH, N.C., April 17, 2025—Shibumi the brand behind the world’s most innovative, wind-powered beach shade is leveling up the art of lounging with its first ever beach chair. Designed for effortless comfort and portability, this marks a natural evolution for Shibumi, whose shades have been redefining beach days for years. The comfort-first design invites beachgoers to sit back, sink in and lounge harder.

Founded in 2016 by two brothers and their childhood friend, Shibumi’s signature teal and blue fabrics dominate North and South Carolina beaches. With plans to expand to coastlines internationally, the brand recently announced new colorways for its beach shade and now, a beach chair that brings innovative design, comfort, and durability to the world of beach gear.

“Our team set out to solve the biggest frustrations with traditional beach chairs—uncomfortable design, subpar materials, and difficult portability. With the Shibumi Chair, we’ve reimagined every detail to create a chair that’s not only more comfortable but also more durable than anything on the market. From the breathable DreamWave™ fabric to the marine-grade aluminum NapCurve™ frame, we designed this chair to last season after season while making every beach day more relaxing,” said Scott Barnes, Shibumi Co-Founder.

More features of the Shibumi Chair:

  • Four Recline Positions: Enjoy customizable comfort with four recline settings, perfect for lounging, reading, or taking a nap.
  • Padded Backpack Straps: For easy portability, the chair features padded backpack straps, making it convenient to carry to and from the beach.
  • Two Accessory Ports: Keep drinks and essentials close at hand with two accessory ports for added convenience.
  • Marine-Grade Anti-Rust Frame: Built to withstand the elements, the chair’s frame is made from anti-rust, marine-grade materials, ensuring long-lasting durability.
  • Weight Capacity: The chair supports up to 300 pounds, providing a stable and secure seating solution.

The Shibumi Chair is available now for purchase on the Shibumi website and at select retail locations.

About Shibumi

Founded in 2016 by two brothers and their best friend in North Carolina, Shibumi has redefined shade with its lightweight, wind-powered, easy-to-use designs. What started as a solution to improve the founders’ own beach experience has grown into a global sensation, with Shibumi Shades found on over 800 beaches worldwide. In 2025, Shibumi continues to innovate with its first-ever colorway collection, bringing style, sun protection, and relaxation to every beach setup. For more information, visit shibumishade.com or follow @ShibumiShade on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.