Archives: Press Releases

ANNECY, FRANCE (September 28, 2023) — Salomon is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Doolan as President of the Americas. In his new role, Doolan will lead the company’s Americas business from its regional headquarters in Ogden, Utah, driving strategy, operations and growth within the region and serving as a key member of the Executive Board for the brand that is the global leader in trail running and winter sports.

“Salomon’s long heritage of product advancement and commitment to serving athletes and outdoor enthusiasts is inspiring and a huge motivating factor in my joining the team at this pivotal time,” Doolan said. “I have a lifelong history of using Salomon’s game changing products, from the S/LAB Shift ski touring binding and industry-altering skis like the Teneighty on the hardgoods side to Salomon soft shell fleeces on the apparel side. Now, I’m looking forward to spending more time in Salomon footwear on the trails near my home in the Rockies.”

Currently based in Utah, Doolan joins Salomon from Hoka, where he held a variety of strategic commercial, business development, and sports marketing roles over the past five years. Most recently, he served as Vice President & General Manager of Hoka US. A passionate trail runner, hiker, and resort and backcountry skier, Doolan was born in the French Alps and lived there for a total of eight years during his childhood.

“The Americas Region represents a large opportunity and a company priority,” said Franco Fogliato, President and CEO of Salomon. “Steve’s experience, knowledge and passion for the business will be an incredible asset to our team and our company. We are looking forward to him joining the Salomon Board and accelerating our growth path in the Americas.”

Since its inception in 1947, Salomon has pioneered a litany of innovative products in the outdoor industry, and Doolan joins the brand at a key moment its 76-year history. Today, Salomon creates high-performance footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment that is used by a loyal community of followers from the high peaks of the Alps and the Rockies to urban environments around the world. Its Sportstyle footwear can even be found on fashion runways in Milan, Paris, Tokyo and beyond.

In the US, athletes like ultra-runner Courtney Dauwalter and Nordic skier Jessie Diggins have become sports icons during their time with Salomon. In 2023, Dauwalter became the first person to win the “triple crown” of 100-mile races in one season, winning the Western States 100, Hardrock 100 and UTMB® in Chamonix in a 70 day-span. Diggins has won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals on Salomon equipment and, in 2021, became the first American woman to win the Nordic World Cup overall title. In 2023, she won gold at the World Championships.

Doolan will begin his new role with Salomon on October 23^rd.

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Salomon is the modern mountain sports lifestyle brand creating innovative, premium and authentic footwear, apparel and winter sports equipment in the French Alps. At the Annecy Design Center, designers, engineers and athletes intersect to shape the future of sports and culture. At Salomon, we exist to unleash the best in people through mountain sports.

 

MORRISVILLE, Vt. – (September 27, 2023) — Turtle Fur, the leading cold-weather headwear and accessories brand for over four decades, has selected Backbone to lead its integrated public relations and affiliate marketing strategy. As Turtle Fur expands its product offerings across all seasons and weather conditions, Backbone will build national awareness and support sales for the brand.

Turtle Fur founder, Millie Merrill, designed the first fleece neck warmer in the basement of a children’s apparel store in 1982. Her innovation, affectionately dubbed The Turtle’s Neck®, freed once scarf-bound skiers from their tangled and burdensome accessories. Today, Turtle Fur is a global household name with a product line that has evolved to include hats, gloves, and balaclavas – perfect not just for skiing but running, hiking, and everyday wear.

“With Backbone’s proven success reaching the outdoor and active lifestyle consumer, we look forward to strengthening Turtle Fur’s presence in the market,” said Erika Canfield, Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce at Turtle Fur. “This partnership is especially exciting as we share a strong commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and fostering diversity in the outdoors.”

In late 2022, Turtle Fur proudly announced its B Corp™ certification, reaffirming the commitment to use its business to drive positive impacts on people and the planet.

“Many of our team members grew up wearing Turtle Fur hats and neck warmers,” said Ian Anderson, Vice President of Public Relations at Backbone. “We’re excited to collaborate with their team to help the brand grow and introduce their exceptional products to a wider audience.”

About Turtle Fur

Since 1982 Turtle Fur has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to inspire an outdoor lifestyle by promoting socially and environmentally conscious living and creating comfortable products for every adventure(r).

Turtle Fur prides itself on holding true to its pillars of adventure, community, comfort, and quality. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

 

 

 

 

DURANGO, Colo. (Sept. 27, 2023) — Visit Durango is bringing back Spoketober for its second consecutive year of celebrating Durango’s tight-knit and passionate cycling community.  The month-long calendar of events highlights the dedication and sweat equity its residents have committed to making Durango one of the top cycling destinations in the nation, featuring over 300 miles of singletrack trails and being home to numerous Olympians. The community cycling event will take place throughout Durango and La Plata County, Colo. for the entire month of October 2023.

After a successful inaugural edition in 2022, this year Spoketober aims to solidify its position as an annual cycling event that attracts locals and holds national sway, akin to Crankworx Whistler or the Sea Otter Classic. The initiative bolsters Durango’s cycling legacy and celebrates its diversity beyond the elite athletes the town is known for. Spoketober features a wide variety of inclusive cycling-centric events for all levels and disciplines, organized by local organizations, cycling teams, and retailers.

Spoketober is designed to be inclusive of all members of the cycling community and will include events such as a community group ride, a bicycle recycle and upcycle event, a costume bike parade with DEVO, a jump clinic and contest, and a chainless race on the BMX track. Additional activities to participate in throughout the month include various concerts, contests, clinics, and cycling celebrations. There will be prize giveaways, free stickers, and free posters at every Spoketober event. Local artist and cycling enthusiast Jon Bailey created the 2023 Spoketober collectible poster.

“We are amazed and elated by the local support Spoketober received since its launch in 2022,” says Rachel Welsh, PR and Communications Manager for Visit Durango. “This 2nd annual celebration is already proving to be bigger than the last, with many local organizations stepping up with new events and passionate support. Durango is one of the best places to be on a bike and the fall colors just add to the cycling magic.”

Spoketober 2023 Schedule of Events

• 4 – Anthony D’Amato performs at the Durango Hot Springs
• Oct 5 – Bike-In Movie Night featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas outside at the Durango Community Recreation Center
• 6-7 – iAM Music Festival Block Party
• 7 – Durango Fire Presents: Street Smarts, an educational event with a focus on being a safe driver, cyclist, and pedestrian
• 7 – Team Segment 28 and FLC Cycling Present: Durango Fall Blaze
• 8 – Spoketober Jump Clinic & Contest at Chapman Hill with Influencers Lain Van Ogle and Sean Kingsbury
• 12 – Segment 28 Zia Social No Drop Group Ride from Zia to the Starwars Trails
• 13-14 – Share the Love Cycle upcycle and recycle event at Buckley Park
• 14 – Solar Eclipse Viewing at the Durango Public Library
• 14 – Bike Prom Group Ride and Party at the Powerhouse Museum
• 15 – Spoketober Group Ride from FLC to Buckley Park
• 15 – Cycling Culture Celebration at Buckley Park (after the group ride)
• 18 – Bicycle Karaoke at 8th Ave Tavern
• 20 – Durango Slaydies Female Empowerment Group Ride
• 21 – Chainless Bike Race at the Durango BMX Track at Cundiff Park
• 23 – Adaptive Sports Association Community Ride
• 26 – Durango DEVO Halloween Costume Bike Parade & Party at the Powerhouse Museum
• 26 – Holy Cow Group Ride to Ska Brewing HQ
• 28 – EsoTerra Cidery Slowest Bike Race & Cycling Celebration
• 29 – Holy Cow Advanced Group Ride

* There are still several pending events and promotions for Spoketober 2023 to be announced soon.

Participating organizations include Durango Trails, the Adaptive Sports Association, Fort Lewis College Cycling Team, Team Segment 28, Bike Durango, Durango DEVO, Durango Hot Springs, iAM Music Festival, Animas City Theater, City of Durango, Durango Fire Protection District, Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works, Durango Public Library, 8th Ave Tavern, Durango Slaydies, Durango BMX, EsoTerra Cidery, VNTR Birds, and Holy Cow Racing.

Be sure to follow Spoketober @SpoketoberDurango and use the #SpoketoberDurango hashtag to keep up to date with the latest events and giveaways.

Media assets can be downloaded here.

To learn more and see the full schedule visit: SpoketoberDurango.com. Spoketober promotions will be listed on the Durango Deals page, and stay tuned to the Sweepstakes page for a chance to win a trip to Durango.

About Spoketober Durango

Spoketober Durango is an annual cycling celebration created by Visit Durango in 2022 with the mission to showcase the local community and commemorate their dedication and passion that made Durango, Colorado one of the top cycling destinations in the nation. Spoketober takes place the entire month of October and features a wide variety of cycling-centric events organized by local organizations, cycling teams, and retailers. To learn more and see the full schedule visit: SpoketoberDurango.com.

About Visit Durango

Visit Durango is an independent nonprofit organization operating with the mission to promote Durango and La Plata County’s multitude of tourism attractions, events, and services. The unbeatable combination of the iconic San Juan Mountains, art galleries, culinary fare, cultural, and historic sites make it the perfect base of operations to explore Southwest Colorado. Experience Visit Durango’s full-service visitor center at the Durango Welcome Center, located at Main Avenue and 8th Street in the heart of historic downtown Durango, or online at durango.org. Follow @visitdurango on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

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[Seattle, WA, Sept 27, 2023]— Nikwax, the international leader in technical cleaners and waterproofing products for outdoor gear and apparel, has developed a high-powered deodorizing cleaner designed to eliminate odors and help prevent their build-up in athletic and fitness clothing. Offered in a 1-liter bottle, Sports Refresh is now available in the US and Canada.

Sports Refresh supports a variety of retail channels with a product that cares for all types of active clothing and sports uniforms. Running, cycling, sporting goods, team sports, and outdoor retailers all carry a huge amount of synthetic active clothing that benefits from proper care. Additionally, the average family is wearing more performance fabric than ever. From soccer uniforms, to cycling jerseys, to leggings and other activewear, Sports Refresh helps to extend the useful life of these items by ensuring they perform their best and stay smelling fresh.

“With the rise in popularity of activewear in the outdoor industry, coupled with increased participation in high-endurance activities like running and cycling, we developed a product to support our retailers and their customers,” said Nikwax Global CEO, Brian Davidson. “Most activewear is made with synthetic fabrics designed to wick moisture away from the body. These materials benefit from regular washing in a specialty cleaner as typical household detergents and fabric softeners can inhibit the fabric’s ability to breathe and wick moisture.”

Sports Refresh:

• Effectively cleans and deodorizes activewear, gym clothes, sports uniforms.
• Enhances fabric wicking, allowing clothes to dry faster.
• Recommended for synthetic pieces that need to be washed after each use, ie. bike chamois, running shorts, sports bras, socks, leggings, etc.

About Nikwax

Founded in 1977, Nikwax is the trusted global leader in environmentally safe cleaning and waterproofing solutions that extend the performance life of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. The brand also supplies top-performing PFAS-free hydrophobic down and DWR applications for outdoor brands. Nikwax’s 45-year commitment to clean chemistry means never using PFAS or aerosols, and not testing on animals. Its product line is water-based and non-persistent, and all product bottles and lids are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that can also be recycled. Nikwax has carbon balanced all 45 years of its operations and became an employee-owned trust in 2022. For media inquiries and more information, please contact Kate Ketschek at Revolution House Media, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.

 

 

 

INDIGENOUS-ROOTED BRAND RECOGNIZED FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RELEASES DEBUT IMPACT REPORT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – September 26, 2023 – Manitobah, the Indigenous-rooted brand dedicated to growing a strong Indigenous presence in the footwear industry as well as contributing to Indigenous economic empowerment, proudly announces its certification as a B Corporation™ (B Corp™). This achievement underscores Manitobah’s steadfast commitment to operating as a positive force for good.

As one of over 7,400 businesses worldwide, Manitobah joins a global community committed to redefining business success by emphasizing social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The rigorous B Corp assessment evaluates a company’s lasting impact on employees, communities, suppliers, customers, governance, and the environment.

“Manitobah is dedicated to transparency and communicating our impact mission,” said Sean McCormick, founder and chief impact officer. “We’re thrilled to achieve B Corp certification and to share our inaugural social impact report, reflecting our unwavering commitment to our core values and social mission. We acknowledge that there is always more work to be done and remain steadfast in our commitment to setting ambitious goals.”

In 2023, Manitobah also secured Benefit Corporation status, reinforcing its dedication to making a positive impact beyond profit, a key factor contributing to its B Corp certification. Alongside this achievement, Manitobah unveiled its first Annual Impact Report for the 2023 fiscal year, highlighting its profound positive impacts within Indigenous communities through its Four Pillars: Art in Action, Education for Change, Trade for Community, and Sovereignty through Leadership.

Art in Action

Manitobah remains a platform for authentic Indigenous art, engaging with an even greater number of artisans than before. Indigenous artists are the creative force behind all our core products. In 2023, the brand established partnerships with 11 new artists from 12 nations, with future plans to expand these collaborations.

Education for Change

The Manitobah Storyboot School, established in 2013, played a vital role in preserving Indigenous traditions. In 2023, both in-person and online workshops saw 444 students graduate, a remarkable 221% increase from the year prior and accounting for 26% of all graduates to date.

Trade for Community

Through its web-based Indigenous Market, Manitobah connects Indigenous artists with a broader audience and experienced a remarkable 112% growth in sales in 2023, contributing $233,019 back to Indigenous Market artisans.

Sovereignty through Leadership

Manitobah remains committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action, providing employment opportunities to Indigenous professionals and suppliers.

Manitobah’s journey towards B Corp Certification, alongside the unveiling of its inaugural Impact Report, marks a notable step in the mission to create a positive impact within Indigenous communities and beyond. This underscores the brand’s commitment to walking together and making a difference with every step as the company advances towards a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

About Manitobah

Founded in 1997 in Winnipeg by Métis founder Sean McCormick, Manitobah embarked on a mission to build a global brand that would create positive impacts within Indigenous communities. Manitobah collaborates with Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island to craft the world’s warmest and most comfortable footwear, preserving designs used by Indigenous people for thousands of years. Blending beauty and functionality, every pair of Manitobah mukluks embodies the company’s promise—walking together, making a difference with every step. With every purchase, you too can make a meaningful difference.

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September 26, 2023 (Denver, CO and Oakland, Calif.) – Smartwool, a manufacturer of Merino wool-focused products for active living, and thredUP (NASDAQ: TDUP, LTSE: TDUP), one of the largest online resale platforms for apparel, shoes, and accessories, today announced “Second Cut™ Resale,” a program that allows customers to shop secondhand products at www.smartwool.thredup.com and resell gently-worn items on thredup.com for Smartwool shopping credit. “Second Cut™ Resale” is powered by thredUP’s Resale-as-a-Service® (RaaS®), which enables the world’s leading fashion brands and retailers to deliver customizable, scalable resale experiences to their customers.

“We are excited to launch the next phase of the Smartwool Second Cut™ Project and further our circularity efforts with thredUP. Second Cut™ Resale offers the Smartwool customer an easy way to resell their gently used clothing and shop pre-loved Smartwool® products. Through this program, we aim to provide even more value to our customers all while doing good for the planet,” says Denise Anderson, Head of Global Brand at Smartwool.

Through “Second Cut™ Resale,” customers can purchase secondhand women’s and kids’ apparel and accessories at www.smartwool.thredup.com. Customers can also earn Smartwool shopping credit for sending in gently worn items. To participate, customers can generate a prepaid shipping label at www.smartwool.thredup.com, fill any shippable box or bag with apparel, shoes, and accessories from any brand in their closet, and ship it to thredUP for free      Sellers who receive Smartwool credit for eligible items that sell in the listing window will earn an extra 15 percent bonus on their payout in the form of a gift card to be used on smartwool.com.

“Smartwool’s commitment to a more circular business model is apparent from its initial Second Cut Project the company launched two years ago, and we’re honored that they’ve chosen thredUP’s RaaS to double down on their efforts,” said James Reinhart, CEO of thredUP. “Smartwool apparel is quality-made and built to last, and it comes as no surprise that the brand performs incredibly well in the secondhand market.”

Smartwool’s resale program powered by thredUP’s RaaS is part of the brand’s broader sustainability initiatives to shift toward a more circular business model. This April, Smartwool released its first circular designed hike sock made with repurposed yarn from collected socks from the brand’s Second Cut™ sock takeback program, a year-round initiative that launched in 2021. The Second Cut™ project empowers Smartwool consumers to be a part of the solution to the apparel industry’s textile waste problem by donating their old socks – one of the most discarded pieces of apparel. Since the launch of this program, Smartwool has collected 1.07 million consumer socks, equaling around 86,503 pounds of socks diverted from landfills.

For more information, please visit www.smartwool.thredup.com. To learn more about thredUP’s RaaS, visit raas.thredup.com.

About Smartwool

Based in Denver, Colorado, Smartwool® is a sock and apparel brand whose products are designed to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool and to bring comfort, confidence, and community to a life lived outside. For information on the full range of Smartwool® products or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.Smartwool.com. Smartwool, a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, is a brand of VF Corporation.

To participate in Smartwool’s Second Cut™ takeback program, consumers can add a pre-paid, mail-in bag to their cart at checkout and send in used socks for recycling.

About thredUP

thredUP is transforming resale with technology and a mission to inspire a new generation of consumers to think secondhand first. By making it easy to buy and sell secondhand, thredUP has become one of the world’s largest online resale platforms for apparel, shoes and accessories. Sellers love thredUP because we make it easy to clean out their closets and unlock value for themselves or for the charity of their choice while doing good for the planet. Buyers love shopping value, premium and luxury brands all in one place, at up to 90% off estimated retail price. Our proprietary operating platform is the foundation for our managed marketplace and consists of distributed processing infrastructure, proprietary software and systems and data science expertise. With thredUP’s Resale-as-a-Service, some of the world’s leading brands and retailers are leveraging our platform to deliver customizable, scalable resale experiences to their customers. thredUP has processed over 172 million unique secondhand items from 55,000 brands across 100 categories. By extending the life cycle of clothing, thredUP is changing the way consumers shop and ushering in a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

 

 

 

 

 

JUPITER, Fla. (Sep. 26, 2023) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, welcomes two new lifestyle frames to its Del Mar Collection, Catherine and Kailano.  Bearing inspiration from marine habitats, the two new frames elevate the Del Mar Collection with sophisticated style, eco-friendly materials and 580 glass (580G) lens technology.

For the first time since the Del Mar Collection debuted, Costa is growing the lifestyle collection with a new men’s and women’s frame. The Del Mar Collection is designed around the colors, patterns and textures of the sea and with Costa’s higher calling in mind – craft sunglasses with the highest quality lenses and protect the waters we love. Catherine and Kailano add to the collections offering of Bio-Acetate frames, marking one more step forward in Costa’s journey to reduce its impact on the watery world. Bio-Acetate is made from 67% natural and renewable materials (vegetable-based plasticizers and responsibly sourced wood pulp from FSC forests).

A sister frame to the best-selling Sullivan, Catherine features a soft cat-eye design and is named after St. Catherine Island, home to protected salt marshes that keep the island pristine. The refined frame possesses effortless elegance and modern detailing, including a core-wire temple design pulling straight from the waves. The more masculine Kailano derives its name from a Hawaiian word for the sea. The timeless square-shaped design, water-inspired temple and keyhole bridge are at home exploring coastlines or simply taking a load off. Ready for any adventure, both Catherine and Kailano are a six-base frame with medium wrap and west-coast vibes.

“As we continue to make waves in the lifestyle category, Catherine and Kailano bring a high level of sophistication to the Del Mar Collection, but still stay true to our roots,” says Jed Larkin, Brand Marketing Director at Costa Sunglasses. “These frames are your ideal companion for life on and off the water – whether you’re enjoying a seaside sunset, sailing the coastline or grabbing happy hour at the end of the day.”

Catherine and Kailano come with Costa’s polarized, color-enhancing 580G® lens technology for superior clarity and definition. These scratch-resistant glass lenses effectively reduce haze and blur, while boosting essential colors for superior definition. In addition, the lightweight and durable Bio-Acetate frame reduces the carbon footprint of each new pair by 54% when compared with industry standard acetate.

Starting at $242, Catherine and Kailano are now available at local dealers or Costasunglasses.com. For more information about Costa’s complete collection of award-winning performance, optical and lifestyle frames, visit Costasunglasses.com.

About Costa Sunglasses

As the first manufacturer of color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lenses, Costa combines superior lens technology with unparalleled fit and durability. Costa has made the highest quality, best-performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983, and now its product portfolio includes optical frames. Costa’s growing cult-brand status ties directly to its purpose to provide high-quality products with a focus on sustainability and conservation as the company works hard to protect the waters it calls home. From the use of sustainable and water-friendly materials to its Kick Plastic initiative, #OneCoast efforts and meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, Costa encourages people to help protect the Earth’s natural resources in any way they can. Find out more on Costa’s website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @CostaSunglasses.