Archives: Press Releases

ANNECY, FRANCE (September 7, 2023)—Salomon, the global leader in winter sports equipment, has unveiled the results of its winter sports product life-cycle assessments (LCA) that were conducted across the company’s ski and snowboard product range. The goal of the study, which began in 2019, was to understand the environmental impact of Salomon’s entire product offering through a science-based approach. The brand has published the results as a reference for the snow sports industry to further the development of sustainable products.

Three years ago, Salomon became the first winter sports company to commit to a Science Based Target (SBT) that is approved by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI), which defines and promotes best practice in emissions and net-zero targets in line with climate science. The Salomon Winter Sports department created a carbon reduction target that is scientifically aligned with the Paris Agreement and the global objective of not exceeding 1.5°C global warming. To date, Salomon is the only winter sports company to meet this standard.

Conducting the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of its products allowed the teams inside the 76-year-old French Alps ski and outdoor company to know the environmental impact of each step in the product creation process, from the sourcing of materials all the way to the product end of life management. The LCA work is directly informing the global climate strategy of Salomon with science-based data. See accompanying article for charts of LCAs on specific winter sports products.

Salomon has published these learnings as a resource for creating innovative change throughout the snow sports industry.

“By measuring the impact of our products and sharing our findings, we want to contribute to the transformation of our industry,” says Xavier Le Guen, VP of Salomon Winter Sports Equipment. “One year after our Science Based Target was approved, we are validating our efforts with this life-cycle assessment study and evolving our internal systems to allow our product teams to measure and communicate on the CO2 impact of our products. The goal is to develop a methodology for calculating the environmental impact of all winter sports equipment. This could be the foundation of a future product environmental performance labeling system.”

To better amplify its findings, Salomon winter sports has communicated with its network of industry partners, including fellow snow sports equipment manufacturers, resorts, and various ski industry associations such as Snowsports Industry of America (SIA), Protect Our Winters (POW), Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), European Outdoor Group (EOG), Outdoor Sports Valley (OSV) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU).

The LCA work has already made a tangible impact within Salomon, even before the findings were opened and shared to the industry. With in-house sustainability experts, the company’s winter sports product development teams have altered product design to integrate recycled materials and find new ways to create products by using less materials. The MTN ski touring range of skis and boots were completely re-designed using the findings of the LCAs to include recycled and bio-based materials in the construction. Salomon’s “Trash is Gold” project showcased teams implementing production waste materials into ski sidewalls, specifically in the Addikt Pro.

Most snowboard and snowboard boot models now feature a 360 eco design approach that uses recycled and bio-based materials as well as plastic-free packaging. The Nordic ski R&D team incorporated recycled plastic bottle material in the S-Core 45—which is used in several ski models—and also created the Stringer Core which uses less materials without sacrificing performance or durability.

Since 2021, Salomon has also offset the travel of its international athlete team, including its winter sports athletes competing on various World Cup circuits across Nordic and Alpine disciplines.

“We have taken concrete action for climate change and now we are developing a methodology that will allow us, and the industry, to communicate on CO2 impact,” Le Guen says. “Establishing our LCAs is helping us progress toward our Science Based Target and by sharing them, we hope it can help the industry overall so that we are all skiing for generations to come.”

This LCA work done by Salomon’s product sustainability team is an integral step in the company’s Change our Tomorrow 2030 strategy and overall goal of reducing its absolute carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline). This commitment is part of the company’s historic 2018 signing of the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (UNFICCA) and the SIA Climate Pact it signed in 2021. Salomon has also set a 100% product environmental impact transparency goal, which means displaying the environmental scores of all products by 2025.

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About Salomon: Born in Annecy, French Alps in 1947,
Salomon creates premium footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment
that is superior in function, radical in design and obsessive in style. At the Annecy Design Center, engineers, designers and athletes collaborate
to write the future of sports by creating products that transform outdoor sports experiences and enable a deeper connection with nature, allowing people to unleash the best version of themselves so that they might positively impact the world.

 

 

Bozeman, Mont. (Sept. 6)  — Storied custom framebuilders Sklar Bikes are releasing their first production model, the SuperSomething, an  ‘all road’ gravel bike frameset. Built using nearly 10-years of custom framebuilding learnings, the SuperSomething is an epitome of Sklar’s design philosophy, balancing unbeatable function with distinctive form.

Sklar Bikes has always been known for its high-end, custom offerings. With the launch of the SuperSomething, the aim is to bring the unique blend of Sklar’s high-end bike design and craftsmanship to a broader audience via a production run.

As for the bike itself, the SuperSomething is ready for anything. The incredibly versatile platform is here to handle all of your variable road and terrain needs and is designed to grow and change along with your riding style. Made out of the finest double-butted, heat-treated chromoly steel, the “base setting” for the SuperSomething is 700x42c gravel tires paired with a 70mm  stem and drop bar.

Sklar likes to think of the Sumper Something as falling about 40% along the spectrum from a fat tire road bike to a mountain bike – meaning all kinds of builds are possible, from coaster brake cruisers to Tour Divide racers. The frameset features clearance for up to 700x55c (or 27.5×2.1) tires for those who like the chunky stuff, and of course if long pavement rides are in your future you can throw a 142x12mm rear, 100x12mm front compatible road wheelset on too.

Adam Sklar, the brand’s founder,  got his start building bikes out of Bozeman in 2014. For the past ten years, he built every Sklar bike by hand, working with customers through a lengthy custom process to provide an intimately custom bicycle built with the finest materials and craftsmanship. Through talking to hundreds of customers about their wants and needs on the bike, Sklar believes that a better product can be delivered to more people through highly-designed production bicycles.

“We are so excited to have these framesets available again,” says Adam Sklar. “ The feedback from SuperSomething riders has been overwhelmingly positive and we can’t wait to get more fun bikes out to more people.”

The SuperSomething is manufactured in Taiwan, is available in sizes 48-60cm, and customers can choose an Ocean Blue or Honey Dijon finish. Pre-ordered bikes are now shipping, and limited inventory remains for new purchases through sklarbikes.com.

Sklar Bikes SuperSomething Frameset Specs

• Frame & fork material: double-butted, heat-treated chromoly Steel
• 142x12mm rear, 100x12mm front spacing
• 2mm seatpost
• 160mm post mount or flat mount rear, ISO front brake mount on steel fork.
• Frame is also compatible with tapered carbon forks (not included)
• Clearance for 700x55c or 27.5x 2.1” tires
• 3 bottle cages, one under the downtube
• 68mm BSA bottom bracket shell
• Compatible with EC34mm/44mm headset, 1-1/8” steerer steel fork
• Clearance for up to a 44T single chainring
• External cable routing
• Rocker dropouts for adjustable chainstay length or single speed
• If you want to run flat mount brakes just get the flat mount rocker from Paragon Machine Works and run the Enve adventure fork

 

Sklar Bikes SuperSomething Geometry Chart

[Kittery, ME, September 6, 2023] — Just in time for fall, Good To-Go—the award-winning dehydrated gourmet meal brand led by acclaimed Chef Jennifer Scism—has introduced yet another savory breakfast, the Ranchero Scramble. Chef Jennifer’s ranchero recipe is an aromatic Mexican sauce made with tomatoes, onions, chilis and spices. Paired with real scrambled eggs, black beans and cilantro, Good To-Go’s Ranchero Scramble can be enjoyed wherever your adventures take you.

Following the release of its Breakfast Hash this past Spring, the Ranchero Scramble is now available at retailers and on Good To-Go’s site. The new meal comes in a generous single serving for $11.50 with 15g of protein and 330 calories. The included dried plantains, added after rehydrating, give this delicious breakfast a nice crunch. The Ranchero Scramble is one hearty meal that will get you moving in the right direction.

About Good To-Go.

The brand was founded by Jennifer Scism in 2014 with a mission to elevate expectations of what trail food can taste like. Scism was an award-winning chef and long-time co-owner of Annisa, a Michelin-rated restaurant in New York’s Greenwich Village. Her career has long been focused on the importance of good food. She has cooked at NY Times 4-Star rated restaurants, traveled to over 20 countries studying regional foods, and along with her team from Annisa, beat Mario Batali on the TV Food Network’s Iron Chef program. It’s safe to say she knows good food. The brand has won multiple awards including three Backpacker Editors’ Choice, Backpacking Light’s Members Choice, and was named to Saveur Magazine’s The Saveur 100 list of favorite foods, people, places and things. Today, Good To-Go is sold in over 700 stores nationwide and in Canada. More info can be found at www.goodto-go.com. For media inquiries, please contact Kate Ketschek, kate@revolutionhousemedia.com.

 

Red Wing, Minn. – Vasque Footwear, with nearly 60 years of experience delivering functional, durable footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts, is pleased to announce the launch of its new Re:connect Collection. The new facet of the brand, complementing its core hiking line, is rooted in the simple belief that you don’t need to travel far to change your perspective; by simply stepping outside, we can change how we feel on the inside – when we disconnect, we reconnect with ourselves, each other, and our full potential.

Vasque’s Re:connect Collection takes a step in a whole new direction. As Vasque’s most versatile design to date, Re:connect is launching with the Here, featuring lightweight, sustainable materials that maximize comfort and provide a reinvigorating experience with every step. Designed, developed, and tested for anywhere but inside – these shoes are best when taken outside.

“We’ve been making high quality hiking footwear for almost 60 years. We are experts in fit and finish, and the opportunity to take our expertise in traditional hiking product and apply that to a new category was an exciting challenge for the brand and the product creation team,” said Amy Peck, Director of Product Creation for Vasque.

“We identified a new space for our brand – addressing what we call the ‘Everyday Outdoor’ consumer, someone who desires a shoe that can take them from town to trail, and we are excited to introduce them to the Vasque brand with our new Re:connect collection. This collection is the beginning of our product advancements into lighter, more athletic aesthetics, which is a fast-growing trend in the marketplace,” said Peck.

The Here product is a shoe that grounds you in the present moment. Designed to breathe with a recycled polyester upper mesh and built on an anatomical last, the Here wraps around the foot to provide a fit that allows you to move. A shoe design for everyday; whether that’s urban trekking or an after work hike. The Here is designed with aggressive Xlite outsole lugs for enhanced micro multi-directional traction so you can easily go from road to trail.

“As we approach 60 years of making purpose-built footwear for the outdoors, we are thrilled to launch a new category that blurs the line between outdoor performance and outdoor lifestyle,” said Bryce Wernsman, president at Vasque. “The Re:Connect HERE product represents our approach to making shoes for people who want an ultra-comfortable, high-performing light-hiking shoe that can be worn from town-to-trail and back.  We believe this new line is the perfect compliment to our growing offering of modern, innovative hiking boots and shoes and is sure to attract new consumers to our brand.  The future of Vasque is bright, and our product pipeline has never been better.”

Here Low – MSRP $130
Women’s Weight – 1lb 3oz
Men’s Weight – 1lb 8oz

Here Mid – MSRP $150
Women’s Weight – 1lb 4oz
Men’s Weight – 1lb 9oz

Re:connect Here Details

• 100% Recycled Polyester Mesh Upper with Liner
• 85% Recycled Polyester Webbing + Lace
• 60% Recycled Content Heel Counter
• High Rebound EVA + 20% Sugarcane Midsole
• Bloom EVA Footbed
• Vasque R2T Outsole
• Built on Ascent Last
• Available in Men’s 7-12, 13, 14 and Women’s 6-11

About Vasque: Vasque Footwear has delivered functional, durable footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts since 1964. We believe that you don’t have to go far to change your perspective. By simply stepping outside we can change how we feel on the inside. When we disconnect, we reconnect. Vasque Footwear – Trail Footwear Since 1964. Visit us at Vasque.com

Bainbridge Island, WA – September 6, 2023 – Ignik, the leading innovator in adventure-ready outdoor heating products, takes its Battery Powered Heat lineup to the next level with the new Topside Heated Blanket and Flipside Heated Bed Cover. The Topside and Flipside provide portable, customizable warmth and offer the safest DC-powered heat ever brought to the outdoor market.

“After years of research and development, we’ve evolved our original Battery Powered Heat sleep line to create the next generation of products for a more sustainable and comfortable night’s sleep outdoors,” says Ignik’s Marketing and Product Development Director Peter Pontano. “We worked with top engineers and manufacturers in the home heated blanket industry to bring outdoor enthusiasts two new portable solutions that are built with a more advanced heating technology and control architecture than most home heated blankets.”

Both Topside and Flipside feature a brand-new, Smart Controller that has been specifically designed for sleeping so users have more adjustability with advanced safety features. The controller remembers the last setting used and is built with an adjustable timed shut-off from one hour up to 10 hours, so users can conserve battery life and control the amount of heat that’s needed for a certain period of time. Topside and Flipside can run for a full 10 hours on their highest setting, with the controller working much like an at-home thermostat, letting the user control the duration and intensity of the heat. Both products and the controller include multiple internal thermostats and sensors that control power output and have designated auto shut-off features to prevent overheating.

The Topside Heated Blanket is constructed with 100% recycled materials, with the outer layer made with a water-resistant rPET 30D micro-ripstop and the inner layer made with a plush, non-slip micro-suede fabric. This micro-suede fabric is designed to provide comfort and keep the blanket in place while sleeping. This fabric is also built into the blanket’s edges to increase its strength and durability. Topside is built for one person to use and is equipped with an advanced full body heating element that puts out 48W of heat, providing even more surface heat than its competitors, with concentrated power at the upper core and feet where heat is needed most. The blanket is powered by a 12V battery power station (not included) or an included 12V vehicle adapter. Topside easily compresses down into the included stuff sack, making it easy to pack and transport. The blanket is 52 x 72 inches and is available in three colorways: Blue, Arctic Camo, and MTN Collection.

The Flipside Heated Bed Cover is a luxurious sleep accessory and works as an additional layer to an outdoor sleep system. Because heat rises, Flipside is designed to heat from bottom up and can be used on top of a camp mattress, sleeping pad, or inside rooftop tents and RVs. Flipside is constructed with the same 100% recycled non-slip micro-suede fabric as Topside on both sides for comfort and stability. Snaps on the side of the cover allow for connecting multiple Flipsides together when sharing a mattress or when more surface heat is needed. Flipside is identical on both sides so the controller can be accessed from either side, depending on the sleeping scenario. Like the Topside, Flipside is built with a full body heating element that puts out 48W of heat, providing powerful surface heat with concentrated elements at the upper core and feet. The cover is powered by 12V battery power stations (not included) or an included 12V vehicle adapter.

“An average adult generates around 75W of body heat and Topside and Flipside essentially add 50% more heat to your sleep setup,” adds Pontano. “Not only that, but our heat element covers the entire length of the product, not just a couple warm areas. More importantly, Topside and Flipside are designed with industry-leading safety features specifically for the outdoors, so that outdoor enthusiasts can bring the comforts of home to any vehicle-borne adventure.”

The Topside Heated Blanket (MSRP: $199.99) and Flipside Heated Bed Cover (MRSP: $149.99) are available now at ignik.com, REI, Amazon, and Scheels. For more information, please contact stacy@darbycommunications.com.

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About Ignik

Our journey started on a family sailboat in the Arctic, where we saw the impact of climate change and human jetsam on the landscapes we love. We decided to “be the change” by creating products that actually work—and work for the planet. Today Ignik makes high quality, environmentally thoughtful heating products for the wilderness. We enable more folks to get outside earlier and remain outside longer. Ignik is a proud member of 1% for the Planet. For more information, visit Ignik.com.

Sept. 6, 2023 — In their first-ever collaboration with a running brand, performance mountain gear brand La Sportiva has partnered with Janji on a limited edition collection, “Door to World” — a collaboration that aims to expand the community of trail running and open the door to new frontiers for adventurers seeking to explore the world on foot. Combining La Sportiva’s near-century of experience creating the world’s finest mountain footwear with Janji’s young, expressive designs, the 10-piece capsule collection includes trail running footwear, Jackal II, and a complete running kit that combines ultra-running technicality with vibrant designs for everyday wearability.

“Up until this release, Janji has been known for exclusively creating ultra-capable trail-running apparel, eschewing footwear to focus on bringing durable construction, comfortable performance fabrics, and technical pocketing systems to tops, bottoms, and outerwear designed for all day endurance pursuits,” said Dave Spandorfer, founder of Janji. “We’ve been patiently waiting for the right footwear partner to come along, and we’ve found that at La Sportiva, making this their first domestic collaboration.”

Unifying the entire capsule is Janji’s colorful Tectonic Shift print, which pays homage to the colorful magnitude of the environments we set out to explore. Bringing these epic, primal landscapes to trail-capable, everyday wear inspires us to discover the world outside our own front door.

“La Sportiva and Janji share an understanding that trail running has the power to change lives,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “Running is incredibly difficult, but it is because of the hurdles that this sport presents, not in spite of them, that this activity is so beautiful. This unique collaboration reflects both brands’ commitment to crafting eco-friendly products that embrace the toughness of the trails while working to create a welcoming community that sees every runner as an athlete on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.”

“Door to World” Highlights:

• La Sportiva’s Jackal II is redesigned to inspire runners with a reduced weight, roomy toe-box and a redesigned heel for an incredibly comfortable stride
• Janji’s new Zephyrunner Wind Shell is a “vaporlight,” packable windbreaker that’s constructed of the brand’s lightest fabric yet: 20D nylon micro ripstop fabric weighing in at 40gsm
• Sustainability: reflecting the sustainability focus of the next generation of runners, the entire capsule will include the use of recycled materials, with La Sportiva’s Jackal II updated with recycled mesh (forefoot, tongue and lining) and Janji’s accompanying kit is constructed from a majority of recycled materials
• Give Back: as with all Janji collections, 2% of all apparel sales will go to clean water projects

The La Sportiva x Janji “Door to World” capsule collection will be exclusively available at REI beginning September 6, and available on janji.com and lasportivausa.com beginning on October 3.

About Janji

Janji is a mission-driven activewear brand that creates trail-durable, performance running apparel to inspire runners to explore their world on foot. Each Janji collection is limited-run and celebrates a specific region of the globe, with 2% of proceeds going toward clean water projects in that region. For more information visit www.janji.com.

About La Sportiva

With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information visit lasportivausa.com.

 

Kick off your fall adventures with new comfortable and functional footwear styles

ROCKFORD, Mich. (September 5, 2023) – Chaco Footwear, the iconic lifestyle brand, is introducing two new silhouettes this fall: The Paonia Chelsea Fluff and the Fields Lace boot. Chaco’s closed-toed shoes are built for the adventure with a focus on comfort and functionality, without sacrificing style.

“Fall marks new beginnings, goals, a new season, and a fresh start,” said Lindsey Lindemulder, Sr. Director of Marketing, Lindsey Lindemulder, Sr. Director of Marketing Chaco. “For years our Fields Chelsea and Paonia styles have been favorites among Chaco Nation. This fall we wanted to expand upon these lines with designs that can become everyday favorites.”

The Paonia Chelsea Fluff (MSRP $140) is the everyday casual, go-to shoe where fashion meets function. This latest addition to Chaco’s Paonia Collection offers a full grain water resistant leather upper to withstand the elements with soft, sherpa-like textile lining that provides the ultimate cushion and warmth. Available exclusively in women’s sizing, the Paonia Chelsea Fluff is the perfect lightweight Chelsea boot with a little added warmth.

The Fields Lace Waterproof (WP) boot (MSRP $160) is a premium leather, all-weather friendly boot – built for the downtown adventurer who values the functionality of an outdoor boot in their everyday shoe. After the continued success of the Fields Chelsea Boot, Chaco has updated its durable silhouette with a lace up design for added security. Crafted to perfection, the Fields Lace boasts a full grain waterproof seam-sealed leather upper and a lace up front and Chaco’s signature LUVSEAT footbed for all-day comfort. The Fields Lace WP is available in both men’s and women’s sizing and ideal for dressing up, or dressing down.

In addition to these two styles, Chaco is bringing retro colorways to some of their most beloved closed-toed shoes including the Ramble Puff and Ramble Puff Clog, and updated colorways to the Fields Chelsea boot and more.

All of Chaco’s 2023 fall footwear is available now on Chacos.com and at select retail partners. 

About Chaco

Born on the river in 1989, Chaco, a division of Wolverine World Wide , Inc. (NYSE: WWW), builds premium footwear for the outdoor-minded. The brand’s iconic Z/sandals are repairable at ReChaco and more than 20,000 sandals a year are kept out of landfills every year. Plus, as a result of the brand’s proprietary LUVSEAT™ footbed, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded the Seal of Acceptance to all Chaco footwear styles. The APMA Seal is intended to raise awareness by identifying products of exceptional quality that are manufactured with comfort, health, and safety in mind. Simply put, Chaco is fit for adventure. Please visit us at www.chacos.com, Facebook: Chacos, Instagram: ChacoFootwear, TikTok: ChacoFootwear.

CHAMONIX, FRANCE (September 5, 2023) — Salomon ultra-running athlete Courtney Dauwalter has done the unthinkable, winning her third iconic 100-mile ultra-trail of the season at the UTMB® in Chamonix on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, she has become the first person to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100 and UTMB® in Chamonix in the same calendar year.

Dressed in her colorful Shortney Salomon shorts and a bright yellow “Shortney” jersey, the American completed the loop around the Mont Blanc Massif in 23 hours, 29 minutes and 14 seconds to win the race for the third time in her career.

“I think whenever you are given the opportunity to do something challenging and difficult, you should,” Dauwalter said at the finish line when asked what drove her to toe the starting line in Chamonix just six weeks after winning the Hardrock 100. “Today was very, very difficult, but worth it.”

After breaking the course record at the Western States 100 in late June, and doing the same three weeks later at the Hardrock 100 in Colorado in July, Dauwalter decided to see what was possible at the famed UTMB®. The race features more than 10,000 meters of elevation gain and takes runners from the starting line in Chamonix, France into Italy and Switzerland before returning to the iconic ski village. Simply running “The Triple” of those three ultra-races in one season is considered a monumental physical and mental task. Winning all of them in 70 days as Dauwalter has done is otherworldly.

Using a full kit of Salomon products, including a future version of the S/LAB Genesis shoe, 38-year-old Dauwalter led from the early stages on Friday evening and ran alone for much of the race. She kept pace with her own 2021 course record through checkpoints over the first half of the 172-kilomter circuit into Italy. The final half of the race from Switzerland back into France was a journey through what she calls the “pain cave.”

“The entire second half of the race, my body did not want to run anymore, and my stomach was ver finicky. I almost lost my lunch on the streets of Champex-Lac (Switzerland),” Dauwalter said. “I have to thank my husband, Kevin, and my entire crew of my family and also all the volunteers and the fans. That was one of the most incredible atmospheres I have ever seen. Without all of them I would not have made it back here to Chamonix to celebrate with all of you.”

In addition to her S/LAB Genesis shoes, the rest of Dauwalter’s running kit included a yet-to-be-released ULTRA 10 running vest from the new Salomon ULTRA range, as well as a Bonatti jacket. The Shortney shorts and T-shirt colorway that Dauwalter wore will be part of the Spring 2024 Salomon range.

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About Salomon: Born in Annecy, French Alps in 1947,
Salomon creates premium footwear, apparel, gear and winter sports equipment that is superior in function, radical in design and obsessive in style. At the Annecy Design Center, engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to write the future of sports by creating products that transform outdoor sports experiences and enable a deeper connection with nature, allowing people to unleash the best version of themselves so that they might positively impact the world.   

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