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April 22, 2025 – Earth Day is a time to come together, appreciate the natural world, and take action to protect it. At HEAD, we’re marking the event by launching our inaugural Sustainability Report (2024/25). By looking back at our recent past to examine key achievements, we can look forward to our plans of increased transparency, innovation, and climate responsibility across all divisions of the company—from racquet sports and winter gear to water sports. This wide-reaching report highlights major achievements, ambitious targets, and breakthrough products all aimed at a more sustainable future.

Download HEAD Group’s 2024-25 Sustainability Report here.

We Have Big Plans

To put it technically, our goal is to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030¹ or, to put it more simply, we aim to significantly lower the organization’s direct and energy-related emissions to help combat climate change.

This requires implementing new strategies. We are developing products we believe have an eco-friendlier design to reduce environmental impact and contribute to the circular economy, (a system that minimizes waste by reusing, recycling, and regenerating materials to keep resources in use, wherever possible, for as long as possible).

Introducing: BOOM RAW

In honor of Earth Day, HEAD Racquet Sports is launching the BOOM RAW, a performance-driven tennis racquet made with bio-circular carbon fibers² derived from recycled waste materials. The BOOM RAW delivers the same explosive power, fun feel and easy playability as the original BOOM series—now with a more environmentally friendly construction.

In line with HEAD’s commitment to sustainability, our primary racquet manufacturer in China will transition to sourcing more green energy³ for our racquet production, including the BOOM. alongside updates across tennis gear including:

• Updated PENN Ball Cans now made with 35% pre-consumer recycled PET
• New shorter, removable sleeves with reduced ink and lighter colors for improved recyclability
• New can and lid caps now feature an organic carbon-based additive from Midori-Bio Inc, which accelerates the biodegradation process to about 3-5 years in the case that the can ends up in a landfill

Discover More about BOOM RAW here.

More Sustainable Winter Sports Products

In our Winter Sports Division, we’ve developed ski boots and bindings along with a new range of helmets, goggles and accessories, all containing more sustainable materials. This year we also launched the RENEW ski constructed with a combination of renewable and recyclable materials. This is a unique project, groundbreaking in the winter sports industry, and we are proud of that. What’s more, customers can return the used skis within 5 years of purchase and, we will renew the wood core, fiberglass layer and tip protector, recycling everything else, giving the skis a second life. Renewal of the ski can reduce its CO2 emissions by up to 26%⁴.

Find out more about HEAD RENEW Skis here.

Sustainable Strides in Water Sports & Beyond

Zoggs, Mares, and SSI—HEAD’s Water Sports Divisions—continue to release products made with sustainable materials while slashing packaging waste. All our divisions are working on reducing packaging and introducing more environmentally friendly materials for packages and boxes. In terms of social responsibility, all our divisions are well positioned, with a good balance of diversity and inclusion, educational roles and raising awareness on the importance of protecting the environment. We are also working hard to get customers more involved in our sustainability efforts.

April 22 is a perfect day to get involved in sports, whether it is outside in the mountains, in the water or on a court. Wherever you enjoy your activity, we hope you’ll join us in taking a moment to appreciate this fragile little planet where we ski, snowboard, swim, dive, and play racquet sports. Happy Earth Day.

¹Currently the aim is to reduce scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions without off-setting through the purchase of carbon credits.

²Circularity based on the mass balance approach, in which raw materials with certain characteristics are mixed with other raw materials in the processing and distribution process, from raw materials through to finished products.

³According to the Chinese government´s information.

⁴According to Green Vision Solutions GmbH calculations.

About HEAD

HEAD is a leading global provider of premium, high-performance equipment and apparel for athletes and players, at all levels.

We have five divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Water Sports, Sportswear and Licensing.

We sell products under the brands:

HEAD (alpine skis, ski bindings, ski boots, snowboard and protection products, tennis, racquetball, paddle, squash and pickleball racquets, tennis balls and tennis footwear, sportswear and swimming products)

PENN (tennis balls and racquetball balls)

TYROLIA (ski bindings)

MARES, SSI and rEvo (diving)

LiveAboard (diving holidays, dive tours)

ZOGGS (goggles, swimwear and equipment)

INDIGO (skis, ski helmets, ski accessories, snowboards and other ski gear)

Since our launch in 1950, we’ve achieved a reputation for cutting-edge design, engineering excellence and a passion for championing all sport, everywhere. World-class performance demands the very best equipment and that’s why, at HEAD, our purpose is to give athletes and players at every level, exactly what they need to win.

 

April 21, 2025 – Boulder, CO – Skratch Labs, the Boulder, CO-based leader in performance nutrition, proudly introduces Skratch Labs Racing, an elite team of eight athletes pushing toward the top podiums in their respective sports. Celebrating its 13th year, Skratch Labs continues its commitment to fueling and inspiring endurance athletes of all levels, solving their unique nutrition challenges to help them perform at their best. That same dedication to innovation and personal excellence now extends to Skratch Labs Racing, the brand’s first official elite athlete team, featuring Adam Peterman, Alexis Magner, Caroline Wreszin, Haley Batten, Heather Fischer, Reid Burrows, Tara Fraga, and Tara Warren.

“At Skratch Labs, we go where the help is needed,” states Dr. Allen Lim, co-founder of Skratch Labs. “That’s always been our north star. Whether it was supporting athletes behind the scenes at global competitions or one-on-one through our athlete care program, we’ve been there, mixing bottles, giving advice, offering whatever we had to give. Now, we have the internal team and resources to go even further. We’ve built a team of athletes who are chasing the edge of possibility—those who carry purpose in their stride, who nourish their bodies and their communities, and who share our obsession with getting better. Because in the end, performance is just one part of the story. The bigger impact comes from how athletes inspire others to show up, work hard, and pursue excellence.”

Skratch Labs Racing brings together a dynamic mix of talent across road, dirt, and trail. The well-rounded team, comprising four cyclists and four trail runners, aims to redefine what it means to be versatile, dedicated, and deeply connected to the work it takes to grow in sport.

From Haley Batten’s commanding wins at the 2025 Sea Otter Classic Gravel, 2025 Fuego XL, and  2024 Olympic Silver Medal in XC Mountain Biking to Adam Peterman’s win at the 2022 Western States 100, the team roots itself in proven excellence and steady athletic progression. On the bike, Alexis Magner and Caroline Wreszin join Haley, focused on USA Road Nationals and building toward future Olympic opportunities. Heather Fischer brings a wealth of experience to the criterium circuit and a full gravel calendar, adding sharp instincts, leadership, and a steady presence to the squad.

On the trails, Adam Peterman returns to Western States after a strong season opener, claiming the course record at Gorge Waterfalls 100k and securing a spot on the USATF Mountain Ultra Team for the long-course. He’s joined by Tara Fraga, an emerging force with grit and heart, after a decisive course record and win at Yakima Skyline 50k—Reid Burrows, who has his sights set on the iconic Leadville 100. With her depth of experience and calm tenacity, Tara Warren will anchor the team at UTMB Val d’Aran.

Skratch Labs invites the endurance community to follow these athletes’ journeys as they push their limits. Expect to see more from Skratch Labs Racing through social media, brand activations, and events in the months ahead. For more information on Skratch Labs, Skratch Labs Racing, the Skratch Cafe, and the latest product releases and innovations, please contact Tim Nooney at tim@darbycommunications.com.

 

About Skratch Labs:

Born in Boulder, CO, in 2012, Skratch Labs is a performance nutrition innovator who helps athletes be better. Founded by two cycling pros who spent years on the Pro Cycling Tour watching teammates consume bad-tasting sports nutrition products that caused digestion issues, they created a “secret drink mix” composed of real sugar, salt, and fruit powder mixed in a 5-gallon paint bucket for their team. More than a decade later, Skratch Labs’ approach is the same: help athletes perform better by solving their nutrition problems without causing new ones, using real food ingredients. You can learn more at Skratch Labs, follow on social, join Skratch Labs’ Strava Club, enroll in the affiliate program, or visit the Cafe and Flagship Store.

 

 

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.

 

Boulder, Colo. (April 17, 2025) — Backpacker’s Pantry, the Boulder-based, family-owned producer of gourmet adventure meals, and its sister brand Astronaut Foods, known for its iconic freeze-dried space treats, are proud to participate in The Conservation Alliance’s Spring 2025 We Keep It Wild campaign. From April 17 to 23, both brands will donate 5% of their online revenue to The Conservation Alliance (TCA), supporting critical advocacy efforts to preserve and protect North America’s wild places and outdoor spaces.

“Our passion for the outdoors isn’t just about adventure—it’s about stewardship,” said Aidan Smith, CEO of American Outdoor Products, the parent company of both Backpacker’s Pantry and Astronaut Foods.”Partnering with The Conservation Alliance is one way we turn that passion into action. By supporting the We Keep It Wild campaign, we’re reaffirming our commitment to permanently protecting the wild spaces that inspire our products and our people. We encourage our customers to take a stand with us and help ensure these landscapes remain wild for future generations — because it’s time to do more than just explore wild places, it’s time to protect them.”

Since 1989, TCA has helped protect 124 million acres of land and 4,964 river miles. In the last four years, they’ve played a key role in protecting key landscapes like Alaska’s D-1 lands, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, and National Monuments across the U.S.

Backpacker’s Pantry and Astronaut Foods are proud to stand alongside other mission-driven brands participating in the Spring 2025 We Keep It Wild campaign, including Ablis, BOCO Gear, Farm to Feet, GU Energy Labs, Kahtoola, NEMO Equipment, Nomadix, Outdoor Tech, and RecPak. This collective effort reflects a shared belief that protecting our natural world is a responsibility—and an opportunity—that extends far beyond individual companies.

For more information about the We Keep it Wild campaign, visit conservationalliance.com.

For more information about Backpacker’s Pantry, please visit backpackerspantry.com. For more information about Astronaut Foods, please visit astronautfoods.com.

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Media Contact:

Jenna Nabors, Verde Brand Communications

jenna@verdepr.com

About Backpacker’s Pantry

Backpacker’s Pantry is a Boulder-based, family-owned producer of gourmet adventure meals made with healthy and sustainable ingredients. Since 1951, the company has been delivering high-quality freeze-dried meals with an emphasis on taste. To give back to the community we love, the places we adventure and the planet we must protect, Backpacker’s Pantry donates 1% of every sale, every day to nonprofits around the world through 1% For the Planet and is 100% solar-powered. Today, Backpacker’s Pantry is sold in over 2,000 stores in North America. For more information and a complete list of products, visit https://backpackerspantry.com.

About Astronaut Foods

Founded in 1974 in conjunction with NASA and based in Boulder, Colorado, Astronaut Foods is the original source for freeze-dried ice cream — an out-of-this-world treat. Today, the company sells freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches and freeze-dried fruit. Astronaut Foods can be found in museums, toy shops, amusement parks and outdoor stores all across North America, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, Astronaut Foods is dedicated to supporting people and organizations whose goal is to push the boundaries of space exploration and discovery. For more information and a complete list of products, visit astronautfoods.com.