Archives: Press Releases

STOCKHOLM (November 20, 2023) – Houdini, the global circular outdoor company dedicated to versatile minimalist styles, today announced its Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Reinforcing its founding principle for doing more with less, the line showcases technical apparel choices that easily transition from the backcountry to an urban commute. Leading styles include The “Moonwalk”, a lightweight, technical collection of hybrid thermal layers, featuring Polartec^® Power Air™, and the expanded Dunfri (Swedish for down-free) insulated line.  All silhouettes are PFAS-free and use recycled, renewable, biodegradable and bluesign-certified materials. The Fall/Winter 2024 collection will be available September 2024 at select retailers and at www.houdinsportswear.com. 

 

“Fall/Winter 2024, inspired by our love and respect for the outdoors, presents smart apparel options for consumers so they may make better purchasing decisions minimizing the damage to the planet,” said Eva Karlsson, Houdini CEO. “It’s critical to lessen consumption by creating clothing that stands the test of time, which is why our design checklist is critical to what we do. We have to take action about the explosion in consumption. There are 100 billion garments produced every year, and 60 percent of that is discarded within the first year. That’s not value creation for anybody, not even the customer. We need to tackle this together.” 

 

The Moonwalk Collection, featuring Polartec Power Air, is designed for the perfect balance in what Houdini aims to achieve in active lifewear. Its hybrid construction provides warmth and protection without sacrificing breathability or quick dry times. It delivers freedom of movement while maintaining durability, longevity, and technical performance for a wide range of activities but with the beauty and wearability one expects from Houdini products. It includes a lightweight, technical fleece midlayers, vests and shorts. Built with a soft and comfortable stretch fleece combined with a durable but breathable ripstop wind-breaking fabric, the Moonwalk collection brings a new level of comfort to high pace activities in alpine environments. Specifically, the line includes the Moonwalk Houdi (MSRP $250), Moonwalk Vest (MSRP $160) and Moonwalk Shorts (MSRP $120).

 

The popular Dunfri family welcomes the Dunfri Parka (MSRP $400) and Dunfri Vest (MSRP $200). These light, packable, synthetic insulation garments feature PrimaLoft^® Gold insulation, providing warmth for the toughest conditions. The Dunfri family is rounded out by the Dunfri (MSRP $320), Dunfri Jacket (MSRP $220) and Double Dunfri (MSRP $480), the only style with PrimaLoft RISE for even greater warmth in challenging situations. PrimaLoft^® Insulation RISE has elevated warmth, style, and versatility. The unique construction of PrimaLoft RISE enables the insulation to perform across a variety of weights and thicknesses, enabling brands to create everything from oversized puffers to thin, lightweight pieces.

 

Filling the sweet spot between technical performance on the mountain and wearability in town, the Ride Jacket (MSRP $600) appeals to skiers and snowboarders looking for one shell to do it all. It is helmet compatible, has a removable snow skirt, with a clean aesthetic, a quiet hand, and highly waterproof, breathable face fabric. It is a breathable 3L shell jacket, made from a fully circular fabric and has a removable snow skirt.

 

The Rollercoaster line of fully featured freeride and ski touring shell garments remains a customer favorite and, for 2024, includes: the Rollercoaster Jacket (MSRP $700), Rollercoaster Pants (MSRP $550), and Rollercoaster Bib Pants (MSRP $650). The Fall In line has a full waterproof outer layer and is insulated with PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Hi-Loft Ultra in a classic long Parka (MSRP $780) and slightly shorter Jacket (MSRP $700) cuts. The Desoli collection has various weights of 100 percent merino wool base layers, while Houdini’s best-selling Power Houdi (MSRP $240) returns with a variety of new and classic colors. 

The ultralight, ultra technical Pace Flow pieces, featuring the mesh-like Polartec Power Air (MSRP: $200), adds another dimension of thermal capacity when worn as a mid-layer while providing unhindered breathability. Perfect for fast ascents, consumers won’t get overheated and the Pace Flow garments won’t weigh them down, whether worn or in a pack.

 

Known for solution-oriented accessories, the new Double Loop insulated infiniti scarf (MSRP $65), the Power Top Hat, a stretchy fleece hat made from Polartec Power Stretch® Pro™ (MSRP $40), and Alto Hat (MSRP $65) use Houdini’s best-in-class circular performance fabrics at approachable prices.

 

About Houdini

Houdini is an odd band of friends from Sweden on a quest to reimagine the future of circular sportswear. Ever since the start in 1993, Houdini has challenged the norms of the outdoor industry, as a company led by women, as innovators of sustainable design and as pioneers of circular business models. Ultimately, Houdini wants to enable and inspire people to reconnect to nature.

 

[SCRANTON, PA, November 20, 2023] Warroad Hockey Co., an innovator in cut-resistant hockey apparel co-founded by NHL All-Star TJ Oshie, today announces its strategic partnership with Noble Biomaterials, a global leader in antimicrobial technology solutions. Warroad and Noble are ramping up production to meet increased demand for Warroad’s TILO Baselayers, the most technical protective baselayer on the market.

Developed with the help of Warroad co-founder TJ Oshie, the TILO Pro Stock Neck and Wrist Top launched in September 2023 to provide players with 360-degree protection around the neck and forearms – two of the most exposed and vulnerable areas on the ice. The base layer features revolutionary cut-resistant technology, Noble’s Ionic+® silver antimicrobial technology with a micro-mesh fabric construction designed to prevent rashes and skin irritation.

TILO’s adjustable neck collar, made with Kevlar and protective foam, helps deflect and absorb the impact of skate blades, sticks, or elbows on players’ necks and clavicles. The built-in, cut-resistant wrist protection is made from flexible Cutlon® and is 15 times stronger than steel. Ionic+® antimicrobial silver technology is interwoven into the base layer, providing enhanced apparel protection against bacteria to reduce odor.

“Warroad has been on a mission to enhance the safety of hockey players across all levels since 2018,” said Jason Olden, co-founder at Warroad. “Cut-resistant protection will soon be something players wear every time they take the ice. Gear with such regular use needs exceptional antimicrobial performance, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Noble to ramp up production and continue to provide players with best-in-class protection.”

Noble Biomaterials specializes in developing advanced antimicrobial fabric solutions for healthcare infection prevention and apparel. Noble’s Ionic+® silver ions are permanently embedded into TILO’s fabric, inhibiting and eliminating growth of bacteria that cause odor.

“As a leader in antimicrobial technology, we’re excited to collaborate with Warroad to bring enhanced innovation to the TILO baselayer,” said Joel Furey, founder and chief commercial officer at Noble Biomaterials. “Our Ionic+® silver gives players advanced, long-lasting protection each time they take the ice, so they don’t have to worry about the impact of bacteria on their performance apparel.”

Warroad and Noble’s partnership comes when the demand for cut-resistant hockey protection is unprecedented. While TILO is trusted by NHL All-Stars including Brock Nelson, John Carlson, Josh Morrissey, Tom Wilson, and more, Warroad aims to give every level of the sport access to premium player safety.

Warroad’s TILO collection is available for purchase in Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sizes at www.warroad.com/collections/tilo.

About Warroad Hockey Co.

Warroad Original Hockey Co. designs and manufactures product for the performance, safety, and recovery of today’s hockey athlete, combining modern fit engineering and technical performance with the strong traditions of the game. Warroad collections get players to and from the rink and give comfort on the long bus rides and in airports. It is gear for the entire hockey journey…a journey filled with adversity and celebration…everything for the Warriors’ road. For Warroad, it is all about the love of hockey, the stories that become legends, the crazy players that become lifelong friends, and the game that shapes its players from a young age into the adults they are destined to become.

To learn more about Warroad’s TILO™ collection, please visit www.warroad.com/pages/tilo-technology.

About Noble Biomaterials, Inc.

Noble Biomaterials, Inc. is a global leader in antimicrobial and conductivity solutions for soft surface applications. The company produces advanced material technologies designed for mission-critical applications in the performance apparel, healthcare, industrial, and emerging wearable technology markets. Its flagship brands, IONIC+®, X-STATIC®, and CIRCUITEX®, are used by hundreds of world-class licensees to provide odor elimination, infection prevention/management, biometric monitoring, and conductive protection benefits. Noble Biomaterials is a registered FDA medical device facility, an essential sole-source technology supplier to the US military, and a US EPA–registered antimicrobial manufacturer. Noble products are EPA, FIFRA, BPR, and CE conforming.  Its headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Scranton, PA, and the company has offices in Europe, Asia, and South America.

For more information on Noble Biomaterials and to view their full range of fabric applications, please visit www.noblebiomaterials.com.

 

 

 

SEATTLE (November 20, 2023) — Outdoor Research (OR), the Seattle-based manufacturer of leading outdoor apparel and gear, has recently promoted long-time employee Geoff Potter to VP of Operations. Geoff has worked in planning and operations for nearly 12 years. In his new role, he will oversee supply chain logistics, demand planning, retail operations, and information systems for the company.

This restructuring will optimize team alignment and facilitate enhancements in operations and infrastructure systems. The promotion acknowledges Potter’s pivotal role in elevating the brand’s presence over the years and underscores the importance of maintaining operational excellence ahead of ongoing growth.

“Geoff’s active involvement in the ongoing modernization of operations at OR reinforces his commitment to driving efficiencies at the company, and we are grateful to have him at the helm of our business operations,” Barton said. “He’s proven he’s the right person to help lead the OR team to even greater efficiencies.”

Potter said, “I’m grateful for the team I work with on the operations side of Outdoor Research and to be recognized with this new role. The business landscape is changing rapidly, and we are determined to stay ahead of the curve.”

Potter’s promotion comes on the heels of the company’s moves to shore up executive leadership. OR hired Felix del Toro in October as Senior Vice President of Product, and Chris King and Kat Schoewe were promoted to VP roles in marketing and product, respectively, in Spring 2023.

About Outdoor Research

Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration, and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. For more information, visit www.outdoorresearch.com.

 

 

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Portland, Ore., (Nov. 20, 2023) – Vimazi, inventor of the first-ever pace-tuned running shoes, announces today the release of the first-ever tuned walking shoe. The new Z90 will accompany the road and trail running shoes in the full Vimazi collection.

The Vimazi Z90 is biomechanically tuned for maximum comfort and minimum stress whether walking briskly, strolling or working out at the gym. The patented technology strikes the right balance of stiffness and comfort between heel and forefoot to reduce the stress and fatigue on the feet. The sock-style design, crafted with stretchy engineered mesh, makes the Z90 ridiculously comfortable and easy to slip on and off. A low drop, rocker, and flexibility make walking feel effortless.

Like all Vimazi shoes, the Z90 design is based on science. Compared to running, walking has much lower impact forces with less of a difference between forefoot forces and rearfoot forces. Therefore, it’s important to design walking shoes differently from running shoes. The shoes have a softer overall feel which improves comfort, because there is no flight time and associated sharp impact like there is with running. The difference between heel hardness and forefoot hardness is less, because walkers don’t have to propel themselves back up into the air. The Vimazi Z90 is designed according to the dynamics of walking to get the best balance of comfort and stability.

“We are excited to add a new walking shoe to our collection, because it appeals to a massive audience,” said Vimazi founder and CEO, Scott Tucker. “Our brand’s foundation is on making shoes to include everyone and every pace so we knew we had to make a walking shoe, because when you’re not running, you’re walking.”

Vimazi pace-tuned shoes are available now online and at specialty-run stores across the US. More information can be found on Vimazi’s website vimazi.com. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Vimazi

Founded by footwear industry veterans and life-long marathoners, Vimazi shoes are engineered to reduce shock and increase stability,  because they balance the different forces underfoot in walking and running.  The patented FastPod technology is derived from the pure  physics of motion.  For additional information, please visit vimazi.com or email faster@vimazi.com.

PARK CITY, Utah (November 16, 2023) – As Dynastar celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2023, the famed brand, which is headquartered at the base of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, has its sights set on simultaneously continuing to lead the way forward in high-end ski performance while carving a more sustainable path forward for itself and for the ski industry.

New for Fall/Winter 23-24, Dynastar’s Hybrid Core 2.0 ski construction is a key part of its sustainability journey. Hybrid Core 2.0 improves on the benchmark skiability that has cemented Dynastar’s reputation while reducing environmental impact across six key indicators: environmental acidification, greenhouse gas emissions, fresh water use, particulate matter, material and mineral use and fossil fuel consumption.

A life cycle analysis conducted by AIR Coop, a global network of brands that was founded to help inform and improve the social and environmental impact of production, showed that the main contributor to environmental impact was material consumption during the ski-production process. To reduce the quantity of environmentally unfriendly materials in the ski while improving the brand’s unique skiability, Dynastar developed a new wood layer design (placed in three directions instead of just one: longitudinally, vertically, and transversally), which replaces the mechanical properties provided by composite materials such as glued fiberglass.

The result: a significant reduction in all six aforementioned environmental indicators that will help reduce emissions by a total of 120 tons from the production of skis while maintaining equivalent or improved performance on the slopes. As a result of Hybrid Core 2.0’s development, 45 percent of Dynastar’s annual volumes will be eco-designed by the winter of 2025-2026.

“The mountains that inspire our passions and occupy our leisure time are suffering directly from global warming. And it is not just our own playground but the entire natural ecosystem that is threatened. In our view, there is no future for skiing unless it is conceived of in a more responsible way. It is our duty to find solutions to reduce our industry’s impact on the environment,” said Laurent Richard, Brand Manager at Dynastar. “With Hybrid Core 2.0, a door is opening into the world of eco-design, which will be at the heart of all our future product plans. We still have a long way to go and there are many hurdles to overcome. Our teams will not give up and we will continue working to make our activity more sustainable.”

For the 2023-2024 winter season, the Hybrid Core 2.0 technology will be integrated into the M-CROSS, E-CROSS, M-TOUR and E-TOUR ranges, representing 13 percent of total production, rising to 23 percent by the winter of 2024-2025. In three years, the brand’s objective is to achieve almost 45 percent eco-designed production of annual volumes. The skis will be manufactured in the heart of the Alps, in the historic site of Sallanches.

Dynastar and the Rossignol Group will continue to place their environmental and social commitments at the heart of all its major strategic initiatives. To learn more, please visit Dynastar.com

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About Dynastar

Founded at the heart of the Chamonix valley in 1963, Dynastar is a multi-segment ski manufacturer catering to all skiers looking for high-performance and French expertise. Its production facility is located in Sallanches, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Stamped with its “Made in France” seal, Dynastar’s history is also marked by remarkable technological innovations and the sporting victories of its iconic champions.

About the Rossignol Group

Headed by Vincent Wauters, the Rossignol Group designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of mountain sports equipment and apparel. The Group and its brands provide a continuous year-round experience to their consumers, accompanying elite-level athletes to amateurs in every moment of sporting effort and leisure, from the mountains to the city, winter to summer. Located in the French Alps near Grenoble, the Group’s global headquarters houses a strong portfolio of innovative, complementary brands including: Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look, Kerma, and Risport. Each has their own storied history and has built their own unique identity, drawing their inspiration from the mountains. Rossignol Group has been majority owned by Nordic Private Equity fund Altor, since 2013.

GROUP ROSSIGNOL: 1413 Center Drive – PO Box 981060 – Park City, UT 84098 – T. 435-252-3300 – F. 435-252-3301