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Turtle Fur Welcomes VP of Marketing & eComm, CFO, and CEO to Executive Team

Vermont headwear brand welcomes three new hires: Erika Canfield, Matt Glomski, and Jim Osgood.

Morrisville, VT (March 21, 2023) – Turtle Fur has been a leader in outdoor headwear and accessories for 40 years. Over the past year, Turtle Fur has seen some major positive changes, including a partnership with private equity firm Camano Capital in June 2022, and achieving B Corp™ Certification in December 2022. Most recently, Turtle Fur made a string of strategic leadership hires, welcoming three new members to the team; VP of Marketing & eComm, Erika Canfield; CFO, Matt Glomski; and CEO, Jim Osgood.

 “Turtle Fur is a beloved brand with a warm, colorful history, a caring, dedicated team, and tremendous untapped potential. I was fortunate to be a steward of this wonderful company for over 20 years. Turtle Fur’s future is bright, and I am thrilled to be along for the journey,” says Richard Sontag, Board Member, and owner from 2001 to 2022

Erika joins the company with 20+ years of experience leading global Marketing and Creative departments in the outdoor and performance sports industries, including holding leadership roles at both Outdoor Research and Pacific Market International (Stanley Thermos). At Turtle Fur she will be responsible for driving brand strategy, expanding Turtle Fur’s customer base, and growing eCommerce sales.

Matt will be responsible for the company’s financial actions, analyzing strengths and weaknesses and recognizing new opportunities for the brand. With over 15 years of experience in the retail and consumer products space, Matt obtained his CPA license while working for Ernst & Young in the Los Angeles office.  He holds a Master of Accounting from the University of Southern California and most recently served as CFO at Trina Turk.

Jim comes to Turtle Fur with over 30 years of business leadership and product innovation experience, including nearly 15 years serving as CEO/President for several outdoor companies, including Klean Kanteen and Cascade Designs, Inc. In addition to his role at Turtle Fur, Jim serves as Board Chair for 1% for the Planet and has been an advocate and industry thought leader on environmental stewardship and the importance of responsible business strategies and practices. His passions for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and trail running – and inspiring others to enjoy and explore the outdoors – will translate well to his role at Turtle Fur. As the brand’s first CEO, Jim will be responsible for driving the strategies and plans for building the core business while expanding into new markets and product categories.

“Like so many of us, I’ve grown up with Turtle Fur. It’s been my go-to gear for staying comfortable and cozy on the ski slopes as well as every day when cruising around town. It’s a privilege for me to be able to combine my passion for the outdoors with driving the growth and stewarding such an iconic brand with which I have a deep, personal connection,” says Jim Osgood, CEO.

Erika, Matt, and Jim join the strong existing executive team of Colin Giblin (VP of Operations) and Meghan Ksiazek (VP of Product). Together over the past few years, Colin and Meghan have been working to run the business as a mission-driven company, promoting the welfare of Turtle Fur employees and pushing both environmental and social-driven initiatives. Erika, Matt, and Jim will bring their years of experience across other companies and industries to this solid team, driving the brand toward robust growth over the next 5 years and beyond.

Under Richard’s leadership, Turtle Fur has stayed true to its founding principles of comfort, quality, caring, and giving to those in need. Richard built a strong team that is poised to take Turtle Fur onward to its next phase of growth. Turtle Fur thanks Richard for his years of dedicated service to the brand, for his support of their goal to become a certified B Corp, and look forward to his continued leadership as a Board Member.

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.

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Outdoor Vitals, the Utah-based performance outdoor apparel and gear brand, continues to innovate in the outdoor space with the addition of the Nebo Windbreaker to their line. The Nebo is an ultralight 4 oz jacket that redefines the category, offering more breathability and versatility than other options on the market.

Named after a rugged peak on which it was tested, this novel windbreaker is incredibly versatile and can be used year-round as an essential part of various layering systems. The cutting-edge design ensures optimal ventilation, preventing moisture from building up inside the jacket to keep adventurers comfortable and dry.

“At Outdoor Vitals, we are looking to be a part of the evolution of lightweight gear and apparel,” said Tayson Whittaker, founder of Outdoor Vitals. “When designing the Nebo, we set out to make something that we couldn’t find on the market, a wind layer that strikes a balance between breathability and protection. We tested a variety of fabrics and designs to create this unique offering that allows for perspiration to escape while eliminating wind chill. The result is the most versatile jacket we have ever produced.”

This ultralight piece features a single-layer 20D fabric with a soft texture that eliminates the clammy sensation that many wind layers create, allowing users to take on any outdoor activity with ease. The Nebo’s ultralight design and exceptional breathability make it the perfect layer for runners or hikers. It’s also a great piece to wear over a baselayer to take the edge off on a brisk morning. A DWR treatment helps to shed moisture, while the fitted hood allows for added protection when a storm rolls in.

The $124.97 Nebo Windbreaker is a great companion for any adventure. From blustery summer days to frigid winter conditions, this wind layer always has a place in your pack.

To learn more about the Nebo Windbreaker visit www.outdoorvitals.com.

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About Outdoor Vitals

Unencumbered by price points or corporate strategies, Outdoor Vitals is passionate about helping others to live ultralight, and its sole mission is to provide gear that makes backcountry travel easier. Outdoor Vitals is committed to designing innovative products that make the outdoors more comfortable, cutting out everything that is unnecessary without impeding function or durability. The result is a line of carefully constructed products that are ideal for backcountry travel. Today, Outdoor Vitals offers a wide array of unique products, including backpacks, jackets, tents, pants, baselayers, sleep systems, and more.

Deepens industry-leading freshwater rod lineup

Charleston, SC – Shimano North America Fishing, a legendary innovator in the fishing tackle industry, is proud to announce new rod options for the dedicated freshwater angler. Shimano left no stone unturned when revamping its eye-catching Sojourn lineup while adding an ever-widening array of Muskie-specific options. Built to handle big fish and tailored for the specific techniques used to catch them, the redesigned Sojourn Muskie lineup and 9’9” fast action addition to the legendary Compre Muskie series are as serious as the species they chase. 

Sojourn Muskie: The redesigned lineups of Sojourn spinning, casting, and trolling rods combine eye-catching aesthetics and performance-built quality for enhanced durability and sensitivity when targeting trophy freshwater bites.

The Sojourn Muskie series meets the needs of today’s muskie anglers, offering a variety of powers from medium-heavy to extra-extra-heavy. The revised guidetrain now features double-footed guides and a wireframe tip-top for increased durability and an eye-catching aesthetic. The new to lineup eight-foot heavy trolling model features an EVA handle and durable wire guide to hold up to the rigors of this proven technique. All models over eight feet are telescopic for increased packability and transport. For muskie anglers throwing large lures, trolling, or using live bait, the redesigned Sojourn Muskie series will stand the test of time. MSRP: $54.99-$74.99

Compre Muskie: Shimano designed the Compre Muskie series to cast longer, fight harder, and catch more fish. The all-new 9’9” fast action rod provides extra-heavy power and features premium SeaGuide XGB Zirconia guides and an extra-long handle to help anglers lob heavier baits while minimizing tangles. These durable and lightweight rod employs a Fuji reel seat and AAA cork handle for increased casting comfort, while the compressed cork butt cap supports hard-fighting fish under heavy loads. Models over eight feet are telescopic for travel and storage ease. Built to last, the Compre Muskie series will stand up to a lifetime of battles. MSRP: $149.99-$169.99

When success comes once out of every 10,000 casts, it is essential to have the tackle engineered to perform when anglers need it most. For more information on the Sojourn, Sojourn Muskie, and Compre lineups, and to find the perfect system pairings, like the battle-tested Tranx or classically built Cardiff to spool with PowerPro line, visit fish.shimano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator, and for more information on Shimano North America Fishing and the latest product releases, please contact Kade Gewanter at Kadegewanter@darbycommunications.com.

About Shimano North America Fishing

Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america/, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.

 

New models and color options expand industry-leading hard bait catalog

Charleston, SC – Shimano, a longtime manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle, is proud to announce expansions to its extensive lineup of freshwater hard baits. These product offerings are geared towards freshwater anglers looking to entice trophy bites when it matters most.

Shimano’s revolutionary patented BOOST CONCEPT lure technology features throughout the full catalog of hard bait additions. FLASH BOOST and SCALE BOOST technologies work to mimic the movements, behavior, and realistic patterns of baitfish, enticing bites from even the most finicky of fish. JET BOOST increases casting distance and accuracy compared to a lure of similar size, delivering the upper hand to Shimano hard bait lure anglers.

Enber 60SP FP: Available in nine fish-catching colors, the Enber 60SP FP is as versatile a jerkbait as can be found on the market today. Weighing in at ⅕ ounces, the extended tail profile of the bait perfectly mimics the profile of multiple common baitfish species while descending to a depth of six feet. The Enber 60SP FP allows anglers to target a gamut of freshwater species with various techniques. FLASH BOOST technology creates an enticing flash during the retrieve, while SCALE BOOST technology provides lifelike baitfish patterns. Anglers can choose to fish the bait with a classic twitch and pause retrieve or a straight reel back to the boat technique, while big water walleye anglers will be impressed with the trolling capabilities of the Enber 60SP FPt. MSRP: $18.99

World Rush 56F FB: Attracting bites from trophy fish is the name of the game with the World Rush 56F FB. This ½ ounce square bill is ideal for covering water and targeting active fish in heavy cover down to five feet. The hybrid edge square bill provides durable performance, allowing the lure to deflect off structures and quickly recover its tight wobble to trigger reactive strikes. The WorldRush 56F FB utilizes Shimano’s proprietary FLASH BOOST technology, which casts a fish-attracting flash during the retrieve. Available in ten colors. MSRP: $17.99

Zumverno 95SP: Expanding Shimano’s lineup of freshwater lures, the Zumverno 95SP FB is the ideal jerkbait for anglers needing to downsize to match the conditions. This ⅓ ounce bait measures a compact 3.7 inches and descends to five feet. The wide bill design provides an enticing side-to-side darting action and subtle rolling motion to trigger trophy strikes. The hallmark of the Zumverno lineup is the realistic appearance thanks to its ten color variations and use of proprietary BOOST CONCEPT lure technology. FLASH BOOST technology releases a flash during the retrieve, while SCALE BOOST technology perfectly mimics a wounded baitfish. JET BOOST enhances the lure’s casting range, allowing anglers to efficiently cover water. MSRP: $18.99

World Diver 99SP:  A favorite of serious anglers everywhere, the World Diver 99SP series is adding two new colors. With the addition of S HASU and ST CHIAYU, the suspending jerk bait is now available in 12 premium color options. Weighing ⅝ ounces and diving to depths of eight feet, this bait utilizes FLASH BOOST technology to trigger strikes with a lifelike flash. The small profile and depth range make the World Diver 99SP a great option for suspending fish. MSRP: $19.99

World Minnow 115 SP:  The legendary World Minnow 115 SP suspended jerkbait comes feature-packed with Shimano lure technologies. With the introduction of S HASU and ST CHIAYU, Shimano adds to a robust selection of colors. The side-to-side erratic diving action–down to 4-6 feet–paired with FLASH BOOST technology elicits aggressive bites from trophy bass. Additionally, the World Minnow 115 SP can cast 22% farther than similar baits its size. MSRP: $19.99

Sephia Clinch Flash Boost: For saltwater anglers, Shimano is proud to integrate their patented FLASH BOOST technology into a squid jig. Available in six proven colors. MSRP: $10.50

 To learn more about Shimano’s freshwater hard lures and patented lure technologies visit fish.shamano.com. To find a retailer near you, visit Shimano’s dealer locator. For more information on Shimano and the latest product releases, please contact Kade Gewanter at Kadegewanter@darbycommunications.com.

About Shimano North America Fishing

Since 1970, Shimano has been a global manufacturer of industry-leading fishing tackle systems built for anglers compelled by experiences on the water. Shimano designs, manufactures, and markets a deep lineup of angling-specific products focused on promoting health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us. The company proudly maintains a portfolio of four consumer-preferred brands: Shimano, G.Loomis, Jackall, and PowerPro. You can learn more at https://fish.shimano.com/en-US or follow on social @fish_shimano_north_america, @fishgloomis, @jackall_usa, and @fishpowerpro.

Vasque Footwear, a family-owned company with more than 55 years of experience in the outdoor footwear sector, is unveiling its new brand purpose, ethos, and tagline brought to life through a global brand campaign that inspires its consumers to disconnect to reconnect – with themselves, each other and their full potential.   

 

In the midst of the pandemic, Vasque did a deep dive into the history of the brand, the evolving way people go outside, and how future generations will go outside. The result is a  body of work that has morphed into the brand’s new tagline that embodies everything the brand brings to market – inspiring people to find reprieve from the stress of the everyday, every day – by disconnecting and going outside.  

 

“The brand has stood for the ideals of ‘Log Outside’ since 1964 – this is just the first time we’re bringing it to the world in a modern way,” said Joe Peters, marketing director at Vasque Footwear. “We’ve found that a major barrier that stands between our consumers and finding time outside can be found on screens. Going forward, we will not only make world-class footwear that performs outside, but we’ll utilize our platforms to ensure we’re providing gentle reminders to ourselves and our consumers that there are places just beyond your screen that can provide us all with restorative qualities that we won’t find on our feeds.”

 

The ‘Log Outside’ message will show up in every touchpoint with the brand. Traditional landing pages will stop customers in their tracks, asking them to simply put down their device and go outside. Social channels will provide users with a refreshing moment of reprieve – from their feeds. Vasque will urge followers to not like their posts entering for a chance to win local State Park passes.  Emails from Vasque will serve as reminders to disconnect and go outside. Vasque will introduce a new social call-to-action urging their followers to ‘forget their phones on purpose’ on their hikes,  And the brand will accept time spent disconnected from technology outside as currency in exchange for new product via the Log Outside Project.   

 

The Log Outside Project debuted in Boulder, Colorado on March 18, where the public was able to experience Log Outside in action. Locals dropped off their mobile devices, locked in secure lockers, while they continued on their journey outside. After one hour, participants returned to retrieve their phones, as well as a new pair of Vasque Breeze hiking boots, and a signal-locking pouch so they can recreate the experience in the future.

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

Corbina, a legacy frame and longtime fan favorite in the bass fishing community, now features six PRO upgrades for long days on the water.

JUPITER, Fla. (Mar. 20th) – Costa Sunglasses, manufacturer of the first color-enhancing all-polarized glass sunglass lens, brings next-level performance to its legacy frame Corbina for spring 2023. The enhanced Corbina PRO features new performance upgrades that keep your frames locked in place and vision clear so you can stay focused on what’s most important – finding  fish. 

For the past 40 years, Costa has supplied anglers with the best sunglasses on the market for long days on the water. In 2021, the brand debuted its PRO Series with the award-winning Blackfin PRO and Fantail PRO. Today, the collection has grown to a family of six with its latest addition, Corbina PRO. The best-selling frame now features an updated style and six added features to help anglers better manage sweat, reduce fogging and keep their frames in place, even when the water gets rough.

Corbina has been a legacy favorite and sport staple among bass anglers for years. The new PRO frame takes it up a notch with eyewire drains and sweat management channels to move sweat away from your eyes, improved Hydrolite™ grip on the nose and earpiece to keep your frames locked in place, a fully-adjustable and ventilated nose pad for a custom fit and to reduce fogging, hooding and side shields to maximize coverage and metal keeper slots to keep your frames from going overboard. 

“Corbina has been my go-to frame for a while now. I always joke that even  if I didn’t have them on, you could tell they’re my favorites just by my Costa tan,” says Justin Lucas, Costa PRO and two time MLF Champion. “I was stoked when the  team reached out to me to test the Corbina PRO. The PRO Series has been a game changer. Having the added features to my favorite frames has been the best of both worlds.”

“Bass is one of our largest communities of anglers. With Corbina being so beloved in the bass community, it was a no-brainer to add it to our PRO collection and launch it right before the tour season,” says John Acosta, Costa Sunglasses Vice President of Marketing NA. “We’re always looking at ways to support the bass community – from making the best performance sunglasses for the water to conserving the resources within. That is the motivation behind our super successful Costa Compete + Conserve program –  rewarding anglers for wearing Costa and raising money for freshwater conservation efforts. When anglers win, they get to choose one of five conservation partners for Costa to donate to.  We hope to see more Costa anglers wearing the PRO Series on the podium this year!”

The Corbina PRO is equipped with Costa’s cutting-edge polarized 580® glass lens technology, providing exceptional clarity and color enhancement. These scratch-resistant lenses effectively reduce haze and blur, while boosting essential colors for superior definition. Built with Costa’s proprietary Bio-Resin, Corbina PRO is also lightweight and maintains the durability necessary for any watery adventure.

Starting at $284, Corbina PRO is currently 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.  For more information about Costa Compte + Conserve and to sign up for future tournaments, visit Costacompeteandconserve.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, IndiFly Foundation, 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.

The Boundary Waters’ pristine soundscape and lack of industrial noise intrusions propels it into a class of its own: as one of only a handful of the world’s quietest places. This level of quiet is rare even in America’s most remote wild places.

Today the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness received an official “Wilderness Quiet Park” award from Quiet Parks International in recognition of the Wilderness’ natural sound-scape largely free from man-made noise – a true rarity across the world today.

“The reality is that there are very few quiet natural places left on planet earth. The Boundary Waters is special and inspiring for many reasons, and its soundscape is certainly one of them,” said Matt Mikkelsen of Duluth who serves as Executive Director of Quiet Parks International. “The Boundary Waters is one of the only places left in the Midwest and Great Lakes region that you can go and hear only the sounds of nature for hours at a time, with no noise intrusions.” 

The Boundary Waters is the second recipient of the Wilderness Quiet Parks award in the United States, after Glacier National Park in 2022. In 2019, the Zabalo River in Ecuador became the first Wilderness Quiet Park, serving as a model for preserving natural soundscapes and recognizing the value of quiet spaces globally.

Quiet Parks International conducted testing and analyzed the data throughout 2021 and 2022 to determine the BWCAW meets the criteria as a quiet place. Using high sensitivity microphones, sound-pressure level meters, and other tools, researchers found that the soundscape is significantly free from sounds other than nature for intervals of hours at a time, and does not typically experience noise from such sources as commercial air traffic, military activity, mining or other extractive activity, or other startling and disruptive sounds. 

“This award recognizes what millions of visitors have experienced in the Boundary Waters – the healing, quiet solitude of nature that is so hard to find anywhere else,” said Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters. “Turning the edge of the Wilderness into an industrial mining zone would mean that noises of drilling, blasting, machinery, heavy traffic and more would drown out the natural sounds of our northwoods. Our rallying cry for years has been ‘we must speak loudly for this quiet place’ and we intend to keep doing just that to protect this gem.” 

Allowing copper mining companies to transform the edge of the Boundary Waters into an industrial mining zone would inevitably threaten the prized quietude of this unique wilderness and harm the wildlife that call it home. Noise from drilling, blasting, crushing, loud ventilation facilities, engines, machinery and vehicle traffic, and the hum of transmission lines would drown out the natural sounds of the northwoods.

In recent years when exploratory activity has been conducted by copper mining companies around Birch Lake and the Kawishiwi River near the Boundary Waters, there has been significant disruption to the wilderness setting – to the dismay of local homeowners, businesses, and camp programs such as Voyageurs Outward Bound School. Wilderness-edge businesses, homeowners, and travelers into the federally protected Wilderness area reported intrusive noises such as drilling, helicopters, explosions, machinery and truck traffic, low constant rumbling and more. These disruptions severely impacted the experience that most people seek in this natural area.

Quiet Parks International classifies quiet areas into five categories: urban quiet parks, wilderness quiet parks, quiet trails, quiet stays, and quiet residences and communities. The organization encourages people and governments to safeguard these areas.

Quiet Parks International, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, CA, has plans to study and recognize additional Wilderness Quiet Parks worldwide. The American Prairie Reserve in Montana, Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada, Namibrand Nature Reserve in Namibia, and Bialowieza Forest in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland are among the locations being considered.