Archives: Press Releases

Just in time for the holidays, Suunto releases one-of-a-kind, microfiber textile straps on the award-winning Suunto 7 and Suunto 3

Suunto, the global leader in sports watches, dive computers and precision instruments, blends style and function in time for the holidays with the release of limited edition Suunto 7 and Suunto 3, featuring the first-of-its-kind, fully microfiber textile watch strap. The new strap delivers increased flexibility for an uncommonly comfortable and secure fit, with breathability and moisture-wicking while exercising and a smart aesthetic for those important video conference calls.

“Silicon and rubber straps are functional for working out, but can leave something to be desired for athletes who wear their watches 24/7. With our new microfiber straps, we’ve created an accessory that adds to the comfort and wearability of our Limited Edition Suunto 7 and Suunto 3, which means you can wear them throughout the day, while at work and at play,” -Suunto President Heikki Norta.

In time for the holiday season, the special edition Suunto 7 will feature a graphite bezel and graphite microfiber strap and include a silicon strap packaged in a premium gift box. The new Suunto 3 edition is available in two options: an all-black and light gold colorway with complimenting microfiber straps.

2020 has been an unprecedented year for many and throughout the year Suunto has focused on helping the community adjust to a new normal. Through substantial software updates, Suunto is working to inspire folks around the world to get active, keep moving, set goals, track trends, and more confidently explore the outdoors.

Launched this year, the Suunto 7 is the first wearable of its kind to deliver a perfect marriage between sport watch and smartwatch utilizing Wear OS by Google and powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 3100 Platform. The Suunto 3 is a slim, lightweight fitness watch with more than 70 sports pre-loaded, sleep-tracking features and an adaptive training guidance feature that functions like a personal trainer.

The Suunto 7 (MSRP: $479) and Suunto 3 (MSRP: $229) with the all-new microfiber watch straps are available for purchase at www.suunto.com on November 16, 2020.

For more information, please contact Emily Banks at emily.banks@rygr.us (US) or Matt Mitchell at matt.mitchell@suunto.com (Global) 

About Suunto: We stand for adventure. Pioneering exploration has been in our DNA since 1936, when Finnish orienteer Tuomas Vohlonen set out to create a more accurate compass, and subsequently invented a new method for manufacturing liquid‐filled compasses. Today Suunto is at the forefront of design and innovation for sports watches, dive computers and instruments used by adventurers all over the globe.

Eighty-four years removed from our founding, we are proud that Suunto products can take a beating, but are also designed with an everyday aesthetic that reflects our Nordic identity. Suunto’s headquarters and factory are still in Finland. We are part of Amer Sports along with sister brands Salomon, Arc’teryx, Peak Performance, Atomic, Wilson and Precor. www.suunto.com

Wear OS by Google is a trademark of Google LLC. Wear OS by Google works with phones running the latest version of Android (excluding Go edition and phones without Google Play Store) or iOS. Supported features may vary between platforms and countries with compatibility subject to change.

 

Hillsound Equipment- the leading producer of winter traction equipment, the award-winning BTR stool, and gaiters for outdoor enthusiasts is thrilled to announce the addition of Mountain Mic to the Ambassador Team. Mountain Mic is just the first of many ambassadors to come as Hillsound grows its community of not only elite athletes, but outdoor enthusiasts as well.

 

Mountain Mic, a voice for hiking’s positive impact on mental health and wellness, is a natural fit for the Hillsound team. His Destination HL and Trap Hike offerings provide a space for people of all backgrounds to gather in the outdoors and recreate together. Hillsound Equipment strives to engage audiences from all walks of life, and they are looking forward to engaging with the Southern-California audience in Mountain Mic’s backyard. 

 

“Inclusivity is a lead word for us at Hillsound and Mountain Mic manifests this through his passion for introducing new people to the outdoors” states Hillsound’s Marketing Manager YooRa Kang. “We want to be a brand that can cater to all levels of outdoor enthusiasts ranging from beginners to experts, and we believe Mountain Mic will be a great leader in this area. He is also working to remove the stigma around mental health and connects the benefits the outdoors can have on mental health, something we strongly believe in as well and that feels more relevant now than ever as we are heading into colder and darker months and COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives”

 

If you need, or know someone who needs support for mental health, please see some useful links below:

 

US & Canada: https://www.crisistextline.org

US: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

CA: https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/looking-for-local-resources-support

 

About Mountain Mic:

“Mountain Mic stands for ‘Finding your voice and while overcoming insurmountable odds,’ and that’s exactly what hiking has done for me.” states Mountain Mic, Hillsound Brand Ambassador. “Throughout my journey, I’ve learned my purpose in life is to connect people and spread my light. What better way to do that, than through hiking!”

To learn more about Mountain Mic follow his Instagram or Facebook pages.

For more details on products, news and brand ambassadors visit www.hillsound.com, or connect with the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

 

#######

 

About Hillsound Equipment, Inc.

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Hillsound offers a range of highly-engineered traction devices for a variety of categories, from winter hiking to ice fishing. Hillsound also specializes in the design and manufacturing of durable and comfortable gaiters as well as ultralight seats.

GOLDEN, Colo. (November 12, 2020) – Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a leading provider of outdoor experiences for youth from unfairly marginalized communities announces Summit for Someone 2021 fundraising campaign.

The BCM Summit for Someone program gives everyone the opportunity to challenge themselves while helping to support the youth that BCM serves every year. Each Summit for Someone adventure is run by BCM’s professional guide partners and takes participants on incredible high alpine adventures. The funds raised through each Summit for Someone adventure directly support BCM’s mission to support youth across the country.

Due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 and out of precaution for guide partners and participants, the majority of the 2020 Summit for Someone adventures were canceled. While unfortunate, this gap created by COVID-19 did open the opportunity for individuals participate in the Adventure for Someone program and create their own custom challenges.

Custom challenges in 2020 raised over $31,000 dollars for BCM and featured a variety of adventures ranging from Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hikes, summiting the Guardian Peaks, climbing multiple 14ers in Colorado to biking across Missouri on the Katy Trail.

The 2021 Summit for Someone adventure series kicks off on June 10, 2021 and will feature adventures in Mt. Hood, the Grand Teton and Longs Peak. Each adventure’s itinerary is designed with entry-level technical skills in mind, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and be challenged while giving back.

2021 Adventures:

• Whitney, June 10 – 12
• Hood, June 10 – 11
• Presidential Range Traverse, June 25 – 27
• Grand Teton, July 11 – 14
• Rainier, July 27 – 30
• Longs Peak, August 20 – 22
• Whitney, September 16 – 18

To learn more about the 2021 Summit for Someone adventures, please visit: www.bigcitymountaineers.org/summit-for-someone

###

Big City Mountaineers (BCM) provides free – fully outfitted and professionally led – backpacking trips, paddling expeditions, and camps so all youth can access the mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of being connected to nature. Research shows that experiences in nature reduce stress, improve physical health, advance education outcomes, and build civic mindedness. Unfortunately, not every young person has the same opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and are unable to take in all the benefits of being connected to nature in an equitable way. BCM’s model removes material and social barriers to participation outdoors by acting as a hub between the outdoor industry, youth-serving community-based organizations, caring adult mentors, and professional experiential educators.

To learn more, please visit www.bigcitymountaineers.org

Leveraging 30 years of adventure travel leadership, REI Co-op enhanced its private departures offering for its global trip assortment to make it easier to participate in exclusive fully guided vacations. Groups of four or more travelers now receive the same pricing per person as REI’s regular trips.

“A bucket list adventure with those closest to you is now easier than ever to schedule. An REI private departure is one of the most competitive offers in the adventure travel industry because other operators require larger groups to qualify and higher per person prices,” said Cynthia Dunbar, REI adventure travel director of sales, service and operations. “With close to 200 REI itineraries to choose from, we are ready to make adventure dreams a reality and help create a lifetime of memories.”

REI private departures are ideal for special occasions, life milestones, reunions and family vacations. The process is easy – first, select an itinerary suited to a group’s destination and outdoor activity preferences. Then, decide on a date and connect with the co-op’s adventure travel experts to confirm. REI will work with every guest to make all the arrangements and help the group prepare, including packing lists and product recommendations, conditioning suggestions, expectations about required health and safety actions before and during travel, and access to travel experts to answer questions. This service level helps ensure all guests are well-prepared for an active adventure.

From November 13-23, the co-op is offering a promotion of 10% off private departures trip prices as part of its Gear Up and Get Out sale. Pricing is valid for groups of four or more people. Private departure travel excludes volunteer vacation and cruises, and must be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2021.   

In addition to enhancing its private departures, REI has taken other actions this year to provide peace of mind when choosing an adventure vacation tour operator. Throughout the year, REI’s travel experts have been busy rescheduling trips with guests and issuing full refunds to anyone who wished to cancel due to health concerns from the pandemic. The company also examined its entire trip assortment to ensure operations exceeded health and safety guidelines, and added new policies to ensure the health and well-being of all travelers.  Select US trips recently restarted, including backpacking, hiking and women’s itineraries in the American Southwest.  For those booking and researching future adventures, the travel leader is experiencing strong interest in its US national parks trips, and categories for weekends, Women’s Adventures, Signature Camping and Under 35.

About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 19 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 167 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company, a global leader that runs more than 200 itineraries across all continents. In every community where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.

SAN CLEMENTE, CA, (November 12, 2020) – Dragon Eyewear, a leader in the performance eyewear space with deep roots in the action sports world, and 686, an apparel company known for uniquely crafted designs and collaborations, has introduced a new capsule collection for the Winter 2020 season. Inclusive of the 686 GORE-TEX hydra Thermagraph® jacket and Dragon’s PXV and X2S goggles, this seasons capsule collection was born through an exclusive collaboration across both design teams and utilizes a shared dual camo colorway; creating a seamless synergy across 686 and Dragon winter gear. This unique approach provides a platform to focus on the style and performance of each brands premium products, while giving riders alike the ability to pair their favorite outwear and goggles on the slopes.

“Dragon has been a successful collaborative partner in the past for 686. As we both have matured over the years, it was time to come back together again. Dragon has always had a real connection to snowboarding, skiing and the culture which aligns with 686. The Dragon x 686 capsule’s technical GORE-TEX Hydra Jacket with matching Dragon PXV or X2S Snow Goggle is a perfect on-mountain synergy,” said Patrick McCarthy, 686 Team Manager.

More than a shared culture, 686 and Dragon are similarly known for their world-class team roster. Both brands jointly support professional snow and ski athletes, Gigi Rüf, Forest Bailey, Laurent De Martin and Chase Blackwell, which lends to the capsule collection coming to life.

“Our design team works continuously to develop new technologies and innovations,” said Thomas Burkhardt, Senior Vice President of Global Brands, Marketing and Design at Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “Both goggles pair nicely with the 686 jacket, making it a collaboration that we are very proud of, and giving riders the total package.”

All Products are available now at https://www.686.com/collections/dragon and both Dragon Goggles are available at https://www.dragonalliance.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-dragon-Site/en_US/Search-Show?q=686&lang=en_US

 

About 686

We were born with a thirst for innovation and an open mind, constantly searching for a way to alter the outcome of the future. Our apparel is meant to create conversation and collaboration. We urge people to be different, to stand out, to celebrate uniqueness and diversity and always question what has come before them. With this in mind, we aim to establish a home for all and all are welcome.

 

About Dragon

Based in San Clemente, California, Dragon is internationally recognized as a leading performance eyewear brand for those seeking progressively designed products, high-level performance and innovative technology. Since 1993, our world class collection of athletes and ambassadors helped pioneer and inspire our wide range of products, while our heritage in surf and snow culture illustrates our ongoing celebration of an active, impassioned lifestyle. For more information on Dragon’s premium goggles and eyewear, visit dragonalliance.com

 

About Marchon Eyewear, Inc.

Marchon Eyewear, Inc. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunwear. The company markets its products under prestigious brand names including: Airlock, Calvin Klein, Chloé, Columbia, Diane von Furstenberg, DKNY, Donna Karan, Dragon, Flexon, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Lanvin, Liu Jo, Longchamp, Marchon NYC,  Marni,  MCM,  Nautica,  Nike,  Nine  West,  Pure,  Salvatore Ferragamo,  Skaga and Victoria Beckham.  Marchon Eyewear distributes its products through a global network of subsidiaries and distributors, serving over 80,000 accounts in more than 100 countries. Marchon Eyewear is a VSP Global® company, which is a doctor governed organization focused on connecting its 88 million members to affordable, accessible, high quality eye care and eyewear. For more information, visit www.marchon.com and follow @marchoneyewear.

# # #

LINK TO DOWNLOAD IMAGES:  https://marchon.box.com/s/hbepfbtuvyszv6zz4vr053h3p5cyqjk4

Astral, manufacturer of award-winning PFDs and footwear, is excited to announce the latest addition to their sustainable Hemp footwear collection: the Hemp Chukker.

 

Astral’s take on the classic chukka boot, the all-new Hemp Chukker combines style and performance to deliver a boot with looks fit for the city, plus capabilities fit for the trail. Lightweight and adaptable, these boots were built with durable yet comfortable hemp canvas, and outfitted with Astral’s custom G Rubber outsoles, creating a boot that performs when you need it, and looks damn good in the process.

 

“We’re excited to launch the Hemp Chukker,” says Philip Curry, Founder and CEO of Astral. “It really falls in line with our vision of creating footwear that’s stylish, versatile, and–most important of all–sustainable.”

 

As the latest shoe in Astral’s growing Hemp collection, the Hemp Chukker underscores Astral’s continuing commitment to create sustainable and stylish outdoor gear and footwear. Hemp requires only 1/3 as much water as cotton does to grow, yet it provides a 3x better yield per acre, and it doesn’t require petroleum-based fertilizers or harmful pesticides to grow. Hemp also has some unique performance characteristics, such as better abrasion resistance than cotton, and naturally antimicrobial properties. Astral’s Hemp canvas is made from 77% sustainable Hemp and 23% recycled polyester.

 

For more information on Astral please visit www.astraldesigns.com or contact Dan Arnett at dan@darbycommunications.com.

 

About Astral

Established in 2002, Astral has grown to specialize in high performance footwear alongside its industry-leading safety gear for paddlers. Independently owned and operated with a sincere commitment to making products of the highest performance and style for use in Nature. Astral is based in the year-round outdoor wonderland of Asheville, NC and has satellite offices in Bend, Oregon and Saigon, Vietnam. #NatureFirst

SylvanSport, the Brevard, NC-based maker of innovative trailers and camping gear, is excited to announce their updated and improved Cloud Layer Mattress: a self-inflating camping mattress designed for standalone use, or to nest with their popular Cloud Layer sleeping bags.

A totally redesigned two-valve system with inflating connectors and tethered valve caps makes inflating and deflating easier and faster than any other camping mattress on the market. The mattress self-inflates in 30 seconds, and campers can “top it off” to their comfort level by connecting the waterproof storage sack to a valve, rolling the sack, and pressing air from the sack into the mattress. No additional pump is necessary! To deflate, campers simply flip the valves to the deflate setting and roll the mattress down to its 11”x34” pack size.

 

Oversized for maximum comfort, the 80”x34” mattress is padded with fast-fill foam, includes a 34”x12” built-in pillow, and expands to 4” thick when inflated. Its dimensions were designed to fit perfectly on the SylvanSport GO bed frame and to nest inside SylvanSport’s Cloud Layer sleeping bags, but the mattress can be used separately, as well. A durable, rugged bottom fabric protects the mattress while soft, stretchy side panels and a velvet-touch top fabric provide next-to-skin comfort. The 11”x34” carrying case is completely waterproof and comes equipped with an integrated carrying handle with clips.

 

“The Cloud Layer sleep system is designed to give people the best night’s sleep they’ve ever had while camping,” says Kara Errickson, Creative Director at SylvanSport. “The latest upgrades to the Cloud Layer mattress emphasize not only comfort, but convenience, so you can bring home-like comfort to the campsite, and spend less time setting up.”

 

If you would like more information on SylvanSport, please visit their website at www.sylvansport.com. For media inquiries, please reach out to Dan Arnett at dan@darbycommunications.com.  *SylvanSport offers pro deals! Claim yours today by emailing sales@sylvansport.com

About SylvanSport

Tom Dempsey founded SylvanSport in 2004 to bridge the Outdoor and RV industries. What started as an idea to create the next generation, lightweight pop-up camper has evolved into a full lineup of award-winning towables and innovative gear. The company mission to build a sustainable future starts with local sourcing and extends all the way to national initiatives for wilderness protection. Visit sylvansport.com to learn more.

American-made direct-to-consumer ski company and world-renowned skier will debut new skis

One of the most demanding and creative minds in U.S. skiing history is turning his attention to one of the most elusive materials challenges in ski development. Five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller has teamed with aerospace engineer, Chase Englehart to serve as chief innovation officer at Crosson Ski, the Washington-based craft ski maker. The pair will debut Crosson’s new, expanded line of skis later this month, including a series built with carbon fiber and series centered around traditional ski manufacturing.

“Carbon fiber is one of the most difficult and promising materials used in ski production today and I became really interested in Crosson when I saw Chase bring his aerospace expertise to the category in a manner that was solving a lot of the problems I’ve seen with the material. I actually just cold-called him to talk about it,” says Miller. “I have tried to make skis entirely out of carbon before, but I never got it exactly right. We’re onto something unique here and I’m more excited about this project than any I’ve touched since my retirement.”

Miller isn’t alone among elite skiers pushing Crosson forward, however. Joining Miller are former U.S. Olympians Jeff Olson and Bryon Friedman, who recently joined the company as president and chief marketing officer, respectively. Add to this an athlete and product development roster that includes four-time X Games champion Bobby Brown, ski mountaineer Doug Stoup, and big-mountain freeskier Banks Gilberti, and Crosson is poised for a breakthrough in the U.S. and European alpine ski markets.

“There are unprecedented challenges facing our sport as we enter Winter 2020-21, but with that comes new opportunities. We’ve assembled a team at Crosson that believes deeply in the path we’re forging on product development,” says Englehart. “Bode was well known on the World Cup circuit as the ultimate tinkerer, with an attention to detail in his equipment that was without equal. He’s brought that focus to Crosson and in very little time, Jeff, Bryon and Bode have helped reinvent our design and production in ways that consumers will clearly see when we launch our new lines in November.”

Learn more about Crosson Ski at www.crossonski.com. 

Please direct all media inquiries to PR Director Greg Fitzsimmons at greg.fitzsimmons@rygr.us.   

About Crosson Ski: Born out of a desire to innovate, Crosson Ski launched with the goal of perfecting the carbon ski. Crosson implements design technologies found in the aviation and aerospace industries to ski manufacturing out of its headquarters in the Pacific Northwest. Crosson builds innovative skis in American with insight from world-renowned athletes for the everyday skier.

# # #

Groundswell PR, an outdoor, active lifestyle and sustainable products public relations agency, announced today that it has been named the public relations agency of record for Altra, an innovator in the performance footwear category. Altra selected Groundswell PR as its strategic partner to help expand and reach new audiences through awareness and product campaigns. 

Based in Denver, Colo., Altra was born after founder Golden Harper became frustrated that modern running shoe technology caused poor running form and had not decreased running injuries. His passion to create a shoe that followed the science produced Altra’s FootShape™ toe box and Balanced Cushioning™ platform. Since its founding in 2011, Harper and co-founder Brian Beckstead have grown Altra from one to 30 shoe styles, winning multiple Editor’s Choice awards and distribution in more than 60 countries. 

“We looked for an agency partner that has the background and experience necessary to continue to drive growth momentum at Altra,” said Shanna Burnette, Global Community and Partnerships at Altra. “It’s an exciting time at Altra and Groundswell PR not only demonstrated its ability to help us connect with our audience on an emotional level but how they will work alongside us as we change the game in running shoes.”

As the company looks to grow its audience, Altra will look to Groundswell PR and its media relations expertise to expand awareness, educate and inspire runners through thoughtful and engaging communications. Groundswell PR will provide ongoing expertise on public relations initiatives to build its reputation in the running footwear industry. 

“The team here at Groundswell PR are fueled by companies that lead with a clear purpose and Altra has one that hits close to home to our crew of road and trail runners,” shared Caroline Kelm, Groundswell PR Co-Owner. “We will work hand-in-hand with Altra to amplify the life-changing benefits that their running shoes provide and elevate the brand as a catalyst for what it means to run naturally.”

For more information, please visit www.groundswellpr.com or follow on Instagram for the latest. 

###

 

About Groundswell PR

With over 20 years of collective active lifestyle public relations and marketing experience, Groundswell PR specializes in maximizing media, consumer and industry exposure for companies, destinations, and organizations looking to increase sales and capture new and exciting audiences. Groundswell’s extensive mix of marketing services combine authentic branding and communication methods with a lifetime of rad experiences deeply rooted in the outdoor, action sports and natural products industries. Groundswell PR is a boutique shop located in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information, visit www.GroundswellPR.com.

About Altra:

Altra was founded in the backroom of a small specialty running store in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Since the beginning, the goal has been to create innovative and purposeful running shoes that help people run more naturally. Altra’s unique platform includes a FootshapeTMtoebox that allows the toes to relax and spread out which enhances stability and encourages natural running form. Balanced Cushioning™ platform that positions the heel and forefoot at an equal distance from the ground, cultivating optimal alignment, better form, and a low-impact landing. Altra is on a mission to unleash human potential by inspiring the world to move naturally. Be a part of our journey and follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

ECCO, the leading family-owned global footwear brand, has announced Erik Walcott  as Global Head of Specialty Sales. Having previously worked with the leading premium footwear and leather company for nearly a decade, from  2005 to 2014, Walcott will oversee global sales for the brand’s Outdoor division, effective immediately.

“We are thrilled to have Erik return to ECCO and believe his deep expertise and diverse background, spanning nearly two decades in footwear and including some highly-respected brands, will be an amazing asset to the ECCO team,” states Nikolai Christensen, Head of Outdoor, ECCO Global.   “His proven ability to prepare and execute aggressive, impactful sales plans will be leveraged as we continue to deliver on our commitment to the outdoor category business, not only in the US, but globally.”

From driving the global strategy and implementing market-specific programs, to leading regional sales managers around the world, Walcott will direct the best-in-class customer service the ECCO brand is known for.  He will also lead the positioning of ECCO for growth in new channels of distribution, seeking new opportunities and retail partnerships for ECCO’s growing outdoor category. 

Most recently serving as the VP of Sales for Rumpl, Walcott’s experience also includes over four years with Keen, where he was the brand’s Sales Director for the West. “They say that life comes full circle, and I’m happy to be back with the ECCO global team and believe the skills I’ve honed and experience I’ve collected positions us for significant and meaningful growth. I look forward to working with and expanding the outdoor team and category during this exciting time,” adds Walcott.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Walcott will report directly to Christensen at the brand’s headquarters in Denmark.

About ECCO

ECCO is one of the world’s leading shoe brands, combining style and comfort. ECCO’s success is built on products with a great fit and top-quality leathers. ECCO owns and manages every aspect of the value chain from tanneries and shoe manufacturing to wholesale and retail activities. ECCO’s products are sold in 90 countries from over 2,200 ECCO shops and more than 14,000 sales points. ECCO is family-owned, founded in Denmark in 1963, and employs more than 21,000 people worldwide. www.ecco.com