Rumpl Unveils Artist Series Collabs Inspired by Swiss Alps, Graffiti Murals

Rumpl, the category leader in technical blankets, announces the launch of limited-edition blankets designed by two artists, Corinne Weidmann and Nathan Brown, as part of the Rumpl Artist Division (RAD) for Spring 2023. The collections feature original artwork commissioned by Corinne Weidmann and Nathan Brown and are available today at Rumpl.com and select retailers.

RAD is a collaborative program that highlights the work of accomplished and upcoming artists who inspire creativity in communities worldwide. Weidmann is a Swiss-born and -based artist who specializes in modern mountainscapes and landscapes of Europe and the Pacific Northwest. Brown is a Nashville-based artist and muralist who draws inspiration from skateboarding, travel and graffiti.

Corinne Weidmann x Lauterbrunnen Valley

The Rumpl x Corinne Weidmann Lauterbrunnen Valley artwork is inspired by the Bernese Alps in western Switzerland. Weidmann’s paintings depict alpine landscapes of rocks and glaciers with bold and vivid colors. Most of her work, including this blanket, are simple representations of the appreciation for the beauty around us. Weidmann instills her passion for climate advocacy into all her work.

“Being in nature is a bit like medicine to me. It‘s not something I can easily describe in words, but rather comes as a very grounding and humbling feeling. Recognizing how small and irrelevant I am in the context of everything around me makes me think less about myself and more about the entirety embedded in me. It‘s this feeling that I try to transfer into all of my work, including my partnership with Rumpl,” says Weidmann.

The Lauterbrunnen Valley Original Puffy Blanket (MSRP: $145) is made with Rumpl’s 100% post-consumer recycled polyester shell and 3D hollow fiber siliconized synthetic insulation. Each blanket reclaims 60 post-consumer plastic bottles. The durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment and 30-denier ripstop polyester fabric make this blanket weather- and stain-resistant to hold up to all your outdoor adventures.

Nathan Brown x Cozy Dimensions

The Rumpl x Nathan Brown Cozy Dimensions artwork is inspired by a mural that Brown painted at Rumpl’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The mural pulls on inspiration from his love for skateboarding and painting graffiti on big buildings. Brown’s passion for skating led him to graffiti, which eventually evolved into a full-time career painting murals. He’s also an environmental advocate and these values transfer into his pieces as certain colorways and organic shapes.

“The process of taking my artwork from the streets to Rumpl’s product was a fun challenge because I’m not a graphic designer by trade. And the opportunity to transform a space will always be way up there for me. Seeing people happy because I brought color and life to a space is a huge motivator. Seeing the potential of a wall, handrail, curb, or ledge reminds me of skating and the many hours of joy it could bring,” says Brown.

The Nathan Brown collection includes the Cozy Dimensions Original Puffy Blanket (MSRP: $145), which is made using Rumpl’s 100% post-consumer recycled polyester shell and 3D hollow fiber siliconized synthetic insulation. The Cozy Dimensions Everywhere Towel (MSRP: $60) is an ultra-absorbent, quick-drying packable towel that repels everything from sand to pet hair. The Cozy Dimensions Beer Blankets (MSRP: $9) are Rumpl’s compressible beverage blanket, adding that extra layer of insulation for a cold beer and warm hands.

Corinne Weidmann and Nathan Brown are the first new artists to join the RAD in 2023. Rumpl also launches an assortment of collaborations with additional artists, including Maggie Thompson, Shae Anthony and Aaron Kai.

The Corinne Weidmann and Nathan Brown products are now available at www.rumpl.com and select retailers. For more information, please contact Senior Account Manager Maria Brickman at Maria.Brickman@rygr.us.

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About Rumpl: Based in Portland, Oregon, Rumpl makes Blankets for Everywhere. Utilizing material technologies commonly found in activewear and outdoor gear, Rumpl aims to modernize the everyday blanket. Rumpl’s high-quality, versatile blankets keep you comfortable no matter where you are. The materials have been tested and proven in harsh environments, yet specifically selected for comfort and durability. Rumpl believes the blanket you use every day deserves the same attention to detail as a sleeping bag you might use ten times a year. The result is a premium and versatile blanket that can be used anywhere you go or when you do not go anywhere. www.rumpl.com.

About Corinne Weidmanm: Corinne Weidmann is a Swiss-born and based artist who specializes in modern mountainscapes and landscapes of Europe and the Pacific Northwest. She pours abstract, theoretical, and philosophical concepts and visualizations of landscapes into her work.

About Nathan Brown: Nathan Brown is a Nashville-based artist and muralist who draws inspiration from skateboarding, travels, painting graffiti, gradient color palettes in nature, city life and structural lines in architecture.

Clayer – Leaving a Positive Impact on the Environment to a better future

Clayer is a brand that is dedicated to providing products in the most eco-friendly way possible. Working with an exclusive supplier who has been recognized for their efforts, receiving the award for the greenest company in France. This is a testament to their commitment to sustainability and to preserving the environment.

Clayer’s commitment to sustainability starts with not only the choice of suppliers but also their packaging. They use eco-friendly materials and techniques to ensure that their products reach customers in the most environmentally responsible way possible. Until now, all packaging were made from recycled and recyclable plastic. But by the end of 2023, the goal is to switch all material to plastic free, with Sugar cane resin, in order to reducing waste through the use of minimal packaging.

In addition to their eco-friendly packaging, Clayer is also committed to offering non-toxic products. Their products are free from harmful chemicals and are safe for both the environment and for customers. They believe in providing high-quality products that are not only safe for the environment, but also safe for the people who use them.

Clayer is proud to be committed to making a difference in the world. They believe that every small change can make a big impact and are proud to be leading the way in sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Clayer is a company that is dedicated to leave a positive impact by providing eco-friendly products in the most responsible way possible. They are committed to using sustainable materials and techniques, and to offering non-toxic products that are safe for the environment and for customers.  

Clayer also wants to educate customers via the blog on their website.

Moving forward together to a better future, for yourself, the Planet and the next generations.

Clarus’ Black Diamond Equipment Appoints Neil Fiske as Brand President

Black Diamond, Equipment, Ltd., a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative, high performance outdoor equipment, apparel, and footwear, and a subsidiary of Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ: CLAR) (“Clarus” and/or the “Company”), has appointed Neil Fiske to the role of Brand President.

Fiske will be responsible for accelerating growth and lifting profitability by capitalizing on attractive expansion opportunities across various categories, channels and regions. He joins Black Diamond® from Marquee Brands, a leading brand accelerator with a portfolio of 13 brands. As a CEO for almost 20 years, he has extensive experience in the outdoor, active, and apparel categories, having led transformational change at Marquee Brands (including Dakine and Body Glove), Eddie Bauer, Billabong International, the Gap, and L Brands. An avid outdoorsman and experienced mountaineer, Fiske brings deep expertise in building brands, driving innovation, and improving operational performance.

Clarus Executive Chairman Warren Kanders commented: “We are thrilled to have someone of Neil’s experience and talent leading Black Diamond, a brand we believe has tremendous growth potential globally. Neil fully appreciates the brand’s fifty-year heritage, its culture, and core values, but also the need to modernize and look forward. With this appointment, we look forward to building Black Diamond to its fullest potential.”

After leading the successful turnaround of the Bath and Body Works division of L Brands, Fiske became the CEO of Eddie Bauer where he brought the heritage brand back to its outdoor roots. Notably, he conceived and launched the highly successful First Ascent line using an innovative process driven by a world class team of guides, athletes and mountain professionals. The expedition-grade line proved to be a major catalyst in revitalizing Eddie Bauer’s position as an authentic outdoor outfitter.

Fiske then took over as CEO of Billabong International as part of a rescue and recapitalization turnaround program. Under his leadership, Billabong revamped its product line, marketing, digital channels, and operations under a strategy of “global brands on global platforms,” which resulted in significant share gain for the company’s biggest brands. Fiske continued his leadership in the active/outdoor sector as CEO of Marquee brands, which owns Dakine and Body Glove.

Fiske commented, “When your life in outdoor adventures depends quite literally on the gear you choose, you form a lasting bond with those types of brands. That’s certainly been my experience as a user of Black Diamond. I’ve long admired their uncompromising standard to be the best at what they do. It comes from the brand’s long-standing ethos Founder Peter Metcalf established from the beginning – ‘to be one with the sports we serve and absolutely indistinguishable from them.’ We will honor and build on that legacy as we shape it for the future. I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the team that will take this revered brand to new heights — for our customers, retail partners, employees, suppliers, and investors, it’s going to be a great climb.”

Fiske received his BA from Williams College and MBA from Harvard University. His work has received numerous industry awards for product innovation, marketing, and brand building.

 

About Clarus Corporation

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Clarus Corporation is a global leading designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of best-in-class outdoor equipment and lifestyle products focused on the outdoor and consumer enthusiast markets. Our mission is to identify, acquire and grow outdoor “super fan” brands through our unique “innovate and accelerate” strategy. We define a “super fan” brand as a brand that creates the world’s pre-eminent, performance-defining product that the best-in-class user cannot live without. Each of our brands has a long history of continuous product innovation for core and everyday users alike. The Company’s products are principally sold globally under the Black Diamond®, Rhino-Rack®, MAXTRAX®, Sierra®, and Barnes® brand names through outdoor specialty and online retailers, our own websites, distributors and original equipment manufacturers. Our portfolio of iconic brands is well-positioned for sustainable, long-term growth underpinned by powerful industry trends across the outdoor and adventure sport end markets. For additional information, please visit www.claruscorp.com or the brand websites at www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.rhinorack.com, www.maxtrax.com.au, www.sierrabullets.com, www.barnesbullets.com, www.pieps.com, or www.goclimbon.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Please note that in this press release we may use words such as “appears,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release, include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties more fully described from time to time in the Company’s public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and/or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward- looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Life Time Introduces New Little Sugar MTB, Launches Big Sugar Classic Cycling Festival

Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand and owner and producer of 30 premier athletic events, announces the launch of the Life Time Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda, a new mountain bike event set for October 15, 2023, in Northwest Arkansas. The event expands Life Time’s portfolio of best-in-class off-road events and adds to its mountain bike lineup, which also includes the Life Time Sea Otter Classic Fuego XL, Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB, and the Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival presented by Trek. Little Sugar MTB will occur the weekend before the Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda, setting the stage for the creation of the new, week-long Big Sugar Classic Cycling Festival to occur Saturday, October 14 through Sunday, October 24. Registration opens on March 1 – the same day as registration for Big Sugar Gravel.

Little Sugar MTB honors the investment, culture, and amazing biking community that the Northwest Arkansas region has worked to create. The event is expected to attract a world-class field to Arkansas’ legendary singletrack mountain bike terrain and will offer participants the opportunity to qualify for the Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Little Sugar MTB will be produced by the same team behind Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda, the Leadville Race Series, and Garmin Unbound Gravel presented by Craft Sportswear, and includes the support of Bentonville locals and industry leaders, Aimee and Nat Ross, as community liaisons.

The Little Sugar MTB event weekend will feature a one-day expo on Saturday, October 14, with participants taking on the challenging singletrack trails that roughly follows the course through Bentonville and Bella Vista, Arkansas, on Sunday October 15. Three course distances will be offered: 100k with 6,610’ of elevation gain, 50k with 3,461’ of elevation gain, and 20k with 1,125’ of elevation gain. Exact courses subject to final approvals. There will also be a $25,000 prize purse for the top finishers of the 100k event.

All course distances will start in Bentonville at the Coler MTB Preserve, traverse legendary terrain in Bella Vista and finish in downtown Bentonville. The flagship 100k distance will pass through the Little Sugar and Back 40 trails in Bella Vista and Slaughter Pen trails in Bentonville, trails before heading back to town. As riders face grinding climbs that alternate with fasting rolling descents, they will be greeted by the area’s stunning landscape, featuring unique bluff lines, caves, waterfalls, and Bella Vista’s iconic Ledges trail. 

“The singletrack mountain bike terrain and development that has taken place in Northwest Arkansas is undeniably world class and we are very excited to bring a new Life Time MTB event to the region,” said Kimo Seymour, President of Life Time Events. “The Sea Otter Classic kicks off the cycling season for many and we love the opportunity to bring the cycling community back together at the end of the season for a week-long celebration of all things cycling.”

The Big Sugar Classic will celebrate and wrap up the off-road North America cycling calendar. Families, athletes, brands, and leaders in the cycling community are invited to stay for the week between the Little Sugar MTB and Big Sugar Gravel events, to enjoy trail spotlights, industry gatherings, group rides, clinics and more. Other cycling industry events happening during the same week and complementing the The Big Sugar Classic include: 

  • People for Bikes SHIFT Conference – official date has not yet been announced for 2023
  • Outerbike Bentonville – October 20-22, 2023
  • The Big Sugar Gravel Expo (and Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda Finale Programming) – October 19, 2023

“Our community has worked for years together to build our region as a mountain biking destination and partnering with Life Time to host the Little Sugar MTB event represents the pinnacle of achievements,” stated Kalene Griffith, CEO/President, Visit Bentonville. “Life Time is the best of the best for organizing events. Partnering with their team means showcasing our region’s trails to a whole new audience. It only reaffirms Bentonville’s status as the MTB Capital of the world™.” 

“Between the Back 40, Little Sugar, and Blowing Springs trail systems, Bella Vista is home to over 100 miles of world-class singletrack as challenging as it is beautiful”, said Brandon Kelley, director of Discover Bella Vista. “We are especially excited that this partnership with Life Time will expose Bella Vista to a wider audience so that they can come here and experience that beauty for themselves.”

More information on the Little Sugar MTB, Big Sugar Gravel, race registration, and the week-long cycling festival can be found at bigsugarclassic.com. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook. 

More information about all Life Time athletic events is available at https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html.

About Life Time®, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.

Kitsbow Recognized For Visionary Leadership in Sustainability by the North Carolina Business Council

Kitsbow Cycling Apparel was recognized for Visionary Leadership in Sustainability by the North Carolina Business Council as part of their Sixth Annual awards ceremony in Raleigh, N.C. on January 26, 2023. Numerous businesses leading the way in sustainable practices, technologies, and methods are nominated, and the Council selects winners from the field of nominees.

“The team at Kitsbow has been intentional on multiple dimensions of sustainability,” explained David Billstrom, one of the leaders at employee-owned Kitsbow. “Based on the foundation of making products after they are ordered to avoid unsold inventory landing in landfills, the team is also subsidizing a resale store just for used apparel, introduced all-compostable packaging and shipping materials two years ago, and for the last four years has outright avoided ocean transport of clothes made overseas – in opposition to 98% of the clothes currently sold in the U.S. by other brands.”

“We are truly humbled and honored that the leaders at the North Carolina Business Council noticed our work and chose to recognize our leadership despite the many worthy businesses demonstrating sustainable practices,” noted Jessie Inglis, Director of Production for Kitsbow.

The Kitsbow Experienced Apparel store is simple to use for both buyers and sellers, with sellers paying a 10% fee of the sales price for use of the service. Kitsbow is also providing sellers with an option to receive 110% of their sales price as store credit to use in the regular Kitsbow.com store.

Dimensions of Kitsbow’s Sustainability

Kitsbow.com offers 5,000+ different sizes, fits, and colors of a collection of men and women’s apparel, but usually only makes the garment after the customer places the order. Shipping is always free, direct to the customer’s home, and gives unprecedented choice to the user – they get the exact size, fit and color they want, not what happens to be on the shelf. This also prevents the massive waste and harm of unsold apparel in landfills, which experts have calculated could be as much as 20% of all the finished goods made worldwide every year.

Kitsbow Experienced Apparel enables Kitsbow customers to list and sell their Kitsbow gear, and thus provides the public a way to buy used Kitsbow gear at a more affordable price point. Anyone can buy or sell our durable apparel to each other, which keeps the gear in service of adventure and enjoying the outdoors – and keeps it out of the landfill.

All packaging used in shipping Kitsbow apparel is compostable by the consumer in their own garden, from the shipping box or bag to the retail bag, and everything else used in shipping: tape, shipping labels, even barcode labels. Kitsbow makes its sources for its packaging available to any brand considering using these compostable options.

About Kitsbow

Kitsbow was established in California over 10 years ago, with each detail of our apparel vetted for quality and style. The clothes are also exceedingly durable, which means they last longer, and that the negative impact of production is minimized. Relocating to Old Fort, North Carolina in 2019, Kitsbow committed to a Just in Time manufacturing model, minimizing waste and maximizing flexibility to serve the customer and halting imports from overseas. Kitsbow clothing (except for gloves and socks) is sewn in the USA from both domestic and imported material, and all Kitsbow products are packaged and shipped using compostable packaging that’s ready to return to the Earth in your own garden. 

In January 2022, Kitsbow employees purchased the company from the original investors and rebooted as an employee-owned  public benefit corporation, and has started the process to become a certified B Corp. Kitsbow also is a Bicycle Friendly Business, designated at the highest level (Platinum) by The League of American Bicyclists. 

Individuals now are able to become a stakeholder in Kitsbow by making an investment; the Kitsbow team invites you to learn more at https://Wefunder.com/Kitsbow.