Archives: Press Releases

Tread Labs, a leading performance insole brand established by Chaco founder Mark Paigen, today announced it is debuting its premium lifestyle sandal collection for men and women incorporating 35 years of proven expertise. Launching immediately online and at select retailers, this line is built upon the brand’s “Your Support Group” system providing unprecedented levels of comfort, pain relief and performance. 

 

When Paigen and his team saw their customers’ passion for their insoles, the next step was to create a line of sandals providing the same level of support for warm weather. Tread Labs sandals are guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for the useful life of the product and all outsoles may be replaced for an additional cost.

 

“We saw a clear gap in the sandal category where we could bring our insole engineering to everyday footwear providing the next generation of comfort and fit,” said Paigen. “We began with the midsole of a running shoe, fast, comfortable, lightweight and cushioned, then added the proven arch support that our insole customers love and a microsuede footbed. Our rubber sole adds durability and slip resistance. Lastly, the 100% knit upper and the direct attach, glue less construction result in clean lines and an authentic sustainable shoe.”

 

Specifically, the sandals feature:

• Ultra-lightweight polyurethane midsoles sharing the DNA with performance running shoes for a smooth ride
• Non-marking rubber soles with recycled content providing slip resistance and durability
• Perfectly contoured footbeds incorporating the proven arch support of Tread Labs’ insoles providing transformative comfort
• An aluminum buckle that is low-profile, non-slip, unbreakable and secure
• A water friendly profile that is machine washable
• 3D knitted uppers using 100% recycled polyester that fit like a glove and have a fresh clean aesthetic
• Micro-suede footbeds with anti-microbial treatment
• Direct attach construction and knitted uppers eliminating glue and waste, simplifying construction.

 

 

 

The women’s Albion, featuring a lightweight, minimal design, is durable enough for extended trips and easily transitions from the trail to a night on the town. Available in Ruby, Deep, Zebra, Black, and Leaf colorways, it is priced at $120. The women’s Covelo, designed as a recovery sandal, is a slip- on with the arch support of a custom orthotic. Priced at $110, it is available in Lagoon, Rock, Fire, Black, and Leaf colorways.

 

The men’s Albion, priced at $120, is built like a running shoe, but with that “top down” feel. It is available in Deep, Black, and Leaf colorways. The women’s Covelo blends the feel of a flip-flop with the structure of a sandal and is an essential “go to” summer style that easily lives on the front porch. Priced at $110, it is available in Leaf, Deep, Rock, and Yoke colorways.

 

About Tread Labs

Tread Labs was founded in 2015 by Mark Paigen, who previously founded (and later sold) Chaco sandals. Tread Labs was created to improve people’s lives by giving feet the support they desperately need. Tread Labs’ proprietary two-part insole system is designed for the long haul. The molded arch supports are guaranteed forever, and the top covers are easily replaced to make insoles like new again, without having to buy a whole new pair. Better for the wallet, better for the planet. Sandals are debuting in 2023 and closed footwear is in development.

Local community and outdoor industry invited to join festivities, supported by IKON Pass, Visit Salt Lake, Uinta Brewing, Black Diamond, KÜHL, Stanley and Thread

 

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, California – (January 6, 2023) – Celebrating the return of Outdoor Retailer to Salt Lake City and County, Outdoor Retailer is hosting a Homecoming Block Party and inviting the local community and outdoor industry to come together for an evening of winter fun. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. outside – rain, snow or moonlight – in downtown Salt Lake on the 100 South block between West Temple and Main, across from the Salt Palace Convention Center. The evening lineup includes a drone show, Olympic athletes, a pep rally, DJs, food, drinks, and other activities. The OR Homecoming Block party is free and open to all ages.

“Salt Lake City has been a rich part of Outdoor Retailer’s history. We are so happy to be back and are excited to throw a big party for the industry and local community,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer vice president and show director. “We wanted to invite all of Salt Lake and thank everyone for the ongoing support, plus bring awareness to the people and organizations making a difference for the planet, the outdoor industry, and in the local community. We’re grateful for the partnership with Visit Salt Lake and ready for a fun winter celebration!”

“We are ecstatic to welcome our friends with Outdoor Retailer back home to Salt Lake,” said Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. “For the next five years, through 2027, Outdoor Retailer will bring our entire community together to celebrate our shared outdoor heritage and break new ground in the industry. The OR Homecoming Block Party is a great way to welcome the community into the greater outdoor industry and celebrate that this is where commerce, community and culture connect.”

The OR Homecoming Block Party kicks off with a pep rally as University of Utah mascot Swoop and members of the Spirit Team lead Outdoor Retailer attendees from the show floor of the Salt Palace to the main stage across the street. Olympians Gus Kenworthy and Shannon Bahrke will host the evening activities. With help from a homecoming committee, including representatives from Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City and Visit Salt Lake, the hosts will introduce the homecoming “Royals,” featuring outdoor and winter sport advocates, athletes, leaders, and more.

Festivities will continue with high-flying action from the Flying Ace All-Stars and music from some of Salt Lake City’s best DJs curated by Bandah. The evening culminates with one of the largest drone shows in Utah from Open Sky Productions, blending art and music in a large display over the Salt Palace.

Guests can visit the Uinta Brewing beer garden and purchase dinner from a variety of food trucks, and more. Information will also be available on how to get involved with local and national nonprofit organizations.

Everyone in attendance can also get their homecoming photos taken in the IKON Pass photo booth, located in the tailgate area, which also features outdoor games and prizes from some of Utah’s favorite brands including Black Diamond, KÜHL, Rossignol, Stanley and Thread Wallets.

The full Snow Show events and education schedules for attendees are available online and are filled with ideas, inspiration, and networking opportunities to support business and the outdoor community. The industry can register to attend and learn more at outdoorretailer.com.

Brands interested in connecting with the industry at Outdoor Retailer through exhibiting, experiences, advocacy programs, sponsorships, speaking, and more at any future event can contact an Outdoor Retailer account executive. The exhibitor list, floor plan are live for Snow Show, and sales are underway for The Summit by Outdoor Retailer and next summer’s Outdoor Adventure X consumer festival.

 

About Outdoor Retailer

Outdoor Retailer, the leading U.S. business events for the outdoor and winter sports industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, designers, distributors, industry advocates, journalists, and more to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through commerce, unique product experiences, dedicated media events, content, and web-based business solutions. Outdoor Retailer provides critical platforms for face-to-face commerce, product launches, networking, and focused industry education to enhance business and support the outdoor recreation economy. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information.

 

About Emerald

Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit emeraldx.com.

100% of line has environmentally-preferred materials; recycled, renewable, biodegradable and bluesign certified

Mono Air Vest and Pants, with Polartec Power Air Light, and Double Dunfri performance jacket lead new offerings

 

STOCKHOLM (January 5, 2022) – Houdini, the global circular sportswear company, committed to designs that are timeless and functional, today introduced its Fall 2023 line, a minimalist outdoor approach, encouraging consumers to buy clothes that do more. The entire line is 100% recyclable, renewable, biodegradable and bluesign^® certified. In addition, Houdini is introducing the Mono Air Vest and Pants, with Polartec^® Power Air Light, creating a lightweight all-season vest and insulated pants that provides durability and warmth.

“This line is getting closer to our overall goals with 100% environmentally friendly materials and 87% is fully circular,” said Niclas Bornling, Houdini’s general manager of North America “We continue to ask, ‘Does this product deserve existence?’ and that philosophy carries over into the Fall 2023 line. “Creating the best quality gear while using the most innovative fabrics, Houdini silhouettes are timeless in design and using nature itself is our blueprint.”

Specifically, the Mono Air Vest is light, durable, and versatile. Polartec Power Air Light combats plastic waste by shedding 80% less microfibers compared to conventional fleece. The vest is wind and water resistant, made from recycled and recyclable fibers. MSRP $160

The new Mono Air Pants is an all-season, durable insulation pants designed with a Hardface^© treatment for durability and water repellency. MSRP $160

In addition, the fall 2023 line includes technically designed insulated, lightweight layering and durable comfort pieces, including base layers, jackets, shells, pants, and vests. New colors include Evening Haze, Pink Moon, Crispy Blue, and Mother of Greens.

 

Product Specifics:

• Power Up Jacket: Versatile, relaxed fit fleece jacket, providing comfort and durability for every outdoor adventure made with bluesign^® certified material and a great warmth to weight ratio. MSRP $230
• Heyday Jacket and Pants: A mountaineering shell jacket and pants designed for rugged adventures in the mountains. Using 100% circular fabrics and shaped for optimal freedom of movement, the jacket and pants have stash pockets, zippered harness-compatible pockets and reinforcement for added durability. MSRP $800 (jacket) & $650 (pants)
• Double Dunfri: A lightweight performance insulation shell jacket, ideal for any winter adventure. Wind and water resistant, and made with smooth, fully circular fabrics. MSRP $480

 

About Houdini

Houdini is an odd band of scientists, artists, designers and adventurers from Sweden on a quest to reimagine the future of functional life wear. Ever since the start in 1993 Houdini has challenged the norms of the textile industry, as a company led by women, as innovators of responsible design and as pioneers of circular business models. Houdini believes that humans are not built to go backwards, but we can go pretty fast when we know the right way forward.

 

Forward to Nature.

 

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Agency Adds Partners to Support Expansive Growth in 2023 and Beyond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Asheville, NC – January 5, 2023 – After celebrating fifteen years in operation and following a record-breaking year in 2022, Darby Communications announces the expansion of agency ownership to include two new business partners. Effective January 1, 2023, agency ownership will be shared amongst three key shareholders, long-time employee and agency President, Angie Robinson, recently appointed Vice President of Operations, Cory Van Auken, and agency founder, Coral Darby.

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of western NC, Darby Communications is the original PR and digital marketing firm of the area serving the outdoors, active lifestyle, fishing, and craft food/beverage industries. Incorporated in May of 2007, Darby Communications has experienced exponential growth every year since its inception. Today, the agency is in partnership with over two dozen clients ranging from locally based outdoor and craft food and beverage companies to national and international outdoor, active lifestyle, and fishing clients. The agency employs thirteen full-time staff members who facilitate a full spectrum of earned, owned, and paid communications services for its clientele.

“I am so honored to have Angie and Cory as agency partners,” states founder Coral Darby. “With their leadership and focus on the agency’s health, we can double down on our commitment to innovation within all aspects of business operations, client management, and best practices in PR and digital marketing. This change in our business structure will help us continue to scale the agency while simultaneously creating a positive environment to best serve our clients and our work family.”

In the past three months, Darby Communications has added NC-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Blue Ridge Chair Works, Farm to Feet, and Let Me Run to its client roster, with additional regional and national brand partners expecting to continue fueling record growth into 2023. By combining impactful brand storytelling, expanding searchable digital product coverage, and focusing on relationship-building media engagements, Darby Communications has built a reputation on its well-rounded strategic PR mastery. The agency complements its PR services with expertise in digital marketing, and owned and paid social and content management.

“It has been extremely inspiring to be a major part of building this agency since 2010 and I’m thrilled to be in partnership with Cory and Coral to lead this agency into its next growth phase,” shares Angie Robinson, President. “Throughout my time here, we’ve been committed to smart growth and have worked diligently to dial in our processes to be more efficient and provide some of the best client services in the industry with a strong focus on relationship building.”

“Working alongside my industry mentors is a dream come true. Over the past decade, Coral and Angie have built this agency on the tenants of people before profit, and hard work and transparency will always pay off,” says Cory Van Auken, Vice President of Operations. “Because of these values, our staff and client retention rates are phenomenal. I look forward to collaboratively expanding on our success one partner, employee, and client at a time.”

Learn more about Darby Communications at darbycommunications.com.

 

About Darby Communications

Darby Communications is a boutique PR & digital marketing agency serving the outdoor, active lifestyle, fishing, and craft food and beverage industries through impactful content creation, media placement, email marketing, and social media management. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, with a coast-to-coast portfolio, Darby Communications takes a team approach to everything it does for clients and has worked with many respected companies. Darby Communications’ current client roster includes Appalachian Gear Company, Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Around the Crown 10K, Astral, Blue Ridge Chair Works, BRANWYN, Devil’s Foot Beverage Company, Farm to Feet, Green River Preserve, Ignik, Johnson Outdoors, Knog, Let Me Run, LifeSaver, Nine Mile, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Sierra Designs, SylvanSport, Ultimate Direction, and Wildwater. Learn more at www.darbycommunications.com or follow on LinkedIn.

 

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