Archives: Press Releases

Astral, manufacturer of award-winning PFDs and footwear, is thrilled to announce the addition of Daniel Miller and Joe Giordano of Specialty Sport Reps to their sales team. Miller and Giordano will represent the brand across the Great Lakes region, covering Ohio, Indiana, Lower Michigan, and Kentucky.

 

Both veterans of the outdoor industry, Miller and Giordano bring a rich collection of skills and experiences to the table. Based out of Lexington, KY, Miller worked for GOA retailer J&H Lanmark for seven years before becoming a sales rep, ultimately becoming principal rep and owner of Specialty Sport Reps. Giordano, based out of Dexter, MI, worked for Osprey before joining Specialty Sport Reps. Astral now joins their portfolio which includes Osprey, Rumpl, Garmont, Landmark Project, Sport-Hansa, Grayl, and Good to Go foods.

 

“Daniel and Joe are a perfect fit for Astral and our retailers, as they possess a well-rounded skill set and they understand our customers,” notes Bryan Owen, Astral’s Sales Manager. “They know Astral, the specialty retail landscape, and our brand’s DNA.”

 

For more information on Astral please visit www.astraldesigns.com or contact Dan Arnett at dan@darbycommunications.com. To contact Daniel Miller you can call him at 859-381-7549 or email him at daniel@teamssr.com. Joe Giordano can be reached at 734-660-1813 or joe@teamssr.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

Brown Folks Fishing (BFF), an organization committed to building community and expanding access among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in fishing and its industry, has launched the Angling for All Pledge. The pledge seeks to dismantle systemic barriers to entry and participation at all levels of the fishing industry. Joining the effort as the inaugural pledgee is The Orvis Company.

“Fishing has deep roots in the BIPOC community, yet our voices are vastly underrepresented,” says Tracy Nguyen-Chung, executive director of BFF. “We are proud to launch the Angling for All Pledge which establishes a commitment to equity and inclusion in the angling community. It is an opportunity for those within the fishing industry to cultivate the knowledge and understanding necessary to eliminate barriers and commit to radical and lasting change.” 

The Pledge has been in development since late 2018 and is inspired by the work of Teresa Baker and the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge. It establishes a commitment to addressing racism and inequality throughout a pledgee’s internal culture, consumer-facing behaviors, and broader community. At its core is a curriculum developed by Brown Folks Fishing in partnership with Erica Nelson and Sydney Clark of REAL Consulting, an organization that works with clients to develop strategies for anti-racist organizational culture. The curriculum provides education and resources for brands and organizations to enhance equity and diversity across staff, executive teams, athletes, ambassadors, guides, and throughout the organization’s media and marketing.

“As Indigenous and Black women, our work at REAL builds upon our own experiences and perspectives, as well as those of other marginalized people,” says Erica Nelson of REAL Consulting. “The goal of the Angling for All curriculum is to identify issues of access and participation in the outdoors and provide the tools and resources necessary to move forward in solving these issues. Not all individuals or organizations are the same. We will work with businesses and professionals on an individual basis to establish a custom set of programming and initiatives that set participants on their own unique paths to eliminating barriers and creating change in the industry. Our workshops invite everyone, regardless of their background, to add to the narrative and ensure that it is continuously evolving and culturally relevant.”  

As the inaugural pledgee, Orvis will work with REAL Consulting and Brown Folks Fishing to move through the pledge curriculum and create a plan of action upon completion.  

“We are honored and grateful to have such a strong partnership with Tracy and the team at Brown Folks Fishing,” says Simon Perkins, Orvis president. “Their mission to build capacity, access, resources, visibility, and a solid community for anglers of color makes the sport stronger, and we are excited to sign the pledge as an acknowledgment of our commitment to this critical work. This is an opportunity for us to explore our own blind spots and unconscious biases and an important step forward in Orvis’s history of passion and commitment to access, inclusion, and stewardship in fly fishing.”

Those who successfully complete the Pledge will have the opportunity to be included in the BFF Directory, which features Brown Folks Fishing’s recommendations for guides, instructors, experiences, shops, brands, and organizations from across the industry committed to equity and inclusion. The Directory will be available publicly as an information resource to anglers.

Guides, instructors, outfitters, media platforms, organizations, brands, companies, and other professionals across the fishing industry are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply to the Pledge, please visit: www.brownfolksfishing.com/pledge

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ABOUT BROWN FOLKS FISHING

Brown Folks Fishing is a community-based organization founded in 2018 by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) anglers. We cultivate community for BIPOC in fishing and its industry. BFF is a space to build together and a movement to expand access. We do our work through storytelling, grassroots organizing, events, and community-building.

Our work is as much about stoke as it is about our survival. We seek to reimagine fishing as a gateway to conservation. We reimagine because the framework of conservation as it exists is deeply rooted in white supremacy, erasure, and colonialism. We reclaim and lift up the narratives that Black and Brown people have with deep roots in fishing, and connection to land, water, and community. By reclaiming these roots, we can shift the narrative around who is, can, and should be on the water; whose full selves can be brought to the water.

www.brownfolksfishing.com

ABOUT REAL CONSULTING

REAL (Reconcile, Evolve, Advance, Lead) Consulting believes that anti-racist education involves a life-long commitment to the practice of seeking to understand ourselves, people, and our shared environment. REAL strives to build a customized durable foundation for clients at all points in their journey toward an anti-racist organizational culture. We reach this together by emphasizing personal reflection, interdisciplinary historical analysis, and compassion for people. Founded in 2018, Sydney Clark and Erica Nelson saw the need to weave our personal stories into our curriculum led with storytelling combined with executive leadership development, as this builds authenticity and trust toward a more equitable outdoor community.

https://www.consultreal.org/

ABOUT ORVIS COMPANY

Founded in 1856, we believe the most meaningful experiences are created by sharing the love of nature and being inspired by its endless possibilities. Orvis pioneered the mail order industry in the United States, operates more than 80 retail stores in the U.S and the U.K., and maintains a network of over 400 dealers worldwide as a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. We promise to open the door to extraordinary outdoor experiences, and to protect nature by committing 5% of our pretax profits each year to conservation efforts worldwide. www.orvis.com

Albuquerque, NM — Rerouted is proudly announcing their first institutional investments from SCAPE Investment Fund 6 & GOS Capital, followed by a number of local angel investors. Rerouted is working to revolutionize the Outdoor Resale Industry by making it easier than ever for people and businesses to buy, sell and donate used outdoor gear online. Rerouted’s technology makes it as easy to choose used gear as it is to consume new products. Rerouted’s mission is to facilitate access, education and sustainability to inspire the next generation of wilderness advocates.

Rerouted is excited to announce the SCAPE Investment Fund 6 as our lead investor. They were joined by fellow VC, Scott Goodman of GOSCapital. Additionally, this round included 5 angel investors – including: John Wolgamott, RJ & Hannah Jenkins, Rick Shor and David & Lodie Grubb. The team would like to thank all their investors for their continued confidence and belief in Rerouted. 

Below are some quotes from Rerouted’s Seed Investors –

“SCAPE Investment Fund 6 is excited to partner with Rerouted as they address the timely issue of buying and selling used outdoor gear.  They have a strong team that is poised to take their success to the next level.” – Elizabeth Marsh, Executive Director, SCAPE Investment Fund 6

“Rerouted is the tip of the spear in the outdoor gear industry’s transition to the circular economy. While it’s great that the big players like Patagonia and Timberland are offering platforms for resale of their used gear, Rerouted is curating a community and marketplace to make choosing used outdoor gear easier for everyone.” – Hannah Jenkins, Rerouted Angel Investor

Rerouted is excited to announce SCAPE’s board representative, Cole Sandau. His passion for wilderness and experience as a successful tech entrepreneur will be an invaluable asset to the team moving forward. This funding will allow them to streamline their user experience, automate more processes and increase brand awareness. 

Rerouted is continuing to raise funding to accelerate the growth of their platform solution. Feel free to contact their CEO, Chap Grubb, with any questions at chap@rerouted.co.

About Rerouted

Rerouted is an online platform solution that helps people & businesses buy, sell or donate their used gear online. They are utilizing modern technology to streamline the process from start to finish. They are developing tools & software that will empower people & local gear stores to get their gear back out to the next generation of wilderness advocates.

Learn more online at rerouted.co

Moosejaw, a leading retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, today expanded its brand ambassador program, “Fearsome Critters”, with the additions of outdoor enthusiasts who are backpackers, climbers, trail runners and snowsports athletes who love Moosejaw. 

“At Moosejaw, we’ve always loved the idea of “fearsome critters” – the humorous animals of lore like the jackaplope said to inhabit the wilderness around logging camps in Northern Michigan,” explains  Kelli Patterson, Moosejaw’s VP of Marketing, “So what better name for our favorite people who fearlessly explore the outdoors?”

Whether it’s hiking, trail running, climbing or riding, using gear supplied by Moosejaw, Fearsome Critters generate content for social media, blog articles, packing lists, how-to’s, and contributions to the Moosejaw Knowledge Center.

“Driving inclusivity in the outdoors is one our key goals at Moosejaw,” said Eoin Comerford, CEO of Moosejaw, “so instead of some daunting pinnacle athletes, we wanted Fearsome Critters who were approachable, that people could identify with, and who could provide real world knowledge for people new to the outdoors.”

Moosejaw is currently taking applications for the Fearsome Critter ambassador program. Applicants are asked to submit their social media profiles and handles along with an explanation of why they’d like to become a Moosejaw brand ambassador. The application form is open here.

The new Fearsome Critters include: here.

Daniel “The Blackalachian” White is a Long Distance Thru-Hiker, Cyclist, and multi-sport athlete. Garnering the moniker “The Blackalachian” after thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine with zero camping or hiking experience. 

Melia in the Mountains is an avid backpacker and thru-hiker. She is also a writer, a mental health advocate, and a sexual assault survivor that’s found healing from time spent outdoors. 

Billy MadeJ Madej moved west from Michigan to pursue a life in the mountains and follow his favorite sport, snowboarding. Prior to his move to Montana, Billy spent nine years in Grand Teton National Park where his snowboarding naturally progressed into the adventurous path of Splitboard Mountaineering. While not on his board in the mountains Billy can be found Mountain Biking the trails of Missoula with his dog Vernon.

Katie is a rock climbing, trail running, SUPing and general outdoors enthusiast who has worked at Moosejaw and loves adventures with her dog Sterling.

Taylor is a traveling emergency veterinarian based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has a passion for running (trail and road) and ski mountaineering but loves camping, backpacking, whitewater rafting and SUPing, canyoneering, and climbing.

About Moosejaw

Founded in 1992, Moosejaw is a leading online active outdoor retailer with a large web presence as well as 12 physical stores. It carries more than 600 brands, including Marmot, Fjallraven and Prana and includes an extensive assortment of apparel and gear for climbing, hiking, camping, snow sports, yoga, water sports and biking. Acquired by Walmart in 2017, Moosejaw is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan.

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Houdini, the global circular sportswear company, committed to designs that are timeless, functional, and minimalist, with a focus on doing more with less, announces the Spring/Summer 2023 line for the “Adventure Inspired Functional Life.” This entire line is 100% recyclable, renewable, biodegradable and bluesign® certified. 

“Adventure Inspired Functional Life is the foundation of the Houdini brand,” says Niclas Bornling, Houdini’s head of brand and D2C. “Our goal for Spring/Summer 2023 is to create companion pieces that can be worn in any environment for any activity, from the outdoors to around town. Each garment not only embodies style, but also, uses fabrics resulting in clean performance. Lastly, Houdini continues to refine the production and supply chain, making sure all fabrics are pure, with no synthetic blends.”

The Spring/Summer 2023 line includes ultralight performance garments, 100% recycled and recyclable Tencel™ fabrics, and durable comfort pieces, including shirts, jackets, shorts, and pants. New colors, including Jumpin Blue, Geyser Grey, Summit Blue and Morning Haze have been added to the new pieces, as well as current favorites such as the Power Houdi and the Mono Air Houdi.

Expanding upon the popular Pace Collection, designed for running, Houdini is introducing the Pace Flow Houdi, with Polartec® Power Dry® Mesh creating a breathable jacket that also provides insulation when layered. In addition, the new Pace Light bottoms and the Pace Air tops are lightweight yet silent for high endurance activities.

Specifics include: 

Tree Collection: Houdini’s Tree pieces use a cooling and airy Tencel Lyocell fabric, made of wood pulp from sustainably sourced trees and a closed loop production facility with minimal waste for a fully renewable and biodegradable fabric. Silhouettes include a men’s and women’s Tree Tank, Tree Tee, Tree Message Tee, Tree Dress, a women’s Tree Top, men’s Tree Polo Shirt and Tree Longsleeve Shirt. Men’s MSRP $120-$140; Women’s MSRP $110-$160

Pace Air: Made from Rerun Jersey, an ultralight, stretchy and smooth jersey fabric made from 100% recycled polyester. The superfine, quick-drying knit prevents snagging. With a slim athletic fit and flat seams that won’t hinder movement, the Pace garments are specifically designed for high pulse activities. Available for men and women in both a tank and tshirt cut. MSRP $70

Pace Light: The Pace Light is available in both shorts and pants for men and women and made with C9 Stretch, an ultralight, stretchy and silent fabric. A hidden elastic and drawstring at the waist in combination with side slits ensure a perfect fit. Two side pockets with zippers provide easy storage for essentials. MSRP $140 (Pants); MSRP $100 (Shorts)

Pace Flow Houdi: This garment uses Polartec® Power Dry® Mesh, a lightweight mesh fabric that creates insulation without trapping excess heat or vapor. When worn as an outer layer, it enables air to flow through the garment and vent excess heat or moisture, while it builds a powerful layer of warm air and insulation when worn as a layer underneath a shell. Available for both men and women. MSRP $190

About Houdini

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

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Moultrie Mobile, a leading pioneer in cellular trail cameras and all-in-one remote monitoring systems used by hunters, property owners and others, has named Backbone Media as its public relations agency of record.

The first brand to introduce cellular technology to trail camera users, Moultrie Mobile combines innovative camera technology with a feature-packed app to offer subscribers an intuitive and purpose-built scouting and monitoring solution.

“Our goal is to offer users the most innovative scouting and monitoring system available while making it simple and easy to use,” said Daniel Wilson, General Manager for Moultrie Mobile. “We’ve designed our cellular cameras and the industry-leading Moultrie Mobile app to enhance and improve our customer’s experience both in the field and while they’re away from their hunting land. Now, we’re excited to have the team at Backbone Media help spread the message about the industry-leading solutions that our system offers.”

Currently, Moultrie Mobile offers two different models of cellular trail cameras, the Delta Base and the EXO. Each model utilizes Moultrie Mobile’s powerful app that’s free to download and offers notifications with real-time alerts, high-resolution photo and video delivery, species recognition, activity tracking, unlimited cloud storage, weather information, maps and much more — and customers are never charged extra for these advanced features.

“As more and more consumers look toward cellular trail cameras to offer remote surveillance that is reliable and user friendly, Moultrie Mobile continues to build the best camera-to-app system available,” said Nate Simmons, President of Backbone Media. “We’re excited to join their efforts in educating customers about the unique and affordable benefits Moultrie Mobile offers.”

To learn more, visit www.MoultrieMobile.com or download and demo the Moultrie Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for free today.

Superfeet, the global insole industry leader, appoints new chief operating officer, Dan Spitzer, to lead the brand’s domestic and international strategic operations and growth. With over 30 years of experience optimizing operations, enhancing margins and accelerating revenue growth for large multinational companies, Spitzer will work directly with the executive team to implement his proven strategies for success. In addition to hiring Spitzer, Superfeet hired new CFO, Cambria Schmidt, in February, further bolstering the brand’s leadership team.

“We believe investing in quality people who value the unique Superfeet culture of prioritizing people, innovation and doing the right thing is imperative to the success of our business, and our recent leadership hires reflect this commitment,” says John Rauvola, CEO of Superfeet. “Dan’s positive impact is being felt immediately throughout the organization, stemming from his engaging entrepreneurial spirit, results-orientated mindset and diverse track record of scaling up industry-leading global businesses.”

Spitzer’s professional experience includes leading end-to-end supply chain operations for a fast-growing gaming accessories company, PowerA, growing revenue by 20% in 2021. Prior to that, he directed the Hong Kong office of Mattel worldwide and led the entire supply chain integration of Evolution Fresh into Starbucks, penetrating specialty retailers including Whole Foods and Safeway.

“Superfeet’s storied history of industry defining products, prioritizing philanthropy and the people-first approach to building the organization initially drew me to the brand. After a handful of interviews their clear vision for the future and the passionate and driven people at Superfeet ultimately helped steer my decision to join the leadership team,” says Spitzer. “The opportunity for significant brand growth is present and I’m motivated to nurture this upward trajectory.”

For media inquiries, please contact Rob Steffens, rob.steffens@rygr.us.

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ABOUT SUPERFEET WORLDWIDE, LLC: For more than 40 years, Pacific Northwest-based Superfeet has been creating innovative insoles featuring the Superfeet^® shape, helping millions of people worldwide experience unparalleled comfort, pain relief, and performance. Today, through the latest advancements in 3D-printing technology, Superfeet is breaking down barriers associated with custom products by providing easier access to state-of-the-art personalized fit. Superfeet gives 1% of sales and countless volunteer hours to help others shape a strong foundation for a healthy future. For more, visit superfeet.com. 

Driven by its love for nature, circular sportswear brand Houdini has been revolutionizing the outdoor and textile industry since 1993, creating real alternatives to linear apparel with innovative designs. With a focus on doing more with less, to create designs that are timeless, functional, and minimalist, Houdini uses recycled or natural materials that have evolved over millions of years and transforms them into components for circular, sustainable sportswear.

A love affair between nature and technology

Four billion years of natural innovation built the foundation for this collection. In combination with modern, human technology, natural components were further enhanced in their performance. Revolutionary thinking, cutting-edge technologies like these and new habits are indispensable to change the world for the better. These principles manifest themselves in the new collection. It starts where the inventiveness of nature itself ends.

“The idea is to evolve natural fibers like Merino wool or TENCEL™ Lyocell with the help of cutting-edge technology,” stated Jesper Danielsson, Houdini Sportswear, Head of Design & Product. “Natural resources, borrowed from nature and transformed into highly functional fabrics using the latest technology. The New Naturals – revolutionary, new and yet purely natural.”

Materials used for the collection are returned to nature. From the base layer to the mid layer and the shell layer, except for a few components, the products are biodegradable and thus, decomposed into their original components, provide a basis for new life and resources. With The New Naturals, Houdini creates a unique alternative to linear sportswear and a circular collection that is as smart and effective as nature itself. The ultimate symbiosis of the latest human technology and naturally occurring designs.

The collection – an innovative partnership with The Woolmark Company, TENCEL™ and Südwolle Group

From nature comes the world’s most technically advanced and original performance fiber. Offering superb breathability, moisture-wicking and thermoregulating properties, Merino wool is also resistant to odor, making it the natural choice for Houdini’s latest offering.

 “The Woolmark Company and Houdini have long shared similar values regarding the creation of quality, technical products with minimal impact,” explains The Woolmark Company Managing Director John Roberts. “As a 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable fiber, Merino wool’s inherent circular attributes align with Houdini’s ethos and provides the ultimate ingredient for The New Naturals collection.”

With longtime close cooperation between established names of the textile industry, a carefully designed collection of indispensable basics was created. All partners have high sustainability standards, which they have proven in years of collaboration with Houdini.

Natural fibers such as Merino wool and TENCEL™ Lyocell have been enhanced and developed in partnership with The Woolmark Company, the global leader in Merino wool, and TENCEL™, the Lenzing Group’s flagship brand. With over five decades of experience in the textile industry, leading spinner Südwolle Group is a key player in the production of the New Naturals collection. With an extensive network of suppliers, manufacturers, designers and brands, Südwolle Group is a strong partner throughout the textile supply chain.

“Cross-industry collaboration is fundamental to not only share the journey towards more sustainable, circular practices and products, but also to achieve industry transformation. This is what makes Houdini’s latest offering so exciting.” (The Woolmark Company Managing Director John Roberts).

In The New Naturals, Houdini offers a collection for adventures of all kinds. The natural fabrics offer maximum comfort and natural performance for protection from the elements. The collection consists of three styles, from a warming base layer, to cozy midlayers and protective and breathable shells.

The Baselayer: Desoli

100% Merino wool base-layers perfect for hiking, skiing, climbing, and bicycle commuting. The original performance fiber, Merino wool is odor resistant and offers suburb moisture-wicking and thermoregulation benefits. The Desoli garments use renewable fibers that are both biodegradable and recyclable, making it a completely circular product range. MSRP Range: $55 – $250

The Midlayer: Alto

An exceptional blend of Merino wool and TENCEL ™ branded lyocell fibres provides a soft, breathable feel without compromising thermal performance. TENCEL ™ is the Lenzing Group’s flagship brand covering the range of specialty fibers for textiles, enhancing Merino wool’s inherent technical benefits. Due to their wood-based origin, the lyocell fibers are biodegradable and especially gentle on the skin. MSRP Range: $180 – $250

The Shell Layer: Lana

The newly developed shell layer made of 100% Merino wool protects against wind and cold, while still being breathable. Innovative fiber stretching technology creates a wind and water-resistant fabric, without the need for chemicals that are harmful to nature.  The crafted silhouettes also allow for a noiseless fit without sacrificing functionality. MSRP Range: $500 – $650

About The Woolmark Company

The Woolmark Company is the global authority on wool. Through their extensive network of relationships spanning the international textile and fashion industries, they highlight Australian wool’s position as the world’s premium, sustainable fiber that is optimal for circular, traceable products.

The Woolmark logo is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands, providing assurance of the highest quality, and representing pioneering excellence and innovation from farm through to finished product. 

The Woolmark Company is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, a non-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool on behalf of about 60,000 woolgrowers that help fund the company.

About TENCEL™

TENCEL™ is the flagship brand under The Lenzing Group that covers textile specialty product fiber offerings. Since 1992, the TENCEL™ brand has been driving the evolution of fiber solutions for the apparel and home textile segments through several industry-first innovations and environmentally responsible production processes.  

Featuring botanic origin and biodegradable quality, TENCEL™ branded lyocell fibers are gentle on skin with a smooth touch. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are versatile and can be combined with a wide range of textile fibers to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of fabrics. Through their inherent properties, such as moisture management, TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers can absorb moisture efficiently, they contribute to a pleasant wearing comfort and are excellent in wool blends.

About Südwolle Group

Südwolle Group produces high quality worsted Merino yarns and Merino blends for flat and circular knitting, as well as weaving and technical scopes of application. Certificates such as ZQ Merino, OEKO-TEX®, the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), GOTS, IVN Best and bluesign® are fulfilled if so desired. That is how Südwolle Group is reducing the trend towards fast fashion and disposable products.

About Houdini Sportswear

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