Archives: Press Releases

Black Diamond Equipment®, a global innovator in climbing, skiing, mountain sports equipment and apparel, announced today that its new HighLine Stretch Shell for Spring 2020 has been awarded by the editors of Outside magazine a Gear of the Year award in the new Outside Summer Buyer’s Guide.

“Our HighLine Stretch Shell addresses the needs of alpinists in the same way our equipment does through intuitively designed, rigorously engineered and beautifully executed pieces that we trust and use in the mountains,” states Brian Larkin, product and material developer for Black Diamond Equipment.

The HighLine Stretch Shell is the most versatile, 3-layer mountain and alpine shell in Black Diamond’s collection. It features a premier combination of its proprietary BD.dry waterproof/breathable protection and Green Theme Technology’s revolutionary Breathable Water Protection Technology, an environmentally friendly PFC-free water repellant finish that is superior in performance compared to any other C-6, C-8, or C-0 DWR. Its performance is only exceeded by its durability, as the GTT is permanently hyper-fused to the individual fabric fibers, and there is no need to ever refresh the jacket with an additional spray or wash-in finish. The HighLine is fully featured, with a chest and two hand pockets, DWR pit zips for ventilation, an adjustable climbing helmet compatible hood. YKK Aquaguard Zippers keep you dry, while the HighLine’s incredibly lightweight and packable stretch nylon fabric allows you to move freely whether you are alpine climbing or trekking in the mountains.

“In one particular field test, we bushwhacked uphill in the rain for three hours, followed by a mandatory hose-down. Black Diamond’s HighLine Stretch Shell came through without a scratch or a leak,” explained a tester from Outside magazine. “That said, it doesn’t feel like armor. Its durable three-layer construction, is comfortable, with light, stretchy 30-denier nylon and a jersey-knit lining that feels like a well-worn tee.”

Additionally, Outside Summer Buyer’s Guide apparel testers universally gave the Black Diamond HighLine Shell high marks for its unparalleled breathability and lightweight attributes (12.7 oz men’s – 10.7oz women’s).

For additional product information and details on purchasing the new, award-winning Black Diamond HighLine Strech Shell please visit: https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/highline-stretch-shell-mens-AP745000_cfg.html#details

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About Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.

Black Diamond Equipment is a manufacturer of equipment and clothing for climbing, skiing and mountain sports. By consistently building innovative, standard-setting products and actively preserving the mountain/canyon environment, Black Diamond Equipment has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit BlackDiamondEquipment.com

The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and First Descents today announced that applications are now open for participation in the “Hero Recharge” program, a first-of-its-kind outdoor adventure program designed to help nurses and other healthcare professionals cope with significant traumatic stress resulting from being on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

First Descents, the global leader in adventure-based healing and existing partner of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, will use a $200,000 grant from the Foundation to create wellness programs aimed at nurturing supportive peer relationships and better positioning healthcare professionals to carry out their important work. The program will serve 1,000 healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic’s hardest hit locations such as, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Detroit and other cities. For more information and to apply, healthcare professionals may visit this site.

 

Mental health within the healthcare community has taken a sharp decline as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on healthcare employees in China. This group is experiencing symptoms of distress (71.5%), depression (50.4%), anxiety (44.6%) and insomnia (34%), and female healthcare workers were among those particularly prone to problems, the study found.

 

“Doctors, nurses, and first responders are on the front lines of the most devastating health crisis of our generation,” said Ryan O’Donoghue, executive director of First Descents. “In partnership with the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, our goal is to address this trauma through unforgettable outdoor adventures that will nurture supportive peer relationships and give these heroes the respite and renewal they deserve.”

 

“The healing power of outdoor adventure is real, and exactly what my colleagues and I need to help us through this storm,” said Mary Beth Spinos, Nurse Practitioner and First Descents Volunteer. “This program gives us something to look forward to – the chance to recreate in wild places with people who understand what it’s like to be on the frontlines of this crisis.”

 

With programming from rock climbing to whitewater rafting, a variety of adventures coupled with expert-guided support is meant to help healthcare professionals process grief, anxiety, and loss during single and multi-day adventure retreats.

 

“With our extraordinary partner First Descents, we want to acknowledge the unwavering commitment of nurses and healthcare professionals across the country by giving them the much-needed support and reprieve they deserve,” said Kari McHugh, executive director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. “With our deepest gratitude, Hero Recharge will offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to enjoy outdoor adventure activities in beautiful, natural settings at no cost.”

 

Hero Recharge programs are scheduled to begin in August 2020 and will include precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission between participants and the community, including pre-program medical testing. Certain Hero Recharge programs will be inclusive of first responders’ children and other family members, many of whom may have also experienced trauma due to the crisis.

 

As part of its response to the pandemic, the Foundation activated $1.25 million in emergency grants for health and hunger relief organizations on the frontlines of the COVID-19 relief effort. The Foundation and Dunkin’ franchisees have also delivered hundreds of thousands of free cups of coffee and donuts to more than 300 hospitals and emergency sites across the U.S.

 

To learn more about other community support efforts, please visit here.

 

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About the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’ and the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $25 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.

                                                                                                                          About First Descents                                                                                First Descents (FD) is the global leader in adventure-based healing. Through outdoor adventure, community building, and skills development, FD improves the health and quality of life for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

Backcountry kicks off its third season of making product with the launch of its spring collection

PARK CITY, Utah (May 4, 2020) – Today, Backcountry announces the launch of its 2020 Spring Pursuit Collection. The spring collection includes technical apparel and gear for men and women for mountain biking, climbing, camping, running/hiking, travel and daily wear. The brand has tuned up its bestsellers by adding fresh colorways and iterated on customer favorites like the Adventure Pack and On The Go Pant. The result is an ever-growing collection of gear and apparel that responds to customer needs and helps the outdoor community make the most of every pursuit, from skiing to camping. 

“Backcountry’s spring collection is about refining our product and nailing our top-sellers in order to create the best possible experiences for our customers,” says Michael Tressler, EVP of owned brands at Backcountry. “We take input from our Gearheads and customers very seriously. Gearheads are at the frontlines of outdoor sports and hear firsthand from their customers what’s working and what’s not when it comes to gear. We are proud of this collection and could not be more excited to share what we have created with our friends, family and the outdoor community.”

Backcountry has built key new products based on Gearhead and customer input, including its DWR 10K/10K Daintree Rain Jacket and Tahoe Sun Hoodie that has built-in UPF 30+ protection, moisture-wicking and snag resistance.  One popular item is the women’s On The Go Pant: a versatile, everyday pant made with stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric. Thanks to its versatility, the pant seamlessly transitions from a work environment to an evening hike to drinks in town. The On The Go Pant has been a favorite since its introduction in 2018, and Backcountry has built on its success with new colors and silhouettes. The new Slickrock Mountain Bike Short, available for both men and women, keeps riders comfortable in the saddle longer with features like laser-cut ventilation that increases air flow and stretchy fabric that moves comfortably on short and long rides. The popular men’s Mantle Climbing Pant, which features abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric, has been upgraded for spring 2020 with a new design and colorways.

“We placed a major focus on upgrading key pieces from our previous season and designing new styles that round out our streamlined product offering for each sport category. This collection solves problems and meets the actual product requirements that climbers, bikers, campers, and other outdoor lovers have and need,” says product line manager, Alicia Applegate. “Goggle wipes built into bike jerseys, silicone grippers on bike short waistbands and zippered pockets on climbing pants are just a handful of the thoughtful additions that were incorporated into the final product.”

For more information on Backcountry’s Spring Pursuit Collection, please visit backcountry.com

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About Backcountry

Backcountry Gear & Apparel builds upon the brand’s 23 years of retail and product expertise, as well as insight gained from interactions between its in-house expert team of Gearheads™ and customers. Since 2018, Backcountry has released collections in winter pursuit, mountain biking, climbing, lifestyle, and more. Brand partnerships have been a cornerstone of Backcountry’s product lines, including collaborations with Burton, Black Diamond, GORE-TEX Technology, DPS Skis, and more leading outdoor brands.

Chaco, the outdoor lifestyle footwear brand, announced last month that it would shift the focus of its Michigan-based ReChaco factory and mobile factory bus from sandal repairs and product customization to the production of face masks and other critical protective equipment needed by healthcare workers responding to and working through the COVID-19 crisis. The brand has produced and donated nearly 3,000 masks.

Michigan issued a statewide shelter-in-place directive on March 23, 2020. Rather than closing the ReChaco facility outright, Chaco moved quickly to retrofit its factory to produce face masks. BISSELL, a Michigan-based floor care company, joined the effort by donating vacuum bag material to be repurposed as filters^* in the masks, providing increased protection for healthcare workers as they carry-out their essential duties.

“We are proud of our community and the response from companies like Chaco that have stepped up to retrofit its operations to produce high-demand materials needed by healthcare workers right now,” said Sean Regan, VP Cleaning Systems at BISSELL. “We are happy to partner on this project by donating material to provide a filtration solution that will offer increased protection to those who need it most.”

Each mask made will be shipped with multiple filters made from the vacuum bag materials, to be fitted into the dedicated slot in the mask, creating a piece of protective gear.

The ReChaco factory is equipped with industrial sewing machines, houses an ample backstock of materials, and is staffed by a production team with decades of professional sewing expertise. The ReChaco team is led by Lisa Kondrat, Director of Operations for the ReChaco Factory, who has been with the Chaco brand for almost 20 years.

“We at Chaco are doers. It’s not in our team’s DNA to stand by when we have the opportunity and resources to take action,” said Kondrat. “We want our skills and machinery to be useful in this crisis.”

Chaco is working with parent company Wolverine Worldwide and local organizations to source fabric and vet materials for production. The brand has shared their patterns, sourcing leads and learnings as a resource for the outdoor industry, other companies, and individuals looking to contribute during the pandemic. BISSELL confirmed they have enough vacuum bag material to produce 1.8 million filters in partnership with companies that are shifting production to masks and are in need of a filtration material to add to their design.

In addition to the ReChaco factory, Chaco has deployed their ReChaco Mobile Repair Factory bus to make face masks. The bus was developed to customize and repair Chaco sandals during their 2020 Roving Repairs Summer Tour. Outfitted with sewing machines, hot knives and other equipment for making and mending sandals, the Chaco-trained staff shifted their focus to prototyping and producing protective equipment in the Pacific Northwest. Chaco partnered with agency partner Field Scout and sister brand Merrell to source vetted fabric and materials for the initiative.

The ReChaco tour bus is currently located in Portland, Oregon, and will adhere to the region’s shelter-in-place order, while working to produce and provide protective equipment for hospital systems in Hood River, OR and other locations surrounding the Portland area.

“Our goal here is to inspire quick and creative action from other brands and companies in our space. Chaco and Wolverine Worldwide aren’t the only companies with people and machinery positioned to help in this crisis – everyone has something they can offer,” said Josh Weichhand, Marketing Director at Chaco. “This is both critical aid for our communities and an opportunity to empower our teams to lead, and we know other brands with similar resources in the outdoor industry, footwear, and fashion space will also rise to the occasion.”

To learn more about this initiative and Chaco’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and pandemic, visit Chacos.com/ReChacoResponse and follow the brand on social media. To learn more about BISSELL’s response to COVID-19, visit Bissell.com/covid-19-response and follow the brand on social media.

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About Chaco: Born on the river in 1989, Chaco builds premium footwear for the outdoor-minded. As a result of the brand’s proprietary LUVSEAT™ foot bed, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has awarded the Seal of Acceptance to all Chaco footwear styles. The APMA Seal is intended to raise awareness by identifying products of exceptional quality that are manufactured with comfort, health, and safety in mind. Simply put, Chaco is fit for adventure. Please visit us at www.chacos.com, Facebook: Chacos, Instagram: ChacoFootwear, Twitter: Chacousa.  

About BISSELL® Homecare, Inc: For more than 140 years, Michigan-based BISSELL Homecare, Inc. has developed innovative floor care solutions that make cleaning easier. As the top-selling brand in floor care appliances, based on NPD unit sales, BISSELL understands that fuller lives often mean more messes, and that convenient cleaning tools help us embrace life’s messier moments. Now in its fourth generation of family leadership, the company supplies households across the globe with vacuums, sweepers, carpet-cleaning machines, hard floor cleaners and cleaning formulas. For more on the BISSELL complete line of floor care products, visit https://www.bissell.com.

^{*  BISSELL does not advise that consumers make their own filters from vacuum bags. BISSELL’s material has been researched and third-party tested for filtration and breathability efficiency.}

Burley and PeopleForBikes have teamed up to encourage bicycle transportation as a viable alternative form of commuting with the launch of a limited edition Travoy. During this time of social distancing, this urban cargo trailer offers a great solution for riders looking to easily transport all their essentials to and from work, as well as around town on essential errand runs, acting as the perfect bike accessory for urban mobility and local adventure.

During these uncertain times, people are looking for alternative modes of transportation. As more and more people are switching to bikes, Burley is proud to collaborate with PeopleForBikes to contribute to making the transition from car to bicycle a seamless one. Jose Maldonado, director of marketing at PeopleForBikes, had this to say, “”Our staff of 25 dedicated individuals have been working remotely across the U.S. to continue supporting riders from all walks of life. While we’re all making the best of the opportunity to spend more time at home, our mission hasn’t changed — we’re still working to make biking better for everyone.”

“We are wholehearted believers in and supporters of PeopleForBikes’ and the incredible work they are doing. We are proud to launch this limited-edition PeopleForBikes Travoy to further support their efforts nationally, by donating a portion of the proceeds from each unit sold to PeopleForBikes.” says Allison Straub, president of Burley. “The Travoy is designed to help make the shift from cars and public transportation to bicycles easy and more accessible. Both new riders and seasoned cyclists alike will be able to comfortably carry with them those things that matter most.”

As part of this collaboration, Burley will be donating $30 from each PeopleForBikes Travoy sold to the PeopleForBikes Community Grant Program. The PeopleForBikes Community Grant provides funding for important projects that build momentum for bicycling in communities across the U.S. These projects include bike paths and rail trails, as well as mountain bike trails, bike parks, BMX facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.

The PeopleForBike Travoy is available exclusively on burley.com.

 

ABOUT BURLEY DESIGN

Burley is a family owned company committed to building the future generation of riders, adventures, and explorers. A leader in transport gear, Burley’s mission is to Enable Adventure through safe, durable, and thoughtful design.

 ABOUT PEOPLEFORBIKES

PeopleForBikes is making biking better for everyone by uniting millions of individuals, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities. When people ride bikes, great things happen. Join us at PeopleForBikes.org.

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If you would like more information, please call Kim Marek at (541) 868-3127 or email kim@burley.com.

Outdoor retailer continues serving educational mission with online fly fishing instruction and second season of popular fly fishing instruction show

Orvis, the family-owned outdoor retailer that specializes in fly fishing gear and education, takes its proven teaching methods for anglers online, offering one-on-one lessons and other educational opportunities to those homebound by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the popular television show, “The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing” is launching new episodes on cable television and digital streaming platforms throughout the spring.

Beginning immediately, Orvis Adventures is offering programs that will allow participants to refine their casting and angling skills remotely. The virtual programming includes two packages including video analysis, one-on-one instruction and in-depth feedback from Orvis instructors. The packages range instructor involvement and price, but both promise to aid participants as they work to improve their casting at home.

For more information on virtual instruction opportunities, visit https://www.orvis.com/fly-fishing-schools.

“Sharing the sport of fly fishing through educational experiences and adventures has been our passion for over 160 years,” says Orvis COO Simon Perkins. “This spring, we’ve found that people are craving education and experiences more than ever, so in this time when we aren’t able to physically come together on the water we’ve designed alternative ways to connect with our community. We hope that our catalog of videos and resources can inspire people to take this time to learn something new and refine skillsets, whether it is to help facilitate safe and responsible moments in the outdoors today or future adventures down the road.”

In addition to virtual casting instruction, Orvis is now releasing new episodes of the popular “The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing” series on television and digital platforms throughout the spring.

“The Orvis Guide To Fly Fishing” was originally made popular on cable television in 2012, when thousands of anglers learned the basics of fly fishing from Orvis’s Tom Rosenbauer, an award-winning fly fishing author and podcaster. The second season, which highlights advanced fly fishing techniques and tactics, is being broadcast on The World Fishing Network weekly and is shared on the show’s YouTube channel post-broadcast.  

The World Fishing Network is offering a free, three-month preview to non-subscribers on many major television service providers. Viewers can also find the complete first season and new episodes from season 2 of “The Orvis Guide To Fly Fishing” on YouTube at:  www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGQMCT70DALylKj9CQl2sw.

Furthermore, in recent weeks the Orvis team has committed to sharing educational experiences, including multiple fly-tying workshops each week, through its Facebook platform. These Facebook Live videos, as well as Orvis’s full collection of video content is available on The Orvis Company YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOi5_3PkvM1FLHR_jXM7MQ.

About The 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

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PackTowl®, the maker of the best-selling quick-drying microfiber towels on the market, will transition their Reno, Nevada factory into a production facility for non-medical grade cloth masks. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that the public wear cloth masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, as masks help combat community-based transmission and reserve medical-grade PPE for frontline responders. Cascade Design’s Seattle factory has been fashioning PackTowl masks for their workers to wear while they focus on manufacturing Level 1 surgical masks for health care workers. As of April 30th, our Seattle production team surpassed 100,000 Level 1 surgical masks. These masks are headed to 51 Providence Hospitals, as part of their 100 million mask challenge.

Simultaneously, the need for consumer masks continues to grow and thus, the company has officially transitioned its Reno manufacturing to focus on producing masks for the public. Each PackTowl mask is made using the brand’s UltraLite fabric, which is composed of layers of tangled microfibers so dense that they’re tighter than a standard cotton weave. This same base material, a nonwoven polyester blend, is often used in allergy-reduction HVAC filters, and sits comfortably against the skin while drying quickly. 

For every $5 PackTowl mask sold, Cascade Designs is donating $1 to the CDP COVID-19 Response Fund. The fund is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations working to assist vulnerable populations, as well as those increasing access to water, sanitation and hygiene to help slow the spread. 

“The COVID-19 crisis is still rapidly evolving, and we continue to adapt our production to meet the most urgent needs. As a Washington-based manufacturer, we were significantly impacted by the inability to produce our outdoor gear. Fortunately, we’ve been able to flex the excess capacity of our highly nimble and skilled workforce to make medical-grade PPE masks,” said Doug Sanders, vice president of Medical and Military at CDI. “Now, by pivoting to make consumer masks we hope to help fight this disease further up the line by providing the public with masks to help limit the number of new infections and further reduce the risk to our frontline medical workers.”

The PackTowl face masks are not replacements for medical-grade surgical or N95 masks and are not intended to replace other recommended measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

To purchase a PackTowl face mask, head to: https://www.packtowl.com/packtowl/face-mask. For more information about Cascade Designs, please visit: https://www.cascadedesigns.com/.

About Cascade Designs®

For more than 45 years, Seattle-based Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, and PackTowl®, have led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of products in their Seattle, WA, and Reno, NV, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit: www.cascadedesigns.com.

The COVID-19 crisis and ensuing recession continues to be a challenge that’s evolving week-by-week, making a challenging time even more of a struggle for Independent Bicycle Dealers (IBD’s).

The leadership of Alta Cycling Group, a premier cycling company and owner of the Diamondback and iZip brands, are committed to being the best partner possible to IBD’s. The group announces an assistance package to ease the challenges being faced by specialty retailers during the COVID-19 crisis and recession.

While the safety of employees, retailers and the cycling community is at the forefront of these decisions by Alta, the leadership team has also included business support tools to assist IBD’s as they work to serve an evolving COVID-19 consumer tethered to their browser. 

“We’re well aware that the bike industry is experiencing a boom of sorts, while concurrently going through vast changes in the retail landscape. It’s a challenge like none other we’ve seen in this community,” said Larry Pizzi, Chief Commercial Officer of Alta Cycling Group. “Shops are very busy with bike builds and may not have the time needed to tend to social media and digital marketing, so we’re offering tools to support these efforts so they can stay connected to their consumers.

“Additionally, we’re working to ease the burden of the cost of doing business with freight allowance policies and fixed-rate shipping options. We’re strongly committed to being the best partner to IBD’s during this time.”

What follows are the accommodations being provided by Alta to its IBD partners. 

1. Free enrollment in Promoboxx, a digital communications platform that can make it simple to increase online awareness, engagement and to generate sales. 
2. Allowing to sell and ship all Alta Cycling Group brands online, while following Alta MAP pricing, assembly requirements and consumer service policies.
3. An Interim freight allowance policy, reducing the threshold from $3000, down to $1500. per order. (Dealer accounts must meet 2020 program commitment levels).
4. Fixed-Rate shipping, primarily affecting special orders of one or two bicycles: 

ITEM TYPE                                                                    SHIPPING CHARGE

YOUTH BIKES (24″ WHEEL AND SMALLER)                              $30

ADULT BIKES, STANDARD                                                               $65

ADULT BIKES, OVERSIZED*                                                            $85

*AS PER CURRENT FEDEX DIMENSIONAL WEIGHT POLICY, INCLUDES E-BIKES, SUSPENSION MODELS, AMONG OTHERS

Alta encourages dealers to continue to adhere to all safety guidelines while continuing to provide exceptional service for their customers during this difficult time. 

For additional dealer information please visit www.altacycling.com

About Alta Cycling Group

Alta Cycling Group is a premier cycling company offering mid-range to upper level bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories to North America. Our brands include Diamondback, Redline, iZip, Haibike, Redline and Ghost. Alta is committed to constant innovation, cutting edge technology and providing the best possible experience for our customers.

 

With an original mission to help their local community hospitals and healthcare workers, Superfeet and sister company Flowbuilt Manufacturing successfully produced and delivered 42,000 PAPR hoods to hospitals in the northwestern region of United States during the month of April. Effective immediately, the company is opening an additional 30,000-unit capacity for May to help meet continued nationwide demand.

When Superfeet pivoted to manufacturing PAPR hoods, their team approached building PPE product like they do insoles, with the intent for the end product to be highly durable, easy to use and comfortable to wear. Following this ethos, the Superfeet team took a single-use product and upgraded it to be reusable, sanitizable and multi-system compatible. They designed their hood to be natively compatible with the 3M Air-Mate™ system. Printed on Flowbuilt’s HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printers, Superfeet PAPR adaptors allow the hoods to be used with all major PAPR systems found in hospitals across the country.

“Superfeet spent the last 43 years keeping people on their feet. We’ve applied our best practices for product durability and adaptability, developed over decades of insole and footwear making, to the production of PPE for the fight against COVID-19,” says John Rauvola, CEO and President at Superfeet. “We’ve been thrilled with the response from the front-line heroes using our hoods and are proud to continue our focus on keeping the medical community on their feet and protected in this time of great need.”

In addition to being reusable and cleanable (UV and wipe sanitizable), Superfeet PAPR hoods are also designed to be strong enough to stand up to the rigors of their intended environment. The PAPR hoods are compatible with:

• 3M Air-Mate™
• 3M Versaflo ™
• ILC Dover Sentinel XL®
• Honeywell North ®

Superfeet continues to offer their 3D printers and manufacturing capabilities in the effort to combat COVID-19. Medical facilities in need of PAPR hoods and other personal protective equipment (PPE) can reach out to covidresponse@superfeet.com to determine if Superfeet can be of assistance.

ABOUT SUPERFEET: For more than 40 years, Pacific Northwest-based Superfeet has been creating innovative products featuring the Superfeet® shape, helping millions of people worldwide experience unparalleled comfort, pain relief and performance. Today, through Fitstation and the latest advancements in 3D-printing technology, Superfeet is taking insoles and footwear from mass-produced products to personalized, made-for-you solutions. A 100% employee-owned company, 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.

ABOUT FLOWBUILT: Flowbuilt Manufacturing is the only USA based full-service footwear manufacturing facility to offer mass-customization through proprietary multi-section injection technology. Clearing the way for brands to design and deliver the future before anyone else can, the Flowbuilt facility boasts cutting-edge 3D-printers and innovative machinery that flexes easily between creating a single custom pair of shoes to efficiently manufacturing thousands of pairs. At Flowbuilt, ideas flow from design to prototype through products built for today’s consumers, all under one roof. Learn more about Flowbuilt Manufacturing at: https://www.flowbuiltmfg.com/

 

Europe’s largest brand study on sustainability, the Sustainable Brand Index™ 2020, announces Fjällräven as an industry leader within sustainability in Sweden. Choosing from over 1,400 brands, Swedish consumers voted for Fjällräven as the most sustainable brand from the “Clothing and Fashion Brand” industry. 

 

“Spanning dozens of industries, Sweden is influencing the globe with leading sustainability practices. The country’s recognition of Fjällräven’s industry-leading work in the apparel industry speaks volumes to our responsibility and commitment to protecting the environment,” says Fjällräven’s CEO of Americas and V.P. of Fenix Outdoor International AG, Nathan Dopp. “Making these practices a priority in every decision we make in the U.S. and globally is paramount to caring for our environment and inspiring more people to walk with nature.”

 

Fjällräven products are made with a strong focus on longevity, durability and sustainability. These parameters are the backbone of all processes involved, from the drawing board to field testing, material choices to supply chain and production, repairability, and what happens at the end of a product’s life when it returns to the earth. 

 

“Sustainability is a deeply rooted value at Fjällräven and it remains at the core of everything we do, but we are not as good at promoting it as we are at trying to make a real difference through our actions,” says Christiane Dolva, head of sustainability at Fjällräven. “We’re extremely happy to see that consumers recognize Fjällräven as a sustainable brand and that they value our constant efforts to improve our materials, production processes and supply chains from a sustainability and traceability point of view.”

 

The use of recycled, organic and renewable materials is always prioritized and made possible by applying the Higg Index criteria. Fjällräven is also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and part of the UN Global Climate Action Initiative. Since 2015, all products have used fluorocarbon-free impregnation methods and the brand switched to the use of recycled polyester and organic cotton in all new G-1000 products. Animal welfare and social sustainability stay at the forefront of the brand’s work and production processes. 

 

“Products should be durable and long-lasting in the physical sense, but also in the emotional sense,” adds Dolva. “After all, what good is a garment made with the world’s most durable fabric if it feels outdated only a year after you buy it? For this reason, timeless design is a very high priority for us. And we’re delighted when we see our products handed down from one generation to the next because it means we have succeeded in creating a long-term relevance that helps make a more sustainable behavior possible.” 

 

Fjällräven has also been recognized for their transparent and ethical down production process (detailed in the Fjällräven Down Promise) and a comprehensive sustainable and traceable wool collection. This is all part of the brand’s ongoing efforts to reduce their environmental impact and produce sustainably.

 

The Sustainable Brand Index™ is Europe’s largest independent brand study on sustainability, including over 1,400 brands, more than 35 industries and 58,000 consumers across eight countries. Carried out annually since 2011, the study looks at how sustainable brands are perceived by their important stakeholders. Find out more at www.sb-index.com

 

For more information on Fjällräven please direct media inquiries to Account Manager Ethan Peck ethan.peck@rygr.us. 

 

About Fjällräven: In 1960, Åke Nordin founded Fjällräven in his basement in the Swedish town of Örnsköldsvik. Since then, Fjällräven has made a commitment to quality and timeless design, while staying true to our mission of developing timeless, functional and durable outdoor equipment, acting responsibly towards people, animals and nature and inspiring people to get outside. Today the company has presence in over 70 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.fjallraven.com.