Archives: Press Releases

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (September 29, 2026) — Black Diamond Equipment, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, introduces the Fall Cragging Kit, a curated collection of apparel, footwear, and packs, offered in both men’s and women’s fits, for climbers logging long days on the rock and in the gym as the season turns. The kit is the latest expression of Black Diamond’s Born From the Climbing Life platform, grounded in the brand’s founding ethos: equipment designed by climbers, for climbers, with apparel built to the same standard as the harnesses, packs, and hardware climbers already trust.

As temperatures drop and friction returns, the Fall Cragging Kit brings together the essentials for long projecting days on the rock and training in the gym, so climbers can make the most of sending season.

“Fall and winter is when I shift from long routes back to shorter days at the crag or in the gym,” says Black Diamond Athlete Babsi Zangerl, “and I like having a kit that works for everything I want to do.”

The latest releases join the recently redesigned Solution and Zone Harnesses, and the long-awaited return of the innovative Magnetron Carabiner.

“As the season shifts and climbers move between the crag and the gym, the gear should move with them without asking for any attention,” said Julie Hirsch, Black Diamond’s Business Unit Director for its apparel category. “That’s what ‘Apparel as Equipment’ means to us. Pieces for both men and women, built with the same rigor as our harnesses and hardware, that serve as an extension of how climbers already train and project, not something they have to adapt to.”

Diverge Hoody (Men’s & Women’s) — A recyclable, mono-material fleece that transitions from crag to office to happy hour. The main face fabric is left unbrushed to reduce fiber shed over the life of the garment, and the fleece is made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. A helmet-compatible hood and clean layering profile make it adaptable for wearing on its own or under a shell.

Solution 2.0 Hoody (Men’s & Women’s) — The ultimate mid-layer, engineered to provide windproof and weather-resistant warmth in a light, packable package. Updated in fall 2026 with PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation with Cross Core™, shutting down the cold from the inside out, and giving this hoody one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios on the market. The durable shell and lining are made from recycled content and feature a DWR finish without intentionally added PFAS for weather protection, plus an adjustable hood for extra warmth in blustery conditions. Additional features include two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket to store essentials.

Motive Pants (Men’s & Women’s) — Featuring 100% organic cotton construction and a modern silhouette, the Motive Pant is ready to send your project in style. A comfort waistband and drawcord paired with a relaxed, barrel-leg silhouette give you maximum range of motion for the crux move. The Motive keeps features to a minimum with 2 drop-in front and rear pockets to store essentials going to and from the gym or crag.

Project Flannel (Men’s & Women’s) — Simply put, this is your go-to flannel. Made from brushed organic cotton, the Project Flannel has everything you’re looking for in a perfect all-weather button-up. It’s soft and comfortable, with an updated fit that provides room to move. Featuring updated colors, and also available in a heavyweight version.

Sequence Cargo Pants (Men’s & Women’s) — An upgrade to the do-it-all Sequence pant, inspired by desert days spent climbing in Joshua Tree and Indian Creek. This edition adds external storage and a roomier fit through the leg while retaining the comfort and freedom of movement the line is known for.

Dirtbag Corduroy Pants (Men’s & Women’s) — The Dirtbag family expands this season with a new Corduroy Pant that carries the “look good, climb hard” ethos in an elevated, cozy material. Featuring the same silhouette as the classic Dirtbag Pant, it’s stretchy, harness-compatible, and built for the climbing life on and off the rock.

Street Creek Packs (24, 28) — Everyday packs that combine the durability of Black Diamond’s climbing packs with commute-ready functionality and are equally at home at an early gym session or a day at the office.

Technician Pro Mid Approach Shoes — Engineered to support long approaches with heavy packs, the Technician Pro Mid pairs a nimble climbing-shoe-inspired toe box for precision with a running-shoe-inspired midfoot and heel for stability and flexibility. A Vibram Mega Grip outsole delivers precise edging and smearing on near-vertical scrambles, while a BD.dry waterproof/breathable liner and nubuck leather upper keep feet protected and dry.

The Diverge Hoody’s helmet-compatible hood and the Dirtbag Corduroy Pant’s harness-ready fit carry that ‘Apparel as Equipment’ thinking through the collection.

The Fall Cragging Kit is available now at blackdiamondequipment.com, with select styles landing at specialty retailers through the fall.

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is known for its commitment to performance, durability, and purposeful design.

San Diego, CA – September 28, 2026 – The Rock Fight Podcast, the outdoor industry’s favorite source for irreverent takes on the latest news and trends, is back with a vengeance. Starting Monday, September 28, The Rock Fight returns with new episodes twice a week, bringing back familiar voices, sharp candor, and the brutally honest perspectives listeners have come to expect.

The comeback coincides with the first day of Outdoor Media Summit, and the return episode wastes no time getting back to business. In “Trail Running Has Peaked & Who Really Has the Power in the Outdoor Industry?” host Colin True takes a look at five stories he believes the outdoor industry missed this year, peppering in plenty of opinions on trail running, REI, trade shows, and who really holds the power in specialty retail.

“Since I left, things went soft,” said True. “I went on a journey of self-discovery and came to the realization that the industry needs The Rock Fight more than ever.”

A lot has changed in the outdoor industry since The Rock Fight last hit the airwaves. In Colin’s view, though, too much of the conversation is still filtered through the same narrow lens. The Rock Fight is back to widen that lens, challenge conventional thinking and, naturally, make some noise along the way.

Listeners can expect hot takes, engaging conversations, Top 5s, outdoor drafts, and the show’s signature bluntness and humor, all for people who love going outside and those who make a living convincing others to do the same.

The Rock Fight returns with familiar voices while also introducing some new perspectives and opinions to the outdoor conversation.

The podcast’s return is made possible by some incredibly smart sponsors from across the outdoor industry:

• Darby Communications, award-winning PR agency for outdoor, hunt/fish, and endurance brands
• Lems Shoes, premier footwear brand known for its foot-shaped, zero-to-low-drop shoes designed to let feet move naturally
• Garage Grown Gear, beloved online retailer dedicated to supporting the growth of small and cottage brands that design all things ultralight backpacking
• ISPO, the flagship event of the global sports industry, a source of inspiration, a networking tool, and a guide for the start of the ordering season
• Berghaus, storied British outdoor brand with sixty years of technical innovation that is now entering the US market
• Aarn Packs, innovative pack brand designed in New Zealand to move with you and lighten your load

Together, the sponsors represent the brands, services, retailers, and events that help shape the outdoor industry and the conversations happening within it.

Follow The Rock Fight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your pods. To learn more about The Rock Fight, visit rockfightllc.com.  For media inquiries, please contact stacy@darbycommunications.com and for sponsorship inquiries, reach out to colin@rockfightllc.com.

About The Rock Fight
Hosted by outdoor industry veteran Colin True, The Rock Fight is more than just another outdoor or adventure podcast; it’s a full-on rebellion for those inside and outside the outdoor industry. Catering to outdoorsy listeners tired of the same worn-out paths, The Rock Fight offers honest discussions that mirror candid banter after a long hike, by the river, or over a beer. Our podcast dissects the latest outdoor industry and adventure headlines and tackles topics often avoided by other media, from pop culture and gear to unconventional debates. Join us as we challenge the conventional and bring fresh perspectives to the outdoor media landscape. Missing The Rock Fight is missing the evolution of outdoor media. Tune into the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (Sept. 25, 2026) — DRYOUT®, the advanced materials company behind Active Moisture-Removal Technology™, today announced its partnership with Blue Force Gear (BFG), a leader in lightweight load carriage and tactical equipment, marking DRYOUT’s first brand partnership in the defense industry.

The collaboration brings DRYOUT’s patented moisture-removal technology to tactical nylon, beginning with the DRYOUT 1L, an accessory engineered for use inside Blue Force Gear’s existing Night Vision Goggle (NVG) pouch. Designed to help protect sensitive optics and electronics from moisture encountered during transport, storage, and field use, the reusable insert requires no electricity or batteries to operate.

Tactical gear is routinely exposed to rain, humidity, condensation, sweat, temperature changes, and other sources of moisture. Night vision devices are frequently used in these same conditions, often becoming wet or accumulating moisture during operations before being placed back into storage or transport systems. DRYOUT is designed for exactly that challenge.

DRYOUT Active Moisture-Removal Technology™ creates a new category of gear protection built on a layered fabric design that pulls moisture away from gear, traps it, and releases it. For Blue Force Gear, that technology is engineered into the DRYOUT 1L, a dedicated insert designed to work inside BFG’s NVG pouch, where it pulls both visible and unseen moisture away from gear, helping reduce moisture-related risks, including corrosion, shorted circuits, and lens fogging.

“Blue Force Gear has spent more than two decades rethinking tactical equipment around the realities warfighters face in the field, which makes them an ideal first defense industry brand partner for DRYOUT,” said Romney Williams, CEO of DRYOUT. “Moisture is one of those realities. With DRYOUT, BFG can extend protection beyond the pouch itself to help remove moisture from the sensitive equipment carried inside. For high-value gear like night vision, that can mean better protection for both the equipment and the warfighter who depends on it.”

Night vision equipment presents a natural first application for the collaboration. NVGs combine sensitive optics, electronics, connectors, and other components in equipment expected to perform reliably across demanding environments. Moisture that remains on or around this equipment can contribute to fogging, corrosion, and electrical issues even after visible water is gone.

“We’re thrilled to partner with DRYOUT to bring a new layer of protection to warfighters who depend on their optics to perform in demanding environments,” said Ashley Burnsed, Founder and CEO of Blue Force Gear. “Our goal has always been to equip service members with gear and accessories they can trust. DRYOUT gives us an innovative way to help protect the mission-critical equipment carried inside that gear from one of the most persistent environmental threats — moisture.”

The DRYOUT 1L is reusable and designed for repeated field deployment. Once it has absorbed moisture, DRYOUT can be reset by releasing the trapped moisture using sunlight, direct heat, or forced airflow, depending on environmental conditions.

Additional details on the DRYOUT 1L and Blue Force Gear are available at BlueForceGear.com. Learn more about DRYOUT Active Moisture-Removal Technology™ at DRYOUT.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Verde Brand Communications | DRYOUT@verdepr.com | (970) 235-0268

About DRYOUT®

DRYOUT® pioneered Active Moisture-Removal Technology™, a new category of product protection. DRYOUT’s patented, reusable technology is designed to help recover electronics and valuable gear after exposure to water, humidity, or condensation — rather than simply keeping moisture out. DRYOUT partners with innovative brands and OEMs to design, develop, and produce their next-generation storage and carry products, such as cases, bags, and packs, engineered with DRYOUT technology. Trusted by leading brands, government agencies, and defense suppliers, DRYOUT is bringing Active Moisture-Removal Technology™ to consumer, commercial, and mission-critical applications. Learn more at DRYOUT.com.

About Blue Force Gear

Blue Force Gear, headquartered in Pooler, Georgia, has been advancing lightweight load carriage and tactical equipment for more than two decades. Through proprietary materials, patented technologies, and a commitment to superior design, BFG develops professional-grade equipment for military, law enforcement, and other users who depend on their gear in critical circumstances. Learn more at BlueForceGear.com.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2026) — With its November Connect outdoor retail buying show just six weeks away, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, is seeing strong ongoing attendance by retail buyers and brands, with over 270 exhibitors and more than 150 retailers in attendance between all aspects of the event.

Moreover, Discovery, a five-hour event on the front end of the show designed to help retailers explore opportunities to work with new brands, has more than doubled its size at the Fall/Winter Connect show, with 132 companies exhibiting.

The Fall/Winter Connect Show takes place Nov. 9-12, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo., with both the Grassroots retailer education day and Discovery on Sunday, Nov. 8. On the front end of the event, Discovery offers new and emerging brands the opportunity to show product highlights to specialty retailers, while the four-day Connect show focuses on line showings supporting established brand-retailer relationships.

With registration now largely complete, there are 160 retailers and nearly 400 retail buyers registered to attend the show, a slight uptick from the previous fall show. On the vendor side, 143 brands will attend Kansas City Connect during the primary part of the four-day show, also a slight increase.

In all, Connect will provide a forum for 10,275 appointments between retailers and brands, amounting to 8,325 hours of meetings. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance team has tracked buyer engagement statistics since the organization began pre-scheduling all appointments for retailers and brands in 2016.

“We took an educated risk this Fall season with Discovery and moved that event to a larger space,” said Chelsea Flynn, Senior Director of Events for Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “We knew the demand was there based on consistent Spring participation and, with the smaller space we had for previous Fall Discovery events, they sold out quickly. Our retailers want to interact with new or emerging brands each season, and we’re excited to report that 40 percent of the brands exhibiting at this fall’s Discovery are first timers.”

“As the national outdoor specialty buying show, Connect’s sturdy foundation and ear to the ground for what retailers want has allowed us to lean in on what the show does well — have the right brands on the show floor, allow for easy appointment requests and scheduling, and encourage brands to engage with retailers in fun and impactful ways,” Flynn said. “We look forward to bringing the outdoor specialty community together this fall for our last show in Kansas City.”

In 2027, the Connect Show will move from its current venues in Kansas City for Fall and Reno, Nev., for spring to new locations in Omaha, Neb., for fall and Oklahoma City, Okla., for spring.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will release more information on its upcoming retailer education component in coming weeks.

About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 100+ independently owned outdoor retailers and 75+ vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.

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Seattle, Wash. — [September 23, 2026] — Nikwax, the global leader in PFAS-free waterproofing and aftercare solutions, is celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary with the launch of a limited-edition commemorative tin of its iconic Waterproofing Wax for Leather. Inspired by the original tin first launched in 1977, the anniversary edition pays tribute to Nikwax’s pioneering history in environmentally responsible aftercare products.

The commemorative tin combines heritage-inspired packaging with a newly enhanced formulation that delivers even greater performance for retailers and consumers alike. Redeveloped using Nikwax’s latest technology, the updated Waterproofing Wax for Leather now provides 21% better water protection compared to competing products, while remaining completely PFAS-free.

Available for a limited time only, the recyclable anniversary tin celebrates Nikwax’s five decades of innovation and commitment to environmentally responsible outdoor care.

“I couldn’t be more excited for this nod to the first ever Nikwax product, “ said Heidi Allen, Nikwax North America’s VP Marketing. “This tin perfectly highlights our heritage of developing high-performance, environmentally conscious products that extend the life of outdoor gear.”

Designed for use on smooth leather footwear and gear, Waterproofing Wax for Leather continues to deliver the high-performance waterproofing and conditioning benefits trusted by outdoor consumers worldwide.

Key product benefits include:

• Adds durable water repellency while reviving breathability
• Conditions leather and maintains support
• Revitalizes worn or dried-out leather and helps prevent cracking
• Extends the lifespan of footwear and leather gear
• Easy to apply and works instantly
• Non-toxic and completely PFAS-free
• Supplied in a recyclable tin

The launch reinforces Nikwax’s long-standing commitment to combining high-performance outdoor care with environmentally responsible innovation, values that have defined the brand for five decades.

About Nikwax

Nikwax is the global leader in environmentally responsible aftercare and waterproofing solutions that extend the life and elevate the performance of outdoor footwear, clothing and equipment. Never using PFAS or aerosols and not testing on animals since its foundation in 1977.  Its product line is water-based and non-persistent, and all product bottles and lids are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic that can also be recycled. Nikwax has carbon balanced all of its operations since foundation in 1977 and became an employee-owned trust in 2022.