Tariffs Threaten Industry Growth Says Outdoor Industry Association

(Boulder, CO: February 4, 2025) Today, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) President Kent Ebersole released the following statement in response to recent trade policy developments:

“Tariffs on outdoor products threaten to raise costs for businesses and consumers alike, creating new economic pressures for an industry that fuels $1.2 trillion in consumer spending and supports 5 million jobs. For businesses of all sizes, these rising costs could slow job growth, stifle innovation, and potentially force some to close their doors,” said Kent Ebersole, OIA President. “Outdoor recreation is a crucial force in the U.S. economy, and OIA remains committed to working with our members and policymakers to champion a balanced trade agenda that supports industry growth and success.”

To support the outdoor industry, OIA is providing members with timely alerts and resources on new U.S. tariff actions. Members can access these updates in the OIA Member Portal. 

Fleet Feet Expands Presence in North Carolina with New Concord Location

CONCORD, N.C. and CARRBORO, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2025) — Fleet Feet, the largest franchisor of run specialty stores, today announced the grand opening of its newest store in Concord, North Carolina. Located at 2420 Herron’s Nest Place NW, Suite 103, in Christenbury Village, the new store is owned and operated by Mark and Kristin Harris, who also own Fleet Feet Huntersville. The store officially opened its doors on January 29. A grand opening celebration is planned for March 15, 2025.

Mark and Kristin Harris were introduced to the Fleet Feet brand in 2007 when Kristin’s sister joined a Fleet Feet running group in Knoxville, Tenn. Inspired by the community and mission, the couple opened their own Huntersville store in January 2010. Now, with over 15 years of experience in the run specialty industry, the Harris family has cultivated a loyal customer base by delivering exceptional service and building strong community ties through training programs, group runs and charitable initiatives.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Fleet Feet to Concord,” said Kristin Harris. “We’ve seen tremendous growth and support at our Huntersville location, and we’re eager to extend the same personalized service and community engagement to this new market.”

Concord is an ideal location for Fleet Feet’s continued growth. Situated just 20 minutes from the Huntersville store, it provides a convenient option for customers in Concord, Kannapolis, and Harrisburg. With its proximity to Concord Mills Mall, the Highland Creek Community and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the new store is perfectly positioned to attract visitors and serve the community.

“Concord is a growing, vibrant community, and we’re thrilled to welcome Kristin and Mark’s second store to the Fleet Feet family,” said John Moloznik, vice president of retail development at Fleet Feet. “Their passion for creating meaningful connections, delivering outstanding customer experiences, and supporting their community embodies everything that Fleet Feet stands for.”

Fleet Feet Concord will operate with the brand’s exclusive personalized outfitting experience, fit id®, which includes 3D foot scanning technology that allows the brand to accurately assess the size and shape of customers’ feet and how each foot moves through the gait cycle. This personalized, expert-led approach allows outfitters to offer the right fitting footwear and accessories for each customer.

With a curated selection of the best running and athletic brands, including ASICS, Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, On and Saucony, the store will help customers of all abilities to find the perfect fit for their training, racing and everyday fitness needs.

For 49 years, Fleet Feet owners, operating partners, and employees have created welcoming environments that allow runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities to conquer their goals at every level, on every surface, at every distance with personalized solutions, knowledge, and empowerment. Fleet Feet’s nationwide network of community-based retail stores are a place of inspiration, showing people how Running Changes Everything®.

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About Fleet Feet

Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet is the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated run specialty stores. With more than 275 Fleet Feet stores in 40 states and a national headquarters in Carrboro, N.C., Fleet Feet is committed to providing runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts with outfitting expertise, robust training programs, community support and rewards. Fleet Feet believes that RUNNING CHANGES EVERYTHING® and has been recognized in Fast Company’s Brands That Matter, the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies and Best in Business, Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers and America’s Best Online Shops, and PRWeek’s Purpose Awards. Stay inspired, motivated and connected at Fleet Feet.

 

La Sportiva Launches the Prodigio Max: A Maximal Shoe for the Mountains

Jan. 30, 2025 (BOULDER, Colo.) – La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain gear, today unveiled the Prodigio Max, a highly cushioned trail shoe with an innovative midsole that changes the game for maximalist footwear. Engineered to combine comfort and responsiveness with technical performance, the Prodigio Max is built for runners looking to go further, faster. The new shoe will be available in the fall of 2025 and is designed to excel in all types of terrain. From the buttery singletrack of California to the rocky trails of Colorado, this shoe can do it all.

Maximalist shoes have become a staple in trail and ultra running, providing comfort and protection over long distances. However, they often struggle to provide the control and responsiveness needed in technical terrain. The $165 Prodigio Max bridges this gap, delivering protection, energy return, and precision for steep climbs and tricky descents.

“The Prodigio Max represents the next evolution of La Sportiva’s trail running lineup,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “It delivers everything runners love about maximal shoes while solving the performance and stability issues that can exist in the category. We’ve delivered the legendary La Sportiva lock-down fit in a maximalist platform. The Max allows athletes to go farther and push harder, whether they’re racing ultras or exploring their favorite local trails.”

At the core of the Prodigio Max is XFlow Endurance, a new nitrogen-infused eTPU midsole that offers plush cushioning without sacrificing responsiveness. The shoe’s higher sidewalls add stability on rough trails, while an aggressive rocker geometry ensures a smooth and efficient stride. The outsole comes equipped with 4mm lugs and combines the brand’s sticky FriXion White rubber in the forefoot with durable FriXion Blue rubber in the heel, ensuring confident traction on all surfaces.

The Prodigio Max features a new wide fit, providing all-day comfort for ultra-distance efforts. La Sportiva is also introducing a cutting-edge upper for the shoe, which centers around its new Comfort Wire fabric. Comfort Wire is made from a combination of TPEE polyester and embroidered yarn, allowing for enhanced durability and support while also reducing weight. A stability wrap provides additional security for the foot, while laser-cut ventilation holes in the forefoot enhance airflow and comfort on ultra-long efforts.

Weighing in at 10.4 oz for men and 9.1 oz for women, the Prodigio Max has a stack height of 37mm in the heel and a 6mm drop. The new model will be available at select specialty retailers and online at www.lasportivausa.com in the fall of 2025.

About La Sportiva
With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva visit www.lasportivausa.com or visit their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/LaSportiva.

 

 

 

mammoth trailfest. Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Craft Sportswear

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. — January 30, 2025 —  Following a landmark 2024 event that drew nearly 2,000 runners from 22 countries and 40 states—with 47% female participation—mammoth trailfest. has entered into a new multi-year partnership with Craft Sportswear. This collaboration signals an exciting new chapter for the celebrated trail running festival.

Tim Tollefson, head crafter and founder of mammoth trailfest., reflected on the journey leading up to this partnership. “After losing our title sponsor, it was difficult to be honest,” Tollefson shared. “While we measure success in smiles and the feedback we get from our community, it’s hard not to feel disheartened when a sponsor moves on. But just like the seasons in the Eastern Sierra, change came quickly, and we soon found ourselves in discussions with leading brands in the running industry.”

Tollefson noted the importance of aligning with a partner that shared the festival’s core values. “We believe trail running has the power to change lives and improve communities,” he said. “At trailfest., we pride ourselves on being more than just a world-class event. The focus on experiences with movies, talks, parties, and kids events is our vehicle to reach people. We continue to push for more youth, women, and people from historically underrepresented communities to have access to this sport and it was important for us to find a partner that would help drive that mission forward.”

Enter Craft Sportswear, the Swedish brand renowned for its commitment to innovation and excellence in endurance sports. “Much like the upstart underdog we are at trailfest., Craft struck me as a brand ready to make noise,” Tollefson explained. “trailfest. celebrates every runner, from course record breakers to those who persevere to finish against the odds, and Craft is a community-driven brand that aims to inspire and enable athletic progress for world champions and everyday heroes. They made it clear they share the same vision and bring with them a 40 year brand committed to disruption.”

“Partnering with mammoth trailfest. and collaborating with Tim, a true icon in trail running, is an incredible opportunity for Craft,” said Niklas Moberg, Head of Brand at Craft Sportswear. “Trailfest. represents all that is great about the running community—celebrating the joy of running in nature and bringing people together on the trail. This partnership was a natural fit for us, and we’re excited to work even closer with Tim and help elevate trailfest. to new heights while creating a memorable experience for all participants.”

Looking ahead to the 2025 event, Tollefson shared his vision. “Everything we do at trailfest. is checked with, ‘Will this be best for our runners?’ In this new partnership with Craft, we will elevate the trailfest. experience for everyone involved, push industry boundaries in the event space, and launch initiatives to welcome more people into the sport, including an innovative program this summer in Mammoth directed towards high school kids and collegiate running programs.”

From oldtimers and newbies to course record breakers and cutoff chasers, trailfest. is a celebration of community focused on stewardship and storytelling. The 2025 event will take place September 18-21 in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Registration is now open for all events.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/.

About mammoth trailfest.

Held on the third weekend in September each year, trailfest. is a multi-day experience designed to increase access to trail running through opportunity, education, and trail stewardship. It offers races of 50k, 26k, Tenkay, hillclimb, and a kids 1k. All festival activities are free and the event elevates local environmental nonprofits, encourages youth participation, and serves as a major economic driver to the Mammoth Lakes community during a difficult shoulder season. It is an event built by community, for community, right in the heart of California. For more information visit mammothtrailfest.com or email info@mammothtrailfest.com.

About Craft Sportswear

Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing and gear for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for optimal results. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers innovative training and competition apparel and footwear for World Champions and Everyday Heroes.  For more information, visit craftsports.us.

 

 

Outside Summit Announces Featured Speakers

DENVER, Colo. – January 30, 2025 – The Outside Summit is thrilled to announce its return in 2025 with a slate of featured speakers that includes some of the biggest names in the outdoor industry. As part of the larger Outside Festival, the Summit brings together key stakeholders, career veterans, and emerging talents to set a vision for the future. The multi-day program is designed to foster networking and offer strong professional development opportunities.

The 2025 Outside Summit speaker lineup features sessions with celebrated pioneers and rising stars, including Reed Hastings (Co-Founder of Netflix and CEO of Powder Mountain), Caroline Brown (Global Brand President, The North Face), Albert Lin (National Geographic Explorer and TV Host), Alyssa Ravasio (Founder, Hipcamp), Carrie Besnette Hauser (President and CEO, Trust for Public Land), Kent Ebersole (President, Outdoor Industry Association), Luis Benitez (VP Global Government Affairs, Lululemon), Mike de la Rocha (Co-Founder, Revolve Impact), Nicole McLaughlin (Multidisciplinary Designer), Sen. John Hickenlooper, Joey Montoya (Founder, Urban Native Era), Dhani Jones (Former NFL Linebacker, TV Host & Entrepreneur), Lauren Bash (Climate Creator and Storyteller), Jessica Wahl Turner (President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable), Conor Hall (Director, Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry), Wynter Mitchell-Rohrbaugh (Digital Brand Strategy Consultant, Two Six Eighty Productions) and Alex Zhang (Chief Creative Officer, Powder Mountain). The lineup of speakers is subject to change and will be regularly updated at theoutsidesummit.com.

“The Summit is an embodiment of our mission at Outside, and serves the larger vision behind the Outside Festival,” said Robin Thurston, Founder & CEO of Outside Interactive Inc., who will also be speaking at the Summit. “Last year’s inaugural Summit brought together changemakers from across the outdoor industry to spark important conversations about the future of our businesses. Our 2025 speaker lineup will continue building on last year’s success with an inspiring group of individuals who will empower more people to enjoy, discover, and protect the outdoors. I’m eager to hear their valuable insights.”

Last year’s Outside Summit saw 35 speakers, 27 panel discussions, and a sold-out audience of more than 500 attendees. In 2025, the program will expand to a dedicated campus adjacent to Denver’s Civic Center Park from Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1. Sessions will take place at the Denver Art Museum and newly renovated spaces within the Denver Public Library, providing a vibrant backdrop for connection and inspiration.

“The Outside Summit is where outdoor culture and bold vision converge, and it’s only getting better,” said Melanie Strong, Founding Partner of NEXT Ventures. “The speaker content last year was top-notch, the networking opportunities were unparalleled, and the connections I made continue to shape my work in the outdoor industry. The Summit offers something the outdoor industry has long needed—a dedicated space to meet, collaborate, and drive meaningful change. The 2025 Outside Summit is a must-attend for anyone looking to be part of the future of the outdoors.”

The 2025 Outside Summit program will focus on entrepreneurship, storytelling, access, and sustainability, and will include a pitch competition for industry startups, plus networking activities and gatherings. The complete schedule will be released early in the spring. Industry professionals interested in attending are encouraged to secure their spot today.

Outside Summit registration and badge pick-up will begin Thursday, May 29, following an industry job fair hosted that same day in partnership with Basecamp. A full day of programming takes place on Friday, May 30 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m., approximate), followed by evening festivities, setting the stage for the larger Outside Festival on Saturday and Sunday in Civic Center Park (festival times are 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., approximate). The Outside Summit badge grants ticketholders access to both days of the Outside Festival, as well as pre-festival activities and gatherings over the weekend, plus entry to an Outside Summit lounge on the festival grounds. Summit badge holders will receive a complete schedule of Outside Festival and Summit events, times, and locations in advance.

Tickets to the Outside Summit, which include meals and a two-day General Admission+ pass to the Outside Festival, start at $745 for a limited time. Group discounts of $50 off per ticket are available for purchases of five tickets or more. Outside+ members also enjoy a $50 discount. For attendees who prefer an upgraded experience, the Summit Badge with Outside Festival VIP Upgrade is available for $810, including access to all Summit programming, plus a two-day VIP pass to the Outside Festival. A limited number of discounted badges are available on an as-needed basis for students, those who work in education and government, nonprofits, and smaller brands or startups.

For tickets, programming updates, and more information, visit theoutsidesummit.com. Sponsors for the 2025 Outside Summit include REI Co-op, VF Corporation, The State of Colorado, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, Outdoor Industry Association, Trust for Public Land, Visit Denver, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Outside for Business, Denver Art Museum, and Denver Public Library.

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Media Contact:

Rachel Weiss rachel.weiss@backbone.media

Photo and Video Assets (Credit Outside)

About the Outside Festival and Summit

The second annual Outside Festival and Summit will take place in downtown Denver from May 29 – June 1, 2025. The Outside Festival presented by Capital One and REI, May 31 – June 1, is a celebration of everything outdoors, featuring music, films, speakers, gear, and more. The event is driven by a partnership between Outside Interactive, Inc., The State of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Office, and Visit Denver—all with a shared vision to make the outdoors more accessible and more inclusive. The Outside Summit, May 29 – June 1, 2025, is the outdoor industry’s premier networking conference. For more information, including tickets, please visit theoutsidefestival.com.

About Outside Interactive, Inc.

Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for outdoor inspiration, activation, and celebration. Each year, Outside reaches more than 300 million unique users and has more than 100 million registered users across its network of 25 media, service, and utility brands, including Outside, MapMyFitness, Velo, Yoga Journal, Pinkbike, Gaia GPS, Trailforks, athleteReg, and more. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outside, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives by creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s subscription offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, and more. Learn more at outsideonline.com/outsideplus

REI Co-op to relocate Eugene, Oregon store in early 2026

SEATTLE – Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will relocate its Eugene, Oregon store in early 2026. The co-op will move to Oakway Center, an established shopping destination centrally located in the city. The larger store will feature broader footwear, cycling and camping departments.
“We’ve proudly served the Eugene community for more than three decades at our original location that today is one of the smallest in the country. Once open, REI Eugene will be the second largest store in the state, following our Beaverton location that opened last year,” said Bob Cagle, REI regional director. “Our Oakway Center space will be one level and nearly 10,000 square feet larger than the current store, enabling an incredible experience for customers and staff through a highly accessible floor design, larger product assortments, improved dressing rooms, and ample warehouse space.”
REI Eugene currently has 41 employees who will be welcomed to relocate to the new site. Decisions for hiring additional employees to staff the larger store will be made later this year. Interested individuals can set a job alert on REI.jobs to be notified if positions post. All employees receive a wide variety of benefits, including medical coverage, competitive pay, retirement plan contributions, generous product and service discounts, and two paid annual “Co-op Way Days” for community service, civic participation, outdoor recreation or stewardship. Staff also receive a paid day off on Black Friday to Opt Outside.
Store Facts        
  • Location: 95 Oakway Center, Eugene, OR
  • Store size: 30,120 square feet
  • Store features: Full-service bike shop and ski and snowboard shop, Re/Supply used gear and apparel department
  • REI Co-op membership: More than 137,000 lifetime members in Eugene and 988,000 members in Oregon
  • REI stores in state: Beaverton, Oregon (107 miles away, opened 2024); Bend, Oregon (89 miles away, opened 2005); Clackamas, Oregon (99 miles away, opened 2007); Hillsboro, Oregon (121 miles away, opened 2004); Medford, Oregon (167 miles away, opened 2012); Salem-Keizer, Oregon (66 miles away, opened 2014); and Tualatin, Oregon (94 miles away, opened 1990). REI Re/Supply Clackamas opened in 2023 to provide members with access to high-quality, used outdoor gear and apparel at great prices.
As the country’s largest consumer co-op, everyone is welcome to shop at REI. Co-op members enjoy a wide range of benefits, including bike and snow shop discounts, member coupons and discounts, access to a used gear trade-in program, annual member reward of 10% back on eligible purchases, extended satisfaction guarantee window of one year, free U.S. standard shipping, and more.
With each new membership purchased, the co-op donates $5 to support the REI Cooperative Action Fund, a community-driven nonprofit that supports nonprofits across the country doing essential work to create a more equitable outdoors for everyone and research nature’s impact on health. Since its inception in 2021, the Fund has provided 698 grants totaling nearly $24 million. Last year, nearly $468,000 went to Oregon nonprofits, including Eugene Parks Foundation, NatureQuant, Northwest Youth Corps and Oregon Adaptive Sports.
About the REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear and outstanding customer service. In addition to the co-op’s many stores across the country, outdoor enthusiasts can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. Everyone is welcome to shop REI, but members who join the co-op enjoy a range of benefits. REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.
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Outdoor Industry Leaders Launch Open-Source Tool to Decarbonize Textile Mills

Cotopaxi, L.L.Bean, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, Global Efficiency Intelligence, and OIA Collaborate to Drive Industry-Wide Emissions Reductions 

BOULDER, CO [Wednesday, January 29, 2025] — Cotopaxi, L.L. Bean, New Balance, Patagonia, REI Co-op, W.L. Gore & Associates, Global Efficiency Intelligence, and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) proudly introduce the Textile Heating Electrification Tool, an innovative open-source resource designed to help textile mills reduce emissions by transitioning to efficient, electrified heating technologies. Developed as part of OIA’s Clean Heat Impact CoLab, this initiative underscores the outdoor industry’s commitment to decarbonizing the textile industry and driving progress toward bold climate goals. 

The Textile Heating Electrification Tool equips decision-makers with essential data and insights to replace fossil fuel-based heating systems with electric solutions. This innovation addresses the pressing need for decarbonization in the textile and apparel industry, which accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and faces growing demand due to population increases and consumer trends. 

Key features of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool include:  

  • Data management system 
  • Modeling and simulation module 
  • Implementation checklist 
  • Manufacturer and supplier finder 

The Clean Heat CoLab builds on the findings of the 2023 Electrification of Heating in the Textile Industry study, which highlighted the potential for electric heating technologies to reduce emissions and costs for textile mills. Extending those insights, the CoLab transformed research into actionable solutions. Through beta testing with nominated facilities, the tool was refined to meet the needs of textile manufacturers worldwide. 

“At REI, we believe advancing climate solutions requires broad cooperation. While we have an ambitious goal to halve our emissions by 2030, we can’t meet it without the help of our brand and manufacturing partners,” said Andrew Dempsey, Director of Climate at REI. “Electric heat technologies are a crucial component to decarbonizing textile manufacturing. This tool provides REI and our value chain partners valuable information and analysis to accelerate decision-making about decarbonization investments.” 

Developed under OIA’s Clean Heat CoLab, the tool reflects a collaborative, pre-competitive approach to solving complex climate challenges. OIA Impact CoLabs accelerate industry progress by enabling brands and suppliers to work together, meeting company sustainability goals more efficiently and cost-effectively. Learn more about Impact CoLabs here. 

“Since 2021, Patagonia has partnered with Outdoor Industry Association, through its Clean Heat CoLab, on providing the industry with solutions to decarbonize heating emissions from textile mills,” said Kim Drenner, Head of Environmental Impact at Patagonia. “Over the years, this work has brought together several brands and suppliers funding research and now the development of a tool that supports suppliers in identifying electrified technology to replace fossil fuel-based heat systems in their facilities. This work would not be possible if it wasn’t for the collaborative environment that OIA fosters.” 

The tool is now freely available here. To ensure widespread adoption, Global Efficiency Intelligence will create comprehensive training materials, including user guides, tutorial videos, and FAQs, in five languages. Additionally, online training workshops will give suppliers an opportunity to interact with the tool and ask questions. Register here for the upcoming information session on February 13. 

“A tool that shortens the discovery and due diligence process for implementing electric manufacturing equipment can significantly accelerate decarbonization in the textile supply chain. We are really pleased with the outcome of this collaboration with leading outdoor industry brands,” said Markus Wieser, Climate Team Leader at W.L. Gore & Associates. 

“We’re proud to have led the development of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool to help textile and apparel companies decarbonize their operations and supply chain. By providing clear, data-driven pathways to electrification, this tool offers a powerful blueprint for cutting carbon emissions at scale,” said Dr. Ali Hasanbeigi, CEO and Research Director at Global Efficiency Intelligence. 

“We are thrilled with the launch of the Textile Heating Electrification Tool, a vital step in our collective effort to decarbonize the textile industry. This tool combines expertise from across the outdoor industry to provide textile mills with actionable insights to transition to cleaner, more sustainable heating technologies,” said Julie Brown, Director of Sustainable Business Innovation at Outdoor Industry Association.  

About Outdoor Industry Association 

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective, OIA is a passionate group of business leaders, climate experts, policy makers and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. For more than 30 years, OIA has catalyzed a thriving outdoor industry by supporting the success of every member company across four critically aligned areas: market research, sustainability, government affairs, and inclusive participation. OIA delivers success for its members through education, events, and business services in the form of solutions and strategies, consultation, collaboration, and opportunities for collective action. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org. 

Craft Sportswear Welcomes New Trail Athletes to Its Elite Run Team

BORÅS, Sweden – January 23, 2025 – Craft Sportswear, the Swedish brand renowned for its commitment to innovation and excellence in endurance sports apparel and footwear, is proud to welcome nine outstanding athletes to its Elite Run Team. The new team members bring unparalleled talent, drive, and passion to Craft’s Elite Run Team, marking an exhilarating new chapter in the brand’s commitment to trail running excellence on a global stage.

“I’m really excited to welcome some amazing new people to the Craft Elite Team this season,” said Abel Recknold, Team Manager of the Craft Elite Run Team. “They’re passionate, talented, and deeply connected to the trail and ultra-trail community. I feel lucky to have them on board, and I can’t wait to see how we all grow and push each other this year.”

Meet the new athletes joining the 2025 Craft Elite Run Team:

David Sinclair (United States)
David’s versatility and experience as both a trail runner and a cross-country skier set him apart. Highlights of his career include setting course records and winning events like the Silver State 50-Miler and Mt. Tam Trail 50K. David’s athletic prowess and commitment make him a standout member of the team. @david.a.sinclair.92.

Tommy Sullivan (United States)
A prominent figure in ultrarunning, Tommy’s notable results include a top-10 finish at the Speedgoat 50K and a strong performance in the 2024 UTMB CCC race. His relentless determination and love for the mountains make him an invaluable addition to the team. @letsrun.tom.

Mary Denholm (United States)
An emerging force in ultrarunning, Mary transitioned from road racing to trail running in 2024, where she has already made a significant mark. She won the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 with the second-fastest time in race history (18:23:51), finishing more than three hours ahead of her closest competitor. Her marathon personal best is an impressive 2:36:28. @eatrunandbemary.

Grant Barnette (United States)
Grant’s journey from high school cross-country star to accomplished ultra-endurance athlete has been nothing short of remarkable. His key achievements include 2nd place at the Grindstone 100 Miler and a first place victory at the Telluride Mountain Race. @runwithgrant.

Jupiter Carera (Mexico)
Known for his endurance and speed, Jupiter has become a rising star in competitive trail running. His accomplishments include a 2nd-place finish at the 2024 Black Canyon Ultras (100K) and a strong showing at the Western States Endurance Run. Jupiter’s career continues to flourish as he takes on prestigious races worldwide. @jupiter_careracasas.

Linus Hultegård (Sweden)
Based in Gothenburg, Linus is a rising star in ultra-running with exceptional speed and adaptability. When he’s not racing, Linus works part-time as a heart surgeon, exemplifying his unique balance of athletic and professional excellence. @linushultegard.

Johan Lantz (Sweden)
A skilled Swedish ultra-runner from Ockelbo, Johan is known for his strength and consistency in long-distance trail events. Johan began competing in ultra-marathons in 2012 and quickly established himself as one of Sweden’s top endurance athletes. @johanlantz.

Joacim Lantz (Sweden)
Joacim, a Swedish ultra-runner from Ockelbo, is renowned for his endurance and tactical approach to racing. His entry into ultra-running in 2012 followed years of competing at a high level in other endurance disciplines. @joacimlantz.

Elov Olsson (Sweden)
Elov, one of Sweden’s premier ultra-runners, hails from Ockelbo and is widely respected for his grit and determination in challenging races. He began ultra-running in 2012 and has since competed across Europe in some of the toughest events. @elovolsson.

“The run team is an integral piece of the Craft puzzle right now,” said Niklas Moberg, Head of Brand at Craft. “The insights they provide are invaluable for refining our products, and having access to such elite talent is a dream for any brand builder.”

Each of these athletes demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to their craft, overcoming challenges and achieving remarkable milestones on the trails. By aligning with these exceptional trail runners, Craft Sportswear underscores its dedication to empowering athletes and fostering a community that thrives on determination, resilience, and a passion for adventure.

Current Craft Sportswear athletes include David Laney (U.S.), Tim Tollefson (U.S.) , Ida Nilsson (Sweden), Emkay Sulliven (U.S.), Mimmi Kotka (Sweden), Tommy Rivs (U.S.), Arlen Glick (U.S.), and Aroa Sio (Spain).

ABOUT CRAFT SPORTSWEAR

Craft is a Swedish brand specializing in clothing and gear for endurance sports where performance and comfort are crucial for optimal results. Working closely with elite athletes and constantly developing new materials and technical solutions, Craft offers innovative training and competition apparel and footwear for World Champions and Everyday Heroes.  For more information, visit craftsportswear.com

 

Introducing the “IT’S A VUARNET DAY” Campaign and the Fall Winter 2024 – 2025 Collection

Vuarnet, the legendary French eyewear brand, is proud to unveil the new “IT’S A VUARNET DAY” brand relaunch campaign for Fall Winter 2024 – 2025. It celebrates the brand’s iconic tagline originally coined during the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics. This bold initiative celebrates a renewed commitment to adventure, style, and authenticity, uniting Vuarnet’s heritage with a fresh vision for the future.

“The ‘IT’S A VUARNET DAY’ campaign is more than a celebration of eyewear; it’s a call to seize every moment and embrace journeys in the outdoors,” said Alessandro Zanardo, Thélios & Vuarnet CEO. “Together with Vuarnet, we are excited to inspire individuals worldwide to explore new horizons, just as this iconic brand has always done.”

It features the extraordinary endeavors of Vuarnet Fellows: mountaineers Charles Dubouloz and Liv Sansoz, climbers Adrian Ballinger and Emily Harrington, and snowboarder Forrest Shearer. These world-class athletes and adventurers embody the essence of Vuarnet and showcase Vuarnet’s seamless blend of performance with elegance in every environment—from alpine peaks to city streets. Vuarnet Fellows embody this ethos through their daring pursuits and unshakable passion for exploration and bring the campaign to life across stunning landscapes.

“A VUARNET DAY for me is a beautiful day in the mountains, filled with effort, contemplation, and the comfort getting back to base, all while being well protected from the sun by Vuarnet mineral lenses!” explains Charles Dubouloz. “Being part of this campaign is a great source of pride. I’m happy to promote mountaineering alongside Vuarnet, a historic brand here in the Alps. Vuarnet is a true partner throughout the year and a real asset for achieving ambitious goals. Beyond the sunglasses that accompany me everywhere and protect me no matter where I go, there are strong human connections and shared values that help us grow together.”

As part of the campaign, Vuarnet is partnering with Strava to put on the IT’S A VUARNET DAY Challenge. The challenge is designed to inspire outdoor activity, community connection, and peak performance. Athletes of all abilities are invited to log a total of 4 hours on the slopes by skiing, snowboarding, hiking, skating, or snowshoeing. Through this partnership, the campaign will encourage athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday adventurers to seize the day and make every outing extraordinary.

The Fall Winter 2024 – 2025 Collection marks a new era for Vuarnet, including three distinctive families of eyewear that honor the brand’s pioneering spirit. This collection debuts 10 new shapes and redefines Vuarnet’s catalogue into three families: Atelier, Lifestyle, and Outdoor.

The Atelier family is inspired by mountain exploration and combines refined elegance, lightweight protection, and high impact-resistance to provide peak protection with great style. Arctic 01 and 02 join the Glacier models in the Atelier collection. Both feature side-shield inspired lens accents and a removable leather nosepiece and integrated cord. Crafted from Japanese titanium and genuine leather and feature signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses. Arctic 01 is a classic pilot shape while Arctic 02 takes on a rectangular statement.

The Lifestyle range features the beloved Legend, Edge, and Belvedere lines, and now includes three new Belvedere shapes – 05, 06, 07 – and Alpine 01 and 02. Belvedere 05, 06, and 07 are bold in sculptural Italian acetate frames. Alpine 01 and 02 take inspiration from the Vuarnet archives and bring back the iconic hooked temple for secure protection in any condition. All feature signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses.

Performance with style describes the Outdoor offering. Three new shapes crafted from bio nylon and inspired by vintage ski goggles – Altitude 01, 02 and 03 – join ICE and Racing to round out the lineup. Altitude 01 provides complete protection with mask-like fit and top visor. Altitude 02 evolves Vuarnet’s classic Legend 02 cat eye shape with integrated side shields. Altitude 03 is bold with its angular lens shape and flat brow bar, and features integrated side shields for protection against glares. Altitude 01 features organic polycarbonate lenses, Altitude 02 and 03 are equipped with signature Vuarnet mineral glass lenses.

Vuarnet is renowned for its undisputed know-how and is the only eyewear brand to produce its own mineral lenses. Its manufacturing site in Meaux, France, is certified by the French government as “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company). Mineral glass lenses provide exceptional optical clarity for high-definition vision and are scratch and shock resistant.

Proprietary to the brand is its reputed Lynx™ technology. It provides the best protection from the sunlight directed to the sensitive upper part of the eyes and from the light reverberation to the lower part of the eyes through a unique bi-shaded mirror treatment.

The Fall Winter 2024 – 2025 collection is now available on vuarnet.com, in Vuarnet boutiques and at select opticians. The “IT’S A VUARNET DAY” campaign launches globally in January 2025. The IT’S A VUARNET DAY Challenge on Strava is live through April 23, 2025.

About Vuarnet :

Jean Vuarnet was a free-spirited, legendary champion. He was constantly pursuing improvement, leading him to create the VUARNET brand. 

Jean Vuarnet pioneered such innovations as inventing the “egg” or “tuck” position and was the first skier to compete on metal-edged skis, helping him win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. He is known for creating Avoriaz, the first car free resort, and Portes du Soleil with an avant-garde approach to the mountains.

Since 1957 VUARNET has relentlessly pursued excellence, preserving its “esprit sportif” with developing the highest performing products with an impeccable sense of style. Today, VUARNET still produces its mineral glass lenses in its own French factory, using traditional manufacturing methods unchanged since its inception. This unique savoir-faire is recognized by the label “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” by the French government.

VUARNET mineral glass lenses are unparalleled in clarity and durability, and provide the best protection against sunlight and sunflection thanks to Lynx™ technology. VUARNET is an invitation to enjoy the outdoors, IT’S A VUARNET DAY TODAY.

About Thélios:

The name “Thélios” is the synthesis of the names of the Greek gods Theia, goddess of light and sight, and Helios, god of the sun. Born from the will of LVMH Group, world leader in luxury, to establish itself in the eyewear sector, Thélios designs, produces, and distributes sunglasses and optical frames for some of its most prestigious Maisons: Dior, Fendi, Celine, Givenchy, Loewe, Stella McCartney, Kenzo, Berluti, Bulgari, Tag Heuer and Fred. In addition, Thélios owns two proprietary brands, Barton Perreira and Vuarnet. With its Manifattura, located in Longarone, Italy, Thélios blends the distinct identity of each Maison with Italian craftsmanship to

create exceptional luxury eyewear. Thélios offers its own “enlightened look” on the sector, providing the highest level of quality and excellence both in its products and service.

Switchback Spring opens attendee registration

PORTLAND, Maine (January 22, 2025) – Switchback Spring, the education and business gathering for the outdoor industry community, has opened attendee registration for the event taking place June 16-18, 2025, in Nashville, TN. Registration is open to retailers, media, and outdoor industry professionals.

To register and secure housing for Switchback Spring visit this page.

The first day of Switchback Spring features educational programming including keynote presentations, leadership and executive insights, and various other informational sessions targeted to outdoor specialty retailers and their team. The following two days move to the exhibit hall, where retailers, brands, media, and industry professionals can connect to discover new products, share trends, and explore both established and emerging  brands. Visit this page to see the schedule-at-a-glance

Switchback Spring will be hosted within a dedicated portion of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, a spacious venue with 12 restaurants and an attached premium hotel. With all attendees staying and meeting in a single location, the focused environment will enable both private planned meetings as well as organic meetups and run-ins.

For more information about Switchback, please visit www.switchbackevent.com/switchback-spring.

Brands interested in exploring exhibiting opportunities can contact Switchback Event Director Christina Henderson at chenderson@divcom.com.

About Switchback

Switchback is the twice-a-year business and education gathering for the outdoor industry owned and operated by Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities, and digital and print publications. Scheduled at optimal times for discovery and buying conversations, Switchback is held each fall in conjunction with The Running Event and each spring as a standalone event. Blending an accessible format with a schedule of education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings, Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community. Upcoming dates for the event include Switchback Spring (Nashville, TN; June 16-18, 2025) and Switchback at TRE (Dec. 2-4, 2025; San Antonio, TX). To learn more about Switchback, please contact Michael Collin (michael@palemorning.com) or visit www.switchbackevent.com.

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