Maven Debuts Industry-First Zoom Rangefinder, the RFZ.1

Built on the legacy of the RF.1, the RFZ.1 features a variable-magnification eyepiece

LANDER, Wyo. (Sept. 15, 2025) – Maven Outdoor Equipment Company, a Wyoming-based direct-to-consumer brand known for offering world-class optics at affordable prices, has expanded its premium RF series with the launch of the RFZ.1, a new laser rangefinder featuring industry-first variable magnification. Building on the proven performance of the RF.1, the RFZ.1 delivers enhanced flexibility with a 6x to 12x zoom range, making it the most versatile rangefinder in Maven’s lineup.

Designed for hunters and shooters who demand both precision and adaptability, the RFZ.1 offers the same trusted accuracy and ergonomics of the RF.1, while introducing the ability to adjust magnification to meet the demands of any ranging scenario.

“The RFZ.1 expands on the foundation we built with the RF.1, giving users the advantage of variable magnification in a compact, rugged package,” said Brendon Weaver, Co-Founder and Head of Design/Marketing for Maven. “This rangefinder is designed for those who want both the wide field of view needed for quick ranging and the detail required for precise, long-range target acquisition.”

The RFZ.1 boasts a maximum ranging distance of up to 4,500 yards. Its advanced optical system and 6x–12x zoom give users flexibility in diverse field conditions, and a more precise one-tenth yard increment readout in the display. Like the RF.1, the RFZ.1 features angle compensation, five brightness settings, selectable reticles, and IPX7 waterproofing. The Field/Forest Function enables users to isolate small, hard-to-hit targets in open environments or to range through brush, trees, and inclement weather conditions.

At just 10.6 ounces, the RFZ.1 maintains a lightweight profile despite its variable zoom capability, ensuring ease of carry in backcountry environments.

The Maven RFZ.1 rangefinder ($595) is now available at www.mavenbuilt.com. As with all Maven products, it is built with durability in mind and backed by the company’s unconditional lifetime warranty.

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About Maven

Maven is a Wyoming-based direct-to-consumer brand known for offering world-class optics at affordable prices. By cutting out the middleman and selling directly to the consumer, the company eliminates retail markups and is, therefore, able to produce affordable products using best-in-class components. The result is high-quality optics offered at an exceptional value and covered by a lifetime warranty.

 

Media Contacts

Buck Martin, Backbone Media

buck.martin@backbone.media

(970) 963-4873 ext. 1140

 

 

 

HOKA joins the global RECCO network with new MAFATE X Hike

Integration of RECCO reflectors in Hoka’s new performance hiking shoe   helps make more hikers searchable in the event of an emergency.  

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (September 12, 2025)RECCO, a global leader in rescue technology, announces a brand partnership with HOKA, one of the world’s leaders in performance footwear and apparel. With the release of the Mafate X Hike, HOKA becomes the latest brand to integrate RECCO reflectors into its gear, joining a family of 150+ brand partners.

The Mafate X Hike marks HOKA’s first product equipped with RECCO reflectors, a significant milestone partnering two brands who are leaders in their respective spaces. RECCO reflectors, which make users searchable to professional rescuers, adds an additional safeguard for adventurers.

The Mafate X is designed for long haul adventures and brings unparalleled comfort, stability, and performance to the trail. Whether they choose to explore long distances or take hiking to a new extreme, the RECCO reflector allows the wearer to be searchable in remote wilderness. With a neoprene collar and burrito tongue, this shoe protects and secures the foot from any debris while on the move.

RECCO reflectors are found across a range of outdoor products, across all seasons. The RECCO system is used by 900+ ski patrols and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. The system can be deployed in the event a person is missing or injured outdoors, helping that person to be located more quickly. The RECCO system has been growing in recent years, expanding utilization from winter searches to all-season use for locating lost hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners.

“We’re thrilled to partner with HOKA, a brand that continues to redefine the future of running and hiking footwear, as this collaboration emphasizes searchability while empowering athletes to push further with performance in every step,” said Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO. “By integrating RECCO technology, Hoka joins a growing global network of industry leaders dedicated to making adventurers more searchable outdoors.”

RECCO technology is a global standard used for search-and-rescue and avalanche burial detection. Search and Rescue professionals are able to utilize RECCO technology to search for people year-round, with both the RECCO Handheld Detector and the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector. The RECCO network continues to grow globally with new placements every year, the most recent being Newfoundland, Canada and Nepal earlier this year.

The shoe is available in stores now. This is an exciting time for RECCO as the system continues to grow in Europe, North America and Nepal, enabling faster accessibility of advanced rescue technology across the globe.

About HOKA®

HOKA® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly

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About RECCO

 RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com.

 

Media Contact

Verde Brand Communications

(970) 235-0268

recco@verdepr.com

Wiley X Supports 2025 Company B Texas Ranger Classic Sporting Clay Tournament

Frisco, TX – [September 12, 2025] Wiley X, a global leader in protective eyewear, was proud to serve as a station sponsor and field a four-person team at the 2025 Company B Texas Ranger Classic Sporting Clay Tournament, held September 5 at the Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, Texas.

The annual event benefits the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, supporting those who serve Texas with honor. In addition to sponsorship and team participation, Wiley X contributed performance eyewear for the tournament’s silent auction and door prizes.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.

 

CONTACT:

Thomas Stickley, Backbone Media, LLC

Thomas.stickley@backbone.media

970.847.5463

Outdoor Industry Association Urges Department of the Interior to Protect Public Lands Rule 

Boulder, CO (September 11, 2025) — Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) expressed disappointment in the Department of the Interior’s announcement to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. The rule elevated recreation and conservation as key priorities for the Department of the Interior in its decision-making, but without it, millions of acres of public lands will be lost to logging, mining, and energy development projects. 

 “America’s public lands are the engine of the $1.2 trillion outdoor economy and should be protected so future generations can continue hiking, climbing, and recreating in our most cherished places,” said OIA president Kent Ebersole. “The rescission of the public lands rule would not only prevent accessible outdoor recreation on these vital lands but also hurt the small businesses and gateway communities that rely on it. The outdoor industry urges the administration to reconsider this decision and protect the landscapes that are vital to local economies, small businesses, and the outdoor recreation community.”   

The Department of the Interior’s decision to rescind the public lands rule will begin a 60-day comment period in the Federal Register beginning on Thursday, September 11. OIA will be submitting a comment and encourages other stakeholders to submit a comment urging the Department to reconsider the rescission of the public lands rule.  

 

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. 

The Landmark Project Turns 10: From Garage Startup to Outdoor Design Icon

Celebrating a decade of parks, prints, and people with a new anniversary collection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greenville, SC — September 11, 2025 — The Landmark Project, a Greenville-based company known for its design-driven outdoor-inspired apparel and accessories, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special collection of reprised National Park tees. Since its founding in 2015, the brand has grown from a garage screen-printing operation into a nationally recognized company with products in more than 1,000 stores and over $1.4 million raised for conservation.

From Garage to National Stage

The Landmark Project was born out of founder Matt Moreau’s love for wild places and design. “I wanted a way to carry my connection to the outdoors into everyday life,” Moreau recalls. “At the same time, I couldn’t resist creating pieces I actually wanted to wear.” What began with hand-mixed inks and tees printed in a garage has evolved into a team of nearly 40 employees working together under one roof in Greenville.

The company’s growth has been fueled by licensing partnerships with organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and the National Wildlife Federation, along with landmark retail moments like landing its first order with REI, which placed the brand on a national stage.

A Mission That Grew With the Brand

Initially focused on making design-forward shirts that highlight our public lands, The Landmark Project has since woven conservation and sustainability into its core mission. The company has raised more than $1.4 million for partners, including Leave No Trace, the National Forest Foundation, and local nonprofits, while also giving back through volunteer trail work, cleanups, and product donations.

“Our customers carried Landmark into the world, wearing our products on hikes, trips, and adventures,” said Moreau. “They’ve been everything. They’re proof that what we make isn’t just apparel—it’s a way for people to carry their love of wild places with them.”

The 10th Anniversary Collection

To celebrate a decade of art for parks, The Landmark Project is reintroducing the designs that launched the brand, refreshed with better fabrics, improved fits, and more sustainable printing methods. The anniversary collection features iconic parks like Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Zion, Olympic, Rocky Mountain, Arches, Joshua Tree, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, and Yellowstone.

Every piece is made with 100 percent cotton, unisex fits, and water-based inks—a nod to the brand’s roots and a commitment to lasting quality. A custom hem label reading “Ten Years of Art for Parks” marks each garment as part of the milestone collection.

Looking to the Next Decade

As The Landmark Project looks forward, the company plans to expand into new product categories, deepen its conservation partnerships, and collaborate with retailers whose customers share a love for the outdoors.

“If people remember one thing about our story, I hope it’s that art has the power to inspire people to protect wild places,” said Moreau. “Our products are the canvas, but our real purpose is connecting people to the outdoors through design.”

To explore The Landmark Project’s 10th Anniversary Collection and learn more about its conservation efforts, visit www.thelandmarkproject.com or follow @thelandmarkproject.

About The Landmark Project:

The Landmark Project is an outdoor lifestyle brand dedicated to inspiring people to explore, protect, and enjoy the natural world. Founded in 2007 and based in Greenville, South Carolina, the brand is best known for its iconic graphic apparel celebrating America’s most treasured public lands and outdoor spaces. Driven by a mission to support conservation, a portion of every purchase helps fund public land protection efforts through partnerships with organizations like Leave No Trace. With a commitment to sustainability and storytelling, The Landmark Project creates products that connect people to nature and encourage a lifelong love for the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.thelandmarkproject.com and follow @thelandmarkproject.

Contact: Katie Richter

Darby Communications

katie@darbycommunications.com

716.572.3467 c

 

Crazy Creek brings comfort, versatility to the water with Paddle Chair launch

Self-inflating, waterproof, and designed for paddlers—this chair brings Crazy Creek performance and convenience to the water.

Red Lodge, Mont. (Sept. 11, 2025) Crazy Creek Products, the originators of the legless camp chair and trusted innovators in outdoor seating, is proud to announce the launch of its newest product: the Paddle Chair, a self-inflating, waterproof chair designed specifically for paddle sports and water-based adventures.

Designed for ultimate versatility, the Paddle Chair is ideal for use on rafts, paddle boards, and kayaks. With its self-inflating design, users can let air in or out to customize their comfort on the go. The waterproof construction ensures durability on wet surfaces, while integrated drain holes in the bend prevent puddling, keeping you dry and supported no matter where the journey takes you.

True to Crazy Creek’s commitment to rugged performance, the Paddle Chair features carbon-reinforced fiberglass support stays. Its high tenacity nylon hinge system adds long-lasting flexibility and resilience, both in and out of the boat. Built with extra-durable TPU-coated 600D ripstop polyester, the chair is designed to withstand the wear and tear of demanding environments, from riverbanks to rocky shorelines.

Despite its strength, the Paddle Chair remains highly portable. It folds compactly for easy storage, features carry handles for effortless transport, and can even be unbuckled and laid flat to accommodate two people—perfect for relaxing after a long paddle or enjoying a waterside picnic.

“The Paddle Chair was created for those who love the water but don’t want to compromise on comfort,” said Forrest Rogers, Co-Owner at Crazy Creek. “It’s a game-changer for paddlers, kayakers, and anyone who spends time on or near the water.”

The Paddle Chair carries forward the brand’s legacy of go-anywhere comfort, built to perform in places where other chairs fall short. Because when Crazy Creek says “just sit there,” they mean it—wherever there may be.

The Paddle Chair retails for $114.95 and is available now at www.crazycreek.com and at retailers in Spring 2026.

For more information about Crazy Creek and its range of outdoor seating, please visit crazycreek.com. For media inquiries, please contact Jenna Nabors, crazycreek@verdepr.com.

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About Crazy Creek

Founded in 1987 in Red Lodge, Montana, Crazy Creek has been a pioneer in outdoor seating, known for its innovative, lightweight chairs. The brand’s mission to perfect “just sit there” comfort across any terrain has garnered trust worldwide among outdoor professionals and enthusiasts alike. Renowned for their quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, Crazy Creek chairs have traveled from the backcountry of Northern Alaska to sunny backyards in Southern Florida. The product line includes a range of chairs crafted from the most durable fabrics, featuring carbon fiber stays and a custom stitching process, all backed by a lifetime warranty on Original & Hex 2.0 Chairs. In 2024, Crazy Creek introduced the AirCliner, its most compact and comfortable chair yet. For more information, visit crazycreek.com.

Media Contact:

Verde Brand Communications

Jenna Nabors

crazycreek@verdepr.com

Downloadable Image Assets HERE

RE:PUBLIC Brings Public Lands to the Front Page

Independent, nonprofit journalism devoted to public lands & the people who protect them

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 10, 2025—Santa Fe, NM—RE:PUBLIC, a new nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to covering America’s 660 million acres of public land, officially launches this fall. Founded by former Outside Magazine editor-in-chief Christopher Keyes, RE:PUBLIC will educate, inform, and entertain readers by spotlighting important trends and threats to public lands access and ownership.

RE:PUBLIC emerges as a robust journalistic resource during a time of unprecedented threats to public lands, including budget and personnel cuts, the gutting of environmental regulations, and proposals for land transfers and selloffs. RE:PUBLIC’s mission is to increase awareness of these threats to ensure transparency and accountability, give citizens the tools they need to understand policy changes, and hold decision-makers accountable.

“RE:PUBLIC is a project born of my 25 years working at the intersection of journalism and public lands recreation,” says Keyes. “I’ve watched with increasing concern as these lands face mounting threats while news outlets continue to decline. These two trends create a dangerous information vacuum around our common trust. RE:PUBLIC will help fill that void.”

Following a proven model rooted in the expanding nonprofit journalism movement, RE:PUBLIC will distribute its stories through publishing partners in its first year, while developing its own publishing platform at www.republic.land. “By co-publishing with existing media brands, we can ensure our stories reach large audiences right out of the gate,” says Keyes. The organization will sustain itself through grants, memberships, and donations from individuals who care deeply about the future of public lands.

Initial programs will include long-form investigations, special reports like the “RE:PUBLIC Endangered List,” a weekly newsletter, and a weekly podcast feature co-produced with The Rock Fight media. As RE:PUBLIC continues to reach fundraising benchmarks, the team will grow to include regional reporters and a data team focused on using research, statistics, and figures to bring public lands stories to life.

RE:PUBLIC’s website and newsletter launch today. The organization’s first stories will begin publishing later this fall. For more information, contact Suzanne Hermann at suzanne@darbycommunications.com.

ABOUT RE:PUBLIC

RE:PUBLIC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom devoted entirely to covering America’s 660 million acres of public land. Through investigative reporting, narrative journalism, and hard-won facts, we tell the stories that matter—stories about who controls the land, how it’s changing, and what’s at stake for the generations who follow. We stand for accountability, transparency, and truth. We believe the public has a right to know what’s happening to public land. Learn more at www.republic.land.

Contact: Suzanne Hermann

Darby Communications

suzanne@darbycommunications.com

828.280.2701

 

Seatrees Documentary Kelp Currency Selected for Climate Film Festival in New York City

The ocean conservation nonprofit brings groundbreaking kelp forest carbon research to NYC’s premiere climate storytelling stage this September.

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – September 10, 2025 – Seatrees, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring ocean ecosystems, announced that its documentary Kelp Currency: Unlocking the True Value of the Ocean’s Forests will screen at the Climate Film Festival in New York City this September. The film showcases groundbreaking kelp research and the global climate implications of coastal restoration.

Kelp Currency follows the collaboration between Seatrees and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego to investigate how wild kelp forests along California’s coastline could help reverse climate change. The film dives into cutting-edge research aimed at quantifying kelp’s carbon sequestration capacity, a critical step toward unlocking global carbon finance for large-scale kelp restoration.

This research is significant because wild kelp forests are among the planet’s most productive ecosystems, yet they are disappearing at alarming rates. Some regions in California have experienced up to a 90% loss in recent years. Kelp Currency sheds light on how rigorous science could turn the tide for these underwater forests and transform them into a recognized climate solution.

The Climate Film Festival, founded in 2023, is the first cultural organization of its kind in New York dedicated entirely to climate storytelling through motion pictures. With a mission to reframe the climate narrative through human, energizing stories, CFF brings together filmmakers, experts, and audiences to imagine and act toward a more sustainable future.

“We’re honored to showcase Kelp Currency at the Climate Film Festival,” said Kevin Whilden, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Seatrees. “This is an incredible opportunity to share our story with a global audience and raise awareness about the urgent need to understand and value kelp’s role in reversing climate change. By quantifying kelp’s carbon benefits, we can unlock the funding and policies needed to restore these vital ecosystems at scale.”

The selection marks a significant milestone for Seatrees as it continues to lead the way in innovative ocean-based climate solutions. Through partnerships and research, Seatrees is working to develop verified carbon methodology for kelp forests and turn science into actionable conservation strategies.

Kelp Currency will screen as part of CFF’s September 2025 program in New York City, within the Eco-nomics: Doc Shorts block on Sunday, September 21st, from 12:00–2:00 PM at Regal Essex Crossing (Cinema 9), 129 Delancey St. The screening will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A panel featuring Seatrees Co-Founder Michael Stewart, speaking from 1:35–2:00 PM. Beyond the festival screening, Seatrees will also participate in events throughout Climate Week NYC, continuing the conversation on ocean-based climate solutions. Tickets are available here.

Supporters can directly fund the kelp forest carbon research highlighted in the film at seatrees.org, helping advance the science that could unlock global carbon financing for large-scale kelp restoration. Viewers can also subscribe on YouTube to watch Kelp Currency and stay updated on future initiatives.

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About Seatrees

Seatrees is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that restores and protects coastal ecosystems around the world to reverse climate change, restore biodiversity, and support local communities. Seatrees uses a science-based approach to regenerate coral reefs, kelp forests, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs and coastal watersheds. Seatrees projects support local community restoration efforts and provide tangible ways for individuals and brands to create a more resilient planet for future generations. To learn more about Seatrees, visit seatrees.org.