Archives: Press Releases

July 24, 2024 (Poulsbo, WA) — Grundéns, producer of the world’s leading fishing outerwear, footwear and apparel, achieved notable success during the ICAST 2024 show in Orlando, Florida by earning three ICAST Best of Awards for the brand’s Spring 2025 product line. The three categories of achievement were in Best of Fly-Fishing Waders and Wading Boots, Best of Fly-Fishing Technical and General Apparel, and Best of Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men.

“We were eager to demonstrate the strength of our 2025 product line across multiple Grundéns categories at ICAST, which proved to be the perfect platform,” says Bryan Trullinger, Grundéns’ VP of Marketing. “Winning one award, let alone three, was a significant achievement for our product development team and the entire Grundéns family. The positive response and validation of the new product from the fishing industry further reinforces our brand’s dedication to delivering best-in-class outerwear, apparel and footwear for all fisherman.”

New Product Showcase Award:

• Fly-Fishing Waders and Wading Boots: Grundéns Vector Zip Stockingfoot Wader
• Fly-Fishing Technical and General Apparel: Grundéns Portal GORE-TEX Wading Jacket
• Warm Weather Technical Apparel for Men: Grundéns Tough Sun Masked Hoodie

The award-winning Portal GORE-TEX Wading Jacket will be available this Fall, and the Vector Zip Stockingfoot Wader and Tough Sun Masked Hoodie will be available Spring of 2025, at specialty retailers across the country and at www.Grundéns.com. For further questions about the new products please contact Max Krapff at max.krapff@backbone.media.

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About Grundéns:

It began nearly 100 years ago on the west coast of Sweden, in the small fishing village of Grundsund when Carl A. Grundén began producing waterproof oil skins to protect North Sea fishermen from the hostile weather that often accompanied their jobs. Today, some things have changed but Grundéns commitment to supplying and supporting commercial fishermen, sport fishing enthusiasts and bass anglers remains. The brand offers the most versatile lineup of award-winning fishing outerwear, sun protection, footwear, and accessories available. Guided by “We Are Fishing,” the brand operates globally from Poulsbo, Washington and Boras, Sweden. Learn more at grundens.com

Media Contact:

Max Krapff

Backbone Media

Max.Krapff@Backbone.media

970.963.4873 ext. 1174

 

To continue its year-round Opt Outside commitment and build inspiration, REI Co-op will lead a Strava ‘Steps’ Challenge to inspire more people to move outside by logging at least 15,000 active steps between July 31 – August 14. To track their efforts, new and existing Strava users can sign up for free to join the challenge, track healthy habits, share efforts with their community, and earn a Strava challenge completion badge.

“Although many people would like to get out more, it can be challenging juggling work, traffic, childcare, and other daily responsibilities. One of the best ways to change a habit is to start with small steps and set new goals,” says Paolo Mottola, REI marketing divisional vice president. “This step challenge is meant to track steps that go beyond the average daily movement through a fun and easy tool to help people shift their habits by encouraging them to get out of the chair and intentionally Opt Outside.”

According to t the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adding extra steps to the daily routine can enhance mental clarity and creativity. The CDC recommends individuals strive for at least 10,000 steps per day to maximize health benefits. However, the Mayo Clinic claims that the average American walks 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day. Studies also consider anything below 5,000 steps to be considered “sedentary.” To help make this challenge fun and manageable in the heat of the summer, REI experts shared four tips to help keep cool in humidity and hot weather.

1. Wear lightweight clothing that won’t cling: Woven fabrics such as REI Co-op Sahara Solid Long-Sleeve Shirt or those with some texture and a looser fit will naturally drape off the body.
2. Choose fabrics that move moisture away from the body: look for garments that advertise moisture-management features like absorbency or “moisture-wicking,” such as the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie that wicks moisture as well as keeps the sun off arms, neck, and the face.
3. Wear quick-dry clothing: the lighter the fabric, the quicker it will dry. REI Co-op’s Swiftland collection is a great example of clothing that wicks moisture, dries quickly and breathes during all kinds of activities outside.
4. Open the vents: technical clothing often has vents and/or mesh panels built in. This helps increase airflow to improve dry time and aid in evaporation.

REI and Strava have previously collaborated on fitness challenges. The most recent was earlier this year to launch an ‘Active Days’ challenge that inspired more than 120,000 REI members and customers to complete 20 minutes of activity for seven days, over two weeks, through various activities like walking, running, fitness, or cycling.

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, inspiring expert classes and trips, 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. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.

PORT COQUITLAM, British Columbia (July 24, 2024) – Norco Bikes is proud to celebrate its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of innovation and excellence in the world of cycling. Founded by Bert Lewis in British Columbia, Norco started with a vision to create better bikes. Bert’s dedication to sourcing the finest bikes and parts from Europe and Asia quickly set Norco apart from the competition.

The ’70s and ’80s were transformative decades for Norco, as they introduced the first BMX bikes to Canada with models like the Spitfire, Force 3, and Starfire. This era also saw the release of Canada’s first production mountain bikes, cementing Norco’s place as a pioneer in the industry. The ’90s and 2000s brought further innovation with the VPS series and the “Kranked” VHS series, showcasing the talents of Ryan Leech and the Norco Trials and Factory Freeride Teams. In the 2010s, Norco continued to lead with groundbreaking bikes like the Aurum DH and the VLT electric mountain bikes, while introducing the Ride Aligned technology for personalized bike setups. Today, Norco remains family-owned, with the Lewis family recently assuming full ownership of Live to Play Sports Group Inc., the parent company of Norco Bicycles.

As they celebrate 60 years of riding, Norco honors their past achievements and looks forward to the future. From the first BMX bikes to the latest in MTB suspension and E-bike technologies, Norco has been a formidable force in the world of bikes—always pushing the boundaries and raising the bar of progression.

Here’s to another 60 years of innovation and unforgettable rides!

Ride Through History: Join us in celebrating six decades of innovation. [Link to Full History]

-The Norco Family

 

 

 

BOULDER – July 23, 2024 – Nite Ize^®, a leading manufacturer of solution-based products, secured two rare 3D design trademarks for its proprietary S-Biner^® Dual Carabiner in stainless steel and plastic from the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). The S-Biner was first invented and trademarked in 2007, earning early recognition and praise for its distinct, yet practical “S” shape containing dual spring gates. S-Biner quickly became a staple among everyday key carriers and outdoor enthusiasts for its progressive dual-purpose use, enabling users to attach and access keys and gear from one end, clipping the other to a belt, backpack or anchor point. Today, millions of S-Biners have been sold, with Nite Ize providing over 50 versions of the carabiner in a variety of materials, sizes, colors and locking features.

“Securing this 3D design trademark is a real testament to our innovation,” said Nite Ize founder and CEO, Rick Case. “Trademarks like these are only awarded for truly unique, famous product designs; we are honored to be recognized by the USPTO for our invention. We’re still building on its success today, with more original innovations always on the horizon.”

Known as a shape trademark, this type of intellectual property is rare and difficult to obtain because, unlike regular trademarks for logos and names, 3D trademarks apply to the visual appearance of the product itself. To prove that the shape of the S-Biner was famous and worthy of a trademark, the Nite Ize legal team compiled over 1,000 pages for its July 2021 filings, relying on examples of the S-Biner in the public eye. Examples included its appearances in The Hunger Games film and a Superbowl ad starring Jay Leno for Acura, used by military professionals, industry awards and publication features dating back to its original 2007 launch. Nite Ize is in good company with its esteemed shape trademarks, with other notable examples including the Apple^® iPod^®, Coca-Cola^® Bottle, Converse^® All-Star Shoes and Hershey’s^® Kisses and Chocolate Bar.

Since its initial design patents expired in 2022, copycat S-Biners have been on the rise. With the universal S-Biner shape trademark now secured for both the stainless steel and plastic versions, Nite Ize can now defend against any ‘S’ shaped carabiner products in the marketplace in perpetuity.

This win continues their years-long commitment to protecting their patents. In 2018, Nite Ize won an exclusionary order from the International Trade Commission to stop counterfeit Steelie^® magnetic phone mount shipments from passing through U.S. Customs. The following year, the brand partnered with Amazon in a landmark federal lawsuit against those counterfeit sellers, advancing their pursuit to protect their intellectual property.

About Nite Ize 

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Nite Ize designs, manufactures and globally distributes innovative, inventor-driven products that creatively solve everyday challenges. Nite Ize offers more than 500 products across various channels including: Waterproof Protection, Mobile, Tie-Downs + Bungees, Key Accessories, Illumination, Bike + Fitness and Pet. Led by original founder Rick Case, Nite Ize team members are passionate about their products, customers, partners and the environment. For more information, visit NiteIze.com.

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (July 23) – Finisterre, the UK-based brand known for its sustainable outdoor products, has reached across the Atlantic to collaboratively create two new hiking packs with Gregory, the US label known for the supreme carrying comfort of its backpacks.

This new relationship is rooted in a shared commitment to sustainability and adventure and has led us to two lifetime adventure essentials built for long hauls with less impact on the planet.

Here are ten things to know about the collab:

1. Finisterre has exclusively reinterpreted two of Gregory’s best-selling backpacks – the Stout and Amber, which are specifically designed for men and women respectively.
2. These are lightweight packs crammed with tech features both time-honored and modern, including wishbone alloy frames for load management and adjustable torso length, and a Speed Clip hydration attachment system compatible with Gregory Hydro reservoirs.
3. “The idea for a more purpose-built pack came when we were hiking in Scotland,” says Todd, Head of Design at Finisterre. “If we wanted to make the product I had in my mind, we’d need to work with a brand that is not only the very best but also aligns with our values and has a solid stance on environmentalism. Gregory is that brand.”
4. Cornwall’s Finisterre and Utah’s Gregory have used 100% recycled ripstop fabric as the main body material for their transatlantic collaboration. These Stout and Amber packs are also built using high-tenacity 420D Nylon to meet Finisterre’s strict durability standards.
5. Both products have been treated with a durable DWR coating for outdoor adventure action. This coating is, it goes without saying, free from PFCs.
6. Comfort is a key selling point of the Finisterre x Gregory duo. Features of note in this department include customisable torso lengths; adjustable wraparound Fit Tune hip belts; perforated 3D foam back panels for breathability; and shoulder harnesses with new die-cut air mesh and revised fabric panels for focused stability.
7. Both packs come with a lifetime warranty as standard.
8. Sizes include 45L and 55L for the Stout, and 44L and 54L for the Amber.
9. Prices start at $230
10. The packs will be available from July 23rd on Finisterre.com and starting August 2nd on Gregory.com.

For more information about Gregory, and its collection of award-winning backpacks and luggage, visit www.Gregory.com.

About Gregory Mountain Products

For nearly 50 years, Gregory Mountain Products has been a global leader in expedition, backpacking, daypacks, lifestyle, travel, and camping gear. World renowned for fit, durability, performance, and accessibility, Gregory has won countless awards and recognition from media outlets such as Outside Magazine, National Geographic, Popular Science, Men’s Journal, New York Times, and many others. Gregory is a product driven company that continues to lead the way in clever, innovative, and experience-enhancing outdoor gear that helps more people experience the benefits of the great outdoors in style and comfort.

About Finisterre

Born from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre makes enduring outdoor wear for an inspired life in and around the sea. It started in 2003 with an innovative fleece that was designed to keep out chill winds and warm up cold bodies. Since these early days, driven by those who have jumped on board, the brand and product has widened beyond these original beginnings. Yet from their cliff top workshop in Cornwall, they stay true to their original design ethos of functionality and sustainability brought to life in an understated style and identity.

MEDIA CONTACT: Becca Katz | Verde Brand Communications | becca@verdepr.com | C. 360-441-5620

LINCOLN, Neb. —Media are invited to a VIP tour hosted by Rails to Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trails, walking and biking advocacy organization, to learn about the transformative power, potential, and progress of the Great American Rail-Trail® in Nebraska, neighboring regions, and beyond.

The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature RTC project and will be the nation’s first multiuse trail across the country, creating an entirely walkable and bikeable route that is separate from vehicle traffic across 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. The trail will serve 50 million people within 50 miles of the route, and countless more who travel to it from across the country and around the world.

Nebraska’s portion of the Great American is built on the legacy of the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail—a rustic experience through the west and one of the longest rail-trails in the country. It provides an example of the trail’s potential to create economic opportunity and safe walking and biking routes that link rural, suburban and urban communities. In Nebraska, the Great American is expected to generate $1.3 million in new tax revenue and over $14.5 million in visitor spending annually, adding 170 new jobs and $6.1 million in labor income to the state. During the tour, participants will connect with local leaders, business owners and advocates who are tapping into this possibility to accelerate the completion of the trail in the state.

Media are invited to register on RTC’s website to join the 100-mile VIP bike tour departing from Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 23 and ending in Norfolk, Neb., on September 27. The event is designed for bicyclists of all skill levels. Media who are unable to attend the full week can join key events or single days of the tour. For more information about these opportunities and to RSVP, contact Patricia Brooks at patricia@matchmapmedia.com.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

SEPT. 24—FROM LINCOLN TO WABASH (27.4 MILES)

The tour will kick off with lunch at the Bike Walk Nebraska Summit, where participants will meet with leaders working to connect trails, including the Great American, across the state.

Media will travel along the MoPac Trail through Platte River Valley, with special stops hosted by the organizers of the famous MoPac Trail Pie Ride. There will be an opportunity for photos and pie.

Media will attend a Happy hour at Grandpa’s Woods, followed by an evening event at the new Ashland Glamping Barn. Lodging on Sept. 24 will be at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park with limited lodging available at the Glamping Barn.

SEPT. 25—FROM SOUTH BEND TO OMAHA (29.6 MILES)

Riders will depart Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and enter the Greater Omaha area, riding over the Lied Platte River Bridge along the river for the first few miles of the trip.

Once entering Omaha, participants can explore the incredible Gene Leahy Walking Mall at the Missouri River and the Lewis and Clark National Park Service Headquarters, crossing state lines into Iowa and the Missouri River over the 3,000-foot-long Bob Kerrey Bridge heading into Council Bluffs, Iowa.

SEPT. 26 – 27  NELIGH TO NORFOLK (35.9 MILES)

Media will have the opportunity to travel west on the final days of the tour to explore the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail. In Neligh, participants will pay respects to the White Buffalo Girl, the Ponca child lost as the tribe was forced to leave their homeland in the late 19th century.

The Great American will be the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail—a route that is entirely bikeable and separated from vehicle traffic across 3,700 miles between Washington State and Washington, D.C. For more information about the Great American and its regional impact, visit RTC’s website.

Rails to Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong—dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

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BOULDER, Colo. (July 18, 2024)—La Sportiva announced today that it has signed elite climber Jesse Grupper. Effective immediately, Grupper will be using La Sportiva’s industry-leading climbing shoes and mountain footwear for competition and training. The Salt Lake City-based athlete is one of the best climbers on the World Cup circuit and finds time to balance his training with his work as an altruistic engineer. Grupper is excited to partner with the global mountain brand, noting that his goals and values align perfectly with the Italian company’s interests.

“Jesse is one of the brightest stars in the sport,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “We are always looking to partner with athletes who reflect our brand’s culture, and Jesse embodies the ethos that defines this company. While his climbing achievements are very impressive, it is his passion for helping others that makes him such an inspiring athlete. We look forward to watching Jesse continue to chase his dreams and are stoked to have him join the La Sportiva family.”

Last year, Grupper cemented his name at the top of the sport by winning the Pan American Games and placing second at the World Cup event in Koper, Slovenia. The mechanical engineer has been balancing climbing with his work at the Harvard Biodesign Lab, where he works on rehabilitation robotics. He recently transitioned to working part-time at the lab to pursue his goals in the sport. The move paid off, and the 27-year-old has reached new heights in the sport, becoming one of the best climbers in the world.

“I’m ecstatic to be joining this iconic brand,” said Grupper. “La Sportiva makes the best climbing shoes out there, but more importantly, the family owned brand treats its athletes like family. While climbing is incredibly important to me, it is only one of the facets of my life, and I know that this company is here to support me in all of my endeavors.”

Grupper started climbing at the age of six. He discovered the sport through his sister, who was taking classes at a local gym at the time. The elite climber began competing when he was 11 and continued to progress throughout his teen years. In 2015 he enrolled in the engineering program at Tufts University, where he balanced his aspirations in the sport with his academic pursuits. Grupper is looking to continue his ascendancy in the sport and has his eyes on key international competitions in 2024.

Another top La Sportiva athlete, Brooke Raboutou, has landed a number of impressive results on the international circuit over the past year. The Boulder, Colorado-based climber won the Budapest Lead and Boulder events in June after securing first place at the Shanghai event in May. While Raboutou is only 23, she has been climbing at an elite level for over a decade. At the age of 9, she became the youngest person to climb a 5.13b sport route, and at 11 she became the youngest person to send a 5.14b. Raboutou has lofty goals for the rest of the season and hopes to secure top placings at several notable events.

For more information or to request a media interview with either of these athletes, please contact Sean Van Horn at Sean.vanhorn@backbone.media.

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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.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 18, 2024) — Moultrie, the leading innovator in trail camera and feeder technology, expands its award-winning Edge series of cameras with two new introductions: the Edge 2 and Edge 2 Pro. The Edge 2 and the Edge 2 Pro are available for purchase now at www.MoultrieProducts.com and at authorized Moultrie dealers.

The Edge 2 expands on the premium performance of the original Edge camera to provide a more

powerful and feature-rich experience at an outstanding value. The Edge 2 delivers many of the industry-leading benefits the Edge Series is known for, including Auto Connect Technology and built-in memory, while introducing an all-new On-Demand feature enabling users to trigger a photo or video within the

Moultrie Mobile App which will be available shortly after capture. Image quality has also been enhanced with 36MP photos and FHD 1080p video featuring audio and an expanded 50-foot field of view, and an advanced low-glow IR LED array for improved night images. Edge 2 performance was further boosted with a 0.4 trigger speed and an updated PIR for improved trigger accuracy (MSRP $99.99).

Advancing the brand’s flagship Edge Pro model, the Edge 2 Pro carries over on-board Moultrie AI, eliminating up to 99% of false triggers, and is upgraded with GPS, On-Demand photo and video capture, a lightning-fast 0.3 trigger speed, and no-glow flash. Additionally, the Edge 2 Pro is built with NYXEL® NIR (near infrared) technology for enhanced low-light performance with minimized power consumption, best-in-class 40MP images and QHD 1440p video with HD sound, a detection range of up to 100 feet, built-in memory, and nationwide coverage with Auto Connect Technology. The Edge 2 Pro also has Bluetooth-enabled Live Aim and an included Easy Aim Mount for easier, more precise camera mounting (MSRP $139.99).

“We set the standard with built-in memory, multi-carrier Auto Connect cellular technology, and onboard AI,” said Daniel Wilson, General Manager of Moultrie. “The Edge 2 and Edge 2 Pro raise the standard further, delivering an unrivaled experience in the field for hunters.”

Both the Edge 2 and Edge 2 Pro are powered by the industry-leading Moultrie Mobile App. The Moultrie Mobile App allows hunters to quickly monitor cameras and the all-new Feed Hub cellular feeder timers, view activity data, and access powerful features for hunt planning and mapping. In addition, the Moultrie Mobile App offers an industry-first deer activity forecasting with Game Plan, providing up to nine days of deer movement forecast based on local deer movement data.

To learn more about Moultrie, its products, or the industry-leading Moultrie Mobile app, visit www.MoultrieProducts.com or download and try the app for free from the App Store or Google Play today.

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About Moultrie

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie is the leader in deer feeders and cellular trail camera innovation, building products used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. Moultrie is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Ani-Logics, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale, and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands, including Rebel, YUM, BOOYAH, War Eagle Custom Lures, Great Lakes Finesse, and Bomber.