Archives: Press Releases

Boulder, Colo. (March 13, 2024) — Boulder, Colo.-based Backpacker’s Pantry, the family-owned maker of gourmet adventure meals, announces five new delicious freeze-dried entrees for Spring 2024. The assortment includes comfort classics and new meals offering international flair. Having a long history in freeze-dried food manufacturing, the company leans on its 70-year history to introduce the following gourmet adventure meals: Fiesta Beef & Vegetable Bowl; White Bean, Chicken, & Green Chile Stew; Drunken Noodles with Chicken; Pesto Pasta with Chicken; and Beef Bolognese.

“As the original freeze-dried adventure food company, Backpacker’s Pantry has continued to set the standard for great tasting, responsibly sourced meals for over 70 years,” said Duane Primozich CEO of Backpacker’s Pantry. “We are thrilled to bring five new meals to our lineup of popular entrees with very unique and exciting offerings from different corners of the globe. From the streets of Thailand to the Italian countryside, and everywhere in between, these new meals offer a culinary adventure for your taste buds.”

Three of the new entrees will be gluten-free:

Fiesta Beef and Vegetable Bowl (31g protein, 520 calories per pouch, MSRP: $12.99 USD)

This dish truly is a fiesta for your taste buds! This one is delicious on its own, in a tortilla, or scooped on your favorite chips. Backpacker’s Pantry has included all of your Tex-Mex favorites- rice, beef,  pinto beans, cheddar cheese, corn, tomatoes, onions, sour cream… you name it! The company also added a delicious blend of Hatch green chiles and chipotle for a truly delicious kick. Note flavors of cilantro, lime, and cumin as well.

White Bean, Chicken, & Green Chile Stew (46g protein, 540 calories per pouch, MSRP: $12.99 USD)

After a long day of skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding, there are few things better than a warm, hearty bowl of chili. Backpacker’s Pantry wanted to recreate this homestyle comfort in our White Bean Chicken Chili. Whether you’re home or in the backcountry, this cheesy chili truly is the perfect way to warm up after a long, chilly day out. Heading back out tomorrow? Creamy white beans and tender chicken pack in enough protein to sustain you through any adventure. Backpacker’s Pantry also kept this recipe close to home with a Southwestern favorite: Hatch Green Chile.

Drunken Noodles with Chicken (27g protein, 490 calories per pouch, MSRP $12.99 USD)

Backpacker’s Pantry’s most popular meal is a Thai staple- why not add another to the mix? This dish features traditional wide rice noodles sourced straight from Thailand tossed with chicken, broccoli, red bell pepper, and carrot. The authentic sweet and spicy tamari and brown sugar sauce will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Thailand. Note flavors of lemongrass, lime, and cilantro as well.

The other two new meal offerings include:

Pesto Pasta with Chicken (38g protein, 580 calories per pouch, MSRP: $12.99 USD)

Few dishes are more of a crowd-pleaser than good pesto pasta. This family-friendly staple will keep even the pickiest kids satisfied on any outdoor adventure. Tender white meat chicken provides the protein, and our creamy pesto supplies the healthy fats you need to keep going. Though this pesto is nut-free, the parmesan cheese provides a delicious nutty flavor that is rounded out by roasted garlic and black pepper.

Beef Bolognese (28g protein, 480 calories per pouch, MSRP $12.99 USD)

Another classic crowd-pleaser, Backpacker’s Pantry’s Beef Bolognese is an Italian staple remade for the backcountry that the whole family will enjoy. It features delicate pasta, beef, and the traditional vegetable trio of carrots, onion, and celery in a Ragu that will take you straight to the Italian countryside. Note flavors of garlic, red pepper, and oregano.

For those interested in trying out all of the new meals, check out the Backpacker’s Pantry New Meal Bundle is available for 10% off from the Backpacker’s Pantry website.

These five meals add to Backpacker’s Pantry’s lineup of best-selling entrees, including Pad Thai, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, and Lasagna. Desserts, breakfast, and Emergency Kits are also available, in addition to freeze-dried Astronaut ice cream sandwiches and fruit made by Backpacker’s Pantry’s sister company, Astronaut Foods.

These five new meals are available now on the Backpacker’s Pantry website and at local retailers. For more information about Backpacker’s Pantry, please visit backpackerspantry.com.

About Backpacker’s Pantry

Backpacker’s Pantry is a Boulder-based, family-owned producer of gourmet adventure meals made with healthy and sustainable ingredients. Since 1951, the company has been delivering high-quality freeze-dried meals with an emphasis on taste. To give back to the community we love, the places we adventure and the planet we must protect, Backpacker’s Pantry donates 1% of every sale, every day to nonprofits around the world through 1% For the Planet and is 100% solar-powered. Today, Backpacker’s Pantry is sold in over 2,000 stores in North America. For more information and a complete list of products, visit https://backpackerspantry.com.

About American Outdoor Products

American Outdoor Products (AOP) is a food manufacturer located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, CO.  Established in 1951, American Outdoor Products remains an independent, privately held, family-owned, and operated company distributing products throughout the world. Inspired by a passion for unique cuisine and exciting adventures, the company produces Backpacker’s Pantry, adventure food for the outdoors; Astronaut Foods, out-of-this-world novelty treats; Chef Soraya grab-and-go plant-based meals; and Colorado Spice, all-natural and organic artisan spice blends. To learn more, visit: https://backpackerspantry.com

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Louisville, Colo., March 12, 2024 — TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, today announced a partnership with power and pace, Germany’s largest triathlon coaching organization.

TrainingPeaks is now the technology platform of choice for power and pace, a leading coaching service that offers training plans tailored to the unique needs of every athlete. power and pace previously used Today’s Plan, which announced it would cease all operations on March 12, 2024.

“TrainingPeaks simply makes sense for power and pace,” said founder Björn Geesman. “The TrainingPeaks team made transitioning from another platform seamless and took a human-first approach with us and our athletes. They genuinely care, they’re on the cutting edge of development, and they remain at the forefront of coaching and training technology.”

With a background in exercise physiology, Geesman is a world-class triathlon coach with a notable career training professional triathletes such as Patrick Lange and Kat Matthews.

power and pace is a community coaching project partnered with German Triathlon Magazine. Members of power and pace receive targeted training plans and access to a number of other benefits including webinars, live events, Zwift sessions, and in-person meet-ups at events.

The organization helps a wide variety of triathletes achieve their goals, from those looking to finish their first race to athletes hoping to qualify for the Ironman World Championship.

“Bjorn Geesman is one of the most knowledgeable triathlon coaches in the sport, and we’re very excited to be working more closely with him and his team at power and pace,” said Dirk Friel, TrainingPeaks co-founder and Chief Evangelist. “This organization provides quality coaching and other resources for triathletes of all levels, and we’re honored to be selected as their official training and coaching software.”

About TrainingPeaks

TrainingPeaks creates endurance training apps and solutions that help athletes and coaches reach their goals. Featuring the world’s largest endurance training marketplace, athletes can find personalized training plans, accredited coaches and easy-to-use apps and integrations to track their progress and reach their goals. TrainingPeaks is trusted by runners, cyclists, and triathletes around the world including Tour de France teams, IRONMAN® World Champions and Olympians. Learn more at trainingpeaks.com.

 

 

 

 

[Red Wing, MN, March 12, 2024] – Vasque Footwear, with nearly 60 years of experience delivering functional, durable footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts, proudly introduces its latest innovation: Re:connect NOW. This addition to the Re:connect Collection embodies Vasque’s ethos of bringing the benefits of nature to everyday life.

The lifestyle-forward counterpart to the Re:connect HERE, the Re:connect NOW represents Vasque’s most versatile design yet, featuring lightweight and sustainable materials that prioritize comfort and stability with every step. The shoe’s 100% recycled ripstop mesh upper, sustainable midsole components, and innovative design provide outstanding support and cushioning, offering a reprieve from the stresses of daily life. Re:connect NOW invites individuals to step outside, reclaim their daily reprieve, and reconnect with the world around them. 

“Re:connect NOW is designed, developed, and tested for anywhere, but especially for outside,” says Bryce Wernsman, president of Vasque. “Whether navigating city streets or exploring woodland trails, these shoes are your trusted companion for experiencing the outdoors while staying connected to your surroundings.”

Key features of Re:connect NOW include:

• MSRP: $140
• Lightweight construction for effortless wearability.
• Sustainable materials, including 100% recycled ripstop mesh upper and eco-friendly midsole components.
• Wider heel and forefoot design for enhanced stability.
• Midfoot lockdown lacing system for secure support.
• Aggressive Xlite outsole for superior multi-directional traction.

The Re:connect collection was created on the belief that one doesn’t need to venture far to experience the transformative power of nature. By simply stepping outside, individuals can reconnect with themselves, others, and their full potential. Departing from traditional outdoor settings, the Re:connect collection integrates the essence of nature into familiar urban landscapes.

For more information, visit Vasque.com or your nearest authorized retailer.

About Vasque: 

Vasque Footwear has delivered functional, durable footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts since 1964. We believe that you don’t have to go far to change your perspective. By simply stepping outside we can change how we feel on the inside. When we disconnect, we reconnect. Vasque Footwear – Trail Footwear Since 1964. Visit us at Vasque.com

 

Flagstaff, Ariz. (March 12, 2024) – In a continuous effort to improve hiker safety along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Kahtoola has partnered with the Trek for Trevor foundation alongside Nomad Ventures and the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation to support the Trevor Spikes Program for its fourth year.

Named in memory of Trevor “Microsoft” Laher, who tragically lost his life on the trail in 2020, the Trek for Trevor foundation is dedicated to improving hiker safety through education and awareness campaigns. Through the Trevor Spikes Program, PCT hikers can purchase Kahtoola MICROspikes® traction devices at a discount through Idyllwild-based Nomad Ventures and pick them up at the start of the San Jacinto Mountains at Paradise Valley Cafe. New for 2024, the program extends its support by including Camp Corsa ice axes alongside traction devices, catering to the diverse needs of hikers facing various trail conditions.

In a heartfelt reflection, father Doug Laher shared, “In a sea of grief in which waves of sorrow, sadness and despair were constantly washing over us, the Trevor Spikes Program was the only thing that brought a sense of normalcy to our lives. By helping others, this program, and subsequently the formation of the Trek for Trevor foundation, ensured that Trevor’s death was not in vain – that something good was able to come of his tragedy.”

Danny Giovale, owner and founder of Kahtoola, remarked, “Our partnership with the Trevor Spikes Program speaks to our shared belief in the importance of preventing accidents. It’s also an acknowledgement of the nature of adventure – risk is inherent in these environments, but we can accept that mitigation, not elimination of risk, is the key to rewarding outdoor experiences. In memory of Trevor and in recognition of the tireless work that Doug is doing, we are honored to support the newly established Trek for Trevor foundation with a monetary donation in their ongoing efforts to enhance hiker safety.”

The Trevor Spikes Program is a collaborative effort funded by the Trek for Trevor foundation and the Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation, with the support of Kahtoola, Nomad Ventures, and Paradise Valley Café, helping to reduce the barriers to essential equipment on the trail. As the PCT welcomes a new class of hikers, the Trek for Trevor foundation and the Trevor Spikes Program continue to honor Trevor Laher’s memory and the resilience of the hiking community, ensuring a safer trail for all.

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About Kahtoola: Established in 1999, Kahtoola crafts exceptional outdoor gear with a commitment to philanthropy, conservation, and sustainability. Kahtoola’s gaiters, hiking crampons, and flexible footwear traction systems, including MICROspikes®, EXOspikes™ and NANOspikes®, are built to improve safety and performance. Every product is thoughtfully designed and vigorously tested at the brand’s Flagstaff, AZ headquarters high on the Colorado Plateau. Owned and operated by founder Danny Giovale, Kahtoola proudly grants 1% of annual sales through the Kahtoola Philanthropy Program to organizations that support indigenous cultures, outdoor community and environmental responsibility. For more information, please visit Kahtoola.com.

About Trek for Trevor: Founded by Doug and Karen Laher in memory of their son Trevor “Microsoft” Laher, Trek for Trevor is a foundation whose mission is to promote safe hiking and exploration through preparation, awareness and education. With a passionate team committed to making a difference, the Trek for Trevor foundation creates campaigns and content to educate hikers on the importance of preparation and emergency response. For more information on the foundation’s initiatives, visit trekfortrevor.org.

 

Durango, Colo. (Mar. 11, 2024) – Tailwind Nutrition, the leading provider of simple and complete nutrition products, has launched Rapid Hydration, an all natural electrolyte drink mix that quenches your thirst and rapidly replaces what you sweat out with the right blend of electrolytes and Vitamin C. The powder mixes quick and clear with a clean, light taste to optimize your hydration during workouts or throughout the day.

“Customers asked for a hydration mix with the light, clean flavors Tailwind is known for and no icky aftertaste from stevia or monk fruit,” said Jeff Vierling, founder of Tailwind Nutrition. “It’s perfect for those days when I’m headed out for a short ride, run, hot yoga, or trip to the gym. I hope you love it as much as I do!”

Rapid Hydration has a clean, refreshing taste that delivers a subtle yet satisfying flavor that will leave your tastebuds happy. Available in five tempting flavors – Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Lime, Berry, and Raspberry – Rapid Hydration is packaged as individual sachets available in 12-, 15-, or 25-packs. One sachet has 45 calories and is optimized for use in 18-24 ounces of water.

Rapid Hydration helps you hydrate faster than just drinking water alone and provides electrolytes to replace what is lost in sweat. Similar to Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel, Rapid Hydration takes advantage of the body’s active transport mechanism to maximize the absorption of electrolytes and water. Sweetened with natural cane sugar, Rapid Hydration does not include any artificial sweeteners and is naturally gluten free.

While Rapid Hydration is ideal for everyday hydration or short workouts, Endurance Fuel is all you need for sustained efforts over longer periods of time and for high levels of intensity. After workouts, Tailwind Nutrition’s Recovery Mix helps athletes recover quickly so you can get back out on the trails doing more of what you love.

Rapid Hydration electrolyte powder can be used before, during, and after workouts in order to keep the body’s hydration balanced. It can also be consumed during periods of illness when your body is losing fluids, or even post-late night to feel better in the morning.

Rapid Hydration is available on TailwindNutrition.com and through specialty retailers.

Tailwind Nutrition Rapid Hydration MSRP

12-serving pack (single flavor) – $18.99 USD

15-serving pack (variety pack) – $22.99 USD

25-serving pack (single flavor) – $29.99 USD

About Tailwind Nutrition

Celebrating its 12th Anniversary in 2024, Tailwind Nutrition manufactures all-natural sports nutrition products that are free of GMOs, dairy, soy, and gluten, are easy to digest, and support an athlete’s fueling and recovery needs during exercise. Owned, operated and manufactured in Durango, Tailwind Nutrition’s specially formulated drink mixes help athletes perform and compete at their highest level without the worry of food allergies or sensitivities. All you need. Really.^® For more information visit tailwindnutrition.com

 

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Louisville, Colo., March 8, 2024 — TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, today announced a partnership with Matt Dixon’s Purple Patch Fitness.

TrainingPeaks is now the technology platform of choice for Purple Patch, which offers performance training for time-starved athletes. The group previously used Today’s Plan, which announced it would cease all operations on March 12, 2024.

“What felt like a real challenge has emerged to something much better than we could have anticipated, with a better platform and program experience for our coaches and athletes,” said Matt Dixon, Purple Patch founder and head coach. “We look forward to years of continued partnership and teamwork with the incredible team at TrainingPeaks.”

Dixon, a world-class triathlon coach and former professional triathlete and elite swimmer, founded Purple Patch in 2005. The group has produced 138 pro champions, more than 1,000 amateur podiums, and coaches athletes in more than 40 countries around the world.

In addition to world-class professionals and elite amateurs, Purple Patch is dedicated to the success of amateur athletes of all levels. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Dixon has committed himself to a greater focus on education and coaching of time-starved athletes, C-suite executives, and leadership teams. His methodology is rooted in four key pillars of performance: endurance, strength, nutrition and feuling, and recovery.

“Matt Dixon is among the most respected and experienced coaches in the sport of triathlon, and we’re grateful that he has put his trust in TrainingPeaks as the official training and coaching software of Purple Patch Fitness,” said Dirk Friel, TrainingPeaks co-founder and Chief Evangelist. “For nearly two decades, Purple Patch has been committed to helping athletes of all levels achieve their performance goals, and we’re happy to support their efforts to make calculated decisions with analysis, tracking and planning.”

About TrainingPeaks

TrainingPeaks creates endurance training apps and solutions that help athletes and coaches reach their goals. Featuring the world’s largest endurance training marketplace, athletes can find personalized training plans, accredited coaches and easy-to-use apps and integrations to track their progress and reach their goals. TrainingPeaks is trusted by runners, cyclists, and triathletes around the world including Tour de France teams, IRONMAN® World Champions and Olympians. Learn more at trainingpeaks.com.

 

 

 

Think Better Group in partnership with the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund is excited to announce the acquisition of Klean Kanteen.

Klean Kanteen, the original clean-reuseable water bottle founded over 20 years ago at the foot of the Sierras in northern California USA, has been leading the industry in the sustainable drink category. Every aspect of Klean’s impact philosophy aligns perfectively with Think Better Group’s strategy around eliminating the use of single use plastics and across its current product ranges of Care, Drinks and Lifestyle.

Klean Kanteen is a pioneer and leader in research and development of clean drinking solutions. Over the past twenty years, Klean Kanteen has logged a number of industry firsts including the first to be BPA free and lead free (chemicals driving serious health concerns throughout the world) in the manufacturing of drink containers, gathering larger industry and consumer awareness and attention.

As a family operated business, Klean’s owners Michelle Kalberer and Jeff Cresswell, are excited by the opportunity of joining the Think Better Group portfolio of sustainable brands and leveraging the global reach and customers shared across the portfolio. “The opportunity to partner with Think Better Group and further expand our offering across both our home North American market and internationally is truly unique. We have operated our business independently for over 20 years and view the opportunity now to join with a partner that shares our core principles and values”.

Klean currently distributes its products to over 100 countries worldwide, and Think Better Group views the partnership an opportunity to grow its portfolio more into the North America market leveraging Klean’s unique infrastructure, whilst at the same time further elevating the Klean brand into the core European and Asia Pacific markets that the business operates today.

Heath Jansen CEO Think Better group commented “we are excited to welcome the Klean Kanteen team to Think Better Group. Together our combined businesses will allow us to sustainably grow and provide additional plastic free alternatives to our global consumer base”.

Think Better Group with Klean Kanteen now sees the Group leveraging its unique position in the millennial consumer space with leading brands in Drinks, Lifestyle and Care.

 

SEATTLE – Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open a store in Loveland, Colorado in summer 2024. The location will bring a wide assortment of outdoor gear and expertise for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, paddling, climbing, and more. For those who enjoy biking and snow sports, certified mechanics will staff a full-service bike and ski shop.

“REI’s presence in Colorado began in 1983 with our first store in Denver. Loveland will be our tenth location in the state,” said Janet Hopkins, REI regional director for the Rockies/Great Plains region. “We look forward to serving the community and visitors who come to enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park, Long View Trail and the Colorado Front Range Trail, and endless other outdoor opportunities. REI will also seek partnerships with local outdoor nonprofits to support their efforts in protecting natural places and welcoming more people outside.”

Store facts

• Location: The Marketplace at Centerra, Loveland, CO, 80538
• Store size: Approximately 23,000 square feet
• Store features: Full-service ski and bike shop, buy online-pickup in store, curbside pick up
• REI Co-op Membership: 61,000 existing members in the Loveland area and 1.32 million existing members in Colorado
• Closest REI Stores: Fort Collins (14 miles away, opened 1994), Boulder (38 miles away, opened 1989), Denver (47 miles away, opened 1983, relocated 2000), Lakewood (60 miles away, opened 1994), Greenwood Village (61 miles away, opened 1998, relocated 2017), Colorado Springs (110 miles away, opened 1999), Dillon (112 miles away, opened 2017)

REI actively partners with nonprofits across the country that connect people to the outdoors. In the last five years, Colorado nonprofits received more than $4.1 million from REI. Complementing REI’s community investments, REI Cooperative Action Fund invests in nonprofits building more equitable and inclusive outdoor communities. In the last three years, this community supported nonprofit distributed more than $1.1 million to Colorado nonprofits. To learn more about REI Cooperative Action Fund grantees, visit www.reifund.org/grantees.

REI is the country’s largest consumer co-op, though everyone is welcome to shop at its stores and tap into the vast amount of expertise provided by the co-op’s store staff and online resources. Members who join the co-op enjoy a wide range of benefits, including a used gear trade-in program called Re/Supply; discounts on shop services and experiences; a share of the co-op’s annual profits based on qualifying purchases; and more.

Join the REI team

REI expects to hire approximately 40 employees for the new Loveland store. Candidates interested in joining the REI team can apply online at REI.jobs. Those interested can set up a job alert on the co-op’s career site to be notified when positions are posted. New employees will receive a variety of benefits, including generous product and service discounts, competitive pay, and retirement contributions. Health insurance is also offered to both full-time and part-time employees.

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 23 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. If you can’t visit one of our many stores, you 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.