Archives: Press Releases

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (May 20, 2024) — The Rural is Rad (RiR) movement has officially launched to support rural brands and founders in the outdoor industry by helping consumers and specialty, independent retailers discover new brands. Their mission is to empower consumers to shop locally while fostering brand awareness for the amazing products, jobs and communities that are being developed in more remote places. While it is currently Colorado-based, the movement has a vision for the community they are creating to become a formula that rural brands nationwide can replicate in the years to come.

Rural is Rad was dreamed up by the founders of Town Hall Outdoor Co (Robin Hall), Buttnski (Kelly Mazanti) and Stray Wild (TJ Smith). The movement was formed through a shared objective to build awareness for rural brands and founders who experience shared challenges working in remote places with limited resources.

“Rural is Rad aims to bring awareness and connection to rural businesses and founders in the outdoor recreation industry,” said Hall. “Our goal is to build a comprehensive directory, marketplace and community of outdoor-oriented brands for people to discover, shop and support year-round, while providing a resource for rural founders to collaborate and, potentially, build something bigger. This movement will start right here in Colorado and expand nationwide in future years, with the help of key partners.”

Rural is Rad hosts micro gatherings and promotions throughout the year, with one main event happening during Small Business Saturday. “Rural is Rad Week” will kick off on Small Business Saturday November 30 this year, and last for the following week. Last year was the inaugural year for Rural is Rad Week. Holiday shopping and Black Friday deals are in full swing, RiR aims to provide consumers with an alternative to shopping big business through the feel-good purchasing power of shopping rural as well as connecting with local communities. The goal is to showcase purposeful purchasing opportunities, encourage collaboration and diversify economic growth.

Throughout this week, RiR businesses will offer discounts, deals or special connection points through online and in-store sales and customers will, in turn, get a unique product, made with love and become part of the community. The goal of the week is to drive revenue for rural businesses, provide an alternative to shopping ‘big’ and build a year-round community between the businesses, the customers and each other.

Rural is Rad showcases the grit and determination of rural outdoor brands and founders in the outdoor industry, helping them get discovered because in rural communities it is harder to gain awareness. Ultimately, the movement hopes to draw in the consumer who is mindful about what they are purchasing and seeks to connect with brands that are centered around purpose and values—those who are likely to care for the outdoors and treat the outdoors with respect.

“We believe that rural communities are not only the heart of the outdoor experience, but also the engine driving connections and sustainability in our industry,” said Mazanti, Co-Founder of Rural is Rad and Founder of Buttnski. “Through our movement, we aim to shine a bright light on hard-working and passionate rural businesses, create deep bonds between brands and build a loyal following with consumers.”

“As founders in rural communities in Colorado, we know how important it is to collaborate and support each other due to working with more constraints and limited resources that are available in urban environments, said Smith, Co-Founder of Rural is Rad and Founder of Stray Wild. “We are excited to help retailers and consumers find and fall in love with passionate, hard-working companies that provide great gear and services.”

As part of its commitment to fostering inclusivity and collaboration, Rural is Rad will host a series of events, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to empower rural entrepreneurs, connect industry leaders, and inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the movement has launched an online platform, serving as a hub for rural-based brands to showcase their products, share stories, and connect with a global audience. For a calendar of events, visit the RiR website.

All rural outdoor brands are encouraged, at no cost, to join the Rural is Rad movement and become a part of a transformative journey towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant outdoor industry. For more information and to get involved, join the directory at https://www.ruralisrad.org/join. You can also follow and connect with RiR on Instagram @ruralisrad .

###

About Rural is Rad

Rural founders in the outdoor industry have a unique connection to nature that often serves as the driving force behind their entrepreneurial endeavors. This connection stems from their deep-rooted relationship with the natural environment, which is an intrinsic part of rural living.

This connection manifests in inspiration and creativity, access to natural resources, walking the talk in the outdoor lifestyle, environmental stewardship, community and connection. The connection between rural founders in the outdoor industry and nature is profound and multifaceted. The Rural is Rad family believes it’s not just about doing business; it’s about preserving and celebrating the beauty and abundance of the natural world that rural communities call home. Learn more and become a member at https://www.ruralisrad.org/join.

 

SEATTLE (May 15, 2024) — Outdoor Research, the Seattle-based maker of high-end outdoor apparel and gear, signed on as the presenting sponsor of the 2024 edition of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival, aligning with the release of the Freewheel Collection, OR’s first dedicated mountain bike product line. The Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival takes place June 8-9 in North Bend, Wash., just outside Seattle at the Raging River State Forest trail network.

The event is the largest and longest-running mountain bike festival in Washington and is organized by the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. The festival will have two full days of mountain bike demos, clinics, skill zones, an adaptive riding guide, live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks and 40-plus brand vendors.

“We are excited and grateful for Outdoor Research to support our work in Washington State’s mountain bike community, and having them as the presenting sponsor of our largest annual event shows their commitment to growing the sport in the Pacific Northwest,” said Vivika Stamolis, Marketing and Communications Manager at EMBA. “This is an especially big year for the festival at our new venue Raging River and the grand opening of our Phase 3 trails, so it’s a big win to have Outdoor Research partner with us as a local brand established just 25 miles down the road.”

The Outdoor Research booth will be located adjacent to EMBA’s registration tent at the event. Planned activations include product giveaways, bike mechanic demonstrations, an MTB “skinny” challenge, and more.

“The Evergreen MTB Festival is all about community, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity to step up and support EMBA’s flagship event in conjunction with our larger partnership while officially announcing our presence in the mountain bike category,”  said Dan Mayers, Brand Communications Manager at Outdoor Research . “We’re looking forward to an amazing weekend of riding, laughing, and making new friends, and we can’t wait to see our new Freewheel MTB Collection in action on our local trails.”

Outdoor Research’s new eight-piece Freewheel mountain bike collection brings the technical design expertise and materials innovation leadership that has defined Outdoor Research products for more than 40 years to a category that is a core activity for a large segment of its existing customer base. For many years, cyclists have adopted versatile OR products like the Helium Rain Jacket, the Ferrosi Overshort and the Echo tops. Freewheel represents OR’s first foray into cycling-specific products.

Watch the Freewheel collection brand video here.

About Outdoor Research

Since 1981, Outdoor Research has created trusted apparel, accessories, and equipment for you to thrive outside. Our award-winning outdoor gear is meticulously researched and tested for outdoor enthusiasts and military users around the globe. Grounded in our values of curiosity, passion, innovation, collaboration and community, we strive to create space for all in the outdoors. We celebrate wins outside at every level together with our ambassadors, non-profit partners and employees. Join us at outdoorresearch.com.

Media Contact: Verde Brand Communications | (970) 235-0268 | or@verdepr.com

[Red Wing, MN, May 14, 2024] – Vasque Footwear, with 60 years of experience delivering functional, durable footwear to millions of outdoor enthusiasts, is excited to announce significant advancements in its sales team partnerships with Waypoint Outdoor and Outdoor Sports Marketing (OSM). These strategic initiatives mark a milestone in Vasque’s commitment to enhancing representation and service across North America.

The decision to intensify collaboration with Waypoint Outdoor and OSM stems from a strategic vision outlined by the Vasque leadership team. Recognizing the need for focused support and strengthened relationships with key sales agencies, Vasque aims to streamline operations, improve continuity of service, and maximize market coverage.

“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Waypoint Outdoor and OSM,” said Bryce Wernsman, president at Vasque Footwear. “Their commitment to Vasque’s success and their proven track record make them invaluable assets in our journey to strengthen our presence across North America.”

Waypoint Outdoor and OSM, both esteemed partners of Vasque, have demonstrated unwavering dedication and investment in the brand over the years. Building upon their existing territories, Vasque has expanded Waypoint Outdoor’s coverage to the Southwest and South Central regions, while OSM now extends its reach to the Mid-Atlantic.

“We’re honored to strengthen our bond with Vasque through expanded coverage in the Southwest and South Central regions,” remarked Bob Holding, partner at Waypoint Outdoor. “This partnership reaffirms our dedication to supporting Vasque’s growth and providing unparalleled service to retailers.”

Similarly, Rion Smith, cofounder of OSM, shared his excitement about the opportunity to enhance Vasque’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic, stating, “Expanding into the Mid-Atlantic allows us to deepen our collaboration with Vasque and better serve retailers in this dynamic region. We’re excited to continue our journey together, delivering exceptional support and driving success for Vasque.”

With Waypoint Outdoor and OSM now covering six of Vasque’s nine representative territories in the USA, Vasque is well-positioned to drive growth and deliver outstanding service to its valued retail partners.

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

 

 

 

BOULDER, Colo. (May 14, 2024) — With an eye toward creating a product that helps more people get into gym and rock climbing, SCARPA, maker of premium high-performance footwear for mountain sports, introduces the Reflex VS, an exclusive introduction this spring with Movement Climbing Gyms in the U.S. and MEC in Canada. Longtime SCARPA athletes and professional climbers Alex Puccio and Sean McColl called out its exceptional construction and durability at an approachable price of $99 U.S.

“Climbing shoes today are quite pricey and it can be difficult for new climbers not knowing where to look for a great shoe that will be a good fit for them,” Puccio said. “I love that Scarpa decided to help solve this problem by making an amazing shoe that is under $100 while keeping the quality and integrity as they do with all their shoes. The Reflex VS is a comfortable shoe while still being really technical.”

McColl called the Reflex VS is “the best entry level climbing shoe on the market. The price is unmatched for the quality of the shoe. I like the simplicity of the shoe, its stretch-know mesh instep panel, a high-quality suede upper, and sticky and durable Vision rubber, which will last longer while people grow their footwork skills. There’s no doubt I would have benefited from this shoe when I started climbing, as I went through many pairs of shoes learning proper footwork.’’

The Reflex VS also employs dual microfiber straps to ensure secure closure, easy volume adjustment, and to resist stretching over time. Comfortable with a performance mindset, the Reflex VS is a shoe that meets the needs of entry-level climbers and also more experienced ones that want a durable shoe for all-day comfort.

The shoe’s stretch-knit instep panel is a proprietary technology from SCARPA. This one-piece stretch knit upper panel utilizes strategically placed varying thicknesses of material, controlling stretch, providing high breathability, easy entry and volume adjustment. It’s also washable.

SCARPA’s Vision rubber employs a proprietary compound that is both sticky and resilient to the varying conditions that climbers experience.

The Reflex VS is available in men’s and women’s fits. It will be more widely available at retailers beyond Movement and MEC starting later this summer.

About SCARPA and SCARPA North America

Founded in 1938, SCARPA builds performance footwear for climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, trail running and other outdoor pursuits from its headquarters in Asolo, Italy. SCARPA has been owned and operated by the Parisotto family since 1956. In 2005, SCARPA opened its North American headquarters in Boulder, Colo., staffed and directed by veterans of the North American outdoor

industry, to oversee sales, marketing and distribution in the U.S., Canada and South America. For more information about SCARPA footwear, visit www.scarpa.com.

 

-X X X-

BOULDER – May 13, 2024 – Nite Ize^®, a leading manufacturer of solution-based products, today announced it is expanding its retail engagement strategy retaining two new sales rep groups solidifying its commitment to serving diverse specialty markets. Effective immediately, Nite Ize is partnering with Action Sports Inc. in North Carolina and Sanitas Sales Group, located in Colorado.

“Nite Ize is committed to serving our retail partners and has historically done so with a robust in-house sales team, focused territory travel, and national trade shows,” said Jay Getzel, senior director of sales at Nite Ize. “This initiative extends our presence across key territories, ensuring comprehensive coverage and support for retailers. In addition, working with these two experienced agencies strengthens our engagement and service for our retail partners across many key regions and distribution channels, ensuring Nite Ize’s high-value line of products enjoys the best possible placement, service, and sell-through.”

Action Sports Inc. is led by 30-year, industry veteran, Andrew Gillette, and headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C. As former retail buyers, industry recruiters and sales professionals, the Action Sports team, Andrew, Beaty Jackson, and Billy Wolfe, has a deep understanding of the market and takes a strategic and personalized approach to brand building. They will be covering the southeast for Nite Ize.

“The relevance of Nite-Ize crosses every channel of trade we can think of, and we’re excited to be part of a company that creates solutions for everyday living,” said Gillette.

The Sanitas Sales Group, a leading sales firm in the western US market, boasts over 80 years of combined industry experience, with a proven track record in expanding brands and nurturing vital relationships pivotal for business success. Led by founder Keith Reis and managing partner Andy Anderson, the group is headquartered at the Outdoor Market Alliance in Lakewood, Colorado, and specializes in various sectors such as outdoor recreation (camping, hunting, fishing), sporting goods, work/farm/ranch, travel, and lifestyle.

###

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.