MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 12, 2026) – Heath Riles BBQ has made history at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, becoming the first team in 42 years to win back-to-back Grand Champion titles. The milestone places the highly respected pitmaster and entrepreneur Heath Riles in rare company within competitive barbecue. Riles is one of the few elite competition pitmasters whose award-winning recipes are available as a nationally distributed retail line of seasonings, rubs, sauces and glazes for home cooks and competitors.

The repeat Grand Championship extends an already dominant Memphis in May legacy with four Rib category wins in the last five years, cementing Riles as one of the sport’s most consistent competitors.

“To win Memphis in May once is a career-defining moment,” said Heath Riles, founder of Heath Riles BBQ. “To come back and do it again, especially after 42 years without a repeat Grand Champion, is hard to put into words. It took a lot of years and competitions to get here, and I’m proud to represent the competition barbecue community and everyone who cooks with our products at home.”

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious barbecue competitions in the world, drawing top teams from across the country to compete in a city deeply tied to American barbecue culture.

Riles launched Heath Riles BBQ in 2016 and has spent years translating award-winning flavor profiles into approachable products and recipes for home cooks. Today, the brand has grown into a nationally recognized line of seasonings, sauces, rubs and glazes available through major national retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Ace Hardware, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lowe’s, and direct-to-consumer at HeathRilesBBQ.com.

“Champions are often known for what they win, but Heath is equally known for what he gives back,” said John Helm, director of sales and business insight for Heath Riles BBQ. “His willingness to openly share recipes, techniques, and competition-proven methods has earned the trust of cooks across the country and helped strengthen the BBQ community far beyond the awards stage.”

About Heath Riles BBQ

Heath Riles BBQ is a championship barbecue brand founded by pitmaster Heath Riles, the first back-to-back winner of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in 42 years. Known for award-winning competition results and a highly successful line of seasonings, sauces, rubs and glazes, Heath Riles BBQ helps home cooks and competitors create bold, consistent barbecue flavor. Heath Riles BBQ seasonings, rubs, sauces and glazes are available nationally at Walmart, Kroger, Ace Hardware, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lowe’s, and direct at HeathRilesBBQ.com.

###

 

Brea, CA June 11, 2026 – Aventon is solidifying its high-performance aspirations by announcing a strategic partnership: Effective today, June 11, through December 31, 2026, Aventon will step up as the title sponsor of downhill pro Angel Suarez Alonso’s privateer racing program. The 30-year-old Spaniard from Vigo, who has proven his pedigree with multiple World Cup podiums driving for high-profile factory teams in recent seasons, will represent the brand globally as a brand ambassador. Beyond his duties between the tape, Suarez will play a pivotal role in content creation and serve as a technical advisor for the development of future model platforms.

Race Precision Meets Freeride Heritage

With this move, Aventon adds a crucial dynamic to its growing MTB roster. While established mountain bike icons like Brett Tippie and Richie Schley champion community engagement and classic freeride spirit, newcomer Angel Suarez infuses the uncompromising, focused perspective of an active elite racer. Following a lengthy injury layoff, Suarez made a statement return to the circuit with a strong 16th-place finish in Loudenvielle.

For his Downhill World Cup campaign, Angel will compete on a frame of his choice, while fully relying on the Aventon Current EXP for all E-MTB projects, training regimens, and media shoots.

Invaluable Feedback for Production R&D

For Malte Homeyer, Global Brand Director at Aventon, this partnership marks a major milestone for the brand’s credibility in the core performance segment:

“Our brand philosophy is built on making adventure accessible to everyone. However, to guarantee maximum reliability and refine our bikes performance, we need to push our technology to the absolute limit in the harshest environments. Angel is an exceptional athlete with an incredibly deep technical understanding of bike setups. He’ll be putting our E-MTBs through the ringer on the world’s most demanding trails, and his raw, unfiltered feedback will feed directly into our production R&D. At the same time, we are proud to back his privateer World Cup program and introduce Aventon to an entirely new, performance-driven demographic.”

For Suarez, the partnership perfectly balances athletic independence with professional backing:

“After more than a decade racing professionally at the highest level, I still feel incredibly motivated every time I line up at a World Cup. What makes this chapter even more special is that I’m doing it through my own project, with full control over every decision and the freedom to build something that truly reflects who I am as an athlete.

Having the support of Aventon means a lot to me. They share my ambition, my passion for innovation, and my drive to keep pushing forward. I’m excited to bring my years of racing experience into the development of future E-MTBs and help create products that riders genuinely enjoy.

Their e-bike has become a key part of my daily training routine, so being able to work closely with a brand whose products I actually use and believe in makes this partnership even more meaningful.”

Digital Content Blitz: Behind the Scenes of the World Cup Circuit

Alongside the technical knowledge transfer, Suarez will spearhead a comprehensive content offensive. High-octane video projects and dedicated social media formats are slated for release across both Suarez’s and Aventon’s channels. The community can look forward to heavy-hitting E-MTB action, deep dives into bike development, and raw, behind-the-scenes insights into the grit and grind of a World Cup privateer’s life.

About Aventon:
Aventon was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Brea, California. Born from a passion for bicycle racing, Aventon has grown into one of the leading ebike brands in North America. The company’s mission is to redefine adventure by combining innovative technology, thoughtful design, and an outstanding riding experience. Aventon controls the majority of its value chain internally and employs hundreds of staff worldwide to shape the future of two-wheeled e-mobility.

 

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (June 11, 2026) — RECCO, a global search and rescue technology, welcomes Simond to its growing network. The first Simond product featuring RECCO technology is the brand’s new mountaineering pants, designed to help make mountain enthusiasts searchable by professional rescue teams in the event of an emergency.

By incorporating RECCO reflectors into its products, Simond joins a global community of brands helping improve access to professional rescue technology for outdoor enthusiasts around the world.

RECCO reflectors are lightweight, passive transponders permanently integrated into outdoor apparel and equipment. Requiring no batteries, activation, or maintenance, they enable searchability by rescue teams equipped with RECCO detectors, including both handheld and helicopter-carried units. The technology helps rescuers locate missing or injured people in remote terrain and complements existing mountain safety equipment and rescue procedures. The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector, which can search up to a square kilometer in six minutes under optimal conditions, has fostered RECCO’s growth into a year-round search tool.

“We are honored to welcome Simond to the RECCO family,” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO of RECCO. “Every new brand that integrates RECCO technology helps expand awareness of searchability and contributes to making more outdoor enthusiasts searchable worldwide. Simond has a strong heritage in mountaineering, and we are excited to see them bringing this added layer of safety to their customers.”

The new mountaineering pants are the first step in a broader rollout of RECCO technology across the Simond product range. The company plans to introduce additional products featuring integrated RECCO reflectors in the coming months, reinforcing its commitment to mountain safety and rescue preparedness.

“At Simond, safety is at the heart of everything we do,” says Elise Georget, Product Manager at Simond. “RECCO technology was a natural choice because it offers a simple and effective way to support rescue operations while requiring no action from the user. Integrating RECCO reflectors into our products is part of our broader strategy to improve passive safety for mountain enthusiasts.”

The RECCO rescue network continues to expand globally, with the system now used by search-and-rescue organizations in more than 900 locations across 32 countries. As RECCO continues to grow its detector infrastructure and helicopter-based search capabilities throughout Europe, North America, Nepal and New Zealand, more outdoor enthusiasts are becoming searchable in more places.

The new Simond mountaineering pants are available now in stores and online. Additional Simond products featuring integrated RECCO technology, including all-season pants, expedition down jackets, and waterproof jackets, are expected to launch by the end of 2026.

Photo Link:

https://reccoab.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/RECCOExternalSharing/IgBcVlGoakHmQarrr5N00WxnAdIldmHfqbv2zmjyTUv444k?e=Xmw1bb

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.

About Simond

Born in Chamonix in 1860, Simond is an iconic brand in the field of mountain equipment. Specializing in mountaineering, climbing, trekking, and ski touring, Simond possesses historical expertise in metalwork. In 2008, Simond joined the DECATHLON Group. The brand continues to design and manufacture all of its metal products (ice axes, crampons, carabiners) at its Chamonix based factory. Our design teams channel their expertise into equipment durability, ensuring technical and secure products for the most demanding practitioners.

Media Contact

Verde Brand Communications

(970) 235-0268

recco@verdepr.com

BOULDER, Colo. (June 11, 2026) — La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain gear, today announced the next evolution of the Solution and Solution Comp, two of the brand’s most recognizable and influential climbing shoes. Built for steep sport climbing, hard bouldering, and technical moves, the updated Solution family refines the fit and performance that have made the shoes a staple for climbers pushing their limits.

For 20 years, the Solution has been the benchmark for aggressive climbing shoes. Its downturned shape, powerful heel-hooking capabilities, and precise toe box helped define what climbers expected from a high-performance shoe. The Solution Comp expanded that platform for a new generation of climbers, with a softer, more sensitive feel designed for modern bouldering, competition climbing, and dynamic movement on challenging routes.

As climbing has evolved, so have the demands placed on footwear. The updated Solution and Solution Comp are built around that reality, preserving the character of the original shoes while sharpening the details that improve performance for modern climbers.

“The original Solution was a true game changer,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “It helped set the standard for high-performance climbing shoes and became one of those rare products that pushed the sport forward. With these updates, we wanted to honor what made the Solution so important while continuing to improve the fit, durability, and performance that climbers are looking for today.”

The updated Solution is designed for powerful movements where precision and performance matter most. The shoe retains the aggressive, downturned shape that made the Solution one of La Sportiva’s most recognizable climbing shoes, while refining the heel, rubber toe patch and updating how the upper contours and supports the foot.

The Solution uses a new Precision Wrap System that offers a customizable and secure fit. As the lacing tightens, the system tensions the rear of the shoe, improving heel connection without compromising sensitivity. The updated heel features a new design with sticky rubber that extends over the tension rand, increasing friction, grip and adaptability across different foot shapes. Varying rubber thicknesses throughout the heel cup are tuned to maximize performance when actively engaging a heel hook. The expanded molds span the full size run, meaning a better fit for more climbers. An updated toe patch with sticky rubber features an increased surface area, delivering a larger grip zone for superior performance.

The Solution retails for $229 and features dedicated men’s and women’s constructions with a weight-specific half-sole design. The half-sole is shortened in the women’s version to enhance smearing performance and maximize rubber contact.

The new $229 Solution Comp is designed for high-end bouldering, sport climbing, and indoor competitions where performance and sensitivity are paramount. It features an aggressive, downturned shape and, like the Solution, has dedicated men’s and women’s constructions, with the half-sole shortened in the women’s version.

The 2027 Solution Comp comes equipped with a new toe patch with sticky SenseGrip rubber that increases coverage across the toe, expanding the contact area and grip for toe hooks on volumes and overhangs. Optimized rubber skiving on the toe area reduces material stress and limits delamination over time, supporting long-term structural integrity under hard climbing conditions. The result is a more capable, sensitive, and durable shoe built for the demands of modern indoor and outdoor climbing.

The Comp also comes equipped with the new Precision Wrap System, which allows for a precise, supportive fit. The upper uses two steel-reinforced TPU eyelets to improve durability and long-term reliability by protecting the webbing against abrasion and preventing breakage. Underfoot, a 3.5 mm Vibram XS Grip2 outsole delivers the grip and sensitivity needed for precise footwork, steep climbing and high-friction movement.

The updated Solution and Solution Comp will be available at select specialty retailers and at www.lasportivausa.com in Spring 2027.

About La Sportiva
With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market, along with a full line of ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva, visit www.lasportivausa.com or follow @Lasportivana on Instagram.

BOULDER, Colo. (June 11, 2026) — La Sportiva, makers of the world’s finest mountain gear, today announced its Spring 2027 mountain running and hiking footwear collection. Leading the lineup are the new Talento Pro and Talento trail running shoes, and the updated Prodigio Pro 2, the next generation of the brand’s award-winning mountain racing shoe. The collection also includes the Prodigio Hike 2 GTX and the Trango Guide GTX, a fast-and-light alpine boot built for technical mountain routes.

The Talento Pro is built for shorter efforts on steep, technical routes, where speed depends as much on precision and footwork as cushioning and energy return. At the heart of the shoe is an updated XFlow Speed midsole, made from supercritical TPEE, that delivers responsive cushioning, rebound and durability. A reduced platform width adds control and dexterity underfoot, while a rockered profile helps runners move efficiently on climbs, rolling trails and uneven ground. A lightweight PowerWire upper provides support and efficient power transfer when the trail turns loose, off-camber or technical. The FriXion White outsole, with 3.5 mm lugs, offers outstanding grip and traction across a variety of surfaces. The $210 Talento Pro weighs 8.5 oz for men and 7 oz for women, and has a stack height of 25/31 mm.

“The Talento Pro was built for technical mountain running, where precision matters as much as energy return,” said Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “With the Talento Pro, we saw an opportunity to bring the latest materials and construction into a shoe built specifically for shorter, faster efforts in steep, demanding terrain. We took what we learned from models like the Prodigio Pro and applied it to a more precise platform, where speed comes from confidence, control, and the ability to move well when the route gets complicated.”

The Talento is the daily training partner to the Talento Pro, offering a versatile, lightweight platform for consistent performance across a wide range of mountain terrain. The new model uses an XFlow single-block supercritical EVA midsole for balanced cushioning, responsiveness, and control. The high-tenacity mesh upper is built for the demands of daily mountain training, combining breathability with abrasion resistance to hold up on rough, challenging trails. The FriXion White outsole uses the same lug shape as the Talento Pro, with deeper 4.5 mm lugs for added grip and control on soft surfaces. The Talento has a stack height of 26/32 mm, weighs 9.1 oz for men and 8 oz for women, and has an MSRP of $170.

The Prodigio Pro 2 keeps what worked in the original award-winning model while adding small changes that improve durability and performance in technical terrain. The updated  XFlow Speed Dual-Midsole features a new external cage, made with next-generation supercritical TPEE, which stabilizes the platform and helps maintain consistent performance over long efforts. The core, made from supercritical TPU, adds maximum rebound and energy return. An updated PowerWire upper improves stability and energy transfer, with an internal wrapping system and welded TPU toe protection that adds support and protection. The $235 Prodigio Pro 2 features a FriXion White outsole with 4 mm lugs, a 28/34 mm stack height, and weighs 9.2 oz for men and 7.9 oz for women.

Also new for Spring 2026, the Prodigio Hike 2 GTX updates La Sportiva’s fast-hiking platform with a redesigned upper and tongue for easier step-in and fit adjustment. A knit heel collar helps keep debris out, while the dual-compound FriXion Red outsole with 4.5 mm lugs and Impact Brake System provides confident grip across uneven terrain. The Prodigio Hike 2 GTX is priced at $199.

For fast-moving alpine objectives, the new Trango Guide GTX delivers comfort, protection and performance in a lightweight, agile package. The new boot is sensitive enough for technical edging but stiff enough to support a semi-automatic crampon, allowing it to handle a wide range of terrain without slowing you down. A water-repellent nylon upper with Honeycomb Guard abrasion protection adds durability without bulk, and the 3D Flex System Evo enhances ankle mobility without sacrificing stability. Spring-Lug Technology with a low-density PU insert improves cushioning and terrain adaptability underfoot, while a Vibram Cube Evo outsole with Impact Brake System delivers traction and shock absorption on steep, uneven ground. The Trango Guide GTX has an MSRP of $339.

The new line will be available at select specialty retailers and at www.lasportivausa.com in the spring of 2027.

 

About La Sportiva
With over 90 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market, along with a full line of ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva, visit www.lasportivausa.com or follow @Lasportivana on Instagram.

PERTH, Australia, BROOMFIELD, Colo. — June 10, 2026 — Sea to Summit, an award-winning global brand that equips and inspires outdoor enthusiasts with innovative, lightweight adventure gear, is unveiling its Spring/Summer 2027 (SS27) collection during Switchback Spring 2026 in New Orleans, June 16 – 18, 2026. Every product in the SS27 range has been “Tested by Australia” to ensure each design detail performs reliably and consistently in all elements of the outdoors, from the mild to the most extreme.

“We’ll take the longer road if it leads to better gear. No shortcuts. No rushing it out the door,” said Tim Miller, product designer at Sea to Summit. “Our process is about sweating the invisible engineering: the mechanical snaps, the fabric lamination, and the internal structure; all of the undetected details that ensure our gear performs effortlessly and intuitively so the user can focus on experiencing the adventure.”

Launching in March 2027, the Sea to Summit SS27 product line exemplifies the attention to detail in the brand’s design for ultimate trust in performance. The collection will be available at seatosummit.com and includes the following featured products.

SS27 Collection Highlights

Ultralight Ion 5 Sleeping Mat: The LiteGrid Revolution (Updated for SS27)
The Ion 5 has been updated with Sea to Summit’s LiteGrid construction: a variable-thickness TPU matrix that dictates exactly how air moves and is held within the mat to provide stable comfort and enough space to move. Ultralight without compromising on durability, warmth or sleep quality.

• ThermalCore Insulation: Dual reflective layers maximise heat retention within a variable-thickness TPU matrix without the chip bag crinkle.
• Reinforced Reliability: Thicker weld zones add strength where it’s needed most, allowing for a lighter, quieter, and more compact mat.
• 20D Ultralight Shell: A quiet, lightweight fabric ensures low-noise comfort during rest.

The World’s Lightest Single Brand 4-Piece Sleep System (New for SS27)
Pairing the Ultralight Ion 5 (325g) with the trio of the Spark 7ºC/45ºF Sleeping Bag (363g), Pico UL Liner (64g), and Aeros UL Pillow (55g) creates an entire sleep system that provides ultimate comfort that packs down to a size comparable to that of a 2L Nalgene water bottle and weighs only 807g.

Ori-Fold Contour Sleeping Mat: Art Meets Science (New for SS27)
The Ori-Fold Contour merges origami-inspired geometry with advanced material science. By applying structural folding to dual-density foam, Sea to Summit has engineered a mat that balances technical precision with purposeful design. The contoured shape provides essential width at the shoulders and hips while tapering to eliminate bulk, resulting in a mat that’s 20% more compact than other folding closed-cell foam (CCF) mats.

• Modular “Two-in-One” Design: The innovative removable foot section allows the mat to transition from a full-length sleep system at night to a dedicated, high-density sit pad for trail breaks during the day.
• Zoned Dual-Density Support: Engineered with specialized foam cells, the mat features zoned comfort in the torso for better pressure relief and higher-density foam in the seat area for superior support when used as a stool or pad.
• Packs Down 20% Smaller: Despite packing down smaller, it opens up wider through the torso to provide more space for overall comfort.

XLite Collapsible Camp Kitchen: Space-Saving Intelligence (New for SS27)
The brilliance of the XLite range lies in the marriage of hard-anodized aluminum and food-grade heat-resistant silicone of the cookware pieces. The collection is designed to collapse and nest with other XLite products for ease of packing while keeping your load as light as possible, the cookware pieces combine silicone sidewalls with an aluminum base for an even and efficient heat transfer for quicker cooking times.

• Click-Safe Handle: A patent-pending handle that engages securely for safe lifting and handling, then reverses to lock the lid and nested contents in place for rattle-free transport.
• Heat Transfer Efficiency: A 5-series hard-anodized aluminum base ensures rapid heat conduction, saving valuable fuel for minimalist hikers.
• LID KEEP Technology: An integrated rest allows the lid to sit securely on the side of the pot, keeping it out of the dirt while you stir.

The XLite Collapsible Camp Kitchen system consists of 11 individual products and 10 distinct sets across cookware and dinnerware. Starting July 2026, Sea to Summit will launch an exclusive set of XLite products at REI, REI.com, and seatosummit.com.

Those attending Switchback in New Orleans can get a first-look at the SS27 collection. Visit Sea to Summit (Booth #1121). For wholesale inquiries, contact Cody Winward, codyw@seatosummit.com. For media inquiries, contact JAM Collective, sts@jamcollective.net.

ABOUT SEA TO SUMMIT

Sea to Summit is an award-winning global brand that equips and inspires outdoor enthusiasts with innovative, lightweight adventure gear. Founded in Perth, Western Australia in 1991, the brand has grown into a global leader in the outdoor industry, known for its meticulously engineered products across sleep, carry, travel, and camp kitchen categories.

###

Seattle, Wash. (June 10, 2026) – Tracebound, a new compliance intelligence platform built to help product-based companies navigate rapidly evolving sustainability regulations across global markets, launched today by Snaplinc Consulting and Snowsports Industries America (SIA).

Tracebound is the first B2B SaaS compliance intelligence platform built for product-based companies navigating the fast-changing, and fragmented landscape of global sustainability regulations. It simplifies regulatory complexity and helps leadership teams strategically and proactively address critical operational compliance challenges.

The leadership of Snaplinc Consulting, a leading sustainability and ESG consultancy, envisioned Tracebound after nearly two decades of working alongside product brands trying to manage ESG regulatory complexities. SIA, the trade association representing the winter outdoor industry—the very businesses at the leading edge of climate-driven business practices—has a long-standing relationship with Snaplinc that ultimately led to the launch of Tracebound. Across ~200 regulations and ~75 global jurisdictions, the platform distills customized results, and guides companies through multi-faceted operational challenges that companies face today with global sustainability regulations. Tracebound serves companies across apparel, footwear, outdoor, sporting goods, home goods, beauty, and the broader consumer products industry.

The pioneering platform monitors global regulatory change in real time and maintains centralized visibility across legal, sustainability, and operations functions, enabling leadership teams to proactively plan, expand, and lead through compliance with confidence.

“The pace and complexity of global sustainability regulation has become one of the most pressing business issues facing product companies,” said Ammi Borenstein, Founder and CEO of Snaplinc Consulting and Co-Founder of Tracebound. “Today, business leaders need clarity, not confusion. Tracebound is the regulatory operating layer that lets leadership teams see what applies, see what is changing, and act with clarity.”

Why Tracebound and why now

Tracebound replaces the spreadsheets, consultant memos, and last-minute fire drills that have defined compliance work of late. It offers a continuously updated platform designed around three core capabilities: Guidance, Monitoring, and Regulatory Visibility.

Product-based companies are navigating an unprecedented volume of overlapping sustainability rules across the United States, Canada, and European Union. Without a system of record, teams operate with exposure, uncertainty, and a blind spot to the real-time evolution of global compliance demands. Tracebound turns compliance from a cost center into a strategic capability.

“Product brands are now operating in a compliance environment that changes constantly and varies by jurisdiction,” said Nick Sargent, President of SIA and Co-Founder of Tracebound. “From Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and textile recovery rules to climate-risk disclosure mandates and green-marketing standards, Tracebound gives leadership teams a simple solution that identifies which regulations apply to their business—and our members are exactly the kind of companies it was built to serve.”

The Tracebound platform

Tracebound features:

• Customized assessment: A structured evaluation of your company and the regulations that apply, not a generic database.
• Continuous monitoring: Updates are proactively delivered as regulations change, replacing static reports and inbox-based tracking.
• Centralized intelligence: A unified system that aligns legal, compliance, sustainability, and operations around a single source of truth.
• Scalable infrastructure: A platform built to grow with the business as portfolios expand and jurisdictions multiply.

Tracebound can serve any product-based company navigating EPR, climate-risk reporting, fair-labor disclosures, packaging rules, and related global standards. Tracebound provides regulatory intelligence and monitoring infrastructure. It does not provide legal advice and does not replace licensed legal counsel.

Availability

Tracebound is available now to product-based companies seeking centralized regulatory visibility. To request a demo or learn more, visit Tracebound.com.

About Tracebound

Tracebound is a compliance intelligence platform that helps product-based companies identify applicable global sustainability regulations, monitor regulatory change, and turn complex regulatory landscapes into structured action. Designed around three core capabilities: Guidance, Monitoring, and Regulatory Visibility, the platform delivers customized intelligence and leadership-level confidence. Tracebound provides regulatory intelligence and monitoring infrastructure, it does not provide legal advice or replace licensed legal counsel.

About Snaplinc Consulting

Founded in 2018 by Ammi Borenstein, Snaplinc Consulting is a leading, global sustainability and ESG consultancy that simplifies the path to meeting regulatory requirements while advancing ESG and sustainability goals. Snaplinc specializes in EPR compliance, climate-risk reporting, fair-labor disclosures, CDP reporting, Science-Based Targets, EcoVadis assessments, and corporate ESG reporting. Learn more at snaplincconsulting.com.

About Snowsports Industries America (SIA)

Snowsports Industries America (SIA) is the trade association of the winter outdoor industry. Through SIA membership, brands, destinations, retailers, service providers, and nonprofits solve immediate business problems, adapt to business challenges, and grow. SIA spots trends that matter, and resources its membership to be proactive through industry-wide strategies and solutions built to ensure the winter outdoors thrives for future generations. Learn more at snowsports.org.

# # #

RENO, Nev. (June 9, 2026) — Jackson, Wyo., retailer Skinny Skis and apparel manufacturer Smartwool won Retailer of the Year and Vendor of the Year respectively in the 2026 Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards. The annual awards program — curated by Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail — names winners annually based on extensive feedback from peers in the specialty retail and vendor communities.

Award winners in those categories and a number of others were announced at the Spring 2026 Grassroots Connect buying show in Reno, Nev., where more than 150 retail businesses and 290 exhibiting product manufacturers are gathering this week. The Connect Show takes place twice a year to support brand line showings for independent specialty retailers timed around key ordering deadlines.

The Grassroots Outdoor Specialty Awards celebrate overall excellence among Grassroots retailers and vendors, as well as outstanding achievements in business, advocacy, community action, and philanthropy. The awards also call out exceptional sales representatives who work as conduits between outdoor brands and retailers.

Skinny Skis won Retailer of the Year based on criteria that included vendor feedback, retail store wow factor, planning and merchandising, and responsible business ownership. In accepting the award, Taylor Hall, who co-owns the business with Scott O’Brien, shared they have worked in recent years to reinvent Skinny Skis in the face of a variety of headwinds in their market by learning into their heritage as a shop founded in nordic skiing.

“It’s humbling to win this award when I look around and see all the experience in this room,” Hall said. “We made a decision to just be ourselves and not worry too much about the marketplace.”

Smartwool won Vendor of the Year award on criteria including sales and service, collaboration and support of specialty retail, product, and how it conducted itself in the marketplace.

“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized, and we attribute a huge amount of success to our reps for the work they do every day, and for the retailers who help get our brand in front of consumers,” said ​Margot Hannaford, Smartwool General Manager for the Americas.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance believes the awards are especially meaningful since the winners are chosen by peers and business partners.

“The winners should feel very proud that these awards reflect very tangible results of hard work, because they’re informed by real-world information that our community shares with us,” said Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. “These awards are a reminder of what makes this community so special. The strength of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has always come from partnership — retailers, vendors, reps, and industry leaders working together to build something stronger than any one business alone.”

Along with Retailer and Vendor or the year, the 2026 Outdoor Specialty Awards winners Include:

• Retailer Growth Award — Casual Adventure, Arlington, Va.
• Community Giveback Award — Footsloggers, Boone, N.C.
• Retailer Wow Award (merchandising & store design) — Bill Jackson’s, Pinellas Park, Fla.
• Excellence in Apparel — Patagonia
• Excellence in Footwear — Salewa
• Excellence in Hardgoods & Accessories — Hydrapak

In addition, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance recognized 25 independent sales representatives with the Top 25 Indy Rep Award. It recognizes outstanding representatives from across the country identified by both brands and retail partners as exceptional examples of professionalism, service, partnership, communication and commitment to the specialty channel. They include:

• Michael Kincaid​ – Adventure Labworks
• Alex Cavner​ – Adventure Marketing Group
• Koby Crooks​ – Alpine Cowboy
• Ronnie Jenkins​ – Ascension Sales Group
• Brad Decker​ – Decker & Associates
• Conner Larsen​ – End2End Outdoor
• Patrick Davis​ – Green River Sales
• Heath Rowland​ – Ground Up Sales
• Chris Covey​ – High Plains Outdoor Group
• Sarah Park​ – KNS Reps
• Derek Dimitri​ – Level 8 Sales
• Emily Rach​ – Midwest Outdoor Sales
• Chris Summa​ – Modern Tradition Sales
• Tj Maurer​ – On the Road and Off
• Wes Napier​ – On the Road and Off
• Wendy Stanley​ – Outdoor Sports Marketing
• Dan Miller – Pacific ​Crest Trading
• Bryce Bradley​ – Parallel 45 Sales Group
• Abby Powers​ – Powers Pedersen Sales Group
• Sam Powers​ – Powers Pedersen Sales Group
• Karla Canamaso​ – Roam Sales Agency
• Daniel Miller​ – Specialty Sport Reps
• Kurt Smith​ – Top Gun Sales
• Katherine Corbett​ – Venture Out Inc.
• Bj Brewer​ – Vim Sales Group

In addition, The Conservation Alliance presented a retailer and vendor with a new award for conservation championship. Those awards went to Mountain Sports in Flagstaff, Ariz., and water filtration manufacturer Grayl.

The Spring 2026 Grassroots Connect Show runs from June 7-11.

About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 100+ independently owned outdoor retailers and vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.

– X X X –