Training for a long-distance trail objective is no small feat鈥攊t takes time, dedication, and a whole lot of grit. Now, imagine doing that while earning two master鈥檚 degrees, building a career as a pianist and composer, and maintaining a newsletter. Sound impossible? Not for athlete Liz Derstine. The trail-running powerhouse, professional musician, and writer is proving that it鈥檚 possible and can be done with passion, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

With many speed records under her belt, including the Appalachian Trail (northbound/female/supported) and Vermont鈥檚 Long Trail (female/self-supported), Derstine鈥檚 been gearing up for her next big challenge: the overall self-supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail. The current women鈥檚 self-supported course record (60 days, 17 hours, and 12 minutes) was established in 2013 by Heather Anderson; Josh Perry set the men鈥檚 self-supported northbound record (55 days, 16 hours, and 54 minutes) in 2022. And while it鈥檚 a lofty goal, Derstine is looking forward to the setting, solitude, and time to reconnect with one of her favorite trails.

国产吃瓜黑料: What inspired you to go after the self-supported FKT on the PCT?

Liz Derstine: I spent a lot of time on the PCT in Oregon before and after my northbound FKT on the Appalachian Trail. That journey was life-changing and a lot to come down from, both physically and emotionally. In the aftermath, the PCT became a refuge. It鈥檚 where I went on my first solo backpacking trip, learned how to pitch a tent, and began experimenting with carrying all my own gear while running and hiking long distances.

My AT hike was supported鈥擨 had help with resupplies at road crossings and a vehicle to sleep in each night. But the idea of hiking the PCT self-supported has been percolating for about five years. Taking on that challenge feels especially meaningful on the trail where I first fell in love with solo adventures.

What do you enjoy the most about being self-supported?

I love the feeling of empowerment that comes from being self-sufficient. I love problem solving! I think being self-supported offers the most adaptability by the nature of carrying all my gear and typically several days’ worth of food, which gives me more flexibility on where to sleep or how far I want to go that day. There鈥檚 no one waiting at the next road crossing to get me whatever I need, so it鈥檚 on me to get creative and figure it out! I鈥檒l be carrying my and with me, which gives me the freedom to stop wherever makes the most sense鈥攚hether that鈥檚 after a long day or when conditions shift unexpectedly. Being able to rely on my own setup is a big part of what makes this style of adventure so appealing to me.

 

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How have you been training for your upcoming endeavor?听

Speaking of problem solving and getting creative鈥� I鈥檓 currently in my final semester of grad school in Boston, finishing a dual master鈥檚 in music degree in collaborative piano and composition. When I moved here in 2022, I situated myself near the Middlesex Fells Reservation, which has hundreds of miles of technical singletrack trail. So, even with most days spent in Cambridge at my school, I can still squeeze in trail runs from home. I鈥檝e also gotten creative with training by run-commuting to and from school with my loaded up with music books and a change of clothes. And sometimes, if I have a break between classes or rehearsals, I鈥檒l throw on my and sneak in a nice long run along the Charles. Balancing everything has been a challenge, but finding ways to train within a busy schedule has honestly been pretty great FKT training!

What layers are you planning to pack?

The PCT is very exposed鈥攚hether it鈥檚 the heat and sun of the Mojave Desert, the high passes of the Sierra that might still hold snow well into summer, or long burn areas where wildfires have wiped out tree cover. So, being prepared for the elements is key. My go-to everyday layer will be the . It鈥檚 lightweight, breathable, and offers great sun protection without overheating. It鈥檚 also stretchy and durable, which makes it ideal for wearing day after day on the trail. I鈥檒l also be carrying my for wind and rain protection and the ultralight and packable for extra warmth when I need it.

Any advice for hikers and runners interested in long-distance objectives?

If you鈥檙e new to long-distance hiking or running, try plugging into the community and inviting a friend along for the journey! I was really intimidated by backpacking at first: What gear do I need? Where do I camp? How do I even set up a tent? Starting with a buddy can make it all feel a lot more manageable (and fun). Many cities have local outing clubs, and trail systems often have organizations that offer resources, events, and volunteer opportunities鈥攍ike ALDHA and ALDHA West, Appalachian Mountain Club, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Green Mountain Club in Vermont, or the Mazamas in Portland. I worked my way up to solo backpacking and camping by first trying it out with friends. Having someone to learn alongside, laugh with, and sometimes commiserate together made all the difference.

Follow Liz Derstine鈥檚 Progress on the Pacific Crest Trail!

听

was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, California. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For more than 30 years, we鈥檝e built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world鈥檚 highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do鈥攐ur designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort.

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Never heard of Vivian Bruchez? Picture the Alps鈥檚 most iconic peaks that you have heard of. Perhaps it鈥檚 the east face of the Matterhorn or the west face of Mont Blanc. Bruchez has skied them both, plus nearly 50 first descents in the Alps, while notching iconic summits and steep lines that have earned the Chamonix native respect in the ski-mountaineering community (and a healthy online following). His feats have also endeared him to the product team at Mountain Hardwear, who have worked with Bruchez to develop some of the sport鈥檚 most innovative outerwear.

鈥淎s Viv continues to progress in the mountains, we needed to continue to solve the balance between lightweight and packable products that maximize durability and storage,鈥� says Chris Curtis, senior product line manager at Mountain Hardwear, on the prototype jacket-and-bib combo Bruchez has been using on these groundbreaking missions (pictured).

The hard-earned R&D feedback resulted in the new and (available in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 cuts for the and ). The revamped design is highlighted by more sustainable materials while offering a progressive fit optimized for efficient mobility across the backcountry. C-Knit is short for circular knit鈥擥ore鈥檚 lightest three-layer material. It integrates a face fabric with Gore鈥檚 new ePE membrane鈥攁 svelte and durable expanded polyethylene layer that鈥檚 notably free of PFAs chemicals to help reduce its carbon footprint鈥攑lus a backer material that鈥檚 super thin and lightweight to increase breathability. That material is then applied judiciously so the top and bottom function well together, with pit zips that offer access to secure internal pockets configured for backcountry gear storage鈥攔einforcing the focus on performance under heavy exertion.

鈥淥ur athletes like Vivian Bruchez demand the most lightweight and protective materials while seeking their most wild paths,鈥� Curtis says of the engineering task to elevate and simplify gear that meets the needs of mountaineers. As for Bruchez, we let the limit-pushing pioneer describe his own unique path in the interview below. He discusses testing the High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Jacket and Bib (pictured in an early testing color not available for sale) and how it helps regulate his most exposed missions, creating comfort in the unknown.

国产吃瓜黑料: If you鈥檙e attempting a big first descent, how do you layer up, from head to toe?

Bruchez: My perfect kit for winter mountain ski trips with ambitious projects entails four layers for my upper body. I always carry two layers. The first one, directly in contact with my skin, has to be breathable and light. I love the . The second layer is a windstopper fleece. I carry the all the time. In my backpack, I always have a down jacket鈥擨 love the . Depending on the temperature and the period of winter, I can change the down jacket to carry something warmer, like the Ghost Whisperer. The last layer is the High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Jacket because it鈥檚 light, compact, and versatile鈥攔eally strong! For the legs, I wear the and High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Bib to complement the performance of my upper-body core.

How does the jacket and bib technology translate to uphill movement on the mountain and the descent?

Freedom of movement, especially in the legs, allows for transitions from ski to climb seamlessly. I like to wear them with enough room so all the various movements through an expedition are effortless. Breathability is very important, and it鈥檚 reflected in the technology. (With a breathable jacket, I never open the vents.) Pockets must be accessible and large enough to store equipment easily, and I鈥檓 increasingly using water flasks that I place along my body to keep the water temperature constant鈥攚ater stored in the bag becomes very cold, and I don鈥檛 drink it. The combination of mobility, breathability, and storage enable one to discover the while in the mountains.

When did you last need to be mindful in a challenging situation where you were thankful for protection from the elements?听

On our last mountain outing, on November 1, I left the Chamonix Valley at 1 a.m. to hike and climb all night to 4,000 meters. We reached the summit at 10 a.m. It was a very long day, and we got home at 5 p.m. We opened two new ski routes on two summits never skied before. On the Mont Blanc massif, that鈥檚 exceptional! The weather conditions weren鈥檛 too complicated, and I didn鈥檛 need my down jacket because it wasn’t cold. I walked all night with my first two layers of clothing, then added the Gore-Tex C-Knit outerwear on the ridge, where it protected me from the wind. It allowed me to give the best of myself during this mission and met my expectations throughout all the transitions. I demand confidence in my equipment. I meticulously select every item I carry in my bag. I know that if I鈥檓 stuck in the mountains, I鈥檒l be able to dig a hole in the snow and take shelter from the elements.

What specifically do you look for in your outerwear?

The packability of my outerwear increases my comfort in the mountains. At times, I need to reduce the bulk in my backpack with all the other tools my missions require. I need a very small, light bag with a lot of gear inside. I鈥檓 always learning new techniques to optimize my gear. Every item I carry has multiple uses. The goal is to continually progress in my sport and to evolve my clothing and equipment along the way, ultimately leading to comfortable mountain travel.

What do you stash in the pockets?

I try to keep the minimum amount of things in my pockets, because often, with the harness and the backpack, it interferes with my movements. However, I still keep my phone in a jacket pocket to take photos and my avalanche transceiver (DVA) in a pocket of my ski pants.

Any snacks?听

I鈥檝e tried many different energy bars, but for the past year I鈥檝e been using bars and gels from . They offer the best weight-to-energy ratio for long outings. I always take a small piece of cheese and some sausage for the pleasure.

What gets you most excited for the ski season ahead?

The more experience I gain, the more I realize that I continue to learn from the mountains and the people who share the rope with me. I love learning, discovering new places, new cultures, and new approaches. I enjoy sharing my experiences, and I鈥檓 excited to find beautiful stories鈥攖he ones that make sense to me and carry a constructive message personally, for my family, and for the larger community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Any big goals you can tease?

You鈥檒l have to follow the YouTube series on my channel, , with lots of tips, beautiful lines, and good vibes!

Mountain Hardwear, Inc., was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, CA. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we鈥檝e built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world鈥檚 highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do 鈥� our designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort.

Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company that distributes its products through specialty outdoor retailers in the United States and 34 countries worldwide:

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Greasy, sunscreen-coated skin is a discomfort for many outdoor enthusiasts. The oily lotion on your hands makes it hard to grip rock, and the layer spread onto your arms and legs becomes a grit and dust magnet on hiking trails. But the sun doesn鈥檛 care what your plans are. If you don鈥檛 protect your skin while recreating outside, you鈥檒l pay the price with a painful sunburn (and potentially harmful side effects). To find a solution for both slippery hands and high-quality protection from the sun, Mountain Hardwear designed a apparel meant for climbers, hikers, runners, and all-around outdoor lovers alike. Mountain Hardwear climber and senior product line manager Brittany Beratlis gave us an inside look at what makes these layers so great and how they work to fend off the sun鈥檚 rays.

Sun Protection for Outdoor Recreation

国产吃瓜黑料: What are your favorite sun-protective layers for outdoor recreation?

Kyra Condie: For climbing when it鈥檚 sunny, the lighter the layer, the better. Mountain Hardwear makes a crop top called the that I鈥檝e sworn by for many outdoor climbing days. It has a high neck, too, so it looks cute while covering and protecting you from sunburns.

There are many benefits to recreating in UPF-rated layers. What are some of the climbing-specific advantages?

Condie: For me, the biggest benefit of having layers that I can trust to be sun protecting is minimizing the need for sunscreen. As a climber, I鈥檝e always hated putting any lotion on my hands, especially right before touching the rock. Having a light layer that you can confidently throw on to replace slathering sunscreen is a huge convenience, as well as a win for my sensory dislike of sun lotion. I know tons of climbers who feel the same way, so discovering that there are clothes with different levels of sun protection was kind of mind-boggling to me and changed the game for what I bring in my outdoor kit.

How It Works

Mountain Hardwear has a versatile collection of UPF-rated products that received the seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation. What is UPF, and why do outdoor enthusiasts need it in their clothing?

Brittany Beratlis: Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) ratings represent the amount of UVB and a small amount of the UVA radiation that can reach your skin through the fabric. So, the higher the UPF rating, the better protected you are from harmful UV rays. Mountain Hardwear also offers select styles, including the , with broad-spectrum sun protection. This measures the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays for a broader range of the UV spectrum.

The easiest way to protect your skin is by wearing sun-protective clothing and accessories. Climbers, hikers, and runners spend long days out in the wind, rain, or snow. We often think about protecting ourselves from other elements, and the sun is no different.

What makes the Crater Lake styles stand out?

Beratlis: What makes Crater Lake so unique is the mix of performance attributes that make them the perfect pieces for spring and summer activities. The combination of broad-spectrum sun protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, the lightweight and incredibly soft feel of the material, and the wicking capabilities make it a one-of-a-kind product.

What sets Mountain Hardwear UPF protection apart from other products on the market?听

Beratlis: We focus on offering a wide range of sun-protection styles. In spring 2024, we will have 80 styles rated UPF 50-plus, which means consumers can find the perfect piece for every activity. Our sun-protective styles are always naturally derived from the dense weave of the fabric. We never use additives to achieve sun protection, so it鈥檚 better for you and the environment. Finally, we鈥檝e been able to look at how sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays and mimic that in our apparel. Now select styles provide broad-spectrum sun protection.

was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, California. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we鈥檝e built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world鈥檚 highest peaks. Relentless precision continues to inspire everything we do鈥攐ur designers sweat every stitch and detail to continuously improve function, durability, and comfort.听

Mountain Hardwear is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Company that distributes its products through specialty outdoor retailers in the United States and 34 countries worldwide

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There aren鈥檛 many outdoor jackets from the 1990s still kicking around鈥攗nless it was made by Mountain Hardwear. When the brand debuted in 1993, it made a splash by eschewing design dogma and committing to a unique take on craftsmanship and innovation. The dedication to alpine equipment made to perform in the worst conditions and withstand decades of real-world abuse earned Mountain Hardwear a generation of loyalists. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the brand is bringing its heritage to life for a new generation of explorers. To learn how the brand is celebrating this milestone and its legacy, we talked to three Mountain Hardwear pros.

30 Years of Advancing Outdoor Gear

国产吃瓜黑料: What makes Mountain Hardwear unique?

Matt Burbach, vice president of marketing: In 1993, Mountain Hardwear was who wanted to shake things up and design the best mountain equipment and apparel on the market. Those tenets are still our guiding light today. Durable products rooted in everything you need and nothing you don鈥檛鈥攁ll designed, developed, and built by people who care deeply about improving your outdoor experiences. By engineering for the experience, making products that last, thinking freely, and creating together, Mountain Hardwear has maintained a culture worth being a part of. Now, the brand has more than 30 years of experience in the mountains but maintains its youthful curiosity. We鈥檙e old enough to know better but young enough to do it anyway.

How is Mountain Hardwear celebrating its 30th anniversary?

The most intentional way to celebrate any anniversary is to reflect on the moments and experiences that influenced where you are today. We鈥檙e taking a pause to celebrate with the Humans of Hardwear鈥攖he people who have shaped this brand. We鈥檝e always been focused on the product, so there鈥檚 no better way to celebrate that than by launching our collection, bringing back three iconic styles with modern updates. It鈥檚 a nostalgic nod to our heritage.

The Hardwear Heritage

What鈥檚 your favorite experience you鈥檝e had with Mountain Hardwear?

Tim Emmett, athlete and ambassador: I had the opportunity to go to Everest Base Camp with the design and marketing team from Mountain Hardwear. Being in such a powerful location, sleeping in tents, and using gear that the Hardwear team put so much time and passion into creating was an experience like none other. The hike to base camp, sharing the joy of the moment鈥攖he whole experience was an integral part of the connection we all have built together.听

What have been some of your favorite products?

Over the years, I鈥檝e accumulated a lot of favorites. These are the ones I use most frequently:

• The is the jacket I wear or carry with me nearly every day. It鈥檚 so light and compressible that it鈥檚 easy to bring along anywhere.
• The is great for camping, cragging, or walking around town. I climb in these products when I鈥檓 warming up, especially the .听
• The is my favorite on-the-wall pack. It鈥檚 a great size and has two hauling handles. You can remove the carrying straps and the water bottle holder, which is a nice feature.
• The is the only tent I want to be in during a storm. I鈥檝e been using these tents for more than 20 years鈥攖hey鈥檙e amazing and so reliable.
• The is a must-have. In the 24 years I鈥檝e been working with Mountain Hardwear, I鈥檝e never had a fail me. And that鈥檚 impressive considering how many places I鈥檝e been to and the extreme environments I frequent. It鈥檚 a true testament to the craftsmanship Mountain Hardwear strives for.

The Legacy Continues

国产吃瓜黑料: What is the ReIssue collection?

Paxton Madison, creative director: is a collection of our most iconic outerwear pieces from the brand鈥檚 early days, featuring the , , and . The original jacket styles really defined Mountain Hardwear in the outdoor space and created its iconic language that鈥檚 still recognizable today.听

While there are many longtime fans who are familiar with the Reissue styles, it was exciting to see some of the younger team members get a first look at them. They were pulling old styles from the closet and integrating them into their current style in a fresh new way. That鈥檚 when the realization happened鈥攊t might be time to tap back into the brand鈥檚 original vibe. While these styles were originally built for alpine climbing, in today鈥檚 context, the color, construction, proportion, and silhouettes are exaggerated and bold and are as much about individual expression as surviving in the elements.

Why is the Reissue collection such a meaningful way to celebrate Mountain Hardwear鈥檚 30th anniversary?听

A lot of people on the team have been wearing and using our products since the brand鈥檚 launch back in the 鈥�90s. I still remember getting my first piece from my grandma for Christmas back in middle school鈥攁 new Mountain Tech soft shell.听

At the same time, some of the younger members of the team know the brand more for what it is today. They鈥檙e digging into our archive closet and wearing old pieces not for nostalgia, but because outerwear from that period is current and relevant in a new context today. We鈥檝e never reintroduced any original, iconic pieces or relied too heavily on a heritage-inspired language in our new products. Until now, our classic looks were only available as vintage pieces.

Once we got the Reissue project in motion, we started receiving all kinds of old-school jackets from people鈥檚 closets. We reached out to some of our brand veterans as well as some original leadership members for info and context behind the styles we settled on. Seeing the way these classic styles are embraced by different groups for different reasons and how they鈥檝e allowed us to champion some of the original flavor and vibe from the brand鈥檚 early days has made Reissue an incredibly meaningful project鈥攁nd the best way to share the brand鈥檚 history and iconic look to a new audience.

was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, California. We exist to encourage and equip people to seek a wilder path in life. For 30 years, we鈥檝e built essential equipment for climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor athletes and have supported expeditions on the world鈥檚 highest peaks.

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Troy Sicotte stepped into the top job at Mountain Hardwear in September 2021 after rising through the retail ranks and getting what he calls an 鈥淢BA in the outdoor industry鈥� while working at The North Face (TNF). After almost a dozen years with TNF as director of sales, he felt the entrepreneurial pull and left the outdoor industry to work on a startup brand in the automotive industry.听

It was during that time that he got wind of a new team at Mountain Hardwear, led by Joe Vernachio, who had a very clear vision to fortify the brand. That vision had nothing to do with reinvention. It was to focus on Mountain Hardwear鈥檚 foundational roots: to be a product-driven, core mountain sport brand focused on growth and dedication to the best in specialty retail distribution. 鈥泪迟 was refreshingly clean and concise鈥攔are in modern times鈥攁nd I had always wanted to be part of something driven by specialty retail,鈥� said Sicotte. 鈥�I fell in love with the strategy and decided to come aboard as VP of sales in autumn 2018.鈥澨�

When Vernachio announced his departure for Allbirds in June 2021, Sicotte stepped up to interim co-president along with Mike Parker, the brand鈥檚 director of finance. At the time, Sicotte still had much he wanted to accomplish in his VP of sales role, so he debated throwing his hat in the ring to become the next president. But as the weeks passed, he got more exposure to the cross-functional teams that make things happen. 鈥淚 felt a calling to officially step up and continue to drive the brand on the path we all knew was right in our hearts and minds,鈥� he said.听

Sicotte’s leadership style is resonating with his team. “He’s people-driven,” said Matt Burbach, director of marketing. “Troy understands that business is done by and with people. The better the people, the better the business. That influences Mountain Hardwear internally, as well as how we interact with the community, dealers, and customers. He鈥檚 made a commitment to uncompromising hires and not just growing, but nurturing our team.”

Four months into his tenure at the helm, we sat down with Sicotte to learn more about the principles that guide him.

Tell us some things about you that many people in the industry don’t know, but should.

I grew up in a bi-racial household and consider myself a Korean-American. This part of me comes through the most in my love for Korean cuisine. I love to cook up and share that part of my culture with cohorts and friends at every opportunity.听

When I鈥檓 not working or enjoying an outside activity, you can find me doing one of two things that help me keep balance. One, driving on a racetrack and instructing students in high performance driver education (HPDE). These programs help people to become safer drivers and even give them the foundational skills to competitively race in a sanctioned series. I most recently competed in the Champ Car Endurance series driving a VW Jetta powered by recycled cooking oil. Two, creating music. I’ve played the violin since I was eight, bass since age 12, and now enjoy all stringed instruments. I was a music major in college until I realized I didn鈥檛 want to teach and tour for my whole life. Back in the 2000s, I was part of a group signed to Sony-Epic records. I play all sorts of music from classical and alternative rock to hip-hop, R&B, country and pop.听

What’s the hardest/most important leadership lesson you’ve ever learned?

A great leader must embrace the nuances of their team鈥檚 work style; I call it 鈥渨orkflow personas鈥� or 鈥渨orkplace personalities.鈥� Identifying and nurturing these personas will best-enable the superpowers often hidden within.听

I learned this lesson the hard way.

In my late 20s, I was overseeing a multimillion-dollar business with more responsibility than I had previously held, and my tactic for getting my work done was to 鈥渂urn the candle at both ends.鈥� As I developed my team, I was so overly focused on hitting benchmarks that I lost sight of the need to build team culture. I had expected my team to work as hard as I did and in the same style, realizing later that this expectation resulted in a culture that didn鈥檛 nourish my team members鈥� individual superpowers.

The hard lesson was that I wasn鈥檛 present. I didn鈥檛 鈥渟ee鈥� my team鈥攅ach individual and their superpower鈥攁nd I let them down. They didn鈥檛 always enjoy coming to work as a result.

Since that time, I鈥檝e been laser-focused on discovering and embracing the personalities of my team to help encourage and supercharge their styles of productivity.

What does success mean for you?

Finding joy in my work. Every day I get to laugh and smile with the people I collaborate with including cohorts, superiors, vendors, retailers, and even, competitors. Somehow through thick and thin, we鈥檙e able to find the fun in the day to day. This tells me I鈥檓 in the right place and with the right people.听

At Mountain Hardwear, we have a knack for finding the bright spots which have been particularly solvent in these trying times with COVID-19, global supply challenges, and an inability to gather as often as we desire.听

What keeps you up at night?

Two things.

First, the ongoing need to get more consumers educated on technical products. When I鈥檓 out hiking on the trail or in the backcountry, I am still floored with how many unprepared consumers I see out there. They鈥檙e summiting rocky peaks in road running shoes or flip flops, wearing cotton head-to-toe, and using windbreakers as rain jackets with little understanding of proper layering. For decades our industry has tried to get the word out through our specialty retailers, yet I still see uneducated users having a less than ideal experience. Although it frustrates me, I view it as an opportunity to speak to that consumer. It just shows me we have more work to do as an industry. As a vendor, Mountain Hardwear will be taking our efforts up several notches to ensure we hold up our end of this effort.听

The second thing is the surge over the last decade in disposable products, from fast-fashion to consumer packaged goods that are all about convenience. As a kid of the 鈥�80s, all I remember seeing on TV were PSAs on water conservation and recycling. Today, all I see are launches of complicated disposable razors, packaged and on-demand food delivery, and free shipping memberships that add previously unseen levels of cardboard and single-use packaging to landfills. As a result, garbage day on my street is alarming. It鈥檚 a crisis.

I鈥檓 proud to work for a company that has an ethos focused on the overall impact loop of the products we make for consumption. Those items are built for durability and repair, not disposal. We support it with the largest in-house warranty team in the industry with a sewing and fabrication team, and the nicest customer service you鈥檒l ever encounter. We also embrace a full view of the product life cycle that informs our product team on how to make things better and better.听

The future of the planet looks increasingly bleak, and the climate crisis is getting more urgent every day. What gives you hope?

Our industry gives me hope since most brands and retailers have some energy going towards doing the right thing for the planet. I wish that other larger sectors of consumables had a similar ethos. That said, what gives me even more hope is that new, younger consumers (Gen-Z) expect companies to do more of the right thing鈥o 鈥渂e green.鈥� To them, it鈥檚 not special to be a sustainable company or to have a 99 percent recycled jacket. It鈥檚 expected if you want their dollar.听听

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Mountain Hardwear has again promoted from within for a key leadership position.

The Richmond, California-based outdoor brand鈥攁 subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Co. since 2003鈥攐n Thursday announced it has appointed outdoor industry veteran Troy Sicotte as president.

Sicotte served as the brand鈥檚 vice president of sales for the past three years. He takes over from Joe Vernachio, who in June was named COO at footwear brand Allbirds after about four years as Mountain Hardwear president.

For the last four months, Sicotte was interim co-president of Mountain Hardwear along with Mike Parker, the brand鈥檚 director of finance. Sicotte will now oversee all aspects of the organization in his new role.

鈥淭roy is a modern, pioneering, and energetic leader with diversified experiences that will serve Mountain Hardwear well,鈥� said Craig Zanon, senior vice president, emerging brands, Columbia Sportswear. 鈥淲e are happy and proud that Troy鈥檚 internal promotion facilitates a smooth transition for the team and business.鈥�

Before joining Mountain Hardwear in 2018, Sicotte was global director of sales at 034Motorsport. He also spent more than 11 years with The North Face in various leadership roles, most recently as director of sales, footwear, and director of sales, national outdoor and sporting goods. His resume also includes a stop at Birkenstock.

鈥淢y last three years with Mountain Hardwear have been the best of my career because of the hardworking and passionate people that have made this resurgence possible,鈥� Sicotte said. 鈥淚鈥檓 honored to help lead the brand鈥檚 continued global growth alongside the amazing teams in Richmond, Portland, and abroad. Our focus will remain on innovative mountain sport products and thoughtful distribution that will optimally serve consumers and our retail partners across the globe.鈥澨�

It鈥檚 the second executive appointment鈥攁nd second internal promotion鈥攊n five months for the iconic outdoor apparel and gear brand.

In April, Mountain Hardwear elevated Matt Burbach to director of marketing from his previous role as the brand鈥檚 director of marketing content and creative. Burbach is responsible for 鈥渃onnecting all brand marketing efforts across direct-to-consumer e-commerce, wholesale, and distributor channels, both domestically and globally,鈥� the brand said.

We met Burbach in Park City, Utah, where he told us that the brand had hired an executive search firm to replace Vernachio. Burbach says Vernachio鈥檚 shoes will be hard to fill because 鈥淛oe left the brand in the best place it鈥檚 been in a long time.鈥�

In the second quarter, Mountain Hardwear sales improved 97 percent to $19.3 million, according to Columbia鈥檚 latest earnings report.

鈥淲e eclipsed pre-pandemic first-half 2019 financial results, marking an important milestone in our recovery,鈥� said Tim Boyle, Columbia鈥檚 chairman, president, and CEO. 鈥泪迟 is clear that our brand portfolio is resonating with consumers, and we are well-positioned to benefit from current consumer and outdoor trends.鈥�

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The guilt of e-commerce is real. On Cyber Monday this year, U.S. shoppers spent a record $10.8 billion in less than 24 hours, generating an incredible amount of packaging waste in the process.听For outdoor industry consumers鈥攑eople who care about the environment and sustainability鈥攔eckoning with that kind of excess hits close to home.

鈥淚 cringe when I throw something away these days,鈥� said Mitch Barlas, president of RePack North America, a returnable and reusable packaging company. 鈥淚 know that when we throw things away they don鈥檛 just disappear鈥攖here’s a cost involved.鈥�

RePack, the brainchild of Juha M盲kel盲, was founded in Finland in 2011 in order to alleviate the waste generated by online shopping. Finland is the world鈥檚 leading paper pulp producer, but M盲kel盲 knew paper wouldn鈥檛 be around forever. Inspired by Finland鈥檚 bottle return system, he envisioned RePack as a shipping alternative to single-use poly mailers and cardboard boxes. For half a decade, the company has successfully replaced both for more than 100 companies throughout the European Union.

Last January, RePack launched its reusable mailers in the United States, and shortly thereafter launched in Canada due to demand (there, the company is working in partnership with Canadian Post). Although RePack鈥檚 North American client roster remains small and primarily consists of fashion brands, all of its pilot runs have been successful.

鈥淲e’re finding that when someone receives their order in a reusable package, there’s this a-ha moment. They don’t have to make that trip out to the garbage can with all this packaging,鈥� said Barlas. 鈥淔or the end-user, there鈥檚 a connection with the reusable packaging that translates back to really strong brand loyalty and recognition that the brand cares about the environment.鈥�

The Lifecycle of a RePack

Made from 100 percent recycled plastics, RePacks are woven polypropylene (think Ikea bags) that come in three sizes, all of which can be sealed to half or three-quarters of their maximum size depending on what鈥檚 being shipped. Companies that sign on with RePack are provided the reusable mailers and instructed on how to use them, a process that is similar to sealing a giant envelope with a strip of tape (which RePack provides). Although they鈥檙e ideal for softgoods large and small鈥攃lothing, boots, hiking backpacks鈥攖he mailers are water-resistant and can accommodate hardgoods like ski goggles and lanterns, too.

鈥淪candanavian Outdoor, one of our first RePack users in Europe, has been experimenting with shipping hardgoods rather than just softgoods and apparel,鈥� said Barlas. 鈥淭hey use eco-friendly content protection within the envelopes.鈥�

Substantial and durable, RePack packaging can be used anywhere from 20 to 50 times. Once they get to the end of their lifecycle, the worn-out packages are upcycled into reusable shopping bags. Companies can opt to pass on some or all of the cost, about $3.70 per use, to customers. Once a company fills an order, the end-user folds the packaging down into a small envelope, sticks on the included return label, and drops it off at any USPS location. The envelope is then sent to RePack鈥檚 warehouse in Salt Lake City, where it鈥檚 cleaned and distributed back to brands. Every time a RePack goes through the system, its carbon footprint shrinks.

鈥淩ePack reduces packaging trash from shipping by 96 percent,鈥� said Barlas, adding that the company is developing a new sealing solution to replace tape in 2021. 鈥淓ven considering the return trip to our warehouse, RePack lowers overall carbon emissions from shipping by up to 80 percent, depending on the type of single-use packaging you鈥檙e replacing.鈥�

Getting on Board

All of RePack鈥檚 clients are united by a desire to reduce their impact, and many employ fair-trade practices or use low-impact materials as well. Getting listed on RePack鈥檚 online participant directory is one of the benefits of joining up.

鈥淥ur best clients right now are companies that are thinking deeply about the environment and taking concrete steps to mitigate climate change,鈥� said Barlas, noting that most end-users share those beliefs and are excited about RePack, despite the additional cost. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to help them dive deeper into sustainability.鈥�

In Europe, plenty of outdoor brands are using RePack, including Salomon, which is currently in the midst of a holiday test-run. Barlas sees the U.S. outdoor industry and its customer base as an ideal market for RePack. So far, however, no American outdoor companies have signed up.

鈥淚鈥檝e personally talked to Arc鈥檛eryx, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear, and a couple other smaller brands,鈥� said Barlas. 鈥淏ut what happens鈥攁nd we see this fairly often with large-scale brands鈥攊s that the idea is presented to the fulfillment team and they don鈥檛 want to be bothered. That鈥檚 what happened at The North Face. We got very far with the CEO of [TNF’s parent company] and then it gets to one of their fulfillment centers and the director said no way.鈥�

Barlas remains optimistic that companies will come around, but he says it鈥檚 going to involve leaning on operations teams.

鈥淩ePack does require a slight change for fulfillment and operations but we鈥檝e modeled it after a poly envelope so it鈥檚 not too deep a dive,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also offering a lot of support and hand holding.鈥�

2021 Forecasting for RePack

In January, RePack will launch with a high-volume luxury fashion retailer, the first test of its scalability in the U.S. Thanks to half a decade of successful operations in Europe and two strong manufacturing partners in Asia, the company remains optimistic that taking on larger clients, and thus higher volumes, won鈥檛 present a problem. RePack is also in talks with the USPS to negotiate a lower rate for reusables and is considering opening two more distribution centers stateside.

鈥淩eusable packaging is new to everyone, including us, and we want to do it collaboratively,鈥� said Barlas. 鈥淲e want to help brands implement it, because the ultimate winner is our planet. That鈥檚 what鈥檚 at stake here.鈥�

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January to March 2020

Idle factories

China鈥檚 lockdown was announced during Chinese New Year in January, keeping factories shuttered beyond the usual holiday period, and once they reopened, production ramped up slowly. The slowdown caused some manufacturers to delay Fall 鈥�20 launches.

Slowdowns spread beyond China. India鈥攚hich manufactures much of the sportswear sold by U.S. brands鈥攑rojected four-month production delays, reports Flylow co-founder Dan Abrams. 鈥淲e have some Spring 鈥�20 product groupings that are so delayed that we鈥檙e not going to deliver them until Spring 鈥�21,鈥� he said.

Domestic manufacturing also suffered slowdowns as states imposed shelter-in-place orders. For example, Farm to Feet sent almost all personnel home for three weeks while it developed alternate production procedures that accounted for social distancing and increased safety guidelines. The company鈥檚 manufacturing facilities reopened at the beginning of May after extensive training for these new procedures, and was running at full capacity by June 鈥�20.

March 2020

Slow Spring Sales

Stores were receiving Spring 鈥�20 products and closing out Winter 鈥�19-20 goods when they were shuttered. That convergence created a glut of unsold stock. According to NPD, outdoor retail sales in March 鈥�20 declined 24 percent from February, and were 41 percent lower than in March 鈥�19.

With brick-and-mortar retailers closed, brands that rely heavily on in-store shopping took a big hit. Without venues for shoppers to try on shoes, Vasque, for example, saw spring sales dip by 50 to 60 percent.

But it wasn鈥檛 all downside. Gregory鈥檚 hydration and daypacks continued strong through spring, and Mountain Hardwear sold lots of hiking pants to people who turned to outdoor workouts when coronavirus closed gyms.

鈥泪迟鈥檚 really an inventory game,鈥� said Mountain Hardwear President Joe Vernachio. Like many outdoor brands, Mountain Hardwear is doing everything it can to help retailers sell what they can鈥攊ncluding swapping out winter items for spring gear, paying retailers a 40 percent commission on Mountain Hardwear sales, and lengthening billing terms. Mountain Hardwear is urging retailers to accept deliveries when possible. After all, says Vernachio, product 鈥渉as zero chance of selling in our distribution center.鈥�

April 2020

Accelerated discounting

Manufacturers and retailers typically delay discounting until late in the season, but this year, the sales started in April. According to Vernachio, the industry experienced an unofficial yet widespread 鈥淢AP (minimum advertised price)鈥� holiday during which pricing dipped by 20 to 25 percent. Such sales help brands and retailers (especially those with ecommerce platforms) convert inventory to cash. But, said Flylow鈥檚 Abrams, 鈥淎fter June 1, Flylow and its retailers returned Flylow鈥檚 Spring 鈥�20 product to full price.鈥�

April through May 2020

Balky Spring 鈥�21 planning

Many brands are pushing back product updates that had been planned for Spring 鈥�21 because such items would relegate Spring 鈥�20 items to the clearance rack. 鈥淲e want to support our retailers by allowing them to sell through the inventory they have,鈥� said Gregory Vice President John Sears. Across the industry, he also expects to see fewer new-product launches for Spring 鈥�21. Brands such as Carve Designs and Mountain Hardwear are eliminating marginal styles that weren鈥檛 likely to be high-volume sellers.

Brands are also extending the timeframe for retailer orders. 鈥淲e鈥檙e preparing for a longer selling season for Spring 鈥�21,鈥� said Abrams. For Flylow, that could mean weaker forecasting, since the company expects to have to place its factory orders before it confirms retailers鈥� demands. Mountain Hardwear, however, will shift its factory buyout (the time it reserves on the Asian production lines) by a month to line up with delayed orders.

Fall 2020

Delayed and staggered shipments

At the very first signs of trouble in early 2020, brands rushed to scale back their orders with factories in an attempt to avoid Fall 鈥�20 surplus. And as Winter 鈥�20-21 arrives, brands may consider delaying deliveries to retail鈥攕o that the season鈥檚 products appear in stores later than they typically would. 鈥淗onestly, we鈥檙e happy about that,鈥� said Vernachio, 鈥渂ecause it seems like winter arrives a little later every year, so waiting until March to bring spring in is probably the right timing.鈥�

Sears says Gregory is mulling the benefit of delivering certain categories on January 1 as usual, with other types of product following behind. 鈥淢aybe we could introduce daypacks earlier in the year, with other packs arriving later,鈥� Sears suggested. 鈥淎nd that way, we wouldn鈥檛 have new product replacing old product right away in stores.鈥�

Spring 2021

Uncertain sales strategy

Some brands are aiming to replay Spring 鈥�20 product in Spring 鈥�21, so that retailers can sell through the glut. 鈥淪pring 鈥�20 will feel fresh [in Spring 鈥�21] because it didn鈥檛 really get a full season,鈥� said Sears. Thus Gregory plans to re-run its lauded Paragon and Maven backpacks. However, cautions Vernachio, leaning solely on past-season goods risks looking stale. 鈥泪迟鈥檚 a balance,鈥� he explained. 鈥淲e鈥檙e still going to have a lot of fresh new ideas and fabrics.鈥�

Spring 2022

Gear development impacts

Spring and Summer 2020 is when brands design Spring 鈥�22 gear, but this year, social distancing eliminated in-person evaluations with fit models, prototype testing, and trips to factories to discuss nascent designs, slowing the process.

Lengthy trickle-down

Returning to 鈥渘ormal鈥� timelines after the Spring 鈥�20 surfeit may take a surprisingly long time. Some predict normal timing won鈥檛 resume until Spring 鈥�22. But the silver lining is the resiliency of the outdoor sector鈥攚hich has historically weathered economic downturns better than most. When the coronavirus closed ski resorts in March 鈥�20, Abrams saw a spike in sales of backcountry gear, and he expects hiking and outdoor leisure to follow suit. 鈥淲hen times are tough, people axe the exotic vacations and go camping,鈥� he said.

This story originally ran in the Summer 2020 issue of The Voice.

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In 1992, I was hired as the first black independent sales representative for The North Face (TNF). Back then, TNF was privately owned and headquartered in Berkeley, California. On the way home from my very first sales meeting, I happened to bump into the company president, Bill Werlin, at the United ticket counter at the Oakland Airport.

鈥淗e鈥檚 with me,鈥� Werlin said to the agent as I handed over my checked bag. In those days it was free. With a few clicks of her keyboard the woman exchanged my coach reservation for an upgraded seat next to my new boss in first class. 鈥淗ere you go,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ave a nice flight.鈥�

As a freshly minted junior executive, I was pretty excited to have that kind of one-on-one time with the top of senior management. For almost three hours, as we sipped glasses of white wine paired with rosemary roasted chicken over wild rice, we talked about my plans to sell our products across my six-state territory in the Midwest. He seemed impressed by my apparent lack of fear over meeting a seven-figure sales goal by the end of the year. 鈥淚 can only imagine what it must be like for you out there,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just want you to know I think you鈥檒l do a great job.鈥�

That was pretty much all the encouragement I needed to succeed. I felt like I was part of a great team and I was given every opportunity to grow business for TNF from Chicago to St. Louis, Milwaukee to Minneapolis. But when I started pressing the company to expand its outreach to include people of color, I was met with resistance. By 1993, Bill Werlin had left TNF and would later become the general manager of Patagonia in Japan. Under new management, and in the midst of flagging sales and an impending bankruptcy, the company felt the best strategy was a top-down media campaign to promote its high-profile expeditions on Mount Everest and the many talented, exclusively white, mostly male alpinists who made up the outward face of the company.

At the same time, however, there was also a growing interest in our products among communities of color. I was psyched! Hip hop artists were wearing TNF down jackets with Timberland boots in concerts and in videos on MTV. Black folks were embracing outdoor clothing as high fashion. But at a TNF sales meeting, when I suggested that we reach out to affluent consumers of color, like those who attend the high-energy, mostly black National Brotherhood of Skiers Summits, I was told in no uncertain terms, 鈥淛ames, that鈥檚 just not our market.鈥�

Opportunities Ignored, Progress Denied

For the rest of the decade through the end of the 20th century, most companies in the outdoor industry followed TNF鈥檚 lead. They followed the money. The North Face emerged from bankruptcy to reaffirm an image of the great outdoors that was affluent, sophisticated, rugged, and incredibly white. Marketing campaigns from companies like Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Columbia, and Marmot projected this image that was reinforced by the editorial prowess of magazines including 国产吃瓜黑料, Backpacker, Rock & Ice, and Alpinist. These media messages were virtually devoid of people of color. And though Black and Brown folks were never explicitly discouraged from becoming more active participants in pastimes such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and backcountry skiing, there was really no concerted effort within the outdoor industry to encourage or welcome them to become part of this exciting business. Few senior executives seemed willing to make room in the first-class cabin to bring aboard a new generation of outdoor professionals, many of whom might have been people of color.

That鈥檚 why today, as several of these same companies make bold statements to declare their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I am naturally skeptical.

A Revised History Doomed to Repeat Itself

The recent violent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and other Black Americans have compelled many to use their influence to work toward substantive social change. Though I don鈥檛 doubt the sincerity of my many friends and colleagues throughout the industry to do the right thing, I wonder if this newfound desire to stand up against racism will truly last.

Recently VF Corporation president Steve Rendle says that at his company, which now owns The North Face, 鈥淩acism is not welcome鈥t never has been and it never will be.鈥� I know from personal experience that statement, at least as far as TNF is concerned, isn鈥檛 true. Racism is not limited to acts of physical violence or the segregation of lunch counters and drinking fountains. Racism can also include the failure of a company or an entire industry to create a professional environment in which everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

A few days ago, Timberland, another VF Company, re-released an ad from 1993 that affirms its intention to 鈥淕ive Racism The Boot.鈥� The message shared on social media is an effort to illustrate the shoe brand鈥檚 long legacy of social justice. But those of us paying attention at the time may recall that this ad was met with more than a little skepticism. Senior management had freely admitted that it was a naked attempt to reluctantly court an emerging 鈥渦rban鈥� market of young consumers.

“If you hear that hip-hop kids are wearing Timberland boots and women are wearing Timberland boots with sun dresses at a Donna Karan fashion show, that’s coin in current dollars. But how in the world is that sustainable?” said Jeffrey Swartz, then Timberland鈥檚 executive vice president and grandson of the company’s founder, as quoted in the New York Times.

鈥淢r. Swartz flatly denied any plan to dissociate his company’s name from young, black and Hispanic consumers in America’s inner cities for the sake of the company’s image,鈥� wrote Times reporter Michel Marriott. 鈥淚n fact, he said he was pleased that a new market had sprung on its own. 鈥楾heir money spends good,鈥� he says. But he also stressed his position that public taste is fickle and that he was not going to 鈥榖uild his business on smoke.鈥欌��

This very cynical view of America鈥檚 youth culture of 1990s, which was heavily influenced by the rise of hip hop, was common among many outdoor-facing brands. Despite a growing affection among people of color for down, fleece, Gore-Tex and other technical fabrics, the outdoor industry wanted nothing to do with them, except to take their money.

“The youth market came after us,” said Jason Russell, then the director of marketing for Carhartt, to the Times. 鈥溾�橣ine, they like to wear what we make. But we will never go after that market aggressively.鈥� To do that, Mr. Russell added, 鈥榳e would be walking away from our roots.鈥欌��

I鈥檝e been in this business long enough now to see a bit of our history repeating itself. How much of our current interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion is a response to the existential threat of losing a share of a growing market largely comprised of Black and Brown people? Are we truly prepared to deny the white-male-dominated roots for our past to embrace a new demographic of consumers that include the plus sized, the disabled, the indigenous, those who don鈥檛 speak English, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized people?

If we鈥檙e serious about addressing issues of DEI, we must do more than just declare that Black Lives Matter. We have to deliberately and explicitly create opportunities for people from all walks of life to not only succeed in the outdoor industry but to thrive. Each of us must be prepared to make room in the first-class cabin and in the C suites. We might even have to give up our seats. The ride in coach is just as good, as long as we all get to where we鈥檙e going together. Otherwise, any efforts to move forward may as well be built on smoke.

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As the coronavirus crisis continues to paint a bleak picture for small businesses across the country, outdoor brands are stepping up one by one to help. The latest company to join the relief effort: Mountain Hardwear, which implemented a program this week听to support authorized dealers who have closed or are operating significantly below their normal capacity.

鈥淥ver the last few weeks, the team at Mountain Hardwear has been thinking of meaningful ways to help our valued dealers offset the financial impact COVID-19 has had on their businesses,鈥� said Troy Sicotte, VP of Sales at Mountain Hardwear, in the announcement confirming the details of the program. 鈥淭his program is a small but important gesture we can make to help our partners weather this unpredictable business climate.鈥�

As with similar听revenue-sharing efforts听launched in recent weeks, Mountain Hardwear’s initiative will pay shops a portion of revenue from online sales generated by verified customers of those shops.

What sets Mountain Hardwear’s program apart is the percentage of money shared. The company confirmed that retailers will receive a 40 percent commission on every sale, with听no limit on how many retailers can partake.

“Participating retailers will be paid in the form of a check, not a credit, for confirmed transactions,” the company wrote. “[The program] will be available for retailers now through June 30, or as long as the retailer is closed.”

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