I couldn鈥檛 help but appreciate the beauty of the spot where I would probably die. The , and I didn鈥檛 have the energy to move, but I didn鈥檛 want to leave, anyway: Salmonberry bushes surrounded the plush, mossy rock where I lay, so I ate from a buffet of berries while resting on nature鈥檚 Tempurpedic. The area had a clear view of the sky where I could spot approaching helicopters, .

Three days before, on June 18, 2021, I went on a day hike along the Pratt River Trail in Mount Baker鈥揝noqualmie National Forest just east of Seattle. I had never hiked this trail, but I needed fresh views and exercise to clear my head. Navigation was difficult, and I passed some landslide debris without noticing a sign warning that the trail ahead was unmaintained. It was like when you鈥檙e driving on the highway, deep in thought, and accidentally pass your exit. Ninety minutes later, the trail became overgrown and thorny; I was wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, so I decided to turn around. When I did, though, I found a completely different landscape from the one I recalled walking through. Nothing looked the same, and I couldn鈥檛 determine which direction to hike. I climbed to higher ground to search for the road I drove in on, but saw only endless forest. It was just me, alone, .

I鈥檇 watched enough survival videos to know that I should stay put for the night. Leaning against a tree, I tucked my arms and legs into my shirt and draped my long hair over my face as a . I fell asleep angry for getting myself into such a terrible situation. By the next morning, my terror and rage became more visceral. The morning sunlight dappled through the trees, and I realized once again鈥攁nd more acutely this time鈥攖hat nobody was coming to help me. I hadn鈥檛 even told anyone where I was hiking. My survival was entirely in my own hands. Fear took over as I stomped through the dense shrubs; I didn鈥檛 have a plan except to move. My fury reached a breaking point when I plowed my foot through a dead log and a chunk of wood stabbed me right below my kneecap. Now I wasn鈥檛 just angry鈥擨 was also bleeding and in pain. To make things worse, I thrashed through the bushes so aggressively that at some point, my water bottle slipped out of my backpack鈥檚 mesh compartment. It was gone. My morale sank, and inner demons took over.

鈥淚f you were anybody else, you would have found your way out. You鈥檙e an idiot. Congratulations,鈥� said a voice inside my head.

For most of my life, I鈥檝e been hard on myself. I have ADHD, so my brain makes less dopamine than it should. Pair that with childhood family trauma and , and you get someone who struggles to think positively. I鈥檝e even delayed proposing to my girlfriend for years because I can鈥檛 bear to see the love of my life marry someone I don鈥檛 even like.

For two more days, I stumbled and slept in the woods.

I have little recollection of this time except for an endless parade of trees, around which I remained lost. Four days in with no exit in sight, I felt forced to reckon with my 25 years on earth.

If you were to die here, were you a good dude? Was your time worth it? You never did the things that you wanted to do, but at the very least you had good intentions and always made your friends laugh.

My anger eventually dissipated, and my thoughts turned spiritual. It could have been the exhaustion, the summer heat, the hunger, or the desperation to survive. Out of nowhere, I heard my girlfriend鈥檚 voice say, 鈥渉ere.鈥� To my right, there was a clump of salmonberries that led to the mossy rock. Recovering in that oasis, I listened for helicopters overhead, but the river nearby was so loud that I couldn鈥檛 tell the difference between rushing water and an airborne rescue mission.

Several times, I crumpled up and passed out. It was like a video game; I died and had to respawn. Each time I got up, survival seemed less likely, but I forced myself to continue.

If I died at that moment, I would have been proud for making it this far. I forgave the version of myself that got lost four days prior. I spent two days there, resting and eating berries to regain my strength. I didn鈥檛 give up, though: I organized dark rocks to spell out SOS, and when a helicopter flew overhead, I threw sticks to try and get the pilot鈥檚 attention. Once my energy was restored, I set out in search of a trail upstream. It wasn鈥檛 long before I was completely sapped of energy again. I told myself I wanted to see the rippling bark of one more tree, hear one more crunchy leaf, or feel the cool, rushing water of a river one more time. At one point, I pulled out the notebook I鈥檇 packed and started writing my wedding vows. I was going to make it out of this forest and finally live the life I had put on hold for years.

Another voice appeared. I don鈥檛 know where it came from because its message was foreign to me: Rest for tomorrow鈥檚 salvation. The next day, I saw acorns lining the trail, which I recognized from my hike eight days previous, before I ignored the landslide and got lost. These acorns were . No other trail I鈥檇 been on had them; somehow, I was back on the Pratt River Trail.

Relief washed over me as I calculated that I was only a mile and a half from my car. I bellowed out a cathartic yawp; I had actually saved myself. I was still so weak, and it was getting dark, so I decided to sleep for the night and hike out in the morning. When the sun rose, I woke up to the sound of two hikers approaching; they saw me and offered to help. I knew I could make it on my own, but I let them leave to find cell reception and alert search and rescue.

After waiting half an hour, I convinced myself that these trail saviors were figments of my imagination. Luckily, they were real; I eventually heard echoes of people shouting my name. After nine days, I finally wasn鈥檛 alone鈥攂ut I guess I never truly was, anyway. Turns out, my friends had been driving around the area, trying to find my abandoned car that entire time. Once I made it to the hospital, my girlfriend met me with love, compassion, and overwhelming forgiveness. I had all these people who worried about me, looked for me, and rescued me. They all cared. I was finally safe.

The post I Was Lost for Nine Days in the Backcountry. Here鈥檚 How I Survived. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

What began as a passion project and, more simply, just the right thing to do has also benefited 鈥檚 bottom line, senior VP of product creation for Outdoor Research Liz Wilson told OBJ. Outdoor Research has announced its Fall 2022 Plus Size collection, following up on two previous seasons of successful plus-size collection launches. The Fall 2022 line is an outdoor industry standout in that it will be the first winter plus-size collection to have a comprehensive layering system.

鈥淔or the first time, everyone will have access to a unified layering system that keeps them warm and dry鈥攁nd looks great, too,鈥� Wilson said.

Creating a More Inclusive Product Line

Wilson said that in 2020 she read a thread on the Facebook group detailing the difficulties of finding properly fitting and functional outdoor clothing.

鈥淚t was an extremely passionate online discussion,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淲omen were so frustrated that they couldn鈥檛 find clothes that fit, that also let them pursue the things they loved. I had been discussing launching a plus-size line with our director of product development, and this really stirred us to get serious. We knew it was the right thing to do, but it wouldn鈥檛 be as simple as just making bigger clothes. We took to the idea to [OR President] Roger Barton, and he said, 鈥榃ell, we鈥檇 be on the wrong side of history if we didn鈥檛 do it.鈥欌��

New designs were created to fit different body shapes with grading that is proportionally larger through the bust and belly. The collection includes technical apparel for hiking, climbing, backpacking, and winter sports, including the bestselling, and Pants,, sun-protective, and softshell and.听

Bringing new products to market quickly wasn鈥檛 something OR was used to doing before the pandemic, Wilson says. It was the (hugely successful) production of OR鈥檚 in 2020 that finally proved the company was capable of quickly and effectively manufacturing new designs that customers would love.

OR reached out to some of the women from the Facebook thread and worked with them to develop technical plus-size gear 鈥渢hat didn鈥檛 just come in black,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭hese women are badasses. They鈥檙e climbing Rainier and Mount St. Helens; they鈥檙e skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking.鈥�

Members of that group who now work as advisors for OR include ,,,, and. Some of them have even become brand ambassadors.

鈥淏efore we made a single sketch, we invited these women in to discuss exactly what they鈥檙e looking for in technical clothing, to help us identify factors that we may not be considering,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淲e incorporated their feedback and they test for us, and they even help finalize colors and prints.鈥�

The Industry鈥檚 First Plus-Size Ski Apparel Kits

Launch of the Spring 2022 Plus collection followed a successful Fall 2021 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 extended sizing program that included shells, insulation, base layers, winter apparel, and ski kits ranging from XXS to 3X. Combined, OR said the two collections represent the first true technical apparel and layering system in inclusive sizing for outdoor enthusiasts.听

The company will release its Fall 2022 line with two complete plus-size ski kits that include shells, pants and bib, winter insulation layers, winter fleece, technical sportswear, base layers, and gloves sized up to 3X. OR said the kits will be an industry first.

鈥淥ur group told us that they couldn鈥檛 find a combined layering system,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭hey could maybe piece together layers from different brands, including men鈥檚 clothing, but there wasn鈥檛 a unified technical layering system designed to fit well and look good in women鈥檚 plus sizes.鈥�

In coming seasons, OR has also promised plus-size technical pieces from other lines, including crop tops.

鈥淲hen we told the group, they just erupted,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭hey were so happy. Everyone should have access to any clothing style out there, no matter their size. That鈥檚 what makes me so passionate about this collection, that it includes everyone and allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors dressed how they want for the sport.鈥�

And of course, Wilson said the release of plus-sized technical clothing has been good for business, too.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing increased sales from retailers who stock our range of sizes,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e seen that including plus sizes has increased sales of our other sizes as well. It makes it easy for the retailer and the customer. It鈥檚 one-stop shopping for families.鈥�

OR is currently working on its 2024 collections, which will continue this new, inclusive chapter in the brand鈥檚 history.

鈥淚鈥檝e been in the outdoor industry most of my career, and plus sizes weren鈥檛 the norm,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淭hings have changed and the consumer is much more vocal now, and people who are larger are saying, 鈥楬ey, we love the outdoors, too.鈥� I think brands are finally listening. I鈥檓 proud of Outdoor Research for being at the forefront of that, but I鈥檓 excited to see the whole industry working hard to become more inclusive, helping everyone feel good about getting outside.鈥�

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Liz Wilson was scrolling through Facebook last September when she stumbled upon a post that had prompted a heated discussion over the lack of plus-size technical hiking bottoms.

Wilson, the vice president of product for Seattle-based apparel and gear brand Outdoor Research, had previously spoken with her team about adding extended and plus sizes to the product lineup, but that Facebook post and its responses served as a clarion call to stop talking about it and finally act.

鈥淚t was jaw-dropping and inspiring, and it became that catalyst moment,鈥� Wilson told 国产吃瓜黑料 Business Journal. 鈥淚 came back to the office and鈥攂ecause we鈥檙e a smaller company, we can do this鈥擨 said, 鈥楾his is going to be our number-one focus for the year. We鈥檙e going to launch it, come hell or high water, even during COVID.鈥� That describes the type of people we have working at Outdoor Research because it quickly became everyone鈥檚 passion.鈥�

Fast forward nine months and that passion has turned into the industry鈥檚 first technical layering system in inclusive sizes. Outdoor Research will soon introduce extended and plus sizing in a wide range of base layers, insulation, and shells. Its extended-sizing program, which includes sizes ranging from XXS to XXXL, will launch this fall. And its plus-size collection, which includes sizes ranging from 1X-3X in various fits for different body shapes, will launch next spring.

The brand said that while other apparel makers might offer some products in plus sizing, 鈥渘o one else is making a true system of technical apparel from shells through insulation and base layers.鈥� Outdoor Research said it鈥檚 past time for the outdoor industry to offer this type of clothing for a previously underserved demographic.

鈥淚nclusive sizing isn鈥檛 a product launch鈥攊t鈥檚 a commitment to doing things intentionally and, frankly, it鈥檚 something that is long overdue,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淔or us, this is a starting point which we plan to build on as we become a more inclusive brand.鈥澛�

A New Formula for Technical Apparel at Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research embarked on the journey to bring inclusivity to its apparel line by reaching out to some of the commenters on that initial Facebook post. The brand recruited six advisers鈥�Megan Banker, Sam Ortiz, Bennett Rahn, Rochelle Murphy, Britta Nelson, and Kaila Walton鈥�who helped the brand鈥檚 R&D team create its plus- and extended-size line by contributing input and modeling prototypes.

One of those advisers, Banker, a chiropractor who lives in Portland, Oregon, is an avid climber who runs a plus-size rock climbing meetup. She says she鈥檚 received calls from other gear makers for input on plus-size products, but her experience with Outdoor Research stood out because of the company鈥檚 immediate engagement.

鈥淚t鈥檚 typical for brands to reach out to some of us who are active on social media so they can pick our brains, but we usually never hear from them again,鈥� she told OBJ. 鈥淔rom our first call, it was apparent that this was going to be different. They wanted to hear our perspective. They didn鈥檛 just want our opinion, but they wanted to see how our experience could help improve not only Outdoor Research but the entire outdoor space as well.鈥�

Banker said the brand wanted to know what plus-size outdoor enthusiasts were missing in their apparel options, and how Outdoor Research could meet those needs. She told them about her experience skipping the women鈥檚 department in gear shops and heading straight to the men鈥檚 section to seek out 2XL items, even though they didn鈥檛 always fit right. She told them about crying in a ski shop when the staff couldn鈥檛 find a boot that fit her calves. She told them about the conversations she had had with other plus-size athletes about wanting quality outdoor gear so they could better enjoy climbing, skiing, and hiking.

鈥淚t felt liberating to talk to people, to say, 鈥楾his is where we struggle. These are the activities that we can鈥檛 do because there鈥檚 no gear for it even though our desire is there. This is where the industry is lacking,鈥欌�� Banker said. 鈥淵es, we deserve and we want these things, just the same as everybody else, but also from a business perspective, 80 percent of women in the United States are a size 16 or above, and that represents only 2 percent of the available clothing. That鈥檚 isolating so many people who want to get out there.鈥�

Banker added that the industry鈥檚 efforts to date鈥攕uch as taking existing base layers or jackets or pants and simply making them bigger鈥攈ave been lacking. This effort is a step in the right direction.

鈥淭hings felt so different on this project,鈥� Banker said. 鈥淥utdoor Research took measurements from different sizes and took perspectives from different sizes and then created an entirely new formula that hasn鈥檛 existed before.鈥�

Body Inclusivity Is Here to Stay

Wilson said that while the industry has been slow to bring plus-size apparel to market, she sees change coming because of people like Banker and others taking to social media to let brands know they should meet the demands of the many, not just the few.

鈥淧eople are being vocal on social media and saying, 鈥業 won鈥檛 stand for this anymore,鈥欌�� Wilson said. 鈥淭alking to Megan and the rest of the team inspired everyone at Outdoor Research to say, 鈥榃e don鈥檛 care what it takes, we鈥檙e going to do this.鈥欌��

鈥淚鈥檓 now wearing the best technical clothing because it鈥檚 available to me, and not just something that I had to pick up from a bargain basement because it was the biggest thing they had,鈥� Banker said. 鈥淭hat feels incredible, like I belong out here.鈥�

Outdoor Research is already eyeing how it can bring more gear to more people. Wilson said the brand is now 鈥渇ull-speed ahead into ski and snowboard apparel鈥� for Fall 鈥�22. It plans to launch a full kit鈥攂ase layer, insulation, and shell鈥攆or plus-size athletes. It will also launch a Spring 鈥�22 accessories collab with Portland, Oregon-based apparel and accessories maker Dovetail Workwear.

All of this makes Banker hopeful that the industry is headed for a seismic change.

鈥淧lus-size inclusivity is a hot thing right now, but we鈥檝e always been here,鈥� Banker said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about taking that first step. It鈥檚 about wanting to make an inclusive space for everybody to enjoy the outdoors. We all deserve that.鈥�

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As the election approaches on November 3 and state governments scramble to figure out how to keep voters safe from the coronavirus at in-person polling places, a number of large outdoor companies are stepping up to help.

Answering a call from聽Operation Vote Safe, a nationwide campaign led by the nonprofit Business for America (BFA), companies like聽REI, Patagonia, and Outdoor Research have donated time, technological expertise, and thousands of units of PPE to polling places across the country. The donations will help ensure the safety of voters and poll workers so that, as BFA founder and CEO Sarah Bonk said, “no one needs to choose between their health and their vote.”

New brands are joining the campaign every day, Bonk told 国产吃瓜黑料 Business Journal on Wednesday. So far, Patagonia, Keen, and Burton have sent thousands of masks to election officials in several states, as well as to the Native American Voters Alliance in New Mexico through a partnership with Native Vote. Outdoor Research has donated 10,000 masks to Washington and Pennsylvania state officials.听Clif Bar has聽donated tens of thousands of energy bars to help feed poll workers on November 3.

“This initiative was born out of necessity,” Bonk said. “The first coronavirus relief package [passed in March] had $400 million set aside to protect the election. According to elections experts, it’s actually going to take close to $4 billion. To close that gap, we had the idea to call on the business community.”

Pledges of support across the outdoor industry came quickly and decisively from brand leaders.

“When it comes to the future of our democracy, our votes have never mattered more,” said J.J. Huggins, a spokesperson for Patagonia. “For too many Americans, the barriers to casting their ballots have never been higher. We want to do our part to help the community vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person. Most importantly, people need to vote safely.”

A Network of Aid

REI, which began collaborating with BFA in July, has gone even further than a simple donation of product. Together with聽BFA, the company developed a digital聽PPE marketplace聽to help states and municipalities get what they need to run their elections safely and smoothy.

Built on technology REI spent $100,000 developing in the spring to distribute PPE to healthcare workers, the new tool has been聽adapted for the needs of polling places. It was released yesterday, already fully stocked with product.

“We reached out to the REI vendor base, made up of 1000-plus companies, and asked them to populate the marketplace with products they started making in the spring to help with the crisis,” said REI director of government and community affairs Marc Berejka. “Companies can sell their PPE products directly through the marketplace starting today, or donate them if they’ve chosen to give them away for free.”

The marketplace dovetails with a second tool BFA released this week: the Vote Safe Action Map, a “one-stop interactive dashboard for election officials to identify needed materials, and for businesses to fulfill those needs,” according to a BFA release. The tool covers the 13 states in which Operation Vote Safe is currently active. Businesses can filter by state, county, and category of need to identify the biggest deficits in polling place resources and contact state election officials to fill those needs.

“Our community has always stood behind protecting the outdoors,” said Berejka. “This year, voting for officials who will fight for our environment is a big part of that. In that way, helping people vote safely fulfills part of our core mission. It’s absolutely critical.”

The post Outdoor Brands Work to Keep Voters Safe in November appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

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

Who, exactly, should qualify for a pro deal in the outdoor industry?聽A ski patroller? Full-time mountain guide? Retail employee? Most everyone can agree that these professions get a green light. But how about a seasonal whitewater guide getting a deal on skis or a yoga instructor getting a discount on a tent鈥攇reenish yellow? How about someone who takes an avalanche safety course or an amateur photographer with a nature blog鈥攔ed?

What about average enthusiasts who just claim they do one of the above?

Figuring out who deserves a steep gear discount is crucial to running a successful brand pro program. Connect with the right pros, the theory goes, and a manufacturer helps these influencers do their jobs, while also familiarizing them with the gear and driving full-price sales to local retailers for a win-win. But if standards loosen so much that practically anybody can stock up on gear for 40 percent off or more, then pro deals become something else entirely.

鈥淧ro programs are a complete farce,鈥� said Wes Allen, owner of Sunlight Sports in Cody, Wyoming. 鈥淭he idea of a program where you discount to shop employees and people who work in the industry is a solid one. But anybody who鈥檚 being honest about it knows that the programs are completely out of control. It鈥檚 a way for brands to sell direct-to-consumer at a discount without violating their MAP [minimum advertised price] policy. And let鈥檚 be real, there are brands out there encouraging this behavior because they see it as an easy, high-margin sale.鈥�

Without any industry-wide standards or watchdogs for pro programs, it鈥檚 tough to judge how well the system is really working. So we went digging for evidence.

The Broadening Definition of 鈥淧ro鈥�

Employees at The Trail Head, an independent outdoor retailer in Missoula, Montana, run into shoppers with pro deals 鈥渆very single day,鈥� said owner Todd Frank. Sometimes they鈥檙e just showrooming鈥攖rying on boots and apparel in the store before heading off to order their gear directly from brands or on third-party pro platforms. Sometimes they鈥檙e attempting to use a prAna influencer card (good for direct purchases from prAna only) for a discount in the store, not understanding how the program works. Sometimes they鈥檙e getting their new pro-deal skis mounted.

鈥淥ver the last bunch of years, the number of skis we sell has dropped 15 to 30 percent a year, but the number we鈥檙e mounting has gone up,鈥� noted Frank. 鈥淧eople are very open about [getting a pro deal]. It鈥檚 a badge of honor in a community like Missoula. It makes you a legit outdoor guy.鈥�

鈥淟egit鈥� is exactly the point of contention. Who鈥檚 legit? Brands and retailers alike agree that true industry professionals deserve a gear hookup, noting that gigs like ski patrolling, guiding, and wildland firefighting often pay so poorly that these pros would struggle to buy needed equipment. Without pro deals, 鈥渢here鈥檚 no way you could afford this stuff,鈥� said Steve Kunnen, an avalanche forecaster, educator, and guide for Washington鈥檚 Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort, the Northwest Mountain School, and the Northwest Avalanche Center. He considers his pro deals an essential part of his job: This past winter season alone he bought two pairs of Atomic skis and goggles, a Patagonia ski pack, and Arc鈥檛eryx shell pants, all at 40 percent off or more. 鈥淧eople don鈥檛 realize you hammer your gear鈥� with daily, hard use, Kunnen said. 鈥淭here鈥檇 be a lot more patches and duct tape without pro deals.鈥�

And in the right hands, pros do serve as valuable influencers. 鈥淚f a retail consumer sees a pro using a product, that鈥檚 a pretty big stamp of approval,鈥� noted Derek Young, who manages the pro program for Sawyer Paddles and Oars.

Getting gear into the hands of specialty retailer employees can also pay off for outdoor stores: Not only is it a valuable perk for recruiting workers, but an enthusiastic recommendation from a shop clerk can drive sales. 鈥淎ll you have to do is walk into [a store] and meet an employee who鈥檚 like, 鈥業 was using this last weekend鈥欌�攖hat鈥檚 hugely positive,鈥� noted Gabe Maier, vice president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.

What some retailers do object to, however, is the extension of pro deals to the far margins of the outdoors, such part-time yoga teachers, students enrolled in AIARE avalanche courses, or 鈥渓iterally people who work in the parks department鈥攏ot Yellowstone park, but tennis courts,鈥� said Sunlight Sports鈥檚 Allen. Another gripe: Often, pro members are eligible for discounts well beyond their job categories, as in a backpacking guide also qualifying for ski boots. And some report concerns about straight-up fraud, with faux pros falsely claiming they deserve a deal. Young of Sawyer Paddles and Oars says applicants have sent him snapshots of themselves in a whitewater raft as proof that they鈥檙e professional guides.

Nobody in the industry tracks overall pro purchases, says Grassroots Public Relations and Policy Advisor Drew Simmons, but the organization has heard plenty of anecdotes from its member shops. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an income stream [for brands] that鈥檚 based on promotional, off-price behavior,鈥� Simmons said. 鈥淚t seems to be broadening and growing at a significant pace.鈥� (Several retailers say pro programs really started going off the rails about ten years ago.) Simmons added, 鈥淩etailers are understandably concerned that it has become such a significant part of many brands鈥� businesses that they will have a really hard time reining it in.鈥�

And stores argue there鈥檚 much at stake when pro programs get bloated well beyond their original intention. 鈥淓verybody and their dog 85 has a pro form in a mountain town like ours, when they absolutely should not,鈥� said Brendan Madigan, owner of Tahoe City, California鈥檚 Alpenglow Sports. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e effectively retraining the public to shop online always and first, and to look for discounts online, which makes them think brick-and-mortar stores are always more expensive. Brands are effectively undercutting retailers.鈥�

鈥淚f a product that we sell is readily available from the vendor for 40 to 50 percent less, it makes us look really bad,鈥� added The Trail Head鈥檚 Frank. 鈥淎nd it harms the vendors just as much, because they鈥檙e going to end up with nothing but a discounted sales channel.鈥�

The Middlemen

You can鈥檛 talk pro deals鈥攁nd their potential for abuse鈥攚ithout taking a hard look at third-party pro platforms like ExpertVoice, Outdoorly, Liberty Mountain, and Outdoor Prolink. These businesses partner with brands to manage their pro programs, in many cases vetting applicants, facilitating orders, and providing other services in exchange for a fee and/or a cut of each sale. (Another site, IPA Collective, approves applicants and then connects them directly to brand pro programs.)

Such programs maintain that they help vendors find and vet influencers, and also instruct their pros to send anyone who admires their gear to buy it at a local retailer. 鈥淭he clear reason to have a pro program is to drive more full-price consumer sales,鈥� said ExpertVoice CEO Tom Stockham. 鈥淚t鈥檚 [about] finding the people who have the most credible influence with consumers, and making them better ambassadors for your brand.鈥�

Reps for all platforms we questioned for this article (ExpertVoice, IPA Collective, and Outdoor Prolink) stressed they use strict protocols to evaluate applicants. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e not careful with your pro program, you start to undermine your price point and extend discounts too broadly,鈥� said Stockham, who adds that ExpertVoice uses anti-fraud software and cross checks with professional organizations鈥� databases to limit its members to true pros. A spokesperson for Outdoor Prolink noted that the company has five staffers who review the thousand-plus applications it receives weekly (90 percent are accepted, which the company chalks up to clear criteria on its website that weed out unqualified would-be applicants) and requires members to re-certify annually: 鈥淭his ensures that 100 percent of our base [is made up of] vetted professionals.鈥�

Retailers aren鈥檛 buying it. 鈥淭he third-party sites are like drug dealers,鈥� said Allen of Sunlight Sports. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e coming in with this story about how 鈥榳e鈥檙e going to get influencers to push people to your retailers.鈥� That鈥檚 such a bunch of crap.鈥� He argues that third-party shoppers don鈥檛 have any real connection to their local outdoor stores.

Frank adds that the sites鈥� business model encourages them to view applicants with a generous eye. 鈥淸Third-party sites] are making commission sales,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o they鈥檙e going to drive as much volume as possible, because that鈥檚 the only way it works.鈥�

What鈥檚 more, some retailers say their vendors are on board with such everybody-in policies. According to a member of the sales team who worked closely with Black Diamond鈥檚 pro program, left the company within the past year, and asked to remain anonymous, 鈥淯sing ExpertVoice captures a broader audience and requires less in-house maintenance. Yes, ExpertVoice is too lax with who they approve for pro deals, which Black Diamond is acutely aware of. However, it is also a huge revenue driver for the brand.鈥�

In response, the brand shared a statement acknowledging that the pro program isn鈥檛 perfect, but Black Diamond continues to improve its system. It also notes that the brand is a key player in an industry working group on pro sales, which meets to share notes on best practices, including dealing with abuses.

So what鈥檚 the truth behind becoming a pro? We went undercover to find out. In our investigation (see p. 87), the third-party platforms we applied to accepted our fake profiles more often than not. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e willing to lie about who you are, it can be hard to catch someone like that,鈥� noted ExpertVoice鈥檚 Stockham. 鈥淏ut it will happen, and you鈥檒l be kicked off the platform forever. We will always want to work with retailers and others to figure out how to make the system work better.鈥�

Some brands say they recognize the loopholes as well. 鈥淲e are aware of some issues regarding pro/industry purchase sign-up validation and are taking aggressive steps to correct any problems around our internal approval process as well as those of our chosen partners to 鈥� tighten controls in a way that ensures a healthy program,鈥� said Andy Burke, head of commercial sales at Outdoor Research.

Bro Deals鈥攁nd Consequences

In some pro programs, membership comes with an extra perk: periodic discount codes meant to be shared with friends and family, aka the 鈥渂ro deal.鈥� Recent promotions from Patagonia and prAna have offered each of their pros three codes at 40 percent off to share鈥攎uch to the chagrin of the retailer community (Patagonia鈥檚 codes were each good for up to $2,500 worth of gear).

鈥淭he question is, is a friends-and-family program really an extension of the pro purchase influencer program?鈥� asked Grassroots鈥檚 Simmons. 鈥淓xpanding accessibility to everyone you know鈥攊s that supporting the original idea [of a pro program], or is it a whole different area of revenue generation? Friends-and-family promotions seem like the number-one thing to train people to [wait for] a good deal every year.鈥�

Besides, members of a pro鈥檚 social circle could otherwise be full-price customers鈥攕o why offer them deep discounts? According to prAna鈥檚 vice president of marketing, Jeff Haack, 鈥淲e want to give [our influencers] an opportunity to share their love of the brand and products.鈥� (No other brands we approached agreed to comment.)

But retailers suspect otherwise. Allen guesses these promos are a way to unload excess inventory, and Frank said, 鈥淔riends-and-family discounts are prolific because most of the companies are just using them to drive volume. We have a lot of publicly traded companies in the outdoor industry now, and they鈥檙e beholden to the board and the shareholders鈥濃�攚hich means they鈥檙e under pressure to maximize profits every quarter by whatever means necessary.

Ultimately, such complaints about excessive pro deal activity can translate to concrete consequences for brands. Frank dropped Scarpa from The Trail Head last winter: 鈥淭here are people who should not be getting deals from Scarpa who are getting deals every day. Consequently, I just can鈥檛 sell it.鈥� (Scarpa did not reply to our requests for comment.) Allen has similarly scaled back business from several brands so far, and is 鈥渉aving super-hard conversations with鈥� a few others (he declined to name which ones).

And Maier of Grassroots predicts that overly generous pro programs will backfire industrywide. 鈥淚t seems like the programs were created to enhance brand loyalty,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut where the programs are now, all the anecdotal information points to creating price loyalty. Instead of building up brand equity, it鈥檚 having the opposite effect.鈥�

Reining It In

Nobody tracks the precise number of pro program members across the industry鈥� or what percent of total purchases they account for鈥攂ut our investigation shows how easy it is for someone without real credentials to get access to a killer deal. So how can the industry dial back the free-for-all and restore pro programs to their original purpose?

The first, and likely most effective, step: tightening up the vetting process. 鈥淚t would be a huge positive step to get some validation at all levels,鈥� said Maier. 鈥淚f these programs are truly intended to be there for influencers or people who are connected at retail, then what鈥檚 the harm in doing a little more work in verifying who鈥檚 accepted?鈥� Despite assurances from program managers that all applicants must pass strict scrutiny, our undercover investigation proves otherwise: In some cases, fake pros were granted almost instant access using fake credentials.

Instead, managers could require additional documentation if something in an application looks fishy鈥攕uch as professional certifications or, for retail employees, the store鈥檚 invoice number鈥攐r even call someone鈥檚 claimed employer to double-check. Another safeguard for retail employees: Mandate that all purchases be shipped to the store, as Patagonia does. The best-run pro programs also require members to recertify every year, Maier says, so former pros can鈥檛 hang on to their discounts.

And, 鈥渋f there鈥檚 not a direct connection to the local retailer, it doesn鈥檛 work,鈥� said Frank. Many programs do include a note in their acceptance email about sending anyone who admires the gear to their local outdoor shop to make purchases, but there鈥檚 currently no guarantee that members even know which shops carry the products. Young of Sawyer Paddles and Oars says he asks his qualifying pros to send curious clients to specific local shops: 鈥淚鈥檓 trying to build that bridge between the pros and the retailers. Retailers have to trust that manufacturers aren鈥檛 abusing that discounted sales channel.鈥� He even suggests taking the connection a step further: 鈥淢aybe it鈥檚 time for retailers to vet who鈥檚 qualified for programs.鈥�

Wrestling these pro programs back down to size, of course, depends on vendors and third parties actually wanting to limit pro deal purchases鈥攏ot intentionally treating them as a lucrative discount DTC channel, as some retailers contend they do. The current state of pro programs 鈥渋sn鈥檛 a misunderstanding,鈥� said Allen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not people making a mistake in executing pro deal programs. This is a calculated business practice that people are being dishonest about.鈥�

Patagonia is one brand heeding its dealers鈥� calls for overall reform by embarking on a revamp of its own program. Among other steps, the company is reviewing pro categories and individual members and scrubbing those not deemed to match a stricter set of criteria, plus ending its twice-yearly friends-and-family promotions.

鈥淲e know we can have a deeper connection with fewer pros 鈥� that supports our business in a better way,鈥� noted Patagonia鈥檚 Bruce Old, VP of global business, and John Collins, leader of global sales teams, in a statement to The Voice. 鈥淲e also realize there are too many access points for discounted products in the market.鈥� The fact that the brand is investing in more environmentally and socially responsible鈥攁nd expensive鈥攑roduction practices, they add, helps make its full-price business even more important.

These kinds of brand-led reforms鈥攅ssentially, hiring tougher bouncers for the pro deal club鈥攁re likely key to reducing abuses and maintaining a more exclusive definition of 鈥減ro.鈥� After all, when everybody鈥檚 a pro, then really, nobody is. And that renders a pro program essentially meaningless.

Getting In: An Undercover Investigation

Just how tough鈥攐r easy鈥攊s it to get into a pro program? We went undercover to find out.

Most brands and third-party platforms say their pro programs are for true outdoor industry professionals only, and that applicants are carefully vetted to ensure only the deserving get in. Not everyone believes it.

Industry insiders report concerns about several types of objectionable 鈥減ros.鈥� There are the applicants with questionable outdoor credentials鈥� part-time guides, one-time NOLS students, etc. There are straight-up liars posing as legit pros. And some retailers even charge that platforms will accept absurd applications that are obviously frauds (The Trail Head鈥檚 Todd Frank successfully applied to ExpertVoice as President James Madison).

We tested the system ourselves with three fake personas, complete with bogus credentials, designed to probe brands鈥� defenses against those concerns. 鈥淎pril O鈥橦ara鈥� posed as a retail employee using a free, fake pay stub created online. Yoga instructor 鈥淩ashida Samat鈥� submitted a screen shot of a real teacher鈥檚 online profile that didn鈥檛 include a name. And for our most ridiculous attempt, 鈥淢innie Mouse鈥� applied with a photo of a coffee shop punch card. We tried 11 pro programs (five third-party pro platforms and six brands directly). When admitted, we placed an order and, in all cases, received the gear (items will be donated).

In some cases, our applicants received a green light within a few minutes, suggesting no vetting process or a very limited automated one. In others, someone reviewed the application, but didn鈥檛 probe deeply into our supporting documents. Andy Marker, founder and principal of IPA Collective, who approved our application for 鈥淩ashida Samat,鈥� noted, 鈥淚 saw the [online studio] profile, and on that day, it was good enough for me.鈥�

Ten of the 11 targets rejected Minnie Mouse (Liberty Mountain accepted her without question). But the results were mixed for April and Rashida.

The post The Shady World of Pro Deals appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As outdoor leaders begin to speak out against racial injustice in the United States鈥攐nce again brought to light by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis鈥擮BJ is collecting their statements in one place.

Our list currently includes the following voices: Access Fund, American Alpine Club, American Hiking Society, Arc’teryx, Backcountry, Brown Girls Climb,聽BUFF,聽Camber Outdoors, Clif Bar, Columbia, Climbing Wall Association, Cotopaxi, Eddie Bauer, Granite Gear, HOKA ONE ONE, Ibex, JAM Collective, Kaya, Machines for Freedom, Mammut, Merrell, Moosejaw, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Mountain Hardwear, Organic Climbing, Orvis, Osprey, Outdoor Afro, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Research, 国产吃瓜黑料 PR, Pactimo, Parks Project, Patagonia, Peak Design, prAna, Press Forward PR, Rapha, REI, She Explores, Smartwool, Snowsports Industries America, Tension Climbing, The North Face, Thousand, Timberland, Title Nine, Tracksmith, Vasque, and Velocio Apparel. Links to their words have been organized alphabetically below.

[Editors’ note: We acknowledge that, while some of these statements contain promises of action, not all of them do so. As Color 国产吃瓜黑料 founder Nailah Blades has written, “It’s not enough to say the right words in a social post if you’re not also doing the work internally as a company.” We encourage everyone to keep that in mind.]

Access Fund

American Alpine Club

American Hiking Society

Arc’teryx

Backcountry

Brown Girls Climb

BUFF

Camber Outdoors

Clif Bar

Climbing Wall Association

Columbia

Cotopaxi

Eddie Bauer

Granite Gear

HOKA ONE ONE

Ibex

JAM Collective

Kaya

Kaya has on its website.

Machines for Freedom

Mammut

Merrell

Merrell also released a follow-up statement laying out a plan for action.

Moosejaw

Mountain Equipment Co-op

Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear has released a set of principles for supporting “change from within” .

Organic Climbing

Orvis

Osprey

Outdoor Afro

Outdoor Industry Association

OIA has outlined concrete steps it will take .

Outdoor Research

国产吃瓜黑料 PR

Pactimo

Parks Project

Patagonia

Peak Design

Peak Design has released a full campaign called Say Something Give Anything. Details can be found .

prAna

Press Forward PR

Rapha

REI

She Explores

Smartwool

Snowsports Industries America

SIA released an on its website.

Tension Climbing

The North Face

Thousand

Timberland

Title Nine

Tracksmith

Vasque

Velocio Apparel

The post Black Lives Matter: Statements from the Industry appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

One way to trace the progression of the pandemic is to look at the consumer demand for masks. In the beginning, there were devastating shortages and disturbing stories of profiteers and stockpilers. Then came a period of tenuous equilibrium, when the use of homemade face shields, bandanas, and other DIY solutions proliferated. Now, everyone is coming to terms with the fact that we will probably be wearing face coverings for a long time, which raises an important question: How will we run, hike, bike, ski, and聽socialize safely鈥攊n other words, incorporate masks more permanently into our lives鈥攊n a way that’s not maddeningly uncomfortable and divisive?

Several companies in the outdoor industry, including big players like Outdoor Research and Keen, think they’ve come up with an answer: produce, market, and sell masks like gear.

A New Category: PPE as Activewear

“We鈥檝e put together a long-term strategy,” said Liz Wilson, vice president of product at Outdoor Research, who is overseeing an effort to ramp up the company’s production of reusable, non-medical masks for consumers and retailers鈥攁n effort that comes directly on the heels of a similar initiative now producing 200,000 masks a day for state and federal agencies. “Rather than approach this opportunistically by asking what we had lying around that we could make into masks,聽we set about making a really great new product.听What happens when people go back to work, back to gyms? They’re going to want something that fits really well, that they can exercise in, that they barely realize is there.”

To meet that demand, Outdoor Research is launching an entirely new line of product called Protective Essentials that will kick off with an Essential Face Mask Kit, shipping June 1, and expand by the fall to include gloves, balaclavas, and face shields designed for high-output aerobic activities like climbing, skiing, and running. Items in the line will be fully packaged to preserve sanitation, Wilson says, so that retailers can stock the products without compromising consumer trust. And the packaging itself will be thoughtfully designed: According to Wilson, the plastic sleeves will act as reusable sterilizing devices that harnesses UV light to kill viruses and bacteria.

“This isn鈥檛 a one-hit wonder for us. People are going to be concerned about safety for at least a year,” she said. “In this thing [the pandemic], you鈥檙e either the ostrich sticking your head in the sand, or you go into panic mode, or you adapt. We are adapting very rapidly. We鈥檙e going to maintain our core lines, but we also see these new products as a really important thing for people to continue to get outside.”

Another major brand undertaking a similar effort is Keen, which has made the decision to expand beyond footwear to meet extraordinary demand for reusable PPE. Washable cloth masks will debut on the company’s website in mid-June.

鈥淎s the world adjusts to life with COVID-19, we know that wearing masks in public will be an important part in keeping this virus in check until a vaccine is developed and widely applied,” Erik Burbank, Keen’s chief brand officer, said of the effort. “Until that time, we are supporting the CDC recommendations regarding the use of cloth face coverings by making comfortable masks that people feel good about wearing every day in public.”

The masks will be produced in Thailand, in a factory the company converted for the express purpose of starting the new line, and will be made of cotton canvas certified by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), available in seven colors.

Another Strategy: Stopgap Products

Beyond these larger efforts, a handful of smaller companies have also found success marketing masks directly to consumers. In the outdoor space, the most prominent of these is Hyperlite Mountain Gear, based in Maine. In late March, the gear brand was forced to lay off half its staff and consider new ways to drive revenue. One day after the layoffs, CEO Mike St. Pierre started working on a mask design and sourcing components.

“We had no idea what the demand was going to be,” he said. “Things moved quickly. It was eight days from concept to selling. We launched the masks on our website on a Friday and the response was instant. By Monday we had 70,000 orders. We were able to bring everyone back to work.”

Despite that success, however, St. Pierre doesn’t see the masks as a long-term product.

“We weren’t looking at this as a long-term play. We just wanted to get our people back to work. When we launched this, it was right when the CDC says masks in public will be mandatory. I think there will be some demand for these in the long term, but the market is getting super saturated.”

He’s not wrong. Though the number of outdoor companies making reusable masks for consumers remains relatively small, dozens of businesses in other spaces鈥攆rom The Gap to Disney to the NBA鈥攁re hopping on the mask bandwagon and splintering demand.

“We just wanted to get people through until we could start building our products again,” St. Pierre said. “I’m hopeful that our core products are going to come back really strong. That’s where we ultimately want to be.”

Features, Specs, Price

Safety is obviously the top concern for mask production, but Keen, Outdoor Research, and others are also getting granular with the tech specs of these new products鈥攕omething their customers have come to expect when buying anything performance-related.

Outdoor Research’s masks are treated with聽HeiQ NPJ03 antiviral textile technology聽and come with three removable filters for added protection. “High breathability” is discussed in the product’s promo material. Keen’s version is “consciously created with pure BCI-certified cotton canvas…[with] adjustable ear loops for a custom fit,” as one of the company’s reps described them to 国产吃瓜黑料 Business Journal. The Hyperlite version is made of “interlock micro polyester with a skin-friendly, durable, water-repellent coating.”

This kind of attention to detail and alignment with brand quality has allowed companies to charge anything from $20 for a pack of five (Hyperlite) to $25 for a single mask (Outdoor Research), though representatives from all three businesses say none of the mask lines aims to bring in big margins.

“We took all the components and priced them together and considered what鈥檚 fair,” Wilson said. “We鈥檙e not looking to make a huge profit here, we鈥檙e just looking to make a great product at a fair price.”

The Way Forward

As time goes on, more outdoor brands will likely join these initial major players by creating new products to fit a shifting consumer landscape. And if demand remains where it is鈥攑rovided outdoor enthusiasts don’t start buying masks from Disney or professional basketball teams鈥攊nvestors should have absolutely no problem with that.

“Our partners and investors have really been cheering us on. This wasn鈥檛 something that our parent company directed. It came from the inside of this brand and started growing,” said Wilson, who believes the story is perfectly in line with Outdoor Research’s identity as a company. “Accessories built this brand in the first place. We started with a neck gaiter. We like to say we own the hands, head, and ankles. This really fits for us.”

The post Masks Have Become a Viable New Category for Outdoor Brands appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Outdoor Research has pledged to start producing masks for medical workers at a substantial clip鈥�200,000 a day by June, according to an announcement the company made Monday. To do so, the gear and apparel brand will convert its Seattle factory to comply with聽FDA Class II guidelines, meaning it will be able to produce surgical masks and the much-needed N95 masks, in short supply across the nation, for workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

鈥淥ur 39-year history of rapidly developing cutting-edge outdoor, military, and tactical products provides Outdoor Research the ability to quickly shift to supporting the personal protective needs of the medical community,鈥� CEO Dan Nordstrom said in a statement announcing the changes. “We are working with state and local officials to better protect our employees in this environment as we ramp up production in the following days and weeks.鈥�

The exact timeline for ramping up production is still unclear, but the company’s announcement has promised聽140,000聽ASTM聽level-3 (high-barrier) masks per day by April/May;聽50,000聽N95 masks per day by May/June; and “thousands” of聽ASTM level-1 (low-barrier) masks per day by an unspecified date.

To facilitate the drastic change in output, the factory purchased five new machines, one to manufacture surgical masks, two to manufacture molded N95 respirators, and two to manufacture folded N95 respirators, as well as additional equipment to test the N95s. An entire floor of the facility will be converted and used solely for mask production.

“We have made significant resource allocations to this over the last three weeks,” said Jason Duncan, head of tactical innovation and CSR for the company. “We felt we needed to lean in on this due to our unique domestic capabilities. We feel that we can offer a unique perspective due to our quick-pivot raw material, design, and engineering teams.”

Asked if the company will start making other PPE items in addition to masks, Duncan told OBJ, “Our goal for now is to produce surgical masks and N95 respirators. We may move toward other PPE in the future, but that depends on needs and the course of this rapidly changing situation.”

To date, no Outdoor Research employee has tested positive for coronavirus. The company stated that it has “strict daily standard operating procedures for entering buildings, including adequate employee spacing, sanitizing hands and workstations every hour, employee temperature monitoring, and utilizing face coverings.”

The post Outdoor Research Promises 200,000 Masks a Day by June appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Full disclosure: gear is a wicked subjective thing. Always has been, always will be. To curate this list, our team of hardcore鈥攁nd highly opinionated鈥攇earheads pored over hundreds of new product launches, reading the specs and sifting through the marketing promises. We zoomed in on photos and watched embargoed video clips. And we debated. We culled the massive list down once, then made another pass until we had our 50 most coveted products. Then we voted to determine the rankings (we are a democracy, after all). In order of how badly we want to try it, here is Part One of our list of the 50 most exciting product launches for Fall 2019.

1. The North Face FutureLight

THE PROMISE It seeks to solve the waterproof/breathable problem and dethrone Gore-Tex as the gold standard.

THE DEETS聽An industrial process known as nanospinning sprays polymers through up to 220,000 tiny nozzles to create a waterproof yet highly porous mesh-like membrane. Nanoholes allow air to pass through and moisture vapor to escape, keeping users dry and comfortable, not clammy and cold.

THE STOKE Next-level breathability, waterproofness, and sustainability in the shell category. Bring it on.

2. PrimaLoft Biodegradable Fabric

THE PROMISE It will degrade quicker than any other fabric if you bury it in your backyard.

THE DEETS A shell and now a fabric are infused with a food source that attracts microbes at a faster rate when in a landfill. What’s left after the bacteria breaks down the fibers is simply water, carbon dioxide, methane, and natural organic matter鈥攍ike compost. But the biodegradable polyester doesn’t compromise durability.

THE STOKE A fuzzy fabric that vanishes instead of clogging up landfills and polluting oceans? Be still our hearts.

3. Ombraz Armless Sunglasses [$160]

THE PROMISE Cordage, baby: that鈥檚 the future of sunglasses.

THE DEETS The adjustable polyester cord running between the temples and around the back of your head keeps the glasses snug to your face and ditches the possibility of broken glasses arms and head-squeezing pressure. Plus, acting like built-in eyewear retainers, they鈥檙e harder to lose and either hang around your neck when you take them off or function like a headband.

THE STOKE These things look crazy (like a fox), but after an early test, we fell in love. 鈥淣o pinching, no pressure, and steazy AF: Yes, please,鈥� said one tester.

4. Black Diamond Vision Down Parka [$399]

THE PROMISE A puffy tough enough for tree skiing.

THE DEETS According to BD, this burly fabric initially stumped designers because it was so difficult to cut. A polymer weave crisscrossing the 20-denier face fabric adds a lot of durability without penalizing weight. This 800-fill hydrophobic down toaster comes in at an airy one pound, four ounces.

THE STOKE Say goodbye to duct-tape patch jobs on your warmest layer: This one looks rugged enough to dance on in crampons. It could be a revolution in lightweight durability.

5. Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Booties [$69-$89]

THE PROMISE With NASA-designed Aerogel underfoot in these synthetic camp booties, cold doesn鈥檛 stand a chance.

THE DEETS Solid Aerogel won鈥檛 compress like typical insulation, so it鈥檒l keep your feet warm even while you鈥檙e standing on it. Plus, a grippy outsole steadies you on the icy trail to the outhouse. Also available in a low-cut slip-on version.

THE STOKE Aerogel has been popping up more and more in outdoor gear, but its lack of breathability has held it back. The bottom of a camp bootie seems like the ideal application.

6. Marmot West Rib Parka [$600]

THE PROMISE The West Rib features unique gridded down baffles to boost warmth in the extreme cold.

THE DEETS Marmot packed 800-fill down into cube-shaped baffles around the chest of this deep-winter puffy to trap warmth around your body. Synthetic insulation layered between the down and the Pertex Quantum shell material adds weather protection and durability.

THE STOKE We鈥檙e curious about the cubist baffles and layered use of synthetic fill. This thing sounds like a serious volcano.

7. Dahu E鈥檆orce 01 Boot [$TBD]

THE PROMISE It looks and operates like no other ski boot on the market.

THE DEETS The Grilamid shell has cutouts to eliminate pressure points and the liner is beefy enough to walk around in. The unique entry system has hinges at the front and back of the boot, creating a giant opening.

THE STOKE Comfort. Ease of use. Versatility. Boom.

8. Sweet Protection Interstellar Goggle [$220]

THE PROMISE The lens won鈥檛 fog. Period.

DEETS The Gore membrane increases moisture and air transfer, equalizing air pressure and preventing condensation. Retina Illumination Grading increases contrast and enhances vision in low-light conditions, and the carbon-reinforced frame creates a rigid structure for the lens.

THE STOKE Gore-Tex in a goggle? Just plain fascinating.

9. Six Moon Haven DCF Tent [$400]

THE PROMISE This is the ultimate featherweight shelter for fastpacking duos.

THE DEETS The Haven DCF is a shaped, supported tarp made of Dyneema Composite Fabric, which offers extreme durability at a paltry 12-ounce weight. With two doors, a peak height of 45 inches, and 51 square feet of interior space, it can also be paired with the Haven Net Tent to create a fully enclosed double-wall shelter at just one pound, four ounces.

THE STOKE Dyneema tents are the new standard in ultra-ultralight, and this one sets the bar high… er, low.

10. Patagonia Black Hole Collection [starting at $29]

THE PROMISE Every Black Hole pack, duffel, tote, and waist pack gives plastic bottles and factory scraps another life.

THE DEETS It鈥檚 still burly, thanks to 90-denier poly ripstop with a TPU laminate and a DWR finish, but it now uses 100 percent recycled fabric, lining, and webbing.

THE STOKE Tally this up as yet another reason to love our favorite duffel.

11. Black Diamond Equipment JetForce Pro [$1,399]

THE PROMISE It鈥檚 the most advanced avalanche air bag pack out there.

THE DEETS This new version of BD鈥檚 award-winning JetForce series is still rechargeable and travel friendly. But the Pro is modular, letting you zip on and off a 10-, 25-, 35-, or 25-liter splitboard booster pack, making it super-versatile.

THE STOKE The modular design sets rippers up to stay safe on any day.

12. Tecnica Forge Winter [$300]

THE PROMISE Get a customized fit in a ready-for-winter hiker.

THE DEETS Like its three-season counterpart, the Forge Winter features in-store custom shaping for a perfect fit. It also adds Vibram鈥檚 Arctic Grip outsole and a Gore-Tex insulated comfort lining for waterproof/breathable insulation.

THE STOKE We fell in love with the original Forge, so a warm, winterized version is a no-brainer.

13. Rab Verglas Jacket [$375]

THE PROMISE It combines the best features of a parka and a shell鈥攚ithout turning you into a hot mess.

THE DEETS The Verglas is packed with 750-fill hydrophobic down for warmth, and Gore-Tex Shakedry over the 20-denier Pertex Quantum makes it waterproof while keeping it lightweight and mega-breathable.

THE STOKE For cold days with precip, this puffy looks like a winner if Shakedry can hold up to abuse.

14. Fischer Urban Cross-Country Ski Boot [$189]

THE PROMISE This is the first Nordic ski boot designed to take you from home to trail to apr茅s.

THE DEETS With a sneaker-like sole and chukka-style upper, you鈥檇 never know this was a cross-country ski boot. Designed for skiers less focused on racing and performance and more on casual exercise, it鈥檚 compatible with Fischer Turnamics and any NNN compatible binding.

THE STOKE Nordic boots have never looked so good.

15. Julbo Reactiv Performance Lenses [Starting at $210]

THE PROMISE Ski from dawn to dusk on bright bluebirds or during storm sessions.

THE DEETS The lenses鈥攁vailable in both shades and goggles鈥攎agically transition from clear (87 percent visible light transmission) to dark (12 percent VLT) in record time: roughly 20 seconds.

THE STOKE These just might be the one-quiver shades and goggles we鈥檝e been looking for.

16. Holden Outerwear Corkshell Summit Bib [$600]

THE PROMISE Cork is the insulation of the future.

THE DEETS These bibs (and their matching jacket) incorporate Schoeller鈥檚 recycled cork content to add heat retention without the bulk of traditional lofted insulation.

THE STOKE We鈥檙e always intrigued when brands find new ways to recycle materials, and companies have been chasing warmth without bulk for ages. Could this be the one that actually delivers?

17. G3 FindR Skis [$869-$919]

THE PROMISE Leave the ski straps at home. Magnets hold these skis together.

THE DEETS Updated for 2019, the powder-cruising FINDr series now features magnetic contact points, making bootpack transitions quick and easy, and eliminating the need for straps when shouldering your skis.

THE STOKE Pick 鈥榚m up, stick 鈥榚m together, walk away. Sounds pretty slick.

18. Blizzard Zero G 95 [$840]

THE PROMISE It鈥檚 typically either/or: lightweight or stiffness. These are your new no-compromise skis.

THE DEETS The Zero G 95 touring ski strikes the ideal balance between uphill comfort and downhill charging, thanks to a carbon fiber frame that鈥檚 integrated over the wood core to reduce weight for speed on the skin track while still delivering a high level of stiffness for downhill performance.

THE STOKE Light feet on the uphill and stiff shred-ability on the down? 鈥楴uf said.

19. Smartwool Intraknit 200 Base Layers [starting at $120]

THE PROMISE It鈥檚 the ultimate in body mapping.

THE DEETS Intraknit technology is a first-in-industry 3D knitting technique that can marry different weights of fabric into a single garment, without the use of seams. (The company already uses the technology in its socks.)

THE STOKE This sounds very much like the FuseForm tech that (sister company) The North Face introduced in shells a few years back. The concept makes even more sense in baselayers, where multiple seams can make body-mapped baselayers chafe in all the wrong places.

20. GoLite ReFill Eco 100 Jacket [$250]

THE PROMISE Keep warm and divert green plastic bottles from the landfill.

THE DEETS At a Taiwanese recycling plant, volunteers collect and sort bottles, and GoLite snags the ones nobody else wants鈥攖he green ones鈥攁nd turns them into dye-free clothing, like this PrimaLoft Silver Eco-filled puffy.

THE STOKE Recycled products are nothing new, but we dig how GoLite found a way to use the bottles that stump other apparel makers.

21. Mammut Meron IN [$449]

THE PROMISE It鈥檚 as warm as you can get, without the bulk.

THE DEETS Premium 900-fill down is shelled with a lightweight, water-repellent Toray ripstop nylon and lined with an equally light, semi-transparent lining that traps the down.

THE STOKE It鈥檚 hard to make a puffy this warm not look like a Michelin man. This one does it through the magic of smart patterning.

22. Salomon S/Pro Boot Collection [$800]

THE PROMISE Get a custom-like fit, without all the hassle and expense.

THE DEETS Salomon digitally scanned more than 4,000 feet to identify a shell that鈥檚 compatible with 70 percent of the European/North American market without needing any significant modification.

THE STOKE Any respectable skier knows that custom-molding your boots is mandatory. Our apologies to all the boot-fitters out there, but this could be good.

23. Atomic Savor [$1,545]

THE PROMISE It鈥檚 the ultimate starter kit.

THE DEETS In an effort to combat exhaustion, soreness, and complicated equipment, Savor includes painless-entry boots, easy-to-handle skis, and a comfortable helmet designed specifically for rookies.

THE STOKE Want to get your SO on the slopes with you? This package might be your ticket to paradise.

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