Getting outside for a winter workout can seem intimidating. Less daylight and more windchill means extra thought to prepare for the conditions and exertion ahead. You need to pick the right apparel to minimize dangerously cold sweat from within, while maximizing warmth and protection from the outer elements. Thankfully, there are simple solutions: dressing in layers that can be shed or replaced depending on energy output and selecting high-performance products that are purpose-built to mitigate moisture. The items below represent the key pieces of a complete cold-weather kit for proper layering, effective moisture management, and, most importantly, high comfort. They鈥檒l keep you from guessing what to wear and ready for any winter activity, whether you鈥檙e sweating small errands or big endurance goals.

Base Layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew + Bottom

Smartwool lets the premium merino wool do the heavy lifting for this 100% merino slim-fit layer set ( + , + ). The intrinsic suppleness and moisture-mitigating properties of premium wool perform when you鈥檙e moving in cold temps. Smartwool sweetened the deal with comfort-focused design details, like flat, fit-enhancing seams to maximize warmth and minimize chafe.

Lightweight Shell: Summit Series Superior FUTURELIGHT Jacket

Think of a lightweight shell as a winter comfort seatbelt: incredibly important to have even if you don鈥檛 need it. While on, regularly earn top breathability marks, thanks to The North Face鈥檚 proprietary fabric. Stowed, this Summit Series shell can be packed into its own internal pocket and slipped into a backpack if you begin overheating during a midwinter run.

Insulated Layer: Smartwool Smartloft Jacket

Inevitably鈥攚hether from sweat, rain, or snow鈥攃ommitted and prospective winter athletes alike will get wet. And SmartLoft鈥檚 recycled-wool insulation is here for that with its magical ability to retain warmth even when soaked. Stretch merino fleece in the and delivers next-to-skin comfort that鈥檚 up to luxury lodge loungewear standards, while still doing the hard work of keeping you comfortable in extreme elements.

Heated Hands: Black Diamond Solano Heated Gloves

Yes, these are expensive ($400). But the first time you press the well-designed button that toggles through three heat settings鈥攁nd transforms miserably frozen digits into happy fingers in seconds鈥攜ou鈥檒l never go back to lesser gloves. They aren鈥檛 all innovative electronics, however: these gloves are built with hardy goat leather and a nice Gore-Tex insert. They鈥檙e ready to thrive on any level of expedition, from local firsts to ends of the earth.

Down/Insulated Pants: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Pant

Down pants are unparalleled in both comfort creation on a freezing powder day and nerdiness when worn alone. Cotopaxi broke this paradigm when making the handsomely color-blocked . These durable, DWR-treated pants don鈥檛 sleep on technical details, like an ergonomic waistband and ample leg zippers that play well with shoes.

Insulated Water Bottle: Yeti Rambler 18-Ounce Insulated Water Bottle with Chug Cap

It鈥檚 no overstatement to say that this vacuum-sealed bottle is the last one you鈥檒l ever have to buy. Rest assured you鈥檒l have warm hydration available in the cold for the rest of your recreating days. In typical Yeti fashion, the is so dishwasher-safe that the brand checked that longevity alongside the life of an entire dishwasher. In other words, you will burn through appliances much faster than this premium vessel.

Midlayer: Smartwool Smartloft Vest听

The right vest, like this DWR-finished, stretchy option from Smartwool, is a secret weapon in any winter layering kit. The and offer the perfect thermal bump to your midsection and won鈥檛 hold too much moisture even during extreme exertion. It鈥檒l keep your arms unencumbered and limber to push ski poles or swing an ice tool, or simply pack as lightweight backup warmth on a winter hike.

Hydration Backpack: Camelbak Zoid

It鈥檚 easy to forget to stay hydrated in winter, as sweat evaporates and thirst lowers in the cold. But dehydration is just as problematic as in summer months. Versatile snow-sport-specific hydration packs, like the two-liter , make it easier than ever to carry plenty of water for a big day of activity. The insulated pack won鈥檛 freeze up in extreme cold, and its low profile plays nice with a chairlift.

Undergarments: Smartwool Merino Briefs + Sports Bra

When layering up for extreme weather, don鈥檛 forget the most sensitive parts of your body. The and (plus ) move moisture efficiently, courtesy of Smartwool鈥檚 Intraknit technology, to deliver extra support where your body needs it during jarring activities like an icy winter run.

Recovery Slipper: The North Face ThermoBall Traction Mules V Slipper

There are few feelings as glorious as transitioning from cold, wet, snow-crusted footwear into toasty slippers. have long set the standard, with ample synthetic insulation that breathes well while providing a primo lush fit, plus outsole traction that鈥檚 ready for any slippery ski area lot.

Waterproof Trail Runners: Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Low 2

This of the proven Lone Peak relies on a sterling waterproof-breathable membrane to shield against snow and rain while venting interior moisture. Though short on vowels, the ALL-WTHR goes big on its readiness for your most foul-weather winter endeavors, thanks to its combo of moisture-mitigating bootie-like qualities and a heavily lugged, high-traction outsole.

Ski/Snow Socks: Smartwool Ski Targeted Cushion Extra Stretch Over the Calf Sock

Your feet are the engine for your human-powered adventures, and warm, dry, comfortable feet result in happy outings this time of year. Smartwool鈥檚 latest and merino ski and snow socks offer a near-custom level of snugness courtesy of the brand鈥檚 4 Degree Elite Fit System. The Virtually Seamless toes work in combination with the premium wool to keep your dogs from barking in the extreme cold.

Based in Denver, 听is a sock and apparel brand whose products are designed to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool and to bring comfort, confidence, and community to a life lived outside. For information on the full range of Smartwool products, visit听.

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One of the things we love about winter: getting outside means something different for everyone. But one thing uniting us is the quest for comfort. Whether your winter days entail hard-charging ski turns, hammering on a fat bike, running snow-dusted trails, or strolling straight from sledding to apr猫s, maximum comfort comes from smart layering. Here鈥檚 how to choose and manage everything from what you wear next-to-skin to what protects you from the elements.

The basics haven鈥檛 changed. Start with a base layer, which provides next-to-skin warmth and moisture management. Now add and remove midlayers as conditions change, and always think preventively: remove a layer before you start sweating and add one before you get chilled. What has changed? , which up your layering game with cutting-edge innovations like 3D knitting that allow targeted ventilation, insulation, and articulation, all with minimal seams for pure comfort and nearly zero manufacturing waste. When worn over Smartwool鈥檚 Intraknit Base Layers, which debuted the 3D wool knitting process, the new Midlayer collection makes wool-upon-wool layering better than ever鈥攇reat fit, great temperature control.

Yes, it鈥檚 as cozy as it sounds, and Smartwool鈥檚 new Intraknit collection has an option for everyone and every activity. The Merino Midlayers come in all sizes, including plus sizes, and are available in three specific systems: Sport, Tech, and Fleece. Combine them with the Thermal Base Layer collection, and you have the perfect system.

How It Works

The problem with conventional base layers? Purely synthetic ones can feel waxy and cold against the skin, and some wool ones can feel baggy and heavy when wet. Smartwool鈥檚 Intraknit Thermal Base Layer collection solves these issues with key innovations, like combining merino with stretchy polyester and elastane fibers. This means you get the best of both worlds鈥攚here the softness of merino meets the durability and quick-drying performance of additional materials. The yarn is 3D knitted for ultimate fit, even when damp, and strategic body mapping enhances ventilation, insulation, and mobility.

Next, enhance your experience by layering on any of the new Intraknit Midlayers鈥擲port for lightweight and packable protection, Tech for unrestricted movement and warmth without bulk, and Fleece for start-and-stop activities鈥攁re all 3D knit for optimum comfort and breathability. And they鈥檙e precisely designed to layer over Intraknit Thermal Base Layers, aligning ventilation panels and articulation points for a system that works perfectly. Bonus: select Intraknit Midlayers feature wind protection and abrasion resistance, and some even have a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment that sheds snow and rain, so they can serve as outer layers as well.

Why Merino

What makes merino wool the best choice for winter layering? First, it has a natural ability to regulate your body temperature. At the microscopic level, individual porous fibers allow air permeability, so wool garments are highly breathable. That same permeability means wool pulls hot vapor off your skin and into the fibers themselves, while airflow keeps you from feeling clammy from sweat. Merino is also extremely soft鈥攁 fiber of the Smartwool uses is a third the diameter of a human hair. Plus Merino has natural odor-fighting capabilities. It鈥檚 also renewable and biodegradable, making it a wonder fabric that鈥檚 both good for the planet and good for performance.

Ultimate Versatility

Intraknit Merino Midlayers defy conventional layering categories. They provide warmth, like a thin down puffy jacket, but are a lot more breathable and won鈥檛 cause you to overheat. They provide comfort, like a cozy sweatshirt, but with better insulation and fit. Whether you prioritize soft natural fiber or best-in-class mobility, Intraknit will become your grab-and-go layer while you ski, snowshoe, ride, sled, travel, hike, and relax鈥攁ll winter long.

It鈥檚 the new way to layer. And you鈥檒l never go back.

Based in Denver, Colorado, is a sock and apparel brand whose products are designed to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool and to bring comfort, confidence, and community to a life lived outside. For information on the full range of Smartwool products, visit .

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Colorado-based VF Corporation announced in an internal email yesterday that, beginning January 1 of next year, the company will require all office-based U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Affected employees who do not secure an approved exemption by January 31 will be terminated without severance, according to a company official.

“Associates who are unable to receive a vaccine due to a medical reason, sincerely held religious belief, or other exemption provided by state or local law can request an accommodation/exemption,” wrote VF senior director of corporate affairs Colin Wheeler in an email to OBJ today. “If any associate does not have proof of an accommodation by January 1, they will be prevented from accessing our facilities and will be required to work from home, while they consult with their manager on next steps. If by January 31, they have not received an approved accommodation, they will be separated from the company and will not receive severance.”

Wheeler emphasized that the new rule affects only office-based U.S. employees for now. The company plans to roll out the next phase of its vaccine requirements for other U.S. associates in the spring.

“Given differences in local and national regulations, our EMEA [Europe, Middle East, and Africa] and APAC [Asia-Pacific] regions will continue to determine the most effective ways to ensure the health and safety of our associates in those regions,” Wheeler said. “As such, they are not subject to this new requirement.”

So far, employee response to the new regulation has been “relatively quiet,” according to the company. VF said that it hopes the advance notice of the new rule, coupled with transparency at the corporate decision-making level, will give all employees “the opportunity to make plans that are right for them.”

VF declined to specify how many employees are affected by the mandate.

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One day last summer, Anne Wiper, Smartwool鈥檚 vice president of product innovation, found herself in her kitchen, jamming old socks into her Cuisinart. On average, a garbage truck鈥檚 worth of textiles is thrown away every second, and Wiper knew that socks are one of the most discarded items. She wanted to see what would happen if she blended some up. What would the consistency be? Could they be repurposed into something new?

Dozens of outdoor brands have been exploring creative ways to keep their gear out of landfills, either by upcycling scrap material into new items or by collecting, repairing, and reselling used products.

鈥淭here鈥檚 business value and environmental value,鈥� said Amy Horton, senior director for sustainable business innovation at Outdoor Industry Association. 鈥淭he outdoor industry is in a unique position for reuse. We make gear that鈥檚 meant to last a long time and stand up to quite a bit of wear and tear.鈥�

The concept of upcycled outdoor gear goes back at least to 2009, when JanSport launched a collection of backpacks made from the scraps of old packs returned under warranty. Since its founding in 2014, Cotopaxi has made scrap materials part of its aesthetic. In 2019, Patagonia launched its ReCrafted program, making new products from remnants of its old clothes. This spring, NEMO introduced the Chipper, a foldable seat cushion made of foam scraps reclaimed from its sleeping pad production, and Fj盲llr盲ven announced a collection called Samlaren (Swedish for 鈥済atherer鈥�), which uses surplus fabric to make funky, multi-toned jackets, backpacks, and totes. The trend is gaining traction in tech, too. In March, a British sustainable design company called Gomi launched a portable speaker made from the repurposed battery cells of Lime e-bikes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see all of these brands piloting ways to reclaim materials and remanufacture them into something else,鈥� Horton said. 鈥淏ut to really scale it throughout the industry you have to think about whole new business models that allow you to grow without being dependent on making new stuff from new materials.鈥�

And that鈥檚 precisely what many outdoor companies are trying to do. No brand has turned upcycling into a cash cow as of yet, and the collections are typically small, niche, and short-lived. But the potential is there: the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that $100 billion worth of textile fibers are thrown away each year. Upcycled products can also appeal to a broader customer base鈥擣j盲llr盲ven鈥檚 Samlaren collection, for example, is sold at retailers like Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters.

This pursuit of circularity鈥攚here a product is kept in use for as long as possible and then recycled鈥攊s accelerating in the outdoor industry. In 2019, the resale market grew 25 times faster than traditional retail, according to GlobalData Retail. Younger consumers are especially drawn to secondhand stuff. Traditional retailers like REI have vast inventories of used gear, and third-party vendors like Trove and The Renewal Workshop help brands refurbish and resell their used apparel and gear.

鈥淓ach one of our products has a footprint,鈥� said Corey Simpson, communications manager for Patagonia, which launched its Worn Wear program in 2017. 鈥淲e want you to buy it for the right reasons, care for it, repair it when needed, and give it back to us at the end of its life for recycling.鈥� In May, Arc鈥檛eryx announced its ReBird platform to sell used, repaired, and upcycled gear. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a growth opportunity,鈥� said Katie Wilson, Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 senior manager for social and environmental sustainability. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 legitimately good for the environment as well. I hope we can transform ourselves into a business that does more good the more we grow.鈥�

As for Wiper鈥檚 blended-up socks, turns out they make great stuffing. Smartwool collected tens of thousands of old socks and will use them to make dog beds it will sell come fall. It鈥檚 the pilot program of the brand鈥檚 sustainability road map that envisions 100 percent circularity by 2030.

鈥淭his is just the beginning,鈥� said Alicia Chin, Smartwool鈥檚 senior manager of sustainability and social impact. 鈥淲e want to spin old socks into new yarn to make beanies, gloves, and even new socks.鈥�

Sometimes moving forward looks like going around in a circle.

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I鈥檝e poured over to find the best deals on hiking gear that I鈥檝e used for years. There鈥檚 nothing too technical or niche here, just good quality stuff that鈥檚 versatile, durable, and withstands wear. Everything on this list performs great in the field, and most of these pieces function capably in other areas of life, too. Whether you鈥檙e planning a backpacking trip or looking for gear that makes family-friendly hiking easier, you can count on these seven items to work well and last a long time. And听they鈥檙e all on sale right now.听

Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles ($105; 25 Percent听Off)

When I first started using trekking poles, I was surprised at how much balance and support they provided. They鈥檙e also fun; I like the repetition and focus they create when I plant them with each step. The听听is听lightweight, stowable, easy to use, and rigid when you require听support.听

These poles feature a ton of great听features. First, they combine the best of both worlds: the stowability and simplicity of foldable models with the length customization of telescoping ones (I like to lengthen my poles an inch or two on the descent). The three-section听streamlined design collapses down small (13 to 16 inches, depending on the听size), making them easy to pack, and there鈥檚 really no听bulky hardware that might snag on loose clothing. There鈥檚 a听minimal locking mechanism on the top section that听allows up听to听eight extra inches of adjustability, but it doesn鈥檛 get in the way.听

I trust the Distance FLZ听to help me navigate loose rock, tangled roots, and ever听changing terrain. Its听rubber tech tips are precise, and the low-profile stopper baskets don鈥檛 trip me up when I鈥檓 moving quickly. The hand grips are comfortable and breathable (the grips on the are slightly shorter), and the wrist straps are easy to slip in and out of. The sliding lock听requires听a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, deploying them takes a couple seconds, and once they鈥檙e locked in place, they鈥檙e solid.

听

Salomon 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots ($172; 25 Percent听Off)

听is an听exceptional all-around hiking boot听that straddles the line between backpacking and day-hiking footwear. It听isn鈥檛听the lightest boot, nor is it听especially听rugged, but it听offers a great mix of features to make it more than听suitable for most adventures on the trail.听

I鈥檝e worn the Quest听year-round on routes听that involved climbing slick and muddy switchbacks, in peak summer temperatures as well as听in pouring rain, and high in the mountains, slogging up scree slopes and over glaciated alpine terrain. It鈥檚听comfortable right out of the box, cushioned, sturdy, provides听excellent听ankle support, and听manages to be both breathable and waterproof (often a tough combo to achieve). This is my go-to hiking footwear because I know I can put them through anything. To borrow from John Cameron Swayze鈥檚 famous Timex tagline:听these boots can take a lickin鈥� and keep on kickin鈥�.

Nalgene Sustain 32-Ounce Wide-Mouth Water Bottle ($7; 50 Percent Off)

The is iconic for two reasons: it鈥檚 simple and it works. First created in 1940 for laboratory use, it quickly entered the mainstream and has been a staple on hiking trails for the past 70 years. Now it鈥檚 the reusable bottle of choice for, well,听almost everyone. It鈥檚 leakproof, odor-proof,听and damn听near bulletproof. You鈥檒l lose this plastic bottle before you break it鈥攁nd if it does break, it鈥檚 backed by Nalgene鈥檚 limited lifetime warranty. The Sustain听is made of Tritan Renew, a next-gen recycled resin that turns plastic destined for landfills into BPA, BPS, and phthalate-free bottles (eight听single-use plastic bottles are recycled to produce one Nalgene Sustain).

The easy-to-use design hasn鈥檛 changed since its inception鈥攊t鈥檚 a plastic bottle and a screw-top lid鈥攁nd it鈥檚 compatible with many water-filtration systems. There鈥檚 a , but I prefer听the wide-mouth bottle because it鈥檚 more versatile;听you can toss in ice cubes, and you can fill听it with听more than just liquid (perhaps听last night鈥檚 leftover pasta for tomorrow鈥檚 hike). Whether it鈥檚 covered in stickers from gear shops across the country or sports听a new national-park graphic design, one thing鈥檚 for certain: you can鈥檛 go wrong with a good ol鈥� reusable water bottle.听

Matador NanoDry Towel ($26; 25 Percent Off)

I鈥檓 a fan of Matador鈥檚 superlight, super-compact because it鈥檚 a great take-with-you-everywhere towel. Over the past five years, I鈥檝e brought听it hiking, paddleboarding, camping, to the beach and听the playground,听and just about everywhere else that might require such a necessity. It has also taken听a fair share of abuse听yet is听still in essentially the same condition as when I first got it.听

This ultrathin nanofiber towel stuffs into its own unique silicone case, and with the sturdy carabiner clip, it attaches to the outside of a backpack, which is where it lives permanently for me. Smaller and lighter than my iPhone, it takes up almost no space or weight; with the case, the whole unit weighs five ounces, but the towel itself is only 2.4 ounces. Its size is that of a standard bath towel:听47 by听24 inches. Although it boasts high absorbency, if you take a lake听dip midhike, you鈥檒l probably have to wring the towel out a couple times to get completely dry, given how thin it is. It dries just as quickly听as other microfiber towels I鈥檝e used, but it doesn鈥檛 seem to pick up odors or debris like grass or dirt the same way. If you鈥檙e looking for the kind of result you get from drying your hair and body with a cushy bath towel, this isn鈥檛 it. But if you need a towel that dries sufficiently听and will work听in a pinch and on听the听go, the NanoDry does the job.听

REI Co-op Talusphere Rain Pants ($63; 30 Percent听Off)

The 听is听a versatile pair of rain pants that can handle anything from a big downpour听to an afternoon thunderstorm.听They鈥檙e also good for everyday off-trail use, like walking the dog in the rain or hanging with your kid at the playground. Constructed from REI鈥檚 proprietary 2.5-layer breathable laminate, these pants pack down into their own pocket for easy stowing. And although not generally as durable or as heavy as three-layer rain pants, they鈥檒l see you through most听trail pursuits just fine. Tightly sealed pockets keep your essentials dry, and the polyester fabric is quiet (read: it won鈥檛 sound like you鈥檙e walking with two garbage bags rubbing against each other).听

The Talusphere听unzips to mid-calf, so putting them on over hiking boots is easy听enough, while听the generous fit means they can be听donned over an existing layer or two. The elastic waistband and four-way-stretch fabric are听comfortable and facilitate seemless movement, and the hem drawcord and fabric tab over the ankle zipper keep听rain and debris out. A听range of sizing options means you can pick the best fit; these include听听(XS to XL), 听(S to XL), 听(S to XL), 听(S to XXL) and听听(S to XXL). The one downside: they don鈥檛 have vents, but if you don鈥檛 need something too technical and you don鈥檛 plan to log a ton of miles in inclement weather, the Talusphere听is听a solid pick that will keep you dry.

Arc鈥檛eryx Atom LT Insulated Jacket ($179;听25 Percent Off)

Arc鈥檛eryx is known for making high-performance products that last, but those听also often come with a听high-performance price tag, which is why any discount on its听gear is something to get excited about. The Atom LT is a supercomfortable midlayer (not to mention an听essential piece of hiking gear to own) that doubles as an outer layer, thanks to DWR coating that allows rain to bead off rather than soak in. After four years, my Atom LT shows almost no signs of wear; the wrist cuffs are just as snug, the color just as black, and the zipper functions听like it did on day one. The synthetic Coreloft insulation, an alternative to down, will keep you warm, but not too warm; in the Pacific Northwest, where I鈥檓 based, I get four-season use from听this jacket.听

This Atom LT sits midhip and has a narrow cut, so you won鈥檛 fit much underneath except a base layer or light shirt, but it wears well as part of a layering system with an outer shell. Zippered pockets include an inner one at chest level and two hand warmers. What I like most about this jacket is that it doesn鈥檛 feel restrictive; the stretchy, breathable, fleece-lined side panels allow for free movement. Whether I鈥檓 scrambling听up loose rocks or crouching down to tie my son鈥檚 shoes for the umpteenth time, this jacket works with me, not against me. Sizes range from XS to XL for听听and S to XXL for听, and as an added bonus, the jacket is听backed by Arc鈥檛eryx鈥檚 limited lifetime warranty.

Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks ($17; 25 Percent Off)

Socks can make or break your hiking experience. Bad socks cause blisters, result in听sweaty feet, don鈥檛 stay in place, and are generally a pain in the butt. Good听socks do the opposite, wicking听moisture,听reducing听friction, regulating听temperature, and generally staying put. I always recommend investing in two pairs of hiking socks: one to wear, and one as a backup.听

These Smartwool socks hug your feet in all the right spots, providing cushioning, compression and ventilation where it鈥檚 needed most, which is along the top of the foot and up the shaft of the sock to help dump heat. Made with over 50 percent merino wool,听the Performance Hike socks听have light cushioning along the bottom and听mesh worked in throughout key areas to add breathability. Best of all, they don鈥檛 move around or bunch up. The crew听version hits approximately听mid-calf听and is a solid听choice if you鈥檙e wearing hiking boots or want some extra coverage against the environment. These socks come in both 听(S to XL) and 听(S to L) versions, but for something that sits lower on the leg, the Mid Crews (designed for听听and听) have all the same features鈥攖hey鈥檙e just shorter.听

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Earth Day is upon us once more. Ahead of the big day tomorrow, brands small and large across the industry are spreading the word about ways to get involved. As outdoor enthusiasts and businesspeople, our home planet, as Patagonia calls it, supports us in everything we do. Consider taking a little extra time tomorrow to look after that planet in whatever way you can. If you need some inspiration for doing good this Earth Day, here are five ways you can pitch in.

Donate Shoes to Divert Them from the Landfill

Footwear is notoriously under-recycled and terrible for the environment when it ends up in landfills. 国产吃瓜黑料, our parent company, has launched a shoe drive in cooperation with the Tennessee-based organization this Earth Day to collect used footwear and make sure it doesn’t end up in the dump. Each pair donated will either be recycled or shipped to micro-enterprises around the world with the aim of alleviating poverty in developing countries.

Give Your Old Socks Second Life

While you’re at it, you might as well deal with all those ratty, worn-down socks taking up space in your dresser drawer, too. Smartwool has launched an initiative called the Second Cut Project that takes old socks and upcycles them into new products like dog beds.

Starting today through May 2, consumers can celebrate Earth Day by recycling any brand or material of sock in any condition (as long as they鈥檙e clean) at drop-off bins at more than 250 participating specialty retailers nationwide. A pre-paid postage recycling bag that fits ten to 15 pairs of socks is also available through the Smartwool website when a purchase is made.

Go Earth Day 鈥淧logging鈥� with Fj盲llr盲ven

Plogging is the Swedish activity of picking up trash while walking or jogging. It’s a great way to get out of the house with a purpose tomorrow. To celebrate Earth Day this year, Fj盲llr盲ven will be offering plogging kits free for pickup at any North American brand center. Anyone who picks up a kit will also get a coupon for $50 off their next in-store purchase.

Shop Online to Support Wild Spaces

Starting today and running through April 27, the Conservation Alliance鈥檚 annual #WeKeepItWild campaign is bringing together outdoor brands that will donate five percent of online sales to support wild spaces. Participating companies this year include Backpacker鈥檚 Pantry, Gregory Packs, Helly Hansen, Royal Robbins, Ruffwear, Toad&Co, and more. If you’re planning some online shopping this week, make sure it’s with a brand that has signed up for the campaign.

Make a Pledge to Clean up Public Lands

#PickUpAmerica, an initiative from the RV brand Thor, is challenging outdoor lovers to hold themselves accountable for cleaning up public lands. The campaign includes a pledge measured in garbage bags: 鈥淚 pledge to be the difference and clean up: X garbage bag(s) of trash from public lands,鈥� the promise states, asking users to fill in a number of bags. Participants are prompted to give their name and email address to hold themselves accountable.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the planet and make our shared spaces a little cleaner this Earth Day, head over to the website and commit yourself to a few bags.

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During the holiday shopping rush, stocking stuffers often become second-tier gifts,听obligatory trinkets. We think that鈥檚 the wrong approach. (Smaller gifts often听get used the most!) Here鈥檚 our list of smart, fun, and useful presents that will fit听in socks hung above the听fireplace听and make anyone happy on Christmas morning鈥攁nd well afterward.听

UCO听Titan Stormproof Match Kit ($10)

waterproof case holds 12听matches, so it鈥檚 perfect for the backcountry skier or winter camper on your list and should live in their safety kit at all times. Once they鈥檙e听lit, they鈥檒l burn for up to 15 seconds, which is handy听for starting fires during听emergencies or in suboptimal conditions.

Printworks Classic Dominos ($32)

We鈥檙e all spending more time inside nowadays, so games have taken on a new importance. If you鈥檙e tired of playing cards, Scrabble, and Monopoly, pull out these beautiful 听to create hours of entertainment for the entire family. Practice your skills, then do your best impression of Ice Cube from .听

Field Notes National Parks Three-Pack ($13)

Keeping a journal often helps me during hard times. Writing down your thoughts and feelings鈥攂oth the good and difficult ones鈥攎akes them easier to process. These are a great starting point, because they鈥檙e small enough to go everywhere with you听and beautiful if they just sit on your desk at home.听

Voormi Everyday Gaiter ($35)

This is currently my most used piece of gear. Designed to be an everyday COVID mask, it鈥檚 a high-quality wool with ear loops to ensure it stays up. When you鈥檙e driving or between stops, it conveniently rests around your neck. I鈥檓 also excited to use it as my main face covering for warmth and safety this ski season.

Huckberry Beanie ($28)

Made from an acrylic-wool blend, this is ideal for cold walks with the dog听or even backcountry skiing, but it鈥檚 not too thick or warm that I can鈥檛 wear it to stay cozy while working from home. Made in Japan and available in a ton of colors, it looks great听on everyone and goes with nearly any outfit.听

Jacobsen Salt Co. Habanero Salt ($11)

Jacobsen produces the best salt I鈥檝e ever tasted (it鈥檚 hard to use anything else once you tried this brand), and adds a nice kick to a number of dishes. Sprinkle it on your eggs in the morning, add it to the rim of a cocktail in the afternoon, and eat it on your grilled chicken at dinner.

Urban Agriculture Grow Your Own Christmas Tree ($25)

Here鈥檚 a that truly keeps on giving. Thanks to easy instructions, you鈥檒l have a spruce sprout in a couple months. After one year of indoor growth, it鈥檒l be ready to plant outside. You can then leave it forever, or give it a handful of years and cut it down when you鈥檙e ready to celebrate Christmas around your very own hand-grown tree.

Cool Material Space Candle ($24)

Does space actually have a scent? Is that some sort of Zen koan? Either way, it鈥檚 a cool and ambitious idea to try and package what it might smell like out there. Give to the space lover in your family, and they鈥檒l be excited to light it up.听

PhD Outdoor Ultra Light Grateful Dead x听Smartwool Print Crew Socks ($27)

Fire on the Mountain, a short movie by Chris Benchetler that鈥檚 set to a Grateful Dead soundtrack, is by far my favorite ski film this season. It doesn鈥檛 try to impress us听but instead just celebrates what it means to be outside. Along with the film, Benchetler also helped create a handful of Grateful Dead鈥搃nspired Smartwool products, including , which are perfect for lounging around the house听or for quick hikes on the trail.

Oura Ring Health Tracker ($300)

This is an expensive stocking stuffer, but it鈥檚 one that the right recipient will really love. As a , it鈥檚 less cumbersome听than a watch听and accurately tracks everything from your workouts听to steps听to sleep. I鈥檓 now completely addicted and also like the way it looks. My suggestion: go with the Heritage version in black.

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VF Corporation, the parent company of Smartwool, Timberland, and听The North Face, announced today that it has signed听a definitive merger agreement to acquire the direct-to-consumer streetwear company Supreme. The deal is set to be completed before the end of the year.

Supreme, which sells apparel, accessories, and footwear, is no stranger to the outdoor industry. The brand has听collaborated for years听with Timberland and The North Face; its latest crossover project is a new听TNF jacket collection听for fall 2020. Well known for its direct-to-consumer digital presence, the company will bolster VF’s efforts to transition to a more digital-first business model, according to a statement released today.

“The Supreme brand will further accelerate VF鈥檚 hyper-digital business model transformation,” said VF CEO Steve Rendle. “VF is the ideal steward to honor the authentic heritage of this cultural lifestyle brand while providing the opportunity to leverage our scale and expertise to enable sustainable long-term growth.”

James Jebbia, Supreme’s founder, said of the merger, “We are proud to join VF, a world-class company that is home to great brands we鈥檝e worked with for years. This partnership will maintain our unique culture and independence, while allowing us to grow on the same path we鈥檝e been on since 1994.鈥�

In its announcement, VF says that Supreme “offers a $1 billion global opportunity over time through international and direct-to-consumer expansion, core pillars of VF鈥檚 2024 strategy.” The new brand is expected to contribute at least $500 million in revenue to VF by 2022.

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VF Corporation听released its 2020 Inclusion and Diversity Annual Profile听to the public in recent days, providing an in-depth look at the company鈥檚 global efforts to create a highly inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity among its 50,000 employees.

The report鈥攖he first disseminated to a public audience鈥攃ommunicates some encouraging numbers. According to the data,听55 percent of VF’s U.S. workforce is composed of BIPOC employees (Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color), up 7 percent since the company started tracking the statistic in 2015. Also impressive is the report’s confirmation that 57 percent of new VF hires in the last year were BIPOC individuals.

According to Reggie Miller, VP of global inclusion and diversity, the company鈥檚 emphasis to drive these efforts began in earnest five years ago. VF hired Miller to improve diversity practices in May 2017, and one of the first things he did was establish an executive inclusion and diversity council of leaders from each of the VF brands鈥攊ncluding The North Face, Icebreaker, Smartwool, JanSport, Altra, Timberland, and 12 others鈥攖hat meets quarterly. The group is headed by VF chief executive听Steve Rendle.

We connected with Miller for an exclusive Zoom interview about what鈥檚 behind VF鈥檚 report, the key takeaways, and how VF hopes to drive change around inclusion, diversity, and belonging throughout the outdoor industry.

First, is this the first inclusion and diversity report VF has done?

No, we’ve done them it internally before. But this is the first time that we posted it externally on our website and have it available for anyone to look at. It’s the next stage in our journey towards complete transparency and it helps drive accountability for us as a company.

Why is it important for VF to put out this report?

For one thing, we wanted to showcase our journey through these efforts. We’ve been working on this for five years, and along the way, we鈥檝e done things that we’re very proud of and we’ve made mistakes. We’ve progressed in some ways and not enough in other areas. This report allows us to be really, really transparent and accountable, not only to our employees but also for the entire industry.

We’re typically a company that will let our actions speak for themselves. I think this is a perfect example of that. The things you see in this report encompass one fiscal year and speak to how we’ve grown over time to be able to get here. Five years ago, we couldn’t put out a report like this. But we want to be able to showcase to other companies that we’re not perfect. We know we still have a lot of work to do, but we wanted to take a moment to celebrate where we’re at.

Can you tell us what happened internally at the company after the murder of George Floyd?

We quickly held a meeting of the executive inclusion and diversity council. We knew that we had made progress around people of color, but that we had to do better. We needed to accelerate our work to really drive the BIPOC population in leadership positions within the company.

Steve Rendle issued a statement first to our employees and then to the public linking racism to the current pandemic. Next, we said to our employees, 鈥淲e know that you’re hurting right now. What can we do to help?” The following week we held a company-wide Zoom call with ten minutes of silence for George, Ahmaud, and Breonna, and all the others who have lost their lives. It was a very emotional ten minutes. Then the leadership team hosted a series of listening sessions, and people were raw, frank, hurt, sad, and fearful for their kids. One session was called 鈥淎llyship to Advacocy鈥� and over 7,000 employees attended. I feel like we really came together as a company. From there, we created an internal council to advance racial equity, headed by 15 leaders, primarily BIPOC individuals. We’re really serious about being part of the solution.

We all saw the rush to make anti-racist statements back in late May and early June. We were very purposeful. It can’t just be about an Instagram post; it can’t just be about an announcement. We want to make sure there are actions and initiatives and practices in place. What you’ll continue to see from us, whether it’s through this report or other announcements, is that we invest serious work in these efforts.

We recently wrote about transparency in the summer issue of The Voice鈥攁bout how it鈥檚 important for consumers to be able to trust the brands they support. I assume you agree with that assessment?

Yes. One of the first meetings I had when I joined the company was with our communications team. We mapped out the road to transparency. We knew we had to take steps every single year in order to get to a place where we could be completely transparent. The Inclusion and Diversity Report was on the agenda for us anyway, to accomplish that goal. Its release, this year, just so happened to line up with everything else that’s going on.

Tell me about your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

The key to them all is the fact that they’re grassroots efforts. It’s not about my team saying, “Hey, we want an ERG in this location or with this brand.” It all comes from the employees getting together and starting a group. When a group springs up, there is a process they go through. They have executive sponsors, they have a curriculum that they follow, they have communication support. We’re structured around three main groups today鈥攐ne that’s my multicultural, one that’s LGBTQ, and one that鈥檚 gender-focused. There are several chapters, both around the country and around the world within those three main groups.

What kind of impact do ERGs have on the company?

ERGs provide a sense of community for our employees. Whether you’re brand-new to the company, or have been with us for a while, having a place where you can feel welcome, comfortable, and safe, is always a goal for us and ERGs provide that. But they also provide the opportunity for leadership and growth and development. For instance, I may be an individual contributor in my role, but I can go work on an ERG and manage large, cross-functional projects. I think that鈥檚 a real way for us to develop underrepresented groups. I myself am a product of that. I led an African-American ERG during my time at Walmart, and that was when I became convinced that working holistically on inclusion and diversity might be the right career option for me. So I’m a true testament to the power of ERGs.

The report clearly shows that VF has made some incredible strides in its journey to become more diverse and inclusive. What鈥檚 next in terms of strategy and execution?

We know we’re still very early in our journey. There’s a lot left to do to make sure everyone feels included when they’re working at VF. A small- or medium-size company in the outdoor industry might look at a big company like VF and think we have it all figured out. In this space, however we don’t. We’re still learning things every single day.

Our new strategy will guide our actions through 2030. We thought it was important to set that kind of vision because it gives us a north star, and allows us to be adaptable along the way as the market and our employee base changes. We have three aspirational strategic pillars: associates and culture, brands and consumers, and social and societal impact. If we can activate against all three of those pillars in the next ten years, we can have a huge impact on not just the lives of our employees, but on the world.

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Mark Satkiewicz, partner at SBT GRVL, former GM of TOMS, and former president of Smartwool, passed away this weekend after a suspected cardiac incident during a bike ride near his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.听Satkiewicz听was 51 years old.

Satkiewicz started as Smartwool鈥檚 VP of sales in 2007 and was promoted to president in 2009, before VF Corp. bought the company in 2011. Prior to his time at Smartwool, Satkiewicz worked in various management roles at Nike for 11 years. In August 2017, at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, Satkiewicz surprised the industry by announcing that he was leaving Smartwool to become the general manager at footwear company TOMS. After one year there he returned “home” to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to found SBT GRVL with Amy Charity and Ken Benesh. A much-heralded leader within the outdoor industry,听Satkiewicz听served as a board member at Outdoor Industry Association from 2013 to 2017 and will be remembered for the exceptional culture he created at the companies he worked for. He was among the first to sign Outdoor Industry 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Coalition (now known as Camber Outdoors) CEO Pledge, and is credited with bringing industry-leading gender equity to Smartwool, where he presided for more than ten years.

Satkiewicz鈥檚 Famous Smartwool Ride to Outdoor Retailer

In 2006,听Satkiewicz听organized what would become a legendary event on the outdoor industry calendar: the Ride to OR, a grueling 400-mile bike ride from Steamboat Springs, Colorado (where Smartwool鈥檚 former headquarters were located), to Salt Lake City, Utah (Outdoor Retailer鈥檚 former home). Invitations to the event were both coveted鈥攂ecause of the fun, camaraderie, and relationships formed鈥攁nd feared, as the ride itself was pretty grueling. For听Satkiewicz, the Ride was 鈥渢he most important four days of the year,鈥� he told Aaron Bible for a story in Outdoor Retailer Daily in August 2016.

The supported ride brought together Smartwool employees, retailers, material experts, execs, management, data folks, reps, and media for four days of sweating, laughing, and bonding leading up to the big summer show.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nowhere to hide out there,鈥澨齋atkiewicz听told Bible at the end of day three on the 2016 10th anniversary ride. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e tired, maybe you鈥檙e hurting, and you鈥檙e working together with your fellow riders, your true self comes out. There鈥檚 no better way to come together than an event like this.鈥�

Jon Dorn听became friends with听Satkiewicz听after joining him four times on the Ride to OR. 鈥淗e made me laugh harder and ride harder, and while I couldn’t keep up with his incredible pace, those Smartwool rides to OR were like a big family potluck that happened to take place on bikes,鈥� Dorn wrote in a Facebook post.

Dorn also remembers Satkiewicz鈥檚 sharp wit and sense of humor. 鈥淚 remember getting a text from him during an OIA Industry Breakfast that said, “Why the f*&^ are you wearing those cheap-ass knockoff merino socks?!?” I turn around and three tables back, there’s Mark with that huge grin and twinkle in his eye. The next week, I got a care package, and I always made sure to wear my Smartwools at future breakfasts.鈥�

Molly Cuffe worked with Satkiewicz for eight years at Smartwool and says the brand would not be what it is today, if not for him.

“He was a force of a man,” she says. “When he got behind something he was behind it 120 percent. He was so inspiring and passionate. He could rally a team like nobody else.”

Cuffe says that Satkiewicz believed wholeheartedly in building community outside. During the Rides to OR, which often numbered up to 100 people, he would make a point to ride and chat for at least a few minutes with every single participant.

“He was an exceptional athlete, but always made sure that everyone at the back of the pack felt welcome,” she said. “That was one of his gifts.”

Satkiewicz Was a Champion for Women

When Satkiewicz came to Smartwool in 2005, the leadership team made a concerted effort to create a company culture founded on trust, communication, engagement, and family.

鈥淲e began talking about the idea of, what does living the life we want really mean? None of it was focused on men or women or gender at all, it was just the right thing to do for the business and how we wanted to work and live every day,鈥� Satkiewicz told me听in an interview in April 2016. 鈥淪o in 2007 we created the Go To Work Book, which was a guide to how we work and communicate, and what we can expect from one another. We started having all-company meetings, allowing people to understand corporate strategies. Every employee wants to understand where a business is going, how they can contribute and know that they are being heard. We found that we started attracting both men and women equally. And everyone here is passionately engaged and wants Smartwool to be successful.鈥�

I sought Satkiewicz out after attending his 2016 OIWC breakfast keynote speech, which was a fascinating, data-based presentation debunking gender myths in leadership.

In that conversation, I asked him why gender balance is so important. 鈥淛ust as in your investment portfolio or your diet or anything else, balance and diversity makes for the best results,鈥� he told me. 鈥淵ou get a cross-section of ideas, and you can capitalize on the strengths of what men bring to the table and what women bring to the table. Data suggests that women are more engaging, better at problem solving, big picture thinking, multi-tasking, and have higher emotional and social aptitude, which is critical in the way brands are communicating today. You want a culture of respect where people are listening and contributing opinions equally. If diversity is not part of your platform, you will struggle, because a lopsided culture just won鈥檛 be as effective.鈥�

Satkiewicz tapped Kristin Carpenter to help with the launch of SBT GRVL.

“I literally felt like I was getting a call up to the big leagues,” Carpenter said. “One of the most incredible facets of Mark is his commitment to his wife and daughters. As a female founder and CEO in the outdoor, bike/endurance, and snow markets, I am so grateful for Mark’s leadership. His commitment to gender parity in business leadership and in cycling was unmatched.”

Satkiewicz Was a Mentor to Many

Everyone who knew Satkiewicz knew that he was passionate about three things: his family, cycling, and his community in Steamboat Springs, which he returned to after his one-year stint in California at TOMS. Along with business partners Amy Charity and Ken Benesh, he then launched the SBT GRVL in 2019.

SBT GRVL is not a bike race, Benesh said. “It’s a community built on things Mark believed in: inclusiveness, love, and parity.” Benesh, who began working with Satkiewicz at Smartwool in 2016, considered him his closest friend and greatest mentor.

鈥淗is energy was always bigger than the room he was in and he pushed me to be a better me, both personally and in business,鈥� said Benesh. 鈥淢ark was a mentor to pretty much everyone he worked with. He had thousands of thought partners.鈥�

According to several of his mentees, including Benesh, Cuffe, and Jennifer McLaren, the current president of Smartwool, Satkiewicz had a wonderful way of listening and asking questions.

鈥淎 lot of big conversations started with a questions from Mark,鈥� said Benesh. 鈥淗e never told you his opinion right off the bat, he always wanted to hear your ideas first. Everything was a partnership.鈥�

McLaren, who worked with Satkiewicz for five years right up until he departed for TOMS, agrees.

鈥淓ven at big company meetings, he would always begin with a question like 鈥楬ow can we grow the business 3x?鈥� and then he would listen to ideas from everyone,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e empowered people in a remarkable way.鈥�

McLaren recalls that when Smartwool was building a new HQ, the first thing he did was select 10 people who were not at the management level to design it. He gave them the power to decide where the money would go and what kind of environment they wanted to create.

McLaren said that one of Satkiewicz’s biggest gifts was as a communicator. “From day one, he taught me so much. Mark believed that communication was the most important skill to connect, inspire, instill confidence, and help people progress. He just cared so deeply. You always wanted to make him proud. Everyone at Smartwool felt it.鈥�

Mark Satkiewicz is survived by his wife, Amy, and his two daughters, Olivia and Mia.

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