The next time you go to buy a new piece of gear from a brand or retailer online, there鈥檚 an outside chance you鈥檒l be offered a gently used version as an alternative. You can thank the recent explosion of the used-gear marketplace for that.

According to research from online resale platform ThredUp, the pre-owned outdoor gear market is projected to balloon to roughly $75 billion by 2025鈥攁n eye-popping figure for a trend still young in the industry. Historically, only a select few brands offered used products for sale through their traditional channels. In recent years, though, that tide has started to turn.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible value proposition for those that can do it,鈥� said Dylan Carden, consumer analyst at William Blair, a Chicago-based financial services firm. 鈥淭his is moving at breakneck speed and it鈥檚 a way for companies to circumvent a disrupted supply chain.鈥�

Whether you call it 鈥渞esale,鈥� 鈥渞ecommerce,鈥� or 鈥渦sed gear,鈥� the idea is the same. Selling used gear serves the dual goals of keeping product out of the landfill and capturing business from customers seeking second-hand goods at a discount. Third-party companies like eBay and Poshmark have long provided a home for this type of commerce, but now outdoor brands are increasingly taking control of the process.

Jumping on the Used-Gear Bandwagon

The basics of brand-controlled used gear sales are fairly straightforward. Companies either work through a service platform like Trove, which helps brands sort, repair, and resell products, or they use peer-to-peer (P2P) software like Recurate, which integrates into their online stores. P2P software provides the functionality for a consumer-driven marketplace, where customers list and sell their own gear, with brands taking a percentage of each sale.

鈥淭he evolution [of recommerce] is so hard to quantify,鈥� said Asha Agrawal, managing director of corporate development at Patagonia, whose role includes overseeing the brand鈥檚 Worn Wear recommerce business. According to Agrawal, hunting for used gear has 鈥渆merged as a favored way to buy among certain cohorts of customers,鈥� a trend that confirms consumers don鈥檛 always need shiny, new things. 鈥淭hey often prefer the value and the stories from used [gear],鈥� Agrawal said.

The recommerce game in the outdoor industry looks different depending on the company, its products, and its scale. The big names with lots of inventory (and customer returns) can use a service like Trove to get deadstock and archival items into the resale marketplace quickly. Smaller or more niche brands that don鈥檛 have as much product on hand may fare better with P2P services like Recurate, where customers essentially run the marketplace.

“Our demand [for used gear] is far outstripping our supply,” said Peak Design founder and CEO Peter Dering, whose company used Recurate to build its new Peak Design Marketplace, a space for customers to buy and sell used Peak Design gear directly within the brand’s website.

Peak Design is a prime example of a niche brand that benefits from a dedicated customer base and thrives in a specialty online marketplace. According to a 2020 survey the brand circulated among its online customers, 27 percent of Peak Design shoppers own ten or more of the company’s products, and half of its customers were already buying and selling used gear online before the Peak Design Marketplace was up and running.

On the other end of the spectrum, large multibrand marketplaces target the masses, from casual shoppers to brand-dedicated diehards. REI鈥檚 Good and Used, which launched in 2018 with Trove handling some of the technical aspects of gear resale, is one such marketplace. Last June, both Cotopaxi and NEMO Equipment announced resale partnerships with the platform, which helped those brands achieve a quick entry into the space.

Wooing New Customers

Ken Voeller, REI鈥檚 director of circular commerce and new business development, says that beyond keeping existing outdoor gear in use longer, resale provides important avenues for customer acquisition and retention. 鈥淚n 2021, we sold north of a million used units,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 up significantly from 2019 [the last year of 鈥榥ormal鈥� sales before the pandemic hit]. It lowers the barrier to entry to getting outside, and we see our trade-in offering as a way [for customers] to stay engaged with REI.鈥�

This cost consideration is potentially transformative for higher-end brands like Arc鈥檛eryx, whose steep pricing is often a challenge for new-customer acquisition. Used gear lowers that barrier and is already proving successful with customer conversion, according to Arc鈥檛eryx VP of Recommerce Dominique Showers. 鈥淲e are seeing tremendous engagement from a younger audience looking to enter into the outdoor activities we design for,鈥� she said.

And it鈥檚 not all online. Arc鈥檛eryx and Patagonia are both making efforts to bring used-gear sales into brick-and-mortar retail spaces. Arc鈥檛eryx recently opened its first ReBird store in New York City, which has a dedicated section for repairs and recommerce. Patagonia has integrated Worn Wear into various retail concepts鈥攊ncluding two full-floor takeovers at stores in Brooklyn and Denver for the 2021 holiday season.

The Climate Angle

Environmental impact is another oft-touted benefit of used-gear resale鈥攁nd those claims aren鈥檛 hot air.

鈥淭he bulk of Patagonia鈥檚 emissions鈥�95 percent鈥攃ome from the supply chain, and most of that is material manufacturing,鈥� Agrawal said. 鈥淭hrough our Worn Wear program, we鈥檒l continue to offer customers clothes with 60 percent lower emissions than new.鈥�

NEMO Global Distribution and Sustainability Manager Theresa Conn says that the company鈥檚 recent lifecycle assessment found that more than 80 percent of associated carbon impacts for a tent occurred before the product left the factory. 鈥淎s the bulk of the greenhouse gas emissions are tied up in the product itself,鈥� she said, 鈥渙ur goal is to keep products in circulation for as long as possible.鈥�

Of course, this doesn鈥檛 take into account the bigger dilemma of developing an economically viable way for outdoor brands to produce less in the first place, which would prevent more emissions at their source. But building channels to keep gear circulating in the wild longer is definitely a step in the right direction.

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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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Fresh off the heels of a standout first quarter, Hoka One One racked up an impressive honor from one of its biggest retail partners when Seattle-based REI Co-op on Thursday named the footwear brand its 2020 Vendor Partner of the Year.

Hoka, the Goleta, California-based subsidiary of Deckers Corp., was a step ahead of other brands last year in several critical areas, according to Chris Speyer, REI vice president of product.

鈥淥ur vendors and their offerings play a vital role in keeping REI relevant to the consumer and our members,鈥� Speyer said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always a challenge to select one partner as our vendor of the year, but for 2020, Hoka stood out as a truly exceptional partner. Its ongoing commitment to progressive products, compelling collaborations, and innovation truly resonated with our running customer. Most importantly, we鈥檙e excited by Hoka brand鈥檚 commitment to its impact agenda and particularly its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.鈥�

Hoka’s win at REI comes a few weeks after the brand delivered 74.2 percent growth for its parent company in the fiscal fourth quarter. Hoka, part of Deckers鈥� performance lifestyle group along with footwear brands Teva and Sanuk, posted sales of $177.5 million in the period. That provided a nice lift for Deckers, which reported companywide Q4 sales grew 49.7 percent to $561.2 million.

But Deckers announced even bigger plans for the brand, as CEO Dave Powers laid out an ambitious and aggressive top-line goal for Hoka.

鈥淥ver the long-term, we鈥檙e investing in major drivers of our business, including building Hoka to a $1 billion-plus global performance brand that represents a significant portion of total company revenue, driving our direct-to-consumer business towards 50 percent of our global revenues, scaling international markets across brands and seeding opportunities beyond footwear,鈥� he said.

REI’s Other Vendor Partner Winners

Hoka wasn鈥檛 the only brand REI recognized in its Vendor Partner of the Year awards. The co-op bestowed 2020 divisional honors on the following companies:

• Action sports: Cannondale. REI said the Wilton, Connecticut, bike maker 鈥渞esponded to pandemic market conditions with quick, confident leadership and decision making.鈥�
• Camp: NEMO Equipment. This was the second straight win in the camp division for NEMO. The Dover, New Hampshire-based gear brand won 鈥渇or its ongoing commitment to product innovation, and work to complement REI鈥檚 broader sustainability impact goals,鈥� the co-op said.
• Apparel: Fj盲llr盲ven. REI said the Swedish apparel and gear brand 鈥渆xceeded partnership goals by designing a customized, brand experience allowing customers to get to know Fj盲llr盲ven鈥檚 brand in a new way.鈥�
• Footwear and basics: Darn Tough Vermont. The Northfield, Vermont-based sock brand 鈥渨ins again this year not only because of the superior quality of its socks but also for its exceptional handling of volatile supply needs in 2020,鈥� according to REI.

REI鈥檚 Vendor Partner of the Year awards program dates to 1993. The co-op鈥檚 four merchandising divisions鈥攁ction sports, camp, apparel, and footwear and basics鈥攏ominate brands based on how well they partner with REI 鈥渢o meet customer needs, raise the bar for product quality, and drive sustainable business practices.鈥�

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Nemo’s journey to eliminate polybags began in 2019, on the floor of a distribution warehouse in Riverside, California.

Theresa Conn, the camping gear company鈥檚 global distribution and sustainability manager, had been called to the warehouse to look over a 鈥渢ransportation packaging audit.鈥� With a handful of coworkers, Conn pulled boxes of items off shelves at random and looked inside. She was surprised to find vast inconsistencies: plastic banding was being used on lightweight boxes that didn鈥檛 require it, and polybags encased tents that had been safely shipped without them for years. Across the board, there was just too much waste.

鈥淚t was really eye-opening,鈥� Conn said. 鈥淲e thought, 鈥業f we鈥檝e been shipping some products without polybags, and it鈥檚 been fine, why are we using [polybags] at all?鈥欌��

The realization sparked Nemo’s desire to get rid of polybags, culminating in the company鈥檚 latest plastic-removal initiative, the 100K Polybag Elimination Project. Starting in 2019, Nemo phased polybags out of the shipping process for all items except for its sleeping bags, which are at higher risk of moisture damage and require total protection from the elements. The program sets a 鈥渘ew transportation packaging standard鈥� for the company, says Conn.

NEMO takes aim at polybags

Once the audit revealed that Nemo鈥檚 tents and other gear could be safely shipped without polybags, eliminating the outer bags was a no-brainer. It saved time (Nemo wouldn鈥檛 have to open the bags and remove the products before sending them to customers), money (15 to 20 cents per unit), and significantly slashed plastic waste in its supply chain. In 2020, Conn estimated Nemo saved one ton of plastic on its best-selling tent, the Hornet 2-Person, alone.

After doing away with the outer bags, Nemo set its sights on the inside of the tent roll. A polybag still encased each tent鈥檚 poles when the company received them from its supplier, South Korea-based Dac听笔辞濒别. Nemo coordinated back and forth with the manufacturer, challenging Dac to reimagine its own packaging.

鈥淚t was an uphill battle,鈥� Conn said. 鈥淒ac is a huge supplier, and we鈥檙e getting bigger, but we鈥檙e not The North Face.鈥�

For Nemo鈥檚 2021 tent line, the partners landed on a solution: an undyed, uncoated pole bag made from Repreve fiber, a fabric crafted from recycled water bottles. This bag specifically is what inspired the 100K Polybag project name, as the bag will save Nemo 100,000 polybags over the first two years of the initiative. The project netted Nemo a Green Good Design 2021 award for Green Product.

The benefits to the initiative don鈥檛 begin and end with Nemo, though. Throughout the process of developing the new bag, Dac and Nemo tested methods of shipping tent poles, and found that in the vast majority of situations, polybags were unnecessary. Starting in July 2021, Dac will ship tent poles to certain partners without polybags.

Nemo was part of Dac’s first cohort to receive poles without polybags, along with sunshade maker Shibumi and tent manufacturers Hilleberg and Helsport. Currently, Dac is testing the program with Big Agnes and REI, with hopes to expand it to all of its partners鈥攎ore than 40 companies including giants like The North Face and Mountain Hardwear.听

Nemo鈥檚 sustainable future

With single-use plastic polybags eliminated from Nemo鈥檚 tents, chairs and accessories, the company is setting its sights on solutions for its sleeping bags. Because most of its bags are down-filled, shipping them without any sort of moisture protection runs the risk of significant product damage.听

鈥淩ight now, we have emails bouncing around at Nemo about better ways to handle polybags for our sleeping bags,鈥� Conn said.

At this point, the company is aiming to use polybags that contain recycled plastic and are recyclable, but Conn noted that a number of solutions are on the table. For the individual sleeping bags, Nemo is exploring options from compostable PLA bags鈥攂iodegradable bags made from plant compounds鈥攖o stone resin packaging, a waterproof cardboard substitute made by mixing resin with calcium carbonate. Additionally, the company is currently testing a shipping system that uses one master carton polybag instead of individual bags for sleeping bags, with hopes to implement the practice in 2022.

Conn also highlighted the importance of varied sustainability initiatives, including projects focused on emissions reduction and materials waste. She cited a 2016 Quantis/Textile Exchange Apparel CO2 footprint study which found that 98 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are created prior to product distribution; this stark picture of waste led Nemo to create the Chipper, a sitting pad made from recycled foam that鈥攋ust over the past year鈥攕aved 8.8 tons of foam waste and 48 tons of CO2 emissions from foam incineration.

A major portion of Conn鈥檚 focus remains on emissions, but the plastic-focused initiatives NemoNemo has implemented over the past two years have demonstrated sustainability success.

鈥淚 think [reducing plastic waste] is an awesome entry point into sustainability for any brand,鈥� Conn said. 鈥淭he goal is to eliminate, eliminate, eliminate.鈥�

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There are jobs鈥攁nd then there are jobs. You know the ones: the gigs that make coming to work about so much more than punching the clock and collecting a paycheck.

The ones that fill the workday with camaraderie, a sense of purpose, and just plain fun. It shows in the policies and perks a company offers, in ways big (health insurance, parental leave) and small (ski days, free gear). And they pay off鈥攂ig time鈥攆or employers, who can count on loyal, productive employees who feel invested in the company鈥檚 success.

Here are just a few of the ways leaders in this industry go above and beyond for their workers. We hope employers and employees alike will consider this a menu of inspiration for greater workplace satisfaction. To say the past year has been a challenging one for businesses across the industry is an understatement. But despite all the hurdles, we still wouldn鈥檛 want to work anywhere else. This is why.

We asked industry members to nominate their workplaces for providing a superior employee experience. After combing through all 165 responses, these are our favorite ideas worthy of imitation.

Play 国产吃瓜黑料

CASE STUDY: Darby Communications, Asheville, NC

As any veteran of summer camp knows, getting out into the wilds together builds lasting bonds. So this boutique PR firm throws an annual staff campout, taking employees on a (paid) overnight excursion that has included paddling to an island campsite, fly-fishing lessons, tubing, and whitewater rafting over the past four years. 鈥淚t builds community on our team, so there鈥檚 a deeper connection between us,鈥� said Vice President Angie Robinson. The pandemic forced the team to cancel last year鈥檚 trip, but Darby replaced it with smaller outdoor gatherings, and when it鈥檚 safe, 鈥淲e鈥檙e planning on a blowout camping trip to bring back the tradition in a big way,鈥� said Suzanne Hermann, media relations director.

Pro tip: The financial barrier to this sort of retreat is low, points out Robinson. Camping is cheap, and Darby takes advantage of its clients鈥� gear and services (like whitewater guiding), so the total cost is only $200 to $300 per year for nine employees.

Bring Community to the Cafeteria

CASE STUDY: Skratch Labs, Boulder, CO

Every month, 29 full-time employees of nutrition/sports drink company Skratch Labs are invited to a communal breakfast at the office, courtesy of founder Allen Lim. Some staffers play sous chef, helping whip up Lim specialties like savory rice porridge, breakfast salad, and egg tacos. 鈥淚n the same way that a family is closer when they share meals around the table, we are a better team when we do the same,鈥� said CEO Ian MacGregor. Since last spring, the communal dining has shifted to live cooking lessons for employees at home. 鈥淲e prep and ship all necessary ingredients to each of our team members, then we all get on a massive video call and learn to make something,鈥� said MacGregor.

Pro tip: Even if you don鈥檛 have a full kitchen or a cookbook author for a founder, as Skratch Labs does, you can still break bread as a team: Think regular takeout gatherings or voluntary potlucks.

Embrace Inclusivity

Brands across the industry are beginning to meet the moment by ramping up DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts.听

Hit the Slopes

In what other industry do you get formal permission to go skiing when the pow is fresh? Here are just a few of the businesses that allow鈥攏ay, encourage鈥攑laying hooky on a snow day: Backbone Media, BoldBrew, Burton, Hala Gear/CKS Online, Meteorite PR, and Stio.

Commit to Fighting Climate Change

CASE STUDY: BioLite, Brooklyn, NY, and Peak Design, San Francisco, CA

BioLite (maker of camp stoves and lights) and Peak Design (a camera gear and travel bag brand) took their sustainability missions to the next level in 2018 with the launch of their Climate Neutral nonprofit. The organization helps other brands measure their total carbon footprints鈥攆rom sourcing to manufacturing to shipping鈥攁nd then offset them with carbon credits, earning certification. In 2019, 146 companies joined the program, representing a sizable commitment to reducing carbon emissions. 鈥淐limate Neutral makes me so proud to be a part of the organization,鈥� said BioLite Ecommerce Operations Manager Joseph Caravaglia. Hyden Polikoff, treasurer at Peak Design, agreed: 鈥淚 want the place where I put my time and effort to embody my values.鈥�

Get Creative when Challenged

CASE STUDY: Mustang Survival, Burnaby, BC

When the pandemic hit last March, industry members counterpunched. Mustang Survival was one of them, switching from making its usual dry bags, drysuits, and ocean racing gear to churning out hundreds of thousands of waterproof/breathable protective gowns for healthcare workers (many other brands swiftly did the same with masks and eye shields). Not only did the pivot provide crucial PPE to hospitals across Canada, but it also allowed Mustang to hire 50 new employees (31 of them were still with the brand as of press time). 鈥淲e set up a school and ran new hires through extensive training on sewing and taping,鈥� said Mark Anderson, VP of engineering. 鈥淭hey learned skills directly transferrable to the apparel we make.鈥�

Be Generous with Vacation Time

CASE STUDY: Roads Rivers and Trails, Milford, OH

Every winter for the past six years, as long as she鈥檚 been working at specialty retailer Roads Rivers and Trails, Manager Olivia Eads (pictured below on Pikes Peak) has taken at least a month off work to go climbing. Owners Bryan Wolf, Joe White, and Emily White highly encourage it with unlimited (unpaid) vacation time for all staff. 鈥淲e get the shifts covered and we make it work,鈥� said Wolf. In 2019, employees averaged 40 days off apiece鈥斺�渁nd that鈥檚 just outdoor trips, not Christmas,鈥� Wolf noted.

Welcome Fido

Embracing pups in the office鈥� when we go back to the office, that is鈥攑ays off for both dogs (more walks) and employees (research shows that the presence of a furry friend reduces stress and boosts self-esteem). A few businesses that make room for our best friends: Arc鈥檛eryx, Kelty, Nemo, Ruffwear, and Xero Shoes.

Spread Profits Around

Some workplaces give everyone a different kind of promotion. All employees at 国产吃瓜黑料 (OBJ’s parent company) get stock options, which increase with strong performance or a promotion. 鈥淚t鈥檚 critical for creating alignments [between employees and the company] and incentives,鈥� said CEO Robin Thurston. When the company does well and hard work pays off, employees benefit, too.

Encourage Exploration

CASE STUDY: Cotopaxi, Salt Lake City, UT

How鈥檚 this for an antidote to job turnover? After 18 months, employees of this B Corp apparel and gear brand can cash in on their first of two 鈥渂ucket list stipends鈥�: $1,000 to use on a dream trip anywhere in the world. After five years, the reward bumps up to $5,000. Recent employee trips have included touring Morocco, cycling the French Alps, and a fish-spearing, coconut-gathering survival excursion on a remote Caribbean island. 鈥淣umber one, we need to be able to attract and retain talent, and this is a unique perk,鈥� said founder and CEO Davis Smith. 鈥淎nd secondly, we want to make sure our employees are living the values of the business. We鈥檙e building a brand around adventure and exploring the world.鈥� Cotopaxi has spent nearly $100,000 on its bucket list payouts so far, he says, but, 鈥淭hese things pay for themselves鈥攜ou don鈥檛 have to pay higher wages to convince someone to join the team, or [deal with] rehiring.鈥�

Pro tip: Cotopaxi helps employees make the most of their trips by holding learning sessions on topics like getting involved in local communities and traveling on a shoestring budget. 鈥淲ithin the team, there鈥檚 a constant sharing of travel deals,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淚f you keep your eye on deals, $1,000 can cover a trip somewhere really fun.鈥�

Get Gear in Our Hands

CASE STUDY: NRS, Moscow, ID

Paddling gear can be expensive, as NRS鈥檚 employees well know. But lack of capital won鈥檛 ever stand in the way when someone pulls a rafting permit, thanks to the brand鈥檚 鈥渃ompany use鈥� stash of rafts, frames, coolers, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, and drysuits. Employees can check out the gear for free. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had employees go on Grand Canyon trips, and they were able to get everything they needed and disappear with it for 18 days,鈥� said Steve Farley, key account manager. In 2019, 130 employees dipped into the stash for a total of 880 checkouts.

Pro tip: Appoint someone (or a small team, as NRS does) to manage the gear sign-out process and keep items clean, safe, and organized.

Give Us Long Weekends

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics offers half-day Fridays, and in summer, Outdoor Prolink switches to a four-10s schedule. Nobody鈥檚 head is really in the game at 3 P.M. Friday anyway.

Support Employees鈥� Life Goals

CASE STUDY: Outdoor Gear Exchange, Burlington, VT

Employees who get five years under their belts at this retailer have extra reason to celebrate: They qualify for its Living the Dream program, which awards a $5,000 grant for pretty much anything that makes their lives a little easier. 鈥淥riginally, it was to go on a dream trip,鈥� said Brian Wade, executive director of retail and service. But the list of acceptable uses has ballooned over the years to include down payments on homes, childcare, a new vehicle, or paying off debt. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of anybody who hasn鈥檛 figured out a way to use it,鈥� he said.

Pro tip: How does OGE afford it? 鈥淲e just do it,鈥� said Wade, noting that the total expense is a fairly small line item on the budget. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to honor the people who鈥檝e put in time. And the emotional impact of getting a lump sum is really great.鈥�

Support New Parents…

CASE STUDY: 国产吃瓜黑料 PR, San Francisco, CA

In a country where his seven-person PR firm doesn鈥檛 legally have to provide any break for its new parents, owner Gordon Wright instead offers the best parental leave policy we鈥檝e seen in the industry: six months of leave at 80 percent salary, moms and dads alike. 鈥淚t feels like the聽right thing to do,鈥� Wright said. That kind of investment pays off in ways both tangible (an attractive carrot when looking for new talent) and intangible, says Senior Account Executive Kelsey McGraw. 鈥淕ordon and all the managers believe family comes first,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey care for my well-being, and I don鈥檛 want to disappoint them. I want to work that much harder to see this company be successful.鈥�

Pro tip: Doing without a key employee for six months poses challenges, but Wright notes that hiring a freelance substitute can help any company keep chugging along.

…And Not-So-New Parents

CASE STUDY: Patagonia, Ventura, CA

Parents industry-wide could be forgiven for daydreaming about a job switch to Patagonia. For one, there are the on-site daycares (in Ventura and Reno), which together care for 200 kids and offer tuition discounts based on income. 鈥淏eing able to nurse my son at daycare rather than pump every three hours was so huge,鈥� said Amy Garrahan, southwest sales manager. And聽if a primary parent needs to travel for work while a baby is still nursing? Patagonia covers travel expenses for a caregiver.听Pro tip: Half of the brand鈥檚 daycare program is covered through tuition; 75 percent of the rest is recouped via tax credits, improved productivity, and employee retention. Companies that can鈥檛 add their own programs can still help parents with daycare stipends and more flex time options.

Bond over Workouts

Good: allowing employees to head out for a midday sweat break. Better: organizing group runs, yoga classes, bike rides, and even surfing sessions (like Nemo does on the New England coast) during the workday for communal exercise, stress relief, and team bonding in one fell swoop.

Make Fitness Easy

CASE STUDY: Wolverine Worldwide, Rockford, MI

Spin classes, pickleball, pickup volleyball, and basketball: All in a day鈥檚 work at Wolverine. Opened in 2019, the on-campus, 29,000-square-foot The Rock facility also offers an indoor track, group fitness classrooms, and cardio equipment. Plus, membership is free for all 600-plus employees of eight brands. 鈥淣ot only does it help in getting people excited to work for Wolverine, but having a variety of activities available is really key for blowing off steam,鈥� said Merrell Senior Marketing Manager Lauren King.

Pro tip: Building an entire gym might not be in the cards. 鈥淏ut figuring out things that might not cost a lot of money, but add a lot to culture, is.鈥� See #16 and #18 for ideas.

Give Cash for Ski Passes

Or gym memberships, yoga classes, and other wellness perks of choice, as sales agency Caraway & Co. does ($150 per employee per year).

Invest in Employee Healthcare

CASE STUDY: Waypoint Outdoor, Seattle, WA

Perks like gyms and company bike rides are great, but a real commitment to employee health should be built on a foundation of high-quality, affordable health insurance. This sales agency for brands like Klean Kanteen and Smartwool takes that to heart, covering 100 percent of premium costs for its employees. That鈥檚 made a huge difference for sales rep Carly Morava, a cancer survivor who鈥檚 been with the company for three years. She鈥檇 wanted to switch careers from retail to repping, but was afraid she wouldn鈥檛 be able to afford the insurance she needed. Unlike other workplaces she鈥檇 considered, Morava said, 鈥淲aypoint pays for everything, and it鈥檚 a really good plan.鈥�

Help People Climb the Ladder

CASE STUDY: KEEN, Portland, OR

In a workplace just as on a mountain, sometimes the right guide can make all the difference. That鈥檚 why Keen added formal mentoring to its benefits. The Career Compass Program matches eager employees with seasoned volunteer 鈥渃oaches鈥� for structured career advice and development. Pairs meet twice a month to set goals and track progress. Though the program is open to everyone, says Global Communications Manager Mindy Montgomery, women make up the bulk of the participants鈥斺�淩esearch shows that women utilize formal mentoring programs more because men have greater access to informal mentoring opportunities,鈥� she noted. Senior Compliance Specialist Elsa Clements credits the program with helping her land a promotion in 2019. 鈥淚t was super-valuable in giving me confidence,鈥� she said. She worked with her coach on strategies for putting her best foot forward, and 鈥淚t was really good for me to have that framework when I sat down with my manager.鈥�

Pro tip: Career Compass facilitators consider applicants鈥� communication style and personality when setting up pairs. 鈥淚f the participant and coach have trouble communicating, they鈥檙e going to have a hard time forming a connection,鈥� said Montgomery, 鈥渨hich is a crucial component to a successful coaching relationship.鈥�

Support Education

Help us advance by springing for certifications, courses, conferences, and skills clinics. Take Vail Resorts: Employees can apply for a $2,500 Educational Ascent Grant to fund a college degree (vocational to Ph.D.) or certificate (such as EMT).

Let Employees Drive Improvements

CASE STUDY: Hydro Flask, Bend, OR

Hydro Flask holds its own kind of holiday two or three times a year: the Better Future Day. Each one features a menu of activities for employees to choose from, all conceived and planned by fellow employees. Recent options have included guided meditations, art workshops, public speaking courses, and SUP sessions. 鈥淚t could be anything from, 鈥業t鈥檚 time to reorganize our shelves鈥� to 鈥楲et鈥檚 bring in an expert on a topic like racism and have a difficult discussion,鈥欌�� said Lucas Alberg, senior manager, PR and brand communications. Continually working on company culture is a bedrock value for Hydro Flask, says Senior HR Generalist Ryan Combellick, 鈥渂ut if it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 just coming from the top down, it can feel forced.鈥�

Pro tip: Don鈥檛 overthink the scheduling, and just do it. 鈥淭here鈥檚 never a good time for this, but it鈥檚 imperative that you make it happen,鈥� noted Alberg. 鈥淧roductivity may be lost that day, but it鈥檚 taking one step back and two steps forward for the company.鈥�

Encourage Clubs

Supporting an employee resource group (ERG), a club dedicated to a particular identity or interest鈥攆rom working parents to sober employees to members of specific ethnicities or religions鈥攃ultivates belonging and community. VF Corp. has put significant resources into its ERGs since 2017.

Make the World a Better Place Far Away鈥�

CASE STUDY: Superfeet, Ferndale, WA

When this insole brand decides to give back, it goes big. Superfeet donates 1 percent of its profits to charity, including an ongoing public-health service trip to Guatemala to build latrines and rainwater-capture tanks for small rainforest villages. 鈥淚 wanted our employees to be engaged with the charities we鈥檙e working with,鈥� said Director of Outreach and Fit Jeff Gray, who runs the program. 鈥淗ow can we get down on our hands and knees and get dirty and make a difference? It鈥檚 about writing the check, then also diving in.鈥� The brand has taken eight to ten employees on the (fully paid) trip for the past four years, an opportunity that has proven so popular that Gray has to pull names out of a size-17 running shoe to select participants. Superfeet鈥檚 commitment to nonprofits builds loyalty and helps attract employees, said Gray: 鈥淪o many are grateful to be able to work within this culture.鈥�

Pro tip: Got the cash鈥攐r the time鈥攖o donate? Choose beneficiaries carefully, says Gray. He screened a number of nonprofits before choosing six to support based on how well their core values matched Superfeet鈥檚. 鈥淭hen you can build that relationship, bond, and do some great work together,鈥� he said.

…And Closer to Home

CASE STUDY: Big Agnes, Steamboat Springs, CO

For a company making gear tailored for use on the trail, volunteer trail maintenance felt like a natural way to live out brand values of land stewardship and community involvement.

So Big Agnes zeroed in on the Continental Divide Trail, which passes within two miles of company HQ, officially adopting the 72 miles from nearby Rabbit Ears Pass to the Wyoming border in 2018. Since then, the brand has organized several trail work days on their section every year. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a cool opportunity to see the owners of the company really caring about our public lands, and [having] the employees be part of that,鈥� said Product Developer Paige Baker. And though the point of the trail work is giving back, it doesn鈥檛 hurt brand image with customers, either, says co-owner Len Zanni, who notes that the marketing team produces blog posts and publishes catalog essays about the project.

Pro tip: Scale give-back projects according to your workplace鈥檚 size and goals. 鈥淭hink about what you care about, then figure out what organizations or areas could use your help, and how much help you can lend,鈥� said Zanni. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e a smaller organization, maybe you can put someone on a nonprofit board, or donate money or time.鈥�

Remote Work Policies that Work for All

When the pandemic ends, many will still appreciate the flexibility to work remotely. Evans says the best policies let employees work wherever they鈥檙e most productive. Her company, The Ready, traded its office for monthly stipends for home office upgrades, co-working spaces, or rent for optional group offices.

Fair Profit Sharing

Sharing success fosters an environment of collaboration, not competition. Email marketing firm ConvertKit diverts a chunk of its profits to a shared pool that鈥檚 distributed to all through a formula that gives a little extra to those with the longest tenure.

Employee Connection

One easy way to help build connection among virtual workers: Start meetings with a five-minute check-in, prompted with questions like, 鈥淲hat was your weekend highlight?鈥�

Self-Set Salaries

Want employees to really feel they鈥檙e being paid what they鈥檙e worth? Let them choose their own salaries, like tomato-packing brand Morning Star has done for decades鈥攁nd make all of them public.

The post 29 Ways to Build a Happier Company appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Right now, in a typical year, we鈥檇 be gearing up for another Outdoor Retailer trade show: whirlwind days spent reconnecting with industry pals and our favorite brands. There would be parties and press events, hugs and high fives. But the past 12 months have been a lot of things. Typical isn鈥檛 one of them.

This year, we鈥檝e all had to make changes. And amid the pivoting, we鈥檝e learned a few things鈥攁bout how we do business, and how we relate to one another.

Embrace New Tech, Fast

鈥淭he pandemic has taught us, if nothing else, how to adapt,鈥� said GearJunkie reporter Mary Murphy. 鈥淥ur industry is going to rely a lot more on the technologies that let us connect, look at products, talk to athletes, and interview people virtually.鈥�

That鈥檚 been the case for Thule, which chose to look at the need for new technologies as an opportunity, not a chore.

In March, when the summer trade show schedule started to look tenuous, the roof rack gurus were quick to adopt an interactive, 360-degree video platform. The self-directed, virtual walk-through lets retailers and journalists explore a staged warehouse full of elaborate product displays. The platform has seen 2,524 unique visitors from more than 160 companies to date. 鈥淎 big thing for me as a buyer is getting to really experience a product firsthand,鈥� said Nathan Grothe, category merchandise manager for REI. What Thule did by creating a rich virtual environment is the next best thing.

Chris Ritchie, Thule鈥檚 PR and communications manager, sees his company鈥檚 fast adoption of the new tech as a win-win: since virtual tours offer no real space constraints, they let Thule show off far more products than it could in a booth, and the viewers can learn at their leisure and return any time.

Lean on Your Network

Meghan Highland, buying coordinator of casual and outdoor apparel for Western retail chain Jax Mercantile Co., says the helpfulness and camaraderie that have characterized this year have taught her how to lean on her industry network. This season鈥攈er first in the apparel buyer role鈥攕he鈥檚 had to rely heavily on her reps for advice. That includes recommendations on product aesthetics, especially color-ways, and how to coordinate items on store display racks. 鈥淚鈥檓 really trusting my reps a lot and asking for their support, whereas in a normal buying season, I might not be in that same position,鈥� she said.

That 鈥渓ean on me鈥� mindset has also been helpful when muddling through new COVID-19 rules and regulations. Darby Communications was able to compare notes with fellow Southeast-based public relations firm Groundswell PR during the initial transition back to in-person office work. The two agencies also knocked around ways to plan effective virtual media events. 鈥淲e had an ally,鈥� said Angie Robinson, Darby鈥檚 vice president. 鈥淚t was nice to be able to bounce ideas off someone who鈥檚 in the same boat as you.鈥�

Appreciate Quality over Quantity

Many PR firms have hosted smaller press events to comply with social distancing best practices, and Murphy of GearJunkie says she鈥檚 appreciated the close-knit vibe.

The agencies have noticed the difference, too. This summer, Big Fish Collective invited three writers (a much smaller-than-usual group) to a socially distanced, on-water event for Mustang Survival. 鈥淚t was like we were having a one-on-one at a trade show, but we were also able to test the product and have some more intimate time,鈥� said Big Fish鈥檚 Brooke Fifield. 鈥淚n the future, we鈥檒l keep in mind that smaller events are something journalists are asking for.鈥�

Keen Footwear has also followed that 鈥渂igger isn鈥檛 necessarily better鈥� mantra and reined in its 2021 line. Erik Burbank, chief brand officer, notes that with fewer SKUs, they鈥檝e been able to zero in on their consumer.

鈥淲e asked, 鈥榃hat are our fans doing?鈥� 鈥榃hat problems are we trying to solve for them?鈥欌�� Burbank explained. 鈥淭his has been an opportunity to be more focused than we would have been.鈥�

Forget Old Rivalries

In a move uncommon among competitive PR firms, California-based 国产吃瓜黑料PR and Echos Brand Communications joined up in April to create a two-day virtual brand showcase, dubbed the Reveal Global Media Conference. The two firms managed to rally 46 brands, including some outside of their portfolios, which presented to the 212 journalists who attended the conference. Later in the summer, PR firms Momentum and Akimbo founded a similar partnership for their Virtual Showroom series.

The benefits of collaborative events extend beyond the media attendees: Jennifer Kriske, founder of women鈥檚 cycling brand Machines for Freedom, says Reveal helped level the playing field between major industry players and boutique brands like hers. 鈥淲ith my limited budget, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to get that kind of concentrated attention in a real-life trade show,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is a really efficient way to get our brand in front of an audience.鈥�

Rethink the Budget

Uncertainty has been a mainstay of the pandemic, especially in terms of budgeting. Nemo Equipment reacted quickly back

in March, revising its operating model, slashing expenses, and making sure it was putting its money where its values were. 鈥淲e decided to base our sales target on what it would take to retain our people and not have to furlough or lay off,鈥� said CEO and founder Cam Brensinger. The one area they didn鈥檛 touch: research and development. 鈥淲e saw a big competitive advantage in being a brand that never took its foot off the gas on new product development.鈥�

Of course, brands with a line item for trade shows suddenly had some extra cash. Emergency kit manufacturer Uncharted Supply used it to beef up its marketing and advertising spending. After seeing search frequency for terms like 鈥渆mergency kit鈥� and 鈥渁ir mask鈥� skyrocket, the small brand invested in search engine optimization and online ads, something it might not have been able to do at the same scale in a trade show year. It was successful, too: 鈥淎t times, a dollar spent would return nearly $100 in sales,鈥� said owner Christian Schauf.

Grumble Less, Enjoy the Long Days More

There鈥檚 no escaping it: Trade shows are just as exhausting as they are exciting. 鈥淭he long, consecutive days would wear us down, and we鈥檇 think, 鈥極h, we have to go do this,鈥欌�� recalled Highland of Jax Mercantile Co. 鈥淏ut now that Outdoor Retailer is gone, I really miss those long days full of meetings and in-person interactions.鈥�

While we鈥檝e learned a lot about how to do business differently (and in some cases, better) over the past year, most of us are pining to get back together. Sure, much of the time is spent cooped up inside, pound- ing the aisles, squinting at spec sheets, but there are also happy hours, new connections, and meetings with old friends.

Murphy summed it up well: 鈥淚t will be the biggest family reunion.鈥�

The post Lessons from a Year Without Trade Shows appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Speaking with brands about their challenges with supply chains this year, you hear the word “whiplash” thrown around pretty often. “Roller coaster” comes up a lot, too. Both feel highly appropriate.

In March and April, as retailers shut down and consumer demand for outdoor products ground to a halt, brands across the industry were forced to slow production schedules rapidly, upending spring buying cycles. Just a few months later, demand surged to unprecedented levels. Supply chains had to cope with a challenge unlike anything we’ve seen in years: moving from standstill to overdrive, all in the space of about six weeks.

“The change in demand this year moved faster than anything I’ve seen in my career,” said Mike Welch, VP of global sales at NEMO. “When you’re talking about supply chain, moving in one direction and then quickly back in the other creates major difficulties. Change is hard. It’s especially hard when you’re talking about something this complex, involving hundreds of people spread across the world, dealing with technical products that are difficult to make in the first place.”

Challenges Brands Have Faced

The first thing to understand about the situation, OIA director of government affairs Rich Harper told 国产吃瓜黑料 Business Journal this week, is that the situation is bigger than the pandemic.

“What we’re facing is really a threefold challenge,” Harper said. “At the beginning of 2020, a lot of our members were still dealing with the impact of punitive tariffs on goods coming from China鈥攂ackpacks, travel goods, apparel, footwear. These tariffs were already piled on top of high taxes on Chinese goods. That was a double problem before the pandemic even began.”

In the past few years, Harper says, tariff disruptions have forced many brands to explore the possibility of getting out of China. Not a few companies had already begun moving out when the pandemic hit, leaving them particularly vulnerable to supply chain upsets.

“Traveling during COVID is obviously a huge challenge, and finding partners to work with in other countries is especially difficult right now,” Harper said.

All those factors鈥攅xisting difficulties with China, a large number of brands in the middle of moving operations, and the spread of the virus across the globe鈥攃ombined this spring聽to create a deeply challenging trade environment. Add widespread layoffs to the mix, and its a wonder more companies haven’t seen their supply chains crumble completely.

Relationships Are Everything

For many, the key to staying afloat has been maintaining strong supplier relationships through increased communication and patience, Harper says. It’s these relationships that have allowed companies to carry their supply chains through the crisis largely unscathed.

“This year in particular our relationships with supplier have meant the world,” said Greg Smith, the CEO of Icebreaker, in a panel discussion this month on supply chain sustainability. “To pause manufacturing and then speed up manufacturing鈥攖he two things we’ve asked our suppliers to do鈥攔equires flexibility and give and take.”

Welch at NEMO echoed the sentiment.听“This whole thing has brought us closer to our suppliers and our logistics operators. We’re putting more stress on the system than ever before. Our relationships with our factories, all the way through to warehousing and delivery, have been strained to meet demand. The only reason the stress hasn’t caused anything to break down is because of the strength of the relationships we’ve cultivated for years.”

Even in times of dire crisis, said Serkan Ozturkcan, VP of marketing at the backpack brand Solo New York, “you have to deliver on your promises to consumers and retailers, and part of that is having good, sustainable relationships with your supply chain to make sure you’re getting an inflow of accurate information. Cultivating those relationships is the baseline of our business.”

How to Keep Relationships Strong

Looking at it broadly, strong supply chain partnerships during the pandemic seem to hinge on two critical inputs from the brand side: communication and patience.

“This has been a situation in which communication was key鈥攆or that matter, it’s always key, in any relationship,” Welch said. “Communicating often and transparently helped us move through this much faster than we would have if we had kept our partners in the dark about anything.”

That meant running all news鈥攇ood and bad鈥攁cross the chain as quickly as possible.

“It always starts with communication between brands and retailers,” Welch said. “From there, it works back to factories, then to logistics teams, then to warehouses. We didn’t discriminate in what we thought was newsworthy. Every change we saw, even the little ones, we ran back along the chain to keep everyone as up-to-date as possible.”

Larry Baab, group vice president at Johnson Outdoors, qualified the notion with an important point: There’s a difference between aggressive transparency and micromanagement.

“When there鈥檚 such great disruption to the system, the tendency is for communication to become less efficient,” Baab said. “You try to keep in touch every day, following up after your follow ups. It’s important to strike the right balance between being aggressive and just letting your talented suppliers do what they do best.”

The other critical factor, Harper says, has been patience鈥攖he understanding that consumer demand will never be fully met in times of supply chain stress. Many of the traditional levers used to speed up production were removed earlier this year. The cost of air shipping goods, for example, became prohibitively expensive for many companies. When pockets of increased demand started cropping up in the late spring, it was difficult for brands to capitalize on them fully, Harper says. Reduced factory workforces slowed things further.

On top of that, the typical production systems for many outdoor products are complex鈥攁nd therefore slow鈥攊n the first place.

“This is not mass market apparel. This is not a backpack my daughter takes to school. To make the products we make and make them well, it takes time,” Harper said.

“In some cases, we were trying to move faster than what human beings are capable of for the products we’re talking about,” said Welch. “We had to prioritize demand. We knew we couldn’t meet all demand, so the question became, where does the demand we’re seeing have the greatest chance of return, given our current limits?”

Anders Bergstrom, general manager at Teva, had another point to add; he noted the difficulty that arises when brands slip into the habit of treating their supply chains as impersonal assets鈥攅ssentially the opposite of relationship building.

“It鈥檚 important that brands don鈥檛 assume that their supply chain is a fixed asset rather than a dynamic partner in the overall strategy,” he said. “The more coherent a supply chain is with the brand鈥檚 identity and consumer base, the stronger it will be.”

Strategic Allocation of Resources

With good supply chain relationships in place, brands are freed up to make strategic decisions about production cycles, Harper says. The ultimate goal is to identify areas of demand that can be met in a sustainable way鈥攖hat is, with the fewest possible risks, should another wave of the virus force the situation into crisis mode again.

“As manufacturing partners are coming back online, you have to make decisions about how you want to meet some of this renewed demand,” said Harper. “You also have to keep in mind that there could be a second wave and there potentially could be additional stay-at-home restrictions imposed.”

“We can’t just make twice as much of everything, even if the demand is there,” said Welch. “We need to decide which products are most important to take the business forward. We need to focus on getting the most out of those limited projects, rather than trying to wave a wand and meet all the demand that’s there.”

In NEMO’s case, that meant聽opening up another factory line for assembly of a product that has sold tremendously well during the pandemic: the brand’s Stargaze Recliner chair.

“We’ve been able to triple our production capacity in the short term to satisfy demand,” Welch said. “There has been an incredible explosion in demand for that product, and as a team we determined to focus our energy on chasing it.”

For Teva, it meant doubling down on a perennial best-seller that brand leaders knew would have staying power.

“We modified our product offering to ensure the best use of our heavily compromised supply chain resources while anticipating consumer demand,” Bergstrom said. “We knew changes needed to be made to avoid overstock and discount actions. Luckily for us, Teva is known for the iconic Original Universal, which has strong durability and staying power. We were able to create a seamless product offering for our customers, even though behind the scenes we were making huge changes to the products that we chose to make and bring to market.”

What Comes Next

All in all, it looks as though our industry supply chains have, for the most part, bent without breaking this year. The strain on the system has proven manageable for most. At the very least, it hasn’t been catastrophic.

“For our categories and supply chains, we’re largely leveling off as we come into spring ’21,” Welch said. “By mid-February, I expect us be in a very different position than we were just a few months ago. That’s still a few months away, though, and there’s work to do to get all the way there. But we’ve got an opportunity to start 2021 in a great place, given the robust forecasting and orders that exist on the books. We’re going to have time to plan out those deliveries and get them into the country.”

Bergstrom was equally optimistic about the situation at Teva.

“Since May, we’ve seen a strong recovery across channels and around the world,” Bergstrom said. “We鈥檝e had to pivot to managing our optimism and triple-checking our plans constantly. Teva is now working towards understanding a clear future beyond 2021 and building the supply chain we will need to support our acceleration out of this challenging year.”

Harper, for his part, is focused on what will change after things get back to “normal.” The move away from China, he says, will not stop because of the pandemic. There are other factors that pose an equally disruptive threat to supply chains that must be considered in conjunction with everything else.

“Many outdoor brands already source materials through the Generalized System of Preferences program, which is the main trade preference program for developing countries like Vietnam,” Harper said. “That program needs to be reauthorized by Congress every year. We don’t know when that’s going to happen, or how that program will fare moving forward, so that creates more uncertainty.”

All in all, he says, we’re not out of the woods. But things are looking dramatically better than they did just a few months ago. Come what may鈥攁nother wave of the virus, another trade war鈥攚e’ve proven that we can keep our systems strong by leaning on each other and keeping our heads.

The post Industry Health Check: Supply Chain Challenges During the Pandemic appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

How do I apply for a paycheck protection loan? What if I have to furlough employees? How do I pivot my manufacturing to make PPEs? What聽if I have to close my business? These are the types of questions the Outdoor Industry Association fielded when its 1,300 member businesses began calculating the economic impacts of the months-long coronavirus quarantine. OIA immediately changed course and established a COVID-19 resource hub, and redirected everyone on staff to work on coronavirus response.

It would have been a challenging pivot in the best of times, but the pandemic came at a crux moment for OIA. The crisis threatens the 31-year-old organization鈥檚 funding model鈥攚hich was already under pressure鈥攁nd OIA鈥檚 new executive director, Lise Aangeenbrug, took office聽just a week before stay-at-home orders started shuttering outdoor businesses around the country.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no roadmap for this,鈥� Aangeenbrug said. 鈥淥ur singular goal right now is to help our members survive.鈥�

But by prioritizing its members, OIA is putting off a question of its own, one that it must answer from within: How will OIA survive this? Is OIA itself healthy and strong enough to be the beacon of leadership that the industry needs right now, and in the future?

OIA鈥檚 Complex Relationship with Outdoor Retailer

Even before the crisis, OIA faced a potentially unreliable long-term funding model, with most of its eggs in the basket of Outdoor Retailer. OIA鈥檚 $8.9 million annual revenue comes, in large part, from Outdoor Retailer royalties (58 percent). The remaining revenue comes from Outdoor Foundation donations (18 percent), membership dues (16 percent), and other sponsorships (8 percent).

In many ways, it鈥檚 a smart model because OIA doesn鈥檛 have to constantly ask its members for more money, says Phyllis Grove, OIA board member and VP of marketing and ecommerce at Hydro Flask. (Annual membership fees range from $250 to $30,000 depending on the size and type of the organization.)

However, it also puts OIA at risk. Even with healthy reserves, Aangeenbrug says, OIA needs the national trade show, otherwise it would be in trouble. Now OIA is in that troubling situation. In response to the pandemic, Outdoor Retailer canceled the 2020 Summer Market. A few weeks later, VF Corporation chipped in 15 percent ($55,000) of its Summer Market refund to OIA, recognizing that the cancellation creates 鈥渁 critical funding gap in OIA鈥檚 traditional revenue stream,鈥� Smartwool (part of VF) Brand President Jen McLaren said in a news release. A few other brands鈥擯atagonia, W.L. Gore, Hydro Flask, and NEMO among them鈥攆ollowed suit. And on June 1, OIA made聽the tough ask to the broader industry. Nora Stowell, board chair, in a letter urged members to make a donation that replaces the royalty fee brands would have paid through exhibiting costs. 鈥淭he health of OIA is tied to the health of the industry,鈥� she wrote.

鈥淲hen they canceled this year鈥檚 show, I thought, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know how OIA is going to survive,鈥欌�� said Carolyn Brodsky, co-founder of Sterling Rope Company. She has been among those in the industry to question Outdoor Retailer鈥檚 relevance and cost structure, as well as protest OIA鈥檚 dependency on the trade show, but she believes the association has an important leadership role to play.

Peter Sachs is of a similar mindset. As the general manager of LOWA and a member of OIA, he relies on the trade show for business. But, 鈥淭o me, [OIA] sold their soul when they agreed to endorse Outdoor Retailer exclusively,鈥� Sachs said. 鈥淚 wish they had owned it and then gotten an organization like Emerald Expositions to run it for them. OIA鈥檚 future is controlled by a corporation that鈥檚 not in the outdoor, ski, or bike industry. They鈥檙e in the trade show industry.鈥�

Wrestling with Revenue

Revenue diversification has been on OIA鈥檚 slate for the entire 11 years Travis Campbell, VF president of emerging brands and Americas platforms, has served on the board. Because the partnership with Emerald Expositions, Outdoor Retailer鈥檚 owner, remains strong, he says, nothing signaled to the board that they needed to make a sudden, drastic change. Change has always been incremental. For example, new programs like the Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy and the Futurist Project brought in $100,000 in (combined) sponsorship funds.

In January, OIA gathered a task force to discuss funding alternatives鈥攑art of its ongoing efforts to tackle the problem. By March, when it became clear that its members were focused on trying to meet their own basic financial needs, OIA聽decided to table the discussion about its own funding model. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to talk to people about money when they鈥檙e hurting,鈥� Aangeenbrug said.

Another new, revenue-producing program, the Outdoor Industry Business Certificate, was due to launch in early 2020. OIA now expects it to go live later in 2020, with university partners like Utah State University and Western Colorado University. Still, the annual revenue it would generate is small potatoes compared to the more than $5 million from Outdoor Retailer.

鈥淚t鈥檚 time to have a more transparent conversation with our members about funding,鈥� Hydro Flask鈥檚 Grove said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very clear that with the cancellation of the summer show, we have to accelerate the way that we request more money from members.鈥�

Shifting to a direct dues model鈥攁 much higher cost for members鈥攊s the only real solution for relieving OIA entirely of its dependency on Outdoor Retailer, says Campbell. But to do that, he said OIA has to be clear on its value proposition: 鈥淵ou have to deliver a lot of value if you鈥檙e going to ask for more money and that鈥檚 the part we continue to wrestle with.鈥�

Shelley Dunbar, co-owner of Neptune Mountaineering and former co-owner of Sea to Summit, says she would much聽rather pay a higher OIA membership rate and see OIA put on its own smaller show than pay gobs of money to the for-profit trade show that鈥檚 often unattainable for the smaller brands who make the industry competitive. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the single biggest expense in our marketing budget,鈥� she said.

As Campbell sees it, though, it鈥檚 not an either/or conversation. He believes that while trade shows overall are struggling, OIA鈥檚 cut from Outdoor Retailer will never drop to zero because he has faith in OR. 鈥淲ho knows, they may not even be called trade shows in the future,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淏ut OR will figure out an economic model that works for them that supports this industry.鈥�

Time to Shine

During crisis, a trade association has the opportunity to be an invaluable resource. OIA was quick to establish a COVID-19 hub, which Grove found invaluable.

Dunbar, however, wishes OIA used this time to refocus on the trade membership. Yes, fighting for public lands is important, she says, but there are other groups that can and should take the lead, like The Conservation Alliance and The Access Fund. Retailers are a subset of the industry that has been underserved, Brodsky and Dunbar say. 鈥淚t would be beneficial for me if OIA enabled retail members to share information like best practices, best software, and point of sale systems, or if they brought back the Retail Benchmarking Report,鈥� Dunbar said.

There鈥檚 also work to do on the diversity front, both internally and externally. OIA knows it has a responsibility to better integrate more BIPOC voices and make JEDI progress across all programs. And to help members do the same, OIA says it will host facilitated sessions this summer with people from diverse backgrounds educating industry leaders.

Once the pandemic crisis settles down, Aangeenbrug says she looks forward聽to getting back to moving the outdoor industry forward. She cites the Climate Action Corps, a program launched in January to help companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as one such initiative. And of course, OIA鈥檚 future funding model will be top of mind as the industry moves into an uncertain trade show future.

Whatever the fix, Brodsky wants to see OIA lead and innovate: 鈥淭his is a time when retailers and organizations and members need their association the most.鈥�

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

The post The State of OIA appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

After all but losing spring 2020 to the pandemic, retailers and consumers alike are looking for gear to get excited about in 2021. So excited, in fact, that we decided to add their votes to our ranking of next season鈥檚 top products. Together, we鈥檝e pored over, narrowed down, and rated this year鈥檚 submissions to bring you the 50 most coveted products, ranked.

With all the supply chain disruptions and bleak sales during the pandemic, many brands and retailers are focused on selling through what鈥檚 currently in stock. So we opened up our TV50 nominations to select in-line products as well. They are indicated below with the label “Available Now.”

Breaking Down the Votes

How did we come up with this list? We received 359 submissions from 159 brands. Prices ranged from $2 (for a packet of energy gel) to $4,799 (for a kayak). We culled the list to the most interesting 65 products, then put these finalists out for a vote among three different user groups: our internal editorial team, a panel of retail shop owners, and consumers drawn from a group of superfans of BACKPACKER, our sister publication. Everyone voted on each product, assigning a rating from one (not interested) to ten (very interested).

Here are the top picks of each voter group.

TOP PICKS FOR RETAILERS: Big Agnes TwisterCane Pad; Nemo Roamer Double Sleeping Pad

TOP PICKS FOR CONSUMERS: PrimaLoft Gold with P.U.R.E. tech; Big Agnes TwisterCane Pad and Leatherman Free T4 (tie)

TOP PICKS FOR OUR EDITORIAL TEAM: PrimaLoft Gold with P.U.R.E. tech; Big Agnes Sidewinder bag

1. PrimaLoft Gold with P.U.R.E. Tech

$199 (for Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, insulation pictured above)

THE PROMISE: This new synthetic insulation makes
a massive dent in carbon emissions.

THE DEETS: Patagonia鈥檚 Nano Puff will be the first jacket to feature the lightweight and highly compressible PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. (Produced Using Reduced Emissions), a 100 percent recycled synthetic microfiber material. The production process saves roughly half the carbon emissions by binding the synthetic fill without heat, instead using an eco-friendly treatment to cure it with air.

2. Big Agnes Twister-Cane Bio Foam Pad

$50

THE PROMISE: This superlight pad (8 ounces) is made from sugarcane, not petroleum.

THE DEETS: For the first time, a closed-cell foam mat is made from renewable material grown with rainwater, reducing the industry鈥檚 dependence on EVA foam.

3. MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier

$250

THE PROMISE: Get pure water in minutes without breaking a sweat.

THE DEETS: The MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier uses two stages for purification. The hollow fiber technology removes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, while the activated carbon reduces chemicals, tastes, and odors. The result: one liter of clean water in two minutes without any pumping. Bonus: no backflushing necessary, as the integrated purge valve does the work.

4. Leatherman FreeT4

$65; Available Now

THE PROMISE: Get a multitool with true one-handed operation.

THE DEETS: Twelve tools are accessible from the outside with simple magnetic聽closures, an architecture that eliminates fingernail use to deploy. Everything鈥攆rom the four screwdrivers to the bottle opener鈥攆it in this compact (3.6-inch) and light (4.3-ounce) package.

5. Osprey Aether/Aerial Plus 60L Packs

THE PROMISE: This updated version of a proven winner supports even heavier loads.

THE DEETS: The Plus version of the Aether (men鈥檚) and Ariel (women鈥檚) features a lighter frame that carries closer to the body to better stabilize heavy loads, yet remains breathable and comfortable. The lid detaches to convert into a daypack, or just to slim down the pack for shorter trips.

6. Primus Lite+

$115

THE PROMISE: Get a back- country stove for every kind of chef and every kind of meal.

THE DEETS: Versatility is the name of the game for the 16-ounce Lite+. It鈥檚 equally adept at quick-boiling (2:45 per half liter) and gentle simmering, plus it has a low center of gravity and even flame distribution. Bonus: includes a hanging kit.

7. Honey Stinger Protein Waffles

$27 (12 pack);聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: These snack waffles pack a protein punch.

THE DEETS: Now with ten grams of protein per pack, these anytime snacks aid muscle recovery and taste like a treat. Wild Berry or Apple Cinnamon filling is sandwiched between two thin, crisp waffles. Our taste testers keep asking for more.

8. BioLite HeadLamp 750

$100

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 almost as bright as your car鈥檚 headlights yet weighs only five ounces.

THE DEETS: With six light modes, a burst option to briefly produce 750 lumens, and a 400-foot beam on max, this headlight screams safety and versatility. The battery lasts five hours using 500 lumens, but a full 100 hours on low, with an eight-hour reserve power mode and powerbank. Trail runners and mountaineers alike will love the constant brightness mode. Most lights using alkaline batteries dim, but the use of lithium batteries pre- vents the typical discharge curve and keeps the lumens in a steady state.

9. NEMO Roamer Double Sleeping Pad

$400

THE PROMISE: This plush pad for two is so comfy you just might forget that you鈥檙e camping.

THE DEETS: With four inches of open-cell foam and an R-value of six, this double-wide, self-inflating pad provides a deluxe mattress covered in soft, recycled polyester fabric. The included pump means speedy inflation.

10. Big Agnes Sidewinder SL

$280

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 the ultimate sleeping bag for side sleepers.

THE DEETS: 70 percent of us sleep on our sides and now there鈥檚 a bag built
just for us. The Sidewinder contours to a side sleeper鈥檚 position while also allowing freedom of movement for rolling over. Even the foot box is contoured to the angle of the side sleeper鈥檚 feet. Body-mapped fill (650-fill DownTek with synthetic overlays near the hips and feet) optimizes warmth.

11. Klean Kanteen Food Boxes

$15-$60

THE PROMISE: These reusable, super-tough containers are ideal for storing snacks.

THE DEETS: Sold as a set or in three different sizes, these dishwasher-safe, stainless-steel storage containers don鈥檛 rust, shatter, or retain flavors (like plastic containers often do). The silicone lids are leak-proof and BPA-free, and the containers are sized for trail mix, sandwiches, or a whole picnic lunch.

12. PHOOZY Apollo II

$35;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Protect your phone in the wildest environments.

THE DEETS: If anything can protect your phone from the elements, it鈥檚 NASA space suit technology. The Phoozy combines a thick EVA foam with a patent-pending chromium thermal layer and UV coating that protects the battery from dying in the cold and overheating in the sun.听The case is water-resistant and protects against drops up to eight feet.

13. POC Sports Tectal Race NFC聽SPIN Helmet

$250;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: This helmet protects you during and after a biking accident.

THE DEETS: Thanks to a near-field communication (NFC) medical ID tag in the helmet, first responders can instantly read your medical profile via any NFC-enabled smartphone and use it to inform medical decisions when you鈥檙e unable to speak. The fully wrapped construction, combined with POC鈥檚 patent-pending SPIN (Shearing Pads Inside),聽silicone-injected pads, and precision straps, improves rotational impact and structural integrity, but the helmet still weighs less than 14 ounces.

14. Gregory Katmai/Kalmia 50-65L

$260 (55L)

THE PROMISE: This pack moves with your body to provide ultimate comfort.

THE DEETS: The Katmai (men鈥檚) and Kalmia (women鈥檚) packs feature a ventilated, suspended mesh backpanel that cradles your lower back for fit and comfort. The customizable 3D hipbelt hugs the body and decreases rubbing and hotspots.

15. Six Moon Designs Wild Owyhee 2P Tent

$600;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Even the tallest campers can sit up straight under this tarp tent.

THE DEETS: The dual-pole design affords 48 inches of headroom, and not just at the center point. Two doors and vestibules offer convenience, storage, and access. The No-See-Um mesh skirt perimeter provides full ventilation and bug protection, and of course you get complete rain protection, all for just one pound.

16. Patagonia Provisions Cacao + Mango Bar

$27 (12 pack);聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: This natural fruit bar breaks the granola bar mold.

THE DEETS: Our testers say these bars make you feel like you鈥檙e on a tropical island, thanks to the organic blend of sun-dried mangoes, cacao nibs, bananas, and almonds. The pocket-size聽bar delivers 140 calories.

17. Black Diamond Capitan MIPS Helmet $100

THE PROMISE: Maximum head protection doesn鈥檛 need to be hot, heavy, or uncomfortable.

THE DEETS: With a sleek, cradled fit and plentiful brain coverage, the Capitan is cool and comfortable without compromising noggin protection. The MIPS technology absorbs and redirects oblique impacts to the helmet.

18. SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger

$150

THE PROMISE: This one-way communication device聽stands up to the roughest elements.

THE DEETS: The newest SPOT Gen4 messenger has an upgraded outer casing and water-resistant rating (IP68), plus prolonged battery performance, all for less than four ounces. The new mapping option stores more than 50 waypoints for tracking.

19. Cusa Coffee

$6 (seven pack);聽Available Now

THE PROMISE:聽Get gourmet coffee on the go.

THE DEETS: Cusa took the instant tea world by storm a few years ago, and now it鈥檚 jumping into the instant coffee game. For cold or hot brew, just shake or stir with water for ten seconds to dissolve the blend. We got a sneak taste test and the verdict is thumbs up! Available in a variety of roasts and flavors.

20. Voormi Diversion Hoodie

$249;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 the cozy, stink-resistant hoodie you鈥檒l reach for over all the others.

THE DEETS: This 21.5-micron merino wool jacket is reinforced with nylon fibers and finished with a DWR coating to deliver protection against the elements. Features include integrated thumbholes, a chest pocket with a headphone port, and a relaxed fit.

21. LEKI Cross Trail 3A

$150

THE PROMISE: These poles are purpose-built for both trail running and backpacking.

THE DEETS: At just over a pound per pair, the three-section Cross Trail 3A is a light and strong aluminum-shafted pole with a glove-like grip/strap system to help runners sail down the trail or trekkers power up big climbs, all while keeping a relaxed hand.

22. HOKA One One Clifton Edge

$160

THE PROMISE: The unique heel geometry creates a聽smooth impact and an un- matched gliding sensation.

THE DEETS: The newest Hoka debuts a lighter top layer of midsole foam paired with a radically extended heel section to absorb heel strike forces. The weight is just 7.2 ounces per shoe with 26mm of cushion in the heel and 21mm in the forefoot.

23. Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot

$150

THE PROMISE: This inflatable camp cot (pictured upside down to show the structural design) gets you off the ground for comfortable snoozing and packs down small for easy transport.

THE DEETS: The perimeter tubes elevate it 8 inches off the ground and stabilize the sleeper in the middle of the cot, even on uneven ground. The antimicrobial treatments inside the chambers prevent mildew, odors, discoloration, and degradation. At less than three pounds, it transports easily.

24. Superfeet Trailblazer Comfort Insoles

$50;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE:聽Give your feet extra protection and comfort on the trail.

THE DEETS: This insole enhances the stability and comfort of any trail runner or boot and offers retailers a great upselling opportunity. Built with heel impact technology, shock-absorbing, dual-comfort foam, and a carbon-fiber stabilizer cap, these will turn the miles into smiles.

25. Therm-a-Rest聽Air Head Pillow

$43 – $48;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Get a better聽night鈥檚 sleep with this lofty but light synthetic pillow.

THE DEETS: Backpackers will hardly notice the extra 5.6 ounces, but they鈥檒l appreciate the comfort of this four-inch-thick baffled inflatable pillow after a long day. It comes in two sizes and is shaped to fit into the hood of a sleeping bag. The brushed polyester outer is machine washable.

26. Vasque Footwear Satoru Trail LT

$150

THE PROMISE: This minimalist shoe protects and supports like a midweight hiker.

THE DEETS: The Satoru Trail LT strips away everything but comfort and versatility. With zero drop for a natural stride and a one-piece molded mesh upper (no overlays, stitching, or glue), it鈥檚 lightweight but protective.

27. Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket

$150

THE PROMISE: A little bit casual, a little bit technical, this colorful jacket diverts scrap textile from the landfill.

THE DEETS: Made from a combination of repurposed and recycled materials, this two-ounce insulated wind- breaker is sure to pop off the rack. It鈥檚 also reversible. One side features Cotopaxi鈥檚 signature color-blocking; the other a more subdued solid hue.

28. Matador SEG42

$190;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: This load hauler combines the best features of a backpack, duffle bag, and packing cubes into one.

THE DEETS: With five zippered compartments, this 42-liter travel bag keeps you organized. Carry it like a pack or stow away the shoulder straps and use the top or side straps for duffel duty. It鈥檚 carry-on compliant and the nylon shell is durable and water resistant.

29. GSI Outdoors Lite Cast Frypan

$29

THE PROMISE: Get cast-iron performance without the weight.

THE DEETS: Traditional cast iron fry pans are heavy, but, at three pounds, this thinner, ten-inch skillet is 30 percent lighter than most. The polished cooking surface prevents sticking and eases cleanup.

30. Smith Lowdown 2 CORE

$129;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Eco-conscious adventurers will wear these shades with pride.

THE DEETS: Created from recycled plastic bottles and castor oil plants, these are glasses you can feel good about. Even the microfiber bag comes from recycled single-use plastics. The polarized lenses reduce glare from sun and snow.

31. Kelty Grand Mesa

$130 (2P) / $190 (4P);聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: This spacious shelter won鈥檛 break your budget.

THE DEETS: Available in a two- or four-person version, this is an ideal three-season tent for entry-level backpackers. The color-coded corner pockets make setup a snap, and the large D-shaped single door and vestibule are roomy for easy entry/exit and gear storage.

32. Black Diamond Tag LT Shoe

$135

THE PROMISE: These approach shoes are so light and packable, they can send the route with you.

THE DEETS: The Tag LTs collapse readily into a flat package no bigger than their midsole, thanks to the two-way stretch polyester upper. A carry strap binds them together and the heel loop makes them a cinch to clip to your pack or harness once you reach the crag. They weigh 15 ounces per pair.

33. Danner Trail 2650 Campo

$140

THE PROMISE: This lightweight, breathable, and grippy low-cut hiker is built for hot, dry, and rocky terrain.

THE DEETS: The Campo鈥檚 EVA midsole provides welcome cushioning and drainage ports, while the Vibram outsole easily tackles the desert鈥檚 sandy and uneven surfaces. The mesh upper and multiple drainage ports in the toebox and heel provide airflow and breathability to beat the heat.

34. LifeStraw Go 1L

$45

THE PROMISE: Fill, filter, and drink with this affordable, all-in-one device.

THE DEETS: The lightweight, reusable LifeStraw Go 1L bottle has an internal membrane microfilter along with a carbon filter, which combine聽to remove bacteria, parasites, and harmful chemicals from up to 1,000 gallons of water.

35. Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Harness

$45;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Keep your best friend safe, both in the car and on the trail.

THE DEETS: This multitasking harness works for standard walking as well as for clipping your dog into your car鈥檚 seatbelt system for safe road tripping. With steel hardware and five points of adjustment, the harness passes crash tests designed for child restraints.

36. Helinox Incline Festival Chair

$120

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 the ultimate festival chair.

THE DEETS: The DAC alloy frame offers stability and support, and the sliding front feet adjust the seat angle for optimal comfort and positioning. The broad, flat contact points minimize impact on festival grounds and without legs, the three-pound chair keeps a low profile, so you won鈥檛 block the action for people sitting behind you.

37. Merrell Moab Speed

$120

THE PROMISE: Merrell鈥檚 best-selling shoe just lost some weight.

THE DEETS: The trail running version of this popular shoe keeps a low profile and weighs just over a pound per pair. The hybrid design tackles varied terrain with a Vibram outsole, ten millimeter drop, layered mesh upper, and padded collar.

38. Hydro Flask Outdoor Kitchen Collection

$20 – $75

THE PROMISE: Kitchenware that鈥檚 ready to rough it, but sleek enough for fancy backyard cookouts.

THE DEETS: Eight pieces, including utensils, bowls, and lids, nest into a tote聽for easy portability. The stainless-steel construction is easy to clean and the double-wall vacuum insulation keeps foods hot or cold during travel.

39. Granite Gear聽Dagger 22L Pack

$100;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 the ideal pack for ambitious dayhikers.

THE DEETS: The Dagger utilizes Granite Gear鈥檚 arch system to anchor the frame
to the hipbelt and distribute the load evenly. The 22-liter nylon packbag fits day trip essentials inside, but the stretch side and front pockets give it a little extra capacity.

40. Deuter Future Air Trek 50 + 10L

$250

THE PROMISE: This pack鈥檚 calling card is versatility.

THE DEETS: One pack for all: The ventilated mesh back and fit system adjusts to any body shape or size, while the detachable toplid lets you add or subtract volume. A U-shaped front zipper means you can get to any part of the pack quickly and easily. And a roomy side pocket is big enough for a hydration bladder.

41. Sierra Designs Nightcap

35掳F $150 / 20掳F $170

THE PROMISE: This zipperless bag is built with salvaged materials.

THE DEETS: Recycled, post-industrial fabrics that would otherwise go to waste form the 20-denier ripstop nylon shell, while the synthetic insulation is sourced from recycled water bottles. The bag has a self-sealing foot vent and an integrated pad sleeve.

42. Karukinka Tase

$329;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: This will be the midlayer you reach for time and again.

THE DEETS: Combining three types of wool鈥攁lpaca, llama, and merino鈥攊nto a single fabric is exciting, but comes at a high price point. All these cold-weather fibers have the overlapping benefits of wicking moisture and staying warm when wet, but the longer fibers of merino increase durability. Alpaca and llama fibers are hollow, contributing to the fast-drying and moisture-wicking performance.

43. 国产吃瓜黑料 Inside Explorer Essential Kit

$50

THE PROMISE: This kit is perfect for any kid who dreams of adventuring.

THE DEETS: Get your kids started early and safely with these essentials for exploring the great outdoors, whether it鈥檚 the backyard or the backcountry. The set includes a pair of binoculars, a legit orienteering compass, LED flashlight, a four-in-one whistle/thermometer, instructions, and a protective carrying pouch.

44. Bogs Footwear Kicker

$45

THE PROMISE: Life hack for parents: These eco-friendly, closed-toed kids鈥� shoes are easy on, easy off, and machine washable.

THE DEETS: Kids can use and abuse these shoes, all while keeping their feet dry, sweat-free, and less stinky. The new Bloom insoles come from algae blooms, which are dried into flakes and mixed with EVA to create a comfortable footbed, while also cleaning up water habitats.

45. Moon Fab聽Moon Shade

$350;聽Available Now

THE PROMISE: Versatile attachment hardware makes it easy to create ample shade whenever and wherever you need it.

THE DEETS: This portable, 420-denier polyester awning can attach to any vehicle or door frame (with heavy-duty suction cups) or even mount to trees, fences, and railings. When deployed, there鈥檚 nine by seven feet of coverage with UV protection and reflective coating. At eight pounds (including its own carrying case), it can easily go from ball games to campgrounds.

46. Odlo Active F-DRY Light Eco Sports Baselayer

$45

THE PROMISE: This fast-dry- ing tee is ideal for serious aerobic activity.

THE DEETS: Combining polypropylene with recycled polyester, this short-sleeved baselayer has a push-pull effect to regulate body temperature and keeps you smelling like a rose. And it鈥檚 ultralight at less than half an ounce.

47. EDELRID Tommy Caldwell Eco Dry CT 9.3 Rope

$300-$380

THE PROMISE: It鈥檚 a rope as eco-conscious as Tommy Caldwell himself, with the first and only dry treatment that鈥檚 safer for the environment.

THE DEETS: Available in three lengths with a 9.3-mm diameter, the rope coils without tangles and has extreme abrasion resistance. The bi-color sheath makes finding the middle a cinch. And the Eco Dry 100 percent PFC core and sheath dry treatment are free of the fluorochemicals commonly used to provide water- and stain-resistance to climbing ropes.

48. Level Six Freya Drysuit

$900

THE PROMISE: This women鈥檚 drysuit has a unique rear access so she can answer nature鈥檚 calls, quickly.

THE DEETS: The zipper for the rear relief area is designed to be non-irritating when paddling in a kayak, sitting on a raft, or standing up on a paddleboard鈥攕o basically comfortable all the time. The waterproof/breathable fabric is articulated for unrestricted movement, with reinforced knees and elbows聽for durability. The adjustable waistband system provides a precise fit.

49. MTHD Traverse Trail Run Short

$95

THE PROMISE: These men鈥檚 shorts are built to beat friction and irritation.

THE DEETS: A stretchy, 20-denier nylon paired with an underlying Polartec Power Dry polyester built-in boxer brief grants the flexibility and breathability runners need. A Polartec NeoShell pocket keeps your phone protected from sweat even while you鈥檙e Strava-ing a full day.

KEEN Ridge Flex Mid*

$170

THE PROMISE: These boots actually make hiking easier.

THE DEETS: KEEN says that the pliable TPU inserts at key flex points (across the forefoot and at the Achilles heel) in this midweight hiker require 60 percent less energy to bend. That saves energy and combats foot fatigue, but it also nixes break-in times and improves durability, as leather tends to break down earlier at flex points.

*This last-minute entry missed our deadline for voting but we love the innovation and suspect it would have scored well, so we鈥檙e including it here without a ranking.听

The post The Voice 50: The Hottest Gear of Next Season appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There was a time in Tayson Whittaker鈥檚 life when $200 was a lot of money. In 2014, when Whittaker was a 23-year-old finance student at Southern Utah University, he struggled to come up with enough cash to buy ultralight backpacking gear. He already had a closet full of hunting and fishing equipment that he鈥檇 acquired as a kid growing up in rural Richfield, Utah, but his college pals had turned him on to hiking鈥攁nd the comforts that come with lightweight gear. Even the Kelty Cosmic (the cheapest down sleeping bag he could find) cost almost two Benjamins, which Whittaker couldn鈥檛 afford.

Most people, faced with a similar situation, would make do with eBay and move on. But Whittaker had another idea. If no gear company sold the product he wanted at a price he could afford, why not launch a brand that would? After all, he鈥檇 already taken loads of business courses, and had even peered into the direct-to-consumer world as a part-time employee with a health supplies importer. 鈥淚 knew I enjoyed business, but wanted to get into something I was passionate about,鈥� he said.

So with $500 in his checking account and a newly minted bachelor鈥檚 degree, Whittaker founded Outdoor Vitals. In this case, 鈥渇ounded鈥� meant establishing an LLC and a website, becoming an Amazon seller, and placing an order (for just five units) with a manufacturer in Asia. No in-house designer, no marketing department, no sales reps鈥攈e couldn鈥檛 afford them, but he didn鈥檛 need them. He simply browsed the Chinese online database Alibaba until he found a factory that promised to make what he wanted: a down-filled sleeping bag that he could sell for less than $100.

In July 2014, he listed Outdoor Vitals鈥� first product on Amazon. His 500-fill Atlas mummy bag weighed a little more than three pounds, promised a 15-degree comfort rating, and cost consumers a whopping $99. His margin was 30 percent after Amazon fees.

It was an instant hit: Whittaker had to order more bags鈥攁 lot more鈥攁s the Atlas reigned as Amazon鈥檚 number one-selling sleeping bag for more than a year. Since then, Outdoor Vitals has expanded its 鈥淟ive Ultralight鈥� mission to include hammock-specific bags, backpacks, tarps and tents, and a synthetic-fill jacket. And Whittaker has more than $500 in the bank these days, with Outdoor Vitals selling more than $2 million in product annually.

The success of Outdoor Vitals was made possible by two key changes in the way gear is made and sold. First, the evolution of Asian manufacturing makes it possible to hand off design and materials sourcing to the factory. Communicating with factory management is also easier than ever, with email replacing the costly, face-to-face negotiations that were the norm as recently as ten years ago. Gear production is hardly an infant industry these days; it has grown up, with established norms and a sophisticated workforce.

And second: Amazon. There鈥檚 nothing new about the math of selling direct to consumers, but it used to take capital to reach those shoppers. Now, access to a nation of bargain-hunters is just a few clicks away.

Outdoor Vitals is not alone in pioneering this model. A growing number of similar upstarts are discovering this low-cost formula, and they can鈥檛 be written off as simply cheap. Many of their products please consumers: piles of five-star reviews confirm it. And, proponents argue, these brands are filling a gap in the marketplace for basic, affordable, functional outdoor gear. The low-investment model also makes it easier than ever for any hiker or climber to turn his or her passion into a business鈥攁 dream that has sparked many a career in the outdoor industry.

But critics point out that this emerging model hurts the industry by undercutting its retailers (though the same can be said of all direct online sales). And some accuse these startups of copycatting: instead of pioneering their own designs, company founders make small tweaks to existing products鈥攚hich often look a lot like models that were developed and tested by established brands that invest in R&D.

So are these startups leeching off the industry鈥檚 innovators? Or does the model democratize outdoor gear by giving consumers affordable, basic options鈥攁nd offering scrappy entrepreneurs a low-investment way to get in the game?

After a 17-year career as a civil transportation engineer, Bart Przybyl quit his job. He simply didn鈥檛 have time to report to the office anymore, because his company, Paria Outdoor Products, was growing so fast. When Przybyl founded Paria in October 2015, he intended it to be a sideline business that would bring in enough supplemental income to let his wife stay home with their three kids. But two years later, with the 鈥渟ide business鈥� grossing more than $1 million annually, Przybyl decided it was time to make gear his main gig.

It all started with a podcast that Przybyl heard one day while creeping through traffic in Denver. The interview, with someone who鈥檇 started an e-commerce business, inspired Przybyl to leverage his passion for backpacking into launching a gear brand. As a kid growing up in Vancouver, Przybyl went for a weeklong trek on British Columbia鈥檚 West Coast Trail, and he has loved backpacking ever since. His first desert adventure, in Utah鈥檚 Paria Canyon, inspired the name of his company.

Like Whittaker, he searched through Alibaba鈥檚 database, then listed the specs he wanted for a trekking pole and asked a few factories to send him their samples. 鈥淚鈥檝e used poles for a long time, and appreciate their benefits for backpacking,鈥� Przybyl explained. But the folding style that he prefers (because it packs shorter than telescoping models) costs $100 to $200 from brands such as Leki, Helinox, and Black Diamond. So Przybyl set out to make a cheaper version: 鈥淢aybe not as high quality, but good enough,鈥� he said. This philosophy鈥攖hat a lot of backpackers just need gear that鈥檚 鈥済ood enough鈥濃�攊s key to his approach. So he selected his favorite factory-direct sample, dictated a smattering of changes, and ordered 500 pairs. They arrived 40 days later, and on January 21, 2016, he made his first sale, for $55, on Amazon.

鈥淎mazon has a program that lets you store your inventory at their distribution centers, and their staff picks and packs it,鈥� said Przybyl, explaining his low overhead model. Amazon鈥檚 shoppers quickly took notice of Paria鈥檚 bargain-priced poles. 鈥淪ometimes, we鈥檇 sell 50 pairs a day,鈥� Przybyl said. 鈥淪o I got to wondering where to go next.鈥�

Paria has since expanded into sleep systems, tents, and even double-walled titanium mugs. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have R&D,鈥� said Przybyl. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not developing products from scratch.鈥� Instead, he targets basic, low-cost construction and asks himself, 鈥淐an I make some modifications to existing products to make them better?鈥�

Judging from the glowing reviews (five stars each for Paria鈥檚 Thermodown 15 sleeping bag and Tri-Fold Carbon Cork trekking poles), Przybyl鈥檚 products typically please purchasers. 鈥淚 love the sleeping pads that I bought,鈥� raved one buyer. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e great!鈥� Another attested, 鈥淚 have pitched the [Sanctuary SilTarp] along the wilderness coast of Olympic National Park and in the Hoh Rainforest. It has performed flawlessly.鈥� Indeed, Backpacker testers have favorably reviewed three of Paria鈥檚 products. No surprise, the prices are also a hit. 鈥淵ou are doing an awesome job of helping more people to get outside and play!鈥� wrote one satisfied Paria customer.

鈥淲hat I鈥檓 trying to do is fill a gap in the market,鈥� said Przybyl. 鈥淭here鈥檚 really good backpacking gear made by companies such as Nemo and Big Agnes, and they鈥檙e awesome brands, top quality, but expensive. Then on the flip side, there鈥檚 the really inexpensive gear that you find at Walmart that isn鈥檛 good for backpacking because it鈥檚 so heavy. It seemed like there was a spot in the middle for lightweight, quality gear that鈥檚 suitable for backpacking, but isn鈥檛 premium.鈥�

But Greg Wozer, vice president of Leki USA, prefers to assume that all consumers need the best possible reliability鈥攅specially in his category of equipment. If a telescoping mechanism fails, or a pole shaft buckles, the user could fall. So even though there are no safety standards governing trekking pole design, Leki subjects all its poles to third-party testing to make sure that even its lowest-cost models exceed industry recommendations.

He also disputes the claim that big-name brands don鈥檛 offer entry-level options. 鈥淭he idea that we only develop products for the elite could not be less true,鈥� Wozer said. 鈥淵es, it鈥檚 a challenge to continually renew those products at the top of the pyramid, but every time we do, it allows us to take those high-end qualities and filter them down to entry-level products.鈥� Leki鈥檚 cheapest pair of poles (a telescoping model) costs $60, but its folding designs start at $140 per pair鈥攁nd Paria sells its folding poles for $50 to $60 per pair.

But it鈥檚 not just about price, said Bill Gamber, founder and co-owner of Big Agnes. Product testing and research matter, he believes. Big Agnes prototypes go through multiple iterations, each one informed by extensive in-field use to make sure they鈥檙e ready for consumers. With factory-direct models that forgo that development process, paying customers become the guinea pigs.

Gamber added that brands with no R&D aren鈥檛 just skimping on testing: they鈥檙e ripping off standards that he and others established. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e selling someone else鈥檚 thought process and design and hard work.鈥� In fact, he claimed, it鈥檚 inaccurate to say that factory-direct startups don鈥檛 use designers. 鈥淭hey do. It鈥檚 Big Agnes, or MSR, or Mountain Hardwear. They鈥檙e just not paying for it.鈥�

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and every industry has to accommodate it鈥攁nd has since the second wheel was made. From smartphones to coffeemakers to cough drops, the trickle-down effect is a key part of market growth. Some companies prioritize innovation, while others target affordability. The mix of both creates a diverse marketplace that serves a range of consumers. Should the outdoor industry be any different?

In fact, many innovators actually welcome new ideas that challenge the status quo. 鈥淭rue competition spurs innovation and pushes us to be better,鈥� Wozer said. But he points out that being part of the outdoor industry has always been about more than making widgets. Leki and most brands that are firmly part of the outdoor ecosystem support nonprofit trail associations. Many support conservation causes and outreach programs. Then again, most companies need to get their financial footing before ramping up donations. Outdoor Vitals currently donates 1 percent to environmental causes, and Whittaker said he plans to develop a more robust giveback program. Paria occasionally donates gear to the local Boy Scouts chapter and similar nonprofits.

Wozer also takes exception to the parasitic nature of some startups. Some Amazon sellers (not Outdoor Vitals or Paria) copy entire pages of educational content from the websites of established brands, and list products using keywords borrowed from the bigger names. 鈥淲e鈥檒l see listings that use the names of our best-selling models and features,鈥� Wozer said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e disingenuous in the way they present themselves to the consumer.鈥� Thus Wozer isn鈥檛 convinced that Amazon shoppers are making fully educated purchases. Some bargain-priced lookalikes come so close to Leki鈥檚 original designs that even he can鈥檛 discern the difference at a glance. 鈥淏ut you can鈥檛 gauge tensile strength by appearance,鈥� said Wozer. (It鈥檚 important to note that factory-direct brands are not all the same. Ones like Paria and Outdoor Vitals have customer service and product expertise, while the knockoff artists Wozer is referring to often don鈥檛; we tried to contact several of the latter for this story, but none responded.)

Whittaker says that consumers don鈥檛 always get what鈥檚 advertised, but it鈥檚 not necessarily because companies are deliberately deceitful鈥攖hey鈥檙e just ignorant. Sometimes sellers are copying features that they know nothing about, so they鈥檙e cavalier about the facts. When a competing company plagiarized Outdoor Vitals鈥� own product copy, said Whittaker, it labeled its 500-fill bag as 800-fill down. 鈥淭hey assumed that 90/10 [down-to-feather ratio] meant 800-fill,鈥� said Whittaker. 鈥淵et [the bags] still got five-star reviews, because customers didn鈥檛 know the difference.鈥� (The copy was eventually corrected.)

Of course, imitation is not limited to low-cost companies. Take the folding trekking pole. Several leading brands now use this design, and you can bet they didn鈥檛 all invent it independently. Still, Gamber believes it鈥檚 important to bring something original to the table. When Big Agnes set out to develop its own lightweight camp chair, after years of distributing the Helinox version that enjoyed widespread popularity (and cloning), BA designers were careful to engineer their own, differentiating features鈥攍ike bent poles and innovative joints. Still, it looks quite like the Helinox chair at a glance.

To make its own line of branded gear, REI Co-op employs a team of in-house designers that make sure each product bears REI鈥檚 brand DNA. 鈥淭he majority of Co-op Brands product is ground-up concepted, designed, and executed by our creative team,鈥� said general manager Paul Calandrella.

But, says Przybyl, some standbys don鈥檛 need to be reinvented every time. Paria鈥檚 1P and 2P Bryce tents, for example, employ a widely used geometry. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been around forever, and is offered by lots of other companies,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not working with product that necessarily needs a designer to rethink it from scratch.鈥�

In other words, nowadays a tent is like a water bottle: if you just want a basic model, the factories don鈥檛 need a lot of instruction.

For some startups today, the first contact with a factory is through Alibaba (tagline: 鈥淕lobal trade starts here鈥�). The site publishes contact information for thousands of manufacturers and suppliers across a wide range of industries. Before Alibaba, you had to travel to Asian factories and negotiate designs and terms face to face, said Richard Amodio, a Bangkok-based production consultant and former factory manager who now advises brands on sourcing, design, and product development.

鈥淭hese days, it鈥檚 easier to find [a factory],鈥� Amodio said. But prospecting startups probably won鈥檛 be able to partner with the best factories, he claims, because those operations tend to work with bigger, established outdoor brands.

And while it鈥檚 possible to get quality work done, said Amodio, when you outsource everything to the factories, you outsource control. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a gamble in so many ways, because you鈥檝e got no control over how it鈥檚 made, where it鈥檚 made, or who鈥檚 making it,鈥� he explained. From afar, low-cost startups can鈥檛 supervise quality control. They can鈥檛 evaluate materials to confirm that their second batch of fabric is as good as the first one. And they certainly can鈥檛 know whether the factory is following acceptable environmental and human rights practices, Amodio said.

Bigger brands dedicate significant resources to compliance鈥攖hey make sure that materials, production methods, and working conditions comply with international standards and laws. And, of course, this is another factor that drives up price.

For example, Big Agnes employs two full-time quality inspectors, plus two more just for materials testing (the company verifies every batch of down to make sure it meets the declared fill rating). Each Big Agnes sleeping bag goes through a metal detector to make sure there are no needles lodged in the seams鈥攂ecause sewing needles sometimes break. Gamber doubts that ultra-lean startups are providing that kind of quality assurance. (Both Paria and Outdoor Vitals do quality-control inspections. Though their process may not be as thorough as ones used by larger brands, they back their products with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.)

And Wozer noted that Leki has developed sustainable production methods that prevent chemicals from getting into waterways and capture waste aluminum for recycling. He said low-cost production methods may impose a higher environmental impact.

Przybyl disagrees, and disputes Amodio鈥檚 claim that startups and big brands don鈥檛 share factories. 鈥淪ome of our products are made in the same factories as the big brands, so in those cases, [charges of environmental and social harm] are just not true,鈥� he said. Whittaker also produces some of his products in factories that he shares with bigger brands, so he knows they adhere to higher standards. And at the smaller factory that Whittaker initially partnered with, he negotiated a five-day work week for his product line.

But factories are only part of the equation for this new breed of brand. The other part is direct-to-consumer distribution.

So far, companies such as Outdoor Vitals have found customers primarily through Amazon. But Amazon itself is getting into the game with its Amazon Basics line, and Whittaker expects that in the race for ultralow prices, the behemoth will ultimately beat out the independents.

Yet the model allowed Whittaker to turn $500 into a foothold in the outdoor industry, and now, he intends to climb. 鈥淚nitially, my biggest selling feature was price,鈥� he said, but as his prices rose, his visibility on Amazon plummeted. That鈥檚 OK, he says. 鈥淔or me, Amazon was a stepping stone.鈥� Now, Outdoor Vitals processes 50 percent of its sales through its own website (direct sales remain the goal). It has built a community of brand devotees through its YouTube channel, which has 15,000 subscribers. Whittaker is developing fresh product like the LoftTek 国产吃瓜黑料 Jacket, which uses a new synthetic fill and raised $750,000 in 35 days on Kickstarter. 鈥淚 feel extremely blessed to be able to work in the outdoor industry,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a kid, I never would have guessed I could combine my biggest passions into my everyday career.鈥�

But Whittaker admits that he鈥檚 reaching the limits of the factory-direct model and will probably soon start hiring his own designers鈥攊nitially on a contract basis, and eventually, he expects, as employees. 鈥淲e now have way too many designs to keep doing it the way we have been,鈥� he explained.

And that鈥檚 not the only sign that Outdoor Vitals is becoming more like the brands it once imitated. When competitors started knocking off Whittaker鈥檚 own products, he responded by moving into new territory. In July 2016 he debuted the Aerie underquilt for hammocks, and in July 2017 he developed (and patented) the MummyPod, a sleeping bag with a novel footbox design that slides over a hammock to provide insulation beneath the sleeper.

Within months, he saw cookie-cutter versions of both products appearing on Amazon.

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