[on site]

!"#$%%&'()#*+,)&'-+.#)&'/*&0)#'123
!"#$%&'()*'+%(,$%-(./.01,)+2%3'(+4%5#16%)*'%6*0&%6)(26%",%7)(*
in attendance and the winter show has seen 11 percent average growth with both events sharing double-digit growth in number of stores attending over that four year period. Additionally, Outdoor Retailer is a huge source of revenue for the Salt Lake City community, driving more than $40 million annually so there are political facets to the decision as well. Especially since Utah Governor Gary Herbert has just announced his plan to focus economic investments on bolstering outdoor recreation in the state. In early 2012, the OIA initiated an industrywide discussion about the show's future on From January 23-26 outdoor industry brands revealed the latest and greatest gear for Fall '13 and Winter '14 at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show in Salt Lake City, Utah. This year we saw an expanded presence of the board and action sports community, an increased backcountry focus and an optimistic vibe (see OR report card for highlights). More than 20,000 people weathered frigid temperatures and a freak ice storm as they navigated the largest winter networking event in the industry. Despite mother nature's cruelty, the show is now scheduled to stay in Salt Lake City until 2016good news for anyone who appreciates the white champagne of the Wasatch mountains. Outdoor Retailer began hosting the tradeshow in Salt Lake City in 1996 and was previously contracted in that location until 2014. As the show grew in inuence and participation, concerns of inadequate housing and infrastructure in Salt lake City caused parent company, Nielsen, to consider alternatives; Denver and Las Vegas to name a few. In the last four years, the Summer Market show has seen a 13 percent average growth the Collective Voice website. Just before Winter market '13, the three-year extension in the contract for Salt lake City was announced as a temporary verdict, while talks about a more longterm solution continue. The decision garnered unanimous support from the OIA Board of Directors.

This year the All Mountain Demo was at Solitude resort

The show featured the latest products from 975 brands, 140 of which were new exhibitors

;;6*.*$*'<%%=)
!"#$%#&'(&&'))'*+%#',&#-+.#$/'0#-+1$'2'3#&%45$.+-+$1
!"#$%#&6'478'+-'/4#'9&5$.'.7+$1: Well, we've grown 3,500 percent in the past decade in terms of revenue. Canada is our largest market, but the brand is very popular in the Scandinavian markets and France as well. Also, last year we opened in Korea. ;$.'5&#'<7='-##+$1'1&78/4'+$'/4#'>?!?: Yes, rapid growth. Currently we have about 20 percent of our sales in the U.S, and we're about to open a new ofce and showroom in Denver. Canada Goose is known for heavy coats and parkas, but our lighter, non-traditional core styles are really taking off. @45/'5&#'/4#'4+14A+14/-'B7&'C5AA)@+$/#&'DEF: We've perfected our down Hybridge collection, which includes a jacket, light jacket, vest and hoody. The Hybridge jacket is the only softshell on the market with strategically placed down built in. There are a lot of light jackets out there, but what makes this collection different is the breathable stretch panels. @45/'G+$.'7B'85/#&"&77B'H#H9&5$#-'.7'<7='=-#: We use our own. It has a 4-way stretch capacity, which sets it a part from Gore, Event and other technologies on the market. It's a waterproof laminate with a nylon-spandex face and a polyurethane membrane. We call it Tridurance. Everyone's fear is that down will make you look like a Ninja Turtle, so the stretch gives the pieces a slimmer look with increased athletic performance. I4#'9&5$.'H5$=B5%/=&#-'#J#&</4+$1'+$'K5$5.5?'@45/'5&#'/4#'5.J5$/51#-: No one knows cold like the Canadians [laughs], so it's important to make products in their true setting. Also, in the concept to production process, we can make changes as we're going and respond to the market quicker. It's a quality issue too. We use genuine wild coyote fur and authentic Canadian goose downpeople like to know where their stuff comes from. ;&#'/4#&#'5$<'-"#%+5A'+$+/+5/+J#-'.+&#%/#.'/785&.'&#/5+A#&-: One thing is we want to make sure consumers are going to authorized dealers for our product. There is a lot of counterfeited outdoor technology out there, especially in international markets. Our retail partners don't need to be concerned. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in lobbying the government; we've inserted a hologram into each garment; we track online; we pay consultants to track that internationally; and we work with government and border patrol.

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4 5

Frigid temperatures, a smoggy haze and an ice storm that closed airports and ruined sidewalks made the trek to the Salt Palace a great opportunity to test the latest gear. OR Stays in Salt Lake Until 2016. This is a pragmatic decision that the industry can support. Who doesn't love the snow in Utah? At the demo we saw staggering attendance and hidden charges. The WeinOR roast which advertised free beer, hotdogs, chili and smore's from 1pm-5pm never happened. The best part of the demo was the sunshine and fresh air. Shuttle service was good too. This year we saw greater presence among the board and action sports community. Aside from the Prana Rejuvination Room which was very relaxingthere were few ways to unwind at the show. Plus lots of tired people sitting on the oor and stairs! From the New Balance wafe breakfast to the Darn Tough Vermont bacon ice cream and Bafn-labled beer, brands did a great job keeping our glasses and stomaches full. The summer show received an F for a lack of recycling options, but this winter we saw dramatic improvement. Highlights included live bluegrass at the Stanley booth, rye whiskey and a mechanical bull at Mountain Khakis, the OR winter hockey tournament and much more. For some reason, one of the escalators at the Salt Palace always breaks. It's not much of a palace if the escalators don't work. The New City Creek shopping center, which opened last March, is a great place for international attendees to get their shopping x. It is located behind the Marriott just 200 yards from the Salt Palace.

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Spencer Orr VP Design & Merchandising, Carrie Baker VP Corporate Communications The Fall 13' highlights focus on lightweight down layers with soft shells

14 // FEBRUARY 2013 // OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE

[on site]
>>Adidas
L(/2$!9"C;/1$))$-'1'2012$60(/5&"(
!9/$?#0#';$"4&#""($D01/$D'4159/#$01$G'DD$">$MNII,$9":$ '(/$&9012;$2"012A We've done extremely well, and part of that success has been our ability to communicate that we are different from mainstream Adidas tness lines. It's much easier to sell to big box because they already know the brand, but in outdoor we are building something new and authentic so the focus is on the specialty market. We initially had a goal of 300 specialty retailersabout 500 doorsand we've far exceeded that. O1$/1&/(012$&9'&$C'(./&,$9":$#0#$="4$#0;&01240;9$ ?#0#';$"4&#""($>("C$&9/$&('#0&0"1'D$;<"(&;$F('1#A Well, we didn't want the line to fall secondary to tness or team sports so we kept it separate. We actually combined the business with a licensee called Agron, who is the ofcial distributor for Adidas Outdoor in the U.S. We then went out and hired an entirely new outdoor sales team, which is comprised of about 30 independent reps from 10 agencies. We also supported a lot of events in the industry community because we wanted to be humble and earn our way into stores. B9'&$'(/$&9/$54((/1&$&'(2/&;$>"($2(":&9A We are expecting a lot of growth in the outdoor segment, but our goal is more nebulous; it's to establish ourselves in the community and be thought of as an outdoor brand. And we've made a lot of strides in building that recognition. We reached our 300 specialty accounts goal and then we started adding a couple hundred more, so we are currently at about 850 doors. We are now reaching the point in our growth where the focus is on maintaining those partnerships and helping our stores grow with us. 6"$="4$">>/($'1=$7'D4/$'##/#$;/(705/;$01$;4<<"(&$">$ &9";/$;</50'D&=$'55"41&;A Yes we have a lot. For example, we do preseason terms with discounts. We apply our discounts to all ll-in orders. Also, if something doesn't sell or is struggling, we take it back without any question, or we replace it with something else. K":$'F"4&$"1D01/A Because we have sophisticated warehouse technology, we can fulll orders directly. Basically the store processes, and we ship. We dont charge any fee for the service, which is not the case with most brands. B9=$;9"4D#$;&"(/;$5'((=$?#0#';$P4&#""(A Our main focus is the next generation of outdoor athletes, so we are a bit younger, and we are more athletic than what is out there. We also have a brand that's known by a lot of different groups outside of the outdoor market, so one of our goals is to leverage our strong athletic inuence and introduce that market to outdoor sports. B0&9$;459$'$F("'#$'&9D/&05$01Q $4/15/,$9":$0;$ &9/$F('1#$01&("#45012$E $&1/;;$'1#$&/'C$;<"(&;$ /1&94;0';&;$&"$&9/$"4&#""(;A We sponsor a lot of athletes and events, but climbing

>>Avex

has been huge for us, especially since we acquired footwear brand Five Ten. Currently, we are working with inner city communities where Adidas soccer and basketball is strong. We are bringing those athletes into climbing gyms saying this is a safe, healthy, challenging way of getting into shape. The next step is partnering with stores. ?(/$&9/(/$'1=$"4&(/'59$<("2('C;$:0&9$(/&'0D/(;$01$&9/$ :"(.;A We are launching a 6-store program with Sport Chalet in Southern CA. The plan is to bring customers to a local gym near each of the stores and invite world class athletes like Sasha DiGiulian to hold clinics and introduce people to the sport. It's like learning to play basketball from Michael Jordan. We will also include Sport Chalet employees so they can become more familiar with the sport and our brand. B9'&$<("#45&;$'(/$="4$C";&$/@50&/#$'F"4&$>"($G'DD) B01&/($HIJA In footwear, there has been a lot of excitement over the Fast R, which is what we consider our most technical trail running shoe. For the coming season we are offering a similar technical shoe, but at a midrange price point, roughly $115. It's something every shop can carry at a really good value. The next big thing is we have incorporated the Stealth rubber from Five Ten on to our approach shoes. K":$'F"4&$:0&9$'<<'(/DA There is the new Adidas Advance Jacket with Gore Tex Pro; it's unique because it has a face mask built into the hood. B9'&$0;$&9/$1/@&$;&/<$01$<("#45&$011"7'&0"1$>"($ ?#0#';A I would say the development of our own technical fabrics. We made a lot of progress in footwear with the incorporation of Continental rubber and now Stealth rubber so there is opportunity for innovation on the apparel side. We are envisioning in-house fabrics that are half the weight and more durable than what is on the market today. This could also include waterproof, breathable technologies. And the next, next development is the lightest-weight alpine boots that you can imagine. It's all about leading innovations for serious outdoor athletes.

!"##$%&'($))$*+,$-'(./&012$3$+("#45&$6/78
!"##,$9":$:';$&9/$<';&$=/'($>"($?7/@A We've seen phenomenal growth. As a brand we are establishing a great distribution footprint out there among specialty stores and beginning to achieve a national presence. This is our 4th OR show, and we are showing our next generation of hydration technologies. B9'&$'(/$;"C/$">$&9";/$&/591"D"20/;A Autoseal and Autospout. Autoseal is a button pressand-release mechanism that automatically seals in-between sips so you can throw the water bottle in your bag, and you don't have to worry about any spillage. ?1#$?4&";<"4&A This is for people who prefer a straw-based drinking interface. Most people like it. We've had these two technologies for just over a year, but what's new is what we've done with our bottles. We came out with 25 oz and 32 oz versions and a vacuum sealed and vacuum insulated thermal option. B9'&$0;$&9/$;0210E $5'15/$">$7'544C$;/'D012$&9/$ F"&&D/;A There are two walls that make up the exterior of the bottle, and in the manufacturing process all of the air between the two walls is vacuumed out and the space is sealed. The advantage is that the inner chamber maintains its temperature longer because there is an empty space between the interior wall in contact with the liquid and the exterior wall, which is affected by the outside temperature. This allows liquids to keep their temperature for up to 20 hours. ?(/$&9/(/$'1=$1/:$;&=D/;$:/$5'1$D"".$>"(:'(#$&"A With the Kangaroo model, which was our rst generation Autoseal, we've added a built-in compartment that can store credit/debit cards, gym passes, your id, etc. People say I love this because I used to have to carry my purse to the gym, but now all I need is a water bottle. We also try and make everything on the bottles accessible with one hand, and another reason we made sure to add the spout option is because you can drink and keep the bottle at eye level, which is important if you are on a treadmill, biking, driving, etc. B9'&$9';$F//1$&9/$01;<0('&0"1$>"($&9/$1/:$#/;021$ 5"15/<&;A We get a lot of consumer feedback at all sorts of endurance events and obstacle races. Right after the show we will be at the Boulder Mountain Tour and then Winter Carnival in Steamboat Springs, CO.

>>Roanoke Region of Virginia

+/&/$S;9/DC'1$))$60(/5&"($">$ P4&#""($T('1#012
+/&/,$:9=$'(/$="4$(/<(/;/1&012$R"'1"./,$ *0(2010'$9/(/$'&$P4&#""($R/&'0D/(A We want companies to consider Roanoke when they are looking to expand or set up new facilities, whether it is a company that is in the outdoor industry or a company where the outdoors is a part of their corporate culture or brand. B9'&$C'./;$R"'1"./$'1$'&&('5&07/$#/;&01'&0"1$>"($ 5"C<'10/;$&"$;/&$4<$;9"<A When it comes to the outdoors, Roanoke has pretty much everything--except skiing because of the temperate climate--but that means you can spend more days cycling, kayaking, canoeing and just being outside. Also, in Roanoke you wont be stuck in trafc, and you can get a house for $140k instead of $1.4 million [laughs]. ?;0#/$>("C$D0>/;&=D/,$:9=$0;$R"'1"./$2""#$>"($ F4;01/;;A Were great for distribution. The region is at the intersection of two major highways and two major railroads, so there's easy, efcient access to the 66% of the U.S. population that lives on the East Coast. ?(/$&9/(/$'1=$./=$"4&#""($/7/1&;$ 9'<</1012$01$R"'1"./A Right now were giving free entry to the Blue Ridge Marathon, the toughest road marathon in the country. Ive had people say they returned to Roanoke for their summer vacation just because they ran the marathon and loved the location. B9'&$<("C<&/#$&9/$#/50;0"1$&"$F(012$"4&#""($ F4;01/;;/;$&"$R"'1"./A About 6 years ago the private business sector in the area suggested we reevaluate our approach to economic development, and we determined that one of our region's greatest assets is the outdoors. We have the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, 42 miles of world-class mountain bike trails, lakes, rivers, mountains...but it was a story that wasnt being told. So now were working on developing the outdoors into its own economic sector in Roanoke.

OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY 2013 // 15

[on site]
>>Granite Gear
K&5$O)J"308&53$**$O(B-(J5A/)$&5A$OPP
K&5D$"0$Q)&5"4/$Q/&)$"54)(AJG"56$&5'48"56$&4$48/$ 08(9? Yes, we are excited about the Glacier Series packs, specically the Kahiltna 29 and the Athabasca 24. What separates these packs from other day packs on the market is that weve really focused on the suspension so hikers can carry 30-lb loads quite comfortably. 78'$&)/$48/$5/9$F&G30$5&>/A$&-4/)$6#&G"/)0? It's to remind people of what's happening to glaciers as a consequence of climate change. The packs are for everyday use so youre going to see the name of the glacier and hopefully be inspired to make more sustainable decisions like biking to work or walking to the store instead of driving. 78&4;0$@//5$0/##"56$9/##$-()$'(J$0"5G/$48/$#&04$08(9? One of the things we came out with at the last show is the Airbeam suspension. It allows backpackers to remove the standard frame that comes with the pack and replace it with a lighter inatable one. 78&4$&)/$0(>/$(-$48/$"00J/0$'(JRE/$-&G/A$9"48$(5#"5/$ A"04)"@J4"(5? Well, we sell through our own website, and we also sell through some major online retailers. But a few times we saw discontinued Granite Gear products on Sears.com. Its really hard to police whats on the internet. I mean I suppose we could slap a lawsuit on them, but that's a whole new can of worms. Theres also a big conversation

about what to do with product left over at the end of the year. There are different ways to liquidate the product, and special deal sites popular among consumers have been a controversial issue. K($'(J$48"53$J#4)&B#"6849/"684$F&G30$&)/$6("56$4($@/$ &$G(54"5J"56$4)/5A? Yeah, my son and I went to Isle Royal recently, and we saw a group of men over seventy that were out hiking. They were counting grams and carrying half the weight they did back in the day so its a lot more fun for them. Hiking and backpacking is going to be huge as all the Baby Boomers head into retirement. Theyre going to want very light packs, and theres going to be an awakening where people start guring out that they can get healthier and maybe lose 10 lbs by hiking. And stop snoring, too [laughs].

New Salomon apparel and powder skis are a good example of backcountry inuence at the show

>>Birki's

>>Backcountry Access
!)JG/$S!)J5(T$2GQ(9&5$**$,)/0"A/54
!)JG/D$UV$)/G/54#'$&GWJ")/A$!OIM$78&4$A(/0$48/$A/&#$ >/&5$-()$48/$@)&5A? The acquisition is evidence that snow safety is going mainstream, and it basically opens endless opportunities for us. We aren't slapping the K2 logo on our products; it's more about access to the Jarden platform [Jarden Corpoartion (JAH) owns K2]. They maintain the integrity of the brands they acquire, which was a big piece in the decision making process. X(9$9"48$&GG/00$4($Y&)A/5R0$G()F()&4/$ "5-)&04)JG4J)/D$98&4$3"5A$(-$6)(948$"0$!OI$4&)6/4"56$ -()$48/$G(>"56$'/&)? We haven't completed our projections, but we are expecting strong double-digit growth as we have had for many years now. The direct result of K2 is greater channel access and then backend advantages like risk management, nancing, inventory management and of course access to greater capital. Eighteen years ago we started with a couple credit cards in the garage of a rental condo in South Boulder, CO. We nanced growth through retained earnings. The acquisition gives us a source of capital we've never had before. Z(9$A"A$48/$@)&5A$A($48"0$F&04$0/&0(5? In the big picture we've become the most trusted name in snow safety, and we are actually starting to use that as our tag line. Currently, BCA is the market leader in avalanche beacons. Central to everything we do is the user experience, and I think we've been successful because we are mission-driven toward backcountry solutions as opposed to just product-focused. %8/)/$0//>0$4($@/$&$6)/&4/)$A/>&5A$-()$05(9$0F()40$ 0&-/4'$/WJ"F>/54M Denitely. If you look at the forefront of skiing today, it's all about chasing powder with fat skis. Even resorts across the country are opening backcountry access gates, which was not common 10 years ago. If you are chasing powder, then you are probably within avalanche terrain, and you need the right gear, but most importantly you need to be educated. 78&4$5/9$F)(AJG40$-)(>$!OI$&)/$'(J$>(04$/HG"4/A$ &@(J4$-()$7"54/)$R<=? This year we are coming out with a new avalanche beacon, the Tracker 3 (T3). The big difference between the T3 and the popular T2 model is it's a lot smaller and lighter with some increased capabilities as far as multi-burial searching. This is a bit of a soft launch; we hope to get some to market this year, but large volumes will ship out next year.

!"##$%&'#()$**$+,$(-$.&#/0$1$2&)3/4"56
78&4$"0$5/9$-()$:&##$;<=$-)(>$!")3"0? Last Spring we introduced a new dynamic footbed made with viscoelastic memory foam, and now were introducing it into our fall lineup for the rst time. Its a performance-related layer that allows for additional heat and weight distribution. %8/$()"6"5&#$-((4@/A0$9/)/$-()>BC $44"56D$A(/0$48/$ >/>()'$-(&>$8&E/$48/$0&>/$F)(F/)4"/0? This new footbed positions Birkis as a more active brand, and it still remains true to our heritage. Over time it will form to the foot, but it will also offer more cushioning during active use, which is something that consumers are demanding. .($"0$&G4"E/$F/)-()>&5G/$$48/$A")/G4"(5$48&4$!")3";0$"0$ 8/&A/A$-()$5/H4$0/&0(5? The viscoelastic memory foam footbed is only going in about 40-50% of our line. We know that there is the consumer out there that likes the fun, active style of Birkis, but wants the traditional footbed because thats what theyre used to and thats whats most comfortable for them. I)/$48/)/$&5'$5/9$A/0"65$G(5G/F40$G(>"56$(J4$-)(>$ !")3";0? The trekking mesh group is just hitting retail for Spring/ Summer 13. We have the traditional clog and then a slip-on that has the wrapped cork and then a dual material with this very athletic-looking lacing and suede on the outside. It has a very outdoorsy, aprs-hike look to it. We are following it up with a clog and slip-on collection for fall to keep that momentum.

78&4$&)/$48/$"5G)/&0/A$G&F&@"#"4"/0$(-$48/$%=$@/&G(5? More effective use of sounds to aid in the search. One feature is if you have more than one signal sending, you will get a multiple-burial icon. Normally it will lock to the strongest signal, but if the signals are close, it will show them both, and you can choose which to hone in onit's kind of an enhanced search mode. We call it big picture mode. %8/)/$"0$&$#(4$(-$/HG"4/>/54$"5$48/$"5AJ04)'$&)(J5A$48/$ L $(4&4"(5$F&G30M Yeah, I think it's the most exciting backcountry product in the industry. This is our fourth year with otation packs, and they are really growing plus they're highly effective. If you get caught in a slide, the chances of getting buried if you deploy a oat bag reduces substantially. They create buoyancy kind of like a raft, which minimizes the depth of burial and offers some added trauma protection. 78&4$"0$48/$5/H4$-)(54"/)$-()$@&G3G(J54)'$0&-/4'? The next frontier is avoidance and managing the human factor. Education is the foundation of everything, but you can pack all the right gear, study the snowpack and weather, pick the right partners and still nd yourself in danger. It all boils down to communication. Most accidents like the recent one up in Steven's Pass can be traced back to decision making and group dynamics. N0$!OI$9()3"56$(5$&5'$5/9$0(#J4"(50$4($">F)(E/$ 6)(JF$A'5&>"G0$"5$48/$@&G3G(J54)'? One thing we've done is strip down a radio to make it as simple as possible for the needs of backcountry sports. The goal was to make it easily accessible and compatible with all the gear skiers and riders carry. When you're in a large group of people, you could be spread out across a mile. We are going to see increased development around communication devices as more people go out of bounds.

COO John Evans explains Westcomb is an emerging apparel brand made-in Canada that is gaining traction in US and international specialty markets

16 // FEBRUARY 2013 // OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE

[on site]
>>Fjallraven
,")$"&MN3).#*3((%)&++&,")-%($./&,"."/%)
'3&EN";;)"?%.&#(")(%*&$.&'1%*%.6 Yes, the company was founded in 1960, and the name actually means Arctic Fox in Swedish. The original product was a rucksack with an external frame, and then we later branched out into apparel after the founder began making jackets for his arctic expeditions out of tent materials. O31&*3%#&(2%&5)".*&$.<3)93)"(%&(2"(&2%)$("/%&$.(3& 9)3*:<(&*%#$/.6 Our goal is to share the Scandinavian approach to the outdoors. Even though we have a number of performance and lifestyle lines for milder climates, the look, feel and function of our most technical products are inspired from that heavy winter context. Where we're from it's unbelievably cold, sometimes there's no roads and you have to dog sled. In fact, we just chose the winners for Fjallraven Polaran online contest to embark on a 205-mile winter dog sledding adventure across the arctic tundra. 72"(&%;#%&$#&:.$P:%&"53:(&EN";;)"?%.&/")8%.(#6 We are continuing to build with our signature G-1000 fabric. It's a 60/40 cotton, polyester blend that's wind/water resistant. Most of our apparel and even the packs can be waxed using an all-natural parafn layer to enhance resistance to wind and water. This is an easy and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical treatments. You can do it yourself or bring the items to our stores, and we can teach you or do it for you. 7%)%&(2%)%&".A&.%1&(%<2.3;3/A&*%?%;398%.(#&;"#(& #%"#3.6 Well, last Spring we re-constructed our Kajka backpack with a wooden frame; the Kajka is our most advanced, technical pack. The concept was a throwback to our original product line for an authentic feel, and what we found is that the wood frame is actually lighter and stronger than aluminum with a signicantly smaller impact on the environment. Plus it looks awesome. We are really pushing that piece for next season. @2%)%&")%&"&;3(&3=&*$==%)%.(&#(A;%#&".*&#$B%#&3=& 5"<-9"<-#&3.&*$#9;"AC Yes, we have several different families of backpacks, and our vintage items like the smaller Kanken packs are growing in the celebrity fashion world. It's a huge step for a brand rooted in the outdoors to be inuencing that audience. D.*&1$(2&"99")%;0&12"(&$#&.%1&=3)&E";;&FGH6 Our specialty for next fall is denitely our down jackets and parkas. The Expedition jacket offers a down ll power of around 600 cubic inches, it's like a sleeping bag you can wearprefect for New York City. I should also mention that with our parkas we use faux fur because we work hard to preserve the arctic fox, hence our brand logo. D.*&"#&=")&"#&83)%&<"#:";&;$=%#(A;%&"99")%;6 The absolute highlights for the next season are our Ovik lights. The Ovik is traditionally a heavy parka and coat, but we're now offering lightweight vest and jacket versions that can be waxed. Also, there is the Numbers collection, which is inspired by early Fjallraven pieces with that vintage look so you really get to see the DNA of the brand.

>>Baffin
R%==&7%;;133*&++&,")-%($./&,"."/%)
R%==0&$(&;33-#&;$-%&(2%&M"=S &.&#(A;%#&2"?%&"&=)%#2%)&;33-C Yeah, that was a big thing for us this season. We added some uorescent colors and highlights to the footwear lines. Aside from aesthetics, we wanted to stand out from the competition on shelves. It's that neon sign appeal; we couldn't put shiney rims on the boots [laughs]. We also have a greater mix of urban and technical styles. 72A&83)%&:)5".&#(A;%#6 There is a bit of a void in the market right now because you can get fashionable winter boots, but you aren't really getting the technology and function. The idea is to be warm and have great traction on ice, but still be on trend. O31&$#&M"=S &.&<385$.$./&(%<2.3;3/A&".*&="#2$3.6 In our men's and women's Urban Sport series, the styles are rated to -4 degrees Fahrenheit, and they come with our proprietary rubber compound Ice Paw, which is temperature sensitive. So the outsole expands and contracts for added traction. We basically use the same technologies and insulations from our traditional trekking boots in more fashion-forward, winter footwear. D.*&3.&(2%&(%<2.$<";&#$*%6 We have an updated high-activity moisture wicking boot for trekking and snowshoeing. It's rated to -48 F and is insulated with B-tech, a hallow-ber synthetic. Paul Hubner, our CEO, has done countless expeditions in the arctic and swears by ithe's really our lead product developer. And naturally, we've scaled the technology down into a more casual look in men's. T#&(2%&8%.F#&<"#:";&;$.%&.%16 Well, our Cascade series has essentially evolved into the Crossover series, which is what I like to wear. It's causal enough to wear with jeans or khakis, but with all the perks of performance. It's perfect if you have to traverse icy conditions on the way to work, kind of like today at the show.

>>Stonewear Designs
!"##$%&'()$*&++&,")-%($./&,"."/%)
!"##$%0&12"(&*3%#&'(3.%1%")&4%#$/.#&*3&5%#(6 We started out as a womens rock climbing apparel company, and then we evolved into a multi-sport activewear brand. What were known for is our strappy tops. One of the best features of our tops is the built-in bra. The one-inch elastic band is thicker than most built-in bras, so it can last for hundreds of washes. The bras are also supportive for women of all sizes, plus all of our fabrics are moisture wicking and breathable. 72"(&1"#&(2%&83#(&939:;")&9)3*:<(&(2$#&9"#(& #%"#3.6 I would say our Stonewear pant. It's a multi-sport item that's great for rock climbing. Women were having trouble nding a pant that was high enough to keep their harness from rubbing on the skin, so we designed a pant with a V-shaped waistband and a semi-relaxed t. 72"(&*$#($./:$#2%#&'(3.%1%")&=)38&3(2%)&138%.>#& "<($?%1%")&5)".*#&3.&(2%&8")-%(6 We really thrive on making a woman feel condent about her body, especially a woman who is curvy or is what we would call a bit more mature. Our t really accentuates a womans natural shape in a way that makes her look and feel beautiful.

The Darn Tough Vemont brand puts bacon on everything

>>W.L. Gore
!3;$.&E)$%*8".&++&Q%("$;&,")-%($./
!".&A3:&(%;;&:#&"53:(&(2%&.%1&I3)%J@%K& L)36 We have three categories of Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex Pro, Gore-Tex Active and Gore-Tex Products. Pro is designed for extreme outdoor enthusiasts that need 100 percent durable, waterproof protection for activities like mountaineering, ice climbing, snow sports and things of that nature. 72"(&$#&*$==%)%.(&"53:(&(2%&.%1&L)3&<3.#():<($3.6 The Pro construction incorporates a new membrane that allows the garment to be 28 percent more breathable, while still maintaining the same durability specs. So it uses our improved PTFE membrane with an extremely durable face fabricthe spec has to be 40 denier or greaterand a Ripstop microgrid backer, which is what makes the laminate extremely durable. D.*&231&*3%#&(2$#&*$==%)&=)38&I3)%J@%K&D<($?%&".*& I3)%J@%K&L)3*:<(#6 We launched Active a couple years ago. It's designed for highly aerobic activity, where you need something extremely breathable, light weight and packable. Active fabrics are intended for ascending, trail running, hiking, cycling, etc. Things that are done in a day, whereas Pro is for extended use where durability is key. D.*&(2%&I3)%J@%K&L)3*:<(#&="5)$<#6 This incorporates anything that isn't Active or Pro. We work with brands in designing laminates that t their requests within our quality specications. D.*&12"(&$#&.%1&=3)&I3)%&$.&=33(1%")6 Just as in apparel, we have three styles of Gore-Tex for footwear. Our Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Range is for lightweight, minimalist shoes that require extremely breathable designs. Then we have Performance Footwear, which is going to be used in a light hiker or heavy hiking boot. And lastly, there's Insulated Footwear. 72"(&*$#($./:$#2%#&I3)%J@%K&=)38&3(2%)&(%<2.3;3/$%#& 3.&(2%&8")-%(6 One of the most important things about the brand and its application is that we work closely with manufacturers to ensure their products meet certain performance requirements . We test everything, we inspect factories and also license certain equipment so that the production machinery brands use can meet our rigid guidelines.

OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY 2013 // 17

[on site]
>>Prana
I(:16%!+(.4.#@+1(%))%-,./(01$2% -,$,2(.
I(:16=%:',0%6#"8%:(""%0'16%;,60% 6(,6#$> I'd say the Waylen Vest was a big hit and also our Dusters, which offer a new spin on women's sweaters. A',0%16%$(:%?#.%0'(%G,""%JKL%4#""(401#$> Our main driver is comfy outerwear and mid-layer collections with more emphasis on wool. You could say layering is our forte. A'<%:##"> It's a sustainable fabrication, stylistically it's great to work with and the warmth-to-weight ratio is proven. A',0%81.(401#$%16%0'(%+.,$8%'(,81$2% 60<"16014,""<> We are beginning to work with more and more hybrid fabrics. We have been blending different fabrications to create these morphed pieces that combine the best of both worlds. For example, we may take a recycled poly ber piece and bond that with a eece. This allows different types of nishes on the inside of the garment and the outside so our apparel can be more versatile. B#:%,+#70%:10'%4#"#.6> The new lines include lots of grays, cedar greens and natural color tones, but we've also mixed in brighter pop highlights like greens, lavenders and vibrant reds.

Pro snowboarder John Jackson from Art of Flight

>>Polartec
!""#$%&#'$(%))%*"#+,"%-,./(01$2%31.(40#.
5#",.0(4%',6%",7$4'(8%6(9(.,"%$(:%0(4'$#"#21(6%1$% 0'(%;,60%<(,.=%'#:%16%0'(%+.,$8%8#1$2> Last year we saw twice the number of adoptions of Neoshell, our waterproof, breathable membrane. It's a huge success story for us because even with weather setbacks in the North American and European markets, we've managed to grow. !$8%,.(%0'(.(%,$<%2.#:0'%0,.2(06%1$%;",4(%?#.%0'(% 4#@1$2%<(,.> We have product targets attached to the recent launch of Alpha, our new breathable synthetic insulation, which is actually a technology originally designed for special ops forces in the military that we've made commercially available. The launch is huge for our brand. And then we are seeing big opportunities in Asia, so there are some targets associated with penetrating that market. A'<%8#%<#7%0'1$/%0'(%+.,$8%16%2.#:1$2%8(6;10(% 1$4#$6160($0%4#"8%:(,0'(.%;,00(.$6> People are acknowledging the performance difference, and brands are realizing the benets of working with us. We make over 300 different fabrics, and we work closely with our brand partners to design a solution specic to their needs. Our technologies are compatible with any combination of front and back fabrics, which sets us apart from other ingredient brands. !.(%0'(.(%,$<%$(:%+.,$8%8(9("#;@($06%?(,07.1$2% 5#",.0(4%0',0%4#@(%0#%@1$8> Eider is releasing a jacket that uses Alpha insulation and Neoshell for the face fabric, and Marmot has integrated Polartec Powerdry into its new lightweight midlayers for the next season. What's really exciting is a lot of ski and snowboard brands are catching on, and that market tends to use more premium fabrics so it's evidence of growth for us. Also more outdoor boutique, stylish brands are working with us, so there's opportunity in that niche fashion market. B#:%8#%<#7%81??(.($01,0(%5#",.0(4%!";',%?.#@%#0'(.% 1$67",01#$6> Well both Neoshell and Alpha are adopted military technologies; they are performance oriented. Traditional downs and other synthetics work if you are static or just need something basic to stay warm, but when you throw high activity into the equation, Alpha is going to make a huge difference. Alpha is comprised of extremely stable bers, which don't break down when wet. And the structure of those bers allows for increased vapor transport and, thus, advanced dry times. Athletes are demanding breathable insulation, and that is what we've engineered. I say once you try it, you'll understand. !$8%:',0%,+#70%:10'%C(#6'(""> Because of the lamination technique and membrane used, Neoshell will hold a 10,000 mm column of water, which is the industry standard for calling something waterproof. And it's also designed for high output activity. So basically the membrane allows a two-way airow between the skin. Air comes in and as it's heated from activity output, the water vaporizes and is carried out. Other technologies on the market use similar membranes, but not with the same temperature regulating properties. Trust me, once the consumer tries it, there isn't much explaining left to do.

Vibram makes rubber discs for frisbee golf, a popular outdoor activity

Liquid Hardware presented their new line of magnetic-cap bottles

>>Cordura
&1$8<%-4C,7""%))%*"#+,"%-,./(01$2%31.(40#.
&1$8<=%:',0%',6%0'(%&#.87.,%+.,$8%+(($%7;%0#%61$4(% DE%F7@@(.%-,./(0> Last summer we celebrated our 45th anniversary. To wrap up our year, we rolled out an interactive Decades of Durability timeline on cordura.com. It focuses on our beginnings, notable innovations and the brand customer adoptions weve had along our journey. Last but not least, it creates a platform for the addition of more durabilityinspired highlights to come. At this years Winter show, we launched a new Building Durable Bonds campaign designed to highlight our decades-long relationships with customers around the world. We showcased ways that we can bring value as an ingredient brand to help elevate the products from our trusted brand, retailer and mill customer who use our durable Cordura fabric technologies. B#:%',6%0'(%4,@;,12$%+(($%.(4(19(8> We had a strong response to the 45th Anniversary celebration and interactive timeline, as well as our new Building Durable Bonds campaign. When customers choose Cordura fabric, they turn to us to help educate their enduse customers on why durability matters and how our fabrics can make a difference. Our new timeline and the Building Durable Bonds campaign exemplify this commitment and provide inspiration for future outreach and collaborative messaging we can develop in the form of customized marketing kits. A',0%/1$8%#?%@,./(01$2%/106> One over-arching trend in our Winter OR show meetings has been the quickly evolving world of digital marketing. Our customers are asking us for more and more customized online tools to help communicate how their products are powered by the durable performance advantages of Cordura fabrics. G#.%(H,@;"(> One example will be a new video series campaign by our team aimed at taking our products out of the laboratory and into the real world to prove out our mantra of Accept No Substitutes. &,$%<#7%0(""%76%,+#70%,$<%$(:%&#.87.,%;.#87406> Were excited to be launching two new fabric technologies at the Winter market, and well also be taking these across the pond to ISPO Munich. Our new Cordura AFT (Air Flow Technology) fabric collection is our entry into durable, yet lightweight and breathable mesh and spacer fabrics. &,$%<#7%219(%6#@(%(H,@;"(6%?.#@%0'(%$(:%

4#""(401#$6> Included in the new collection introduced by Tiong Liong Corporation at this show are Polyurethane (PU) coated high tenacity polyester and nylon 6.6 fabrics, both designed to be laminated with 3D mesh (spacer fabric) for hybrid and running shoes. Another example in non-PU coated high tenacity polyesters that offer a softer hand, can be foam, felt, or 3D mesh laminated and are ideally suited for outer-shell laminated fabrics as well as inner shoe lining. !$8%<#7%,"6#%',9(%,%?#476%#$%,;;,.("%,$8%;,4/6> Yes, we will also be targeting our AFT collection for targeted apparel and pack applications. A',0%;.#@;0(8%0'16%1$$#9,01#$> We have had heavy-duty Cordura Classic and Ballistic fabrics in footwear for many years, but the market has been demanding lighter, more breathable fabric solutions that dont sacrice durability. This innovation has been over a year in the making, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Tiong Liong on this exciting addition to the Cordura fabric portfolio. !$<%#0'(.%$(:%",7$4'(6> Were introducing our all-new line of Cordura Lite Plus fabrics. For the past few shows, our customers have been asking for a step change in packcloth technology that would allow them to shave weight without impacting strength and performance We listened. The solution we are offering is based on our best-in-class air bag ber technology with enhanced tensile and tear performance, even above our current line. There's also potential for equivalent hydrostatic results with less coating, which helps reduce the overall product weight. A',0%8#(6%0'(%?707.(%'#"8%?#.%&#.87.,%?,+.14% 1$$#9,01#$6> In a nutshell, I think our tagline can reply, As Long As the World is Full of Durable People, Well Keep Making Durable Fabrics...stay tuned!

18 // FEBRUARY 2013 // OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE

[on site]
>>DuPont Teflon
K"/-&,5$L,+40$))$%(='$1&,>('"02$1&0&2(,
M(N $+0$O7='$9&70/-(5$&$0(4$<&?,"/$',(&'#(0'$&'$'-($ =-+4J$-+4$"=$"'$5+"02; We are introducing our Outdoor Teon fabric protector. It's a nish that is focused on water repellency but still offers some oil repellency as well. We are seeing a lot of interest. %-&'$0((5$"=$'-($P7'5++,$M(N $0"=-$,(=A+05"02$'+; $+0$Q A lot of products in the outdoor market right now are being sold with generic DWR nishes because companies felt that Teon nishes were too costly for entrylevel products. Now were able to offer a solution at a price that is more appealing to those customers. %-6$=-+795$&$A+'(0'"&9$/7='+#(,$7=($&$M(N $0"=-$ $+0$Q +8(,$&$2(0(,"/$E%K; With our product, customers get the Teon brand assurance, especially with the concerns raised by Greenpeace reports about long-chain uorocarbons being used in the industry. Consumers are going to get that DuPont Teon sustainability story and also know the product will perform.

>>Jones Snowboard
1&@@$8+0$1&,?+5$))$C9+?&9$D&9(=$&05$ 1&,>('"02$E",(/'+,
D+$!+0(=$"=$-(&5F7&,'(,(5$"0$%&=-"02'+0$D'&'(G Yes, we are up in Bellingham where the snow is deep. Our parent company is actually Nideker based in Switzerland. All of our boards are made in Austria and designed in-house by us of course. Jones Snowboards has really made a name for itself as the rst freeride specic brand out there. %-&'H=$0(4$<,+#$!+0(=$"0$'-($I,((,"5($=(2#(0'; One of the best technologies we can talk about is our carbon solution. The carbon gives the boards more snap and allows them to absorb highspeed tip and tail vibrations with less feedback. This is extremely important in making tight turns at high speeds because you can use the whole contact point of an edge rather than having it chatter out or wobble on you. 3+4$&?+7'$0(4$'(/-0+9+2"(=$4"'-$=A9"'?+&,5=J$4-"/-$ =((#$'+$-&8($/+#($&$9+02$4&6$"0$'-($A&='$/+7A9($ 6(&,=; Well, we've essentially built a split version of every board in our line. But our latest splitboard technology is Magne-traction. This is an actual magnetic connection inside the splitit's rare to nd that on the market. Magnetraction creates a strong-holding puzzle piece effect and limits friction or sheering between the two splitboard pieces. One of the biggest complaints with splitboards is that when connected they don't hold like a true snowboard; Magne-traction is our solution. %-&'$(9=($5"='"027"=-(=$!+0(=$=A9"'?+&,5=$<,+#$ +'-(,=$+0$'-($#&,>('; The Karakoram Split 30 binding system, which was de-

signed by Jeremy Jones himself. Aside from a user friendly interface, it is compatible with any boot and the heel can lock-in while skiing if you choose. I wouldn't recommend skiing all day on it, but if you are trekking and you get in a tight spot, the binding can quickly lock the heel down so you can ski outit's a nice safety option. %-&'$&58"/($4+795$6+7$2"8($'+$,('&"9(,=$<+,$=(99"02$ !+0(=$?+&,5=; First, qualify what kind of a rider the customer is. We make a board for about every type of freeride application. For example, our agship is a rm, directional rocket, whereas our mountain twin is more symmetrical with an all-mountain, freestyle shape. And then our hovercraft is a directional powder surfer with a fat nose and shorter tail. 3&8($6+7$,(/("8(5$&06$"0'(,(='"02$<((5?&/>$+0$'-($ ?+&,5=$4-"9($&'$'-($5(#+; Yeah actually. People are saying the Hovercraft, which is a true powder board, rides really well on the hard pack here at Solitude resort. We put a lot of riders on it today, and they are raving about how well it handles. It's a race board in disguise.

>>Wigwam
*&'&9"($D'&029$))$I"(95$1&,>('"02$1&0&2(,
*&'&9"(J$4-&'B=$0(4$4"'-$%"24&#; We have four new products hitting stores right now that combine our patented Ultimax technology with Merino wool for the rst time. Ultimax is our technology that uses hydrophilic and hydrophobic bers to move moisture out of the footbed. Like all of our Ultimax products, these come with a two-year guarantee. %-&'$(9=(; We also have our Fusion solution. Its a sock and liner knit into one. A lot of products out there will knit the two layers together only at the heel and the toe, which can lead to slippage. In Wigwam's Fusion products, you can see theyre knit with this honeycomb pattern on the inside. Its an extremely durable solution, and our adventure racing teams swear by it. %-&'$/&0$4($(@A(/'$<,+#$%"24&#$"0$'-($/+#"02$ =(&=+0=; One thing is that were looking to expand our color selection in the outdoor category. Traditionally, outdoor retailers have preferred to stick with grey, brown, and green.
Chippenhook's Diane Murphy showed the latest POP sustainable designs

Were starting to introduce a more interesting variety, but still stay within the outdoor realm. 3+4$#&06$='69(=$5+(=$%"24&#$-&8($0+4; We have about 300 styles and about 30,000 SKUs each year. You really have to like socks to work here! [laughs]. Fortunately we have been in business for 108 years, so we have the experience to help retailers understand which of our products will well for them and meet their customers needs.

Outdoor USA was by far the best magazine at the show

>>Zanier Sports
!"#$%&"'($))$*+,'-$.#(,"/&0$1&0&2(,
3+4$5"5$6+7$2('$"08+98(5$4"'-$:&0"(,; Zanier is a family business that was founded in Austria in 1969 and has become one of the top three glove brands in the European market. Ive been in the glove business in the US since 1989. A few years ago I realized that there was an opportunity for a new brand in the premium glove market here, so I reached out to the Zanier family, and we brought Zanier Gloves to the U.S. last year. on high and up to 10 hours on low. It also has this simple zipper on the wrist to keep a low prole. 3+4$#&06$+<$'-(=($5+$6+7$(@A(/'$'+$=(99; Im expecting to sell close to 10,000 of these next year. Its a big number, but this is the best system out there. We get asked, why should we carry another glove brand? but when they realize that their glove brands are getting stale and they can make $200 a pop selling ours, its easy to get them on board.

%-&'B=$6+7,$&AA,+&/-$'+$5"=',"?7'"+0; %-6$5+$6+7$<((9$'-&'$:&0"(,$"=$,"2-'$<+,$'-($.#(,"/&0$#&,>('$,"2-'$ The strength of our brand is in its base; we really are a specialty brand. 0+4; Its really important for me to have the right reps because they are the Zanier is all about innovation and never compromising on quality, lifeline of independent specialty retailers. Ive been doing gloves for over which has really been missing from the glove market here. From a price 20 years so I believe I have the respect of reps who can get these prodpoint perspective, our sweet spot is in the $70-130 range. The dealers ucts into the right doors. that have started carrying Zanier have been really happy with the margin that they can make from selling our gloves. One retailer on Long Island told us he made %-&'$&?+7'$+09"0(; Were working with a company called CozyWinters right now, which is a good t for us $3,500 selling 17 of our gloves in just over a month. because they focus on heated items. I dont think I really need to be going to Amazon or %-&'$>"05$+<$"00+8&'"+0$&,($6+7$'&9>"02$&?+7'; Zappos or anything like that right now. If I do my job and the reps do their job, then we dont Zanier has been working on a heated glove since 1999, and we have a new version this need to be chasing that kind of business. year. It now uses a one-touch system to control the heat settings and will last 3-5 hours

OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE // FEBRUARY 2013 // 19

[on site]
>>Rocky S2V
!"N+3&V0*;"32"*&..&/0*1"2+34&O+*",2(*
W(,1%&5XY&+$&3":&2(&2-"&(?2)((*&60*1"2E&-(:&:0$& 2-"&#0?3,-8 2012 was a soft launch for us; we actually debuted at the summer OR show. There has been so much demand since then that we've brought in rep groups throughout the entire U.S., we now have representation in Canada and we're working on the European market as well. We're being accepted into buying groups and our specialty retailers are praising the brand concept, innovation and product differentiation. <-02&)+AA"*"32+02"$&2-"&W(,1%&7*03)&A*(6&(2-"*$&(3& 2-"&60*1"28 Coming to market we knew we had to be unique so we actually sent our product development team to Mountain Shepard Wilderness Survival School for inspiration. Mt. Shepard is ran by former Air Force SERE instructors (Survival Escape Resistance Evasion). We've partnered with them, and they help us develop our products. But I would say our technical military heritage and history is really what sets us apart. 9(:&#(34&-0$&W(,1%&7""3&0*(?3)8 This is a new line for us in a new market, but it's not a new company. We made our staple in the commercial military designing, testing and implementing boots for the Spec Ops community, Green Berets and Navy Seals. Rocky boots has been around since 1932, and we've done apparel for the last few decades. <-02&0*"&$(6"&(A&2-"&0;;#+")&6+#+20*%&2",-3(#(4+"$8 First and foremost is fabric t. Our jackets and pants are articulated for a full range of athletic movement. For example, we use no lift gussets so you can raise your arms above your head without the garment riding up. We've also incorporated all the outdoor essentials into the apparel: chap stick holder, ashlight, compass, whistle, mirror, chem light, rst aid kit with water purication tablets, signaling fuchsia, and a goggle shammy. H32"*"$2+34E&2-"&;*()?,2$&+3,#?)"&3","$$0*%&$?*N+N0#& ,(6;(3"32$J& Yes, we think of them as the outdoor essentials everyone should have. If you look at the line as a whole, everything comes with two things: some type of fuchsia for signalingit's the international signaling color

>>Gramicci
!"#$"%&'(()*+,-&..&/0*1"2+34&/0304"*
5(&'*06+,,+&-0$&0&$2*(34&,#+67+34&-"*+204"8 Yes, the brand originated in the early 80's. It was started by climber Mike Graham, who was part of the Stonemastersan elite group of young adventurers who banded together in the late 70's. They are said to have inuenced the extreme attitude of outdoor sports, and much of that same wild nature is present in our apparel today. We try and bring something funky to the outdoors. 9(:&:0$&2-"&;0$2&$"0$(38 Great, we are continuing to work with natural bers in our lifestyle collections, and last spring we engineered a more structured athletic line. This included pieces like leggings, sports bras, and articulated seems and vents for men's tees and pants. For next season we are building upon NPT, our Natural Performance Technology. <-02&+$&7"-+3)&2-"&7*03)=$&>02?*0#&@"*A(*603,"& B",-3(#(4%&C>@BD8 It's a hemp and organic cotton blend. A lot of people get hung up on the cotton part of it, but that presence is really just for added softness. It's important to understand that hemp has many natural performance qualities. And because of the way we blend it, hemp can help regulate your body temperature, and it absorbs moisture and drys out quickly. It's also odor resistant, which is nice during activities where you perspire more frequently. <+2-&$(&603%&$%32-"2+,&2",-3(#(4+"$&(3&2-"&60*1"2E& :-"*"&)("$&-"6;&F &2&+38 The outdoor consumer is environmentally conscious and likes supporting apparel that is technical and highly fashionable, but also shares a connection with nature. We actually started our hemp line in the early 2000's to show that you can wear a performance product that is naturally basedyou dont have to wear something articially constructed in a lab. We want people to know that it's possible to look to the earth for your answers and not to these sometimes toxic chemistries. B-"&7*03)&G?$2&*","32#%&#0?3,-")&0&3":&#+3"&(A&70$"& #0%"*$&A"02?*+34&>@B8 Having launched our athletic collection last spring, the next evolution of NPT was adding a men's and women's form-tting base layer. We offer a variety of style options including both solid colorways and prints, a long pant, a crew neck and a women's mock turtle for added warmth. H2&#((1$&#+1"&2-"&70$"&#0%"*$&,(6"&:+2-&$(6"&?3+I?"& ;0,104+34&(;2+(3$&0$&:"##J Yes, to really drive the launch home, we created a whole new xture for stores with our tube packaging. Stores can choose to hang the pieces or save oor space by shelving them in the tubes... they are like a pop art mountain, which will denitely grab the customer's attention. <-02&"#$"&+$&3":&A(*&K0##&=LM8 We added a annel lining to our pants and jackets, which aside from looking awesome, offers more comfort and warmthwe love to give everything a soft feel against the skin. For women's we are stoked on corduroys, and we've incorporated some intricate embroidery into those pieces. We also did a whole seattle grunge inspired dress. B-"&0;;0*"#&+3,(*;(*02"$&0&#(2&(A&+32*+,02"&;022"*3$& 03)&;*+32$J Yes. As far as new designs, we are working with what we call Tunisian cloth. This is a block-print boutiquing in different colorways that creates this authentic ethnic vibe. Our designers get a lot of inspiration from international fashion trends.

because it's most visible at all spectrums and doesn't typically occur in nature. And then everything comes with our survival grenade. 5?*N+N0#&'*"30)"8 It's not an explosive[laughs]. It's a compact survival kit that can clip to anything. In the grenade is 550 tensile strength cord, a needle for sewing, bar and knife to start a re, wire for snaring and trapping, shing hooks and a few weights. At a minimum you get fuchsia and a grenade and then with the jacket you get the upgraded kit. Everything comes with an instruction manual with survival tips as well. Q*"&2-"$"&(?2)((*&"$$"32+0#$&+3,(*;(*02")&+32(& A((2:"0*&2((8 You bet. Aside from the basic fuchsia and grenade, in the heel cavity of our Substratum Hiker is a re starter and two wet fuel cubes that can be popped out with one hand in case you are injured. B-"&7((2$&+3,#?)"&0&F &*"$;0*1"*&03)&A?"#&+3&2-"&-""#& 7")8 Yes, a solid fuel called wet-re. It was actually a rocket fuel that NASA was developing and then it was added to the Air Force survival kit; now it's commercially available. It's entirely biodegradable too so you can eat it, but I wouldn't recommend it. R<"2SF &*"T&A?"#&$""6$&#+1"&0&7+2&(A&03&(U%6(*(3J They call it wet-re because it steals oxygen from water molecules. It actually burns longer on the snow than on dry land, and it's a reusable tender. You can put it out and store it in your pocket because it doesnt retain heat. Our shoes also have Vibram outsoles, 550 cord laces and Primaloft insulation. O(&2-"&;*()?,2$&A"02?*"&03%&(2-"*&2",-3(#(4+"$&2-02& 0*"&?3,(66(3&+3&2-"&60*1"28 With apparel there is Aerotherm, our new green nanotechnology. When you compress an insulation you loose your R-value (used to measure thermal resistance) where cold penetrates and heat escapes. Aerotherm creates a thermal barrier to trap heat, and we put it in targeted areas: elbows, knees, butt and spineall your high contact points. Because we are a very technical brand, we are focusing on specialty retail to communicate that message to the consumer.

>>Spenco
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<-02&+$&3":&A*(6&5;"3,(&02&2-"&$-(:8 Our original product is the Total Support orthotic insole. It's a sculpted footbed with a deep heel cup, metatarsal pad and longitudinal arch for added support. We've had such great success with the orthotic that we've dropped that same shape into sandalsip-ops that don't op. Also, since the market in running specialty and outdoor favors a more rigid insole, we took the Total Support and kept the architecture and rmed up the cradle. <-%&)(&%(?&2-+31&2-"&60*1"2&+$&)"603)+34&F &*6"*& +3$(#"$8 Well, if you look at what's being put in snow boots and hiking boots, it's all really rigid orthotics. It's interesting because at the same time the low prole, minimalist running trend has presented this contradiction. A rigid orthotic doesn't comply with a low-prole shoe as far as look, feel and performance are concerned. <-02&+$&2-"&0)N03204"&(A&0&F &*6"*& ,*0)#"8 It allows for greater stability. Everyone strikes on the outside of the heel in a normal gate cycle, and as you roll forward to toeoff, your arch is your natural shock absorber because it compresses. The deep heel cup, arch support and rigidity keep you straight and aligned to prevent overextending those muscles during high-impact activity. O("$&5;"3,(&-0N"&0&$(#?2+(3&A(*&,(3$?6"*$&:-(& 3"")&0&*+4+)&(*2-(2+,E&7?2&:032&0&6+3+60#+$2&$-("8 Yes, we've taken the Total Support shape and thinned it out as much as possible, so it can t a low-prole shoe. Many people will say that defeats the purpose because it's about natural motion, but when you strip a shoe down to its bare parts, some people need that extra support because there is simply less to absorb the impact. We are seeing a lot of people get injured in switching to a minimalist shoe, so the Total Support insole can aid in that transition.

Kesey Goodrich, marketing manager; Anna Kovendjiska, designer; Susan Foster, senior menswear designer

20 // FEBRUARY 2013 // OUTDOOR USA MAGAZINE