Men’s apparel outfitter Mountain Khakis announced the grand opening of its newest storefront at the Traverse Mountain Outlets in Lehi, Utah. This will allow customers to shop in-person for outdoor apparel that uses best technical fabrics, premium trims and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the scenic landscapes and rugged charm of Utah, the new Mountain Khakis store incorporates curated decor that has been hand-selected by American pickers across the south and mountain west. Embracing the Mountain Khakis’ ethos of timeless craftsmanship, the store features predominantly repurposed items ..read more

Trango, a Colorado-based climbing brand, announced a new partnership with U.S. climber and Olympic team member, Jesse Grupper. Grupper, who has qualified for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games, is also a member of the US Climbing Team. Grupper, 27, won the 2023 Pan American Championships and two Lead World Cups in 2022 prior to qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. Prior to these achievements, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and accepted a research fellowship with the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). But qualifying f ..read more

REI Co-op is celebrating continued progress towards its efforts to get every person in America outside in five minutes or less, no matter where they live. Through its Outside in 5 initiative, REI supports local projects and nationwide legislation to improve access to nearby nature. This includes support for the REI Cooperative Action fund, which last fall provided $6.1 million in funding for more than 260 local, regional and national nonprofits that lead efforts to create improved access to the outdoors for everyone. “Every person deserves the opportunity to get outside in their neighborhood ..read more

Backpacker’s Pantry, a family-owned maker of gourmet adventure meals, announced its participation in the Spring 2024 “Keep it Wild” campaign. Organized by The Conservation Alliance (TCA), this week-long initiative seeks to raise awareness and funds for protecting wild places and outdoor spaces. The campaign – which runs April 18-24 – will see Backpacker’s Pantry donate 5 percent of its online revenue to TCA to support ongoing advocacy efforts, including the push for national monuments in 2024. “In 2023, The Conservation Alliance and our business members helped protect over 12 million acres of ..read more

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced its lineup of educational sessions and connection opportunities for the Outdoor Retailer Summer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 17-19. The lineup will specifically address critical and intersectional topics including market and consumer trends, sustainability, advocacy and participation. “Our education sessions at Outdoor Retailer reflect the industry’s most pressing issues, empowering businesses to apply expert guidance, proven solutions and new skills to drive growth and catalyze positive change for the outdoor industry,” said OIA president ..read more

Nominations for the 6th annual Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards closes on Wednesday, April 24 at 8 p.m. ET (5PT). These awards are designed to recognize cutting-edge and carefully considered products and retail services, as made famous at the trade show. Two rounds of judging will be conducted. All entries must first be submitted online through the official online entry form, and include photos (minimum of two), video (optional) and complete written submission. After the period closes, a panel of expert judges, as determined by Outdoor Retailer, will review all completed submissions. Ju ..read more

The Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), which is the U.S.’ largest advocacy organization for trails, walking and biking, is calling on people across the country to get outside this spring to celebrate trails and connected trail networks. In particular, the group is hosting a Celebrate Trails Day on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Celebrate Trails will comprise hundreds of events, nationwide, to inspire walking and biking. Interviews and visual opportunities will also be available at community-based events, including runs, rides, cleanups, festivals and more in dozens of major metro areas. In preparat ..read more

OneWater Marine signed an agreement to purchase Garden State Yacht Sales. This transaction is expected to further expand its presence in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. while enhancing new and pre-owned boat sales, finance and parts and services offerings. “We continue to execute our strategic growth objectives with the addition of Garden State Yacht Sales, a premium dealership and marina location. With minimal capital outlay, we look forward to leveraging our proven integration playbook to capitalize on the compelling upside potential of this acquisition,” said Austin Singleton, CEO, OneWater. “Garden ..read more

House lawmakers have passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. This bipartisan package of outdoor recreation policy is designed to improve outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters. Its passage creates opportunity to improve how public lands are managed and enhance outdoor experiences. The EXPLORE Act includes key bills that Outdoor Alliance and its partners have helped develop and refine, alongside lawmakers. The Senate is expected to take up the bill in coming weeks, as it has already introduced bipartisan companion legislation, America’s O ..read more

Active Apparel Group (AAG), which manufactures performance apparel for the leisure/lifestyle and active market, announced that it is embracing water-based OEKO-TEX 100 Class 1 standard printing ink as part of its manufacturing process. The shift is part of a broader initiative to reduce its environmental impact while keeping ahead of evolving global chemical regulations. Traditionally, common and inexpensive inks are used in the global manufacturing of apparel, often containing toxic chemicals such as phthalates, petroleum-based co-solvents, PVC and other volatile organic compounds. “Reducing ..read more