We posted on the Atlas 12 Series award from Outside a couple of days ago. To follow-up, here’s the complete list of 2008 gear of the year award winners:

For Immediate Release
Jill Thomas | 212-972-4650 | jthomas@outsidemag.com

Santa Fe, NM, October 1st, 2007 - After months of rigorous testing, Outside magazine announced today the 2008 winners of the Gear of the Year awards to be featured in the (first-ever) Winter edition of the Outside Buyer’s Guide. The guide became available on news stands around the country on October 2nd.

With reviews of over 300 products, the Winter Outside Buyer’s Guide is the authoritative handbook for the latest active-lifestyle gear and apparel as well as the top hot spots for the winter season. The Buyer’s Guide highlights the very best in gear, from sports equipment, tools to footwear, outerwear, and sunglasses. Organized according to activity, the Buyer’s Guide is the best resource for product reviews, news, and tips.

“We tested ski jackets and packs in Europe and snowshoes in Vermont, and last spring our largest crew of experts spent a week at Colorado’s Copper Mountain reviewing the latest skis, snowboards, boots, gloves, including shoes and casual apparel,” said Outside senior editor Sam Moulton. “And that’s just the start,” he adds.

2008 Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Winners:

• ALPINE SKIS: Head Monster 88
• SOFT SHELL: Arc’teryx Hercules Hoody
• SNOWBOARD: Palmer Honeycomb 164
• STORM SHELL: Cloudveil Koven Plus
• BACKCOUNTRY SKIS: Black Diamond Verdict
• SNOWSHOES: Atlas 12 Series
• BACKPACK: The North Face Patrol 35
• TRAIL RUNNER: Solomon SpeedCross 2

Read Full Article At OutdoorIndustry.com..

For Immediate Release
Ryan Hayter, 206-633-7990, ryan@hayterpr.com

Seattle WA, October 4, 2007 — Atlas Snow-Shoe Company, the technology leader in snowshoes, announces that its Pinnacle 12 Series en’s snowshoe recently won Outside Magazine’s renown & prestigious Gear of the Year award.

These awards are featured in this year’s first ever Winter edition of the Outside Buyer’s Guide (available on newsstands October 2). Selecting only eight products for Gear of the Year from a tested field of over 300 jackets, backpacks, skis, snowboards, snowshoes and much more, Outside’s accolades confirm the Atlas 12 Series snowshoes place with the best winter gear available this year.

“We’re thrilled to see the 12 Series snowshoe chosen by Outside as gear of the year,” says Charles Lozner, brand director for Atlas. “Atlas is dedicated to providing the most technically-advanced and high-performance snowshoes out there, and the recognition by Outside confirms our success. Our snowshoes offer superior comfort, ease of use, and ultimate performance,” he adds.

Read Entire Article..

More inspiring outdoor industry news from Rock/Creek! We just mentioned a couple of days ago in the Chacos on sale post…about the responsible ethics and eco-friendly nature of this company. They just keep getting better and better at giving back!

Rock/Creek, a Chattanooga-based specialty outdoor retailer, partners with Sterling Rope to keep used climbing ropes out of landfills through launch of new rope recycling initative at this year’s Triple Crown Bouldering Series.

Contact:
Brooke Scott
423.266.8200 ext. 1111
brooke@rockcreek.com

Chattanooga, TN, September 21, 2007 - As an advancement of their Redemption Initiative, Sterling Rope has started a rope recycling program in partnership with Rock/Creek, ClimbingGear.com, and the Triple Crown Bouldering Series. Starting in October and running through 2007, Sterling will be collecting and recycling used ropes and rewarding those who participate with a discount on a brand spanking new rope. Sterling feels that in cooperation with climbers, they can make a strong impact in the amount of old ropes that get tossed to the landfills each year.

Why recycle your old climbing ropes? Here are just three of the many reasons:

1. Keep them out of a landfill!
2. Keep climbers safe
3. Get 20% off your next Sterling Rope purchase

After collecting the retired ropes, Sterling will consolidate them into containers and send them off to their recycling partner who re-pelletizes the nylon. From there the nylon is made into things like carpet fuzz, coat hangers, and all types of useful household items.

Great story from a great group of companies! Read Entire Article at the Rock/Creek press room..

For Immediate Release
Lori Crabtree
Stanwood & Partners PR
lcrabtree@wyoming.com
307.733.1514

Salt Lake, UT, September 20, 2007 — 3point5.com, the web campus of retailers, manufacturers and sales professionals, teamed up recently with Influence Technologies (ITI), specializing in online consumer and B2B catalogs, specialty sales programs and manages industry-specific web marketplaces including BroForm.com, providing a family of over 250 outdoor brands and manufacturers.

3point5.com & BroForm.com are excited to be exhibitors at the 2007 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, the largest in the cycling industry. 3point5.com currently services a variety of bike industry clients including CycleOps Power, Pearl Izumi, Sunnto and Smith. And will be launching training programs from Bell helmets, Giro helmets, Bolle and Easton in the near future.

Stop by the 3point5.com/BroForm.com booth in Vegas (#4872) to check out what’s new with each company, and to register for the great daily cycling gear giveaway.

Read Entire Article..

For Immediate Release
Erik Lambert
Online Editor, Alpinist Magazine
Phone: 307-734-0600
Email: erik@alpinist.com

Jackson, WY, September 8th, 2007 — Alpinist Magazine recently announced the launch of their new and improved Internet website, www.alpinist.com. Since its inception five years ago, Alpinist Magazine has engaged the vertical community with the finest writing, photography and design from the climbing world.

Elements of this new site include:

• Alpinist Mountain Standards: We’ve redeveloped our Mountain Standards gear-review blog to have a new look, new set of panelists, and a new 5-star rating system. You’ll find multiple climbing gear reviews posted each week.
• Interactivity: Comment on Outdoor NewsWire articles and blog posts, or submit your own funny, artistic, serious text and photos to our Weblog.
• Weekly Feature: This multimedia companion to Alpinist Magazine is updated every week with in-depth climbing stories accompanied by exclusive photographs and compelling videos.
• Wallpaper: Extraordinary high-resolution climbing images available for download. Read about your favorite adventure photographers on our Photographer of the Month page.
• Micro-sites: Frequently updated blurbs from the Access Fund, The American Alpine Club, the American Mountain Guides Association and Patagonia, Alpinist’s Earth Ink Sponsor.

Read Entire Article..

Howdy Folks,

I am proud to introduce a new column to the OGE Outdoor Blog: OGE Picks

We’ve put the gear experts here at Outdoor Gear Engine (OGE) to work in finding the best products from a broad array of categories and manufacturers. With over 500,000 product skus in the Outdoor Gear Engine database (search the database from the sidebar), and new products coming to market every day, we’ll help you pick out the winners that will enhance your enjoyment in whatever outdoor sport you choose. Whether it be backpacking or backcountry skiing, we’ll highlight the brands and products you should consider owning. And of course, when you shop for that product on OGE, you know you’ll be getting the best possible deal. So stay tuned…our 1st group of picks will be released this week.

Jesse Hoffman, CEO
OGE, Inc.

May 2007 (Lawrence, MA) – Better late than never so here it is! Back in May Polartec, LLC announced the APEX Design Award winners for 2007 (see 2006 APEX Design Award Winners @ OutdoorIndustry.com). This highly prestigious award goes to the best Polartec® based garments that will be available to consumers coming this Fall 2007. Winners are selected based on the style, function, and fit of the garment as well as the most innovative and appropriate uses of Polartec® fabrics.

The winners this year range from sleepwear and IPOD friendly ski jacket to baby booties and insulated soft shells. Without further ado…the winners are:

• Arc’teryx Griffon Jacket – Polartec® Power Shield O2â„¢
• Arc’teryx Hercules Hoody – Polartec® Power Shield O2â„¢
• Avalanche Wear Boston Pea Coat – Polartec® Classic 200
• Burton AK Silkweight Top and Pant – Polartec® Power Dry®
• Cloudveil Wister Jacket – Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology
• Kamik Ellie Rain Boot – Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology
• LL Bean Women’s Wind Challenger 300 Fleece Jacket – Polartec® Windbloc®
• Marmot Lightweight and Midweight Long Underwear – Polartec® Power Dry® with Cocona fibers
• Mountain Sprouts Shag Baby! Gift Set – Polartec® Thermal Pro®
• New Balance Baby Booties – Polartec® Classic 200
• Outside Baby Curly Windproof Collection – Polartec® Wind Pro® high loft
• Outside Baby Two Layer Windproof Collection – Polartec® Classic Micro
• Patagonia Footwear Drifter – Polartec® Power Dry®
• Peckham MARPAT Jacket & Watch Cap – Polartec® Wind Pro® and Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology
• REI OXT Polartec® Power Stretch® Zip Top – Polartec® Power Stretch®
• Westcomb Recon IL Hoody – Polartec® Power Shield®
• Westcomb Trailblazer Pant – Polartec® Power Shield®
• Wolverine World Wide Pioneer Jacket – Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® technology

More information including the European winners may be found at the Polartec website. Read full news story here.

For Immediate Release
Jill Thomas
Outside Magazine
212.972.4650
jthomas@outsidemag.com

Santa Fe, NM, August 10th, 2007 — Outside Magazine, America’s leading active lifestyle publication, donated $50,000 to the Conservation Alliance. Outside presented the $50,000 check to the Conservation Alliance, a nonprofit organization of outdoor businesses that supports efforts to protect wild places throughout North America for their habitat and recreational values, during a special ceremony at the Outdoor Retailer Show on Friday, August 10th in Salt Lake City.

“Outside is excited to celebrate our 30th anniversary by making this donation to the world outside, which has been our inspiration,” said Lawrence J. Burke, Founder and Chairman of Mariah Media, Inc. “The Conservation Alliance is a true partner, and their contribution to the environment is unparalleled in the Outdoor Industry.”

This special donation is another facet of the magazine’s 30th Anniversary celebration in 2007. Also part of the anniversary lineup is the release of a new China edition, a fall Buyer’s Guide to complement the successful summer version, and the launch of Outside’s Go, the first travel and style magazine written exclusively for men.

Read Entire Article..

For Immediate Release
Julie Atherton McFadden
JAM Public Relations
julie@jampr.net
415-839-7546

Portland, OR, August 2nd, 2007 — The Trailhead Collection is the heritage and benchmark of KEEN performance with styles that deliver superior technical performance with no sacrifice in comfort. KEEN (Keen Gear Index) is offering two new categories of active footwear for Spring 2008. New categories are climbing and cycling.

Climbing

Broughton Direct: This quick-off climbing shoe was designed for the active climber. Featuring a direct outsole attachment system, the Broughton Direct is built with the same attention to detail that embodies the KEEN line. Velcro straps hold these shoes firmly on your feet but allow you the ability to put on or take them off expediently.

Carver Direct: Offered in the same bright colors – Bossa Nova/Neutral Grey, Yellow/Patriot Blue and Olympian Blue/Rust – as the Broughton Direct, the Carver Direct features a secure lace system for a comfortable fit.

Cycling

Commuter: This true hybrid blends the features of the tried and true KEEN Newport with the functionality of a cycling cleat.

Read Entire Article..

For Immediate Release
Kate Shackelford
Stanwood & Partners
307.733.1514

July 20, 2007 — CamelBak, the global leader in hydration packs, has reached an agreement with Mountain High Sales and Marketing LP to represent the CamelBak Recreational Division of products in the Great Lakes territory (MI, IN, OH, KY). Mountain High Sales is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has satellite offices in Western Michigan and also utilizes a mobile showroom throughout the territory. Members of the Mountain High Sales team include Marcia Haberman, Aaron Baker, Mike Kennedy, Mark Kubas and Deirdre Durant.

Read entire article or browse closeout hydration packs from Camelbak to find killer deals..