SCARPA, global manufacturer of high-performance mountain footwear, today announced Jonathan Degenhardt as new CEO of its North American operation. Along with Degenhardt’s hire, two longtime employees will be elevated into new leadership positions with additional responsibilities at SCARPA North America.

This fall, Royal Robbins returns to its Yosemite roots with a collection celebrating craftsmanship, natural performance, and timeless style. The Fall 2026 line offers versatility and performance while paying homage to the adventurous spirit of the brand’s founders, Liz and Royal Robbins.

Established in 2002, Astral designs high-performance wilderness equipment created in the least toxic, lowest impact ways. Built on decades of experience and experimentation, Astral has assembled athletes, artists, and craftspeople to build the cleanest, most beautiful, and highest performing gear. Astral has significantly reduced toxic PVC foam from the PFD industry, invented breathable life jackets, won awards for their paradigm-changing footwear designs, and developed the stickiest rubber ever worn on wet rock. In 2024, Astral launched its first line of HempTech™ apparel, utilizing Nature’s highest performing fiber that is naturally breathable, odor resistant, durable and cooling in warm weather, while protecting the maximum amount of soil and water. Visit www.astraldesigns.com for more information.

HEAD is a leading global manufacturer of premium sports equipment, specializing in skiing, snowboarding, and related winter sports, as well as racquet sports, swimming, and diving. Founded in 1950 by engineer Howard Head, the company introduced revolutionary ski design with its Head Standard model — combining metal and wood to create skis that are more maneuverable, durable, and high-performance. HEAD continues to innovate through its product lines for freeride, all-mountain, junior, and luxury performance, pushing technical boundaries while delivering an exceptional experience to athletes and outdoor lovers around the world.

Established in 1862, Mammut stands as a global leader in providing high-quality products and unique experiences for mountain sports enthusiasts. With over 160 years of heritage, this Swiss-based premium brand is a hallmark of safety and innovation. Mammut's offerings, known for their functionality, responsible performance and contemporary design, make it one of the most comprehensive suppliers in the outdoor industry. The brand's extensive range includes hardware, footwear, and apparel, catering to a wide spectrum of activities. As of 2024, Mammut Sports Group AG operates in around 40 countries and employs approximately 800 people, continuing to forge a legacy of excellence and adventure. Learn more on Mammut's website and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MammutNA and @MammutNorthAmerica.

Building on its legacy of design innovation and craftsmanship, SCARPA introduces new and updated models across hiking, running, field, and climbing categories for Spring 2026.

Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, made significant strides in 2025 furthering its mission to protect climbing for future generations.

As we move into 2026, here are the trends brands need to embrace to stay relevant and build genuine connections with their audiences.

Access Fund is expanding its Climber Steward Program to Washington’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Two seasonal field staff will help address growing recreation pressures at some of the state’s most popular climbing hubs, Methow Valley and Wenatchee River Ranger Districts, by offering in-person climber education to support responsible recreation and resource management.

VALLON, the sports eyewear company known for classic style, maximum performance eyewear, introduces Crossroads™ —unisex goggles designed for alpine performance, fusing design notes from classic mountaineering aesthetics with advanced optical and material technology.

In 2026, five PR trends are shaping how brands build reputation and drive growth: AI-era discoverability, people-powered influence, integrated PR, outcome-based measurement, and real-world experiences. These are the levers brands can pull to stay findable, credible, and connected in a noisy, AI-driven landscape.

Looking to stay ahead of trends, stories, and voices shaping the outdoor and wellness space? Here are a few Substacks we’re loving right now—ranging from personal narratives and gear reviews to the realities of freelancing in today’s ever changing media landscape.

Royal Enfield and VALLON today announce the launch of Royal Enfield × VALLON Moto Aviators - a Classic edition lifestyle collection inspired by Royal Enfield’s line of Classic motorcycles. The Moto Aviators draw inspiration from the distinct characteristics of the Classic 350, Goan Classic and the Classic 650. Three motorcycles celebrated for their timeless charm, evocative design and bold colorways.

Building on the momentum of its groundbreaking Quattro series, SCARPA, manufacturer of high-performance mountain footwear, this fall launches its new 4-Quattro GT, a new freeride ski boot that has already accumulated awards and accolades from a range of ski media, including Masterfit/America’s Best Bootfitters, which runs the industry’s premier ski-boot test, as well as Men’s Journal, SKI, BLISTER, and Backcountry Magazine.

VALLON, the Amsterdam-based sports eyewear company known for classic style, maximum performance eyewear has announced SportRx as their exclusive prescription partner for North America, bringing VALLON’s high-performance styles to athletes, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts in the US and Canada who require prescription lenses, without compromising on style or function.

Crazy Creek Products, a pioneer in portable outdoor seating, is thrilled to announce the second release in its limited-edition series with acclaimed artist and adventurer Rachel Pohl. The new Snow Ghosts Hex 2.0 Chair blends Crazy Creek’s lightweight seating with Pohl’s distinct art style, this time inspired by a dreamlike winter landscape in the forests of Norway.

“Buy it in ChatGPT” is now officially here! Most relevant to our brands is the direct integration with Shopify. Does your brand sell with Shopify and want to know what you need to do to get in on the action? Keep reading. 

Royal Robbins, the outdoor apparel brand whose mission is to feed the soul through nature and adventure, is proud to announce that its Mosquito Protection Technology™ (MPT) has been named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025, which features extraordinary innovations changing consumers' lives today.

Therm-a-Rest® is set to enhance outdoor sleep experiences in spring 2026 with the introduction of its new Parsec™ Sleeping Bag and Corus™ Quilt. These latest additions are designed to provide superior comfort and warmth, featuring PFAS-free materials, 100% recycled nylon shells, and responsibly sourced Hydrophobic Down for optimal heat retention even in wet conditions.

Looking at the rise of community-driven content (like Reddit), micro-influencers and niche blogs, we can easily see why they have become an ever-more important source of third-party validation and product recommendations—they have firsthand and unbiased experience.