Summer outdoors & sports trends for 2023
Warm weather is upon us (or will be soon)! With this, we have a host of new gear and trends to share. Travel is back, big time, with record flight bookings and full calendars, and campgrounds and National Parks are also seeing record visits. We have some great gear to help explore in comfort and style. Gravel cycling isn’t new at this point, but it continues to grow and permeate the mainstream. Running meanwhile, is going through a renaissance in many ways, while we’re not going to cover the now-ubiquitous “super shoe” we’ll cover new concepts in cushioning entirely. Finally, health and safety, and more specifically emergency preparedness.
If you’d like media samples of any of the products here or if you have any questions, please reach out to us.
National Parks Travel
As the world emerges from the shadow of the pandemic, a remarkable resurgence in national park travel has captured the imagination of adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. This boom in exploration is driven by a collective yearning for wide-open spaces, untamed wilderness, and a reconnection with nature's splendor that transcends the confines of our modern, digital lives. Join us as we traverse the breathtaking landscapes of these cherished sanctuaries and uncover the secrets behind their newfound popularity.
Royal Robbins
Royal Robbins is a proud sponsor of the Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA), which promotes local and visitor stewardship of our precious public lands and creates community through preservation and education. Founded in the Yosemite Valley nearly 55 years ago, Royal Robbins outdoor apparel is proud to partner with YCA on community stewardship events through its nationwide Facelift: Act Local campaign. The YCA Facelift was created to inspire clean-up events across the U.S. to galvanize stewardship in the local parks and open spaces.
On the gear side of things, with its focus on design, comfort, and sustainable materials, Royal Robbins clothing is the ideal companion for exploring the diverse terrains of national parks. Their versatile and stylish apparel effortlessly adapts to various climates and activities, ensuring that adventurers remain protected and at ease while appreciating the natural wonders around them.
Adventure Wagon
Adventure Wagon, based in Portland, Oregon, specializes in creating livable, adaptable vans that are perfect for exploring National Parks. Since 2014, they have converted thousands of vans, providing products that cater to a wide range of individuals, stories, and experiences. Adventure Wagon's vans are designed to be a catalyst for boundless discovery, helping people connect more intimately with their passions.
Costa Sunglasses Aleta
The Aleta sunglasses from this brand are designed to embody the beauty and functionality of nature. Named after the Spanish word for "fin," these sunglasses offer excellent water-ready performance in a stylish and functional design. Made with lightweight Bio-Resin and double-injected Hydrolite™, the Aleta provide a secure grip, making them perfect for any land or water-based activity. The micro shields and hooding keep excess light out, while the vented nose pads help prevent fogging, ensuring a clear view. With their smooth shape and refined lines, the Aleta sunglasses aren't just stylish but practical too. They're perfect for any activity in or around the water, making them an essential accessory for any outdoor enthusiast headed to National Parks this summer.
Costa Sunglasses Mainsail
The Mainsail frames from Costa Sunglasses are the ideal pair of sunglasses for outdoor adventurers who love exploring National Parks. These frames are built with 580® lenses, micro side shields, hooding to keep excess light out of your eyes, Hydrolite™ grips on the temples to keep your sunglasses in place, and eyewire drains and channels to keep sweat and water out of your eyes. Not only are they practical and functional, but they also look great, making them perfect for both on and off the water. Whether you're hiking, kayaking, or simply enjoying the views, the Mainsail frames are the perfect choice for any National Park adventure.
MSR Habiscape
For families and groups who love national parks, the Habiscape offers everything you need and want in a camping tent. Made for three-season adventures that don’t stray far from the car, it’s the ideal mix of comfortable performance and thoughtful features that will delight young campers and make nights spent outside their favorite pastime.
The Habiscape is the newest frontcountry tent offering from MSR, with highlights such as added features for convenience, livability, and luxury, offered in 4-person or 6-person options.
Wyoming Whiskey - Wilderness Series
Wyoming Whiskey is committed to the preservation of wide open spaces and vast landscapes that define Wyoming and the American West. This includes places like Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley, a wildlife paradise where bison have roamed since prehistoric times. For every bottle of Wilderness sold, $5 will be donated to Yellowstone Forever to support their continued efforts to protect, preserve, and enhance the future of America’s first national park.
Gregory Men's Miko & Women’s Maya
Built for day hikes, quick escapes or National Park adventures, the Miko and women’s Maya go beyond just comfort and versatility. The new BioSync suspension system with elasticized shoulder harness and hipbelt provide body-hugging comfort and a dynamic carry. The shoulder harness and hipbelt are designed to stretch and flex with the natural movements of your body for an energy-saving dynamic carry. The easily adjustable backpanel has 3.5 inches of flexibility for a precise fit. The cool contour foam backpanel and perforated foam shoulder harness promote airflow for added breathability and zippered pockets on the hipbelt are large enough for your phone. The packs are reservoir-ready with an independent zippered pocket and SpeedClip hydration hanger, and with four capacities you can find the best size for any adventure. Using recycled materials and a data driven life cycle analysis tool, Gregory reduced the carbon footprint of each new pack by 26% (Miko 20). The Miko and Maya are also available in plus size, supporting Gregory’s commitment to inclusivity in the outdoors.
Gravel Cycling
As the cycling landscape continues to evolve, gravel cycling has emerged as a great discipline for riders seeking to venture off the beaten path and immerse themselves in the great outdoors. This burgeoning trend combines the best of road and off-road biking, fostering a sense of adventure and camaraderie among enthusiasts who relish the challenge of navigating diverse terrain. The space is evolving quickly and has been making it into the mainstream, even The New York Times has now covered gravel cycling several times. From the development of cutting-edge gear and the rise of bespoke events, to the growing community of cyclists united by their passion for this exhilarating sport gravel is here to stay. Strap on your helmet and join us as we journey into the heart of this gritty, versatile, and rapidly expanding world of two-wheeled exploration.
Life Time Events
Gravel cycling is becoming more popular than ever. Cyclists love the sense of adventure and personal challenge found among the remote and scenic dirt roads across the country and globe. Life Time is at the forefront of this movement, producing popular and influential events such as Garmin UNBOUND Gravel presented by Craft Sportswear. UNBOUND is a part of the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda, an elite race series consisting of seven challenging and iconic off-road cycling events. While UNBOUND has been in the limelight for a number of years, Life Time also offers lesser known events such as The Rad Dirt Fest presented by Wahoo, which takes place in the up-and-coming gravel cycling town of Trinidad, Colorado. Sign up today at theraddirt.com
Tailwind Nutrition
Gravel rides and races can range anywhere from 12 miles to 200+ miles. No matter the distance or intensity, proper fueling and hydration is essential for a good day out on the bike. Durango-based Tailwind Nutrition offers Endurance Fuel and Recovery Mix powders for every athlete, whether casual or elite. Endurance Fuel blends electrolytes with calories so you don’t have to worry about gulping down hard-to-chew energy bars or strangely viscous gels. The eight flavors (four caffeinated and four non-caffeinated) are designed to taste good and be easy on the stomach. After your ride, mix up a bottle of Recovery Mix to take advantage of the right mix of carbs, protein, electrolytes, & accomplishment.
Yakima Bike Racks
While we love riding straight from our front door, sometimes the route is a little bit out of town. The Yakima HangTight revolutionizes multi-bike carry. The vertical-hanging rack can accommodate drop-bar bikes in addition to flat-bar bikes, something that rival products cannot accomplish. If tray racks are more your style, check out the Yakima StageTwo. StageTwo is Yakima’s premium hitch-based tray rack that includes features like tiered architecture, which minimizes bike-to-bike-contact. StageTwo can also accommodate e-bikes up to 70lbs per bike, and is rated for RV use up to 60lbs per bike.
Chamois Butt’r
Long gravel rides can lead to discomfort on the bike including chafing or skin discomfort. Chamois Butt’r has been pioneers in keeping cyclists comfortable for the past 30 years. The brand’s latest product release is Chamois Butt’r Ultra Balm, designed specifically for gravel, bikepacking, and endurance cycling in mind. Ultra Balm uses all natural beeswax which stays on the skin longer than traditional water-based chamois creams. This balm will keep you comfortable even among the harshest conditions. After the balm is used, the metal container can be re-used, perfect for stashing small items in bikepacking bags or backpacks! Chamois Butt’r products are Made in the USA and never use harsh chemicals.
Emergency Preparedness
In a world increasingly conscious of the unpredictability of natural disasters and global events, emergency preparedness has emerged as a vital and timely trend in safeguarding one's well-being and security. Recognizing the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, individuals and families are taking proactive measures to equip themselves with essential tools and knowledge to tackle unforeseen challenges. In this section, we delve into some must-have items for a comprehensive emergency preparedness kit.
Backpacker's Pantry Freeze Dried Meals
Backpacker's Pantry freeze-dried meals are an ideal choice for emergency preparedness due to their long shelf life, lightweight, and easy preparation. These meals are designed to be nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare, requiring only boiling water and a few minutes to rehydrate. They come in a variety of flavors and styles, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, making them suitable for different dietary needs. Additionally, their compact packaging makes them easy to store, and they can be quickly transported in case of an emergency. Overall, Backpacker's Pantry freeze-dried meals provide a convenient and reliable solution for anyone looking to stock up on emergency food supplies.
RECCO
Traveling in any mountain environment is dangerous. The threat of injury or getting lost is always looming. RECCO has been making recreationalists more searchable for 40 years now, and its search and rescue helicopter is ever expanding. Helicopters that are outfitted with a RECCO helicopter detectors can search a larger area more quickly, making them a great tool for finding missing hikers, backpackers, runners, cyclists, hunters, or any other trail user.
The RECCO system is composed of two parts. The detector is used by search and rescue professionals to pick up a reflection from the RECCO reflector. RECCO reflectors are embedded into common items from hundreds of outdoor brands and are also sold separately as units that can be affixed to helmets and backpacks. Rescuers use the reflection to find missing people via air or land
Visit RECCO.com to learn more about the technology and RECCO’s partner brands.
MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier
The Guardian Gravity Purifier has you covered with safe water, removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, sediment and microplastics hands-free. Simply hang it while you go about your tasks and its 10L reservoir supports the daily water needs of multiple people. Originally designed to protect service members in the field, this rugged purifier handles the abuse of travel and meets the NSF P248 military testing standard.
Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20
Designed to deliver maximum comfort while meeting high standards for lightweight packability, the award-winning Parsec 20F/-6C sleeping bag is the go-to choice when you need one bag to take you from early spring through late fall. Filled with highly compressible 800-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down™ that absorbs 90% less water and dries 3x faster than untreated down, the Parsec delivers superior performance in wet weather. Updated for 2022, the ultralight 20-denier GRS-certified recycled nylon shell saves weight, maintains durability and is eco-friendly, while the new no-snag YKK® zipper eases entries and exits and prevents accidental tears. Improved SynergyLink™ Connectors wrap around your sleeping pad to allow freedom of movement without shifting off the pad and losing warmth. The refined shape boosts efficiency even more, shaving up to 2 oz (57 g) off the previous version, while our down-lined Toe-asis™ foot pocket keeps your feet unquestionably warm. Whether this is your first bag or your next bag, the Parsec is ready to be your one and only.
Evolved Running Shoe Cushioning
Vimazi Pace-Tuned Shoes
A running shoe startup founded by industry veterans and lifelong marathoners, Vimazi makes shoes tuned for the runner's pace. The shoes are engineered to provide better cushioning and more efficiency. It’s the logical evolution and personalization of running shoe design. According to Vimazi, rather than “max cushioning,” what you really want is optimal cushioning for the way you run… Given the physics of running, the only way to optimize cushioning is to tune the midsole of a shoe to respond to the specific forces of a given pace zone. Vimazi tunes shoes by pace zone to optimize cushioning for every runner.”
The Vimazi lineup consists of six different road running models built from runners from a podium-earning under 5 minutes per mile pace to more laid-back 12 minutes per mile.
SCARPA Spin Planet
Adding market-leading sustainability chops to SCARPA’s trail-running collection, the new Spin Planet is a highly-cushioned trail shoe that offers a comfortable ride without sacrificing stability and precision. The upper, midsole and outsole all feature significant recycled content, a testament to SCARPA’s brand-wide sustainability efforts and its path toward becoming a certified B Corporation. The breathable upper is made with 100 percent recycled content, the midsole with 45 percent recycled content, and the PRESA outsole with 30 percent recycled rubber. Performance is also front and center in the Spin Planet. A flared heel on the midsole creates a wider landing platform and serious stability. A 28.5-24.5 mm stack height provides excellent cushioning for longer distances while maintaining precision. In the sole, flex channels in the forefoot deliver perfect feel through the gait cycle and multi-directional 4.5 mm lugs offer traction and security. The highly-breathable upper uses EXO construction, a low-bulk design that fixes the tongue on one side and allows it to float on the other, creating a wrap-style closure that hugs the foot for precision.
290g (Men’s 42), 260g (Women’s 38).
$159.
Car Camping
As the allure of outdoor adventures continues to captivate modern explorers, car camping has emerged as a popular and accessible trend for those seeking a fusion of convenience and nature immersion. Car camping offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of natural landscapes without sacrificing (too many of) the comforts of home. Embark on this journey with us as we reveal some gear that can help to master the art of car camping, and unlock the freedom to explore the wild in comfort and style.
Yakima
Yakima’s range of transport and storage solutions allows car campers to Take it Easy, no matter how much gear you have or how far you’re going. New for 2023, the SkyBox NX features market-leading internal usable space with an unobstructed flattened floor that provides more space for your gear. Available in 16 or 18 cubic feet options, Yakima has also optimized the hatch clearance for better vehicle fit. This all means that you can carry all your gear without needing to upgrade to a larger vehicle.
Once you get to the campsite, pop open the EXO OpenRange to start preparing dinner in minutes. The OpenRange box stores all of your camping kitchen essentials, and the unique and easy to use cleat system mounts the box to Yakima’s EXO SwingBase or TopShelf. Check out the Deluxe package for an included camp stove and other premium features.
Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho Down
The original Honcho Poncho has been a longtime fan favorite for campers everywhere. Spring 2023, the collection grows to a family of two with the cozier and more functional Honcho Poncho Down. The Honcho Poncho Down features updated tailoring for a more refined fit including an anorak style front zipper, arm holes and three-panel hood for additional warmth. Much like a wearable sleeping bag, the Honcho Poncho Down offers versatile protection from the elements. The 650-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down is water resistant and dries three-times faster than alternatives, and the 100% recycled nylon shell features a water-resistant DWR coating. In addition, the poncho packs down into its front pocket, which doubles as a camp pillow at night. Combined - the down insulation, refined fit and improved fabrics - provide next-level performance and comfort at camp. The new Honcho Poncho Down weighs in at 1 lb. 3 oz.
