In a far-ranging move that will impact run specialty retailers and brands alike, Fleet Feet has finally entered into an “official vendor partnership” with Nike, strengthening collaboration between the retailer and the brand to deliver...

Labeling it “a meditative short film exploring the profound connections that unite us all,” Saucony recently unveiled "The Runners," a film that offers an unbroken visual journey through the people, products and moments that define...

April Fool’s Day might have brought some jokes, but the sincerity of run specialty shops across the country continues to shine. Run shops delivered their characteristic blend of community touchpoints and clever programming as spring...

Nike and Melitta Baumeister Team Up Nike and Melitta Baumeister are joining forces to push the boundaries of Nike Running by reimagining the Vomero Premium and Pegasus Premium for everyday city living,...

On Holding AG has a new look atop its corporate org chart. On May 1, On co-founders David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti will assume the role of co-CEOs tasked to steer the Swiss company’s next phase of growth. The leadership shakeup follows...

The United States and the United Kingdom have many differences and similarities in terms of culture, music, politics and even food – well, maybe not similarities in food so much ­– and now a new research report finds both those...

POC, the Swedish protection brand known for its reputation for safety, innovation and design, this week releases a brand-new helmet for road and gravel cyclists, the Amidal.

Photo Credit: Astral Designs SEATTLE, Wash. (April 15, 2026) – Astral, the leader in equipment designed for high-performing wilderness athletes, adds Angel Collinson, healer, Nature-enthusiast, sailor, and retired professional skier, as its newest brand Archetype. Astral archetypes serve as inspirational advisors for the brand, who live at the intersection of athletics, art and craft, and who bring their expertise, experiences, and innovative mindsets to the development of Astral gear.Angel is a two-time Freeride World Tour champion, a Teton Gravity Film film veteran, a world sailor, and now, a retreat facilitator. In 2019, Angel met her now partner Pete, a sailor, and two years later, in 2021, she retired from skiing and sailed around the world for two years. Today, Angel spends most of her time in and around the ocean, and leading nature-based retreats aimed at helping people spend intentional time outside, and listening to Nature. “It's an honor to welcome Angel as the newest Astral Archetype. After spending some quality time together exploring Costa Rica's Nicoyo Peninsula, it's very clear that Angel is the complete package: elite-level performance, curiosity, artistry, humility, a remarkable perspective, and a strong connection with Nature,” said Cooper Lambla, Head of Brand and Marketing. “Angel truly trusts Nature's experiences, designs, and materials in her pursuits from the mountains to the sea, in both the most intense moments of flow and the calmer reflections and expressions that follow. We look forward to crafting some unique and necessary gear and stories with Angel and her community.” As an Archetype, Astral will support Angel’s upcoming projects as she pursues new adventures as, in her words, “a water woman.” Angel’s lifestyle intrinsically allows her to test gear designed for use in their natural habitat, providing Astral with valuable insight as the brand develops its next generation of footwear and apparel. Angel will provide ongoing inspiration to the brand as they remain dedicated to creating unique and necessary products that elevate the experience in Nature and are built to protect the maximum amount of soil and water.“Astral is like your very cool aunt, or funcle. They are highly creative, slightly eccentric, and outside the box, and most importantly to me: they truly, truly give a damn. All of those things (especially the last!) make me SO stoked to work with them,” said Angel. “I feel like these days we see a lot of greenwashing: performative slogans to win public favor, meanwhile cutting corners in the background and externalizing those costs on the environment. They keep it super real, which I appreciate, and so much of the ethos of Astral, and my personal ethos, are remarkably aligned. Down to their slogan: Trust Nature. It's literally my MO. I can't wait to see where asking big questions, telling inspiring stories, and getting eccentric and creative will lead- for the company and for partnering together!”Check out Student of the Elements, an Astral short film written by and about Angel, for a taste of her curiosity, artistry, humility, and strong connection with Nature. Watch the short film here: explore.astraldesigns.com/ambassador/angel-collinsonTo learn more about all of Astral’s Archetypes, please visit explore.astraldesigns.com/ambassadors. For more information about Astral, please visit astraldesigns.com. ABOUT ASTRALEstablished in 2002, Astral designs high-performance wilderness equipment for athletes who trust Nature’s experiences, designs and materials, 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.Media Contact: Verde Brand Communications | astral@verdepr.com

Crazy Creek Products is proud to announce the return of its Smokey Bear Original Chair. This special-edition design brings one of America’s most recognizable conservation icons together with the chair that helped define ground-level outdoor comfort.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. (April 13, 2026) – Leading integrated communications agency specializing in the outdoor and active lifestyle markets, Verde Brand Communications, announces a strategic partnership with Bosch eBike Systems. Verde will work with the Bosch eBike System marketing team to drive strategic PR initiatives to build brand awareness, deepen rider engagement, and further strengthen Bosch's leadership in the evolving e-mobility landscape.Working with over 100 of the world’s leading bicycle brands, Bosch eBike Systems provides premium, networked drive systems including motors, batteries, displays, and its eBike Flow app, shaping the future of eBike mobility with its innovative products and digital services. Verde Brand Communications brings 25 years of experience in elevating brands within the outdoor and active lifestyle sectors through comprehensive PR campaigns, digital marketing strategies, brand communications, experiential events and media engagement. Verde has a long history of working with premium, engineering-led brands to translate credibility into belief and connection.Through the partnership, Verde will support the continued evolution of Bosch’s 139-year history in mobility industries through emotionally driven storytelling and globally aligned PR initiatives that meet riders where they are. Together, Verde and Bosch will build a compelling narrative around fun, safety and connectivity, elevating the Bosch legacy as a trusted industry leader.“Bosch has a unique story to tell, and we’re excited to have a fresh perspective to bring it to life,” said Jocelyn Vande Velde, NA Marketing Director at Bosch eBike Systems. “We feel Verde has the expertise and creativity we need to navigate a quickly evolving e-mobility environment and connect with riders in a way that's authentic, emotionally resonant, and that defines the modern riding experience.”"Bosch has long set the standard for innovation and trust in e-mobility, and we’re very committed to supporting the Bosch team in the impactful work they’re leading to drive rider growth and adoption at a critical time. Few companies can push the boundaries of innovation across entire industries while giving back on the level Bosch does,” said Kristin Carpenter, CEO and Founder of Verde Brand Communications. “What truly sets Bosch apart is their commitment to growing responsible e-bike adoption and growth, prioritizing trust, safety, service, and product excellence, alongside their unwavering commitment to sustainability. That's not just a story worth telling, it's one we're honored to help share."For more information about Bosch eBike Systems and its range of offerings, please visit bosch-ebike.com. For media inquiries or further information about the partnership, please contact Verde Brand Communications, bosch@verdepr.com.

Thoughtful, adventure-inspired gifts for the moms who hike, run, play, and thrive in the great outdoors.

Seven months ago, my husband was offered a job at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a city I had never set foot in. Before we uprooted our family of four, I took a weekend to check it out. Driving in from St. Louis, a friend I’d...

Let’s start with this: What exactly is this thing called the “Reuse Economy?” Wayne Elsey: The reuse economy is a modern model that shifts away from the unsustainable “take-make-waste” model. In the reuse economy,...

With a helping hand from run specialty retailers, Smartwool continues giving old socks a second life with its five-year-old Second Cut program. The Denver-based brand known for its high-performance Merino products collects socks of any brand, color,...

Steve Roguski knows a little about capturing long-term success in the run specialty retail game. In 1999, Roguski opened Fairhaven Runners & Walkers in Bellingham, WA. He and his wife, Genevie, owned the business for 25 years before...

Sometimes, in business as in life, luck happens. A fortuitous encounter unlocks latent potential. Being in the right place at the right time sparks an unforeseen opportunity. A serendipitous chain of events sparks a transformational journey. Four...

Many large and small running brands are making important sustainability efforts and one of the biggest, New Balance, has taken a step beyond footwear to expand its Reconsidered resale program to include apparel. This is a major step and builds on...

What if your next run kit was made from someone else’s old one? That’s the question asked and answered by the recently unveiled Nike Re-Create x Renegade apparel collection that “harmoniously blends iconic sport heritage and...

Labeling t it “a long-term brand platform that defines how the brand expresses its commitment to enduring mountain performance, apparel brand Montane recently launched its “Guaranteed for Life” policy. It is, says the company,...

Sustainable picks that reduce impact and inspire everyday outdoor adventures.