VALLON is proud to introduce its latest limited-edition collaboration with world-renowned sport climber, Alex Megos. The Daytrippers Megos Edition bring together classic eyewear design, high-performance optics, and a healthy dose of Megos' unmistakable personality.

When we talk about inclusion in running, getting more people to the start line is often treated as the goal. It is an important goal, but for para athletes, I believe it is only the beginning. I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2011 and am...

Pacers Running has always been recognized as one of the more innovative retailers in run specialty and now they are proving it with the development of a novel store concept it is calling KITTD (pronounced kɪt.ɪd), described as “a...

Tucked right against the White Mountains, North Conway, NH, serves as an ideal launching pad for trail running in New England. With the Appalachian Trail cutting through town and miles of technical terrain nearby, it attracts a growing crowd of...

As trail running continues its record growth, UltraSignup will host three of the most important days on the race directors’ calendar at the 2026 US Trail Running Conference from November 5–7, 2026 at Nashville’s Music City Center....

Earlier this month Fleet Feet officially named Jason Jabaut, a 20-year veteran of the running store franchisor, as president while also announcing several promotions and new hires within tech areas to build out its leadership team. As president,...

The calendar’s turn from summer to fall tends to bring out a flurry of energized activity from run specialty shops. It was no different this year and Running Insight senior writer Danny Smith highlights some spirited acts, accomplishments and...

As The Running Event 2026 in San Antonio, TX, Dec. 1-3, approaches, there has been plenty of activity among the leading brands for run specialty Sprints Running and Chiquita CollaborateA limited-edition collection from Sprints in collaboration with...

For the second consecutive year, Royal Robbins has been named to TIME’s annual list of the Best Inventions. For 2026, the Royal Robbins Salathé Sun Hoodie was named an award winner, highlighting its combination of chemical-free mosquito protection and UPF40+ sun protection, in an ultralight, versatile design.

Recognition highlights the role of DRYOUT's Active Moisture-Removal Technology™ in protecting and rescuing everyday electronics SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (October 15, 2026) — DRYOUT®, the advanced materials company behind patented Active Moisture-Removal Technology™, today announced that Urban Armor Gear’s (UAG) Phone Recovery Pouch, featuring DRYOUT technology, has been named to TIME's Best Inventions of 2026.The recognition highlights an innovative collaboration between UAG, a leader in rugged mobile device protection, and DRYOUT, whose reusable technology helps protect electronics and other valuable gear from moisture-related damage.Introduced as part of the UAG // DRYOUT collection earlier this year, the Phone Recovery Pouch incorporates DRYOUT's proprietary material to actively draw moisture away from electronics exposed to water, humidity, and condensation. Unlike conventional protective solutions designed primarily to keep water out, DRYOUT goes to work after moisture gets in, pulling it away from devices and trapping it within a super-absorbent core. The material can then be reset using sunlight, direct heat, or forced airflow for repeated use.“At UAG, we're always looking for innovative technologies that help us push the boundaries of protection,” said Casey Bevington, Chief Brand Officer at UAG. “Our collaboration with DRYOUT enabled us to go beyond protecting devices from physical damage and address what happens when moisture gets inside. We're thrilled to see the Phone Recovery Pouch recognized by TIME and proud of what our teams have created together.”The TIME recognition comes as DRYOUT continues to expand its partnerships with established brands seeking new ways to integrate Active Moisture-Removal Technology into their products. DRYOUT innovation is applicable to an ever-expanding range of industries including electronics, photo/video, tactical, storage, outdoor and hunting, first responders, and medical. “This is an exciting milestone for DRYOUT and our partnership with UAG,” said Romney Williams, CEO of DRYOUT. “Leading brands are teaming up with DRYOUT because our Active Moisture-Removal Technology provides additional protection technology in the products their customers depend on. This recognition underscores what's possible when innovative materials and great product design come together.”There are 300 Best Inventions chosen this year, selected solely by TIME’s editors across the globe based on the following criteria: originality, efficacy, tenacity, or the potential to categorically alter the status quo for the better.Explore TIME's Best Inventions of 2026 at ti.me/best-inventions.Learn more about the UAG // DRYOUT collection at urbanarmorgear.com/dryout.About DRYOUT®DRYOUT® pioneered Active Moisture-Removal Technology™, a new category of product protection. DRYOUT's patented, reusable technology is designed to help recover electronics and valuable gear after exposure to water, humidity, or condensation — rather than simply keeping moisture out. DRYOUT partners with innovative brands and OEMs to design, develop, and produce their next-generation storage and carry products, such as cases, bags, and packs, engineered with DRYOUT technology. Trusted by leading brands, government agencies, and defense suppliers, DRYOUT is bringing Active Moisture-Removal Technology™ to consumer, commercial, and mission-critical applications. Learn more at DRYOUT.com. About Urban Armor GearFounded over a decade ago on a simple premise; to make a superior product that would allow us to take our tech further. Today we continue to create quality rugged protective gear for your essential tech devices; developed from an obsessive dedication to quality, a commitment to inspired design and fueled by an authentic community. Designed, engineered and proven in Southern California, we are Built to Go Further, we are UAG. Our badge of honor stands behind every single UAG product, receiving a military-grade certification for protection against shock by enduring rigorous laboratory drop testing. Learn more at UAG.com. 

SIA's 2025-26 Participation Study shows snowboarding up nine percent, alpine skiing flat, and fewer days on the snow after a poor snowfall year in the Mountain West PARK CITY, Utah — October 7, 2026 — Almost 32 million Americans took part in snowsports during the 2025-26 winter season, according to the 2025-26 Participation Study recently released by Snowsports Industries America (SIA). That is about three percent more than last season and the highest total in six seasons, even though snow conditions were mixed across the country.For most winter sports, participation jumped after the pandemic, when Americans took up outdoor winter recreation for the first time, engaged in a new and different winter sport, or came back to a sport after having taken time off. For winter sports as a whole, that interest has kept growing season after season specifically driven by sledding, snowshoe and nordic. Participants rose from 30.97 million in 2024-25 to 31.96 million this year. The share of Americans aged six and older who take part reached 10.3%, up from 10.0%. That means snowsports are growing faster than the U.S. population, not just keeping up with it.Snowboarding leads the gainsIn the 25-26 season, Snowboarding is the main story of the season. The sport grew about nine percent to 10.6 million participants, up from 9.7 million the season before. It has grown in seven of the past eight seasons, up from 7.1 million in 2017-18. There are nearly 30% more snowboard participants in 2025–26 than there were in 2021–22.That growth comes from both new and returning riders. Some are trying the sport for the first time. Others are coming back after a season or more away. Together, they numbered 4.2 million this season, far more than the 3.3 million who lapsed.SIA's analysis points to two reasons for the growth: who is snowboarding, and how many people want to.The first is age. Snowboarding has 20% fewer participants than alpine skiing, yet it has almost as many participants under 25: 5.3 million, compared with 5.5 million skiers. Snowboarding is also becoming more diverse. Hispanic participation rose for the third straight season to 2.2 million, up from 1.8 million in 2023-24. As SIA notes, younger generations in the U.S. are more diverse overall, so the sport is growing along with the audiences that will shape snowsports for decades. In fact, one in four female snowboarders is now Hispanic.The second is interest. Snowboarding is often the way people first get into winter sports. Twenty-nine percent of all winter sport participants say it was their first winter sport, compared with 16% of alpine skiers who say skiing was theirs. Among people who didn't participate this year, more say they will "definitely" snowboard next winter (1.8%) than say the same about skiing (1.1%)."Americans kept coming back to winter this season, even when the snow didn't cooperate," said Nick Sargent, president and CEO of Snowsports Industries America. "Snowboarding's growth, especially among younger and more diverse participants, shows where the next generation of snowsports is coming from. Our industry's job now is to continue to grow the pipeline of new participants, and to expand the key learnings from snowboard in effort to build a similar pipeline for skiing "Skiing holds steadyAlpine skiing tells a different story. Participation was flat at about 13.2 million, roughly where it has been for four seasons and still below its 2018-19 peak of 14.9 million.  The number of new and returning skiers (6.0 million) matched the number who lapsed (6.0 million). And while it may look like skiing is flat, it is actually losing ground as it is not keeping pace with population growth. The question for skiing is where its next generation will come from. First-time skiers have declined year over year the past 4 or 5 years, and the sport skews older: 1.9 million skiers are 55 or older, compared with 0.3 million snowboarders. As older skiers age out, skiing needs a steady flow of new and diverse participants to hold its ground.Fewer days on the snow, but people found a wayWeather shaped how often people went out more than whether they went. Self-reported skiing days fell nearly six percent, and snowboarding days fell nearly three percent. The drop was sharpest in the Mountain region, where the season brought poor snowfall. There, the share of skiers who went seven or more times fell from 45% to 38%. Other regions, many of which had better conditions, saw little change. This is interesting to note that the positive weather conditions did not result in greater frequency.Many participants adjusted instead of staying home. Outings rose for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, alpine touring and snowboard touring. People sought out good snow where they could find it, sometimes away from the lift line. Off-resort activities such as snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing have grown significantly since the pandemic, which shows how many different ways Americans now spend time outside in winter. It could also indicate more accessible and cost effective ways to participate.The full 2025-26 Participation Study covers skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, fat-tire biking and touring, with demographics, regional data and crossover activity. SIA members rely on this research to make business decisions, and SIA commits significant resources each year to make sure it's rigorous and accurate. SIA partners with the Physical Activities Council,  a partnership of nine major trade associations in US sports, fitness, and leisure activities. 15,000 surveys were carried out with a nationwide sample of individuals and households during late 2025 and the beginning of 2026. The total panel is representative of the US population for people aged six and older and  provides a high degree of statistical accuracy. Access to benchmark industry data including participation, winter consumer insights and wholesale sales and orders are some of the most valuable benefits of membership. For more data and insights, contact research@snowsports.org or visit www.snowsports.org.About Snowsports Industries America (SIA)Snowsports Industries America (SIA) is the trade association of the winter outdoor industry. Through SIA membership, brands, destinations, retailers, service providers, and nonprofits solve immediate business problems, adapt to business challenges, and grow. SIA spots trends that matter, and resources its membership to be proactive through industry-wide strategies and solutions built to ensure the winter outdoors thrives for future generations. Learn more at snowsports.org.

Bailey Ness never intended to create a run club. In fact, the former University of Minnesota harrier’s priority was to create a running apparel brand. But when introducing her clothing brand took longer than expected, Ness initiated a slight...

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