Eric Smith

Outside Business Journal • November 8 2021

The two young entrepreneurs taking over a century-old boot company

Limmer Boots has produced world-class footwear since 1919. After working through a few years of transition, the business has new leadership in Chris Sawyer and Adam Lane-Olsen, two brand loyalists who want to carry the company's legacy forward.

Outside Business Journal • November 5 2021

BOA chief executive: 'We have fewer brand partners today than five years ago—and that’s on purpose'

Shawn Neville, who joined BOA five years ago, dishes on his company’s recent ownership change, how Covid impacted demand, threats to the brand’s success, and what’s next.

Outside Business Journal • November 2 2021

Spyder Footwear executive dishes on the brand’s launch, aspirations

Former Amer Sports sales director Jon Hanson plans to make a name for the nascent brand reminiscent of Spyder's rise to prominence in skiwear.

Outside Business Journal • November 1 2021

Stocks update: Outdoor industry continues to climb out of deep hole

More outdoor companies saw their shares grow rather than decline in October, but the industry still lags behind other sectors as supply chain concerns intensify.

Outside Business Journal • October 29 2021

Outdoor industry sales numbers grew moderately in Q3, despite headwinds

In the third quarter, even in the face of continued supply chain congestion, outdoor-focused public companies continued to post positive sales and profit figures.

Outside Business Journal • October 28 2021

Solo Brands went public today. Here's where the IPO pricing landed.

The recently formed parent company of four outdoor brands began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.

Outside Business Journal • October 27 2021

Why is Patagonia now selling wine?

Patagonia Provisions this week unveiled a collection of wines, ciders, and sake, bolstering its existing lineup of food and beer.

Outside Business Journal • October 26 2021

REI opens first Wyoming location with new Jackson Hole store

The co-op, which has offered adventure tours in Wyoming for more than a decade, on Nov. 5 will open its first store in the state.

Outside Business Journal • October 22 2021

PrimaLoft steps into the spotlight with its first consumer-focused campaign

The ingredient brand—which “people feel but usually don’t see,” in the words of CEO Mike Joyce—is now talking directly to those who buy the products its technologies enhance.

Outside Business Journal • October 21 2021

Market research company NPD Group sold to PE firm

NPD Group, which tracks product sales data for the outdoors and numerous other industries, found itself in the crosshairs of one outdoor group earlier this year.

Outside Business Journal • October 20 2021

Outdoor DEI coalition Together Outdoors unveils council members

Together Outdoors, a coalition supported by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and composed of businesses across the outdoors, has grown to 77 member organizations.

Outside Business Journal • October 15 2021

6 films about outdoor equity compete for $25,000 production grant

The Redford Center is highlighting films that present the myriad benefits of being outdoors while also shining a spotlight on the current, historical, and social inequities of nature accessibility.

Outside Business Journal • October 11 2021

REI to close on Black Friday for seventh year in a row

REI is continuing its annual #OptOutside campaign—despite a tough sales environment due to Covid in 2020—by closing its doors on Black Friday and encouraging customers to spend time outdoors.

Outside Business Journal • October 8 2021

Solo Brands—owner of Solo Stove, Oru Kayak, and more—announces IPO

Only incorporated since June and currently PE-backed, the platform is already preparing to go public as it looks to leverage the success of its four outdoor brands.

Outside Business Journal • October 6 2021

Study: Climate change poses an existential threat to outdoor recreation

As the climate warms in coming years, demand for outdoor recreation in the U.S. is expected to decrease, a new study from Utah State University finds.

Outside Business Journal • October 5 2021

Outdoor industry stocks suffer setbacks in Q3

Outdoor-focused publicly traded companies saw their collective shares sink 6.1 percent in the third quarter, signaling a return to earth after a scorching first half of 2021.

Outside Business Journal • October 4 2021

REI launches DEI-focused charity with initial $1 million investment

The REI Cooperative Action Fund will support “nonprofit organizations promoting justice, equity and belonging in the outdoors.”

Outside Business Journal • October 1 2021

150 outdoor journalists, marketers, and brand reps gather at Outdoor Media Summit

The 5th annual event in Estes, Colorado, gave outdoor journalists a place to learn, collaborate, and network and a select number of brands to really connect with their message.

Outside Business Journal • October 1 2021

Confluence of States officers met at Outdoor Media Summit to collaborate on growing the outdoor economy

The Confluence of States event included the signing of new offices of outdoor recreation and ways that ORECs can work with media and brands to further the outdoor economy.

Outside Business Journal • September 29 2021

Gore unveils new membrane for outdoor apparel and gear

The ingredient brand has combined its expanded polyethylene (ePE) with another polymer, polyurethane (PU), to create a new membrane that improves durability and performance.

Outside Business Journal • September 28 2021

Maryland becomes the latest state to open an office of outdoor recreation

J. Daryl Anthony will serve as the first executive director of the OREC office of Maryland—the 18th state to add a governmental body for promoting outdoor recreation.

Outside Business Journal • September 24 2021

Cotopaxi CEO outlines goal to become billion-dollar brand

Davis Smith detailed his ambitious plans for Cotopaxi following a recent capital raise, including the ways top-line growth can help the company better live its mission.

Outside Business Journal • September 23 2021

Eastpak, owned by VF Corp., relaunches in North America

According to company leadership, Eastpak’s relaunch in the U.S. and Canada is unrelated to VF’s recent sale of adventure travel brand Eagle Creek.

Outside Business Journal • September 21 2021

Vail Resorts eliminates reservation requirement for 2021/22 season

The global ski resort operator has outlined its safety protocols for the upcoming season. The big changes: Reservations are no longer required, but guests in some restaurants—and all employees—must be vaccinated.