WINTER PRODUCT SHOWCASE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE MADE IN USA: CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS MORE THAN A SLOGAN Volume 18 Issue 3 | WINTER 2023-24 www.insideoutdoor.com Sponsored by
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InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 4 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Data Points 10 Made in the USA 14 What Language Does Your Customer Speak? 16 Holiday Gift Guide 20 Profile: Osmotik 22 Profile: Nivis Gear 23 Winter Product Showcase 23 Gear 26 Apparel 30 Footwear 32 Accessories 34 Ad Index CONTENTS WINTER 2023 INSIDEOUTDOOR MAGAZINE Volume 19 Issue 1 | SPRING 2022 www.insideoutdoor.com SO MUCH SUMMER SUPPLY CHAIN SHIFTS WOOL PIONEERS Monetize Your Wi-Fi Campers Disperse S/S ’23 NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE 10 8 16 22 14 WINTER PRODUCT SHOWCASE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE MADE IN USA: CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS SUPPLY CHAIN SHIFTS MORE THAN SLOGAN Volume 18 Issue 3 | WINTER 2023 www.insideoutdoor.com Sponsored by
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InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 6 WHAT’S IN A SLOGAN? It was against my better judgment to focus a feature for this issue on “Made in the USA,” but I was asked to do so, so I did. You see, I’m old enough to remember when politicians – of every stripe and of every party – attempted to “own” the phrase for political gain. I guess staking claim to the slogan is an attempt to paint their opponents as anti-USA. Which of course is always absurd. People who run for political office do so to serve their communities, states and country. As editor-in-chief, I have a duty and responsibility to present this magazine as non-political and to focus on the issues that fit within our prospectus. That means I need to view products made globally as just as important and vital to the concerns of the outdoor retail sector as products and services that come from America. And, as a student of history and international relations, I guess you could say that I view the world in more global terms – a globalist if you will. I understand that international commerce is vital to strengthening our national economy just as international treaties are necessary to strengthen our national security. That said, I admit, the companies included in the “Made in the USA” (page 10) feature are a delight. I loved writing each of the unique stories, and how each company represented went about creating the products it offers. It also was eye-opening to have each explain why the use of “Made in the USA” is important. Keeping with this issue’s theme, many of the companies whose products are included in the Holiday Gift Guide section (page 16) point out that they also are American made. Acknowledging the Holiday Gift Guide in this issue can only mean one thing, and that is the holidays are here. So, from all of us, have the happiest and merriest – no matter what holiday you honor – and our wish is that you have a successful and prosperous 2024. From the Editor Bruce Christian Editor-in-Chief bruce@bekabusinessmedia.com Brady Hicks Editor brady@bekabusinessmedia.com Martin Vilaboy Consulting Editor martin@bekabusinessmedia.com Contributing Writers Ritchie Sayner Percy Zamora Art Director percy@bekabusinessmedia.com Rob Schubel Digital Manager rob@bekabusinessmedia.com Jen Vilaboy Ad Production Director jen@bekabusinessmedia.com Berge Kaprelian Group Publisher berge@bekabusinessmedia.com Anthony Graffeo Publisher anthony@bekabusinessmedia.com Michael Burns National Account Executive michael@bekabusinessmedia.com Beka Business Media Berge Kaprelian President and CEO Jim Bankes Business Accounting Corporate Headquarters 10115 E Bell Road, Suite 107 - #517 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 Voice: 480.503.0770 Email: berge@bekabusinessmedia.com © 2023 Beka Business Media, All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in any form or medium without express written permission of Beka Business Media, is prohibited. Inside Outdoor and the Inside Outdoor logo are trademarks of Beka Business Media
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The America Outdoors Conference & Outfitter Expo is headed to Phoenix for the first time this December for its annual event, designed for outfitters and outdoor recreation providers. The 2023 theme is “The Power of Belonging,” which will be explored through sessions focusing on burnout and resilience, feedback, inclusion, advances in outfitter training practices and more. The America Outdoors Conference is designed for owners and managers of organizations that deliver outdoor recreation experiences, such as rafting, hunting, guest ranching, fishing, paddlesports, aerial adventures, biking, heliskiing, and more. America Outdoors members provide guided services and rental opportunities to allow the public to experience the outdoors. Attendees will hear from two esteemed keynote speakers: Mikah Meyer and Stacy Bare, at the opening and closing sessions of the conference, respectively. Meyer spent 2016-2019 visiting all 400-plus National Park Service sites. He is committed to helping the outdoor industry tap into the diversity of America’s population. Bare, a veteran and accomplished skier and climber, was awarded the 2017 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and has continued to stay in the spotlight as one of the industry’s thought leaders. He will speak about the power and process of building teams that care. Between the more than 30 conference sessions, there will be ample time to meet with exhibitors in the outfitter expo. Exhibitors include NRS, Canyon Coolers, SOL Paddle Boards, Challenge Design Innovations, Jackson Kayak, Conestoga Wagon Company, East West Printing, Dragon Fly Tarps, Huge Brands, Hyside Inflatables and more. More than 75 brands will showcase their gear and services for outfitters. Club Med, one of the world’s leading ski holiday companies, reports its bookings for the ‘23-24 season showing a 100 percent jump in people travelling by train. In more evidence that skiers are switching from air to rail, the company added it has seen a 17 percent decrease (comparing findings from 2022/23 with 2023/24) for people choosing to fly. This change comes as “holiday” companies and ski resorts encourage travel by rail with options as opposed to air. These include the return of the ski train service between London St Pancras and stations in the French Alps. Formerly a direct service, it was cancelled in 2020, but then restarted as a charter by Travelski, a division of Europe’s largest ski resort operator, the Compangie des Alps. For 23-24, package ski holidays are available, but the direct charter train has been cancelled. There is however, for the first half of the season into mid-February, a snow train service with a quick platform change at Lille. The advantages are more daytime services and you can once again book a train ticket only with Eurostar. Another big change this year is that more tour operators and travel agencies are keen to offer packages with rail instead of air travel. Outdoor Retailer, a leading U.S. business event for the $862 billion outdoor industry, will introduce a fresh format in 2024. The updates were developed through industry feedback and based on evolving business needs and timelines, and include: • Launching a large-scale Hosted Buyer program designed to build direct relationships between brands and buyers at onsite events. • Reimagining and expanding the sourcing area into a co-located Outdoor Design + Innovation show to provide more opportunities for source and supply exhibitors to connect with product developers and designers. • Introducing a simplified booth space plan and pricing structure to support exhibitors. The changes will roll out with Outdoor Retailer Summer 2024, June 17-19, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the meantime, the Outdoor Retailer Winter show is scheduled two months earlier than usual – from Nov. 14-16, 2023, at the Salt Palace, and it will continue in its existing format. The Summer and Winter shows are now at the beginning of the respective seasonal sales cycles. The Summit by Outdoor Retailer, now alongside Winter Sports Market, provides business opportunities and bolsters the winter buying calendar. “Winter Sports Market fully supports this new Outdoor Retailer format and the dedicated attention to building stronger buyer and vendor relationships,” said Gary Fleming, president of the Snowsports Merchandising Corporation. “The new dates better support the buying timeline and establishes a more efficient selling season. We’re looking forward to having Snowsports Merchandising Corporation and Sports Specialists Ltd. working together with Outdoor Retailer to serve the industry’s needs.” America Outdoors Heading to Phoenix Ski Holidays by Rail Up 100% in Europe Outdoor Retailer Set for New Format in 2024 8 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24
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InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 10 Sometimes used as a political hot potato, the phrase “Made in the USA” tends to stir up patriotic, jingoistic fervor. But in fact, manufacturers who use the phrase to promote their products are under constant scrutiny from The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Regardless of who controls the levers of power, each political party and its politicians running for office like to use the phrase – or a variation of it – to promote their support to the United States, its manufacturing base and its workers. The FTC is charged with preventing deception and unfairness and has the power to bring law enforcement actions against false or misleading claims that a product is of U.S. origin when it is not. Traditionally, the Commission required a product advertised as “Made in USA” be “all or virtually all” made in America. According to the FTC’s guidelines, only U.S. content must be identified on automobiles, textiles, wool and fur products, but no law requires most other products sold in the country be marked or labeled “Made in USA” or have disclosures about their U.S. content. That means manufacturers who use the phrase as a sales distinction to prey on Americans’ patriotism over foreign competitors that often drown the market with cheaper-made items. All about quality With that in mind, we sought out companies that use the slogan. We begin with Osmotik, a supplier of reverse osmosis membranes to the original equipment manufacturers of water purification systems. Osmotik CEO Mike Joulakian said it is important to emphasize “Made in the USA” because of quality. “Quality being the main issue, all of our products are made using state of the art manufacturing equipment and know how,” Joulaklan said. He acknowledged the Osmotik products “main component,” comprising Filmtec/Dupont material, is made in the United States. The Osmotik water purification systems require science, and because of that Joulakian rejects less expensive offerings that might come from China or countries in Africa, South America or Asia. “Having American ingenuity and experience for over four decades, enables us to manufacture products more efficiently than any third-world county,” Joulakian said. Despite his loyalty, he said the U.S. government could be more helpful. “Congress needs to enforce import laws and impose tariffs, and look into loopholes, so the playing field is level,” Joulakian said. He added, “Made in USA consistently is better quality than any import at extremely competitive pricing. We encourage all OEMs to check our products and pricing.” By Bruce christian More than a Slogan ‘Made in USA’ means quality, patriotism, family values
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InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 12 Up in flames TerraFlame by Solo Stove CEO and Founder Lenny Vainberg said Made in USA is a testament to “unmatched quality and commitment to the environment and local manufacturing.” The company develops clean burning and sustainable fireplace fuels and fuel burning devices that “showcase flame in its truest form.” The products range from tabletop fire bowls, modern indoor and outdoor gel fuel burning fireplaces, ethanol powered concrete fire pits and fire chat seating collections. “But our crowning achievement is our clean-burning gel fuel, proudly blended in the USA with all ingredients sourced domestically,” Vainberg said. “Our gel fuel stands out as the cleanest, brightest and longest burning on the market. It’s not just a fuel; it’s an experience, promising a cleaner, more sustainable burn, for ambiance and the coziest of s’mores nights at home.” He explained, “By blending our fuel domestically, we guarantee a product that burns cleaner, upholds rigorous standards, supports our local economy and reduces the carbon footprint. Our customers can be confident they’re choosing a product that’s top-tier and eco-friendly.” Every ingredient that goes into the TerraFlame gel is sourced in the United States, and that, according to Vainberg, supports the company’s local suppliers and minimizes environmental impact from transportation. “We are proud to provide a product that’s 100 percent American from inception to ignition,” Vainberg said. “While economic challenges persist, we believe in the intrinsic value of our American-blended gel fuel. It’s not just about buying a product; it’s about supporting a vision of cleaner, more sustainable living. Vainberg articulated several thoughts on what the U.S. government might do to help level the playing field between Made in USA products and foreign substitutes. They include: • Offer tax incentives for companies that prioritize eco-friendly, domestic production. • Foster research into green technologies to drive innovations in clean burning and sustainable products. • Strengthen fair trade policies that highlight the environmental and quality benefits of American-sourced and produced goods. • Launch public awareness campaigns showcasing the merits of eco-conscious, domestically produced products. For the children One of the more unique companies participating in this story is Kid Caddie Golf, which is built around the company’s flagship product – a golf club carrier that turns a stroller into a pushcart. Kid Caddie Golf Founder Ben Fairbanks said, “This product is made by families for families. I’ve been able to work shoulder to shoulder building this product with a second-generation, family-owned manufacturer in South Dakota. “They agreed to work with me as an inventor who had a vision of building a product that brought families together,” Fairbanks continued. “I was able to trust in their integrity and know that the protection of my IP through the development process was taken seriously. I also knew that I’d be getting the best quality product available.” He added that by working with the South Dakota family, he faces no communications barriers, and the two parties remain aligned on the vision, which results in “a top-notch product.” Fairbanks said, “Another giant benefit of having a local partner is that I can fulfill orders to customers and retailers without the fear of long delivery and times and products stuck in customs.” Material for the Kid Caddie includes polycarbonate and ASA manufactured by the South Dakota partner from regional material providers. Kid Caddie is “an investment in family time and is buying into a brand that is deeply rooted in family values,” Fairbanks said. “This story is amplified by our commitment to supporting our country and community. The origin story of this product is a Midwest dad who wanted to spend time with his kids. The design of the product was in partnership with a veteran owned small business for the engineering. “Using the Kid Caddie ended up being so enjoyable that my family invested our time and resources to bootstrap this company from the ground up so that other families enjoy that in the same way.” Fairbanks added, “Our story is a hometown USA story and feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to corporate companies outsourcing their products to all over the world and never trying to hide how their products were made.” Like Vainberg, Fairbanks said offering tax incentives for products that are manufactured and sold in the USA would be a welcome change. “Incentives like this could allow businesses to recoup the higher cost required to build the tooling here by committing to producing parts and sourcing materials in local markets.” He added, “Improved tariff rates and export relations to allow USA products to be imported into other markets would be great to improve the appetite for retailers in other countries to carry USA made products.” Keeping it cozy At The Cozy Cloak, Jon and Gen Sheets simply want to pass their passion for the outdoors to their children. They say they have dreamt up assorted products or product improvements over
InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 13 the years that would make outdoor trips more enjoyable, but it wasn’t until The Cozy Cloak emerged that they had the inspiration to turn an idea into a company. “Parenthood can be a shock to the system, especially for those driven by outdoor pursuits,” said Gen Sheets, who is listed as the company founder. “Both our children were born during Wyoming winters, a time usually spent chasing powder days. “Instead, we found ourselves feeling trapped by parenthood until we discovered the freedom of using a child carrier backpack,” she said. Recalling a terrifying story that occurred during the winter of 2017-18, Gen Sheets told of how the family was coping with recovery from a bear mauling. Daily walks became crucial to Jon’s rehabilitation. The parents grew frustrated by the amount of time it took to bundle their one-year-old son and how fast the boy would get cold when they were outside, so they set out to find a solution. “The Cozy Cloak was born on our kitchen table with two cut up hooded sweatshirts, duct tape and a stapler,” she recalled. “From that early prototype we have been able to convert a one or two season carrier into a year-round aid over the past six years. This has afforded us the benefit to be able to carry our children working, cleaning, traveling, hunting, skiing, and hiking.” The Cozy Cloak’s softshell adult coat features an extended back that fully encloses child carriers. The design allows the mobile adult and immobile child to share body heat in one coat. Sheets said choosing Americanmade products is a great way for consumers to show loyalty to the country. “We live here,” she said. “We understand life in adverse weather found here. We can make changes to production based on feedback from our fellow Americans. We’re also able to be more involved in the product development cycle ensuring that the final product is developed exactly the way we want envisioned.” The Sheets acknowledged they get their fabric for the softshell and the pocket mesh from Canada, but the lining material, all notions, branding image and tags are sourced from suppliers within the United States. The couple knows that foreign country workers could produce the product cheaper, but they said the “totally unique concept” of the Cozy Cloak, which was born and bred in the United States, provides them with the winning edge. Since they are investing in the country, Gen Sheets said she would like to see Congress and the President do the same by providing more tax credits to entrepreneurs who support American workers and businesses. “Our product, which supports family values, is truly one of a kind,” she said. “You could call it a disruptor, nothing like it has been on the market, why shouldn’t that be celebrated?” Two-way connection Alchemy photo As a brand, Alchemy connects with cycling enthusiasts in two ways. “We offer our custom-built side, which allows a customer to have a bike built to their spec, color or geometry needs, or if a buyer just wants to ride an Alchemy without the waiting, customizing or increased cost, we’ve done all the work testing, designing, etc., so you can buy a ready-built model off the shelf,” said Ben Holz Alchemy’s Marketing Director. “One of our founding principles was being U.S.- made, and over the years we have built a team of some of the country’s best fabricators, designers and engineers,” Holz continued. “We pride ourselves on being able to show people that our U.S. made custom bikes are among the best-designed, highest-quality bikes you can buy, comparable to any top European brand or big-name U.S. brand.” Sourcing the carbon and titanium used in Alchemy bikes comes from U.S. manufacturers, Holz disclosed. While Alchemy boasts it is “Made in the USA,” it also admits it has a foot overseas. “We’ve also been able to produce a line of bikes overseas, strictly following our own guidelines and specs, which has opened a new audience to Alchemy with lower cost bikes,” Holz explained. “We’re not forcing people to either choice; we’re giving them choices that help get them into the sport we love. “If they like their first factory-made Alchemy, they’ll often come back to buy the full custom package. And then they get the exact bike they want, exactly the way they want it.” Because Alchemy focuses on what it does, Holz declined to offer suggestions to U.S. political leaders. “Alchemy as a brand has made a decision not to comment on political or foreign affairs,” Holz stated. However, the Colorado-based manufacturer does enjoy working with the City of Golden and promoting the area and the state for its riding and bikefriendly cities and towns. “We want people to enjoy cycling on any bike, as that is good for our industry as a whole,” he said. “And we love to work with like-minded brands. We think this becomes a win-win for everyone. “It’s too small an industry to not work together for the big picture of growing the sport,” Holz concluded. “We think our openness to work within and outside our industry is something that helps set us apart.” m
14 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 If you were asked if you spoke the same language as your customer, how would you answer? I suppose most would naturally answer, “of course, English,” if we were speaking literally. Metaphorically, however, the answers vary. There is a generational shift in today’s customers. I suppose this isn’t much different than any other point in retail history. Let’s just say I’m more cognizant of this shift today than I was earlier in life. Perhaps because I have been studying retail trends for more than 50 years, I am finally able to step back from the forest and see the trees. Customers in their 20s and 30s (Gen Zers and Millennials) care about different things than we did at their age. Not surprisingly, we viewed things differently than our parents did too. This new generation of shoppers align themselves with “causes” that are important to them. As such, it is important that today’s retailers have at minimum, a basic understanding of these issues if they intend to cater to and develop this base of customers. These customers will spend more if they feel the retailers or the vendors they carry meet the criteria of the causes they support. The word sustainable seems to be the mantra or at least the buzzword for this new generation of shoppers. According to Kait Costanti, owner of Salchicha, an upscale women’s boutique in Bozeman, Mt., “Our customers are well versed in sustainability and eco-conscious brands. They love to understand the ethos behind each line. As online shopping continues to grow, our customers are interested in a dynamic and fresher take on shopping. They cling to the backstories behind each product- from where the companies source the fabric to who owns the brand and what social initiatives they are aligned with.” She goes on to say that “the language our customer speaks is typically smaller, women-owned vendors. They seek out well-crafted goods that have a story behind them versus mass-produced inexpensive products made overseas.” Many vendors understand this cultural shift and have adopted programs that support causes they feel are important to their customers. Dress vendor Farm Rio gives back to the environment by planting trees. Sako, a jewelry line from Africa, is entirely women owned. According to an online article published in an August 2023 issue of Retail Brew, Walmart is investigating ways to turn its carbon emissions into textiles. Sustainability has been at the core of Patagonia’s business model since its inception in 1973. The iconic outdoor brand makes every effort to reuse their textiles to make more products and avoid landfills. They also use recycled textiles and factory floor cuttings in their products to minimize waste. Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1 percent of its sales to the preservation and restoration of the environment. It is therefore easy to understand how a customer whose main concern revolves By Ritchie Sayner What Language Does Your Customer Speak?
15 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 around environmental issues would be more willing to support a company with core values like Patagonia’s. Many footwear vendors are attempting to become carbon neutral, whether due to factory practices or simply by purchasing their way there. The Danish line Woden, uses fish leather which is a by-product of the Icelandic fishing industry in all their sneakers. This fish leather from salmon skins and is said to be nine times stronger than calf leather. New Zealand company YY Nation, claims carbon neutrality by making shoes out of bamboo, cactus, algae, pineapple husks, and sugar cane. YY Nation is “committed to circularity,” meaning that they recycle worn shoes, upcycle good shoes, and collect shoes back (aka: returns) by using shoe boxes that can be used as repurposed shipping boxes. Blueview is replacing petroleum plastics with plant-based plastics in their eco-conscious footwear allowing them to start biodegrading in compost when exposed to air, moisture, and microorganisms. Vintage/Recycle/Upcycle Understanding the main differences between these programs might be helpful. Vintage, according to commonly accepted industry standards, pertains to items that are at least 20 years old, yet they don’t have to be previously owned to qualify. Recycle is taking old materials, breaking them down into new materials that can then be reused. The process of taking something no longer needed and transferring it to something new is known as upcycling. Resale or recycle apparel and footwear is yet another example of a shopping trend gaining in popularity. A recent annual report by Thredup claimed that “the resale market will grow to $70 billion in 2027. The global market for used clothing is expected to more than double to $350 billion in that time. By the end of 2024, 10 percent of the global apparel market is expected to be made up of secondhand clothing.” A quick search of the internet will provide those interested with retailers and vendors that will recycle your clothes and footwear for money and rewards. The North Face, Universal Standard, Carter’s, J.Jill, Levi’s, Eileen Fisher, DSW Footwear, and the aforementioned Patagonia are just a few of the many vendors and retailers that have developed recycle, reuse, and sustainability programs for their products. According to a 2016 report commissioned by thrift retailer Savers, Americans on average throw out 81 pounds of clothing each year. Since “apparel can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill,” it’s easy to understand how younger generations support retailers and vendors that they feel are being proactive toward minimizing pollution. These younger customers have grown up their entire lives hearing about how pollution of all types is destroying the planet. Whether all sources on the pollution topic are credible is open for debate. What we can all agree on, however, is that a cleaner, more sustainable environment makes life better for everyone on many levels. Happy Thanksgiving! Ritchie Sayner m Sarah Barr, M1 Director of Operations and Client Services, provided inspiration for and contributed to this article. RETAIL REVELATIONS STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING SALES, MARGINS, AND TURNOVER 2ND EDITION UPDATED WITH 50% MORE CONTENT Ritchie Sayner presents AVAILABLE ON This exceptional resource teaches new retailers what they need to succeed, and shows wellseasoned retailers how to stay refreshed and focused amid the daily challenges. Since 1980, Ritchie Sayner has consulted with hundreds of independent retailers on inventory control and management. He is the owner of Advanced Retail Strategies, LLC, and an affiliate of Management One. Contact him at ritchie@arsotb.com, or online at www.advancedretailstrategies.com. 2nd Edition available in Kindle and Paperback
16 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 Hydaway Collapsible Travel Backpack A durable and versatile backpack that stashes anywhere for your next trip or outdoor adventure. Featuring tough, waterresistant exterior fabric, adjustable, padded shoulder straps, and pockets galore, this 15L travel backpack folds up neatly into its own accessory pocket. Easily pack away the entire backpack into its top pocket to store in your luggage, carry-on, or bike panniers. Carry all your favorite travel essentials in the large zippered top pocket, two over-sized stretchy side bottle pockets, and hydration pocket that doubles as a laptop sleeve. The fabric is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, and the straps, buckles and carabiner are also made from recycled content. Available in four color schemes: Acadia, Biscayne, Kenai, and Zion. $39.95 Backpacker’s Pantry’s Build Your Own Emergency Meal Kits Boulder, Colo.-based Backpacker’s Pantry, a familyowned maker of gourmet adventure meals, revamped its Emergency Meal Kit offer to allow you to build your own custom kit for three or seven days, and choose the meals you want to have included in your own personalized survival meal kit. The available kits include meat, vegan and vegetarian, and each custom kit offers a range of meal options, from homey classics to global favorites. For those looking for a fast, decision-free, and quick shopping option, the company also announces revamped pre-built meal kits for three, seven or 14-days that are designed to provide a well-rounded balance of carbs, proteins, and fats and is available in meat, vegan, and vegetarian options. Tornado Updraft 12 RC Kit by PowerUp Toys This balsa wood airplane kit features the PowerUp 4.0 module. It’s simple to fly with autopilot and gyro stabilizer. Featuring a classic self-build design and high performance, it’s perfect for flight lovers, DIY and crafting enthusiasts. The PowerUp Tornado Kit blends technology with the thrill of sending homemade planes into flight to bring out the kid in all of us. With up to 10 minutes of flight time, it features an on-board flight computer, autopilot assist, gyro and accelerometer with fly-by-wire capability, and flight telemetry stats. Two propellers provide double the power and more maneuverability, even in imperfect weather. Specially created LED lights make flying at night a breeze and landing gear for making taking off and landing smoother. The Tornado Kit was designed by Nighthawk Gliders. $105 Bertucci A-2TS Solar Classic Bertucci’s A-2TS Solar Classic, is a solar-powered variant of the legendary titanium field watch, the A-2T Original Classic. This field-proven watch features a precision, solar-powered all-metal movement that converts any form of light to electrical energy, with no batteries or charging required. Additionally, it comes with a sixmonth power reserve that takes only five hours of light exposure to charge. With regular wear, it’s essentially always charged. Also included is Bertucci’s U.S. Patented, 40mm solid titanium Unibody.case construction for maximum durability and comfort, with no bars or pins to break. MSRP for nylon styles $295 and $325 MSRP for leather style Bote The Bote Breeze Aero Inflatable Paddle Board is known as ‘the flagship of fun’ thanks to its grab-and-go design. Built for the hobbyist, this board is a recreational dream on the water. The Breeze is the ultimate entry-level SUP. It’s stripped down to the essentials, so new paddlers don’t need to worry about extra bells and whistles weighing them down. The Breeze Aero is available in two sizes – 10’8” and 11’6” The holidays are upon us, causing consumers to carefully consider what’s in their wallets. Shoppers celebrating this year expect to spend $875 on average on gifts, decorations, food and other key seasonal items, according to the National Retail Federation’s latest consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. That amounts to $42 more than consumers planned to spend in 2022 and is in line with the average holiday budget over the last five years. “The winter holidays are an important tradition to many American families, and shoppers are prioritizing their holiday purchases for the people most important to them,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers have been preparing for months to ensure their inventories will meet demand, while at the same time helping consumers maximize their budgets with shopping events and discounts running throughout the extended holiday shopping season.” Of the $875 consumers plan to spend, approximately $620 will be spent on gifts, according to the study. That’s our launching place for the 2023 Inside/Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide. Here are just a few of the items to consider as gifts this year. We wish we could have included more.
17 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 Costa Sunglasses Costa welcomes two frames to its Del Mar Collection, Catherine and Kailano. Bearing inspiration from marine habitats, the new frames elevate the Del Mar Collection with sophisticated style, eco-friendly materials and 580 glass (580G) lens technology. The frames are a fantastic fashion piece for anyone who keeps sunglasses strapped at all times, looking for a more elevated style. The scratch-resistant glass lenses on the Catherine and Kailano effectively reduce haze and blur, while boosting essential colors for superior definition. In addition, the lightweight and durable bio-acetate frame reduces the carbon footprint of each pair by 54 percent when compared with industry standard acetate. The Catherine ($242) (Photo: Catherine The Kailano ($242) deuter Has Your Back this Holiday The Lite Aircontact back system in this child carrier ensures a lightweight, athletic design. The deuter Kid Comfort Active provides a comfortable seating area with a simple, accessible safety harness. Kids can enter and exit through the side access point, and the carrier features a soft cover material. With unisex fit, S-shaped shoulder straps, conical hip fins, and VariQuick back length adjustment, it offers comfort for any adult carrier. deuter Speed Lite Speedy, light and sustainable thanks to deuter’s Lite back system, vest-style, perforated shoulder straps, supple hip fins, precision adjustable sternum strap and 100 percent recycled, bluesign-certified body fabric. Designed for fast-paced hiking and trail running, side compression straps effectively reduce load wobble and enable full range of movement. While a pocket on the shoulder straps keeps everything that you need on the trail handy. MSRP: $70-150 Sizes: 13L, 17L, 21L, 23SL, 25L, 28SL, 30L Don’t forget the Dog in Your Life Ruffwear has holiday options to keep your pet happy, too. The Climate Changer Jacket is a stylish technical fleece that screams sweater weather. With this on, your pup can enjoy the seasonal weather as much as you do. Made with versatile recycled polyester this fleece jacket is perfect for breathable warmth on clear, cold days. Can be worn alone or layered under other coats for additional warmth. Colors: Blue Jay, Galaxy, Strata. Sizes: XXS-XL. $59.95 Swytch E-bike Conversion Kit The Swytch e-bike Conversion Kit, makes your existing bicycle electric for under $500 and costs four cents per mile to run. The United States has witnessed a surge in cycling since the start of the pandemic, it is expected that e-bikes are high on Americans’ gifts list this year. Despite growing popularity of cycling, e-bikes may be too costly for parents, which is why Swytch Technology is an option. It can reduce the price of ebikes to under $500, enabling anyone to travel electric for as little as four cents) per mile. Swytch Technology’s e-bike conversion kit comes in the form of a pocketsized battery and can make any bike into a an electric one. Nocs Provision Standard Issue Built from the ground up as a binocular ready for anything. Designed to pack easily, and be held effortlessly, the Standard Issue is the binocular you wished you had all along. Top shelf optics in a compact go-anywhere package. Bird Hemp Bucket Hat Born from a love for nature, this limited-edition twill bucket hat highlights the beauty and diversity of wild birds. Whether you prefer to spend your time adventuring, birding, hiking or scrambling through nature, you can now celebrate some of the community’s favorite species along the way. You’ll be glad you donned your Interesting Bird Bucket Hat on those long days in the field. Bonus points for glassing the bird on your hat! MSRP $45.00 Arcade Ranger Youth Fun-sized adventure awaits. Built with a narrower width, shorter length, and micro-adjustable buckle, the Ranger Youth belt is perfect for the kids in your life who climb, scramble, and straight up send it. Wash and wear bonus: parents will appreciate they’re machine-washable. MSRP: $22.95 Gozney Dome S1 Pizza Oven Gozney announced a streamlined version of its Dome designed to make creating unforgettable pizza effortless. The essential oven for pizza lovers, Dome S1 brings the performance of the Dome and control of quick start rolling gas flame to your backyard, hitting temperature of 950 degrees F, so you can cook restaurant worthy pizza in 60 seconds. Expertly designed, the Dome S1 features an extra wide mouth, large 22-inches by 18-inches removable stone floor, built-in digital thermometer, low-profile dock and a single quick start rolling gas flame, so you can experience the joy of high-temperature cooking with the turn of a dial. Tifosi Optics Cycling Gifts Great cycling gifts can be expensive, but Tifosi Optics turns this on its head with premium eyewear that starts at just $25. Whether you’re shopping for a new rider or two-wheel fanatic, Tifosi’s cycling eyewear incorporates premium materials – hydrophilic Grilamid TR 90 frames and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses – into a variety of different styles that are perfect for any kind of cyclist. While Tifosi Optics has several choices, we show only the Swick to save space for more items. Handy Bonk Fish Bonkers The Handy Bonk fish bonkers are compatible with most nets on the market to include popular brands such as Cumings, Ranger, Beckman & Promar. The bonkers come in two sizes. They are compatible with round and octagonal tube net handles as well as many set ups in the dip net sector including the popular “T” handle. Bonker w/Orange Lanyard is slightly larger and has a 1-⅛-inches outside diameter and fits into a “one piece” 1-¼-inches tube. Bonker w/Green Lanyard is slightly smaller and has a one inch outside diameter and fits into a “telescopic”
18 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 Portola Folding Ebike Ride1Up Portola Folding Ebike, could revolutionize your daily commute. Designed to blend convenience, style, and eco-friendly transportation, this electric bicycle features: • Portability – The Ride1Up Portola’s innovative folding mechanism allows riders to fold and unfold the bike. The design offers convenience, whether navigating crowded city streets, hopping on public transportation or storing in tight spaces. • Efficient Performance – Powered by an electric motor with multiple pedal assist levels, riders can choose their desired effort depending on the gradient. • Sleek Design – Combining form and function, the Portola boasts a sleek and modern design. Its attention to detail extends beyond aesthetics, with practical features that enhance the rider’s experience, such as integrated lights and a responsive digital display, fenders, and passenger seat. Available in Turquoise, Indigo Blue, and Gloss Black. MSRP: $995 for 10.4ah battery MSRP: $1,095 for a 13.4ah battery Lunatec Lunatec’s new Hydration Spray Lid with mist, stream and shower now fit Hydroflask, Takeya and Thermoflask widemouth bottles. Cool off, clean off and hydrate in style when you upgrade your lid to a Lunatec. MSRP $25 MSRP and wholesale $12.50 ORTOVOX ORTOVOX Swisswool Piz Segnas Insulation Jacket – When the weather outside is frightful, the Men’s and Women’s Swisswool Piz Segnas Jacket (MSRP: $330) is so delightful. This lightweight insulated jacket combines focused design with essential functionality. With 90g/m² Swisswool padding on its front, back, shoulders, and sleeves, it offers premium warmth and temperature regulation. A 60g/m² lining on the sides, sleeves, and underarms ensures unrestricted movement and ideal microclimate. Its quilted, elastic Tec-Stretch outer fabric handles wind and weather adeptly. Photo: Swisswool Piz Segnas Jacket HF8R Core Headlamp: Ledlenser, a creator of portable LED lighting products, offers the HF8R Core Headlamp, a hands-free headlamp for effortless illumination as a holiday gift. The powerful, lightweight headlamp is a marquee product in the brand’s new HF Series and features the patent-pending Adaptive Light Beam Technology to create an industryfirst smart headlamp. Together with two other innovative technologies — the patentpending Digital Advanced Focus System and the efficient Cooling Technology — the HF8R Core is an advanced headlamp. The entire HF Series launched in September. North St. Bags LTD Custom Davis Daypack North St. bags are customizable. Choose between different base fabric colors, stripe colors, and zipper cord colors, along with add-ons like a padded mesh back, webbing loops, or a handlebar kit (depending on the product) to create one-of-akind, bespoke bags. MSRP: $165 Iksplor Baby Adventure Onesie Make adventure inclusive to even the smallest in your family this season with the Iksplor Adventure Onesie. The 100-percent merino wool onesie offers a warm solution to chilly days outdoors, and the two-way zipper makes tricky diaper changes that much easier. In sizes from preemie to 24 months, your baby will be warm for years to come MSRP: $89 Bivo Trio Simple but incredibly useful, a Bivo Trio bottle is a great stocking stuffer for a cyclist. The Trio is built with the newest lightweight, double-wall vacuum-insulation technology available, making it 25 percent lighter and using 25 percent less material than traditionally insulated metal bottles. The stainless steel sport bottle keeps your bevie cold for 12 hours or more and uses a flow system that allows users to empty the contents faster than a traditional plastic water bottle can be emptied. The Trio is mold resistant, offers a cleaner taste and is free from any of the chemicals found in plastic bottles. Portable Firepit There is something very warming and soothing about the Breeo Y Series easy-to-carry firepit. It is made for outdoor adventures of all kinds (tailgating, camping, hunting, fishing, RVing, to name a few), but is also ideal for the most intimate backyard get-togethers and live-fire cookouts. Unlike any other smokeless fire pit, the Breeo Y Series can burn three types of fuel: wood, pellets or lump charcoal, and is compatible with the company’s Outpost 19 Grill and SearPlate Griddle. The Y Series is the first to include a built-in, deck-safe heat shield and one-dump ash removal for easy clean up in any setting. MSRP: $495 Maps Featuring US National Parks The National Parks Collection by Xplorer Maps features 100 percent original artwork created by Canadian illustratorChris Robitaille. Each national park map is the result of a collaborative partnership with Xplorer Maps, the National Park Service and each of the park’s official non-profit partners. As such, these maps are vetted and approved for educational merit, historic and geographic accuracy and cultural relevance and these products are then sold in national park. m
InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 20 By Brady Hicks While a lot of the onthe-go Americans benefit from Osmotik – a registered name – every day, they most likely don’t recognize the name. The company, which is also known as Osmosis Technology Inc, has been in business since 1984. It functions as a top provider of complex reverse osmosis membrane technology for OEMs that develop water purification systems. This includes replacement modules and disposable, encapsulated water purifiers, among other elements for many brand name equipment(s). The goal is to provide original equipment manufacturers with more options than ever for buying Replacement filters and membranes. In fact, Osmotik takes deep pride in its creation of TFC (thin-film composite membranes), which are available in multiple custom (point-of-use market) and standard commercial systems configurations Both are designed to meet the strictest of industry-wide quality standards. Osmotik’s goal is to provide the industry with the best, most competitively priced and most natural products on the market. The components and finished goods Osmotik sells are NSF (National Sanitary Foundation) certified. OEM’s put this product into their own equipment, so they must be certified by NSF. If not, they would not be able to be sold in retail stores such as Lowe’s and Costco. Osmotik’s products are 100 percent “Made in the U.S.A.” This includes no reliance on any foreign materials, even substitutes and alternatives. By insisting on the use of only domestic components, the company has more effectively maintained and controlled overhead costs, keeping those extra necessary expenses to a minimum. This helps keep Osmotik competitive. As far as foreign competition, most of today’s products are made in China to lower overall cost. This also means there is zero after-sales service. Consequently, Osmotik places a huge emphasis on its materials having the highest quality and performance while offering the best competitive pricing and after-sales support at no additional cost to clients. Osmotik has created many techniques for making the same products more efficient over the years. Using engineering power and customized equipment to stay ahead of the competition. Every few years Osmotik comes up with new products to lower the cost and improve the performance. Because of the critical role in the background and binding confidentiality agreements, Osmotik doesn’t tend to make splashy headlines. Instead, it’s content to sell and support the client companies that sell and lease to a multitude of retailers. This unique approach allows Osmotik the ability to focus on and refine operations in many ways not available to conventional membrane manufacturers. Osmotik even had a product in the White House. m For additional information, visit www. osmotik.com or call 714/670-9303. Osmotik Supports Water Purification Systems with a Unique Business Approach Osmotik CEO Mike Joulakian
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InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 22 By Brady Hicks Dr. Vinja & Jyoti Gupta of JYOTI Natural Foods Nivis Gear started out as a Virginia high school student’s dream. Today, founder Carter Ramos and his team extend winter sport performance with Nivis’ lineup of high-performance ski jackets. “Nivis has been my baby since 2015,” said Ramos. “It started as a sophomore year project in Latin class. That’s where I got the Nivis name, which means snow. It was cool-sounding, so I tucked it away in the notes of my phone and within a year I was experimenting with logos and trademarking the name. The long-term goal was to make great products.” A teenager with limited access to financing and industry experience, Ramos sought partners to help elevate the brand. Now, Nivis’ team has reached that next level and is ready to break out. Over the last four years, Nivis has been in a diligent product-development process. It didn’t want to bring-to-market a subpar product. Thus, it forfeited selling seasons to make sure that everything was right, and 2022/2023 became its first selling season of its generation 1 jacket. “After searching for an American manufacturer, we finally found one in a small N.J.-based business with over 50 years of experience,” said Ramos, who noted that becoming ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ was always the goal. “People kept telling us it’s basically impossible to make our jackets in the U.S. Not even worth trying. We first worked with Chinese manufacturers, which was very inefficient. The language barrier prevented us from really perfecting the products. Being a small company also meant that it was difficult to bulk-order jacket quantities and costly for shipping overseas. We thought that if we could work with an American manufacturer, most of these problems would disappear and lead to a better quality product. That is what happened.” Due to strict Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines Nivis can’t claim that its jackets are 100 percent MADE IN THE USA. “We’re actually ‘Made in the U.S.’ … of imported materials. All of our products are assembled in the U.S.,” said Ramos. It has been difficult for the Nivis team to source American materials for its products because of the lack of affordable, accessible, high-performance materials needed for technical outerwear. Another aspect separating Nivis from its high-profile competitors is its specialized vision for a portfolio of products designed from a perfectionist perspective. Nivis’ goal is to offer 10 to 15 products when it reaches its full size, establishing a reputation as a niche brand with the highest standards unlike many brands that have hundreds or thousands of product stock keeping units (SKUs). Think quality over quantity. The company also offers custom patches on its insulated jackets, with plans to add to its shell designs over time to let customers express their individuality. “Custom patches are on the left shoulder. We see them as ‘Lift Conversation Starters,’” said Ramos. “You can show off state flags or something like a glass of whiskey on the patch. Our thought is that people will be interested and a conversation may start. We’re also working on licensing for sports teams and bands down the road, so people can make their jackets feel more personalized.” As an industry outsider, Nivis focuses on investing in these and other innovations to stand out. Over time, future developments may lead to other product releases as well. “See our jackets and you’ll know,” said Ramos. “The tailored fit. The dedicated revisions of the hood. It doesn’t fit like any other jacket. We really think that our shell products are among the bestfeeling in four-way stretch, waterproof shells on the market. No crispy, stiff feel like other brands do. When you’re out on the mountain and it’s snowing, you want to have a jacket that doesn’t restrict your movement, especially if you’re an aggressive skier or snowboarder.” m For more information on Nivis Gear, visit www.nivisgear.com. U.S.-assembled Nivis Gear Shreds its Niche in Outerwear Jacket Segment Nivis Gear Founder Carter Ramos
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