Outdoor Insight

I f you have an innovative product idea, now is the time to take advantage of industry opportunities. Cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Brooklyn and Austin all have fashion incubators. Retailer Moosejaw has an accelerator program and REI allows local brands to apply online to have their products sold at the REI Co-Op through the Greenlight project. e Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards recognize the best new gear of the year. Having combed through them all, here are four up and comers that have sparked our interest. GOT BAG Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award Matthias Paisdzior, head of North America, Got Bag Hero Product: Rolltop Bag. "It's the perfect travel bag and fits well under the front seat on an airplane. It's also a great hiking bag since it's incredibly lightweight (2.49 lbs). I use the Rolltop when I go snowboarding because it's waterproof and extremely durable. It's also the perfect commuter bag since it is so easy to carry and open with the rolltop closure. As a dad, I also have to say it's a perfect diaper bag." Competitive Advantage: "The Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award has further po- sitioned us to help retailers in their sincere desire to sell products that are not only cool, stylish, functional, durable, etc.; but make an actual difference. e Ocean Impact Plastic used for all Got Bag's products is collected in Indonesia by the team's own clean-up program. About 9.9 lbs of Ocean Impact Plastic is re- moved from the ocean and near-shore areas for every bag made. In-house, we process the plastic trash into pellets, which we transform into yarn and then our fabric. We ensure that the plastics that cannot be used are recycled appropriately." LUME SIX Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator Margaux Jo Elliott, founder, Lume Six Sports Bras Hero Product: Cirra High Impact Sports Bra. "It's the first sports bra I have ever worn while running that relieved the pain I have experienced my whole life. Sports bras that provided the support I needed oen felt restricting, over-built, or like big, strange contraptions. To have something that is supportive, lightweight, and comfortable has completely changed how I feel during and aer exercise. e Alleviate Straps are designed to lay flat consistently through movement. is allows for an even distribu- tion of weight and maximum comfort, with a little built-in cushion. My background is in product development and I have spent years developing fit in cycling and snow sports. Fit for a next-to-skin compression garment is very different and so unique and individual." Competitive Advantage: "Our focus is on combining the most technical and perfor- mance-oriented textiles with unique features to optimize comfort and compression. We use woven fabrics instead of knits for dimensional stability, durability and a second-skin feeling. INCUBATOR INNOVATORS Entrepreneurs Arise with Exciting Ideas at an Opportune Time. By Suzanne Blecher 12 • Summer 2022 outdoorinsightmag.com • Outdoor Insight Up and Comers IN THE STUDIO

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