Since entering the cycling market over 15 years ago, BOA has directed attention to enhancing the connection between the rider and their equipment, improving power, control, and confidence in high-stakes situations.

Research from the world-class BOA Performance Fit Lab firmly establishes the correlation between optimal fit and performance. The lab, founded in 2018 as part of the BOA Partner Product Innovation and Development team, conducts over 1,000 hours of annual elite athlete testing and amasses millions of data points demonstrating the scientific benefits of the BOA Fit System, particularly when implemented in BOA-powered wrap solutions.

Innovative BOA-powered wrap solutions lock in the heel and wrap the midfoot to enhance the connection between the foot and the sole, allowing for more efficient power transfer and improved overall cycling performance. Key benefits from a comprehensive analysis of the BOA-powered wrap solutions integrated into on- and off-road cycling footwear include:

• Endurance. Achieve up to a 9% increase in power output while maintaining equivalent metabolic expenditure.
• Power. Experience up to an 11% increase in peak power output during sprints.
• Health. Enhance pressure distribution by up to 10% for improved performance during both sprints and sustained riding.

“Thousands of hours of testing demonstrate that wrapping over the midfoot, locking the heel, and reducing stress on the body materially enhances fit and performance. Our lab, in conjunction with our design teams, systematically evaluated how to optimize PerformFit Wrap in cycling through specific materials and panel structures that effectively conform to the foot, enabling more efficient riding and greater peak power output during sprints.” – Dan Feeney, Ph.D., BOA Senior Director of Partner Product Innovation and Development.

The versatility of the BOA Fit System allows cycling brands to tailor BOA configurations to the distinct needs of road, endurance, and mountain bike athletes alike. Notable brands like Canyon and Ride Concepts incorporate BOA powered solutions such as the PerformFit Wrap in newly launched footwear collections. Other industry leaders, like Fox Racing, achieve objectives through dual-dial configurations featuring premium, multi-directional Li2 dials for fine-tuned, zonal fit. BOA will continue to work closely with brands to bring unmatched micro-adjustability, quality, and durability into further footwear and helmet products.

BOA’s dedication to performance is further demonstrated through the BOA Lifetime Guarantee, ensuring product integrity and enduring quality. With over 10,000 hours annually devoted to product testing, cyclists can count on the durability and reliability of the BOA Fit System, even in the most demanding conditions.

For more information about the BOA Fit System and its impact on cycling footwear and helmets, go here. 

The new website features a fresh look and feel, along with significant enhancements to improve the user experience. With a strong emphasis on accessibility and user engagement, the revised site ensures that visitors can quickly find the information they need, whenever they want it. Key features include:

• Modern Design: The site’s intuitive navigation and streamlined design allow users to access vital information quickly and easily from any entry point.
• Dynamic Animation: Integrated modern animation enhances engagement and facilitates the interactive and delightful browsing experience.
• Optimized Content: Strategically optimized for SEO, the new content reflects our refreshed positioning while ensuring high visibility in search engine results.

Just as Polartec is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of textile innovation while prioritizing the planet, the new navigation menu reflects this commitment by ensuring fast, easy access to primary sections and important information. By highlighting sustainable practices, groundbreaking fabrics and exclusive textile technologies, the new website meets the needs of sportswear apparel companies, athletes and everyday users alike.

• Fabrics: Explore Polartec’s extensive range of high-performance fabrics.
• Sustainability: Learn about Polartec’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• Brands: The newly named Products section features our partner brands and their products,
• News: Stay up to date with the latest company news.
• About Us: Gain insights into Polartec’s company values and mission.

“We are excited to present our new website, designed to provide an improved and more engaging experience for our users,” explained Alessandro Perseo, Global Marketing Manager for Polartec. “Aligned with our ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, this revamp reflects our increasing focus on both our valued B2B partners and a broader B2C audience. By opening our doors to direct consumer engagement, we aim to foster a deeper connection with those who share our vision for a more sustainable future. Our advanced fabrics not only push the boundaries of performance but also contribute to a healthier planet and better lives. All of which can be explored in more depth within our new site.”

Luana Domanti, Digital Marketing Coordinator at Polartec added, “This new website is inspired by our latest positioning strategy, ‘Made To Go Beyond,’ and built on our three brand pillars of People, Planet, and Product. The aim is to offer a fresh, modern user experience that enhances navigation and significantly boosts our brand value. The process was a true challenge on multiple levels, ranging from integrating our extensive fabric offer to creating seamless navigation that caters to both B2B and B2C audiences. But with teamwork and a passion for innovation, we made it happen.”

Explore the new website and experience its enhanced features at www.polartec.com.

Finkelstein – a historic preservationist and architectural historian – co-created the millions-strong Instagram community @cheapoldhouses and co-starred in the HGTV series of the same name alongside her husband, Ethan. Hailing from New York, Finkelstein brings a woman’s invaluable perspective to construction and home restoration projects. Salvemini, a passionate curator of aesthetic experiences across hospitality, fashion, and homes for the past 15 years, joins Finkelstein for the new series, Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House? airing now on HGTV. Fans will see these women outfitted in Dovetail Workwear – including the tried and true midweight offerings of the Freshly Overalls, Hadley Coveralls, Field Utility Legging and Multi-Purpose Work Gloves – as they tackle new projects during demolition, construction, and restoration of historic homes in upstate New York.

Dovetail Workwear’s products are co-created and rigorously tested by authentic women engaged in real work. These unsung heroines, dubbed Mavens by the brand, are integral to the design process, ensuring that Dovetail Workwear gear not only meets but exceeds the expectations of those who wear it on the job and beyond.

“We couldn’t ask for a more perfect addition to our Mavens program,” says Kate Day, Brand Director at Dovetail Workwear. “Elizabeth & Jennifer represent the bold, passionate spirit of women taking on big projects that inspire people to improve their communities and live more sustainably by restoring over rebuilding.”

The Mavens ambassador program celebrates the women who embody the Dovetail ethos and who often collaborate closely with Dovetail’s designers, contributing insights from their respective livelihoods to shape products that seamlessly fit, feel, and work as hard as the women who wear them. In collaboration with the Maven ambassadors, Dovetail may pursue strategic community-based support that directly empowers women’s work, lives, and communities. Learn more about Dovetail Workwear’s innovative workwear for women at DovetailWorkwear.com.

Since launching maternity options in 2020, Dovetail has fine-tuned the details with and for expecting families through vigorous wear testing and honest feedback. The results are confidently built gear that prioritizes comfort and performance, while looking and feeling great, for every stage of pregnancy.

“It’s ingrained in our DNA to think of women’s needs,” says Sara DeLuca Co-Founder and Director, Product Development at Dovetail Workwear. “We’re committed to providing pregnant women in the workforce solutions that are built to grow with them and support their changing bodies. With stretchy yet sturdy construction, the Freshley Maternity Overalls and Anna Maternity Pants are built to last and even transition into post-partum life, with room for carrying baby accessories, toys, and burp cloths in the brand’s signature utility pockets.”

Crafted from durable materials and discrete elastic panels, both options provide a supportive and comfortable stretch. The Freshley Maternity Overall features 14 deep pockets and back straps that expand to accommodate a growing body. The Anna Maternity Work Pant is equipped with 10 pockets and a higher back to eliminate exposure when bending over. These versatile pieces have proven resilient and reliable to be lovingly handed down from one expecting family to the next for season-after-season of wear.

The Dovetail Workwear maternity collection is available now at dovetailworkwear.com and select retailers nationwide.

The advanced monolithic membrane of Polartec Power Shield Pro is made from a combination of plant-based and non-PFAS materials, and achieves an industry-leading combination of waterproofness, windproofness, long-lasting breathability, high durability, and comfortable stretch. Polartec Power Shield Pro is their most capable and versatile waterproof breathable technology to date and is the latest addition to Polartec’s conversion to non-PFAS alternatives. This version of Power Shield uses renewable, non-GMO plant-based nylon with a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin nylon.

Named after the largest freestanding mountain in Iceland, the Snæfell jacket is designed for a broad range of weather conditions. In Iceland and around the world it is worn by hikers, kayakers, bicycle commuters, skiers, festival goers and those simply just going for a walk on a rainy day. With a comfortable cut, a soft and flexible fabric it is made to be incredibly versatile for everyday use.  The jacket also offers an adjustable swivel hood with a visor that is helmet-friendly and doesn’t block vision, alongside a backpack compatible articulated fit and adjustable cuffs and hem.

The updated fabric tests greater than 20,000 mm in the Hydrostatic Pressure Test for Waterproofness and 20,000 g/m2/24h Moisture Vapour Transmission Rating for Breathability. The jacket is super soft to touch but provides a tough barrier to outside rain and snow that is incorruptible over time. The jacket is available in both a men’s and women’s silhouette, alongside an updated cropped version.

The jacket will launch on the 7th May and will be available online at 66north.com and in-store. For more information contact:

Rian Rhoe, 66°North PR/ The Sideways Life : rian@thesidewayslife.com
Abi Youcha, Polartec PR / Akimbo: abi@akimbopr.com

Available in two self-adjusting lens tints – Yellow Blue Mirror and Brown Green Mirror –ChromaPop Glass Polarchromic lenses combine the glare-free benefits of advanced polarization with UV sensitive technology that adapt to changing light conditions to provide the right amount of coverage. Both versions change from category 2 (20-23% VLT) to category 3 (11% VLT) depending on available light, making them the ideal choice for all-day adventures on the water when starting or ending in low light is likely.

ChromaPop Glass Polarchromic lenses are highly scratch resistant, offer incredible optical clarity, and include smudge and moisture resistant coatings for easy cleaning and clear vision. The lenses are currently offered in the best-selling Guide’s Choice sunglass and the newly debuted Hookset sunglass, both purpose-built and designed for on-water performance including angling, boating, and a variety of watersports.

The Guide’s Choice and Hookset with ChromaPop Glass Polarchromic lenses are available now at smithoptics.com and select specialty retailers worldwide.

The Milliken & Company 2023 Sustainability Report discloses performance against the diversified global manufacturer’s 2025 Sustainability Goals and Net-Zero Targets and details the company’s key impacts across its people, product, planet, and net-zero measures. It also includes updates on each of the key impact areas Milliken and Polartec adhere to, including:

• People: The company focused on protecting associates by reducing lost-time incidents, strengthened its commitment to an inclusive supply chain by hosting its inaugural Supplier Diversity Event, and surpassed its goal of serving 100,000 community volunteer hours one year ahead of schedule.
• Product: Milliken used sustainability assessments to analyze all new products and made measurable gains in its multi-year commitment to address end-of-life challenges for plastics.
• Planet: Investments in cogeneration, energy efficiency, and renewable energy procurement are keeping the company ahead of schedule relative to its 2025 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Renewable Energy Goal; however, paths to achieve its 2025 Landfill and Water Reduction Goals have proven more challenging.
• Net-Zero: Five years of progress on GHG and renewable goals have helped Milliken progress toward its 2030 scope 1 and 2 net-zero targets, and the company has improved its scope 3 accounting to allow for a more detailed and accurate perspective on value chain emissions.

“Our commitment to environmental responsibility is an intrinsic part of everything we do at Polartec, which is why we are proud to be aligned with Milliken’s sustainability commitments,” said Ramesh Kesh, SVP Milliken and Company & Business Manager Polartec said, “It is our duty to protect our Planet, safeguard our People and to reduce the impact of our Products.  We commend Milliken’s steadfast dedication to fostering a more sustainable future within our industry and beyond.”

As emphasized by Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken, “Milliken’s sustainability commitments are marked by steady progress — sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but always moving toward our purpose of making a positive impact for generations to come. In our annual sustainability report, we share what’s working, embrace what we’ve not yet solved, and stand strong in our belief that meaningful progress is possible. This is no small task, and we recognize all who are on this journey with us.” 

Read more about Milliken’s 2023 Sustainability Report here.

The Kline is a workhorse in The James Brand’s product line, built to handle tough tasks day after day. Made in the USA and the first carbon fiber scales in the line, The Kline Marbled Carbon + Stainless features a razor-sharp MagnaCut stainless steel blade, the brand’s trademark TJB slide lock mechanism, and a deep carry, reversible pocket clip. For this special edition knife, The James Brand has paired the strength of carbon fiber with the class and sophistication of marble, giving The Kline an entirely new look and feel.

At the heart of this performance folder beats an American-made 3.4” super-steel blade, providing a balance of corrosion resistance and toughness. Complemented by ultra-lightweight yet immensely strong carbon fiber scales, The Kline takes style and performance to the next level under TJB’s unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship while continuing to push boundaries and redefine industry standards across design and materials.

The Kline Marbled Carbon + Stainless knife is available now at www.thejamesbrand.com and at select specialty retailers across the globe.

Made to enable circularity, Polartec PowerShield RPM offers excellent stretch and recovery, this pioneering fabric features a highly durable non-PFAS coating to repel precipitation, 10,000mm hydrohead to keep it off, and is available in 2 and 3-Layer versions. When combined with a breathability spec of 30,000g/m2/24hrs, Power Shield RPM redefines the idea of unstoppable comfort for users. Designed to satisfy the requirements of top-tier athletes and weekend enthusiasts alike, the use of sustainably sourced recycled polyester reduces both the product’s carbon footprint and the reliance on fossil fuels while enabling circular processes.

Polartec Shed Less technology is an innovative process that decreases fiber fragment shedding during home laundering up to 85%* without compromising the performance or durability of the fabric. By optimizing yarn const­ruction, knitting, chemistry, and manufacturing excellence, Polartec has engineered a way to ensure that the same fibers that give its iconic fleece a soft, comfortable hand feel now resist breaking or rubbing off. Less shedding means fewer microfiber fragments end up in the oceans and waterways. Less shedding means more years of wearing Polartec fleece fabrics and paving the way for a more sustainable future. Less shedding means more value, which is why this technology is now globally available on the most iconic Polartec recycled fleeces, Polartec 200 and Micro Series.

Polartec Micro Series: engineered to provide long-lasting comfort in a vast range of conditions and activity levels, this premium recycled fleece with Polartec Shed Less technology is made from a lofted structure with thermal air pockets to retain warmth without inhibiting breathability. Highly durable yet incredibly soft, Polartec Micro Series is both hydrophobic and fast drying, making it the most versatile synthetic fleece on the market.

Polartec 200 Series: the modern version of the original PolarFleece®, which in 1993 became the first performance fleece knit from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, is now treated with state-of-the-art technology to protect its longevity while protecting the planet. With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and faster drying times, Polartec 200 Series sets the industry standard when it comes to high-performance synthetic fleece.

Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President at Milliken & Company and Business Manager Polartec said, “Polartec has a 30-year tradition of textile innovation aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of our products. With these latest initiatives, we’re ramping up our commitment to prioritize the planet. Whether it’s minimizing our impact, creating products built to last, or fostering circularity, Polartec is dedicated to making a positive difference today, tomorrow and beyond.”

* Test results using AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) TM212-2021 test method for fiber fragment release during home laundering. ©2024 Polartec, LLC. Polartec® is a registered trademark of MMI-IPCO, LLC.

“We are thrilled to introduce the X Trainer XC 001, a monumental moment for Payntr Golf,” said Payntr Golf Co-founder and President, Mike Forsey. “This innovative training shoe represents our commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance footwear. With the integration of the Carbitex GearFlex propulsion plate and our relentless pursuit of excellence, we are confident that the product will empower golfers and all athletes to elevate their training to new heights.”

At the heart of the X Trainer XC 001 lies the Carbitex GearFlex propulsion plate, a collaboration between Payntr Golf and Carbitex. This dynamic plate boasts a unique property that adjusts its stiffness in response to the wearer’s movements, increasing stiffness as input increases while retaining flexibility at lower paces. Seamlessly integrated into the shoe, the GearFlex plate adds stability and enhances efficiency of movement, providing athletes with enhanced propulsion while maintaining a natural feel.

“From day one, Payntr Golf promised to always deliver the consumer a competitive advantage,” said Payntr Golf Co-founder and Creative Director, Michael Glancy. “By partnering with Carbitex on our fully engineered, flexible Carbon Fiber Propulsion Plate, we certainly held true to that with an industry-defining product that offers a true competitive advantage.”

2022 World Long Drive Champion and Payntr Golf ambassador, Martin Borgmeier, assisted Payntr Golf’s engineering team in the development of the new X Trainer XC 001. Borgmeier also has a signature colorway the X Trainer XC 001 MB.

Key features of the X Trainer XC 001 include: 

• Versatile training/running shoe with optimal responsive cushioning for high-impact workouts in the gym or on the road.
• Carbon Propulsion Plate with asymmetrical flexibility maximizes energy return and efficiency of movement.
• Engineered woven jacquard upper weaves TPU thread for lateral support with nylon thread for lightweight flexibility, combating abrasion and ensuring durability.
• Carbitex GearFlex Propulsion Plate T engages stiffness as it bends, providing geared power as you achieve higher input to maximize energy with every step, while remaining highly flexible at slower speeds to enhance your natural movement.
• PMXGripLite rubber outsole with lightweight durability compound and tread design for multi-directional, multi-surface traction.
• PMXNitro+ foam midsole and footbed provide maximum energy return and ultimate underfoot comfort.
• Additional design features include a padded heel and collar for comfort, perforated microsuede tongue for breathability, reflective branding for visibility, and two sets of reflective laces for personalization.
• Built on a training last with running shoe toe spring and heel-to-toe offset, weighing 10.0 oz. per 1⁄2 pair in men’s size 9.

The X Trainer XC 001 is now available on the Payntr Golf website and select retailers. For more information about Payntr Golf and its products, visit www.payntrgolf.com.

The lightweight in-mold construction houses internal zonal Koroyd® coverage for lightweight, energy-absorbing, and ventilated impact protection while the addition of MIPS Brain Protection System reduces rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head in the event of a crash. In addition to CPSC and CE EN 1078 certifications, the Payroll is also NTA-8776 e-bike certified which tests helmets at higher speeds to support impact protection when riding with motorized assistance.

Designed for ultimate integration with Smith performance eyewear and goggles, the Payroll offers maximum comfort, venting and storage convenience including the three-position adjustable visor to generously accommodate sunglasses or goggles between runs.

Additional features include an Iconic+® antimicrobial lining providing perspiration absorption and sweat-activated odor control during long days on the trail. For fine tuning comfort on the fly, Smith’s VaporFit® system provides 270-degree fit adjustment and generous vents with internal air channels keep riders cool when charging uphill and focused on the descent.

Available in five inline color options plus a new Matte Black/Topo design in partnership with Aleck integrating the new Aleck CS intelligent impact crash sensor directly into the helmet’s fit system. The Aleck crash sensor measures impact forces, confirms your status and sends an emergency message with your GPS location if necessary. The Aleck crash sensor connects to your chosen contacts via the free Aleck phone app as well as any other Aleck app users within a 1.8-mile radius, no subscription required.

The new Payroll helmet (Weight: 14oz/400g, size medium) is available now at select retailers worldwide and online at smithoptics.com.

Beyond Beings Today is a multifaceted campaign featuring static and multimedia content, including short films released throughout the year via multiple touchpoints and channels – the first of which will be released on Earth Day 2024 to underscore the underlying premise that the future is what we make it.  Polartec’s commitment to sustainable solutions go beyond the integration of increasingly advanced manufacturing methods or the ongoing exploration of novel fibers, and continued investments in sustainable materials development. This commitment extends to the fundamental belief that, if we change behaviors, we can change the narrative. For our Planet. For our People. For our Products.

“This important initiative reaffirms our belief that sustainability is fundamental to our past, present, and future endeavors to enrich the lives of those who wear our fabrics and to reduce our environmental impact,” said Eric Yung, Managing Director at Polartec. It is Polartec’s responsibility to safeguard all that matters deeply to us: Planet. People. Product. Beyond words, mandates and aspirations, we are taking action through innovation. Beyond Begins Today.”

Change starts with each of us. Our promise, therefore, is that every one of our product launches in 2024 will either reduce our impact on the planet, endure the test of time, or contribute to circularity processes. Beyond Begins Today at how Polartec fabrics are made to last, and made to be used and enjoyed from one generation to the next and beyond. It explores the innovative monomaterials, repurposed plastic and plant-based nylon membranes and fabrics that Polartec uses to set new standards for high performance materials and the ambitious climate-related objectives across the entire value chain that exceed existing mandates. This holistic strategy allows Polartec to stay at the forefront of its industry by producing top-notch textiles that champion environmental stewardship and pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.

“For over three decades, Polartec has proven time and time again that while durability, breathability and weather-resistance is non-negotiable, ensuring such performance does not need to come at the expense of our environment,” said Ramesh Kesh, SVP Milliken and Company & Business Manager Polartec. “Leaving the world better than when we found it is a collective responsibility we hold dear – because Polartec doesn’t just talk sustainability; we are sustainability.”

Visit: Polartec.com

Raised in Colmar, France and currently residing in Chamonix, Haerty found her passion for snowboarding at just 10 years old and has honed her skills over the past two decades to become a highly regarded and well-decorated athlete in action sports. In addition to snowboarding, Haerty also loves surfing, cycling, paragliding and skateboarding. Her curious nature, fearless drive, and sustainably minded approach to life fuels her spirit on and off the mountain. In addition to completing the first snowboard descent in Lobuche, Nepal, Haerty is also a published children’s book author and recently earned a master’s degree in business administration.

“I am beyond excited to announce my new partnership with Smith for their line of snowboarding helmets, goggles, and sunglasses. It’s an honor to join such an iconic and innovative brand, and one I have long admired for their commitment to quality and style at the same time. Thank you, Smith, for this amazing opportunity,” said Hearty.

For competitions and everyday riding, Hearty prefers the 4D MAG goggle with ChromaPop lens technology and pairs them with the new Method Pro helmet (launching in Fall 2024). For her multi-sport endeavors, she also wears the new Venture glacier-style performance sunglasses and for around town and at the beach, the stylish Sway sunglasses.

To stay up to date on athlete news, videos and more follow @smithoptics via social media outlets. To catch more of Marion, follow her on Instagram @marion_haerty.

For 2024, Dovetail is excited to welcome the following remarkable women to its Maven program who are forging new paths, amplifying female voices and presence in non-traditional occupations, improving their communities, living more sustainably, and promoting inclusivity:

• Internationally recognized illustrator, author, activist, and avid cyclist Lisa Congdon whose colorful, graphic illustrations have graced art exhibits, murals, books, and partnerships across the globe, including work with the Obama campaign, Google, The Museum of Modern Art, and Harvard University. She is also the author of 10 published books, an influential leader in social justice, and a medaled competitive cyclist.
• Renowned restoration expert and co-creator of Cheap Old Houses, Elizabeth Finkelstein and interior designer, Jennifer Salvemini. The two will proudly wear Dovetail Workwear as they tackle new projects with passion during demolition, construction, and restoration of historic homes in upstate New York in the upcoming season of the new series, Who’s Afraid of a Cheap Old House? airing this Spring on HGTV.
• Master welder, metal artist, and star of Metal Shop Masters tv show, Rae Ripple is moving through the world with style, sparks flying, and grace. Outside of her workshop, she’s also a stunt motorcyclist for tv and film, raising her family, public speaking, and changing the narrative for women looking to forge their own paths in skilled trades.
• Organic farmer, herbalist, and entrepreneur Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley. As female owner of a medicinal plant and herb farm in North Carolina and founder of the acclaimed Green Heffa Tea company, Stanley brings decades of hands-on expertise cultivating botanical crops and running an environmentally sustainable small business that also encourages other women to pioneer their own fields while honoring the earth.

 The Mavens ambassador program celebrates the women who embody the Dovetail ethos and who often collaborate closely with Dovetail’s designers, contributing insights from their respective livelihoods to shape products that seamlessly fit, feel, and work as hard as the women who wear them. In collaboration with the Maven ambassadors, Dovetail may pursue strategic community-based support that directly empowers women’s work, lives and communities. Learn more about Dovetail Workwear’s innovative workwear for women at DovetailWorkwear.com.

Stio has adopted a number of newly developed technologies in order to meet this goal while still maintaining its products’ high standard for performance and durability. One of the larger efforts of the brand has been transitioning from C6 to C0 DWR treatments in all of its outerwear and apparel; this shift removes fluorocarbons (PFAS) from the formula and replaces them with less harmful ingredients, such as silicone. Upgraded styles with the new PFAS-free DWR treatments include Stio’s best-selling Environ, Hometown Down and Pinion Down programs, along with the brand’s all-new Figment Freeride Collection.

Stio has also partnered with GORE-TEX for the upcoming winter season to update its top-selling Doublecharge Insulated program with the new ePE membrane. This innovative technology provides best-in-class waterproof and windproof protection in a lightweight, breathable package that excludes the use of PFAS.

“As a brand rooted in our role as caretakers of the mountain life, sustainability is a driving force behind so many of the decisions we make at Stio. Our commitment to building our preferred materials program has led to years of research and testing in order to remove these harmful chemicals without having to sacrifice performance or durability,” said Sandy Flint, senior materials manager at Stio. “While this will be an ongoing effort for the brand, we are proud to now offer solutions without the use of PFAS and are excited to see what new technologies and textiles emerge within the industry in the years to come.”

By removing PFAS from the collection, Stio expands upon its commitment to the brand’s overall preferred materials adoption, which encompasses using more recycled, responsibly-sourced and organic materials in its product line. In 2022, the brand increased the total number of apparel styles within its preferred materials program from 82 to 125. The brand is also working to grow its circular commerce platform, Stio Second Turn, to promote sustainability and mitigate waste and pollution. Furthermore, Stio has been a Climate Neutral-certified company since 2020.

For more information on Stio, please visit www.stio.com.