“Whether bagging a peak or doing OCRs, ‘the King’ is back, baby! Named after the highest peak in Utah, the King MT 2 is my favorite off-trail trail-shoe,” said Brian Beckstead, Altra Co-Founder. “It’s safe to say that the King MT 2 is one of our most requested shoes to relaunch of all time. We’ve received messages weekly asking to bring it back. With the deepest and most aggressive lugs in the Altra trail line, it’s perfect for mud, scree, and scrambling but still smooth enough for normal trail.”

The King MT 2 is the perfect blend of comfort, durability and style, making them a must-have for any trail runner. The Altra King MT features a roomy toe box that allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally for more comfort and stability in uphill climbs and downhill descents. Features of the King MT 2 include:

• Vibram Litebase – reduces outsole weight without compromising durability
• Vibram Megagrip – provides unparalleled grip on both wet and dry surfaces
• Mesh upper with dynamically cut eye for flexibility and comfort
• Tooling drainage system for messy conditions
• Altra’s standard FootShape fit

The King MT 2 is available for both men and women in a variety of colorways.

Denver, Colo. (July 1, 2024)

“At Altra, we understand the needs of the modern day trail runner, and the Olympus 6 embodies our commitment to providing the latest innovations in comfort and performance,” said Altra Co-Founder, Brian Beckstead. “The Olympus 6 is the perfect companion for those seeking to push their limits and mileage on the trails with plush compression and a trustworthy outsole that you can feel confident in.”

Designed to meet the needs of avid trail runners, Altra’s Olympus 6 is engineered with a new durable and breathable mesh upper, ensuring optimal airflow to keep feet cool during hot and long sessions on the trail. The updated premium achilles pillow offers an elevated step-in feel for enhanced comfort and support.

The Olympus 6 utilizes Vibram Megagrip, a high performance sticky rubber outsole that offers unparalleled grip on both wet and dry surfaces, allowing for optimal ground adaptability on dirt and rocks.

Additional styles in the Olympus collection:

• Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX – A waterproof Gore-Tex membrane upper is guaranteed by Gore-Tex to protect feet from the elements. Thru-hikers, weekend warriors and outdoor lovers who don’t want weather to determine time spent on the trails.
• Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX – Hikers looking for a premium hiker with Gore-Tex, ankle support and a secure lightweight fit that can handle all conditions. The tech-digging hiker who wants the latest and greatest in their hiking boots, focused on performance, stability, comfort and grip.

Altra’s new Olympus 6 is available for both men (12.2 oz) and women (10.2 oz)  in five different colorways. For more information, visit altrarunning.com or follow us on Instagram.

Following a highly successful pilot launch in the MEC Vancouver store, Tembo Chalk Company proudly announces the distribution of its pioneering pay-by-the-scoop, fill-your-own-chalk bag model in five Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) stores across major Canadian cities: Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

“At Tembo Chalk Co., we are driven by a commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Founder Matt Fudge. “We were inspired by the idea to disrupt the way the industry typically manufactures and distributes chalk. I think we’ve made big strides in accomplishing that goal. We’re doing something really different and setting a higher standard in every way possible.”

Conventionally, climbing chalk production has involved environmentally harmful processes such as mining and processing magnesium carbonate. Tembo Chalk’s revolutionary alternatives prioritize sustainable resourcing and reduced carbon footprints, while completely eliminating the need for wasteful packaging.

“We’re not just a chalk supplier; we’re innovators in sustainable climbing solutions,” said Fudge. “Our chalk manufacturing process incorporates a scientific approach, including the use of a byproduct of desalinated ocean water. It isn’t mined out of the ground. Our chalk feels very different and is more effective than any other supplier out there. We’ve also eliminated the manufacturing and waste of any kind of bag – you can just bring your chalk bag to the store and fill it.”

Before its retail debut at MEC, Tembo Chalk was exclusively available in bulk quantities online and across over 100 climbing gyms spanning Canada and the United States. Through its bulk refill model, the company has diverted over 250,000 single-use bags from ending up in landfills.

“The introduction of Tembo Chalk refillable bins at our stores underscores our shared commitment to sustainable practices,” remarked Kim McGrenere, MEC climbing merchant. “We take pride in offering eco-friendly product options that perfectly align with our core environmental values.”

In addition to its groundbreaking environmental initiatives, Tembo Chalk Co. dedicates itself to supporting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust through its 1% initiative, demonstrating a firm dedication to wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship.

“The Mont Blanc is one of the most well received shoes across the brand for comfort on any trail terrain,” according to Brian Beckstead, co-founder of Altra Running. “So when the time came to work on this race shoe, it was only natural to want to merge optimal comfort with speed. We utilized professional athlete and consumer feedback to create a shoe that would give competitive runners an edge on the course without sacrificing what people love most about the Mont Blanc.”

The Mont Blanc Carbon is ready to take the lead on the trail while maintaining comfort and grip on any surface. The shoe features a new full-length Carbitex MonoFlex carbon plate that allows it to sustain lightness while enhancing speed. The Altra Ego Pro foam rim and core midsole combined with the Vibram Litebase Megagrip outsole offers unparalleled comfort and grip for traction.

Altra’s unique Standard FootShape toebox and zero drop from heel to forefoot make this shoe the ultimate long distance option for runners that prefer training and racing in a shoe that allows for natural running form and stability on the trail.

This shoe was built to race on any terrain.. “[The Mont Blanc Carbon] was my go-to shoe for nearly all my ultras in 2023. I ran seven ultras in them — five of those races were mountain 100 milers,” said Altra Elite Athlete, Jeff Browning – who is currently on his 6th pair of the Mont Blanc Carbon. “I raced in mud, snow, rain, sand, creek crossings, and rocky trails. It performed well in all conditions.”

The Mont Blanc Carbon is available in one white/coral colorway for both men and women. The shoe can be purchased online at altrarunning.com and through select retailers.

“Tilley hats are consistently in our top sellers for summer hats, and with the MEC x Tilley branding, I think these will fly off the shelves this summer,” said Laura Jackson, MEC Accessories Merchant.

The Tilley x MEC Packable T1 and Packable T3 are an ode to a Tilley classic. Made from a light recycled blend, these hats dry quickly and offer excellent sun protection wherever you are adventuring. They both pack down into their own hidden pockets and give 50+ UPF protection, blocking more than 98% of harsh UV. Additionally, a PFC-free DWR finish helps shed light rain and mist to keep you moving forward.

The significant difference between the T1 and T3 is that the T3 is outfitted with a wider brim to help protect you from the elements and a stealthy crown pocket to keep valuables safe. Additionally, a Hydrofil® sweatband wicks moisture from your brow.

The new Tilley x MEC Packable Travel Hats can be found at the following MEC Canadian retail locations: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Edmonton South. They are also available for purchase at mec.ca. Two colors are available for both hats, as well as sizing Small/Medium and Large/Extra-Large. 

“The Lone Peak has continually been a trail running favorite for years”, according to Alex Lind, Senior Product Line Manager. “We’re really excited about the latest iteration made even better by a refined upper to make the shoe more durable and comfortable for runners who want to go longer and farther on the trails.”

The new Lone Peak 8 now features a refined mesh upper and updated quarter panel with customizable lacing. Additionally, Altra’s Stoneguard and Gaitortrap give runners added protection to keep up on any terrain. The Lone Peak 8 also includes the MaxTrac outsole that offers stickiness and grip underfoot and an Ego midsole that harmonizes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. The brand’s signature zero drop encourages better alignment and running form.

The Lone Peak 8 features a 25mm of stack height, Altra’s natural fit wide toebox and signature zero drop that gives ample space for natural movement and a more comfortable run.

The Lone Peak 8 is available in five colorways for both men and women. Available for purchase at www.altrarunning.com and through select retailers.

“I’m thrilled to create art on outdoor gear that will bring attention to Indigenous values and knowledge around Xâat Kusteeyí, the Salmon Way of Life,” said Crystal Worl, whose art is featured across the collection. “I grew up fishing and learning how to care for and respect salmon. I also grew up skiing and spending time outdoors in Alaska. It’s been an incredible journey to live and love this land as my ancestors and family have for generations. There is much to learn from the salmon, and time is running short. I have big hopes and dreams for what my art and storytelling can do to make change.”

The central aim of this project is to protect the uninterrupted flow of rivers and vital salmon spawning grounds that are essential for the preservation of both human communities and the ecosystem, in alignment with the principles of Haa Aani and the Salmon Way of Life, Xáat Kusteeyí. For the Tlingit of Southeast Alaska, culture revolves around the land and its resources. The Tlingit believe that when they take care of the land and its inhabitants, the land, in turn, takes care of them. The Tlingit phrase “Haa Aaní” often summarizes this concept, which means “Our Land.” Animals are viewed as members of the same social universe as those beside them. Art, dance, stories, and crests reflect these relationships with nature. Xáat Kusteeyí, as an extension of Haa Aaní, focuses on utilizing salmon respectfully and sustainably. By protecting the salmon and its habitat, the salmon provide people with sustenance in return.

The Haa Aani Collection designs are available now for Zeal’s Cloudfall and Lookout goggles. Visit zealoptics.com/haa-aani for more information.