It’s rare to find a shoe that’s truly amphibious. Most sandals lack adequate protection for terrestrial use, while sneakers tend to skimp on ventilation and drainage. In the footwear world, land and water sit at either end of a broad spectrum. Some people say the gap can’t be bridged. Those people just haven’t met yet.

If anyone knows how to make a seriously rugged, versatile sandal, it’s XTRATUF. The brand took the footwear scene by storm 50 years ago when its iconic arrived in Alaska. Waterproof, grippy, and meticulously well-made, the boot soon became ubiquitous on commercial fishing vessels across the state. Today, the brand brings much of that same experience and technology to a variety of other shoes—including the Riptide Sandal, one of its most versatile options to date.

Brand-new from XTRATUF, the Riptide collection was designed for security both in and out of the water. For starters, the slip-on sandals are made of injection-molded BioLite—an eco-friendly, high-performance foam. Unlike some other closed-toe sandals, the Riptide sports a low-profile silhouette and a permanently deployed heel strap. These features provide a secure, shoe-like fit. In other words, they don’t shift around, even when you’re hustling to set up camp or chasing your dog down the beach.

The Riptide’s traction is also outstanding, thanks to a combination of square- and arrow-shaped lugs on the nonmarking BioLite outsole. Macro and micro textures on these lugs provide grip on everything from loose sand to smooth stone. Wet rocks prove little challenge as well—the BioLite foam has a slight give, which allows it to press into hard surfaces. That maximizes surface area, making the shoes feel sticky even on something as slick as the bottom of a wet kayak.

It’s not just the traction that goes from land to sea and back again. Aside from being insanely comfortable, the BioLite foam is fully waterproof and fast-drying, ideal for adventures that have you in and out of the water a lot, like fishing, rafting, lake days, and rainy-day camping trips. Strategically placed drainage holes boost breathability without compromising protection, and a textured footbed provides a secure grip, even when the boat’s rocking.

So, can a shoe handle land and water equally well? Armed with superior grip, ventilated protection, and all-day comfort, the Riptide shouts a resounding yes. It’s safe to say that the gap has been bridged—and that you’ve found your new summer sandal.

XTRATUF’s history in commercial fishing has inspired new styles built for life on and off the boat. From commercial-grade Legacy boots to explorer-grade ADBs and Riptides, XTRATUF is Alaska proven and built for all.

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Whether you’re joining the e-bike revolution for the first time or upgrading your ride to the latest technology, it’s a great time to shop for an electric bicycle. That’s because e-bikes are still relatively new, and innovations and improvements are being made in leaps and bounds with every passing season. Exhibit A: Troxus has unveiled the newest, most refined cargo e-bike yet with the . Whatever kind of riding you have in mind, this e-bike will get it done. The team at Troxus packed the Lynx Cargo with smart features to enhance its durability, longevity, ridability, and, most important, safety. Here’s how it works.

Two Switchable Sensor Modes

The biggest innovation in the Lynx Cargo is the addition of switchable Torque and Cadence sensor modes, which are smoother than anything on the market. Together, these switchable sensors make traveling with cargo easier than ever. The Lynx Cargo is equipped with five different levels of pedal assist, along with a thumb throttle for that extra push. You can engage Torque sensor mode at any pedal level to allow for a smoother, more natural riding feel. Torque mode also extends battery life and is designed to harness the full output of the rider. It’s ideal for exercise, battery preservation, and retaining the simple pleasure of getting out there and riding a bike.

If the going gets tough, your legs get tired, or you just want to cruise, switch over to Cadence sensor mode—the secret sauce for a smooth uphill ride with extra weight. For faster riding with less effort, Cadence mode detects crank arm rotations down to a quarter crank and maintains a constant speed. Troxus is the first to offer these two switchable modes on its display, making any ride as easy as can be. Plus, the throttle assist functions equally well under both modes, leading to an e-bike experience that you can perfectly tailor to the day’s mission.

Versatility

Sporting a 6061-T6 aluminum frame, the Lynx Cargo is strong enough to withstand daily commutes or leisure rides and has a 500-pound carrying capacity. It uses a step-through frame construction, allowing the rider to easily mount and dismount. Powering the Lynx Cargo is a Bafang 750-watt motor sustained by a 48-volt battery enhanced with Samsung cells. This battery can keep trucking for up to 90 miles per charge, ensuring you won’t be left in a lurch with just human-powered pedaling. Not only that, but the motor reaches a top speed of 20 mph with throttle assist, perfect for around-town travel. The pedal-assist function is aided by an eight-speed Shimano derailleur for easy work no matter the hill grade. Optional features like folding footboards, seat cushions, seat backs, and rails, plus the included heavy-duty front and rear racks, keep you comfortable on your travels and your cargo well stowed and safe.

Safety and Warranty

Troxus dramatically raised the bar on efficient riding with the Lynx Cargo, but no compromise was made when it comes to road-ready safety. All 2024 models, including the Lynx Cargo, are UL 2849–certified for increased safety assurance. You can feel confident sharing the road thanks to rear brake lights and turn signals, eliminating the need to let go of the handlebars for signaling. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes allow for an easy, expedient deceleration whether for a red light or an emergency stop. For wet weather visibility and nighttime cruising, the Lynx Cargo features an 80-lux front light that lets you see the road ahead and be seen by others. The Lynx can tackle paved streets and uneven surfaces alike with 80 millimeters of travel on the front suspension, so it doesn’t matter what kind of commute you have—to the office, the farmers’ market, or the beach.

But the best part is that your e-bike is protected for the long haul. The Lynx Cargo is backed by a 5-year/5,000-mile warranty, as well as supplemental on all new bicycles.

is a Southern California–based e-bike brand with adventurous roots and passion for living life fully without the constant need for a car. We produce e-bikes for folks like us, who want something functional, reliable, playful, and fun. From commuting to exploring or simply enjoying life, we’re here for it.

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The holy grail for pack design? Perfectly balancing weight, comfort, and durability. The new nails that elusive sweet spot, thanks to cutting-edge materials and a redesigned suspension system. The 40+5 offers hikers outstanding carrying capacity and a cushy feel—all in a sleek, sub-three-pound package.

The Aircontact Ultra’s design story starts with an impeccable pedigree. In 2022, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Magazine staff gave the 40+5’s predecessor—the Aircontact Ultra 50+5—an Editor’s Choice Award for its innovative lightweight design. Now, thanks to some major updates, the new 40+5 is even lighter and more breathable than its big sibling. The new model also boasts smart organizational features, an intuitive adjustment system, and durable, eco-friendly materials. Here’s how deuter did it.

Outstanding Comfort

The Aircontact Ultra 40+5 owes its impressive comfort-to-weight ratio to a clever suspension system. The back panel sports a spring-steel frame, which gets its strength not from beefy materials, but from its shape: the steel wire has a slight zigzag that creates stability in the vertical plane. In the horizontal plane, the wire is 3D-contoured to trace the curves of the spine, giving it just enough flex to move with the body without buckling under heavy loads. The system allows the Aircontact Ultra 40+5 to support up to 35 pounds of cargo without issue. Foam padding in the hipbelt wings and lumbar region help prevent hot spots, and channels in the back panel’s molded foam boost breathability.

Superior Adjustability

The pack also boasts an easy-to-use adjustment system. Two carabiners hook into a nylon webbing ladder in the back panel, making it easy to fine-tune fit on the fly. The range of adjustment is also impressive: the Aircontact Ultra 40+5 fits torso lengths from 13 inches to 22 inches, a significantly wider fit spectrum than most packs.

Thoughtful Organization

Unlike some other lightweight packs, the Aircontact Ultra doesn’t skimp on features. Dual hipbelt pockets, a roomy top lid, stretch-mesh side pockets, and a large external shove-it pocket make it easy to keep gear organized. The modular compression straps and top lid are also removable, letting weight-conscious hikers trim extra ounces for light-and-fast outings.

Durable, Lightweight Materials

The men’s Aircontact Ultra 40+5 clocks in at 2.7 pounds, and the women’s version, the Aircontact Ultra 35+5 SL, is even lighter at 2.5 pounds. To shave weight without sacrificing durability, deuter uses an array of cutting-edge materials. The main body of the pack is a light yet strong 150-denier polyamide. This fabric is reinforced with a ripstop grid made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a thread that’s stronger than steel by weight. Better yet: all these materials are Bluesign certified and free of toxic chemicals. The pack is also ClimatePartner and Green Button certified, which means it meets rigorous environmental standards.

Put it all together, and you have an elegant, durable pack that’s versatile enough for almost anything you’d care to throw at it—including thru-hikes, minimalist weekends, and gear-intensive day hikes alike.

For 125 years, has been making high-quality, reliable backpacks for year-round outdoor adventures. As a pioneering backpack innovator, deuter introduced the first mountaineering backpacks for women. The is the German brand’s commitment to sustainability and a responsible approach to people and planet throughout its entire production chain.

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What do the pros have on their feet? Athletes like surfer and snowboarder lead adventurous lives, and like many outdoor enthusiasts, they depend on apparel and footwear that can handle any terrain they face. That’s why so many choose Vans MTE boots. MTE stands for Made for the Elements, and from snow, surf, and skate to everyday life, that’s exactly what you get with the new . This innovative weatherized boot is the latest in the decades-long Vans tradition of making stylish footwear to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. Here’s what you can expect.

Protection and Breathability

Whether you’re shoveling out from a big storm or walking back to the lodge, there’s one boot that can do it all. The UltraRange Exo Hi is the most rugged and versatile cold-weather boot in the Vans footwear family to date. With the integration of GORE-TEX¼ Duratherm insulation—a nonwoven, lightweight fabric that wicks away sweat while retaining heat—your feet will stay warm and dry for all-day comfort in wintry conditions. The boot’s outer also features a GORE-TEX material for added protection against rain and snow. Plus, an internal bootie bolsters waterproofing and keeps your feet warm while maintaining optimal breathability.

Traction and Comfort

Sure, a quality cold-weather boot needs to be breathable and sealed from moisture, but it should also keep your feet firmly grounded. The UltraRange Exo Hi has a super-grippy All-Trac outsole, so you can stride with confidence throughout winter. This proprietary cold-weather rubber compound from Vans is a master of all-terrain performance, combining flexibility and grip for unparalleled traction in wet and icy conditions. An UltraCush molded footbed—derived from a unique blend of foams for ultralight cushion and combined with an OrtholiteÂź topsheet—complements the boot’s rugged exterior for luxurious comfort that supports a healthy, dry environment for your feet.Ìę

Style

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Vans shoe if it didn’t look great. The UltraRange Exo Hi GORE-TEX MTE 3 offers five different colorways, so you can show up as your authentic self this winter. Whatever your outdoor ambitions, you can feel confident and classy rocking the long-established Vans aesthetic and conquering whatever terrain is in your path.Ìę

Explore all Vans MTE products now at .

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One thing is true when it comes to picking an everyday running shoe: it’s an incredibly personal choice. With so many options out there, upgrading your footwear can be a daunting task. So let’s simplify things. If you want lightweight, responsive, and durable shoes to support your daily mileage goals, PUMA has the perfect match. Here’s why the with is your next everyday running shoe.Ìę

NITROFOAM Technology

Regardless of your mileage or pace, having the right technology underfoot is key to maximizing the time you spend running. Every running shoe in the PUMA performance lineup is equipped with innovative NITROFOAM technology, which is designed to deliver responsiveness, durability, and comfort.Ìę

PUMA created its NITROFOAM technology through an innovative process that infuses the shoe’s foam with nitrogen gas. This technology allows PUMA to provide the support all runners require without tacking on additional weight.Ìę

ForeverRUN NITRO

For many runners, the ForeverRUN NITRO can be a one-shoe quiver. From pre-work jogs to weekend runs logging double-digit miles, the ForeverRUN NITRO hits the mark as a comfortable everyday running shoe. Featuring a 10-millimeter drop specifically designed to help runners embrace a healthier stride, ForeverRUN NITRO is a supportive ride for all.Ìę

The shoe’s stability is fueled by NITROFOAM technology, which provides two different foam densities in the midsole. Pair that with the asymmetrical heel counter—built to help keep the foot in place and aligned with each step—for solid support underfoot. The ForeverRUN also caters to frequent runners who need a little extra cushion or want to keep their foot a bit more neutral. To help maintain stability throughout the gait cycle, PUMA used a wider medial rubber segment on the outsole to keep the foot centered.Ìę

Fans of the ForeverRUN shoes call them “a dream to run in” and a “fave everyday trainer.” One runner, who suffers from back pain, loved that the cushioning allowed them to run comfortably enough to increase their weekly mileage—and with noticeably less pain. If you’re looking for a shoe engineered for comfort that will help you develop a more stable stride, look no further than the ForeverRUN from PUMA. Because the best runs are fueled by NITRO.

is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf, and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 20,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

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If you want to be a master of anything, do it for 30 years. That’s why ASICS keeps making the GEL-Kayano decade after decade. Knowledge and skill accumulates, just like in any craft, and the payoff is on full display in the thirtieth iteration of the GEL-Kayano model, a supportive and stable shoe for long-distance runs. The formula for success? Take something great and keep making it better.Ìę

Long-Distance Support

Shoes designed specifically for long-distance efforts can prevent fatigue, blisters, crushed toes, and general wear and tear. ASICS created the with maximum cushioning and adaptive stability to provide all-day comfort. The shoe’s 4D Guidance System drives next-level stability through a combination of wider base nets, increased heel bevel and forefoot flare, and a supportive arch recovery pod.

Weight is also a key factor on long runs, so designers blessed the GEL-Kayano 30 with the lightest foam to date in the FF Blast Plus ECO midsole. It gets better: the new foam is also the most energetic foam to date, and to absorb impact, the Rearfoot PureGEL is 65 percent softer than other models. Combined with an increase of four-millimeter midsole stack height, runners are rewarded with a smoother stride and forgiving landing. Softer and supported steps mean you preserve energy for longer.Ìę

The shoe is tuned for runners with a neutral to overpronated stride or for normal arches to flat feet.Ìę

Intentional Fit

The men’s and women’s models have subtle but important differences for getting a customized fit. The men’s GEL-Kayano 30 features a 40-millimeter heel and 30-millimeter forefoot for a 10-millimeter drop, while the women’s GEL-Kayano 30 has a 39-millimeter heel and 29-millimeter forefoot for a 10-millimeter drop.

Both versions are designed with a stretchy knit upper, forgoing traditional overlays to provide greater breathability and flexibility—both important for comfort on long runs. ASICS also redesigned the external heel counter to cradle the foot and distribute support equally.

Sustainable Footprint

We can’t enjoy running the way we do now if we don’t keep the environment top of mind. ASICS uses a dyeing process for the sockliner that reduces water usage by more than 30 percent and carbon emissions by about 45 percent. And at least 50 percent of the shoe’s main upper material is made with recycled materials to further reduce waste. When you run in the Kayano 30, you’ll feel good knowing your shoes have a carbon emissions footprint that’s 14 percent lower than similar running products.Ìę

Anima sana on corpore sano, meaning “a sound mind in a sound body,” is an old Latin phrase from which is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 70 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories.

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In May, we wrote about the revival of the famed ultralight backpacking company GoLite. The brand, which Taiwan-based holding company EGI Ltd. bought in 2015, has pivoted to focus on the active-lifestyle market, pursuing category leaders like Outdoor Voices and Lululemon.Ìę

At Winter Outdoor Retailer, we got the first look at GoLite’s new line of products. Most interesting is the ReGreen Windshell ($100), which is made completely from recycled bottles and combines technical innovation with the brand’s sustainability focus. The inspiration behind the jacket happened after GoLite partnered with the Taiwanese recycling plant Tzu Chi. Officials at the plant told GoLite that green bottles (think of those used by Mountain Dew and Sprite) often aren’t recycled; because they’re already green, they can’t be dyed and therefore aren’t of interest to manufacturers who want to color the resulting fabric whatever shade they like. To get around that, GoLite skips the dying process altogether, instead harnessing the bottles’ green coloring, leading to a more eco-friendly, cheaper product. Twenty bottles go into each ReGreen Windshell, which weighs just 1.6 ounces.

We’ll be putting the jacket through its paces before the spring 2019 launch to see if the green hype is real. If anything, we like the color.

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We sent a team of eight editors to Denver for the 2018 Summer Outdoor Retailer show, where hundreds of brands, politicians, activists, and journalists come together to check out next season’s gear. From July 22 through 26, we prowled the show floor, finding innovative products and talking to the people who created them.  

Our Favorite Camping Gear at Outdoor Retailer

New products to get you outside.Ìę

Hobie’s Mirage Eclipse Is the Most Fun Product at OR

¶ÙŽÇČÔ’t let the StairMaster aesthetics fool you: this thing can move.Ìę

How Workwear Became Popular

Hefty canvas and denim work apparel is experiencing a resurgence. A panel of experts at Outdoor Retailer explained why.

Meet the Women Leading the Outdoor Industry

Portraits of five powerhouses you should know about.Ìę

The Climbing Industry Tackles the #MeToo Movement

Next month a community initiative will present guidelines for companies on how to define, talk about, and respond to inappropriate behavior.

Five Products Under $50 at Summer Outdoor Retailer

Sometimes the best gear comes in small packages—and at low prices.

Five Ten Resurrects the Five Tennie

The first-of-its-kind approach shoe returns in spring 2019.

Our Favorite Booths at Summer Outdoor Retailer

Brands go to great lengths to make their products stand out. Here are the five wildest examples.

Mammut Unveils Reflective Gore-Tex Pro Fabric

Heavy-duty and highly visible, the Nordwand Advanced HS jacket is making a splash at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

The Best Gear from Summer Outdoor Retailer 2018

Once again, our gear editors head to the industry's largest trade show to scope out the latest, greatest outdoor tools and toys.Ìę

Behind the Scenes at Outdoor Retailer Demo Day

Outdoor Retail Summer Market 2018 is here, and the industry is abuzz about new gear. We hit up Confluence and Commons Parks to get in some testing time.

First Look: Tentsile’s Floating Universe Tent

Essentially a three-person paddleboard base with a mesh tent upper and nylon fly, the Universe is happy on the ground, in the air, and on the water.Ìę

Tepui Brings Swappable Canopies to Its Rooftop Tents

The Zipper Gimp is a small (but important) upgrade.Ìę

First Impressions of the Gearlab Akiak Kayak Paddle

¶ÙŽÇČÔ’t let the funky shape fool you.Ìę

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In 2010, American Paul Stephens was working for in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia—a country roughly the size of South ­Carolina—where he had originally traveled to volunteer for the Peace Corps. In between helping with the agency’s poverty and education initiatives, he explored the nearby Caucasus range on foot.

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“There are lots of peaks above 4,000 meters and dense forests,” says Stephens, now 35. “Western Georgia is like the Pacific Northwest, but with ancient villages, defense towers, and churches on the mountainside.” During one excursion, he came across a few intrepid Eastern European trekkers attempting to cross the country’s 800-mile swath of untracked mountains and forest.

“It just got me thinking,” he says. “So I started looking at the map.” Years earlier he’d hiked much of the Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail, along with the Great Smoky Mountains farther south.Ìę

“I was inspired knowing you could keep going for weeks or months,” Stephens adds. “It gets your imagination going and gives you a sense of freedom. There’s also something about actually getting somewhere on foot, somewhere far away, not just hiking in a circle.” If there was a long trail across the Caucasus, he thought, you could walk it in maybe three months.

In the summer of 2015, Stephens and a Peace Corps buddy began sketching a route through , Armenia, and Azerbaijan from the Black Sea to the Cas­pian Sea, mostly through national parks, for the Transcaucasian Trail.Ìę

Long trails are exploding in popularity, thanks in part to recent blockbuster films like Wild and A Walk in the Woods. A thousand hikers now traverse the entire 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail between Georgia and Maine each year, up from 575 in 2008, and nearly three million more travel some portion of the route. That kind of growth is spreading internationally.

In late 2015, Englishman Ben Hoffler helped complete the ­ in Egypt, which connects 140 miles of tribal footpaths from the Gulf of Aqaba with the top of 8,625-foot Mount Catherine. After the trail’s maiden through-hike a year later, the British Guild of Travel Writers named it one of the world’s best new tourism projects.Ìę

Among the goals of the trail is to “change perceptions of a chronically misunderstood region,” says Hoffler, who has hiked portions of long trails in the Cana­dian Rockies and plans to do chunks of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Mexico could also use an image upgrade, but that’s not why Alaskans Nicholas Carman and Lael Wilcox stitched together the 1,700-mile between San Diego and San JosĂ© del Cabo. The two endurance-biking stalwarts had ridden the , the Colorado Trail, and the Arizona Trail. After their second trip down the Baja peninsula, they knew they wanted to share the experience with others. Their line snakes through old mission sites and backcountry desert. In the Valle de los Cirios, ancient cirios trees lean and curl, Carman says, “in Seussian fashion.” During the first season last winter, 250 attempted the route.

Most ambitious of all is an informal network in Chile called the . It consists, says Jan Dudeck, the German responsible for mapping much of it, of “trails, roads, and cross-country routes that were simply not made for hikers.” Beginning in Santiago, the GPT crisscrosses an 1,150-mile stretch of land between the semidesert of the Precordillera and the giant glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Through-hiking it involves trespassing, pack­rafting, and backtracking. In short: don’t expect any trail angels. “It’s more of a discovery trail than a hiking trail,” insists Dudeck, who has done much of it.

The GPT may never be finished, but Stephens’s Transcau­casian Trail should be done within eight years. Recently, he secured grants and volunteers to work on sections in Svaneti, Georgia, and Armenia’s Dilijan National Park this summer.

“Now that we’re starting,” says Stephens, “I meet these Georgians who were mountaineers back in the seventies and they say, ‘My friends and I always dreamed of walking across the Caucasus.’ ”

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Fred Roberts’s sheep lead cold, hard lives. The herd of some 500 Rambouillet-Columbia ewes spend the winter on the prairies of southwestern Wyoming, where the wind can strip the paint off a Ford pickup. In the spring, they walk 300 miles north to their summer range in the mountains near Jackson, which can see snowfall just about any day of the year.  

But there’s an upside to the harsh American West: the sunny, arid climate spurs the ­animals to produce small-diameter wool ­fibers that can make a merino-grade garment. “American wool is loftier,” says Rita Samuelson, marketing director of the American Wool Council. “It tends to be spongy, due to a combination of ­genetics, ­nutrition, and environmental conditions.”

Recently, outdoor brands have started pay­ing top dollar to include American wool in their goods, revitalizing what was once a dying industry. uses U.S. wool in its socks, which you can find in nearly 800 stores, including Cabela’s and REI. So does Bozeman, Montana, apparel maker , which owns a flock of more than 10,000 sheep and controls every stage of its U.S.-based manufacturing process. , a Colorado company, combines wool produced in the Rocky Mountains with synthetics to engineer fabrics that the company says perform better than wool alone. And , which took a PR hit last year when , has revamped its supply chain and is now sourcing American wool for many of its socks.

This is a major change from a decade ago. In 2007, the reported that 71 percent of U.S. wool was exported. Today only half is.Ìę

The shift has come about for a few reasons. First, U.S. wool used to be sent overseas to factories that made it washable via a process called shrink treating, in which the surface scales on the fibers are removed to prevent felting. But in 2010, a plant opened in South Carolina that can do that work, allowing manufacturers to keep their wool on U.S. soil throughout production. Second, out­door companies bet on a strong ­market for domes­tically produced goods. And third, those brands started paying more for high-grade, American-made wool.Ìę

“When people first saw us at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in 2013, their initial reaction was, ‘Not another sock company,’ ” says Dave Petri, vice president of marketing for Farm to Feet. “But when they heard about what we were trying to do with a domestically manufactured product, there was a lot of interest.”

Other ­manufacturers saw an opportunity to tout their goods as Ameri­can made. Consumers responded. Last year, for example, Farm to Feet produced more than 320,000 pairs of socks, a 63 percent increase over 2014. And Duckworth doubled its sales from 2014 to 2015.

As demand has grown, ranchers like Roberts have taken steps to breed their sheep to produce even better wool. That, in turn, brings a higher price from performance-­apparel makers than, say, the coarse wool used in things like carpet and mattress pads. For Roberts and other producers, the new market comes with another key change: they can now point to a brand or product line and rest assured that it contains wool from the sheep they raise.

“Six years ago, we didn’t know much about where our wool went. All we knew was that a lot of it was exported to China,” Roberts says. “Now, if the quality is high enough, it has a good chance of staying here.”

After attending Outdoor Retailer for the past several years as a member of the American Wool Council, a Colorado trade group, Roberts changed his outlook on his family oper­ation. Previously, he figured he might be the last Roberts to run the third-generation ranch. His son, Kyle, had left for school in Salt Lake City rather than stay and go bankrupt running sheep. But with wool markets looking better than they have in years, there’s money in it again. Last fall, Kyle returned home to help run the family business.

“Buying and using a domestic product has become a lot more important to people,” Roberts says. “And that’s a huge boon to wool producers. It’s supply and demand—if that’s what they want, that’s what we’ll deliver.”

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