There are music festivals. There are film festivals. There are climbing and biking and yoga festivals. But there鈥檚 only one .

The Denver event blends everything that makes outdoor festivals so fun, and the result is much, much better than the sum of its parts. That鈥檚 why the inaugural 黑料吃瓜网 Festival drew almost 20,000 people. It鈥檚 also why the 2025 event鈥擬ay 31 and June 1鈥攑romises to be even bigger. Celebrating outdoor adventure, community, and music and featuring an incredible lineup headlined by Khruangbin and Lord Huron, the 2025 黑料吃瓜网 Festival is a gift to remember forever. are on sale now.

And to make this the ultimate gift, pair it with some essential festival gear. Here are our top ten picks for upgrading any outdoor festival experience.

Sun Protection

REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie

UPF 50-plus fabric, plus a hood and long sleeves for full coverage, make this supersoft shirt the choice for all-day sun. The polyester/spandex blend wicks moisture and dries quickly, so it鈥檚 perfect for running, hiking, and festival-inspired dancing.

Hydration

CamelBak Hydrobak Light Hydration Pack

What鈥檚 good for biking鈥攈ands-free hydration鈥攁lso turns out to be very good for festival roaming. Featuring a 1.5-liter reservoir and just enough room for snacks and essentials, plus an internal organizer for tools, this lightweight, low-profile pack is ideal for cycling and weekend fun of all kinds.

Sandals

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals

Who doesn鈥檛 need a good pair of sandals? Midsoles made with EVA foam give the Hurricane lightweight cushioning, hook-and-loop closures make for easy on-off, grippy tread affords superior traction, and recycled polyester webbing is durable and quick-dry. Bonus: a peppermint-based anti-odor treatment.

Blanket

Nomadix Festival Blanket

This blanket packs down small for easy carrying, but spread it out and you get 72×60 inches of soft, durable fabric to lounge on. (It鈥檚 also slip-resistant, which is great for yoga.) It鈥檚 made with Global Recycle Standard鈥揷ertified postconsumer recycled plastic. GRS also ensures good working conditions for factory labor and minimizes harmful environmental and chemical impacts.

Versatile Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

One thing that鈥檚 certain about the 黑料吃瓜网 Festival? You鈥檒l want to stay until the last song. Stay comfortable day and night with these convertible pants, which have side zips that let you switch from shorts to pants and back without removing your shoes. Plus they have UPF 50+ sun protection, breathable and water-repellent fabric, and plenty of pockets.

Sunglasses

goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses

The 黑料吃瓜网 Festival is still a long way off, but you don鈥檛 need a meteorologist to tell you this: Odds are good it will be sunny, as Colorado usually is in early summer. These classic shades are a must, with 100% UVA and UVB protection, glare-reducing lenses, and a no-slip fit.

Festival Bag

REI Co-op Stuff Travel Waist Pack

Wear this compact bag on your waist or slung over your shoulder. Either way, the minimalist pack holds your essentials and keeps them dry with a nonfluorinated durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. Eco-bonus: Solid colors are made with recycled ripstop nylon.

Hat

Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel Hat

Everyone needs a ball cap. Why this one? It has UPF 50-plus sun protection, is made with 100% recycled polyester, and looks great on everyone.

Rain Jacket

REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket

Want to give the gift of more time outdoors? Put a bow on this 2.5-layer recycled ripstop nylon shell. It鈥檚 waterproof and breathable, windproof up to 60 mph, and packs down into its own pocket. This gift says it鈥檚 always time to go outside. Eco-bonus: The nonfluorinated durable water-repellent (DWR) finish helps moisture bead up on the surface.

Sunscreen

Thinksport Clear Zinc SPF 50 Sunscreen

Here鈥檚 a stocking stuffer for everyone on your list: effective sunscreen that doesn鈥檛 contain harmful chemicals. Whether you鈥檙e spending a weekend at an outdoor festival or just heading outside, you鈥檒l appreciate this non-nano sunscreen, which effectively blocks UVA and UVB rays, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is not greasy.

is the nation’s largest consumer co-op, with a growing community of 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. More than a retailer, REI is a purpose-driven and values-led company dedicated to enabling life outside for all.鈥�

The post Our Favorite Festival Gear appeared first on 黑料吃瓜网 Online.

Last week I spent six hours skiing in the Vermont rain, and it actually didn鈥檛 suck鈥搇argely because I was swaddled in invisible toxic chemicals, known as PFAS or 鈥渇orever chemicals.鈥� I鈥檓 speaking of the key ingredient found on and in nearly every piece of outerwear with any kind of water repellency: the chemicals that keep us dry through any weather.

But PFAS are not just in our Gore-Tex shells. They鈥檙e in countless consumer products, providing heat, oil, stain, and grease resistance. These chemicals are hugely effective鈥揳nd they also pose serious human health concerns. So much so that听a flood of new bans are coming across the country in a wide range of categories.

In 2024, , says , a national alliance of environmental health organizations and coalitions. Many are already in effect for categories like food packaging, carpets, and ski wax, which have been outlined by state in the chart below.听These looming 听bans have sent industries around the world scrambling to find alternative solutions. It also means that we will soon have to adjust our expectations on how we need to care for things like rain jackets, if we want them to perform, says sustainability consultant Ammi Borenstein, founder of , an agency specializing in sustainability strategy and management.

What Are Forever Chemicals?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It鈥檚 a mouthful, which is why PFAS are colloquially called 鈥渇orever chemicals.鈥� The nickname refers to the fact that these tenacious chemicals survive essentially forever. They won’t break down听in the environment for a thousand years or more, which is precisely why they鈥檙e so effective at what they do: at creating听a leak-proof barrier against all things liquidy.

PFAS, a family of more than 13,000 unique chemicals, were invented in the 1930s by DuPont de Nemours, Inc., as the company听was working to develop a non-stick frying pan. The world soon discovered the magic of these forever chemicals. Their Herculean bonding power means that they can render humble fabrics impenetrable to weather. They prevent red wine from staining your sofa and puppy poop from ruining your carpet. They keep grease from seeping through paper plates and take-out containers. They make mascara waterproof and are found in things like butter wrappers, lotions and sunscreens, (), and menstrual products. PFAS are听on your , and have been found in both tap and well water. A estimates that an alarming 45 percent of our country’s tap water contains PFAS.

Forever chemicals are basically everywhere and many Americans on a daily basis.听So it should come as no surprise that, according to compiled by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the damn things are also floating inside the veins of every one of us.

So, just how freaked out should we be?

Why Are Forever Chemicals Dangerous?

Studies have linked PFAS exposure to a host of serious health problems: a听 published in 别叠颈辞惭别诲颈肠颈苍别听found associations between PFAS exposure and thyroid cancer, and studies have linked exposure to kidney cancer as well.

Two of the most notorious forever chemicals听are PFOA and PFOS, which have historically been used in nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and many waterproof textiles. Both have been and were phased out of manufacturing in the U.S. in the mid 2000s. But thousands of other PFAS are still in production, and we are only now starting to understand where they show up. Which, at the risk of being redundant, is everywhere.

PFAS exposure from everyday items varies significantly. 鈥淚f we’re talking about eating food off paper plates that contain PFAS, for instance, your exposure risks are pretty high because PFAS can absorb into food from plates,鈥� says Borenstein, who points to a 2022 published on Science Direct.

But what about wearing a jacket?

Dr. Stuart Harrad, professor of environmental chemistry at University of Birmingham in the U.K., studies PFAS exposure through skin. In a听听(Environmental Research) he and his collaborators found that 鈥淧FAS can indeed transfer from environmental media (like indoor dust) into skin fluids (like sweat and oils) and become available for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream.鈥�

鈥淚 would be concerned about the potential dermal exposure if PFAS in clothing comes in direct contact with the skin,鈥� he told me. 鈥淗owever, as we don鈥檛 know what PFAS are present in such clothing, we cannot say with any certainty what the health effects might be and whether these might occur at the dermal exposure levels that might arise from wearing such clothing.鈥�

In other words, PFAS in your yoga pants or long johns鈥攐r any fabric that directly touches your skin鈥�could absorb directly into your bloodstream. But Harrad sees less of an exposure risk with clothing that is not next-to-skin, like jackets. He says that because of the unknowns, as well as the environmental implications of creating waste, he is 鈥渓oathe to advise people to throw away existing wearable items鈥� but contends that PFAS use in 鈥渁ny new products should be prohibited.鈥�

We do know, however, that forever chemicals have profound impacts on the people who work in and live near the factories that make and handle them in their raw, unfinished state. Take, for instance the community of Parkersburg, West Virginia, where the DuPont factory (now called Chemours) first created PFOA and remains one of the area’s largest employers.

In the C8 Project, one of the , with nearly 70,000 participants in the area surrounding the plant, researchers found that PFOA was associated with six diseases: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, pre-eclampsia, and ulcerative colitis. While the chemical companies make obscene amounts of money, factory workers throughout the supply chain touch and inhale PFAS every day and thousands of families living downstream from the facilities drink contaminated water and breathe poisonous air.

After a decades-long quest for justice (chronicled in the excellent 2019 film ), attorney Robert Bilott won a $670 million settlement against DuPont for more than 3,500 personal injury cases.

Widespread PFAS Bans Are Coming Soon

While PFAS are not yet regulated at a federal level, state lawmakers across the country have put them in their crosshairs. 鈥淪tates are transforming the marketplace by adopting policies that mandate the phase out of dangerous听 forever chemicals in products,鈥� says Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States.

Starting in 2025, California will forbid the sale of most textiles with PFAS; New York will restrict them in apparel; and Colorado will ban them in upholstered furniture and ski wax. Similar laws are pending or approved in many other states.

Outdoor Brands at the Forefront of the PFAS-Free Movement

Much of the outdoor industry has been seeking safe alternatives to PFAS for years, as we reported on back in 2015, but it’s been a long process. Early iterations of PFAS-free outerwear were plagued by lackluster performance. But the brands who stayed the course have now landed on new chemistries that they claim perform well, such as footwear maker, KEEN, which has been PFAS-free since 2018. 鈥淧FAS are for recreating outside,鈥� contends Kirsten Blackburn, director of KEEN Effect, the company鈥檚 sustainability and impact team.

But there is a caveat: everyone agrees that PFAS-free outdoor gear will require more regular care and maintenance to keep it performing at its best.

鈥淲ith diligent aftercare like washing and re-treating, these alternatives do not compromise on performance,鈥� says Corey Simpson, Patagonia’s communications manager. Patagonia, which started tackling the complex PFAS problem in 2006, has already eliminated PFAS from its fabrics, laminates, and coatings, and by 2025 all apparel (including zippers, buttons, patches, and threads) will be completely PFAS-free. 听鈥淒uring our research and development of these alternatives we found that the cleaner these fabrics are, the better the PFAS-free听alternatives perform. So, easy-peasy, just wash and dry your gear more frequently.鈥澨�

Fj盲llr盲ven did away with PFAS in all its textiles back in 2015. 鈥淭he important question consumers need to ask, is what level of water repellency does one need?鈥� says Kaytlin Moeller, regional sustainability director at Fenix Outdoor, parent company to Fj盲llr盲ven. 鈥淲e know that DWR with PFAS provides better waterproofing on gear than DWR made without PFAS, but is waterproof really necessary for the intended use? Actions like proper garment care, following washing guidelines, and using alternative waterproofing, like waxing when the fabric allows, can provide the necessary level of water repellency without introducing hazardous chemicals into the environment.鈥�

Care and Maintenance of PFAS-Free Outdoor Gear

For those of us who have come to expect our rain gear to keep us dry year after year with no maintenance, this new PFAS-free reality might be a hard pill to swallow. But Hannah North, manager of , a Bend, Oregon retailer specializing in repairing and consigning outdoor gear, says that the only place you鈥檒l feel the difference is in the laundry room. PFAS-free outerwear will require more hands-on care, she says, but if treated properly, most people won鈥檛 notice a performance difference.

鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 wash their outerwear enough, period,鈥� says North. 鈥淎nd with these new PFAS-free chemistries, it will become even more important. We tell customers to wash their outerwear, regardless of whether it has PFAS or not, after every three to five significant uses and to every three to five washes.鈥� (A 鈥渟ignificant use鈥� is roughly a full day of use outdoors.) It鈥檚 an easy, at-home process.

鈥淲e recommend products, which are water-based, PFAS-free, and very effective for re-waterproofing,鈥�听says North. 鈥淲aterproof clothing should never be washed with normal detergent, which will leave a residue on the fabric that hinders water repellency.鈥�

How to Avoid Forever Chemicals in Everyday Life

While it鈥檚 almost impossible to avoid PFAS altogether, there are some concrete steps you can take to minimize your exposure to them.

1. Be skeptical when you see 鈥淧FOA-free鈥� on something like a nonstick pan. It probably means that they just use a different kind of PFAS. Remember that PFAS is a massive family of chemicals. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) is just one specific chemical in this family. Instead look for 鈥淧FAS-free鈥� or 鈥渃ertified nontoxic.鈥�
2. Ditch old Teflon cookware. Opt for ceramic instead.
3. Avoid fast food. The packaging wrapping that Big Mac is full of PFAS rubbing up against鈥攁nd . Same with microwave popcorn and paper plates. When you do get takeout, transfer it out of the container as soon as possible because heat and time increase the likelihood of food absorption.
4. Store leftovers in glass containers, .
5. Avoid bottled water which and nanoplastics. Opt for filtered tap water instead.
6. Check your dental floss. This by Mamavation, a consumer health and wellness watchdog website, found that floss products have the 鈥渉ighest levels of organic fluorine we have ever seen in any consumer study.鈥� (Organic fluorine is a chemical marker for the PFAS family of chemicals.) In the lab tests, 33 percent of the tested flosses (ranging from slippery filament and waxed versions to silk and bamboo ones) came back positive for the PFAS marker.

Most importantly, take heart. The omnipresence of PFAS can make the problem feel overwhelming.听But researchers听are learning more each day, the media is investigating, big brands across industries are shifting away from forever chemicals, and governments are starting to act.

鈥淎 few years ago we were looking at a massive, never-ending flow of these chemicals,鈥� Borenstein says. 鈥淣ow outdoor brands, companies all over the world, and importantly, lawmakers have woken up to their harmful effects. The widespread bans will start to turn off the tap. Then we鈥檒l need to look at mitigation of the PFAS that already exist and reducing the toxic load on our bodies and in our environment.鈥�

In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just recently around PFAS. It is investing in new research, and now requires companies to disclose the presence of certain chemicals in products. It is also developing new methods to measure PFAS in the environment and policies to hold polluters accountable.听鈥�, increased engagement from the EPA, increased consumer awareness, effective PFAS free advocates鈥攁ll of these things suggest we could see national legislation banning PFAS in the near future,” says Blackburn.

To that, I say: Bring it on.

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and鈥攜es鈥攚ealthier. 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. Write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post The Best Rain Jackets in the World Will Soon Be Illegal鈥攚ith Good Reason appeared first on 黑料吃瓜网 Online.

It鈥檚 an absolutely thrilling time to be a runner, if I may say so without sounding too much like a complete shoe geek. We are in a golden era of running shoes. Besides exciting advancements in the foams and carbon-fiber plates of supershoes, there’s been an insurgence of brands entering the trail shoe market. Companies such as NNormal, Speedland, Norda, LOWA, Tecnica, Helly Hansen, and Lululemon have all debuted new trail shoes in the past few years.

This month, REI joined the club, introducing their Swiftland Multi-Trail running shoe. Typically I approach brand-new shoes from non-running shoe brands with a sense of skepticism. While REI does have credibility in the outdoor industry and the ability to access consumer product insight and buying patterns, I wondered if the brand could successfully design a top-tier trail running shoe that can compete with established running shoe brands. That鈥檚 not an easy task.

But holding their own with big-name brands isn鈥檛 enough for REI. Bennet Grimes, REI Senior Product Manager, said their guiding philosophy is 鈥渢o push the industry forward when it comes to building footwear, with carbon footprint at the center of how we build product.鈥� This meant thinking through every component of the shoe and also focusing on designing the lighest shoe possible because reducing the shipping weight has a significant impact on carbon footprint.

With this philosophy in mind, Grimes and his team sought out like-minded partners to help build a trail shoe that featured recycled or bio-based materials in every single component. One such partner was Bloom, which cleans lakes and waterways of harmful algae blooms and recycles them into various compounds. REI worked with Bloom to create an EVA foam blend for the midsole that鈥檚 made with 10% algae. They also used Bloom to create an insole made with 30% algae.

For the upper, Grimes and his team chose a knit made up of 90% recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), aka plastic bottles. 鈥淸Using a knit] allowed us to really dial in the amount of recycled content and waste,鈥� says Grimes. 鈥淲e have almost no waste in production because we get to knit the exact shape of the shoe instead of cutting it out of cookie-cutter patterns.

Other recycled components include 100% recycled PET laces and webbing, 75% recycled PET collar lining, and 70% recycled PET collar foam and reinforcements.

REI Swiftland MT Performance Review

While I found the shoes鈥� eco creds impressive, I was anxious to see how it performed on the trail. I took the shoes out for a spin in foresty rocky trails outside Philadelphia and hard-packed trails in my hometown of Santa Barbara, CA鈥攁t paces ranging from nine- down to six-minute miles.

What stood out most to me about the Swiftland MT was its midsole. It鈥檚 not so soft that it鈥檚 mushy, but also not firm; it鈥檚 not super bouncy, but it still responds when you apply pressure on push-off. It鈥檚 this perfect medium, I think, that will appeal to a wide range of runners who don鈥檛 run ultra-long distances or at a super-speedy pace. I found its sweet spot to be easy training runs up to six miles. For anything longer, I鈥檇 personally prefer a softer ride.

The full-length rock plate underfoot combined with the durable midsole protects against poke-through from sharp stones. The outsole, a proprietary 20% recycled rubber blend called TerraGrip Run, features longer rectangular lugs that I found delivered a smooth ride and adequate traction on paved paths, dirt roads, and groomed trails. Once the footing got a little loose, however, I wanted more bite.

Context is everything when it comes to trail shoes: They are much more terrain-specific than road shoes. What runs well on smooth, well-groomed trails may be disastrous on twisting technical trails. Case in point, the Swiftland MT is undoubtedly not a shoe for the latter. In addition to the lack of traction on technical terrain, I found the knit upper鈥攚hile extremely welcoming to slip on鈥攏ot great at lateral or rotational footholds.

During a fast descent down tightly woven switchbacks, I felt like I had lost control of the shoe, as my foot kept sliding around with every twist and turn. Once the trail flattened out and the terrain eased, however, what felt sloppy and dangerous was now comfortable, secure, and pleasant.

Grimes acknowledged that Swiftland MT was not designed for your hard-charging, technical-terrain-tactician trail runner. 鈥淭his trail shoe is likely to be some people’s first trail shoe ever,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not going to go peak bagging in these.鈥� After my testing, I鈥檇 say Grimes and his team hit the nail on the head with what they wanted from the shoe. The REI Swiftland MT, if kept within mellow terrain boundaries, is a comfortable and competent, beginner-friendly trail shoe and an impressive debut for REI.

Grimes also told me, 鈥淲e wanted to build this foundational trail shoe with technologies that you’re going to see in our future products.鈥� I鈥檓 excited to find out what comes next: I鈥檇 love to see a high-performance REI trail shoe.

Price: $130
Weight: 10 oz (men); 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 27mm/19mm (midsole only)
Drop: 8mm drop

The post We Put REI鈥檚 Algae-Powered, Recycled-Material Trail-Running Shoe to the Test appeared first on 黑料吃瓜网 Online.

If you’re into outdoor gear and haven’t shopped at before, buckle up: it’s one of the biggest and widest-ranging sales of the year outside of the holidays. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite picks from this year’s bargain bonanza, all of which we’ve tested and reviewed at听黑料吃瓜网. We hope you score something good and that it helps you spend more time outdoors this year!

Salomon Quest 4 GTX Hiking Boots | $230 $172 (25 percent off)

The thick, durable sole allows you to put a lot of miles on these boots, and provides plenty of traction on wet trails.

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Hydro Flask Cooler Cup | $25 $19 (25 percent off)听

This camp essential does it all and does them well: it is both a drinking vessel and a koozie, and was designed to handle both hot and cold beverages. Now your beer, wine, coffee, or tea will always have a companion.

Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Running Shoes | $150 $114 (25 percent off)听听

The Lone Peaks have been a staff favorite for a while, thanks to the roomy toebox and thin midsole that allows you to respond to the trail.

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Prana Men’s Stretch Zion Pants | $95 $71 (25 percent off)听

One of our favorite hiking pants of all time鈥攁nd they look good enough to wear in town.

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp | $50 $35 (25 percent off)

Beaming 300 lumens, we love that this lightweight headlamp illuminates the trails during dawn patrol runs and after-dusk adventures.

Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet | $100 $80 (20 percent off)听

This rechargeable water faucet, complete with an LED light, takes your camp kitchen setup to the next level by allowing you to easily refill your water bottle or wash dishes.

Keen Newport H2 Sandals | $60 $45 (25 percent off)听

The grippy soles of these sandals help kids scramble and climb on almost any surface they encounter. Better yet: toss them in the washing machine for easy clean-up.

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad | $350-$400 $262-$300 (25 percent off)听

This sleeping pad for two is designed for comfort and durability by surrounding the air chamber with memory foam. Simply put by our tester, “You will not find better support anywhere, indoors or out.”

Ignik Gas Growler Deluxe | $150 $112 (25 percent off)听

This five-pound tank is one of our favorite reusable propane tanks for car camping: the capacity is five times more than typical canisters, providing plenty of fuel for cooking elaborate meals at camp. The tough canvas carrying case makes transport easy without taking up a ton of room in your rig.

Garmin InReach Mini 2 | $400 $350 (12 percent off)听

Ideal for those who spend a lot of time in the backcountry and out of cell service, this two-way satellite communicator boasts an average battery life of up to 14 days and is water- and impact-resistant.

La Sportiva Bushido II Trail Running Shoes | $155 $116 (25 percent off)听

The snug fit, durable lug soles, excellent traction, and underfoot stiffness鈥攅ven after 315 miles of abuse鈥攎akes this shoe a winner on high alpine trails.

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MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit | $105 $79 (25 percent off)听

This backcountry cooking setup is compact, lightweight, and durable, making it one of our favorite backpacking cooking systems. It was already affordable at $105, so this is a killer deal.

Gregory Paragon 68/Maven 65 Pack | $280 $210 (25 percent off)听

Winner of the 黑料吃瓜网 Gear of the Year Award in 2020, the Gregory Paragon 68 (men’s) and Maven 65 (women’s) packs have one of the most effective trampoline-style suspension systems we鈥檝e ever seen. Plus, it offers tons of storage while remaining incredibly light.

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the rest of the sale through May 29.

Want more deals in your inbox? Sign up for our Deals of the Week newsletter!

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Starting in 2023, REI is set to sharply expand its employee medical coverage. The co-op announced today that, beginning January 1, every REI employee鈥攂arring those who have existing coverage through other employers鈥攚ill be eligible for health care under the new which provides comprehensive insurance through Aetna.

The coverage will be available even to part-time staffers, no matter how many hours they work per week. At national companies with workforces in the thousands, that kind of offering is exceedingly rare. (REI employs about 15,000 people across the U.S.) Enrollment will be available after just three months of employment, where previously the company required staff to work at least 20 hours a week over a 12-month evaluation period to qualify for any kind of coverage.

鈥淏asically, we just believe that everyone should have access to health care and this is something we can offer to every REI employee,鈥� Halley Knigge, REI鈥檚 director of communications, told 黑料吃瓜网.

Knigge said that, earlier this year, feedback from an employee pay and benefits survey included a call for access to health care enrollment sooner after the date of hire, and with fewer restrictions. In July, REI CEO Eric Artz sent an internal letter to all REI employees, stating, 鈥淵our feedback on our benefits program was clear鈥攜ou highly value our medical benefits but want access to them faster and with fewer restrictions. We agree.鈥�

Knigge said that while many of REI鈥檚 employees build long-term careers at the retailer, others鈥攊ncluding students and retirees鈥攚ant to work limited hours but still need health coverage as part of their employment.

鈥淲e have a lot of employees who want to work at REI but who want to work fewer hours than the previous 20 hours needed to qualify for health care,鈥� Knigge said. 鈥淣ow, no matter how few hours people work, they have access to coverage.鈥�

The REI Access Plan offers comprehensive medical coverage, including free preventive care with in-network providers and access to a Health Savings Account (HSA). The new plan is extended only to employees, not their dependents. Employees must work 20 hours or more per week to qualify for health care plans that extend to dependents.

Employees enrolled in the REI Access Plan can expect to pay around $700 a year in premiums, with REI paying about $6,800, according to the . The in-network individual deductible for the plan is $1,800, including prescription drug costs. Once the deductible is met, employees pay 20 percent of the cost of physician visits, emergency room visits, and other medical services, with REI covering the other 80 percent. The in-network out-of-pocket maximum is $3,600, though there is no out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network services.

The health care offering is part of a $50 million expenditure REI has made this year to bring across-the-board pay raises and healthcare coverage to employees, Knigge said.

鈥淥ur employees are REI, so anything we can do to increase benefits and opportunities is in line with what we鈥檙e about,鈥� Knigge added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about people, not hours.鈥�

Enrollment for the new program begins this month.

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We鈥檙e picking companies every month that have impressed us with their recent business savvy鈥攚hether through a new product release, a canny marketing move, a grabby social-media post, social and environmental issues or something else entirely that we didn鈥檛 see coming. The goal: to celebrate the forward thinkers, outside-the-box strategists, and generally awesome professionals moving the outdoor industry forward.

So, with a pencils-on-desk drumroll, here are September鈥檚 picks.

Winner: Patagonia

Patagonia founder and owner Yvon Chouinard made international headlines in September when he announced that he was giving away his $3 billion company to help protect the environment. Chouinard and his family have placed control of the company鈥檚 direction into a trust and created a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit that will receive all profits not reinvested in the business and spend them on environmental causes. That charitable sum is estimated to reach $100 million a year.

In establishing the new corporate structure, Chouinard and his family have ensured that Patagonia鈥檚 mission of being in business to 鈥渟ave our home planet鈥� continues for generations to come.

Runner-Up: REI with Outdoor Afro Inc.

Last month, REI and Outdoor Afro Inc. launched a co-created line of outdoor clothing designed to 鈥渃elebrate the nature in all of us.鈥� The Outdoor Afro Inc. + REI Co-op Hike Collection features clothing and footwear in sizes, colors, and graphics that celebrate and encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors comfortably and stylishly.

鈥淏lack people have always spent time outside across a variety of activities, but the community has always felt a gap in finding gear that fits, functions well, feels good, and represents their personal style,鈥� said Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro Inc., a for-profit group that collaborates with companies on design, marketing, and sales. 鈥淩EI was the right partner to listen deeply and help us create a collection that would start to meet those needs.鈥�

Mapp began the nonprofit Outdoor Afro (distinct from Outdoor Afro Inc.) in 2010 to encourage all people to get outside and enjoy nature. As part of her new joint venture with REI, Mapp unveiled Outdoor Afro Inc., which is now working to design and bring to market a variety of outdoor gear aimed at making the industry more inclusive.

Runner-Up: The North Face

The North Face also announced last month that, from now on, it鈥檚 calling all of its fleece products High Pile Fleece and discontinuing the name 鈥淪herpa鈥� in its designs.

鈥淔or decades, The North Face and the broader textile and fashion industries have used the term Sherpa to describe fleece material,鈥� The North Face said in a statement. 鈥淏ut Sherpa is not an adjective; it is a term used to describe the Sherpa people鈥攁 group with a rich cultural heritage and an integral role in the world of mountaineering.鈥�

The former Sherpa name referred to the thick fleece that resembled the wool outers commonly worn by members of the Sherpa community, famous for their heroic mountaineering deeds in summiting (and helping others summit) Mount Everest and the planet鈥檚 other highest peaks.

While the use of the term was intended as a respectful nod to the Sherpa culture and its contributions to mountaineering, The North Face said it recognizes that many of its customers remain unaware of who the Sherpa people are and of their contributions and sacrifices to exploration. Alongside the name change, The North Face is also launching a campaign designed to celebrate and educate its customer base about the Sherpa culture and highlight the accomplishments of the Sherpa community, including The North Face athlete team member Dawa Sherpa.

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REI and the California-based organization Outdoor Afro Inc. have collaborated on a new line of technical apparel designed to address gaps in the outdoor market and make gear more inclusive for all customers, both groups announced this week. The co-branded line has been in the works for two years.

鈥淣ature has been, and will continue to be, a place where Black people seek connection and respite,鈥� said , founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro Inc., a for-profit group that collaborates with companies on design, marketing, and sales efforts. The organization is distinct from the nonprofit Outdoor Afro, also founded by Mapp, which oversees a national network of volunteers in 60 cities to promote outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.

鈥淏lack people have always spent time outside across a variety of activities, but the community has always felt a gap in finding gear that fits, functions well, feels good, and represents their personal style,鈥� Mapp said. 鈥淩EI was the right partner to listen deeply and help us create a collection that would start to meet those needs.鈥�

In an posted to its website yesterday, REI wrote that building the line meant 鈥渃onsidering the range of Black body shapes that the clothes will fit and respecting the culture鈥檚 interpretations of nature. It [meant] exploring a broader range of fit modeling, bold, celebratory colors, and materials that work with textured hairstyles.鈥� The initial 22-piece collection includes leggings, fleeces, shells, and boots designed with input from Mapp and others at Outdoor Afro Inc. about color, style, and function.

鈥淭his collaboration with Outdoor Afro Inc. was not optional for us,鈥� said Maureen Estep, REI deputy vice president of strategic brand partnerships. 鈥淭his was not a question of 鈥楽hould we?鈥� It was 鈥楬ow soon can we?鈥� It was a commitment to lean into a partnership through an inclusive approach, and it changed us. We turned on a truly inclusive design process. It defined how we worked and who we brought into the work.鈥�

The collection uses technical lightweight and stretch materials that promote breathability and are easy to care for. REI wrote on its website that 鈥渢he line is a mashup of iconic 鈥�80s and 鈥�90s silhouettes coupled with modern details inspired by the Black community: a play on throwback jackets, a riff on parachute pants, and items printed with a Black folks would gather for rest and fellowship.鈥�

Mapp emphasized that, though the collection was designed with the Black community in mind, 鈥渋t also solves universal needs. We’re creating a better outdoor product for everyone.鈥�

To support the collection launch, Outdoor Afro Inc. and REI are debuting a new marketing campaign, .

鈥淲hat I realized is that everyone wanted access to the Black market from a diversity, equity, and inclusion point of view,鈥� Mapp said in summing up the effort, 鈥渂ut no one was truly creating accessible and stylish options that actually accommodated our body shapes. This fashion line is us,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e are also nature.鈥�

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We鈥檙e trying something new here at OBJ. Every month, we鈥檙e picking one company that has impressed us with its recent business savvy鈥攚hether through a new product release, a canny marketing move, a grabby social-media post, or something else entirely that we didn鈥檛 see coming. The goal: to celebrate the forward thinkers, outside-the-box strategists, and generally awesome professionals moving the industry forward.

So, without further ado, this month鈥檚 pick.

Winner: Solo Stove

Solo Stove is on a mission to bring fire to the masses鈥攁nd not just to those who have access to huge outdoor spaces. The brand鈥檚 new Mesa tabletop fire pit (pictured above) is targeted at customers with limited space, such as those who live in apartments. It鈥檚 also nice for some quick and clean ambiance without the hassle of hauling out a full-size pit. Why do we think this is such a great business move? Simple: the outdoor customer base is expanding fast, and brands of all sizes are looking for ways not just to capture existing markets, but to create new ones. This new offering does just that.

Small and colorful thanks to its five different ceramic shells, the Mesa burns wood, wood pellets, and alcohol fuel. Not everybody wants to drop $400 or more on a heavy fire pit, and we鈥檙e down with any product that introduces outdoor brands to a wider audience.

You can .

Runner Up: REI/Airstream

REI鈥檚 partnership with Airstream follows the path Tesla so successfully trod with its ultra-premium rethinking of the electric passenger vehicle: entering a growing market segment at the highest possible price point, rather than going the budget route. Sure, REI could potentially have started manufacturing trailers to undercut a company like Airstream on price, but it likely would have hurt the co-op鈥檚 brand.

Instead, starting at $52,900, Airstream鈥檚 is not an impulse buy by any means, which is exactly the point. REI seems to be targeting those younger customers who once upon a time trawled the co-op鈥檚 Garage Sales for used gear, but have since moved to a higher income bracket and brought with them their brand loyalty.

Super sleek and touting recycled interior materials, the Basecamp can be towed by lots of vehicles, not just trucks, which fits perfectly with the target market. In our estimation, this is a product aimed at REI customers first and foremost. Smaller vehicles and crossovers are therefore shrewdly accommodated. Airstream, for its part, is no doubt looking at the collab as a gateway drug for REI customers who might require the comfort of a familiar brand to help them start exploring more of the trailer company’s iconic products, which have helped defined the American road trip鈥攐r at least the aesthetic of it鈥攕ince 1931.

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REI鈥檚 Berkeley, California, store has officially unionized after a was certified on August 25. With the successful vote, Berkeley becomes the second REI location to unionize, after the Manhattan flagship store completed a similar effort in March with a wider 88-to-14 vote.

The Berkeley store will join Hayward-based , which represents 30,000 workers. REI鈥檚 Berkeley store has 116 employees who were eligible to vote, of which 94 returned mail-in ballots to the National Labor Relations Board for counting.

On the Berkeley REI union member鈥檚 , statements from employees were posted alongside a link encouraging other REI stores to form their own unions.

“This opportunity to have a voice in my work world gives me great hope for all my other green vests at REI and retail workers nationally,鈥� said REI Berkeley employee Sharon Delap on the site. 鈥淚mproving our daily experience and having our needs met by management with a union contract will help us better serve our REI community.”

鈥淎s we have said throughout this process, REI believes in the right of every employee to vote for or against union representation,鈥� REI鈥檚 corporate office said in a statement. 鈥淲e fully supported the vote process in Berkeley and will continue to support our employees going forward.鈥�

Barring objections made before August 31, the vote will be certified and REI must start bargaining in good faith with its Berkeley employees, according to the NLRB.

The REI Berkeley union鈥檚 and pages were filled with congratulatory messages from both customers and employees, along with calls for other REI stores to organize.

鈥淭his is only the beginning,鈥� said one Facebook post. 鈥淭he real way forward is with a union! We cannot wait to join our siblings at @reiunionsoho. Now, who鈥檚 next?鈥�

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Eddie Bauer is getting into the used-gear game. With the brand鈥檚 expansion of its program this month鈥攚hich now offers resale products at huge markdowns, as well as gear rentals鈥攖he company joins a growing movement to make the outdoor space more inclusive and environmentally sound by eschewing the 鈥渘ew, new, new鈥� mantra of the past.

鈥淥ur goal with the (Re)黑料吃瓜网 program is to provide a more accessible option for getting people outdoors, as well as reducing our environmental footprint,鈥� vice president of Eddie Bauer marketing, Kristen Elliott, told OBJ. 鈥淭he program allows us to bring technical apparel and gear to more people at an approachable cost, and ensure more people have the outdoor experiences they want.鈥�

Eddie Bauer is only the latest in a growing list of brands using circular commerce to offer affordable products to more customers and keep goods out of landfills.

Here are five other companies with similar programs.

Patagonia

Through Patagonia鈥檚 program, customers can trade in their worn and torn Patagonia clothing, which is then patched and resold, in exchange for store credit. The mismatched colors from the scrap fabric used to patch tears is touted as a selling point. (And, in truth, some of the of old Patagonia gear are pretty cool.)

REI

Who doesn鈥檛 need more REI gift cards? Co-op members get one when they trade in clothing through the retailer鈥檚 program. Pieces are assessed, cleaned, and then put back into the world through REI鈥檚 .

The North Face

Returned, damaged, and defective North Face clothing is repaired and offered at discount prices through the company鈥� program鈥攚hich, like Patagonia鈥檚, leans hard into the funky, bohemian vibe that cutting up clothing and sewing mismatched parts back together inevitably produces. Clothing that has been patched is sold as its own dedicated collection, called .

础谤肠鈥檛别谤测虫

Feeling entrepreneurial? The 鈥渄ead bird鈥� company allows customers to sell used 础谤肠鈥檛别谤测虫 clothing and gear themselves through its听听program. Customers using the program receive a give card good toward purchases online and at Arc’teryx’s retail locations.

Stio

厂迟颈辞鈥檚 program pays up to 25 percent of original retail value for used Stio pieces that customers send in. Participants receive a credit that can be used for purchases at Stio.com or any location.

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