Colorado is an outdoor industry hub. So it comes as no surprise that just outside the Mile High City, lives an outdoor collective unlike any other: the Outdoor Market Alliance (OMA).
The non-profit, founded in 2020, includes 25 independent sales and marketing agencies and represents “over 175 brands in the Outdoors, Resort, Run and Bike markets in the Rockies.” That’s a lot of energy across a 32,000 square foot showroom and meeting venue.
So what’s their intent?
Elevate brand and retailer experiences through their showrooms while supporting community-driven initiatives by committing time and funds to environmental causes, diversity and inclusivity in the ever-growing outdoor industry.
But how do they do it?
A lot of ways. Most recently, it included OMA’s their second media showroom event, the Denver Media Show.
This year, Elevation Outdoors editors and contributors joined the OMA Denver Media Show for a stoke-inducing sneak peek into what their retailer partners are bringing to the table this year.
There were a few in-our-face themes that surfaced at this year’s event:
First, colors are in! From exciting trail running footwear release from Scarpa to fresh backcountry ski kits coming out of Helly Hanson to fresh Klean Kanteen food and beverage vessels, colors are popping!
Second, be on the look out for multi-purpose gear and apparel. While we checked out several purpose/activity-driven pieces, the abundance of upcoming releases that are at as home in the outdoors as they are at the office or out to dinner left the secret minimalist in me smiling!
And third, the outdoor industry is a leader in sustainability and innovation, with GORE TEX at the helm.
While we can’t share everything just yet, here are three great brands to watch out for in the coming months! Find out more at each of the brand links below.
Krimson Klover offers fresh styles and ready-for-anything gear
This all-women, Colorado-based brand is known for their apres flair, creative patterns and functional designs, and this season, they’re launching a few new pieces you’re not going to want to miss – including new mountain bike shorts and fresh swimsuits.
Our favorite part? The new mountain bike shorts are a go-anywhere option. If you’re a rider that wants shorts that can take you from the trail to town in style, you’ll want to stay tuned.
Visit Krimson Klover later this month (March 2023) for the release.
Cotopaxi launches sustainability-minded gear…for kids!
That’s right! Your favorite color-packed, earth-minded company has taken their tried and true classics and sized them for little ones. From the crowd-favorite, Fuego puffy jacket to the Teca Fleece and Do Good Organica T-shirt, the new Cotopaxi kids collection is on point.
Our favorite part? This lineup brings the same commitment to sustainability as the original offerings, including clothing made with Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down, recycled fleece and repurposed polyester materials and organic cotton.
(Image courtesy of Cotopaxi)
GORE-TEX grows brand commitment to Perfluorochemicals (PFC)-free Innovative Expanded Polyethylene (ePE) Membrane
I know that’s a lot of large, scientific words, but what it comes down to is GORE-TEX is continuing to bring their A game to gear for outdoor enthusiasts. While the group launched this effort in the fall of 2022 with just a few brands signing on, more companies will have this new technology featured in some of the best adventure apparel products this year.
Our favorite part? This new membrane technology is doing Mother Nature a solid while continuing to be an insanely durable, waterproof, windproof and breathable product. It’s light and thin, yet strong and in addition to being PFC-free, it has a reduced carbon footprint (per Higg MSI) thanks to its lower material mass and new material combination.
(Image courtesy of GORE-TEX)
