The Daily - August 11,2021 - 22

Ideas
B I G N E W S
luck. " In outdoor stores, I often feel
like I need to announce my résumé
of climbs before I can be taken seriously, "
she says.
It's been a long trail, but the outdoor
industry is (slowly) taking notice
of Whitely and other people who
don't fit the stereotype of uber-fit
outdoor adventurers. Maybe that's
because 67% of women are size 12
and above, and outdoor apparel
manufacturers are no dummies.
" I'm an influencer for L.L.Bean (a
connection she made at the Show),
and I've worked with Keen and
Discover Puerto Rico to help open
the door to the plus-size market, "
says Whitely, who's also doing some
work with Columbia Sportswear
later this year and is on the board of
directors of Come Alive Outside, a
Vermont-based nonprofit. She's been
featured in People, in The New York
Times, and on CNN. Chrissy Metz,
the groundbreaking star of This is
Us, is producing a movie version
of her book- " and starring as me, "
Whitely adds.
Her biggest frustration is that
while the majority of women-even
women who hike, climb, and trail
run-are not slender and ripped,
this fact is still not reflected in the
images of women in outdoor advertising
and marketing. " Although
plus-size influencers like myself are
starting to find homes with outdoor
companies, we are still rare, " Whitely
says. " Most people don't know
that extended sizes exist. Brands
go to all the work of producing a
plus-size line and then don't market
it well. "
" In writing they say, 'show, don't
tell,' " says Whitely. " It is time for the
industry to do the very same thing. "
Trango's
Stratus Crash
Pad in action
GOING BIG,
FEELING AT HOME
Trango launches its biggest
collection in a decade.
By Berne Broudy
" Trango is a different company
from 10 years ago,
and we want to be the most
compelling climbing brand
out there, " says Chris Klinke,
Trango's president. " We
believe that whatever discipline
you're into and whatever
ability level you're at, you are
a climber. "
This week, Trango (40027CARRY
ALL-WITH EASE
Kuat's one-hand operable Piston Pro X sets a new standard for
ease of use, safety, and durability when it comes to bicycle-carrying
hitch racks.
Kuat's latest bike frame-contact-free rack has Kashima-coated piston
wheel arms that hydraulically open with the squeeze of a lever,
so that even if your bike is in hand, it's easy to load. Arms fold in
from tip and tail making it easy to offset handlebars and pedals.
The Kashima coated ratchet arms ensure durability, and you don't
have to worry about scratching them as you would with Kashima
suspension as there's no oil inside.
The wobble-free rack sits close to the vehicle so it's less of a
swinging tail when you're backing up or bouncing down a dirt
road. Its integrated taillights are visible when the rack is loaded
and also when it's folded.
The sleek, all-metal rack is as tough as it is beautiful. Thanks to
750-hour salt spray testing and a semi-integrated and robust locking
system that allows you to store the cable in the vehicle, muck and
grime won't gum up it up. See it in the lobby here at the Show. -B.B.
22
/ OUTDOOR RETAILER SUMMER 2021
UL) is showing its biggest collection
of new climbing gear
in a decade. The collection, as
well as a host of 2020 product
launches, are part of the company's
commitment to develop
product across gym, boulder,
sport, trad and alpine climbing
in order to have a comprehensive
product line for all climbers,
whether you're slipping
into a pair of sport-specific
shoes for the first time or tackling
a 6,000-meter peak.
" This year when people
come to the Trango booth at
the OR Show, everything will
be different from 2019, " says
Klinke. " Instead of pulling back
during the pandemic, we went
full bore into developing new
products. "
In 2020, the company introduced
six new harnesses,
offset nuts, and a new training
board. This year, the company
is launching its first crash pad,
new shoes, a mountaineering
axe, new carabiners, and more.
Trango's Be a Climber campaign
attempts to broaden
the definition of climbing to
illustrate how Trango supports
climbers in any discipline they
choose. " That's our product
philosophy, " says Klinke.
This year, look for the Tenaya
Tanta Lace ($99), which
has a slightly downturned toe
and a less aggressive heel for a
comfortable fit that's ideal for
long days, gym sessions, and
maximum mileage. It's made
from synthetic leather with a
cotton liner for comfort.
Trango's Stratus Crashpad
($249) optimizes carrying
comfort with height-adjustable
shoulder straps and an
adjustable sternum strap.
" The removable hardware
system keeps the pad free
of straps during use, and it
keeps the straps dirt-free for
the hike ou philosophy, " says
Klinke.
" We're constantly asking
how you improve the safety
of climbing " says Klinke.
" One of the things we
learned last year is that loads
of people are now climbing as
a recreational pastime. Climbing
is a lifestyle sport now, it's
more mainstream. With our
'Be a Climber' motto, we want
everybody to know they can
be a climber, " says Klinkle.
" With our new product offerings,
we're creating access
points to the sport. "
COURTESY TRANGO, COURTESY KUAT
The Daily - August 11,2021

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