Smartwool Teams With Altra
Smartwool, the manufacturer of Merino wool apparel for active lifestyles, has teamed up with Altra to release a head-to-toe Merino run kit to conquer cold weather. The collection features apparel, accessories, socks and footwear and is available exclusively at REI through the month of October.
Knowing that Merino wool is a natural performance fiber that is warm and naturally breathable while being lightweight, the brands created a collection that features Merino in every piece, including the Altra shoe. The result is a Merino experience that combines technical features with versatile silhouettes, enabling runners to mix and match to find the right layering system for their needs.
The Smartwool apparel and accessories consist of key styles from the brand’s Active Fleece, Intraknit Seamless and Smartloft lines that are designed to be layered for enhanced benefits. Technical features include wind paneling, reflective elements, targeted ventilation, thumbholes, and body mapping.
For the shoe, Altra has enhanced its best-selling Altra Escalante by adding a Smartwool Merino blend Knit upper. This addition improves thermal comfort by 3.5 percent over the standard model. Pairing the Altra Escalante with Smartwool’s Targeted Cushion Run socks offers added support and comfort next to skin, harnessing the benefits of Merino, including moisture management, thermoregulation, and odor resistance.
“The addition of the Smartwool Merino blend upper enhances our promise to runners to keep them running – in comfort, and during the colder fall and winter weather,” explains Jen McLaren, president, Altra and GM North American Key Accounts shared. “The collaboration adds a fresh, stylish look to a shoe known for both running and all-day wear.”
Brooks Partners With runDisney
Brooks Running has been named the official running shoe of the runDisney race series through a new multi-year collaboration that will include Brooks creating Disney-themed running shoes.
As the official running shoe for runDisney, Brooks will offer shoes and provide official race shirts at runDisney race weekends starting with an upcoming 2025 runDisney race. At the same time, Brooks will create Disney-themed running shoes featuring popular Disney characters. And in 2026, Brooks will design Brooks jackets for Club runDisney members.
"The energy that running unlocks is powerful and there's no better illustration of that than the energy you experience at a runDisney race,'' says Melanie Allen, SVP and chief marketing officer at Brooks Running. "We are very proud to work with runDisney and can't wait to create more magic together for runners everywhere.''
The runDisney race series includes six race weekends between Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, plus virtual races, and is among the largest in the United States with more than 170,000 runners participating in its race weekends each race season. Each race weekend features a 5K, 10K, 10-miler or half marathon, challenge events (e.g. 10K and a half marathon) and a health and fitness expo, plus yoga, kids races and post-race parties at select race weekends. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend also
"This collaboration allows runners to marry their passion for the Disney brand with the creativity, technology and running industry expertise that is synonymous with Brooks,'' adds runDisney VP Adam Ball. "We are already busy brainstorming on the many ways we can continue to elevate the Disney running experience for the thousands of recreational and dedicated runners who participate in our runDisney events every year.''
According to a number of news reports, Red Wing Brands of America has confirmed the discontinuation of the Vasque outdoor boot brand.
“Together, we have done remarkable things across the outdoor industry,” said Red Wing in the statement. “But, this market has changed dramatically, particularly over the last several years. What consumers seek and how they want to both shop and buy have changed dramatically. These changes have forced us to re-evaluate our business proposition and opportunity. We have, therefore, made the difficult decision to sunset the Vasque brand and our outdoor business as we know it today.
“This is not a decision that we took lightly. In fact, we evaluated many possible strategic paths. In the end, however, we do not believe that there is a viable path forward. With limited resources, we believe it is best for us to focus on the incredible opportunities we see in our core business and brands at Red Wing Shoe Company.”
Red Wing Shoe did not disclose the timing of the closure, noting that it would “continue to operate the Vasque website for the time being.”
Troy Leonard Joins Greneker To Handle Southeast Region
Troy Leonard, well known in the run specialty business as one of the founders of The Running Event, has joined Greneker’s sales team, where he will be handling sales in the southeastern region and operating out of his home office in Ocala, FL.
Leonard is the former owner and president of Leonard Marketing & Media (a Professional Sales Representative agency specializing in trade shows, consumer events, sports marketing and media sales) and most recently the owner-operator of TLL Ventures, DBA Discount Daze New & Consigned Furniture. Before that Leonard was a business partner of Formula4Media, where he was co-founder of The Running Event.
Leonard can be reached at [email protected]
Tifosi Launches Collection in Support of Breast Cancer Research
Tifosi Optics this month relaunched its popular Breast Cancer Awareness Collection for a third consecutive year. Featuring Tifosi’s active-lifestyle sunglasses in limited-edition pink colorways, 100 percent of net profits from each pair of sunglasses sold on TifosiOptics.com from the Awareness Collection will be donated to support critical educational outreach and research efforts of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation.
By launching the Awareness Collection in October – the national month designated to raising awareness around breast cancer – Tifosi offers advocates an opportunity to purchase and wear stylish pink colorways in time for supporting events, including on breast cancer runs, bike-a-thons, and fundraising events. The advanced sale period also generates additional donations for the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization whose work Tifosi strongly supports.
Since first launching its inaugural Awareness collection in 2022, Tifosi has donated more than $8.6 thousand to Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. The brand is eager to surpass the $10K mark in 2024.
“Each year we’ve launched our Awareness Collection we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from both current and new customers,” says Tifosi co-founder and owner Elizabeth Earley. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Lynn Sage, and we’re honored to contribute to a cause that touches so many lives,” Earley continued.
Since 1985, the Chicago based Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation has raised over $40 million, investing the funds in scholarship programs, research grants, symposiums, and fellowships both locally and globally.
Saucony Launches Black Men Run Collection
This month Saucony is launching a limited-edition TR2 in collaboration with Black Men Run. Black Men Run's mission is to encourage African American males to get out and be active by promoting a healthy lifestyle through participation in recreational running activities. The shoe collaboration features Saucony's TR2 road-to-trail shoe in BMR's-official colors. The TR2 features the BMR logo on the tongue, heel counter and sockliner. MSRP for the shoe is $140.
NuOrder by Lightspeed Appoints New Head of Revenue
NuOrder by Lightspeed has appointed Chris Akrimi as head of revenue for Lightspeed B2B/NuOrder. Most recently, Akrimi was the CEO of The Layer, where he focused on positioning the company at the “forefront of AI-driven product data management.”
Before that, Akrimi was the global chief revenue officer at Joor. He has also held executive leadership positions at Ralph Lauren, Eastpak and Scotch & Soda
Mizuno Running Makes Regional Changes
Mizuno Running recently restructured its sales management team to now include three regional managers. The restructuring comes as Mizuno looks to build on its return to double-digit growth within the company’s running specialty channel. 
Casey Barrett will now oversee the new North region; Greg Udzielak continues to lead the West; and Matt Baum will manage the new South region while continuing as an account executive for the Fleet Feet Sports partnership.
“Mizuno Running places a high priority on building authentic relationships with retailers,” ghe company said in announcing the moves. “This new structure will enhance regional management interactions, enabling the team to identify innovative ways to better serve the specialty market. These changes underscore Mizuno’s commitment to the running specialty channel and its dedication to fostering strong partnerships within the industry.”
Merrell’s Wander Wheel Brought Trail to Manhattan
In a unique move to help New Yorkers “experience the wonders of nature without leaving the city,” last month Merrell brought its “Wonder Wheel” pop-up art installation to New York City. The large, interactive sculpture slowly spins on a static base, moving visitors through worldwide natural environments in the four hemispheres.
From California’s flowering hills, Switzerland’s snowy passes, and Brazil’s dramatic landscapes to the Australian Outback, those who attend the exhibit could explore the “trails within the ‘Wonder Wheel’ as they walk on the moving installation.
To link in some product, Merrell made available its Moab Speed 2 hiking boots for attendees to wear while interacting with the wheel.
“The good that happens when we spend time in nature and on the trail are just within reach, even in the heart of the city,” explains Merrell’s VP–brand marketing, Lindsey Lindemulder. “The Wander Wheel invites New Yorkers to step outside, recharge and find nature in unexpected places.”
The “Wonder Wheel’s” interior surface mimics a hiking trail. Upon entering the space, attendees “encounter a “sensory palate cleanser—natural audio, subtle scents, a wash of color and a visual barrier will prepare them mentally and physically for the immersive experience.”
