SealSkinz USA Increases Its Cycling-Specific Offerings

BROOMFIELD, Colo. - Oct. 29, 2015 - SealSkinz USA, the endurance accessories manufacturer known for waterproof and breathable socks, gloves, and hats, has significantly expanded its cycling-specific offerings. At the recent Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, it launched its ISPO Award-winning Halo Overshoe and introduced its first-ever line of warm weather products. Halo Overshoes are available to dealers now; the Spring/Summer 2016 line, composed of eighteen products, will ship to retailers in February 2016.

“We had a fantastic Interbike,” said Shawn Pritchett,

SealSkinz USA’s sales and operations director. “Dealer response at the show was very positive, particularly for our newest items. SealSkinz has long been known as the ‘go-to’ brand for managing moisture, and our first-ever spring/summer line is the next chapter in that story. It’s also the first time we’ve offered MTB-specific accessories.”

He continued, “One item that literally caught people’s attention on the show floor is our Halo Overshoe, which has a built-in LED light that’s visible from 1,600 feet away. Leading bike publications in the UK have raved about the Halo, and said that it’s ‘Tron-like cool’.”

SealSkinz introduced the Halo, a waterproof and breathable overshoe, earlier this year in Europe. It won a 2015 ISPO Gold Award in the Outdoor Accessories category for its quality manufacturing and innovative design. Halo is offered in lightweight and neoprene versions and has an MSRP of $60.

SealSkinz’ 2016 spring/summer product, which is available in both traditional and new bright colors, is almost entirely designed for cyclists, with fourteen unique mountain- and road-specific items. A key feature returning to the line is SealSkinz’ patented StretchDry technology, which makes its products fit close to the body, while ensuring they are waterproof and breathable. SealSkinz has also implemented water repellent technology in the line.

SealSkinz designed its new, lightweight and non-waterproof products for the warmer summer months. The company holds true to its British heritage, keeping summer showers in mind as it created water repellent single-layer gloves and socks. Rain beads and runs off, and the accessories dry considerably more quickly than non-coated products. SealSkinz’ water repellent treatment also renders fabric water-and stain-resistant without altering its weight, breathability, thickness, or texture.

Explained Pritchett, “The main benefit offered by our spring/summer line is that moisture doesn’t penetrate through the fabric. At the same time, these accessories wick away interior perspiration to keep users cool. Our technology enables us to make lighter weight products that offer superb protection from the elements, without the insulating effect that most people have come to associate with water repellency.”

Madeleine Classic Glove

SealSkinz’ new road gloves, the Madeleine Classic and Ventoux Classic, both feature its water repellent and fast drying technology. The gloves, suitable for racing, casual, or commuting cyclists, have vented palms, anatomically positioned padding, and stretch fabric for excellent, gap-free fit. MSRP is $60 for the full-fingered and touchscreen-friendly Madeleine, and $48 for the short-fingered Ventoux.

MTB Ankle with Hydrostop

Given SealSkinz’ strong appeal to mountain bike riders, it developed its first-ever MTB-specific products for the spring/summer 2016 line. There are two gloves and four socks, including the newMTB Ankle Sock with Hydrostop, MSRP $52. This thin-weight sock is waterproof and features SealSkinz’ Hydrostop technology, a silicone-free elasticized taping inside the cuff to reduce ingress of water into the sock. The sock provides minimal insulation and maximum breathability with elasticized ankles and insteps for excellent fit.

Dragon Eye Trail Glove

Two additional MTB- specific items, the new Dragon Eye MTB and Dragon Eye Trail gloves, expand options for trail and cyclocross riders who demand comfort and dexterity in a full-fingered glove. The single-layer Dragon Eye Trail Glove, MSRP $60, is touchscreen friendly and has pre-curved fingers, laminated stretch material on the back of the hand, and a synthetic suede palm. Its sibling, the Dragon Eye MTB Glove, a fully wind- and waterproof glove offered at MSRP $72, is perfect for early spring riding. It’s a lightweight, non-insulated, and breathable glove that features SealSkinz’ anti-slip construction, which completely eliminates liner pull-out.

“Our foray into warm weather product is a direct result of customer demand,” summarized Pritchett. “Based on our Ambassador testing and feedback from dealers at Interbike, we seem to be on the right track with the new offerings.”

For more information about SealSkinz USA, please visit www.sealskinz.com/US. Dealers who are interested in SealSkinz may contact [email protected].

SealSkinz USA is the North American subsidiary of SealSkinz, the popular British endurance accessories manufacturer. Its motto is, “get out and stay out, whatever the weather.” Its products are sold in over 40 countries around the world, and its patented technologies enjoy high demand in outdoor, cycling, hunting/fishing, equestrian, marine, and military markets. SealSkinz is known as the ‘go to’ product for breathable wet weather protection.

SealSkinz USA, headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, was established as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2013. Prior to this, SealSkinz products were available in the United States under a private licensing agreement. Now with full control of its sales and marketing efforts, SealSkinz USA is rapidly expanding its US retailer network of premium outdoor specialty stores and independent bicycle dealers. It is also a proud vendor partner of Quality Bicycle Products. More information is available at www.sealskinz.com/US.

Julie Kelly, SOAR Communications, 801.656.0472 x2 (wk) / 760.672.2527 (cell), [email protected]