Backcountry.com

It was another busy month for the industry. We can't deny it—some of the biggest news in November was quite tragic. We lost a beloved member of our community, Jim Ramey, and saw one of our favorite gear shops, Townsend Bertram & Company, say goodbye after 32 years in the ...read more

Additional reporting and writing by SNEWS contributing editor Kiran Herbert On October 31, 2019, The Colorado Sun broke a huge story that became one of the year’s biggest scandals in the outdoor industry. According to the Sun, the large online retailer Backcountry.com had engaged ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Missing hiker found alive: A 38-year-old woman who went missing in Zion National Park almost two weeks ago was discovered alive over the weekend. [CNN] Climate change and the election: Follow this comprehensive guide to ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web What you can do right now: This list of resources can help outdoor industry professionals educate themselves about Black Lives Matter and become better allies to those fighting for justice and inclusion. [The Trek] ...read more

Backcountry announced leadership changes today. Melanie Cox will serve as CEO, replacing Jonathan Nielsen, and Sarah Crockett will serve in the newly created role of chief marketing officer. Cox comes to Backcountry from fast fashion brand rue21 where she was interim CEO. Cox ...read more

Keep up with all the important outdoor news by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. Stay up to date and get Industry Buzz delivered to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter. New blood at Camber: Meet ...read more

Where and how people shop is a perpetually hot topic around here, and with good reason: It defines the very core of our industry and illustrates some of our biggest challenges. (That's why the big cover store in Issue #3 of The Voice dives deep into the "Big A" with lots of ...read more

Just as the Backcountry backlash has faded from the news cycle, another big company has filed a trademark for a word frequently used in the outdoorist lexicon: basecamp. Volkswagen unveiled its Atlas Basecamp concept—a rugged touring machine for all types of adventure—at the 2019 ...read more

Over the last 12 months, we've published more than 630 stories—along with two 100-page magazines—on topics most relevant and important to the outdoor industry. From Alex Honnold's Oscar win to unrest at Camber Outdoors, we've covered the highs and lows that define our 2019 as an ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. Big kudos: Judy Gross, owner of LightHeart Gear, is this year's recipient of the Business North Carolina's Small Business of the Year Award. Gross celebrated the ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. Backcountry's apology tour: Boise Gear Collective announced that it has partnered with Backcountry for a multi-year deal that includes the Idaho retailer selling ...read more

Not only is Backcountry apologizing to smaller brands impacted by its trademark litigation, the online retailer has formed partnerships with at least three so far as part of making reparations with consumers and the outdoor community. On Monday night, Wild Barn Coffee—formerly ...read more

Backcountry CEO Jonathan Nielsen said he received an online threat from someone last week after he released a public letter of apology regarding the company's trademark-enforcement strategy. The Park Record reported that the online retailer's general counsel reported the threat ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Backcountry update: Following the backlash the online retailer faced, the CEO decided to take action. Is what he's doing enough to regain the trust of customers ...read more

When the outdoor community found out that Backcountry had been filing petitions and lawsuits against other businesses over its trademark, a social media storm ensued. People demanded that they stop and apologize. Many urged the company to pay reparations. More than 21,000 people ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] On this Veterans Day, we want to thank everyone who has served our country: Stacy Bare shares a note about recognizing this day. Paris Climate Agreement: As the ...read more

Circulating a letter of apology was the first step. Now, Backcountry CEO Jonathan Nielsen says he is making personal calls and visits to repair relationships with companies hurt in the online retailer's trademark litigation over use of the word "backcountry." Nielsen confirmed ...read more

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Connect show went down as planned over the weekend, despite the cancellation of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, which was to be held in the days following Connect. Connect is a critical microcosm and bellwether of the outdoor industry, and SNEWS was ...read more

As controversy swirls and customer outrage mounts around how Backcountry is defending its trademark, the Utah-based online retailer has potentially lost thousands of customers in its fight for the use of a single word that the outdoor industry loves to use: “backcountry.” The ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Tomorrow is National Public Lands Day, which means admission to all National Parks is free. More than 100,000 volunteers are expected to help the National ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Coverage opportunity: Is your business doing something for the Global Climate Strike from Sept. 20 to 27? Let Assistant Editor Amelia Arvesen know at ...read more

Many knew John Bresee as one of Backcountry’s founders, but many more knew him as a man who loved living on the edge. A strong intellect and wit drove him to constantly be seeking the extraordinary, and ultimately led him to his exceptionally successful life. He spent June 28, ...read more

In front of a room of journalists in March, Jonathan Nielsen described himself as really good snowboarder, a frequent mountain biker, and an adequate climber. The audience chuckled and the Backcountry CEO took a pause before spilling his excitement over the company's biggest ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. Collaboration between Outdoor Industry Association and footwear brands in the industry led to approval of Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) petitions by the U.S. ...read more