Gregory Releases Plus-Size Pack Collection
Last week, Gregory, one of the outdoor industry’s leading pack companies, launched the industry’s first Plus Size Collection of backpacks. Their line offers 14 different pack styles and fits the apparel equivalent of 2x through 6x sizing. According to Gregory, the new collection addresses sizing gaps and provides pack solutions for hikers and backpackers of all sizes.
To help design the collection, Gregory teamed up with Junney Bruso and her group, Unlikely Hikers, a diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoors person. Jenny and her group worked with designers by providing feedback in prototype testing, fit testing, and overall reviews of the products each step of the way.
“For years, I just had to ‘make it work’ with gear that was uncomfortable, didn’t fit, and wasn’t safe,” Jenny Bruso, founder of Unlikely Hikers, said in a statement. “It’s more than inconvenient; when the gear isn’t made for you, you start to internalize that message after time and it feels like you are not welcome or shouldn’t be out there in the first place. Gregory is changing that, and so far the feedback I’ve gotten online has been amazing. People are SO excited to finally have a pack that fits well and is comfortable.”
The new plus-size collection is part of the overall efforts Gregory has been putting towards a more inclusive outdoors with their Gateway Program.
“We want to empower everyone to hit the trail,” John Sears, Vice President of Gregory Packs, said in a press release. “When we started this project we quickly realized, through research and the outpouring of support, that there is a huge gap in sizing in outdoor gear. We have always supported and partnered with groups to create a more inclusive outdoor community. This collection is just taking our mission to the next level, and creating packs that support ALL of our customers.”
Bike and Camp for the Summer Solstice
Calling all bike-packers, get ready to ride and pitch a tent on June 19-20. Swift Industries, a female-owned brand that designs and builds bicycle bags in Seattle, is launching its 7th annual Swift Campout Solstice Bike Overnight, which encourages bikers all over the world to get out on their bikes and camp out on the longest day/shortest night of the year.
Every year, Swift features an artist to design all the artwork for the project. This year, artist and bike industry mainstay Chris McNally, known for their dreamy fantasy-like watercolor style scenes, took the spot. Campers are encouraged to explore McNally’s work for their many fun and informative “hidden gems” throughout each piece.
“Swift continues to push the envelope as a gear brand that has put roots in a unique space between the cycling and outdoor industries–two marketplaces whose cultures did not overlap when Swift Industries entered the arena in 2008,” the company stated in their press release. “Swift keeps nurturing their culture by gathering a unique blend of cycling and outdoor brands such as Bedrock Sandals, Black Coffee Roasters, Kitsbow, Nocs Provisions, Ombraz, The Radavist, Rapha, Reyr Gear, Six Moon Designs, Snow Peak, and Swift Adventure Co.”
Summer Jams Get Started at Georgia’s Rock City
A weekly music series, Summer Music Weekends, returned to Lookout Mountain last week, featuring local and regional artists playing live while visitors enjoy the scenery, tunes, and local food. Shows will run every Friday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. from now through Labor Day weekend, including holidays and daily July 2-11.
These regularly scheduled events will consist of country, folk, and bluegrass acts with live performances by the Old Time Traveler Matt Downer, NBC’s The Voice Finalist Amber Carrington, Highbeams, Tarryn Aimee Smith, and many other special guests on select Fridays.
Along with the refreshments and food offered from the local Cafe 7, there will also be raptor shows that feature a variety of birds of prey including owls, hawks, eagles, and more. Visitors have the opportunity to see the rescued birds fly overhead along with up-close encounters starting at 10 a.m. with seven showtimes daily. See the full schedule here: seerockcity.com/summermusic.
