Outdoor Brands Are Stepping Up During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Here’s How

People are stepping up to help others during the COVID-19 epidemic. But what are outdoor brands doing specifically? Read here find out.

Right now, taking measures to help our communities is more important than ever. Just because we’re apart doesn’t mean we can’t stand together.

Here are a few brands that are stepping up to help frontline workers and communities fight and protect against coronavirus.

Brands That Are Donating

CamelBak has launched its “Give Bak” program to give away 10,000 reusable water bottles to healthcare workers and those on the frontline. Frontline personnel can reach out to CamelBak at social@camelbak.com to submit a request for their organization or facility. To read the brand’s full response efforts, click here.

Chrome Industries is matching 20% when you make a purchase: you save 20%, it donates 20%. Proceeds go to One Fair Wage Emergency Fund.

Make a purchase, and ClubRide Apparel gives you 15% back and matches 15% in a donation. Proceeds go to The Hunger Coalition.

Maho Shades is matching 20% when you make a purchase — you save 20%, it donates 20%. Use the code UWBC. Proceeds go to a chapter of United Way’s Community Crisis Fund.

Rhone is donating 10% of all proceeds through May 1 to Direct Relief.

Luminox is donating 10% of all proceeds through April 10 to Direct Relief.

The North Face is donating $1 million in grants to communities across the globe as well as 60,000 gloves to healthcare and frontline workers.

HOKA ONE ONE is donating 5,000 pairs of shoes to healthcare workers and $1 million in grants and to emergency funds like this one.

Backcountry is providing 9,000 face masks to the New York Department of Homeless Services and has also launched an online fundraiser to help others donate.

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SAXX is running a special for all frontline workers — 30% off briefs and tees.

Airstream is loaning Nest trailers to cities in need of testing sites as well as making masks to donate to hospitals.

Jayco RV is donating RV trailers to function as testing sites at a local hospital for COVID-19 patients.

KEEN Footwear donated 100,000 pairs of shoes to frontline workers in need.

Cotopaxi is sending proceeds from all #OneUtah shirt purchases to COVID-19 relief efforts in Utah.

RMU Outdoors is donating the proceeds from #StandApartNotAlone tees to local mountain towns in need.

Merrell has donated 1,200 pairs of shoes to frontline workers in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

OOFOS Footwear is donating 2,000 pairs of shoes to 10 hospitals across the country. The brand is also offering discounts to medical personnel in need of shoes.

Swiftwick has launched a buy one, get one program for compression socks through its website.

Honey Stinger is donating its energy snacks and products to hospitals in 15 states across the U.S.

Brands Making Masks

DPS Skis, Goal Zero, Petzl, and Eastman Machine Company have joined forces to make reusable PPE face shields for the Utah Department of Health. 

Orvis is making face masks at its Virginia manufacturing center for members of the homeless community and is donating the masks through Rescue Mission.

Chaco is using its mobile repair factory to manufacture masks and gowns for frontline workers.

Lightning Kayaks is making masks exclusively for first responders and hospital workers. It’s also asking for donations to aid in the process.

Melanzana is making masks for first responders and hospitals in Colorado.

Outdoor Research is working to make all types of masks — fabric, surgical, and N95 — in its Seattle factory. The brand hopes to scale production in the factory to upwards of 200,000 masks per day.

Eddie Bauer is manufacturing the much-needed N95 masks for healthcare workers.

Nike is making protective face shields for frontline workers.

Osprey is using its Colorado factory to make fabric masks for healthcare workers throughout the state.

SylvanSport is making face masks for medical workers (for sale).

Mustang Survival is switching over its factories to make level 3 certified PPE and hospital gowns for frontline workers.

Woodchuck is manufacturing medical-standard PPE for healthcare workers.

Shaggy Skis is making face shields for healthcare workers.

O’Neills Sportswear is making surgical masks and scrubs for frontline workers.

Kitsbow Cycling Apparel is making PPE masks for first responders and healthcare workers (for sale).

Industry Nine is making face masks and will assist in producing parts for ventilators.

Bauer Hockey is making face shields for healthcare workers and government agencies.

3T Bike is using its factory to make valves for breathing devices instead of bike parts and making ventilator masks out of diving masks.

Cascade Designs, which owns brands like MSR, PackTowl, and more, is transforming its factories to produce level 1 medical protection masks.

Dippin’ Daisy’s Swimwear is making face masks for healthcare workers free of charge and is also starting a “buy one, give one” campaign with masks for purchase.

Superfeet shoewear company has transitioned its 3D-printing machines to make respirator masks for medical staff across the Pacific Northwest.

It’s important to remember that because of the national shortage of N95 masks and PPE, you shouldn’t buy a medical mask to stay safe. They should go to frontline workers — instead, follow the CDC’s 6-foot social distancing rule. Or, buy or make a cloth mask instead.

Brands #WorkingFromHome

Over the past 2 months, several outdoor brands have actively reminded us to stay home. Here are a few brands that have launched #workfromhome, #stayhome, and community initiatives:

• La Sportiva
• Black Diamond
• Salomon
• Big Agnes
• Columbia
• Rossignol (check out the Stay Home sale)
• California Cowboy (check out the WFH sale)
• Backcountry.com (check out the WFH sale)
• Smith Optics

No matter what each brand is contributing, the message is clear: Now’s the time to rally and give support. Help your neighbors, stay virtually connected, and donate your time or skills.

Remember, we’re all in this together. And when it’s safe to get back outside, we’ll be there right alongside you.

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