Showing posts with label Liberty Mountain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liberty Mountain. Show all posts

8/29/19

Podcast: From Ionic to Iconic- The Story of Nalgene

Science with a Twist did a great podcast about the story of Nalgene bottles. If you're a fan of these iconic water bottles that have become a staple of the outdoor community then you should probably give this a listen!



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8/12/19

20 Uses for a Nalgene

Single-use water bottles are not only wasteful and bad for the environment, but they are also just that- single use. Recently, we asked our employees to come up with a list of uses they have for a reusable Nalgene bottle aside from just drinking out of it. We received a ton of answers and some of them were pretty out there (seriously, our employees have done some weird things with Nalgenes). Without further ado, here is our list of the 20 best uses we received.



1) First Aid Kit- Keep your medical supplies together and dry.
2) Tent Pee Bottle- When it's too cold or too much work to get out of your tent at night but you need to relieve yourself.
3) Food Container- Save a ziplock bag by storing food in your extra bottle.
4) Nails, Nuts, & Bolts Storage- We've all got those miscellaneous nuts and bolts that no longer have their original packaging but we refuse to throw them away because someday they might be exactly what is needed.
5) Message in a Bottle- Hopefully you're never stranded on a desert island and this use is just for fun with friends.
6) Fire Starter Kit- Keep various kindling dry and ready to start a fire in any conditions.
7) Rolling Pin- If your kitchen is too small to keep a big, wooden pin in it just for the occasional rolling of dough.
8) Cookie Cutter- If round cookies are all you crave then you are set.
9) Geocaching- Insert a logbook, pen, and some tchotchkes, bury it, and post the coordinates.
10) Hot Water Bottle Heater- Snuggle up with a bottle of hot water at night for radiant warmth.
11) Hammer Tent Stakes- There's not always a rock around when you're setting up camp.
12) Lantern- Wrap a headlamp so that the light points in to the bottom of your bottle.
13) Ice Pack- Fill it up with some ice and ease those injuries.
14) Muscle Roller- Roll out your muscles wherever you are.
15) Waterproof Container- It doesn't just keep water in, it also keeps it out.
16) Washing Clothes- Clean your socks and undies on the go with soapy water and some shaking.
17) Vase- Glass breaks. Give your flowers a safer home.
18) Toothbrush Holder- Keep those bristles clean.
19) Winter Car Kit- Keep some small essentials like an emergency blanket, mini flashlight, handwarmers, and more together in case of a roadside emergency.
20) Weight for Bear Bag- Tie a line to your bottle with some weight in it and chuck it over a branch for raising your food bag out of bears' reach.



What did we leave out? Let us know your alternative use for a Nalgene!

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8/8/19

Gear Guide: Choosing a SUP

If you live near flat or moving water then you've no doubt seen people out having a great time on standup paddleboards (or SUP as the cool kids are calling them). Whether you want to get some exercise, explore new areas, get your adrenaline pumping, fish previously unobtainable spots, put a new twist on your yoga practice, or just relax and cool off, owning a SUP can expand your options on a nice day.

I recommend you rent or borrow a SUP first to make sure it's the right activity for you and something you can see yourself doing at least semi-regularly. Package rentals that include everything you need to get out on the water can be picked up at many local outfitters for the cost of a decent dinner. The staff there should be able to fill you in on the basics you need to know so that you avoid some of the potential frustrations and embarrassments you might run into if you were to just buy a random board off the internet and head out.


So, you are hooked and have decided to pull the trigger on a board, but don't know where to begin because there are so many options? Most of the choosing can be narrowed down by answering a few questions based around how and when you plan on using the paddleboard, but the final choice may be based around actually getting out on the water with a few options to see which feels right for your wants and needs. Length, width, thickness, shape, hull style, volume, rocker, and construction materials are all factors to consider in your selection process. Some of that may look like a different language to you, but fear not because it will all be explained below.


CONSTRUCTION- A good starting point is the question of whether to get an inflatable (iSUP) or a rigid standup paddleboard. Each style has its pros and cons.

Rigid boards can be constructed of various materials such as bamboo, carbon fiber, or EPS foam wrapped with fiberglass and epoxy. There are also budget minded rigid boards constructed of plastic using a mold. These rotomolded boards have the benefit of being quite cheap and durable but at the cost of maneuverability, speed, and a considerably higher weight.

Higher quality inflatable boards are usually a PVC exterior with single or double layer dropstitch construction internally, creating an inner chamber(s) of air. If you want to learn more about the dropstitch technology you can find some videos online. Heat Bonded Technology is superior to single or double layer construction. This process eliminates any any opportunity for delamination and air leaking between layers or escaping through poor welds/gluing. It is perhaps the ultimate combination of strength, stiffness and a light weight. The quality of materials and the technologies used will play important factors in how high of an air pressure the board can be inflated to. Often times you would not need to inflate your board as high as the max pressure the vendor rates the board to, but this max psi is often a decent indicator of the baseline quality of the board.


One benefit of having a rigid board is that they are so stiff with no effort. It used to be that inflatable boards (even just a few years ago) could not reach high enough air pressures to keep them from sagging a bit in the middle under the weight of the rider. The sagging and flexing caused iSUPs (inflatable SUP) to get a tarnished name and to this day many people still swear you should only get a hard board because of the undependable rigidity of inflatables. With the latest technology we are seeing that high-end boards can be pumped to such high pressures that virtually all sagging and flex is eliminated. These days the gap in rigidity between the two board types has all but closed if you're buying a quality inflatable.

The amount of space you have to dedicate to the storage of your SUP and the means of transport you have for it are important factors in the decision between a rigid or inflatable paddleboard. Inflatables will roll up and can be stored in a closet or under a bed and they fit in the trunk of a sedan or even on some bike's racks. A rigid board, often around 11 or 12 feet long, is going to take up considerably more space in your home and will need to be kept safe and out of the way to protect your investment. With a rigid board, you will also need to have an external means of transport on your vehicle such as a dedicated SUP rack or a system of pads and straps on your roof. If space and transportation are not a problem, then the ability to go straight from your vehicle to the water and vice versa can be a huge plus over having to deal with inflation, deflation, drying, rolling, and packing away. The time and exertion of pumping an inflatable by hand are enough to cause many people to reconsider going out for a day on the water. Electric pumps can ease some of the pain by removing the physical aspect of inflation but the time factor for a board to reach the desired pressure is still something to consider. I've seen people stop at less than half the recommended pressure for their board and just go paddle on what looks like a banana once their weight is in the middle (and paddles about just as well) because they can't bring themselves to pump for any longer.


Inflatable SUPs are generally more durable than rigids since they bounce off most rocks and obstructions rather than cracking or obtaining holes that require intricate fiberglass repairs. Holes or leaks are certainly possible with inflatable boards, but usually these repairs can be made by the owner with a simple patch and adhesive repair kit. On open water is where a rigid board feels more at home, as opposed to in a river dodging obstacles that could inflict serious damage.


One more perk of having an inflatable board is the ability to take it out to adventurous locations more easily. Typically an inflatable SUP will come with a carrying backpack so you can throw it over your shoulders and hike it out to an alpine lake or carry it through the airport and stuff it in an overhead bin. The backpack that Jobe paddleboards come in is even a giant drybag, allowing you to throw all of your camping gear inside and strap it to your board for the ultimate island-hopping adventure.


SIZE- The length, width, and height of a SUP play huge factors in how the board handles and what uses it is best for.

Generally speaking, a longer board (12+ feet) is going to be faster and hold a straight line better. Boards that are 9-12 feet long are usually more family friendly and better for all-around versatility. Anything under 9 feet is going to be tailored either towards children or towards river and/or ocean surfing. This short length allows for maximum maneuverability.
A wider board is usually going to be more stable, while a narrow board is going to cut through the water faster. A larger person may like the extra width since it can help their body find balance. Someone who wants extra room for children, pets, or more gear might also like a wider board. A smaller person might want a bit more narrow of a board so that they can paddle to the side without having to lean over and put strain on their shoulder, instead of engaging their core. A wide board is also likely to be more heavy and someone with shorter arms may not be able to reach around the side of the board to the center handle for carrying it properly. Yoga on SUPs is becoming more popular, and a board that is 31+ inches wide provides a more stable platform for yoga poses. Yoga specific boards tend to have a large and comfortable pad so that more of the surface area can be used during your yoga practice.


The thickness of a SUP affects how high the user will ride up out of the water. You and your gear sitting higher up, along with the side of the board sticking up further out of the water, can mean that the wind may push you around some and make it harder to go fast or track straight in some conditions. A thicker board of the same length and width will have more volume than its thinner counterpart. A paddle board's volume (expressed in liters) gives an indication of the board’s ability to float with weight on it. The higher the volume, the more weight it can support. If the board doesn’t displace the correct amount of water for your weight, you won’t be supported well and the board may feel unstable or sluggish. Make sure you factor in the weight of your gear or passengers because if the weight exceeds the volume of the board it will sit low in the water and be more difficult to paddle.


SHAPE- The shape of a board will have a dramatic effect on the way it handles.

The shape of the board's nose can typically be generalized as either wide or narrow. The larger surface area of a wide nose makes it easier to catch waves, and its extra volume is also helpful for keeping the weight of riders and gear up out of the water. A narrow or pointed nose cuts through the water as opposed to riding over it. Race and cruise boards rely on the pointed nose, especially in rough water.
Tail shapes of standup paddleboards can be traced back to the design of surfboard tails. Rounded tails will give smooth turns while more angular ones will give sharper turns.


When discussing the shape of SUP board the term "rocker" often comes up. The amount of rocker a board has is basically the amount it curves up at the tip and tail. This curvature keeps the nose from dipping into the waves and allows the board to be more maneuverable across the water. This is especially useful in rough water, rapids, or waves. A board with less rocker (a flatter shape) is not going to be as maneuverable, which in turn means it will track better (hold a straight line more easily).


FINS- There are many configurations, lengths, and materials of fins on the market. Some are a permanent part of the board, and some can be removed and replaced to suit your needs.

One long fin with a wide base is used for tracking and flat water, while three fins, often staggered positions and lengths, are used for maneuverability in waves. These are the most common but some manufacturers make two, four, or some other combination of fins and lengths. Fiberglass fins will be stiffer, nylon ones will be more durable while still relatively stiff, and rubber fins will be the most durable yet least stiff. Shorter fins are good for avoiding rocks in shallow water.


CONCLUSION- Selecting a standup paddleboard to purchase may seem daunting at first, but hopefully with the information you've been given you can start to compare the options on the market and decide which best suits your needs. You might be best just going with an all-around board if you think you will do a mix of activities on it. Keep in mind though that a "Jack of all trades" is a master of none, so if there is one activity you think you will spend most of your time using the board for then you may want to go with the SUP that best fits that need. Traction pads, D-rings, bungees, handles, carry straps, fishing mounts, paddle holders and the other bells and whistles can all play a role in how enjoyable your time on the water is and should also be considered.



by Adam Kittell-
Adam has worked in the outdoor industry for a few years as a merchandise specialist, buyer, and most recently in marketing. Prior to that he was a guide at multiple wilderness therapy companies. He has spent weeks at a time living out of a backpack starting at a young age and later living out of a Honda Element. He has guided extended trips backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and canyoneering all over the United States. Some say he has an obsession with gear, and he does not disagree with them.

All images were provided by Jobe Sports and are copywrited.

Liberty Mountain is the US Distributor of Jobe paddleboards and accessories in the outdoor industry. The content in this article was created by the author based on personal experiences and knowledge gained through his time as a watersports buyer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jobe Sports or Liberty Mountain.
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6/21/17

Silva Acquires North American Distribution Rights



SILVA, the Swedish compass, headlamp and outdoor gear brand, is now becoming truly global by acquiring the North American distribution rights from Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq JOUT). The deal, which becomes effective on January 4th 2018, paves the way for rapid SILVA growth in the world’s largest outdoor market.

“This is a crucial step for us from a commercial, as well as a brand perspective,” says SILVA’s chief executive Richard Jägrud. “We are taking over a business potential of sales of 10-12 million SEK from day on. In addition, we gain full control of our brand all over the globe.”

Presently, the SILVA product range in North America is limited to land compasses, which have been developed, produced and distributed by Johnson Outdoor. Once SILVA takes over the rights, the renowned Swedish company, which invented the liquid-filled compass back in 1933, will start selling its original compass versions in the U.S. and Canada.

Bringing in the Whole Product Range
“We will start this new era in the development of our company by safeguarding the compass business together with our appointed distributors,” says Richard Jägrud. Mr Jägrud adds: “We will bring in the rest of our product range stepwise, including world-class headlamps and high-quality outdoor gear. We will se a potential for expansion of our business, since the SILVA brand is already established and we will have full distribution coverage both in the United States and Canada.”

According to the new set-up, Liberty Mountain will handle the SILVA distribution in the United States, while Rock Gear Distribution will cover the Canadian market.

Johnson Outdoors has owned the North American rights since 1973. “Lacking distribution rights to the world’s most vivid outdoor market has of course affected our growth potential considerably,” explains Richard Jägrud. “We are very happy that this issue has been resolved. We have had a good and constructive dialogue with Johnson Outdoor about the transfer.”



ABOUT SILVA SWEDEN AB
SILVA SWEDEN AB has developed and sold high-quality outdoor gear, including headlamps and compasses, since 1933. The products are renowned for their innovative design and outstanding technical functionality. All products are developed in Sweden and tested in the harsh Nordic environment and weather conditions. Silva is owned by Karnell since 2011. Karnell is an investment company that manages institutional capital by investing in small and medium-sized unlisted Nordic companies. Karnell is an active and long-term owner that develop their portfolio companies together with corporate executive teams. Read more about Silva at www.silva.se and Karnell at www.karnell.se

About Liberty Mountain
Liberty Mountain is one of the largest wholesale distributors of technical outdoor products and climbing gear in the U.S. In other words, Liberty Mountain is the one-stop-shop with everything for the outdoors for your outdoor gear store. Instead of contacting, ordering, and managing numerous accounts with various manufacturers to fulfill the store's inventory list, you can simply place your orders--via phone, email, app and/or website--with Liberty Mountain to get shipments that consist of countless brands and products.

About Johnson Outdoors Inc.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that inspires more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors with innovative, top-quality products.  The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping.  Johnson Outdoors' iconic brands include: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Carlisle® paddles; Extrasport® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota® fishing motors, batteries and anchors; Cannon®downriggers; Humminbird® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO® dive equipment; Jetboil® outdoor cooking systems; Eureka!® camping and hiking equipment. Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com
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5/9/17

Liberty Mountain Partners with OverBoard



Liberty Mountain is excited to announce its partnership with OverBoard, the UK Based Global Waterproof Sports Manufacturer with a wide range of market leading waterproof accessories including backpacks, Duffel Bags, Dry Bags and Technology Cases. As the exclusive US distributor for OverBoard products, Liberty Mountain will make them available to its vast network of shops, stores, and prodeal customers. The lineup of OverBoard products has received awards globally from reviewers both large and small in the outdoor, cycling, and marine industries. 




OverBoard products are some of the best in the industry and are tested to a very high standard, assuring that they will stand up to the abuse of exposure to water, snow, sand, and dirt. Some of the tests that the products go through include: 

  • Temperature Test
  • Depth Test
  • Strength Test
  • Dust, Sand, and Dirt Tests
  • Dunk Test
  • Weld Pressure Test
  • Load Break Test
  • Repetitive Stress Test 

More information can be found on the product testing process here.

About OverBoard



It all began on the beaches of Thailand and Australia - back in 2006. Having been friends since uni, Dan and Joel had quit the rat race and slipped on their flip-flops to spend six months on an epic beach, boat, surf and scuba holiday.
For weeks they fought to keep their technology, valuables and clothes safe from the impact of water and sand. And finally light dawned – what they needed was a totally trustworthy waterproof bag that guaranteed them peace of mind without slowing them down. More than that, if this was their need it had to be true for thousands of others too.
Back home, even before their tans had faded, they were researching, designing, innovating and producing their first prototypes – the perfect dry bags. And the bags became their first OverBoard products.
The response from friends, family and a growing band of highly satisfied customers spurred them on and so the range had to grow. More colors, sizes and solutions to protect everything from phones and iPads to emergency supplies – from the ravages of water, snow, dirt and sand.
Fast forward and today they are leaders in waterproof bags and cases, with customers and distributors in over 70 countries. Sure, it’s been hard work – but there are perks. Not only do they test everything in the factory, the ultimate trial is in real life situations, ideally with the sun beating down. And somebody has to do it!
Wherever you go, whatever you do, there’s an OverBoard 100% waterproof product for you.

Keep it dry!

For more information, visit over-board.com

About Liberty Mountain



Liberty Mountain is one of the largest wholesale distributors of technical outdoor products and climbing gear in the U.S. In other words, Liberty Mountain is your one-stop-shop with everything for the outdoors. Since 1952, Liberty Mountain has been making outdoor gear stores profitable by reducing holding costs, keeping shelves stocked, and providing the most intuitive products on the market.

As a wholesale distributor, Liberty Mountain carries thousands of products from over 900 different brands and is the exclusive U.S. distributor of the following brands: Beal, Edelweiss, Equinox, Grivel, Kong, Singing Rock, Stram, Trangia, Valandre, Vaude and many more. Liberty Mountain also manufactures its own brands including Peregrine, Olicamp, Cypher, Outdoor Designs and others.


Where We Are
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and reaching into the roots of the Appalachians, Liberty Mountain operates out of two major warehouses in Sandy, UT and Montoursville, PA. With these two locations, Liberty Mountain is able to offer 1-2 day ground shipping to most of the United States.

How We Do It
Liberty Mountain is committed to great customer service, unrivaled in-stock percentages, on time error-free shipments, and easy-to-receive packages.

Great Customer Service
Fast, dependable service is more than just a goal – it’s the standard. Liberty Mountain’s experienced and knowledgeable sales staff is ready to help with all your outdoor product needs. As proof of this, in 2016 the Liberty Mountain sales team made around 600 shop visits and was present at nearly 40 trade shows throughout the year.


In Stock and Ready to Ship
Liberty Mountain is committed to having both warehouses stocked with the products you need. When your customer needs it tomorrow, it’ll be out of our door today and usually to your shop within two days. The moment your shelves get low, visit LibertyMountain.com, email, or give us a call.

Getting You the Product…When You Need It
Liberty Mountain’s two locations in Pennsylvania and Utah enable fast shipping—within two days via ground to almost everywhere in the lower 48. Order by 1:00pm Mountain Time and your package will be shipped that very same day. Most of the time even orders placed later in the afternoon will ship the same day.


Keeping Shops Profitable
Liberty Mountain’s goal is to help shops become more profitable and increase sales. Liberty Mountain keeps products in stock and available, eliminating the need for shops to keep stacks of product on hand. Because it’s so easy to top off inventories, shops can achieve faster turnover and increase their margins. In addition, Liberty Mountain’s freight allowance helps keep costs down and margins high. See our terms & conditions for all of the details.

No Order Minimums
With no order minimums at Liberty Mountain, shops can get exactly as much or as little as they need, every single time.  


Consolidation of Orders
Because Liberty Mountain carries so many products, you are able to purchase from hundreds of brands on the same order. This means fewer orders and an easier time keeping products in stock.

Custom Silk Screening
Liberty Mountain offers customized printing on six brands of water bottles, Zippo lighters, Voile ski straps, Kershaw knives, and much more. Contact us about ordering custom Nalgene bottles or other products with your shop’s logo.

Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Ordering from multiple brands at once rather than from each company separately can lower the environmental impact of your business. Your entire order will ship together and eliminate the need to place several orders.

Vendor Specific Benefits


Sophisticated Tools
Due to the ever-changing online retail landscape, Liberty Mountain has developed software that can target or block specific customers and segments. Your product will only be sold to the shops and segments that you approve. The software also allows strict enforcement of MAP and provides the option of blocking habitual MAP violators.

We work with all the larger specialty retailers in the US. We are fully EDI compliant and are setup to meet retailer shipping and labeling requirements. Being a vendor, we make it easier for larger chains to pick up your products without the need to expose yourself to chargebacks and other compliance costs.

Increasing Sales
Liberty Mountain’s goal is to help vendors become more profitable and increase sales. Liberty Mountain keeps products in stock and available so that shops won’t need to carry as much inventory, and won’t need to place as many small orders with the vendor. 

When a shop runs out of one or two items but cannot meet vendor minimum orders, both the vendor and the shop lose out on sales. Liberty Mountain keeps your products in stock and with no order minimums, shops can order exactly what they need to keep their shelves stocked and your products selling.

Shops view us as the one-stop shop, everything for the outdoors. Working with Liberty Mountain opens up thousands of smaller shops to your products without the additional sales costs of maintaining thousands of small accounts. 


Large Prodeal Presence
Liberty Mountain will expose your product to its network of over 10,000 Outdoor Industry professionals who qualify for personal prodeals. These customers are very valuable as they often influence purchases made by friends and family members. Unlike other prodeal providers, there are no additional fees on pro orders. Liberty Mountain can also manage pro purchase requests for your entire brand.

To learn more about Liberty Mountain, visit our website or contact us here
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4/3/17

Employee Spotlight - Matthew Bowe



"I’ve always been the stereotypical nerd. My dad has worked as a network systems engineer for HP my entire life. He’d always bring home broken computers and hardware for my brothers and me to fix.  I built be first PC from discarded components when I was 6. My mom is a classically trained concert pianist and passed her musical ability on to her children. I attended college on a full scholarship for instrumental music. In recent years, I’ve begun semi-professionally competing in cosplay contests at comic conventions. My costumes have been highlighted several times in local news publications.

I’ve never been a person capable of doing only one thing at a time. I frequently have more than one employer in order to round out my life. I came to Liberty Mountain after a year of working at my full-time job where I monitor and support media streams to and from a myriad of customers and companies. I nearly never actually see the computers I’m logged into or even meet face to face with the customers I’m supporting. Liberty Mountain affords me the opportunity to get back into working with physical hardware and friendly faces."


Name: Matthew Bowe
Time working for Liberty Mountain: 5 months
Job title: Part-time IT Help Desk / SysAid
What you do at Liberty Mountain: I fix all the things. I set up workstations, install network hardware, fix software installations, and educate users.
What do you like about your job? I love being hands-on with the things I fix.
Active in the following activities: I teach violin and viola. I perform chamber music with my family. I maintain my hobbled-together networks of self-built servers and IoT devices, I fly fish, and I cosplay.
Favorite activity: Eating Red Wagon corndogs and Dole Whips in Disneyland.


Favorite outdoor areas:  Quiet, shallow streams full of hungry brook trout… or Disneyland.
Most interesting place ever lived: Cologne, Germany
Top-five favorite movies: Galaxy Quest, Pete’s Dragon (1977), Wall- E, Sneakers, Guardians of the Galaxy
Top-five favorite books: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (series); Ready, Player One; Seveneves, The Martian, Dragonsong


First memory spending time outdoors: I remember spontaneous day picnics in the canyon on hot summer days.
Inspirational Hero: Adam Savage
Dream vacation: Adventures by Disney: Germany- Heidelberg, Alsfeld, Waldeck, Rothenburg, Munich
Favorite food: Tortellini Alfredo
Cake or pie: Pie

Dogs or Cats: Cats

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