Is Diversity Just a Marketing Strategy for Gear Brands?

Plus, Gwyneth, the lack of a women's TdF, and my obsession with New Mexico

And I’m back. It was great to see a lot of you at OR! This year was full of fantastic panels, happy hours, and lots of hugs and high fives for old friends. I maintain that Colorado is fantastic, but New Mexico is home, the real hidden gem, and I’m glad to be back doing stuff like this.

What I’m reading

Meet the Women Leading the Outdoor Industry: Portraits of five powerhouses you should know [Emily Reed for Outside]

The Coolest Company You Haven’t Heard Of: BITCHSTIX is a lip balm company, but not just any lip balm company. Founded in 2016 by Emily Kennerk, of Indianapolis, BITCHSTIX gives back to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. [Amelia Arvesen for Snews]

The Real Reason There's No Tour de France for Women: The long, convoluted history of the struggle for a top-flight—and lasting—European women’s stage race. [Kim Cross for Outside]

How Goop’s Haters Made Gwyneth Paltrow’s Company Worth $250 Million: Inside the growth of the most controversial brand in the wellness industry [Taffy Brodesser-Akner for The New York Times Magazine]

Is Diversity Just a Marketing Strategy for Gear Brands? Major outdoor companies like Patagonia, REI, and others say they’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the makeup of America. Are they doing enough? [Claire Martin for Outside]

Last but not least

Krista Langlois@cestmoiLanglois

Hi friends. If you want to support independent media, check out Adventure Journal Quarterly. It:
A) is beautiful
B) teaches me new words, like sun-cupped
C) pays writers and photogs a living wage
D) gets me stoked to get outside
E) has the Jo Seal of Approval pic.twitter.com/TmiWQetwLc

July 16, 2018