A sporting good chance for wool

Outdoor Retailer winter market kicked off on January 23rd 2008 in Salt Lake City.

By closing day on January 26th, over 6,500 people had attended the show, including retailers, brands, designers, media, and sports industry representatives from around the globe.

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) launched the innovative Merino Active collection and received a great response – meeting with retailers including Nike, New Balance, The North Face, Columbia sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Memteks and more.

The innovative product technologies presented offer special technologies to benefit the active outdoor customer. Comprised of Merino Active Classic, Merino Active Ultimate and Merino Active Performance, the new collection of Merino fabrics have been created using some of the most cutting edge textile technology in partnership with manufacturers from across the globe.

“Outdoor Retailer is the leading outdoor industry business-to-business trade event. It provides AWI with an opportunity to present manufacturers, retailers, and industry advocates with innovative Australian Merino product solutions for the outdoor active market,” said Mark Brooks, manager of outdoor and active wear at AWI.

The trade show provided a platform for AWI to introduce the new Merino Active symbol which will assist in a marketing drive to promote the benefits of Australian Merino wool to today’s active customer. The symbol stands for natural quality, durability, breathability, moisture absorption and elasticity – everything required to stay active and allow for ultimate performance.

Wool was definitely the natural fiber of choice at Outdoor Retailer, being promoted at numerous stands throughout the show.

AWI will continue to work towards providing innovative product solutions for the cutting edge outdoor active and sports apparel market.

MERINO ACTIVE
Naturally Performs.

The innovative products presented at Outdoor Retailer winter market January 2008 were presented under three platforms:

MERINO ACTIVE Classic
The natural solution for sportswear, Australian Merino wool has been utilized in the outdoor active wear segment since the early 1990s. Classic sporting attire that is transeasonal, seamless and comfortable with natural easy care properties and a cool touch, are found in the MERINO ACTIVE Classic collection.

MERINO ACTIVE Ultimate
Garments that take only hours to dry, are light-weight and care for the skin while remaining soft and comfortable. These are important attributes in active wear, and these benefits are readily available in the MERINO ACTIVE Ultimate collection.

MERINO ACTIVE Performance
Whether climbing up a mountain or participating in extreme base jumping, performance clothing is a must! Today’s Merino garments are more durable, absorb more moisture, breathe easier and provide better protection overall – all while remaining soft and comfortable. The MERINO ACTIVE Performance collection is all about garments that naturally perform with the wearer.


For more information on Australian Merino wool go to www.merinoinnovation.com