evolv Sports Joins Forces with Concept 21 and Sangmin Lee

Leading climbing footwear manufacturer evolv Sports announced today that they have formalized relationships with footwear industry veteran Brent James’ consultancy Concept 21 and award winning designer Sangmin Lee. Concept 21 and Lee will be instrumental in developing evolv’s trail footwear line, which is set to launch in Spring 2011.

The Concept 21 team has worked most recently with Brooks, Keen, Reef, Sanuk and Supra, but James’ experience in performance footwear is measured in decades beginning at Nike in the 70s.

Sangmin Lee is an award-winning designer who has drawn designs for Adidas, Puma and Montrail. Lee was born in Korea and earned a design degree from ASU, which lead him work with power tool manufacturer Ryobi and eventually in the footwear industry.

“We are excited about our next direction in the market” said evolv’s CEO, Brian Chung. “We have a lot to offer the market. Our TRAX® high traction outsoles, a reputation for quality and performance, a solid infrastructure and a large, supportive dealer base are all part of the package”

Leading the project for evolv is Director of Sales, Jay Peery, who was the former National Sales manager for Montrail and Sorel. “I really enjoyed working with Sangmin at Montrail – and we now have the opportunity to focus our collective experience on innovation and design. We’ll interface with Jeff Crosetto (formerly a developer at Sorel and Teva, and now at Concept 21). Jeff has been around the block and is great to work with. Brent has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience – we know we’ll learn a lot from both of them.”

evolv plans to follow the Spring 2011 launch of trail footwear with additional approach and lifestyle offerings in coming seasons.

See their climbing footwear at Winter Market Outdoor Retailer and watch for their Minister of Culture, Buck Branson on the road throughout North America in 2010.

evolv Company Profile

evolv Sports was founded in Southern California in 2003. In a short time, evolv Sports has become a leading force in the climbing footwear market, producing some of the best performing and selling climbing footwear available. evolv distributes world wide from its warehouse in Buena Park, CA and maintains manufacturing facilities in the US and Asia.

In addition to climbing footwear, evolv also markets high friction rubber for outsoles under the TRAX® USA label, trail footwear, and climbing accessories. evolv sponsors some of the most prolific and talented climbers in the sport and produces a signature line of shoes developed by climbing icon Chris Sharma.