Columbia Sportswear Company Announces Acquisition of Montrail, Inc. Footwear Brand

Word on the street is Montrail is part of Columbia, don't say it's so.

Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq: COLM), a global leader in the active outdoor apparel and footwear industries, today announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Montrail, Inc. for cash consideration of $15 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities.

Yet another great company being swallowed by a giant who needs to gain more numbers and dollars. What will we loose, another company that changed the trail running seen.

BentGear.com
"Geared for Adventure"

Kelty Woman.com Goes Live

Building on a foundation of women's products that dates back to 1987, Kelty is launching an integrated outreach and marketing campaign designed to create a community for women and rekindle their sense of outdoor adventure. Elements of the Kelty Woman campaign will include: An on-line resource: A new and dedicated website, KeltyWoman.com will serve as the anchor of the campaign, providing both a community and a resource for women seeking information and inspiration.

· National imagery: In addition to a dedicated women's catalog, the marketing campaign for Kelty Woman will key on imagery and messaging that encourages women to participate in the outdoor experience.

· Diverse partnerships: By teaming with other leaders in the women's outdoor community, Kelty will build a continual presence of "women in the outdoors" messaging. Partnerships for 2006 include Team Luna Chix, the women's sports and advocacy organization; Fox River socks; and Baby Bootcamp, a nationwide series of mother-and-child outdoor fitness programs.

· In the shop support: At this critical juncture in the outdoor community, Kelty will partner with select retailers to create an unparalleled presence that engages and inspires the participation of women. Kelty's presence at the forefront of women's outdoor products dates back to the 1987 introduction of the first outdoor women's catalog, advertising campaign, and women's-specific sleeping bag.

Go to www.keltywoman.com for information on product, events and articles.This is a great resource for women.

Bentgear.com
"Geared for Adventure"

Smith Optics To Produce Wireless Sports Gear

Smith Optics and Plantronics will collaborate to develop new Smith-branded action sports gear incorporating wireless audio communication and entertainment technology. Smith and Plantronics will jointly develop helmets, goggles, eyewear and other products that incorporate wireless technology. The helmets will include audio systems compatible with MP3 players, such as Apple iPods, and MP3-enabled cell phones, advanced ventilation systems, a crash replacement program and an unprecedented lifetime warranty.

Smith's plan is to combine the same performance, style and innovation for this program that we provide in the goggle and sunglass businesses, while revolutionizing the integration of fashion and technology.

Never mind Giro can say say look out Oakley?

BentGear.com
"Geared for Adventure"

SKI TRAB US RACE TEAM

Announcing the Ski Trab US Ski Mountaineering race team. Pete Swenson of Boulder, CO and Karen Kingsley of Ophir, CO will race on the World Cup dominating Trab Duo Race ski this coming season.

Karen is the most promising new talent on the US Ski Mountaineering race circuit. A former member of the German national cross country ski team, Karen has been the California State high school cross country champion and a seven time competitor at the NCAA national track and field championships. Karen finished 3rd, than 2nd, than 1st in her first three ski mountaineering races.

Pete finished 3rd last season in the overall US standings, his 1st full season of competition. He improved dramatically throughout the season, making it to the podium at the Jackson Hole National Championships. Pete is a former pro mountain biker, having raced for RLX Polo Sport, Specialized and the Sobe/Cannondale teams. He plans to participate in Ski Mountaineering competitions throughout the US and at the Cuneo world championships after supporting his brother Carl Swenson, a senior member of the US Cross Ski Team participating in his 3rd Olympics at Torino.

Both Karen and Pete will race on the competition dominating Duo Race Aero, an 835g carbon fiber race ski that won 5 out of the 6 podium places at the most recent world championships in Val D'Aran.

Yet another great looking ski company in the Wasatch mountains.

BentGear.com
"Geared for Adventure"

Avalanche Danger is High

This weekend on the back of Mt. Timpangos 2 snowshoer's were caught in a pretty big Avalanche . One of them was able to get out of it but his friend was not so lucky. Heed the warnings and call the Utah Avalachne Center for the latest snow condition's and make sure you know the snow and you have a beacon, probe and shovel with you, even snowboibler's.

Bentgear.com
"Geared for Adventure"