The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA), the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding, has named Smartwool as its official sock provider. In the partnership Smartwool Phd Ski, Nordic and Snowboard socks will be worn by U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding athletes in their respective competitions.

Smartwool has been a USSA partner since 1996 and will continue to supply athletes with Phd socks through 2018-19. Smartwool will have sampling rights, event presence and use of the USSA logos through their sponsorship.

Grand Trunk is accommodating their continued growth with a move to an expanded facility that doubles the available office and warehouse space. The brand moved within Skokie, Illinois, where they were previously located.

Kevin Kaiser, founder of Grand Trunk, wanted to keep the brand in the same area to continue to deliver their quality products such as hammocks, travel accessories and beach gear.

Patagonia Footwear has announced a renewed focus on trail running for the Spring 2012 season, represented by a partnership with female ultra runner Krissy Moehl and Patagonia's Ultra Running Team. Together the runners and Patagonia Footwear developed an expanded line of trail running shoes.

The Adidas Group has acquired Five Ten, a bold step towards its goal of becoming a leading player in the outdoor market. Adidas will purchase the entire Five Ten Business at a total purchase price of 25 million. As part of its Strategic Business Plan Route 2015, the Adidas Group expects sales in the outdoor segment to exceed €500 million by 2015.

Five Ten will maintain production of Rock Shoes, Guide Tennies and Yosemite Jeans in the U.S., and the company hopes to bring more production back to the U.S. in the future.

Global private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners has partnered with management to acquire Implus Corporation. In the transaction, Trilantic will partner with founding family member and CEO Seth Richards and President Todd Vore to provide capital to allow the company to execute on its key growth initiatives. This transaction is yet another positive sign of a healthy outdoor industry.

Equip Outdoor Technologies, parent company of the specialist mountaineering brand Rab has finalized the purchase of Lowe Alpine. Matrix Private Equity Partners worked with Equip to help fund the £20 million deal.

Headsweats announces that sales are up 40 percent in the run category, a success that the company attributes in part to the growing popularity of the sport of running.

Direcsource, a global sourcing and manufacturing services provider, works with brands in the medical, sport, and outdoor industries to provide access to factories and helps optimize the entire supply chain. This type of “turnkey” operation often works with a number of brands and industries to help factories manufacture a consumer product.