Trailheads

Switchback will feature more than 190 exhibitors, including many well-known brands. As retailers start to prepare for the show, Trailheads turns the spotlight on some smaller, innovative companies who will be exhibiting at Switchback.

NRS

Background:

100% employee-owned, NRS is the world’s leading provider of water sports gear and apparel. Founded in 1972 in a college professor’s garage, it has grown into a global force from its home in Moscow, ID. NRS inspires and equips paddlers, rafters, and anglers worldwide, driven by a mission to do business better—supporting public access to outdoor recreation and protecting our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

At Switchback:

NRS will showcase its Spring 2026 women’s and men’s apparel collections at Switchback. Built on 53 years of outfitting river professionals, the guide-inspired line delivers versatile performance from bank to boat, river to rim. Expanded assortments are designed for all-day wear—boating, fishing, camping, hiking, traveling, or browsing the farmer’s market. Born on the river, ready for whatever.

The retail fit:

With a brand heritage more than five decades in the making, innovative new products, and a reputation for industry-leading dealer support, NRS is a perfect fit for retailers looking for something fresh to offer their customers—and bring a little river lifestyle to their stores.

Nutshell Coolers

Background: Nutshell makes cool, collapsible coolers from coconut husks. Born in a fishing village in the Philippines, we set out to replace plastic-heavy outdoor gear with design-forward products that reflect the values of outdoor lovers. Our natural insulation keeps ice frozen for days, replacing the plastic foams that dominate the category. And our signature foldable design bridges versatility and durability. The result: a high-performance cooler that is easy to carry, store, and feel good about.

At Switchback:

We’ll be featuring our just-launched Nutshell Daytrip 17L soft cooler, which folds flat for easy storage, keeps ice for days, and features our proprietary Coconut Fiber insulation. Designed for park picnics, beach days, and everyday adventures, the Daytrip bridges form, function, and sustainability. We’re looking to connect with retailers and brand partners who share our passion for natural materials, thoughtful design, and redefining what innovation in the outdoor space can look like.

The Retail Fit:

Nutshell speaks to outdoor lovers who care as much about impact as performance. The Switchback event brings together folks who value gear that’s versatile, thoughtfully designed, and rooted in sustainable innovation. Outdoor enthusiasts looking for products that reflect their values and tell a unique story—and that’s exactly what Nutshell was built to do.

Pyre Logs

Background:

PyreLogs builds better fires, faster. They are the industry’s first reusable campfire bases — and the best thing to happen to campfires since wood. USA-made from 12-gauge steel, PyreLogs increase airflow to the base of flames and raise wood off damp ground. Designed to deliver simple, reliable campfire construction in pits and rings, these reusable bases are packable and assemble in 3 minutes or less with no tools.

Invented by two full-time RVers, PyreLogs were created as a tool to give more people the confidence to discover how they like to spend time outside.

At Switchback

We are presenting the original PyreLogs campfire bases (measuring 14 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches per base and weighing 8.85 pounds per set of two). This show is also the debut of PyreLogs MINITM campfire bases — delivering the same reliable campfire construction with steel bases measuring 9.125 x 2.625 x 3 inches and weighing in at just 2.95 pounds per set of two. Bases in both sizes are packable and reusable and designed with slot-and-tab construction for easy assembly. Each retail box contains two bases.

The Retail Fit

Switchback is our first outdoor buyer’s show and we are so excited to share our product with as many retailers as possible. Our goal for the show is to secure new wholesale partners by offering a unique, useful tool that fills a gap in their inventory. PyreLogs are USA-made and each set sold helps support five small businesses in North Carolina. From raw steel to fulfillment, our supply chain is less than 150 miles.

7.7 million Americans tried outdoor activities for the first time in 2023, according to OIA. While knowledge of safe, efficient fire craft has become increasingly uncommon. PyreLogs believe people of all ages, backgrounds, body types, and abilities can find their space outside. We designed these bases as tools to help close the knowledge gap in fire building, give new campers the confidence to get out there, and create a more efficient burn that doesn’t rely on excess accelerants.

As patented, USA-made products PyreLogs are the ideal addition to the campfire sections for retailers. It gives shops the opportunity to offer a genuinely novel solution for their customers whether they’re new to the outdoors or simply looking for a way to spend less time building their fires. Our bases require no tools to assemble and are designed to be flat-packed, further expanding their relevance across target audiences. The original bases also perform exceptionally well in backyard firepits, giving retailers the opportunity to attract a new customer base.

GiantMouse

Background:

GiantMouse was founded by legendary Danish knife designers Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes, along with American entrepreneur and friend Jim Wirth, to create high-end knives with bold design, premium materials, and exceptional value. We blend Scandinavian design principles with American innovation, offering both production and limited-edition blades that resonate with outdoor adventurers, collectors, and everyday users. Our growing presence in the outdoor and EDC markets is fueled by a passionate community and a commitment to quality without compromise.

At Switchback:

We’re bringing a wide range of GiantMouse products to Switchback, available for individual purchase or wholesale interest. Alongside our standout Kitchen Series and the highly collectible GM Line, we’ll showcase our curated selection of folding and fixed blades designed for a variety of real-world applications, from backcountry carry to daily use. We’re also excited to offer exclusive show specials, including all models of the ACE Clyde for just $100 + tax. Our goal is to introduce more retailers and outdoor professionals to the quality, design, and versatility that define the GiantMouse brand.

The Retail Fit:

GiantMouse knives are made for those who demand gear that performs in the wild and looks great doing it. Designed by renowned knifemakers and built from premium American and German steels, our blades are crafted to handle real-world outdoor use while appealing to design-conscious consumers. Our products strike a rare balance between function, form, and collectability—making them a standout offering for specialty retailers and a natural fit for Switchback’s community of adventurers, gearheads, and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts.

Heat it

heat it™ is the world’s first smartphone-powered insect bite relief device—designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want fast, effective, chemical-free solutions. Using clean, concentrated heat, it delivers clinically proven relief from bug bites without creams, batteries, or waste. With over one million users in Europe and a 4.8/5.0 rating from 20,000+ reviews, heat it™ is now available in the U.S. As more consumers seek eco-friendly, high-performance gear for hiking, camping, and time in nature, heat it™ offers a compact, convenient solution that fits in every pack.

heat it™ is a compact, smartphone-powered device that provides fast, chemical-free relief from insect bites and stings. Using concentrated heat, it alleviates itching and discomfort caused by mosquitoes, flies, bees, and wasps—without the need for creams, batteries, or waste. Clinically proven and safe for children 3+, heat it™ plugs into your smartphone and works via a free app. Weighing a tenth of an ounce and small enough to fit on a keychain, it’s an ideal solution for hikers, campers, and families who spend time outdoors.

At Switchback:

Our goal is to connect with America’s top outdoor specialty retailers and introduce them to heat it™—a proven, real-world solution that delivers strong sales and profit in a minimal footprint. With REI as our first U.S. retail partner, we’re now aiming to open 99 more accounts to reach our milestone of 100 U.S. dealers. We look forward to building lasting partnerships with outdoor retailers who share our passion for the outdoors and want to offer their customers an innovative, high-turn, high-margin product that truly enhances time spent outside.

The Retail Fit:

heat it™ is a perfect fit for the Switchback audience because it solves a real-world problem every outdoor customer faces—insect bites—using smart, compact, eco-friendly technology. Designed for life outside, it provides fast, chemical-free relief with no waste, batteries, or mess. It is clinically proven, child-safe (3+), and backed by a 100-day risk-free satisfaction guarantee.

With an MSRP of $39.95 and a 50% margin, heat it™ generates over $2,100 in sales per square foot from a footprint smaller than 4” x 8”. It’s a powerful impulse product that delivers high turns, strong profits, and happier customers—exactly what Switchback retailers need.

Norrona

Background:

Norrøna is a fourth generation family-owned company with a mission to create the world’s greatest outdoor products and offer unique adventures through responsible business. Built on Quality, Function, Design, Sustainability, our philosophy is Loaded Minimalism: Products made as clean as possible with all critical details.

We have been in North America for over 15 years. We are a year-round premium technical apparel brand, best known in the US for protection, breathability and durability through our superior craftsmanship and partnership with Gore-Tex. We have a solid distribution of over 100 premium ski/snowboard and outdoor specialty retailers as well as ecommerce partners like backcountry.com.

At Switchback:

We will be featuring our Spring/Summer collections including lifestyle, mountaineering, hiking/running and mountain biking. We have an incredible selection of hiking pants and shorts, unique breathable active insulated tops and bottoms and a lifestyle collection with color and comfort. We are excited to build awareness of our brand at this new show and expand our footprint.

The Retail Fit:

Our mission statement is “welcome to nature”. We build our products for outdoor activities and encourage our customers to identify with us as a way of life. We are headquartered in Boulder, Colorado and we are committed to outdoor events and the community.

Packfire

PACKFIRE sparked to life in 2023 with a simple idea: What if a fire pit could be as portable as the adventure itself? It started when Mark Lefebvre—a Marine vet and retired police officer—pitched a flat-pack garden planter to his longtime friend, Jeff Polke, co-founder of GCI Outdoor. Jeff saw more than a planter. He saw the fire pit he had always wanted to build. A few prototypes later, Jeff’s retirement was officially on hold—and that humble idea had evolved into a sleek, packable fire pit built to go anywhere, fire up fast, and keep the good times glowing. With decades of experience in brand building, retail strategy, and global growth, we know how to turn big ideas into household names. We hope PACKFIRE is next. 

At Switchback:   

We are a new company launching on Kickstarter and at Switchback. We would like to show our commitment to the specialty outdoor retailers and show them our awesome innovative product.

The Retail Fit:  

The specialty Outdoor market is where we see the best opportunity to sell premium priced, innovative products. They demand quality and differentiation from the commodity products sold in the mass market retailers.

LIVSN Designs

Background:

We built LIVSN to create versatile, dependable apparel that functions equally well on the trail or around town. Our clothing forgoes chasing trends in favor of timeless style, incorporating subtle features with responsibly sourced fabrics.

We serve modern outdoor enthusiasts who value quality products with values and intention behind them. Everything we make is backed by a lifetime warranty and repair program, and we strive to be as transparent as possible with our supply chain, product development, and weekly happenings to keep our global community active and excited about all we do.

At Switchback:

We will feature our classic Flex Canvas Pants and new Crux Pants at Switchback. The former is one of the first and most successfully iterated designs over the years to near pants perfection, while the Crux brings laidback style and functionality ideal for climbers, fly fishers, and world travelers. We hope to connect with retailers who share our commitment to versatile, durable gear. Our brand and products meet the needs of our evolving industry, and we’re eager to grow with like-minded partners.

The Retail Fit:

Our products fit squarely into the sweet spot for stores that serve outdoor-core and lifestyle users. Our customer base is exactly what stores are looking for: younger, outdoor-oriented, and willing to pay for quality gear that will support them on their adventures.

Pingora

Background:

Pingora was founded in 2022 with the mission of empowering our users to detach from the digital. Like our namesake peak in Wyoming, Pingora’s product is aspirational, approachable, technical, and most importantly, inspires a deeper connection with yourself and nature. Within the market, Pingora fills the gap of an authentic, innovative, creative, fun, and youthful brand offering technical products with a fun and aspiration twist on the traditional core pack and bag space. We aim to creatively use both new and premium deadstock material in each product which yields innovative and sustainable products.

At Switchback: 

We’re excited to continue the introduction of our top-reviewed Outro backpack series. From GearJunkie to Backpacker, reviewers are recognizing the Outro as a versatile and game-changing pack design. We’ll also be previewing our 2026 Flow trail running pack series. Most of all we want to use Switchback to grow our amazing wholesale partner base, and connect, and collaborate with colleagues and friends new and old.

The Retail Fit:

Pingora is all about enabling the next generation of adventurers that want to hit the do-not-disturb button, reach their goals, maximize the fun, and find themselves outdoors.