If you like the outdoors and use social media, this article is for you. Featuring eight of my favorite outdoor gear brands that are doing social media right, I challenge you to make it through the whole list without lacing up those mud-crusted boots and taking off on an adventure for yourself.
Osprey Packs
Osprey Packs have a pack for anyone and everyone. With over 40 years of experience, the company is all about the exceptional relationships it has created and maintained over those years. This bond between the pack and its wearers, the pack and its makers, and the company and its staff is the trifold to success that they continue to experience.
I have yet to find a post that Osprey Packs has uploaded that hasn't been of someone with a smile from ear to ear. The company shows it's cheerful culture and strong relationships through each and every post. The majority of the content is from their customer's photos. It tags and details them from all parts of the world having fun in extreme places with their packs.
Arc'teryx
Snapchat
Arc'teryx's goal is to create equipment that removes the negative, external conditions so you can immerse yourself in the moment. They base their gear on a mix of art, science, and good design.
While the logo is a dead bird, their social media presence certainly is not. Their content comes in the form of their extreme sport ambassadors that take you along for the ride via snapchat. It includes the entire adventure process of packing equipment, the adventure, unpacking the equipment and everything in between. It gives its followers a true behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to use Arc'teryx gear.
Patagonia
YouTube
Originally a small climbing tool company, Patagonia now creates gear and clothing for many silent sports - no motors, no cheering crowds. These sports include climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running. The reward for Patagonia comes from the moments of connection between people and nature.
WIth over 1,200 videos and counting, you can always expect to see something new from Patagonia on YouTube. Their Patagonia Talk Stories feature influencial people in the outdoor industry as well as individuals that work for the company. Their videos are transparent to all of their followers which in turn creates a strong community feel.
Black Diamond
Black Diamond is self-described as the harshest of critics about what exists. Climbing and skiing is their bread and butter within the outdoor industry. This strong passion for the sports is instilled in each of their employees, which makes for a highly qualified team to make the best climbing and skiing gear worldwide.
Climbers and nonclimbers alike unite through Black Diamond's Instragram account. Every photo is breathtaking and finds a way to connect with each set of eyes. You will also be kept up-to-date with the organizations and events that the company is supporting or involved with. Overall, their photos will provide you with inspiration and adrenaline daily.
Tentree
This environmentally progressive apparel company is strongly centered around their mission to plant ten trees for each product that is purchased through them. They strive to connect and contribute to both the wellbeing of the people and the planet. Tentree does a great job to educate it's customers about their mission, how they actually execute it, and the importance of trees. With such an agressively sustainable company, how can you not like them?
Their main outlet is through Instagram with an astounding 1.4 million followers. Tentree uses a great mix of their product, the lifestyle, and environmental pictures including ingeneous treehouses and mountainous photos with its products stattered throughout. A few of the photos feature one of their slogans #hugatree within the actual photo as well as the caption. If you're looking for artistic, stunning, or creative outdoor photos, tentree has you covered.
The North Face
YouTube
Everyone has heard of the The North Face. Their gear consists of causal outdoor clothing and accessories that cover just about all of the major outdoor sports including hiking, running, climbing, training, skiing and snowboarding.
Myself, and over 100,000 others can't think of a reason not to follow The North Face. They have a total of 57 million views on all of their videos. Their four main topics focus on expeditions of all natures, "How-to" training videos for several sports, featuring videos involving their ambassadors, and a general playlist section with products and other random videos. It's hard not to get immersed in the overwhelming amount of content that has been produced very well.
Duluth Trading Company
YouTube
Duluth Trading Company only focuses on two things, quality and tradition. Since the 90's, the company has been developing solutions for the rugged folks that like to get the job done. Their work is self described as "Anything that will help guys in the trades work smarter; work more comfortably, we're out to develop." You can expect nothing but quality shirts, pants, and shoes from Duluth.
Their YouTube channel has had little following yet has experienced a huge response from their videos. A large part of their views comes from the simple and straightforward design and humor of their TV ads. In addition, they have reviews and guides for several of their products. Each of their videos are completely unique and extremely difficult not to watch completely through (and/or binge watch.)
CamelBak
CamelBak has came a long way from an IV in a tube sock to the now polished hydration pack known and used by many. They look for new and inventive ways to solve the everyday problems (mainly hydration) that people face. Hikers, bikers, and adventurers experience the commitment the company has made to reinvent and forever change the way people hydrate and perform.
The majority of the content spotlights the excitement of life in motion. CamelBak achieves this by featuring many mid-race photos of their bikers, cyclists, and runners sporting the sleek CamelBak hydration system. The company proves that the rugged terrain and seemingly inconvenient moment prove to be no match for their products.
Summary
All-in-all, each company uses it's interests, strengths and culture to fuel their own unique spin on social media. As simple as it may seen, this process is extremely difficult. If you are struggling to connect with your customers via social media, we can help!
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