Outdoor Afro and brand partner Smartwool found common ground in community, sustainability, belonging, and the outdoors since 2020. Each organization’s leadership has collaborated on outdoor industry initiatives together for many years prior. The national not-for-profit organization celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Smartwool provides comfortable, capable gear that empowers outdoor enthusiasts and athletes to go far – and feel good along the way. Both make a classic pair in what an authentic partnership looks and feels like in nature experiences for everyone. With a shared mission to make the outdoors easily accessible, Smartwool’s latest sustainability efforts and fall 2023 collection make the apparel brand a natural collaborator.

Outdoor Afro’s selected and trained volunteer leaders guide their hometowns in year-round activities – fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, skiing, and more. Annually, community participants who join the Outdoor Afro Leadership Team in these monthly nature experiences often ask: What is the best gear and equipment to invest in for our next event? These Outdoor Afro network participants always want to make sure they’re exploring nature in their neighborhood safely, sustainably, and with the best comfort. Why Smartwool is Outdoor Afro’s top recommendations in foot protection and base layer support. Since 1999, the apparel brand has redesigned its base layers to provide all-day comfort and outdoor performance. Smartwool’s newest autumn arrivals connect with Outdoor Afro’s annual programs and monthly outdoor activities, just in time for a cooler and wetter season ahead.

COLD-WEATHER COMFORT: Smartwool’s new collection offers designs to accommodate cooler weather adventures. Pick from a range of Merino wool styles, socks, and gear in fall-ready colors for all generations. The outdoor fashion brand’s fall collection also includes newer prints of its Plus Size Classic Thermal Base Layers. With sizes from 1X to 4X, more women can enjoy autumn adventures feeling comfortable and confident in their gear and equipment. Speaking of new sizes, Smartwool’s Unisex Collection also features relaxed, open silhouettes for everyday styling. For upcoming plans to tackle the slope season, skiers of all levels and backgrounds can gain even more room with Smartwool’s Extra Stretch Calf Ski Socks.

ART OF THE OUTDOORS PROGRAM: This Smartwool program and collection celebrates culture, community, and creativity outside through collections and collaborations. The program brought together talented artists and storytellers from all walks of life. This year’s collection features artwork from creatives such as Brittany Lewis, Trickster Company, Jordan Ann Craig, and the Natives Outdoors Collective. Each brings their interpretation of the outdoors to various audiences to explore. It’s fun. It’s colorful. It’s for everyone to enjoy.

THE SECOND CUT™ PROJECT: The project is one of Smartwool’s efforts to achieve a more sustainable product line — and contribute to a more accessible outdoors. To date, Smartwool has donated more than a million socks, saving more than 86,000 pounds of waste from landfills. Shifting to a circular business model, the Second Cut™ Project turns old, unwanted socks into new, recycled ones. And get this: even dog beds. This year, Smartwool released its Second Cut™ Hike Sock — a trail-ready sock made from a 50-50 blend of sock waste and responsibly sourced Merino wool. 

ABOUT OUTDOOR AFRO: Outdoor Afro is a national not-for-profit organization that celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. What started as a kitchen table blog by Founder and CEO Rue Mapp in 2009 has since grown into a cutting-edge nationwide network with 100-plus volunteer leaders in 60 cities with network participation reaching 60,000 people. Outdoor Afro reconnects Black people with the outdoors through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Follow Outdoor Afro at outdoorafro.org and @outdoorafro today.

ABOUT SMARTWOOL: Based in Denver, Colorado, Smartwool® is a sock, apparel, and accessories brand whose products are designed to get the most out of the inherent benefits of Merino wool to bring comfort, confidence, and community to a life lived outside. For information on the full range of Smartwool® products or to find a dealer near you, visit Smartwool.com. Smartwool, a division of VF Outdoor, LLC, is a brand of VF Corporation.