Protect Our Winters (POW), the leading climate advocacy non-profit for the outdoor sports community, has officially launched its 2024 seasonal collection of merchandise and brand collaborations. This year’s rollout represents a significant expansion of the organization’s "Brand Alliance" program, which pairs high-performance outdoor equipment with a direct-to-impact funding model. As the winter recreation season commences, POW is leveraging these partnerships to transform traditional consumer spending into a sustainable revenue stream for climate policy advocacy and community mobilization.
The 2024 collection features a diverse array of products, ranging from technical apparel and durable expedition gear to lifestyle accessories and wellness supplements. Each item is the result of a collaboration with established industry leaders, many of whom have integrated specific environmental standards—such as the use of recycled materials or the elimination of microplastics—into the production of these limited-edition releases.
A Strategic Model for Climate Advocacy Funding
The core of the POW Brand Alliance is a commitment to "giving back" that goes beyond traditional corporate social responsibility. For many items in the 2024 collection, a substantial portion of the proceeds is funneled directly into POW’s advocacy work. For instance, the partnership with Fishpond for the Thunderhead Grande Submersible Duffel allocates 50% of every purchase to the organization. Similarly, the collaboration between Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins and jewelry designer Larissa Loden also features a 50% donation margin.
This funding model is critical to POW’s operational strategy. Unlike traditional environmental groups that focus solely on land conservation, POW focuses on systemic change through legislative advocacy. The funds raised from these product sales support the organization’s efforts to lobby for clean energy transitions, carbon pricing, and the protection of public lands at both the state and federal levels.
The 2024 Product Highlights and Technical Specifications
The current seasonal lineup is characterized by high-utility gear designed for the rigors of backcountry and resort environments.
Footwear and Technical Apparel:
The collection features the POW x KEEN Whyser, a slip-on shoe featuring artwork by Max Romey, a member of the POW Creative Alliance. The design was notably influenced by the physical patterns of Alaskan snowflakes, bridging the gap between artistic expression and the natural phenomena the organization seeks to preserve. In the apparel sector, the Burton Reserve 2L Pant stands out as a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing. These pants are constructed using DRYRIDE™ 2-layer 100% recycled polyester and utilize materials that are over 90% bluesign® approved, ensuring that the production process meets strict chemical and environmental safety standards.
Expedition Gear:
For high-capacity storage, the POW x Fishpond Thunderhead Duffel provides 100 liters of waterproof protection. Built for extreme conditions, the gear is aimed at the "prosumer" segment of the outdoor market—those who require professional-grade equipment for river expeditions and backcountry travel. Another technical addition is the POW x Stoke Tracks Ski Pole Baskets. These components are specifically engineered to be free of microplastics, addressing a growing concern regarding the degradation of plastic gear in alpine environments.
Accessories and Lifestyle:
The 2024 guide includes the POW x Arcade Collab Belt, featuring mountain-themed artwork by Joseph Toney. The belt is designed with TSA-compliant materials and high-stretch webbing. For hydration, the HydraPak Stow Bottle offers a packable solution for ski touring, with $2 from each sale supporting climate advocacy. The collection also features the "Gogglesoc," a lens protection accessory featuring the art of Kate Zessel, and the Skida Alpine Hat, which uses a cyanotype print created from plants gathered on Vermont trails by athlete Noah Dines.
Chronology of the Protect Our Winters Movement
To understand the significance of the 2024 launch, it is necessary to examine the evolution of POW since its inception.
- 2007: Professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones founds Protect Our Winters after witnessing the direct impact of climate change on the glaciers and snowpacks he relied on for his career.
- 2011-2015: POW expands its "Athlete Alliance," recruiting world-class skiers, climbers, and mountain bikers to act as spokespeople for climate action.
- 2018: The organization launches the "Outdoor State" initiative, a demographic study and mobilization effort targeting the 50 million Americans who identify as outdoor enthusiasts.
- 2020-2023: Strategic brand partnerships become a primary revenue driver. POW begins collaborating with major manufacturers like Burton, YETI, and KEEN to create "impact-first" product lines.
- 2024: The current seasonal launch marks the most diverse collaboration list to date, incorporating non-alcoholic beverages (Best Day Brewing) and digital services (AllTrails) into the climate advocacy ecosystem.
Supporting Data: The Economic Impact of the "Outdoor State"
The urgency behind these partnerships is underscored by economic data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the outdoor recreation economy accounts for approximately $1.1 trillion in annual economic output, representing 2.2% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This sector supports nearly 5 million jobs across the country.
However, this economic engine is uniquely vulnerable to climate volatility. Shorter winters, receding snowlines, and unpredictable weather patterns pose a direct threat to the ski industry and mountain-dependent economies. Research suggests that low-snow years can result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for the U.S. winter tourism sector. By engaging in these brand collaborations, POW is essentially asking the industry to reinvest its profits into the protection of its own foundational resource: a stable climate.
Official Responses and Partner Statements
The brands involved in the 2024 collection have emphasized that these collaborations are part of a broader shift toward corporate accountability.
A spokesperson for Burton noted that their 13-year partnership with bluesign® and their ongoing support for POW reflect a commitment to "performance and progress," suggesting that the era of "greenwashing" is being replaced by measurable sustainability benchmarks. Similarly, Best Day Brewing, which produced the "Dark Diamond" non-alcoholic beer for the collection, stated that their involvement is designed to support the "hangover-free après" lifestyle while contributing to the advocacy efforts led by POW founder Jeremy Jones.
Jessie Diggins, an Olympic gold medalist and POW Board member, commented on the importance of the Larissa Loden jewelry collaboration, stating that the collection is intended to be a "stand for protecting the places we love," emphasizing that the aesthetic value of the products is secondary to their role as a tool for environmental impact.
Analysis of Broader Implications
The 2024 POW collaboration guide represents a sophisticated evolution of the "non-profit as a brand" model. By partnering with established companies, POW gains access to mainstream retail channels and consumer bases that might not otherwise engage with climate policy.
Furthermore, these collaborations serve as a litmus test for the outdoor industry’s commitment to sustainability. As consumers increasingly demand transparency, brands that align with organizations like POW are positioning themselves as leaders in the "circular economy." The inclusion of items like the Stoke Tracks ski baskets—which specifically tackle the niche but significant issue of microplastic shedding in snow—indicates a move toward hyper-specific environmental problem-solving.
The success of these partnerships also suggests a shift in how the "Outdoor State" views its purchasing power. No longer content with mere recreation, a growing segment of the outdoor community is treating gear acquisition as a form of political expression. Each purchase of a POW-branded YETI flask or a Skida hat acts as a micro-donation to a lobbying force that represents the interests of the environment in Washington, D.C.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
As Protect Our Winters continues to expand its reach, the 2024 seasonal collection serves as a tangible reminder of the organization’s dual mission: to provide the gear necessary for outdoor exploration and to ensure that the environments being explored remain intact for future generations. With a focus on high-quality manufacturing, artistic collaboration, and direct financial impact, this year’s rollout sets a new standard for how the outdoor industry can participate in the global climate conversation. The transition from a simple "gearhead" culture to a "climate protector" culture is well underway, fueled by the very equipment that defines the mountain experience.
