Ridgeline Expedition today announced the launch of its SummitPro Pack Series, the company’s first fully carbon-neutral product line. Designed for alpine, desert, and coastal expeditions, the series combines recycled technical fabrics with a closed-loop manufacturing process that recovers and reuses 98% of production waste.

“This is about more than a new pack,” said CEO Daniel Whitaker. “It’s about redefining how gear is made in a world where every ounce of material — and every ounce of trust — matters.”

The packs feature AeroWeave™ technology, a proprietary material that reduces weight by 30% without sacrificing durability. Expedition guide Lena Horvath, who tested the pack during a 21-day trek in Iceland, praised it as “the lightest load I’ve ever carried without feeling underprepared.”

Industry analysts see the launch as a significant step toward Ridgeline’s Regenerate ’30 initiative, which pledges carbon neutrality across all product lines by 2030. “This is a proof of concept,” said sustainable manufacturing expert Dr. Malik Reyes. “If they can scale this approach, they’ll raise the bar for the entire outdoor industry.”

While details on pricing and availability are still emerging, Ridgeline confirmed the SummitPro line will be released in limited quantities this fall, with a portion of proceeds funding high-altitude trail restoration projects in Nepal and Peru.

Two-time Olympic medalist and world-record-holding mountaineer Kara Dominguez has signed a multi-year partnership with Ridgeline Expedition, naming them her exclusive apparel and gear sponsor. Dominguez is currently in the final stages of preparation for her spring summit attempt on Mount Everest — a climb she hopes to complete without supplemental oxygen.

“I need gear that works as hard as I do,” Dominguez said during a gear fitting at Ridgeline’s Bend, Oregon headquarters. “When I’m 8,000 meters up, there’s no second chance. Ridgeline’s commitment to both performance and planet means I don’t have to choose between doing my best and doing what’s right.”

The sponsorship deal includes collaborative product testing, athlete-led design workshops, and an upcoming limited-edition line of technical layers co-designed by Dominguez herself. Proceeds from that line will support Women on the Ridge, a non-profit that provides mountaineering training to women in underserved communities.

“We see Kara as more than an athlete,” said Whitaker. “She’s a role model for resilience, purpose, and progress — values that align perfectly with our mission.”

Dominguez departs for Nepal next month and will share updates from the field, including behind-the-scenes looks at her Ridgeline gear in action.

Ridgeline Expedition has committed $1.2 million to the Wild Waters Alliance to restore critical river habitats in Patagonia. The multi-year project will rehabilitate over 30 miles of degraded riverbank, protect endangered fish species, and support sustainable tourism in the region.

“Healthy rivers mean healthy communities,” said Marisol Vega, director of Wild Waters Alliance. “Ridgeline’s investment is more than just dollars — it’s a public commitment to the ecosystems that make adventure possible.”

The project is part of the company’s broader Regenerate ’30 pledge and will involve employee volunteer expeditions to Patagonia, where staff will work alongside local conservationists. “This is where our people see the mission come to life,” said Sustainability Director Ian McLeod. “When you’re knee-deep in cold water planting willow cuttings, you remember why we do this.”

The first phase begins in late spring, with community updates planned through Ridgeline’s website and social channels.

After three years of development, Ridgeline Expedition has unveiled AeroWeave™, a proprietary technical fabric that slashes pack weight by nearly a third without reducing abrasion resistance. “The trade-off between weight and durability has been the holy grail of gear design,” said VP of Product Innovation, Malik Cho. “We think we’ve cracked it.”

Field tests in the Rockies and the Andes showed AeroWeave™-equipped packs surviving sharp granite scrapes, heavy rain, and temperature swings from -15°F to 85°F without visible wear.

Outdoor blogger and thru-hiker Jamie Tress called the material “a legit game-changer,” noting that it could “make ultralight accessible to people who’ve always worried about fragility.”

The material will first appear in the upcoming SummitPro Pack Series before rolling out to tents, apparel, and shelters in 2026.

Ridgeline Expedition has announced an expansion of its hands-on manufacturing apprenticeship program for local high school graduates in Bend, Oregon. The program will now support 40 apprentices per year, up from 20, offering a pathway into skilled trades and sustainable manufacturing careers.

“Too many young people think good jobs only exist in big cities,” said COO Marla Jensen. “We’re proving that you can build a meaningful career — and make world-class gear — right here at home.”

Participants receive paid training, mentorship, and the opportunity to work on live production runs of Ridgeline’s technical apparel and gear. Graduate placement rates into full-time roles have already hit 40%, with alumni taking positions in design, supply chain, and quality control.

“This program doesn’t just teach skills,” said apprentice Luis Martinez. “It gives you pride in what you make.”

When the cast and crew of Beyond the Horizon set out to film on location in the remote Cordillera Blanca range of Peru, they faced brutal weather, unpredictable terrain, and a punishing filming schedule. The production team turned to Ridgeline Expedition for technical apparel and gear that could keep both actors and crew safe — and looking authentic on screen.

“Our priority was keeping everyone warm, dry, and able to move comfortably in high-altitude conditions,” said costume designer Patrick Lin. “Ridgeline’s Trailmaster Jackets and AlpineGuard Shells not only delivered on performance, they looked incredible on camera.”

The partnership was more than a product placement deal. Ridgeline provided on-site gear technicians, ensuring the apparel was properly fitted and maintained between takes. Actor Sofia Rios, who plays a mountaineer in the film, said, “I’ve done a lot of adventure shoots, but this was the first time I actually forgot I was wearing ‘costume gear.’ It just felt like the real thing.”

With sweeping visuals and a heart-pounding plot, Beyond the Horizon has already generated award-season buzz. The film’s release next spring is expected to shine a spotlight on the Ridgeline brand among a global audience — and perhaps inspire a few moviegoers to trade their theater seats for a trailhead.

Ridgeline Expedition has announced a 45% reduction in virgin plastic use across all three of its product lines, marking significant progress toward its ambitious Regenerate ’30 pledge. The milestone comes ahead of schedule, with the company crediting a combination of material innovation, supplier partnerships, and improved recycling processes.

“This isn’t the finish line, but it’s a strong marker on the trail,” said CEO Daniel Whitaker. “Our goal has always been to prove that high performance and high responsibility can coexist — and that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.”

Key changes include transitioning to recycled zippers and webbing, redesigning packaging for circularity, and partnering with material recovery facilities in Oregon, Vietnam, and Portugal. Ridgeline’s VP of Sustainability, Andrea Morales, said the next challenge will be scaling these changes to meet global demand without increasing the company’s carbon footprint.

Industry observers note that Ridgeline’s progress could influence peers in the outdoor gear space. “When a heritage brand takes sustainability seriously, it changes what’s possible for the entire sector,” said Dr. Ian Wu of the Global Materials Innovation Council.

The company will release a full Regenerate ’30 Progress Report later this year, detailing the steps — and remaining challenges — in its journey toward complete product circularity by 2030.

Ridgeline Expedition has been honored with the Best Place to Work for Culture Award by the Outdoor Industry Council, recognizing the company’s commitment to fostering an environment where employees feel valued, connected, and inspired.

The award, based on anonymous employee surveys and third-party cultural assessments, highlighted Ridgeline’s emphasis on collaboration, transparent communication, and shared purpose. “What stood out in Ridgeline’s case,” said Council Chair Mariah Leung, “was how deeply their mission is embedded in day-to-day operations — from product development meetings to volunteer events in the field.”

CEO Daniel Whitaker credits the company’s multigenerational legacy for its strong sense of belonging. “We’ve always believed that the trail you walk together is stronger than the one you walk alone,” Whitaker said. “That mindset has guided us from the workshop floor to the boardroom.”

Employees point to a range of initiatives that have reinforced Ridgeline’s culture: quarterly “Trail Days” where teams volunteer in local environmental projects, an open-door policy for leadership, and cross-departmental gear-testing expeditions that blend product feedback with team building.

Product designer Priya Anand, who joined Ridgeline three years ago, described the workplace as “the rare blend of high expectations and high trust. You’re pushed to do your best, but you also know your voice matters.”

The recognition comes at a pivotal time, as Ridgeline continues to expand its operations globally while striving to maintain the close-knit feel of its Bend, Oregon roots. “Culture isn’t something you set once,” Whitaker said. “It’s something you tend to — like a trail that stays clear because you keep walking it together.”