Journalists Gear Test on Excursions With Brands like YETI, Altra and More
YETI, Altra, ISLE, Hydro Flask, Teva, Victorinox and More Head Outside with Journalists on Excursions at Outdoor Media Summit
Brand-hosted Excursions at OMS will take nearly 100 journalists on adventures in the mountains, on lakes, and along trails in Asheville to test new gear.
August 5, 2026 — ASHEVILLE, NC — Outdoor Media Summit (OMS) today announces the lineup for this year’s Excursions. 10 brand-hosted experiences that will send more than 100 media attendees out of Downtown Asheville and into the surrounding mountains, rivers, and trails. On Tuesday afternoon on September 29, journalists will trade the conference floor for the field, testing gear alongside the brand sponsors.
“I’m hoping to skip some of the conference duties for a few hours and join media,” said Yoon Kim, founder of Outdoor Media Summit. “One of the Excursions I’m most excited about this year is fly fishing for native Appalachian brookies while testing new waders, boots, rods and reels.”
From a hike with YETI and Teva in the Blue Ridge Mountains to a sauna and cold plunge with Nomadix and Hydro Flask, Excursions gives journalists a full afternoon of hands-on time with the brands shaping the outdoor industry. Altra and Smartwool will lead a trail run and spa session; Victorinox will run a hands-on bushcrafting for beginners experience; and ISLE, Oru and Bedrock Sandals will take attendees out on the water for paddle boarding and kayaking.
Excursions fall on Day 2 of OMS, following a morning of technical education Breakout Sessions covering the media, marketing, ecommerce, and the outdoor industry. landscape.
OMS 2026 Excursions
- Bushcrafting 101 — hosted by Victorinox
- Sauna & Cold Plunge at Drip Sauna — co-hosted by Nomadix and Hydro Flask
- Fly Fishing 101 / Casting Lesson — co-hosted by Mayfly Outdoors
- Paddle Boarding / Kayaking at Lake Julian — co-hosted by ISLE, Oru and Bedrock Sandals
- *Indoor Rock Climbing — co-hosted by Hydro Flask and *TBD
- *Conservation Work Day — co-hosted by Landmark Project and *TBD
- *Disc Golf at Highland Brewing — co-hosted by UDisc and *TBD
- Explore River Arts District — hosted by Explore Asheville
*Indoor Climbing, Disc Golf, and Conservation Work Day still have a co-host spot open for each excursion.
Both are non-competing pairings, giving the joining brand a co-host opportunity alongside UDisc and Landmark Project on outings with writers and editors from the outdoor industry’s largest and widely read publications, including Outside Magazine, GearJunkie, Men’s Journal, Popular Mechanics, and more.
Brands interested in filling the remaining co-hosted Excursions sponsorship openings should reach out to [email protected].
About Outdoor Media Summit
Outdoor Media Summit is the largest gathering of gear media in the outdoor industry. It’s where the brightest minds in media and marketing gather to share secrets, forecast the future, and learn to make more money. This year’s conference will take place in the heart of Downtown Asheville from September 28–30, 2026, with the Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville serving as the host hotel. OMS brings together editors, writers, brand marketers, and PR professionals for three days of high-value programming, networking, and forward-thinking conversation about the future of outdoor media.
For more information on Outdoor Media Summit or sponsorship opportunities, connect with [email protected].
