LOWA Boots Announces Partnership with Hunters of Color
STAMFORD (June 9, 2022) - LOWA Boots, the global footwear brand known for its nearly 100 years of hand-crafted European heritage, today announced its partnership with Hunters of Color (HOC), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) participation in hunting. LOWA will give footwear to select HOC mentees and ambassadors, in addition to outfitting three gear locker locations in Colorado, New York and Oregon, intended to be used as a free of charge rental resource for those without proper footwear, across the U.S. for those attending an HOC outing.
“The first pair of boots I used for hunting were LOWAs and I have been wearing my Renegades since 2015 and they’re still going strong,” said Jimmy Flatt, co-founder of Hunters of Color. “One of the biggest barriers for those entering the outdoors for the first time is having a bad experience with inappropriate gear. My Renegades were perfect the first day out and still are, no pain, no need to break-in. Our partnership with LOWA enables our ambassadors and mentees to tackle any terrain and weather, staying focused on the hunting experience. We are grateful for this partnership.”
HOC’s main mission is to foster a more equitable and inclusive community for hunters.
In addition, HOC works to dismantle barriers to entry for hunters of color by providing educational opportunities, mentorships, and resources for new hunters.
“HOC’s mission to make ‘the outdoors for everyone’ is so important,” says Peter Sachs, general manager at LOWA Boots. “Ninety-seven percent of hunters in the nation are white, with only three percent of hunters being BIPOC. We hope that by providing our footwear to hunters from traditionally underrepresented communities, we can start to see a change in these statistics and make a real difference. Supporting HOC’s mission is an honor for LOWA.”
Specifically, LOWA Boots will be stocked in three HOC gear lockers across the U.S located strategically located near the local state Hunters of Color communities for ease of access. These lockers hold boots, apparel and other necessary gear needed to get consumers outside and hunting for the first time. Gear lockers are important to HOC’s mission in that they allow new hunters the ability to try and test out gear without having to make a significant financial commitment to something they have yet to commit to. It also gives community members the ability to test out quality gear that they may want to purchase for themselves after they turn the gear back in.
About Hunters of Color
Hunters of Color is a racial equity based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working on increasing BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) participation in hunting for the sake of conservation, food sovereignty, and to preserve our ancestral traditions. They are currently the only nationwide hunting nonprofit led by BIPOC, for BIPOC. HOC was founded by three friends, Jimmy Flatt, Thomas Tyner, and Lydia Parker in August of 2020, with a goal of making "The Outdoors for Everyone." The trio saw a need for more inclusivity and equity in the hunting community based on their personal experiences and demographic statistics.
For more information, visit www.huntersofcolor.org
About LOWA Boots
With almost 100 years of hand-crafted European heritage, LOWA Boots, is a globally respected footwear brand located in Jetzendorf, in Upper Bavaria. Since 1923, LOWA has created premium outdoor boots and shoes featuring beautiful silhouettes, best-in-class quality, and proprietary technology. Its designers adeptly navigate the outdoor performance, lifestyle, and fashion categories, always nurturing brand integrity. LOWA footwear is 100% designed and handcrafted in factories in Europe. In recognition of these efforts, LOWA is one of the only footwear brands to receive ISO 9001 status for the highest quality construction and process standards. LOWA certified tactical boots are also made to comply with the European Union’s PPE standards. Dedicated to sustainability, LOWA has resoling and rental programs.
For more information, visit www.lowaboots.com