Campfire Talk

Curious to learn more about how Easton Outdoor Company came to be? Check out our Q and A with owner and founder Adam Fairchild.

How did you decide to start this kind of a business?
I love hiking, camping, skiing, mountain biking and exploring the outdoors. Before I opened Easton Outdoor Company I worked at the corporate headquarters of The North Face as a demand planner and Manager of Forecasting. Working in the outdoor industry exposed me to a lot of outdoor apparel and gear so I became really familiar with the products I sell. I really understand the gear, not just from using it, but how it's designed, developed and constructed. I also understand quality and how important it is to rely on the products we use. If a product fails while your hiking, camping, running or in the back country, that really adversely affects your overall experience. That's why it's so important to me to offer products that have a high degree of quality of design and construction.

When did you open Easton Outdoor Company?
We opened October 11, 2011 so we've been open for 7 years. In my infinite wisdom I opened a retail store during one of the worst recessions in our country's history. The first few years were pretty rough. We finally starting seeing some growth in our fourth year. We're now experiencing the kind of growth I need to see to keep this thing going so I'm confident we'll be here for the long term.

What made you choose Easton as the location?
I was born and raised in Easton on College Hill. My parents still live in the same house I grew up in. It was important to me to be the change I wanted to see so I was set on opening my store in downtown Easton. I was seeing some really positive things happening in Easton and I wanted to be a part of that wave of change. Easton, as it does today, had a lot of good restaurants, but it lacked good retail. People came to eat, but had few reasons to walk around and explore the city. I'm so happy now to see a diverse retail environment with retailers like 2nd Base Vintage, Lille Sister, Mercantile Home, Bloomie's Flower Shop, Twice Chic Boutique, Polliwogs and Petunias, Christina's Bridals, The Loving Piece, Just Around the Corner and Book & Puppet Co. doing well in Easton. Let's not forget the retailers that have weathered the storm in Easton over many decades like Genesis Bicycles, The London Shop, Nature's Way Market, Aura Ceramics and Monarch Furniture Store to name a few. Add in the various art galleries and antique and collectible shops and we have a really nice mix of retail shopping in downtown Easton!

How do you choose what kind of products to carry?
I originally started with a different product offering. When I opened I carried ski and snowboard outerwear, yoga apparel, water apparel and youth apparel in addition to the products I currently provide. Over time my customers dictated what they want to buy from our store. So ski and snowboard outerwear, yoga apparel, water apparel and youth apparel have been cut from our offering. We added climbing gear based upon customer feedback as well. The change was really positive because it allowed us to narrow our focus and really provide a comprehensive assortment for hiking, camping, climbing, running and casual activities. Our customers have also dictated what price points are appropriate for our market which has provided further focus to our categories. As an independent, outdoor retailer I really wanted to strike a balance between technical products and everyday lifestyle products. I'm really happy with our offering and feel we have a nice equilibrium between those two worlds. In addition, we bring in new brands on a fairly regular basis. This allows us to provide some freshness to our product offering and hopefully attract new customers that love those brands. Some of our new brands include Mountain Hardwear, Sherpa and TenTree.

What's your personal favorite outdoor activity?
I love skiing and recently reacquainted myself with mountain biking. I realize the irony considering my store doesn't offer anything in the way of skiing or mountain biking. I also enjoy hiking and camping and am looking forward to getting back into that world now that my twins are 3. By next summer they will be four and we'll be hitting the trails and making s'mores around the camp fire.

What kind of community events do you participate in?
We organize our own 5 and 10 mile trail race at Jacobsburg State Park each year. We participate in Easton Out Loud on the fourth Friday of each month. We volunteered to help plan and execute the first Karl Stirner Arts Trail 5K Artful Dash. I also sit on the board for GEDP (Greater Easton Development Partnership) which is the parent organization of Easton Mainstreet Initiative, the Farmer's Market, the Public Market, the Ambassadors and PA Bacon Fest.

We’re excited to announce the addition of the brand Mountain Hardware, and a new collection of jackets from Sherpa.

Our Sherpa jackets and coats are here just in time for fall. A variety of styles and colors are available in store. Not only are they stylish and comfortable, but Sherpa is a brand you can feel great about purchasing from. They do amazing things worldwide, including helping women in Nepal get jobs, and funding children’s education with their ‘Sherpa Adventure Gear Fund’. For every product sold worldwide, a portion is donated to grant scholarships and helps provide resources.

Mountain Hardware is another fantastic brand we’re offering! The end of summer doesn’t mean the end of outdoor activity and fun. Stop by and see the new apparel that’ll keep you warm all fall and winter long. The brand was founded by true outdoor adventurists who were passionate about creating high quality garments and gear for anyone with an appreciate for the outdoors. This apparel will protect you from the hasher elements of the seasons, help your body regulate it’s temperature and keep moisture out.

Stay tuned, new Sherpa jackets and Mountain Hardware will be available for purchase online soon!

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

This weekend downtown Easton hosts the annual ‘PA Bacon Fest’! Saturday, November 3rd and Sunday, November 4th, will be filled with food, drinks, music, activities, cooking demos, tastings and more. It’s the biggest food festival of the year and attracts upwards of 75,000 visitors from all over the country.

Here’s our survival guide to guarantee a great time!

1. What to Wear
First things first, you want to make sure you’re prepared for the chilly fall weather. The forecast is showing a sunny, 56 degrees for both days of the festival weekend. Visit us to stock up on hoodies from The North Face, sweaters from Patagonia, fleeces and outerwear from Mountain Hardware, Sherpa jackets and more. Mountain Hardware and Sherpa apparel are both new in store!

2. What to Eat & Drink
There are an near infinite number of choices at Bacon Fest. It’s hard to know where to begin! Certain tents are can’t miss for us. Porter’s Pub will have new bacon dishes this year, and Sweet Girlz Bakery has a first-time surprise treat, just for Bacon Fest. Two Rivers Brewing Co. will have a smoked bacon, beer and cheese soup that’s delicious. These are just a few of our favorites- there are over 100 vendors, so try something new, too!

3. What to Drink
Bacon Bloody Mary’s from 3rd & Ferry Fish Market have become a PA Bacon Fest staple. We’ll definitely stop by the Maxim’s 22 tent for their bacon beer or a hot spiked bacon cider. Non alcoholic options are out there too, like bacon infused lemonade and sweet tea.

4. Where to Park
These parking instruction are straight from the PA Bacon Fest website:
-Shuttle Locations are at Braden Airpark at 3800 Sullivan Trail in Easton as well as The Northampton County Courthouse, located at 669 Washington Street in Easton.
-Parking Garages are located at Pine Street and the ‘New’ South 3rd Street Parking Garage, both with a $10 flat fee for the day.
But, if we were you, we’d bike over-or use Uber or Lyft.

5. For the Kids
The Piggie Moon Bounce is always a hit with the kiddos. For just $3, it’s a bargain that’ll keep them entertained! Both days will hold ‘pig and wiener dog racing events’ at 11 a.m., noon and 1, 4 and 5 p.m.

There is SO much going on at Bacon Fest! You can check out pabaconfest.com to learn more. Better yet, just show up and get ready to have fun and eat A LOT OF BACON! Make sure you stop by Easton Outdoor Company while you’re there for a sweet sticker to show you survived PA Bacon Fest 2018. Plus, you’ll get an exclusive coupon to use for your holiday shopping. See you Saturday!

Bacon’s the best. Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause.
-Jim Gaffigan

There's so much going on in downtown Easton this weekend! Saturday, September 15th is Lafayette Day, Chile Pepper Day at the Easton Farmer's Market, and Riverside Festival of the Arts.

Chile Pepper Day is one of our favorite days at the farmer's market. Vendors offer fun, unique sweet and hot peppers to try out. If you're feeling especially brave, enter the famous “10 Deadly Peppers” hot pepper eating contest.

The Riverside Festival of the Arts is both Saturday & Sunday. It's another fantastic event where you can discover amazing local artists and hear live music, as well as open mic, workshops and a lot more.

Lafayette Day 2018 is Saturday as well, running from 11am-3pm. It's a great event for new Lafayette students, faculty and staff families to enjoy some free grub, live music, contests, art and more.

The forecast is showing nearly perfect early-fall weather, making it ideal for walking around the market and stopping by a few of Easton's awesome shops and restaurants. Of course, don't forget to visit Easton Outdoor Company while you're downtown. Fall apparel and products are beginning to fill up the store! New fleece styles, flannels, hoodies, t-shirts, pants and hats are available now. It's the stuff you'll be living in all autumn and winter long.

Even better, our annual End of Summer Clearance Sale. Tons of your favorite styles and brands are 40% off right now!

“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

The Lehigh Valley and surrounding area offers some fantastic hiking trails. Check out our list of personal favorites and start planning your hike! Visit us at Easton Outdoor to get all the apparel, gear and accessories you'll need.

Jacobsburg State Park- Nazareth PA
Jacobsburg is just a short drive to Nazareth and offers 19 miles of trails. There's over 1,000 acres of woodlands, streams, and fields. The Green Blazed Sobers Run loop trail runs right along Bushkill Creek. Hikers, trail runners, all-terrain bikers, horseback riders and even cross-country skiers are all welcome to take on these trails!
Learn More

Trexler Nature Preserve- Schecksville PA
Trexler Nature Preserve is another favorite of ours. The 9 mile loop is a great option, but all trails offer absolutely amazing, scenic views. If you're looking for hill training, the trails here are ideal for you.
Learn More

Lake Nockamixon- Bucks County, PA
The hiking trails in the park take you through forests, fields, and the edge of beautiful Lake Nockamixon. There are several trails to choose from based on your experience. Some are open just to hikers and bikers, others allow horseback riding. Check out their website for more details on that, but here's a quick summary:

STERNER MILL HIKING AREA 1.8 miles- more difficult hiking
OLD HAYCOCK ROAD- 1.3 miles, easiest hiking
SOUTHSIDE OF THE LAKE TRAILS- 13.5 miles, easiest hiking
Elephant - 4.6 miles
Church - 5.1 miles
Mink - 3.8 miles
HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL- 1.2 miles, more difficult hiking
QUARRY TRAIL- 2.65 miles, more difficult hiking
OLD MILL TRAIL- 5.6 miles, more difficult hiking
OTHER TRAILS- A paved 2 mile bike trail can also be hiked, as well as the 10 miles of mountain biking trails.
Learn More

Merrill Creek Reservoir - Washington NJ
Not far from the Lehigh Valley in Washington, NJ, Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 290-acre preserve featuring trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. There's a handful of trails to hike, ranging from just about half a mile to 5.5 miles.
Handy Trail Map | Learn More

Round Valley Reservoir- Lebanon, NJ
There are three marked trails at Round Valley: the Cushetunk Trail, the Pine Tree Trail and the Family Hiking & Biking Trail.
• Cushetunk trail- more difficult hiking. rugged surface, rocky and steep in places which makes it more suitable for experienced hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
• The Pine Tree Trail- easier hiking; a good one to bring the kids along, as it's just about a 1 mile loop.
• The Family Hiking and Biking Trail- easier hiking; a short loop just about half a mile.
• There's also a 4th unmarked water trail that's less than 2 miles. 1 1/2 miles, accessible from the campers boat launch area.
Nifty Park Map | Learn More

Appalachian Trail (Delaware Water Gap and East)
Of the 2,174 total miles of Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 28 miles are within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Hiking these trails provides gorgeous views and an opportunity to check out some amazing wildlife.
View Map | Learn More

Of course, there's a lot of other great hiking spots in our area, too! If we missed one our your favorites, stop by the store and let us know.

“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.”
-MARY DAVIS

It can be challenging to find sunglasses that won't budge during an intense run. When you do, they're usually quite expensive. That's exactly why we love Goodr brand sunglasses. They're both affordable and effective. Plus, they're stylish! You can find a rainbow of color choices right here at Easton Outdoor Company. For only $25, they're priced right, too.

What makes Goodr sunglasses ideal for running, climbing and other outdoor activity?
Typical sunglasses quickly fall down your face if you're doing anything more than walking, while forgoing sunglasses altogether exposes eyes to damaging sun rays. Goodr are polarized with UV 400 for great sun protection. You can jog, sprint, climb and hike outdoors to your heart's content without having to worry. They conform comfortably and won't slip or bounce, which can make a huge difference in the success of your run. You won't want to think about fixing your sunglasses when you have a time to beat.

And with names like these, what's not to love?
Flamingos on a Booze Cruise (pink with blue lens)
Iced by Yetis (white with blue lens)
Donkey Goggles (orange with blue lens)
Sunbathing with Wizards (blue with gold lens)
Swedish Meatball Hangover (yellow with blue lens)
Whisky Shots with Satan (black with amber lens)

We only sell products we truly believe it and would use ourselves. Stop by the store to pick up your pair of Goodr running sunglasses today! Or, click here to see what's currently available to purchase online. We offer free shipping on orders over $75, so order a pair for a friend and shop around website for more great deals on outdoor apparel and gear!

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow”
-Helen Keller

It's never easy to watch another summer come to an end. One great thing is it means major savings for you at Easton Outdoor Company! Our annual End of Summer Sale is going on right now. Stock up on summer apparel, outerwear, hats, Buff headwear and sandals for next year. Plus, beautiful Autumn days are still to come. You'll have plenty of chances to wear your new duds before winter!

Ladies can save big on Patagonia sundresses, skirts and tees all marked down 40%. More apparel brands included in the Summer 2018 Clearance include Royal Robbins, Sherpa, The North Face, Kid's Killtec, Teva, Northside and Buff and more. Teva ‘Flip' sandals are on sale for $21, and NorthSide ‘Savannah Sandals' are down to $29.97! Shop tons of Men's button-down shirts, polos, shorts, pants and more are all at their lowest prices of the year. This sale is HUGE, so make sure to visit the store in downtown Easton or check out what's available online before it's gone.

New fall products are also on their way, so it's a great time to stop by the store. Stop by to find the stuff you'll be living in all fall! Browse new items from your favorite, top quality outdoor brands, including Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Marmot, Royal Robbins, Sherpa, Ten Tree. Fleece, hoodies, flannel, tees, pants and hats are starting to roll in. Come October, winter insulated outerwear and winter hats, gloves and accessories will start to arrive. Stay tuned for more info on that and more new winter products, coming soon!

“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”
-anonymous

Since 2011, Easton Outdoor Company has been providing high-end outdoor apparel, footwear, camping and hiking gear to the Lehigh Valley and beyond. We've been proud to be a part of the downtown Easton business community and to see it's growth over the last several years. Easton Outdoor Company is passionate about spreading the joys of an active lifestyle and exploring the world around us.

Whether you've been a life-long outdoor enthusiast, or you're a novice hiker, camper, or trail runner, Easton Outdoor has everything you need to get going! Stop by to get expert recommendations for your next climbing, biking, hiking or camping adventure. We can point you in the right direction for boots, equipment and accessories that will help make it a success. We offer favorite outdoor brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Osprey, Salomon, Marmot and much more.

Have questions? Visit us and we're happy to help in any way we can. Our store hours are Tuesday - Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sundays 11am-5pm. We're always open here online, so you can shop whenever it's convenient for you. Plus, we offer free in-store pickup if you don't want to wait for shipping.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts about our favorite in-store and online items, informative product reviews, our favorite camping spots and hiking trails in the area, tips and more. We'll also give you a heads up for any upcoming events we have in the works!

Until next time!

“May your time in nature lead you to yourself”
-Shikoba