A new, woman-owned outdoor gear and apparel brand has launched a store in Denver, aiming to make the great outdoors more accessible and welcoming for female adventure enthusiasts. The brand, Halfdays, offers a range of outdoor gear from ski apparel to outer layers made from recycled, vegan materials.
Co-founded by former freestyle skier Kiley McKinnon, Halfdays emerged out of her frustration with the lack of outdoor gear designed to fit women’s bodies, particularly after competing in men’s ski wear at the 2018 Winter Olympics. McKinnon, alongside co-founder Ariana Ferwerda, CEO of Halfdays, launched the brand in 2020 to create stylish, well-fitted, and functional clothing for women in outdoor spaces.
“We started Halfdays with the mission to introduce more women to the outdoors, and our hope is that our retail space creates a welcoming environment where customers can have fun while finding the perfect fit,” McKinnon explained in a press release. “As an Olympic skier, I know how important it is to touch and feel the product in person, especially as our collection has grown and evolved into various flattering fits and functional materials.”
The new flagship store in Denver occupies the space once home to Outdoor Voices, which closed all 16 of its stores earlier this year after experiencing a decline in brand value. The store’s redesign was led by Toronto-based Reflect Architecture, Denver’s GMSHAY sustainable design firm, and Ellipsis Construction, incorporating modern furniture and wooden finishes.
Halfdays initially sold products through direct-to-consumer online channels and in stores like Nordstrom, REI, Bloomingdale’s, and Backcountry. However, a pivotal pop-up store in Aspen two months after the brand’s launch helped the founders realize the importance of physical retail spaces.
Ferwerda reflected, “It was the first time we saw how powerful it is for people to interact with the product in person and feel the quality firsthand. That experience really opened our eyes to the impact of having a physical presence. As we’ve expanded into trail and everyday outdoor performance fashion, the launch of our retail location couldn’t come at a better time.”
Since its debut, Halfdays has grown its product line beyond skiing, now offering a year-round selection of gear including hats, socks, snow pants, lightweight jackets, and athletic tops.
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