The Outsiders: New Outdoor Creativity

More and more of us are turning to the great outdoors when seeking peace, balance, and a touch of adventure to offset our daily grind—whether hiking through the mountains, paddling on a silent lake, or simply spending a night in a tent far away from civilization. The Outsiders showcases the outlook and passions of the new creative scene that has emerged and draws inspiration from this development along with its original products, brands, and ideas.

A flurry of new brands and manufacturers are currently establishing a refreshingly modern image of globetrotters and adventurers. The products and projects presented in this book are better, hipper, lighter, sturdier, and altogether more radical than ever before. Combining handicraft with the latest technology, they incorporate illustrations, photography, and graphic art as well as trends in product design and fashion. Here, the fundamental challenges posed by the wilderness meet the aesthetic needs of the design-literate urbanite in ways that are atmospheric and likeable, with the occasional romantic or ironic wink.

In a similar vein to our Velo books, The Outsiders captures moods, showcases products and individuals, and presents illustration and graphic design. It also provides insight into how an otherwise familiar subject appears to have lain dormant for years, only now to be revived by spirited people who see the world differently and can expand our horizons.

Complementing its rich selection of images, The Outsiders features interviews with key players from across the outdoor sector. These include gear manufacturers such as Patagonia’s Vincent Stanley and Poler’s Benji Wagner, designers Geoff McFetridge and Groovisions, polar explorer Arved Fuchs, expedition paddler Mark Kalch, champion free-skier Ane Enderud, surf photographer Chris Burkard, custom motorcycle builder James Crowe, and the Hoepner brothers, who rode their bikes together from Berlin to Shanghai. The book’s preface was written by natural born explorer Erling Kagge, the first person to reach the North Pole, South Pole, and summit of Mount Everest.

Co-editor Jeffrey Bowman is not only an observer of the new outdoor movement, but also an active participant. The graphic designer recently moved from England to Norway and embarked on a befitting exploration of his new home—a 2,000 kilometer round trip through the Norwegian countryside.