Lyon Equipment brought hands-on product experiences and expert knowledge to the forefront at Outdoor and Social 2025, a three-day immersive event designed to educate and inspire outdoor retail staff.
Held in March at Newfold Farm in Edale, nestled in the heart of the Peak District, the event provided a scenic and authentic backdrop for learning, testing, and building brand familiarity.
Representing Lyon Equipment at the event was Mark Croxall, the company’s representative for Central England, Wales, and Ireland. Mark arrived with a line-up of some of the biggest names in outdoor gear: La Sportiva, Hydrapak, Katadyn, Exped, and Optimus—all renowned for their quality and innovation in outdoor performance.
“The event was good,” Mark said. “People were really keen to learn. We brought a lot of brands with us and there was a lot of excitement, especially around La Sportiva. There were a lot of brand fans at the event—even among other exhibitors.”
The goal of Outdoor and Social is to provide retail staff with more than just product knowledge—it’s about giving them first-hand experience with the gear so they can confidently pass that insight on to customers. Lyon Equipment embraced that ethos completely, offering a wide range of demo products for attendees to trial in a real outdoor setting.
Retail staff were encouraged to get hands-on and even take gear for a test run—literally. La Sportiva’s footwear was a particular highlight, with many participants lacing up for runs around the Edale countryside. Hikers and trail runners had the chance to put new models through their paces, including the Prodigio Pro and the Aequilibrium hike boot, both of which had just been released.
“We had a lot of retail staff going off in our shoes for a run to test them,” Mark explained. “We also had a demo pool of hiking boots. Everyone wanted to try everything. There was a real sense of curiosity and enthusiasm.”
Beyond footwear, the Lyon Equipment stand featured hands-on demos of products from Hydrapak, known for their lightweight hydration systems, Katadyn’s portable water filtration solutions, Exped’s technical sleeping mats and shelters, and Optimus, specialists in outdoor cooking systems. Brand experts were on hand to answer questions, offer guidance, and share technical knowledge that helped deepen understanding and confidence among the staff.
With its mix of training, product testing, and community atmosphere, Outdoor and Social 2025 provided an ideal platform for Lyon Equipment to connect with the next generation of outdoor retail professionals—and share their passion for quality kit that’s built to thrive in wild places.
Leave a Reply