Big City Mountaineers Partners With Smartwool For Socktober Campaign

Big City Mountaineers (BCM), a leading provider of outdoor and backcountry experiences for youth for more than 30 years, is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Smartwool for the return of the brand’s Socktober campaign. 

Every year during its month-long campaign known as Socktober, Smartwool donates a portion of its online sock sales and sales from select retailers to advocacy groups that are helping to preserve the great outdoors and bring communities together. Recently, BCM and Smartwool co-hosted a workshop that gave BCM participants the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at apparel design and a chance to create their own sock design. Over 90 students participated in the design process, five were selected as design finalists, and one was eventually chosen (by over 4000 votes from the BCM community) to go into production for Socktober 2021. 

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Smartwool. The Socktober campaign is a very special one – in addition to giving people an opportunity to give back to their local community, the featured sock was designed by a BCM student and is a personal representation of her unique connection with the outdoors. We think people are going to love this Smartwool sock and hope it helps them reflect on their own relationship with nature,” said David Taus, executive director of Big City Mountaineers.  

“I was shocked when Ms. Albin told me that I had won! I felt like I had accomplished a huge goal,” said Camila, winner of the design contest. “I was inspired by a combination of Mexican art and my love of space and science.” 

“We believe in creating opportunities for everyone to get outside. And our mission has always been to protect the places that have inspired us so they can be shared and enjoyed for generations to come,” said Jen McLaren, brand president of Smartwool. “That’s why we’re excited to once again have BCM join us for Socktober and help expand access to the outdoors for the next generation.”