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![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dan-Durston-with-X-Dome-tent.jpeg\"\/)
\n The Kootenay Region\u2019s Outdoor Gear Sector Reaches New Heights<\/p>\n
May 5, 2026
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\n The Kootenay Region\u2019s Outdoor Gear Sector Reaches New Heights<\/p>\n
\/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE\/ \u2013 Outdoor equipment company Durston has expanded its design capabilities in Golden, British Columbia. The business has grown exponentially since its establishment in 2018 and this year president and product architect Dan Durston has made two significant advancements: he established an in-house prototyping division and he hired Chris Stone, formerly of The North Face, as senior designer to work alongside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cBringing prototyping in-house means a much faster pace of innovation and will give us the ability to really push the limits of what we can do technically,\u201d Durston says. \u201cPlus, having such a talented designer as Chris Stone on site is a major advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stone relocated to Golden from Denver, Colorado where he was a designer for The North Face, one of the world\u2019s largest global outdoor apparel brands with more than 5,000 employees. Prior to that job, Stone held positions in the design and sustainability departments at Arc\u2019teryx and Burton Snowboards. \u201cDurston\u2019s geographic location is an amazing benefit,\u201d Stone says of the company. \u201cI love being able to prototype where I play. Going straight from the lab into the field to test in our backyard is very satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Widely respected in the ultralight backpacking community, Durston has built a strong reputation for design innovation through its award-winning X-Mid tents and Kakwa packs. The X-Mid is now one of the best-selling ultralight tents on the planet and the company\u2019s Iceline trekking poles are the world\u2019s lightest three-piece adjustable poles, weighing in at only 134 grams.<\/p>\n
Durston is one of the original members of KORE Outdoors, a Kootenay-based industry alliance for gear makers, designers, and repair technicians. \u201cKORE\u2019s mission is to establish the Kootenay region as a global leader in outdoor gear innovation,\u201d says Board Chair Matt Mosteller. \u201cDurston\u2019s decision to bring prototyping in-house is a meaningful win for the region and reinforces the Kootenays\u2019 growing role in shaping the future of outdoor gear.\u201d<\/p>\n
On March 31, Chris Stone was a featured presenter of the KORE Outdoors Speaker Series, a free, monthly webinar that showcases leading voices in design, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. In his presentation \u201cThe Weight of the Logo: Trading Corporate Resources for Design Autonomy,\u201d he spoke candidly about his experience designing for major brands, and his decision to move to a more nimble and innovative company like Durston.<\/p>\n
Here is a recap and video recording of that presentation: https:\/\/koreoutdoors.org\/speaker-series\/chris-stone<\/a>.<\/p>\n About Durston<\/p>\n Durston is an award-winning outdoor gear company based in Golden, British Columbia. Founded in 2018, Durston designs premium ultralight gear including backpacks, tents, and trekking poles, with a focus on creating more functional equipment for backcountry travel. The company emphasizes lighter weight, simplicity, weather protection, and design efficiency grounded in first-principles thinking.<\/p>\n Durston Media Contact:<\/p>\n Dan Durston, founder<\/p>\n