Zapponians take their outdoor fun seriously…as you can see from our latest employee photo shoot! From hiking, cycling, swimming and trail running, we love getting out there and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer.

We asked our four outdoor enthusiasts (and home page models of the week) some questions to get to know them a little bit more:

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

I: I love to play soccer on my days off or pretty much any day! I just recently got into cylcing which is very intense.

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

I:  “Let it Go”-Calvin Harris feat Ne Yo, “Heartbeat” -Childish Gambino, and “Levels”- Avicci 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

I: I am very funny and tall.

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

I: Brooks Pureflow, Adidas Outdoor Terrex Hiking Shoes and Osprey Ariel 75 Backpack

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

J: Speeding down the roads on my TT Bike! 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

J:  Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson; need I say more??? 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

J: I am SUPER competitive! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

J: Columbia Roamin’ Right™ Knit Dress, Patagonia All Weather Dress, and CEP Allsports Sleeve

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

D: When the wind isn’t acting up, I LOVE to golf!!!

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

D: “The Motto” - Drake, “Public Service Announcement” -Jay-Z, “On to the Next One” - Jay-Z 

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

D: I’m an Ex-Navy Seal! Seal Team 6, Whoo Rah!!! 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

D: The North Face Men’s Nimble Jacket, Nike Sunset Volley Boardshorts, and Nike Just Do It Swoosh Tee

What’s your favorite outdoor activity to do on the weekends?

C: Hiking in the mountains. 

What three songs are always on rotation in your playlist when you’re out and about?

C: I actually prefer not to listen to any music when I’m outdoors. Rare quiet time for myself and makes it easier to connect with your hiking buddies and random strangers you run into on the trail!

Finish this sentence: “If I was in the show “Survivor”, I would have the strongest chance of winning because ________”

C: I’ll research and be prepared (I do analytics for living…) 

What three things are on your wishlist for all those outdoor activities?

C: Suunto Vector, MSR Lightnight Axis Snow Shoes, Lowa Renegade GTX

The North Face Men's Half Dome Hoodie

Everyone knows that The North Face is a brand that is synonymous with the great outdoors and outdoor enthusiasts. But did you know that The North Face is an avid supporter and partner of Outdoor Nation? Outdoor Nation is an organization founded by a community of young “Outsiders”  where young people can fuel their passion for the outdoors.

The North Face is one of Outdoor Nation’s founding partners and inventors, supporting the nationwide initiative to mobilize youth in an outdoor movement. Outdoor Nation hosts summits across the country, lead various outdoor outings and award innovative young “Outsiders” for their great ideas towards the movement.

Getting the nation’s youth excited to partake in outdoor activities and live the outdoor lifestyle is an effort that The North Face and Outdoor Nation are truly passionate about. As the Outdoor Nation puts it, it’s a movement toward outdoor social networking!

Check out outdoornation.org to learn more!

A company designed to overthrow the masses by their influence L-R-G focuses on the ones that are trying to pay their rent with their passions. Think of them as a support group for the independent and underground culture. L-R-G is trying to put the spotlight where they think it really belongs, because it is much more than clothing and concepts - it is a way of living.

Kick it old school in the vintage fitting L-R-G  Fortified Live letterman jacket. The varsity-styled jacket rocks pieced sleeves and striped trim with a rasta-inspired L-R-G logo on the breast. Melton wool blend makes the Fortified Live a player’s piece. If you prefer to tear up the concrete on your bike, the Shovelhead jacket is a motorcycle jacket in a retro-styled, tonal plaid. The insulated sleeves and faux-shearling collar will keep you comfortable for the long haul.

“Get Lifted” and embody yourself with the fresh style and influence of the undisputed heavyweight champion of the street. Get all of your L-R-G gear at Zappos.com and follow Zappos Street on Twitter HERE.

In 1961, a three-speed bicycle hub displayed at the New York Toy Show became the catalyst for what would eventually become Shimano American Corporation. The popularity of 20-inch wheeled bikes with hi-rise handlebars fueled a demand for multi-speed hubs and Shimano® began producing an affordable and reliable version that caught the attention of the cycling world. By 1965, Yoshizo Shimano, the youngest son of the company founder in Japan, opened an office in New York to get product feedback and to provide technical and warranty assistance to retailers selling bikes equipped with Shimano® parts. Though Shimano America has grown from its modest office staffed by only three people to a full distribution center with sales and marketing offices, the goals are the same: to ensure that Shimano® always has a listening ear to provide feedback on relevant trends and needs and make it a reality for their customers. Shimano's participation extends much further than its products.

Shimano® is putting their bicycle genius into footwear to create some of the best competition shoes in the game. An elite-level cyclist needs the best equipment to put him above the competition. The SH-R190 road competition shoe from Shimano® is that shoe for you! It features supple premium leathers and 3D moisture control mesh uppers for comfort and breathability along with oversize micro-adjust buckles and dual off-set straps. The custom-fit customizable thermo-foam insole allows optimum fit and feel.

Take to the mountainside with comfort and confidence with the SH-M161G off-road racing shoe from Shimano®. This is an off-road cycling shoe designed for serious MTB enthusiasts with the efficiency, fit, stability and durability necessary for their individual style of high-level off-road performance. Shock absorbing EVA cushion matched with a flexible midsole make for hike-able comfort. The volume+ last provides a more accommodating toe box than most shoes and the carbon reinforced shank plate gives the shoes optimum sole rigidity.

Make your transitions quicker and smoother while saving precious seconds with these SH-TR31 triathlon shoes from Shimano®. The SH-TR31 features a triathlon/multi-sport cycling shoe with high ventilation, seamless interiors and quick-drying properties for superior, sockless comfort designed to help you make faster transitions. These 10-ounce beauties are SPD-SL and SPD cleat compatible.

Don’t feel left out ladies, Shimano® makes footwear for you too. Check out all of the outstanding Shimano® products on Zappos.com.

Jeremy Collins has traveled the world as an artist and an avid climber. It’s no wonder he has been commissioned by Evolv to design their 2011 campaign. Collins brought each shoe to life with hybrid insects that feature Evolv products as the body of beetles and butterflies. If you want to learn more about Jeremy Collings, check out his new book INTUIT1ON that shares ten years of his climbing inspired art– via his studio, maps, magazine illustration, and climbing themed cartoons with essays from John Long, Christian Beckwith, Duane Raleigh, Matt Samet, Jonny Copp, Alison Osius, Dean Potter, Steph Davis, Marshall Mckinney and Tim Keel. You can view most of his work and stay up to date with his travels at www.jercollins.com. His most recent film (sponsored by Patagonia) Border Country is a true work of art that demonstrates Collins’ affinity for friendship and passion for nature. For your viewing pleasure, we present Border Country by Jeremy Collins:

As sweltering summer temperatures make an exit, it’s time to go camping! Be sure to check out the Outdoor Shop on Zappos.com for everything you’ll need to brave the elements or just kick back fireside. Here are a couple of our picks for must-have items on your next excursion:

1. Therm-A-Rest® NeoAir ™ - The Therm-A-Rest® NeoAir ™ mattress makes comfort one less thing you'll need to compromise when traveling fast and light. Therm-A-Rest®'s patent-pending reflective barrier returns warmth to your body and reduces heat loss to the ground, keeping you three times warmer than any other uninsulated air mattress. And the best part, this mattress folds down to the size of a 1-liter bottle to save you room in your daypack.

2. Marmot Down Yurt – Sleep easy knowing that this versatile Down Yurt sleeping bag from Marmot™ is equally at home for car camping or just lazing around the house. The Down Yurt opens to a 600+ fill power goose down Queen-sized comforter and has a temperature rating of 40° F / 4.4° C. This DriClime comforter comes packaged in a convenient duffle bag of its own for easy storage.

3. Jetboil Backcountry Gourmet Set - The Backcountry Gourmet Cooking Set offers all the tools you need to whip up a feast at your next campsite. This kit includes the award-winning Personal Cooking System (PCS), the FluxRing® Fry Pan, Pot Support and Stabilizer, and Jetset Utensils. The Jetset utensils are specially designed to compliment Jetboil cooking vessels, with long, telescoping handles and tips shaped to scour curved surfaces. The kit weighs only 26.3 oz so you can take it anywhere.

4. Victorinox SwissChamp - Handle anything and everything with the ever-versatile and always-handy SwissChamp from Victorinox™. This all-in-one space saver has 33 useful tools including a fish scaler for your creek-side adventures, can opener, corkscrew, magnifying glass and much more.

After nearly a year of development, Circa and Don Clothing have released the Drifter collaboration shoe, a stunning nautical approach to urban footwear. Lounging beachside on the Hampton shores? Then the upscale swagger of the Drifter is an absolute must. Nautical stripe designs, flag details, anchor embroidery and accents on the heel and footbed make this the hottest collaboration coming out of the Hamptons this year. Circa joined forced with Don Clothing of New York, the pioneers of Brooklyn clothing. Check out Don Clothing at www.donnewyork.com and make sure you score a pair of Drifters at Zappos.com.

DON x C1RCA Drifter from PJ Monte on Vimeo.

A customer sent the Zappos Family a new toy!