Armor Gear Debuts as New Travel Bag Company; Former Fogdog.com CEO Applies Road Experience to Create Better Products.

Business Editors

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2002

A former Silicon Valley dot com CEO, golf industry executive and IBM general manager who has traveled nearly two million miles in his career, has launched Armor Gear, a new brand of high-quality, functional travel gear for busy executives, golfers and recreational travelers.

Tim Harrington, who built sporting goods e-commerce startup Fogdog.com into a $30 million public company in two years before merging with GSI Commerce (Nasdaq: GSIC) in 2001, drew upon his global travel experience to create a line of more efficient, durable and affordable luggage with a lifetime guarantee.

"For a long time I've searched for a better, safer way to take all my important gear on the road -- clothes, business equipment, golf gear and other stuff," said Harrington, also a former executive with Cobra Golf and Golfweb.com. "People today demand bags that are more versatile, easier to use and strong enough to last a lifetime. Armor Gear is just that -- ultimate protection for your gear."

Harrington and Phil Winters, another former Fogdog executive and career Navy pilot who's logged more than two million miles in air travel over the past 20 years, examined the existing market and found what they see as a void for high-quality, well-designed and reasonably priced golf travel bags, duffel bags and business cases.

Armor Gear products feature heavy duty, 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon, electroplated industrial strength hardware, oversized zippers, quadruple riveting at stress points, padded protection for golf clubs and computers, alloy locks, adjustable security straps with quick-release buckles, ergonomic handles, and convenient zip access to interior compartments.

The first three Armor Gear products now available are:

-- The Big Kahuna, a 52-inch wheeled golf travel bag for clubs, shoes and other items; includes quick release shoe bag for removal at the airport or golf course

-- The Rolling Sherpa, a large wheeled duffel bag with ample room for all types of gear; includes exclusive quick release gear bag for removal at airport check-in or use as an overnight bag

-- The Road Warrior, a computer/courier bag for hardware, software, documents and other business and personal items; includes exclusive zip access to documents and laptop for airport security checks, and exterior compartments for easy access to cell phone and PDA

Armor Gear's logo depicts the Nine-Banded Armadillo, the resilient football-shaped mammal protected by its own rugged suit of armor wherever it goes.

Armor Gear markets its products direct to individual consumers, select specialty shops, universities, associations and affinity groups through its Web site, www.armorgear.com, direct mail and other targeted marketing and advertising.

The company also offers customized affiliate fundraising programs to universities and other affinity organizations. Armor Gear provides its inventory, customer service infrastructure and fulfillment capabilities for sales of logo products through university marketing and communication channels. The program offers a complete no-cost, no-risk fundraising solution with aggressive commissions that generates revenue while building affinity and awareness.

Armor Gear has piloted this program with Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and is working to implement the program with many other colleges and universities. Students, faculty, alumni and supporters can purchase Armor Gear products bearing the school's logo, and 15% of the sale or more is returned to the school.

For more information, contact Armor Gear at www.armorgear.com, or by calling [phone], or by fax at 413-473-8874. Customers can call 1-866-ARMOR44 (276-6744).