Explore It!

    While I wasn’t able to attend the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market ’09 outdoors trade show in Salt Lake City this week because I had a conflict surface, I’ve kept my ear to the trail and have been tracking all things OR from my office.

    I readily admit that seeing some of these products in person would really make a difference. However, here are a handful of items that were introduced at the show that I’m excited to test. This is by no means an inclusive list as there’s much more, potentially better, gear coming out.

    Keep in mind, none of these are out yet, so keep them on your radar.

Brooks-Range Rocket tent

 

    Many winter-camping tents are built like a tank: They’re heavy but can withstand anything.

    Brooks-Range took a different approach to the heavy aspect – but hopefully nailed the durability factor.

    The Fremont, Calif.-based company’s Rocket tent is made of lightweight CT3 fabric and uses what you’d likely have with you to hold it up.

    Instead of tent poles, the Rocket utilizes an avalanche probe and trekking poles to support the tent in addition to guyout lines. That keeps the winter weight to only 1 pound, 6 ounces.

    According to Brooks-Range, it’s a two-person tent, though, seeing a picture of someone laying in it at the Outdoor Retailer show, it looks to be more like a one-person. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

    But if the mountaineering company’s system works, the tent could up the ante for four-season tents.

    Word on the street though, is that the tent is $600.

Columbia Mobex Trail Pack

 

    For 2010 Columbia produced a pack that is sure to turn some heads. It did mine.

    The Mobex Trail Pack is a lightweight pack with a clamshell opening held open by, what looks like, short tent poles.

    The hydration-compatible pack has Columbia’s Omni-Shield water and stain resistant technology, numerous pockets for organization and a quick-draw water bottle pocket on the hip belt.

    The Portland, Ore.-based company reportedly designed the pack with adventure racers in mind.

    It should hit shelves starting at $80.

LEKI SpeedLock system

 

    It’s about time LEKI stepped up to the plate with a better locking system for its trekking poles.

    The Buffalo, N.Y.-based company’s biggest downfall, in my eyes, was its twist-lock (“Super Lock”) system. The system was difficult to twist in cold weather and has failed me when wet.

    LEKI’s new SpeedLock system, though, uses “direct compression force” to lock the poles similar to a quick-release lever on a bike.

    “SpeedLock is LEKI’s answer to consumer demand for a simpler, faster locking system on trekking poles,” Greg Wozer, LEKI USA’s vice president, said in a statement. “We have responded to the market shift, and our introductory take on it with the SpeedLock is dead on.”

    Now lets see if they take some market shares away from companies like Black Diamond and others that already use a quick-release-type closure.

    The five poles that will have the SpeedLock system run from $99 to $180.

Osprey Raptor pack

    While an Osprey spokesman was unsuccessful at hooking me up with much (if any) information on the Raptor pack, I’m still excited to see it.

    The Cortez, Colo.-based company’s 2010 bike-specific pack has bike tool pockets, a specially designed bike helmet bungee, and incorporates the company’s new Hydraulics hydration bladder system (which it teamed with Nalgene to create).

    Using a suspension system, the pack keeps the included Nalgene hydration bladder close to your back.

    While I don’t have a picture available without stealing one from a fellow blogger or media outlet, the pictures I’ve seen look pretty sweet.

    The pack, which I’m told starts at about $80, also comes in a hiking-specific version (the Manta).

SPOT satellite GPS messenger

    While the SPOT was on my list of gear to test for next summer (as I knew about this new feature that will be added in 2010), it moved towards the top of my list now.

    The SPOT is a GPS messenger that can send one-way messages to friends and family as well as search and rescue crews to let people know you’re OK or need help.

    But for 2010, the unit is 30 percent smaller and lighter than the original, is better performing, has pre-programmable custom messages that can be sent and comes in two colors (orange or silver).

    Best of all, the two most important buttons (the S.O.S. and Help buttons) now have a protective cover to keep you from accidentally hitting them and causing panic.

    The units should be available later this fall, but pricing hasn’t been announced.

    Like any industry, innovation is the key to a company’s survival.
    Listening to customer feedback and making appropriate changes or additions to a line is what consumers want.
    And while I wouldn’t spend the green on some of gear in my Top 10 Most Memorable Gear list from the Outdoor Retailer show, it’s innovations like these that push the industry as a whole to become better.
    Here are the remaining five items on my list. Look for full reviews on many of these items throughout the year.

5: Jetboil Personal Cooking System – Though it’s not new, Jetboil revamped its popular PCS to help users know when their water is boiling. A heat-sensing area on the cup changes color to let you know when your water boils, the lid is semi-see through and there’s a drinking hole in it to sip hot chocolate straight from the cup. Look for it in fall. MSRP: $100.

4: Platypus PlatyPreserve – Want to sip some wine on your next backpacking adventure but don’t want to take a bottle along? Check out the PlatyPreserve. It’s essentially a wine bladder meant to keep oxygen and light out while keeping your wine at the ready. MSRP: $13.

3: Camelbak ShredBak – From the outside it looks like a typical fleece vest, but from the inside the ShredBak is a low-profile hydration system. Inside the vest, which is available in fall 2009, is a 72-ounce bladder that’s stuffed inside a specially designed under layer. It’s meant to supply skiers and boarders water without the bulk of a backpack. MSRP: $250.

2: Kahuna Creations Big Stick – Inspired by paddle boarding in Hawaii, the Big Stick is a paddle for your long board. No more pushing with your foot. Now you can just stand and paddle with the Big Stick that has a rubber end on it. MSRP: $80-140.

1: Big Agnes Slide Mountain Superlight 2 tent – It’s hard to sleep when the rain fly of your tent is flapping in the wind and you’re too tired or lazy to make it taught. That’s why Big Agnes created the 5-pound, 2-person Slide Mountain Superlight. New for spring 2009, the tent, which also comes in a 3-person, incorporates the BOA system to tighten or loosen the fly from the inside. MSRP: $500.

    The 2009 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show just wrapped up in Salt Lake City after showcasing hoards of new gear – much of which will debut this fall.
    No one company’s 2009 line overly impressed me, and I was surprised to see many companies with no, or very limited, new products.
    Not everyone gave a reason, but many chalked that up to the economy and not wanting to spend as much on research and development of new items. Valid point.
    Limited new products doesn’t mean there are limited good products though. Consumers will just have to be more selective on gear purchases this year.
    While there was more that stood out to me at the show than I’ll list, here are five of the Top 10 items on my Most Memorable Gear list. Look for the remaining five later this week and full gear reviews of many of these items throughout the year.

10: Zeal Optics Tenacity sunglasses – These glasses look as good as the technology is that backs them. New for spring 2009, the Tenacity is made with Zeal’s ZB-13 polarized technology and the lenses are made of 30 percent recycled material. MSRP: $100.

9: SIGG Wide Mouth Bottle – It’s always been a pain to slip ice cubes or pump water directly into a narrow-mouthed SIGG. The company listened and produced a wide-mouth version of its popular 1-liter bottle. Available in spring 2009, the dual-cap bottle also has a narrow screw-top to help prevent holey-mouth syndrome when drinking. MSRP: $25.

8: Primus EtapackLite – Likely rivaling Jetboil’s Group Cooking System, Primus has the high-efficiency EtaPowerLite that comes with a 1.2-liter pot, a colander (that acts as the lid) and a serving bowl. New for spring 2009, all the pieces of the system (and the fuel) fit inside it. MSRP: $115.

7: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad – An air mattress that’s really small and really lightweight is a backpackers dream. No more suffering on foam pads because they weigh next-to-nothing. Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir, available in spring 2009, is just 14 ounces (for the regular) and packs to about the size of a standard Nalgene bottle. MSRP: $150.

6: Petzl Zipka Plus headlamp – About five years ago, Petzl decided to abandon the traditional elastic band in its Zipka line of headlamps. Instead, it uses a thin cable that retracts into a small base unit that rests against the back of your head. The newest version, which will be available in fall 2009, is brighter and has a high, low and blink white LED and a red bulb too. MSRP: $40.

    The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show started today in Salt Lake City.
    It’s the who’s who of outdoor product manufacturers, journalists, designers, and everyone else who has a hand in the outdoor world - but it’s not open to the public.
    I’ll be heading to Salt Lake City tonight to attend the show Friday and Saturday. My intention is to come back with loads of information on new products - no matter how known/unknown - and get an idea of what I want to review.
    As usual, the gear I focus on will be targeted at people like me - outdoor adventurers who don’t want to break the bank buying the best thing available. We want quality gear that will last a long time while factoring in cost.
    While walking around the Salt Palace, I’ll be Twittering, so be sure to follow me.
    I have appointments with many companies and plan to stop by the booths of many more.
    Look for some updates on the show here at Explore It! come Monday.