Outdoor Retailer New Products – Hot Products
Salt Palace Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City – Utah The Outdoor Retailer trade shows annual event was held at the Salt Palace Convention Center spread out over 455,000 square feet celebrating 30 years of the outdoor industry. A staggering 1,300 vendors and over 7,000 buyers all came together to talk shop, look at next years lines and attend conferences relating to the state of outdoor affairs.
Recession, what recession is what some people were saying during this years trade show that had nearly doubled in size from the previous year. On Friday alone the DOW dropped 500 points unbeknownst to many of the buyers and sellers making huge deals at the show. One segment that really seemed to be booming was the SUP stand up paddle surfing niche which has been popular with waterman in Hawaii for years and is now becoming the newest fad for people with an extra couple thousand dollars laying around to play around with.
Below are a few of the vendors (in no particular order) that really wowed me with their products. I highly recommend you give them your support!!
adidas Outdoor – TERREX Feather Jacket
The Terrex Feather Jacket just might be the lightest and most functional pieces of outerwear I have ever seen, think N.A.S.A technology meets adidas world class athletes and your on the right track. The 3-layer GORE-TEX shell is extremely lightweight and breathable making it a mountain biker or trail runners dmust have piece of gear. The company has even taken the jacket a step further with adidas FORMOTION technology designed for unique male and female physiques. Strategically placed seams guarantee freedom of movement while providing a slim and athletic fit. adidas has a long history in the outdoor industry including when climbing legend Reinhold Messner helped adidas design a super light and fast approach hiking shoes for his first ascent of Everest without supplemental oxygen back in 1978. This is a company you can trust..
Eton Corporation – Soulra XL
Outdoor lovers and fans of music are jumping for joy with the creation of the Soulra XL a solar-powered portable sound system that is compatible with iPhone’s and iPod’s. With a built in handle this boombox on the go is extremely portable combing today’s technology with a classic old school look. Weighting only 7 pounds the Soulra XL is light enough to add to your next backpacking adventure. A huge 72 square inch solar panel takes 5 hours to fully charge the internal lithium battery in full sunlight. Wondering about the volume, 22 watts via 8 speaker drivers pump out incredibly loud sound!! Solar powered music…
CamelBak – All Clear UV Water Purification System
CamelBak has created a microbiological UV Water Purifier portable system that takes the worry, hassle and guesswork out of making water safe for drinking and best of all it takes just 60 seconds to use. No more sitting around a camp fire boiling water and waiting for it to cool. The All Clear unit can be operated with ease by simply pressing the button on the top of the bottle for 2 seconds while rotating to allow ultraviolet light to neutralize and destroy waterborne viruses and bacteria. An LCD screen on the All Clear bottle reveals when the purification cycle is complete and thus when the water is safe to drink. I have been on numerous hikes and runs over the years and found myself needing water to hydrate but not wanting to drink from local streams, with CamelBak you can now go much farther into the wilderness – if there’s water it can easily be made safe to drink!!!
3M – Scotchlite Reflective Material
No White at Night is a saying that all runners and cyclist should be aware of. 3M’s Scotchlite Reflective Material utilizes the science of visibility to enhance products that allow their users to be seen for 360 degrees in low light situations such as through an automobiles headlights. According to 3M each year, nearly 5,000 pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents with another 71,000 being injured. In the past wearing reflective clothing meant sacrificing fashion for increased safety, however 3M has now fully integrated their technology into established mainstream sneakers, jackets and outerwear brands. A New Balance jacket was on display at the trade show and looked to not only be incredibly functional and safe but also had style.
Victorinox Swiss Army – Victorinox Secure
With over 120 years of experience making the worlds best Swiss Army Knives, Victorinox a brand normally associated with high end cutlery has made the jump into the technology world. The Victorinox Secure is a portable USB storage devise and Swiss Army Knife built into one. Here’s where the technology gets fun, the USB devise can only be accessed via a Fingerprint Biometric Sensor that recognizes your personal identity. Did I get to the Consumer Electronics Show by accident? Either way this is some really cool technology. And best of all Victorinox is offering $100,000 to any hacker that can crack the encryption code found on the USB drives.
Survival Strap – Survival Bracelet
Hands down the most popular booth during the day at this years Outdoor Retailer trade show was found in the New Exhibitor Pavilion at Survival Strap. When I showed up for my appointment there were easily 25 people all piled into the both checking out the simple yet compelling straps. At first glance Survival Strap looks like an over sized bracelet to the untrained eye, however it’s actually a very popular life saving devise. The regular sized bracelet can unravel to reveal 16 feet of military spec paracord. Survival Strap has helped many soldiers in Iraq, the following story is by Matthew Ellis “I am currently deployed as an explosive dog handler in southern Iraq. Last week, I was on a mission conducting route clearance when a buckle on my body armor blew out. After a few minutes brain storming it dawned on me that I had my survival strap bracelet in my go bag.. Thank God I had that with me.” With over 50,000 color combinations there is no reason why you shouldn’t have one of these attached to you or your gear at all times..
High Peak USA – Backpack, Tent Sleeping Bag Combo
With 27 years experience creating some of the lightest and most durable backpacks and lightweight camping gear High Peak USA is once again changing the market by introducing a backpack, tent and sleeping bag combo that seamlessly fits together for easy traveling at a price that is too good to be true, sit down for this one – you can buy everything together for around $600.00 Upon first glance I would have guessed the backpack alone would have sold for upwards of $300 if not more. All the packs were form fitting against my back, yet still allowed for air to travel up and down my spine. High Peak USA’s backpacks were hands down the lightest gear at the show. I would highly recommend checking out this company’s collection of 6 new backpacks and 3 new sleeping bags.
Suunto – Quest Pack
Outdoor athletes training to improve performance are going to love the new Suunto Quest pack featuring a heart rate belt, miniature foot POD and movestick to help calculate speed, distance and even cadence. For runners like myself having the confidence of knowing the pack can transmit wirelessly helps keep my cadence up at a pace above jogging and more like running. Running at a higher cadence essentially lowers the amount of impact to your knees and legs by taking smaller steps while at the same time increasing pace. Without a tool like the Suunto Quest Pack it would be all but impossible to measure such levels.
ProBar – Fruition
Some of you may know that I absolutely love ProBars so it will come as no shock that we included the ProBar Fruition to our list of best of the show from the Outdoor Retailer. ProBar’s booth was rocking all weekend with samples galore. A whole food meal replacement that’s organic, 100% vegan and great for an extra needed boost while playing sports or helping you to recover. Available flavors include Lemon, Cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach and Cran-Rasberry. Thank you ProBar for helping fuel my body and mind across the country and back!!
Sanuk – Boardroom
Have you ever wanted to wear flip flops to work but your boss wasn’t as cool as the dictator at the Mountain Weekly News? Well now you can combine Sanuk’s Boardroom dress sandal with a slick pair of slacks and button down shirt and your off, talk about cool and casual.. The name Sanuk comes from the Tai word for fun, and this is exactly what will happen when you put on a pair of sidewalk surfers or any of the other unique products found in the Sanuk line of beach flip flops and surf sandals. The Boardroom slippers are handmade with premium soft Napa leather each pair is somewhat custom and they even feature a Stash Pocket that can fit your keys and id, so as long as you don’t loose your shoes you will be fine..
Steiner Binoculars – Nighthunter XP
With a field of view of 400ft @ 1000 yards Steiner Binoculars makers of the finest German optics have created the Nighthunter XP available in 8×42, 10×42, 8×56 and 10×56. Waterproof and submersible, the Steiner binoculars work great for spotting white tail deer in wooded terrain or finding mule deer in open meadows and everything in between. Impress you friends and fellow hunters with the brightest HD glass from Steiner’s 64 year history. All 4 binoculars meet and exceed the U.S. military spec standards for shock, fog and waterproof performance, and come backed by a 30-year warranty.
Sun Sniper – Shoulder Sling Camera Strap
Sun Sniper has created a new generation of high-end camera straps for photographers of all levels. This was one of the products that excited me most at the Outdoor Retailer trade show. I knew instantly our staff photographers and readers would get tremendous use out of using Sun Sniper. It works by featuring a padded strap that doubles as a shock absorber minimizing the cameras ability to bounce back and fourth across your chest. A stainless steel ball bearing is attached to the camera and the strap giving you security and peace of mind as the camera hangs securely at your side. For professionals this allows you to carry more cameras without feeling the strain on your neck.
Vasque – Rift
Are you looking for an amazing and stylish climbing approach shoe or just something fun to wear to your next Phish show? Vasque’s Rift comes in a variety of wild funky colors, including Purple Plumeria, Old Gold, Chilli Pepper, Dark Earth and more!!! On the bottom of the shoes is a sticky rubber Vibram Spider sole looks like it will hold onto anything. Your feet are guaranteed to be comfortable with a classic leather feel great for everyone.
Magellan – eXplorist 710
Magellan the leaders in high tech waterproof GPS navigation devises has developed the world first true multi use GPS unit that both backcountry adventures or local geocacher hikers can around the globe. The Summit Series preloaded map offer a high res topography map showing terrain information, contour lines and trails. Get lost in your car often like I do, not anymore with the help of GPS. The eXplorist 710 also comes preloaded with city series maps so you can use the GPS in your car with turn by turn spoken directions, totally hands free.
Point6 – Mens Snowboarding Socks
I know I was supposed to be looking at summer, fall and spring gear but the Point 6 mens snowboard socks were too good to pass up. Remember that little company called Smart Wool? Well the founder has decided to start his own sock brand due to a lack of performance Merino Wool socks on the market. It was not long ago that we were wearing cotton socks to snowboard in, sometimes even the same socks we would wear to work.. Point 6 is going to change the game with snowboard socks that feature an ankle brace and arch brace to keep everything in place including ventilation panels to keep your friends and especially your girlfriend happy as your feet will smell fresh, to an extent..
InjInji – Performance Toe Sock
Our feet have 5 toes, well most peoples do, so why is it traditional socks look more like ski mittens then custom fit gloves? InjInji the leader in performance toe socks has created a five-toe-sleeve sock design that is seamless while featuring an anti-friction interface that allows your foot to perform naturally and efficiently inside any shoe helping to protect from blisters and hot spots. Three lines of socks from performance, outdoor and yoga are available in a wide variety of colors. Best of all InjInji has created their own Merino wool called Nuwool, made from the finest Australian wool which helps prevent itching and keep your feet smelling good.
Element Herbs – All Good Goop Organic Healing Balm
Element Herbs ingredients are all organically grown and sustainably sourced inspiring people to live in balance and harmony with nature. All their products are fair-trade, tested on humans and not animals, and incorporate organic grown whole herbs. Element Herbs products are the type of stuff you should be putting on your skin, unlike the random chemicals found in major sunscreen brands currently on the market. The company offers a full line including Zinc based sunscreens, Lip balms and All Good Goop to help heal up those nasty cuts you have proudly earned this summer climbing. The Goop can also be used for chapped lips, bites, cracked heels, diaper rash, minor burns and more..
DryCorp – Dry Case
Have you dropped your cell phone in water only to find out it won’t work again? Enter the world of Dry Case a patented vacuum sealed bag the protects your digital camera, iPhone and even iPad up to 100 feet underwater. If your the type of person that works on vacation you can now safely bring a tablet computer to the beach while you type away much to the dismay of your family members 
Surfers and swimmers will also be able to get great use out of DryCorp products including a fully waterproof waist belt and headphones that can connect to your Dry Case bringing music to any body of water, I can just imagine surfing to my favorite tunes!!
Timex – Expedition Hybrid Solar
Solar powered watches from Timex are sure to change the way we look at our wrist. The Hybrid Solar watch can seamlessly switch between solar and battery power depending on available light. Water resistance to 50 meters and featuring a 100 hour chronograph with laps and splits, 24-hour countdown timer, night light and more.
The following companies had products that also caught my eye:
RedQLink, Contour, Goal Zero, Epic Adventure Cameras, SeaLife, Leatherman, Hippy Tree, Led Lensor, Peak Waggers. Next year the Mountain Weekly News plans to send our full staff to cover the show. With 1,300 vendors we got a lot to talk about!!
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