-Exploring Elements 2012 Summer OR Coverage-
The Summer Outdoor Retailer show is a massive show with over 1,400 vendors displaying products that you’d find in your local outdoor store. Gear in such categories as; camping, climbing, paddling, apparel, running, footwear, etc… are all well represented. Many suppliers of all the little things that go into making this gear, think fabric, buttons, buckles, shoe rubber, etc… are also in attendance.
All coverage from the show on ExploringElements.com will be oriented from the perspective of an adventure sports athlete who loves to overland and get outdoors, me! There is no way to show you everything that is at the show, but I’m going to try my hardest to dig up all the really cool stuff that you might be interested in:)
Expect live coverage on Facebook (Exploring Elements), Twitter (@ExplorElements) and Instagram (ExplorElements) with daily updates from the show on ExploringElements.com. Please leave comments below about what you think of the products being featured, the stories from the show being told and what else you might want to see covered.
HOT PRODUCTS:
Kokatat– Maximus Prime
Kim Russell, of team Kokatat, models the new Maximus Prime Rescue PFD. The vest seems to take the best parts of many of the top Rescue PFD on the market and roll them into one unit with a dolap of Kokatat DNA and innovation thrown in for good measure. The vest features an innovative tow tether system with a new stash pocket and quick access system that looks quite promising. I’m interested to try one and see how it holds up against the other contenders on the market (Check out The EE Rescue PFD Review). Kokatat is coming out with a full line of products in association with Jackson Kayak for 2013 as well. Bright colors are the name of the game!
Nemo Equipment– Sleeping Bags
Nemo has been working on developing a full sleeping bag line and brought the product to the market almost a year ago through a consumer test program and recently through a limited edition direct sales program on their website. The full line is now super refined and ready to hit retail shelves in 2013. The big double wide shown above is the Tango Duo model, and besides the awesome color palate, the bag is super comfortable and designed to allow you to snuggle up with your camping partner in style. The bag above on the left is part of the Spoon series of bags and is designed with side sleepers in mind. I’m super excited about this bag concept as I’m a side sleeper and can attest to the restriction of a standard mummy style bag. The bag shown above on the right is actually an ultralight and fastpacking quilt. The view shown is the bottom that highlights the lacing system that holds a sleeping pad into the system to create the bottom insulation.
Aqua-Bound– Posi-Lok Ferrule
New ferrule systems seem to be the name of the game for 2013 touring paddle lines for many manufacturers. Aqua-Bound has developed quite a nice system that is easy to use and keeps most of the mechanism on the outside of the paddle where it is easier to keep clean and functioning properly. The new system will be available soon on all carbon shafted Aqua-Bound touring products and should trickle down through the line over the next few years.
Optrix– XD Sports Case
You can find this POV system for the iPhone at your local Apple Store for $99. The company has developed what looks to be a high quality ruggedized case, replaceable and changeable lens system and quality mounts to attach the system to just about any object. Besides the changeable lens system, the free apps available for this product are what set it apart from the competition. The Optrix VideoPro app is what excites me as you can capture and add data into videos. Data such as speed, distance, location on a map and g forces. I’m itching to abuse one of these in the field and see how it holds up against the MANY POV systems now available.
Fast Find– Ranger PLB
The Ranger PLB from Fast Find is a new player in the personal locator beacon market place. It differs from most of the competition by being a one way outgoing SOS call system only that is more reliable in more places, compact, lightweight and does not require a subscription. As Bear Grylls literally seems to be everywhere at the show, except actually here in person, I wanted to point out that he endorses this system.
BioLite– CampStove
Probably one of the coolest finds at the show is BioLite’s new CampStove product. This small camp stove burns small twigs and uses the heat energy produced to power a thermoelectric generator and fan that will quickly boil water or heat your favorite meal. The key to this unit is that it uses a re-newable fuel source, twigs, which in turn leaves a smaller carbon footprint and saves you pack weight and money by not having to carry and buy petrol based fuels. To top it off the unit has a USB out that can charge your phone or other small electronics. You have to check this thing out. Seriously cool product!
Darn Tough– Light Cushion Run/Bike
Darn Tough socks are still made in the good old USA and still carry a no questions asked lifetime warranty. The new sock is exactly what I like in a running/biking sock: light weight, thin profile, wicking, cushioned in all the right places, flat toe box seam and a technical cuff that allows the sock to stay in place and prevents chaffing. The stylie colors don’t hurt either;)
Zippo Outdoors– 4-in-1 Woodsman & Rugged Lantern
Zippo is getting into the camping and outdoor market with some high quality innovative new value priced products. The 2 pieces that instantly caught my eye where the 4-in-1 Woodsman tool that is a saw, hatchet, mallet and stake puller all in one. For sure a tool I’d like on the Sportsmobile and it only runs $79.95. The other item that caught my eye was the Rugged Lantern, which is super durable, can handle all-weather conditions, has 3 light adjustment levels, a high quality lithium-ion rechargeable battery and only runs $74.95. Zippo is a well know brand that is respected for bringing consistent quality to what ever new products they release. Can’t wait to give these items a try!
Random Cool Stuff-
Brenthaven– BX2 Camera Collection
This new line of protective and stylish camera bags from Brenthaven are seriously cool! You can tell these bags have been thoroughly tested and designed by photographers in the field with the impressive list of high quality features. The shock absorbing foam protection built into the bags is sure to keep your gear safe while on the move as well. The backpack and Messenger are both going for $179.95. I’m getting one, I just can’t decide which is better! Might have to try both:)
Kenko– Lens2Scope
This small light weight tripod mountable unit converts just about any lens into a spotting scope. It has a 10x multiplier and only costs $179.
Alpine Innovations– Spudz
Spudz lens cleaning cloths are built into a small stuff pocket with clip. It gives the cloth a home to stay secure, easy to access and clean. Simple quality design! Don’t leave your lens cloth “sad n homeless” like the orange cloth above.
Luna Sandals
Running sandals are nothing new, but these running sandals are a modern interpretation of the classics built by the Tarahumaran Indians. They are specifically modeled after the pair made by Manuel Luna in the book “Born to Run” for Barefoot Ted. In fact that is Barefoot Ted above excited to show me his sandals. You gotta love that the sandals are hand-made in Seattle, WA:) It would be interesting to see how my body would hold up to running in these very thin and light weight sandals.
OR HAPPENINGS OF THE DAY:
Every year on Saturday night at OR the musicians in the industry gather and have the “All Star Industry Jam.” Basically bands are put together from various companies, or friends across the industry, and they rock out for all the enjoy. I usually enjoy this party, but the sub 4 hrs of sleep a night caught up to me and I needed to put this info together for you, so I missed the shindig this year.
Stay tuned for live coverage for the rest of the show through: Facebook (Exploring Elements), Twitter (@ExplorElements) and Instagram (ExplorElements) with daily updates from the show on ExploringElements.com.
