Outdoor Retailer 2018
This was the first year that Summer Outdoor Retailer was held in Denver, the outdoor industry trade show’s new home. It has been in Salt Lake City for a LONG time, as it was there long before my first OR in 2003. Outdoor Retailer 2018 is the beginning of a new era for the industry.
Denver overall was a great host for the show, with quality accommodations, easy mass transit and a thriving food and beverage scene. I didn’t make it to the demo day this year, the day before the show, but I heard it was kind of a flop. There was low water and low attendance, both in terms of companies and attendees. That is disappointing to me, as the availability to use the new gear in the amazing mountain environment around Denver is a big part of why the city was enticing as a new home for the show.
The square footage of the trade show has also shrunk a great deal. The convention center is just much smaller, with no room to expand with temporary buildings, and much of the paddle sports industry has left the show, in favor of the Paddlesports Retailer Show.
New Paddling Gear at Outdoor Retailer 2018
I did find some great gear for the paddler at Outdoor Retailer 2018. Have a look at the best paddling gear from the show in this story I wrote for Canoe & Kayak: The Latest Gear From Outdoor Retailer 2018.
New Overland Gear at Outdoor Retailer 2018
The overland industry was also well represented, and growing, within the outdoor industry landscape. You can check out the top overland products I found at the show in the story I wrote for Gear Junkie here: Outdoor Retailer Overlanding: 2018 Tools for All-Terrain Adventure.
Exploring Elements 2018 OR Show Awards
The following is the new gear I spotted around Outdoor Retailer 2018 that I think fits the “travel through an adventure sports lens” ethos, which is Exploring Elements. These awards encompass products designed for a wide range of specific outdoor activities, but most are extremely useful for the overall traveling outdoor adventurer.
Little Changes Big Difference Award
Platypus Big ZIP EVO
Yep, just another hydration bladder, but with all the little bits your not a fan of on your current bladder fixed. The Platypus Big Zip EVO has a 50% higher flow rate, achieved through a bigger hose and bite valve. It also has a higher mounted hose disconnect, making it much easier to remove from your backpack to refill, swap out or clean. Silver-ion embedded in the bladder protects the water from mold and bacteria buildup. A pincher system at the main opening of the bladder helps keep it open for quick and easy filling and efficient drying.
The Platypus Big Zip Evo will come in 1.5L, 2.0L, 2.0L lumbar and 3.0L sizes when it hits markets in early 2019. It will be priced from $36.95-39.95.
Travel Well Awards
Wandrd Hexad Access Duffle
Is it a travel pack, duffle, camera bag or all of the above? The Wandrd Hexad Access Duffle has been on the market for a few months now, but this is the first time I’be been able to get my hands on one. It is truly a next level do everything travel bag that I desperately need in my life!
I’d setup the Wandrd Hexad Access Duffle with two medium camera cubes, in order to carry my basic DSLR kit on my adventures. The 45L pack will set you back $259 and each M camera cube will cost you $49.
Peak Design Travel Line
Peak Design is known for innovative camera products. I use a wide range of their products on my camera gear daily. Top quality, clean looks and the ultimate in functionality separate the company’s gear from the competition. They have now launched a new line of travel bags, of course with an optional camera carrying system and on Kickstarter, their go to product launch platform.
The Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack and Large Camera Cube might just be the ultimate travel setup for someone like me, who carries a big DSLR camera system on lots of flights and outdoor adventures. Like all Peak Design products this one is blowing away goals and setting records on Kickstarter. The pack will retail for $299.95 and the large camera cube runs $89.95. Get the early bird Kickstarter prices HERE.
Happy Feet Awards
Indosole Slide Sandal
A well designed, clean looking, lightweight and durable slide sandal is extremely hard to come by these days. In about 3 weeks time Indosole will be launching their first slide sandal. It will be made of recycled car tires and retail for about $45.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed GTX
The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed GTX is a tried and true high performance trail runner. For 2019 it will offer a seamless fit GoreTex 3D sock construction, Continental tread and weigh in at a svelte 235 g. In other words, comfortable, impressive durable traction and super lightweight. It will hit stores in Spring 2019, but it won’t come cheap, at $180 MSRP.
Danner Trail 2650
The Danner Trail 2650 was inspired by the demanding terrain found on the 2,650 mile PCT hiking trail. It is a lightweight low-top hiker, that looks just as good around town as on the trail. It has a Vibram 460 outsole with Megagrip, leather and textile upper, and a breathable mesh liner.
Expect to see the Danner Trail 2650 in stores in Spring 2019 for $150. It will come in both men’s and women’s sizing and colors (Men’s: Brown/Red, Brick Red, Dark Brown/Green, Women’s: Hot Sauce, Atlantic Blue).
Faster Longer Award
Ultimate Direction Hydrolight Short
Carrying water on a run is a pain in the ass! Ultimate Direction has come up with a pretty solid solution. They have integrated two 300 ml bottles pockets into the waist band of a full compression running short. The shorts even have an over short, for style and comfort. The integrated waist belt is specifically designed to carry the water weight and keep the bottles from moving around.
TheUltimate Direction Hydrolight Short will be available in Spring 2019, come equipped with two bottles, and retail for $99.95.
Look Good Anywhere Award
Flylow Lopez Polo
The Flylow Lopez Polo is already a part of the Flylow summer apparel range. For 2019 it comes in a new fabric and great grey with orange highlight color scheme. I love the full wicking lightweight polyester and Spandex (6%) construction, as it is crazy soft and moves with your body well. To top it off it has proper raglan shoulders, which help the shirt look good no matter what odd positon you find yourself in, as the sleeves don’t bunch at the shoulder with this design. The Flylow Lopez Polo will cost $65.
Rain Rain Go Away Awards
Marmot Bantam
Touted as the “lightest full featured rain jacket,” the new Marmot Bantom is an impressive piece of outerwear. At only 4.9 oz this 2.5 layer 4-way stretch rain jacket features a full cinch hood, zippered pockets, cuff visors, active pit venting and an elastic bottom closure.
The Marmot Bantam jacket will be available Spring 2019 for $275. Did I mention it comes in my favorite color, orange 🙂
Adidas Parley Rain Jacket
The Parley line from Adidas uses recycled plastic recovered from our oceans to create to quality outdoor active wear. For 2019 they have created an impressive feature rich 3-layer rain jacket, featuring the company’s Climaproof waterproof breathable membrane. The Adidas Terrex Parley 3-Layer Rain Jacket features full pit zips and will retail for $299.
Camp Comfort Award
Helinox Savanna & Playa Chairs
Helinox has been the leader in camp furniature for decades now. They only use the highest quality materials, have brilliant engineers and the products always have a unique quality look and feel. For Spring 2019 they are going to offer two great new chairs, the Savanna and the Playa. Both will come it at just over 4 lbs, have a capacity of 319 lbs and cost $200. They offer a wider seating surface than previous models, a custom fit pillow sleeve and are the first Helinox chairs with integrated cupholders. Did I mention they come in an awesome new orange and grey color scheme!?!
On a side note, Helinox worked with Vibram to develop awesome little chair feet that keep the chairs from sinking into soft ground. A set of 4 Helinox Vibram Ball feet will run you $50, will be offered in a wide variety of colors and also hit the market in the spring.
Lightweight Innovation Award
Vargo No-Fly 2P Tent
The Vargo- No-Fly 2P Tent is a fully freestanding uber lightweight tent with no rain fly. It has a 43″ peak height and offers 34 sq/ft of living space, with an 86″x57″ interior footprint. Carbon poles and no rain fly keep the tent down to a svelt 2lbs 12oz. The Vargo No-Fly does offer lots of features however, with two zippered entries, two vestibules and an interior opening peak vent. All that tech and quality does come at a high cost though, $499.95 to be exact. The Vargo No-Fly 2P will be available this October.
Let There Be Light Awards
Lander Cairn XL
The Lander Cairn XL just hit the market a few months ago. It is a bluetooth app controllable, multi color, 10,000 mah lantern and power bank. You can even link multiple together to create the ultimate camp/van life mood lighting setup. Get your Lander Cairn XL today for $99.99.
Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Collapsible Lantern
The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Collapsible Lantern is exactly what it sounds like it is. It is a color changeable, solar rechargeable, collapsible lantern. The built in tiny solar panel can recharge the lantern in about 20 hrs from the sun, or you can charge it off a USB outlet in about 2.5 hrs. The light can run for 3 hrs on high, or about 35 hrs on low power. The 60 lumen light has 8 color modes and comes in at only 3.2 oz. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Collapsible Lantern will be available in September for $24.95.
And The Selfie Award Goes To…
Perception Joyride 10.0 Selfie Slot
The new Joyride 10.0 rec kayak from Perception Kayaks comes with a built in Selfie Slot. The feature offers “forward and back facing capability” as well as “3 levels for multiple camera angles.” Never drop your phone into the lake trying to take that perfect kayaking selfie ever again. The Selfie Slot is here to take your on water selfie game to all new levels!
Ultimate Laziness Award
Zippo Firefast Bellows
No need to be out of breath or singe your eyebrows while stoking a campfire ever again! The Zippo Firefast Bellows is a small handheld high speed fan designed to help you get that campfire stoked in no time. You can get your hands on this ultimate fire stoker in September for $27.95.
Your Going To Spend How Much to Accomplish That Task Award
Snow Peak Kuwagata
The Snow Peak Stag Beetle Kuwagata is a canister puncturer. It is designed to make it easy to recycle your spent camp fuel cans. The Kuwagata has an aluminum handle and steel jaws. It will set you back $19.95.
You could spend $20 on a Kuwagata, or you could use a pocket knife, can opener or any other sharp object you might already have to puncture the fuel canisters before recycling.
You can also check out what was hot last summer at Outdoor Retailer HERE. What new gear did you buy from last year’s list? What new gear from Outdoor Retailer 2018 are you most excited about?
