The Outdoor Retailer trade show reinvented itself in 2026 with a new venue, focus, and brands. With a focus on emerging products and gear, the 2026 Outdoor Retailer had a very fresh look at its home at the Minneapolis Convention Center. GearJunkie was on hand to scour the focused new show that had a lot of small, yet innovative, products.
We found some real gems, and many products we’d never seen before. But before we dive in, a note for longtime Outdoor Retailer followers: the show is much smaller than its heyday and is dominated by small brands.
We didn’t see products from the big players here, but instead uncovered a lot of passionate designers forging businesses from the ground up. It was an exciting show in that way, but far from the all-encompassing outdoor industry event of a decade ago.
What follows are some of our favorite finds from the show.
2026 Outdoor Retailer: Exciting New Products
VitalLyfe Access Water Maker
Create drinking water from any naturally occurring water source on earth — including salt water. That promise underscores one of the most compelling products at the show. The VitalLyfe Access Water Maker runs on electricity to filter literally any water you would swim in into drinkable fresh water.
The 25-pound device can run for up to 3 hours on its included 210Wh battery, or on AC or DC power from external sources. It creates 6 gallons of fresh water per hour from saltwater, or 12 gallons per hour when filtering fresh water sources.
While water makers already exist, the VitalLyfe Access is simple and requires no installation. Just drop two hoses into the water source, and fresh water comes out the other end. It’s also relatively affordable at $749.
Kopilot ID
KOPILOT.ID is a digital emergency ID for athletes and adventurers. The approximately 1×1-inch tag can attach to a wide variety of gear, including helmets, goggles, packs, and clothing, using any of the three included mounts. The tags use NFC technology (the same tech as tap-to-pay) and can be read by any smartphone with a simple tap.
To set up the tag, users create a profile in the free KOPILOT.ID app and include any important information that may be valuable in an emergency. This includes emergency contact information, medical conditions, and important medications. After syncing a KOPILOT.ID tag, it is ready for use — no charging, no battery, no subscription.
We covered the launch previously, but it’s still a great idea worth attention. The price of a single tag is $40, two-packs for $72, and three-packs for $96.
Letwesaf Camping Perimeter Alarm Kit
If you’ve ever worried about lions, tigers, and bears (or people) sneaking into your campsite at night, this one’s interesting. The Letwesaf (as in “let we save”) radar detector is a high-tech early warning system. The radar detectors can be set up in a perimeter around your campsite.
They have an 800m range, and each sensor can pick up activity within 30 yards. They’ll give you a warning chime that something large enters that space. It’s a pricey solution, retailing for $240 for a single sensor and receiver. Pair multiple sensors for a robust early warning system. For those who regularly camp in grizzly or polar bear country, these gizmos can give you an early alert that you may be on the menu.
REVI Challenger Pro Ski Helmet
The women-led brand REVI launches a sharp-looking snow helmet, the Challenger Mips [Pro]. It combines a hybrid shell construction with advanced impact protection to deliver the confidence, comfort, and performance you need on the mountain. Built with a durable ABS outer shell, lightweight polycarbonate, and zoned EPS foam, the Challenger Pro integrates the ESA Shock Absorption System and Mips to help manage both linear and rotational impacts.
It retails at $275 and pairs with the Catalyst/Cardinal goggle system ($160-200), which is built to sit flush against the helmet with no gap and stay fog-free all day.
Sam Bob Alpha 90 Hoodie
USA-made technical apparel is relatively uncommon, so the brand Sam Bob, which sews technical insulating layers in Portland, Maine, stands out from the crowd. The brand offers several high-performance layers, including customs. But its top seller is the Alpha 90 Hoodie.
The Alpha 90 Hoodie has Polartec Alpha Direct fabric for extremely fast-drying insulation. It’s exceptional for aerobic output and works great as a midlayer. Best, the domestic layer costs just $105, which is very competitive even in a global market.
BRYNJE Tactical Mesh Long Underwear
Mesh long underwear, while not new, is definitely having a moment. And for good reason. Mesh does a great job of insulating at a very light weight. But tactical mesh? Now you’ve got my attention.
Norwegian brand BRYNJE is launching exactly that with its Unisex Tactical Arctic Zip Polo 3/4 Neck Base Layer. It combines a mesh inner layer with a solid merino wool outer layer, creating insulating air pockets next to the skin while moving moisture outward during high-output activity.
Built for extreme cold and used by the Norwegian military and polar expedition teams, the expedition-weight baselayer weighs 370 g in size M and has a 3/4 neck, half ventilation zip, thumbgrip cuffs, flatlock seams, and a long unisex fit. It’s available now for $240.
NEBU The Rob Roy Pant
The Rob Roy V2 pant is NEBU’s flagship offering, coming in at $109. The three-season pant aims to be comfortable in a wide range of temps, depending on activity and layering. It can be worn for hiking, biking, and climbing, and as an everyday jeans alternative for the office.
It has two quick-draw drop-in cellphone pockets on each side of the leg, with additional zippered pockets hidden inside. Additionally, you’ll find a knife pocket on each hip, two drop-in hand pockets, and two back pockets. It includes a unique low-profile, built-in belt system to dial in fit, whether hiking, biking, or sitting on a plane.
LEVE Outdoor Co. Alpha Tee
Built with trail runners in mind, this T-shirt is ultralight yet relatively insulating. Built from Polartec Alpha Direct 60gsm, the LEVE Outdoor Co. Alpha Tee ($80) weighs just 2 ounces (size L) and packs down to nothing in a running vest or pack pocket. The cropped, boxy fit works as a standalone layer on chilly starts, over a baselayer or Alpha hoody for extra warmth, or under a wind or rain shell to trap heat without bulk.
Sky View Solo Tent
Most campers have had the rainfly debate. Leave it off for fresh air and stargazing, and you risk getting rained on and scrambling to attach it half-awake at 3 a.m. Put the rainfly on, and you shut out the night sky.
Based in Buena Vista, Colo., Sky View Tents developed an internal rainfly system that lets you quickly slide it in place from the comfort of your sleeping bag. These tents aren’t ultralight, but the new Sky View Solo Tent ($299) stays under 4 pounds, making it a reasonable option if you value views more than gram-counting. The design seems most fitting for casual car camping in pleasant weather, and will give you a great view and keep bugs at bay.
Trail Stuff Trailbrush
Here’s a “why didn’t I think of that?” product that hikers, hunters, and anyone who brushes their teeth will love. The Trail Stuff Trailbrush is a super-simple toothbrush that clips onto any standard metal spork (the kind that has a hole at the end of the handle).
It simply clips on and allows you to use the back half of your long-handled spork as a toothbrush. It costs $8, weighs less than a penny (2 g), and will be riding in our hiking packs from here forward.
Coastal Range Backpacker Stove System
The Coastal Range Backpacker ($150) is the lightest integrated stove available. It started with the core concept of the integrated camping stove and sought to save every possible ounce without compromising performance or user experience.
It’s a 1.2L cooking system that will boil 500mL of water in 2.5 minutes, lights with a single click of the igniter, and packs everything inside the pot, even with a 230g fuel canister. Big enough to cook for a group, and light enough to bring on a solo trip, the Coastal Range Backpacker makes it possible to enjoy the cooking performance and convenience of an integrated system without any extra weight.
GearJunkie staff writer Mary Andino reviewed the Coastal Range Backpacker in 2025 and found it to be a great lightweight alternative to big-name brands.
Alpenflow Fuel Transfer Valve
There are many options for transferring fuel between isobutane tanks. And for hikers, that’s great, because we’ve all been stuck with partially full tanks that we want to consolidate. A new Alpenflow option, launching in September, may be the lightest on the market. The brand built its Fuel Transfer Valve with thru-hikers in mind. Thus, it weighs just 3.1 g. Made in California, the Alpenflow Fuel Transfer Valve retails for $20.
Harvest Right Countertop Freeze Dryer
Judging by the eight backpacking meal brands exhibiting, freeze-dried meals are having a moment. You can buy high-protein meals from Bighorn Mountain Food or vegan Indian options from NOMaste, but Harvest Right has consumer-grade appliances for freeze-drying your own.
Several of the meal brands told me that more affordable home freeze-drying units from Harvest Right ($1,695) are partly why there’s been an explosion in freeze-dried food companies. You’ll need to make a lot of backpacking meals to recoup the $1,700 cost, but the company is planning to release its smallest and most affordable unit this fall.
Rugged Revive Rinse-Free Sponges
Most baby wipes are already wet. But Rugged Revive takes a different route to offer deep cleaning anywhere. The sponge wipes are dry from the package. The user just pours a little water on them to activate the soapy cleaning solution. They’re very soapy and offer more cleaning than a basic baby wipe.
As hunters, we immediately thought they’d be great after cleaning game in the field, for example. And because they’re dry, you can put a couple in a ziplock bag and activate them when needed. A full package of 25 costs just $15.
Thicket Brecken Pant Plus Size Pants
Thicket Adventure makes plus-size outdoor pants for plus-size adventurers. The flagship Brecken Pant ($136) comes in sizes 14–30 and two fits: Booty Fit for round butts, wide hips, and thick thighs, and Belly Fit for fuller tummies with smaller hips and butts. Both fits were built from the ground up with feedback from more than 100 plus-size fit testers.
The Brecken is made for hiking, traveling, scrambling, wandering, and generally enjoying the outdoors. It has four-way stretch, quick-dry and water-resistant fabric, reinforced high-friction areas, deep functional pockets including two zippered YKK pockets, and adjustable roll-tab legs.
The wide, yoga-style waistband has great stretch and recovery, plus an adjustable drawstring for a comfortable, customized fit. The fabric is 90% nylon and 10% spandex, making it durable and flexible.
Scoutlite SparkO
The Scoutlite SparkO is a pocket-sized ringlight on a magnetic silicone strap. It can attach to many straps or apparel items and casts a soft, warm 300-lumen light. It would make a great lantern or light for close video work. The unique form is compelling, and it sells for just $46.
