The first Outdoor Retailer Winter Market held in November took place last week in Denver. And while it was a smaller show than the Summer Market in July and the Snow Show in January, our team still discovered a lot of cool products that will hit the market for the 2019-2020 winter season. Explore the grid below or click “next” for a slideshow.
Danner Arctic 600 Side Zip
Danner brings iconic looks to an insulated boot with the Arctic 600 Side-Zip. The boot, which hits the market in fall of 2019, has a suede upper and PrimaLoft insulation to keep feet warm. A Vibram Nisqually Arctic Grip sole enhances traction on ice and snow.
Nordic Pocket Saw Premium
This chainsaw fits in a pocket. Pull it out, loop it over or under a branch or log, and get to work cutting. For 2019, Nordic Pocket Saw launches a premium version. A 33-tooth, heat-treated, high-carbon steel chain will hold up to harsh conditions. Organic Swedish leather handles provide a safe grip even when wet. The heavy-duty organic leather case can be worn on your belt for easy access or stored away in your backpack when not in use.
Altra Vanish-XC
No lace holes mean runners poke their shoelaces anywhere through the copious mesh holes in the upper, allowing for a super-custom fit. Beyond that neat touch, these are lightweight shoes for cross-country racing. Stout rubber spikes stand in for metal, as these shoes are made for racing, speed workouts, and “shredding buff trail,” as Altra puts it. The Vanish-XC will be $80 when they come to market in May.
ExtremeMist PCS
Made by desert explorer Ron Laikind, who trains in 100-plus-degree heat, the ExtremeMist PCS (personal cooling system) connects to a hydration bladder and offers constantly-on spray as you hike. We tested it at the show and were impressed with the little unit’s construction and apparent utility in extreme heat. The device is dubbed the world’s first hands-free portable misting system. It uses a minimal amount of water, “exploding” water drops via pressure and a tiny valve into the air as a cloud of cool relief. For sale now at ExtremeMist.com for $119.
Mountain Khakis Sea Wool
Your next jacket will be made of … oyster shells? Mountain Khakis says yes. The brand started working with a supplier that uses calcium extracted from oyster shells discarded from the food industry. It uses this material blended with PET plastic to create “sea wool.” This in turn insulates new jackets such as the Moran Insulated ShirtJac, pictured, and can also be woven into shirts. Look for it as part of a complete line in 2019.
Black Diamond Vision Parka
Black Diamond launched an ultradurable and warm parka at OR that uses a Japanese liquid crystal polymer. The brand used the same technology found in its Vision Harness for the puffy’s face fabric, so it’s made to scrub against rock and not tear. Additionally, the Vision Down Parka uses 800 fill Allied Down HyperDRY and weighs 580 g. The Vision Parka is available for winter next year for $399.
Dahlie Airnet and Allnet
Dahlie capitalizes on breathability with its newest wool base layers, the Airnet and Allnet. Both use a loose-weave wool yarn for ultimate air permeability. Of course, it’s not as warm as thick base layers, but with thicker fabric around the core and loose-knit yarn around the back, your body can dump heat once you start to sweat.
HOKA ONE ONE Sky Arkali
HOKA ONE ONE introduced a line of supportive hiking boots at the show that will hit the market a little earlier than most of these products, spring 2019. No surprise, they are distinctive! The Sky Arkali is a standout in that line. The brand designs it for moving fast in steep terrain. The sole’s lugs are designed with climbing in mind with 5-mm Vibram Megagrip lugs. The upper has a strap for ankle support, and the entire package weighs in under 16 ounces.
VIVOBAREFOOT Bio Line
VIVOBAREFOOT will launch a full line of plant-based performance sneakers, including the Primus Lite Bio. The brand makes the shoes from a combination of three bio-based materials that reduce reliance on petrochemicals. Each shoe is nearly 50 percent plant-based, which includes using repurposed algae (like the Ultra 3 BLOOM) and Sorona and Susterra materials.
Kathmandu Connect Smart Pack
Kathmandu launched the Connect Smart Pack, which sports a smart Joey Module that can charge phones and sound alarms. The Joey tethers to your phone via Bluetooth, so if someone attempts to steal your backpack, it will ring and flash lights when it’s too far from the paired phone. Additionally, the Joey can charge multiple devices at once and allocate charge amounts to each device. The Connect Smart Pack launches next year for $350.
Lems Mesa
The Lems Mesa takes a light, flexible shoe and couples it with a fairly aggressive outsole for good traction on the trail. Lems are known for very packable, light shoes (these weigh 8.4 ounces for a women’s size 9), but this gives the mountain-to-town line a more capable trail shoe for varied terrain.
Darn Tough Light Hiker
Darn Tough redesigns one of its most popular socks for 2019, the Light Hiker, with improved breathability, fit, and cushioning. The Vermont-based brand uses mesh zones on the top of the foot for breathability, reinforced cushioning over the Achilles for comfort, and a smooth, narrow rib up the leg to keep the sock on your leg without slipping down. We’ve used and loved the old Light Hikers, so we can only imagine a good sock getting better with the update.
Xero Mika
Minimalist shoe brand Xero announced its first winter boot, dubbed the “Mika.” It has a wide toe box and is a lightweight, zero-drop boot for cold temps. It uses a water-resistant canvas, flannel lining, wool collar, and heat-reflective sock liner for warmth. The Mika is available for next winter for $140.
United By Blue PFC-Free DWR
United By Blue expands its selection of items that use bison fur insulation for 2019, with one major addition, namely Solapel DWR. The new DWR boasts superior laundry durability, abrasion resistance, and is PFC free. Solapel claims its DWR sticks onto textiles better than standard DWRs. And like the rest of United By Blue’s bison line, the vests and puffies use real bison fur for insulation. The vests and puffies from United By Blue are available now. And for fall 2019, the brand adds Solapel DWR.
Black Diamond Rhythm Tee
Black Diamond teamed up with The Woolmark Company and fabric-technology brand Nuyarn for a new way to spin Australian merino wool and nylon. The result is the Rhythm Tee, an ultra-durable but lightweight, stretchy tech tee shirt. Instead of spinning merino wool around nylon, Nuyarn “drafts” wool along the nylon for stretchiness and strength. For an expensive fabric that has a tendency to wear out, this innovation has us excited to try and break the Rhythm Tee down! Black Diamond releases the shirt in January for $75.
Big Agnes Insulated AXL Trail Boss
Ultralight backpacking brand Big Agnes doubles down on durability with its Insulated AXL Trail Boss. The warmest pad Big Agnes has made, the Insulated AXL Trail Boss uses a coating on the bottom to make it 10 times more abrasion resistant, and the entire pad uses an aviation-grade ripstop fabric with nano filament for abrasion, tear, and puncture resistance. The Insulated AXL Trail Boss weighs 39 ounces and launches next winter for $200.
Wolverine Glacier II
Wolverine releases a high-end winter boot for next year dubbed the Glacier II. The $165 boot uses a new Vibram Arctic Grip Pro outsole for grip and 400 g of Thinsulate for warmth. And it uses Wolverine’s EPX anti-fatigue tech, which the brand touts provides efficient energy return with each step. It’s available in both safety and soft toe, so you can go from the job site to snowy trail easily.
