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The Mayans might have thought the world would end in 2012. We’ll wait and see on all that, I guess. Mean time, a closer onslaught is coming in the form of the season’s biggest outdoor-industry event, the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show, this month, January 19 – 22, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where a literal tsunami of gear will hit. As always, a few “junkies” from our site — reporters, editors, Team GearJunkie athletes — will be on the scene, and we promise comprehensive coverage of the coming swag-storm in SLC. But first, here below we provide a sneak peek at the coming gearpocalypse to preview some of the neatest new gear that will be whirlwinding in to land in stores sometime in mid-2012. Enjoy the ride! —Stephen Regenold
Diva in wool: Icebreaker debuts women’s Carve Zip top
Backpacking gets handsome: Granite Gear Vapor Current pack
Not goose down! Ibex’s new “Wool Loft” jacket uses a puffy wool-based insulation for warmth
Leather rain boot: Ahnu’s Laguna with “luxurious” colored patent leather
Hearty winter socks for the ladies: Goodhew Lumber Jane
Uber-light outerwear: La Sportiva Storm Fighter jacket/pants designed for fast and light alpine tasks like climbing rando racing
Extreme cold abated: Brooks-Range Mountaineering Equipment Cirro Extreme Jacket
A name we love! Vasque introduces the SnowJunkie boot/shoe for fast and light winter pursuits
BlenderBottle SportMixer uses “stainless-steel whisk ball” to mix drink powder when you shake
PFD for the dogs: Ruff Wear’s K-9 Float Coat
Fashion and function for the outdoors: Horny Toad Cloudcover Collection
Pretty in pink meets a big-mountain view: Women’s Julbo Vesta Goggles
Tiny pad: Klymit 3oz. Cush Pillow/Seat (29 × 9 inches)
Salomon goes minimal: The Sense model weighs 6.5oz. per shoe at men’s size 9!
Watertight! Innate Heliograph Camera Case
Wool and waxed cotton (!) comprise the Nau Wool Patrol Hoody
Killer Shark ABC (altimeter, barometer, and compass) watch
Glow in the dark: Headsweats’ Ultra Reflective collection
Avy bag: Dakine partners with ABS Airbag Systems
‘Barefoot’ style in all seasons: Merrell Pulse Glove has weather-resistant fabric, grip sole for winter running
Liquid Solution Soft Flex foldable bottle with “exterior sleeve”
Hot foot! Battery-power heat in Columbia’s new boot for women
Pearl Izumi Women’s Fly In-R-Cool Shrug non-traditional running piece
Handsome leather boot from Palladium
Garmont USA Cosmos — “lightest 4-buckle boot on the market”
Does what it says: Blundstone’s “Warm and Dry” boot
Stanley Nineteen13 bottle — thumb-activated push button spout
Ultra-light suitcase: Osprey Ozone Series roller bags
Montane Featherlite Down Jacket; weighs 14oz., stuffs down to size of a large orange
—Watch for coverage of more new gear with GearJunkie’s reporting on the Outdoor Retailer trade show throughout the month.