The twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show, held next week in Utah, is a mecca of gear. Thousands of brands debut products for the coming year. Here’s our exclusive look at some of the most interesting outdoors items coming to market for winter 2017-18.
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New Kind Of Snowshoe
Walk on a rocker… in the snow. Colorado-based Crescent Moon believes it has the next iteration of the age-old snowshoe design. Instead of aluminum, this shoe is all EVA foam, so it’s lighter and more flexible than snowshoes of old. It’s set for fall 2017 release with a $149 price tag.
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Salomon X-Alp Boot
The X-Alp ski-touring boot has a 3D rotating cuff, mid-sized gator, sticky Contragrip sole, and weighs just 1,190 grams per boot. The cuff allows for 23-degree internal and 12-degree external lateral motion allowing for ankle mobility when climbing, hiking, or skinning in steep and sketchy conditions. A thinner shell wall with reinforcement points make the boots light yet stiff for climbing and downhill performance.
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Air Mattress For Hammocks
Klymit introduces the Insulated Hammock V, which the brand claims is the first air pad designed for hammocks. The design wraps the body to create a barrier that prevents cold from creeping in from the bottom or sides. Non-slip zones hold the pad in place.
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Helly Hansen Onesie Powder Suit
A modernized onesie, the Ullr Powder Suit will seal away snow and moisture. Made from waterproof-breathable fabric, the brand addresses internal condensation with its “H2Flow” mechanical venting concept that helps move air within the garment. At $850, this is a onesie with all the bells and whistles like high-end zippers, Primaloft pillows for insulation, and a helmet-compatible hood.
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Scarpa Maestrale Update
The popular Scarpa Maestrale RS ski touring boot gets an upgrade for 2017. The brand cut five ounces from the boot while making it stiffer (to 130 flex), and extends the cuff range in walk/tour mode from 37 degrees to 60 degrees.
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Safer Tech Bindings
The Tecton 12 by Fritschi is a really exciting binding for 2017-18. It aims to bring added safety to the tech world by combining a tech-style toe with a more alpine-style heel. It has a pre-defined lateral release on the front and rear, and is 100 grams lighter than its closest competition, the Marker Kingpin.
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Thermo Plume Jacket
Montane’s Men’s Icarus and Women’s Phoenix Jackets will be the first to employ new Thermo Plume insulation, which PrimaLoft claims closely mimics the structure of down for lightweight and warm insulation, with the advantage of performing even in wet or damp conditions.
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Burly Under Armour Newell Ridge Mid Reactor
A winterized boot inspired by the lauded Infil Hike GTX, the Newell Ridge Mid Reactor is insulated and has molded support structure in the upper. A full-length dual-density EVA midsole and Michelin outsole aim for a lightweight, stable and supportive boot.
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No-Scratch Goggle Lens Change
Zeal introduces the Portal, a winter sports goggle that allows users to change lenses without touching the clear portion thanks to a unique rail system. This eliminates the smudges and scratches that can happen when handling some lens interchange systems.
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Petzl SIROCCO Helmet Update
Petzl updates the SIROCCO in September 2017. The new design combines two kinds of foam for 3cm of increased coverage of the back and sides of the head while reducing overall weight to 160g in the M/L size. The rear elastic clip for headlamps will also accommodate ski goggles for those looking to shed weight in the backcountry or dealing with extreme weather.
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Gaiter From Kahtoola
The brand known for high-quality micro-spikes for shoes when walking and running on snow enters the gaiter market with two models of the Connect Gaiter: low and mid. The colorful gaiters are designed to work only with the brand’s traction devices for a complete snow and ice running and walking solution.
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Canuk Titanium Omni-Heat OutDry Extreme Boot
The Columbia Canuk uses a new Ice Compound from tire maker Michelin on their soles. The brand claims superior stick on icy surfaces. The boot, available for men and women, is rated for temps down to -65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is heavily insulated and uses both Omni-Heat Reflective insulation and OutDry Extreme waterproof breathable fabric for the first time in a single product.
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Outdoor Research Alpenice Hooded Jacket
Three technologies combine in a single jacket for breathability, insulation, and protection. Its Polartec Alpha Direct insulation is durable and doesn’t require use of an interior liner, which improves moisture movement from the body. Coupled with super breathable Pertex Microlight fabric exterior and OR’s proprietary air-permeable and waterproof/breathable fabric on the upper arms, shoulders, and hood, this winter garment should keep moisture at bay and heat where you want it.
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Swix Evo Pro Edger
For those who tune a lot of skis, this new edger might fit the bill. The Swix Evo Pro Edger is designed to maintain a World Cup finish and is easy to use. The diamond disc is attached to a spring for uniform pressure regardless of user pressure, making it impossible to mistakenly change the radius of the ski. It will be widely available in fall 2017 for $550.
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Muck Arctic Grip Boots
Vibram’s Arctic Grip soles will proliferate across boot lines in 2017-18. Here, Original Muck Boot Company applies the non-slip technology coupled with Vibram Icetrek, so it will grip on wet or dry ice. The Arctic Ice is made for use down to -60 degrees F, for the coldest days Minnesota ice fishing can muster up.
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3D Printed Insoles
Superfeet introduces a retail solution for fully customized 3D printed insoles and footwear recommendations. Get your feet scanned in a retail shop, then the machine will make recommendations on which pair of shoes (and which size within that style) will fit. You can also order 3D printed insoles specific to the scans.
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Clean And Dirty Organization
The new “silky soft” Eagle Creek Pack-it Specter Tech organizational packs separate clean clothes from dirty and keep contents from wrinkling. Double zippers and see-through fabric allow easy access to contents.
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Snow Peak BBQ Rod
Cast for your dinner without leaving the campfire with a BBQ Rod from Snow Peak. This rod is meant for roasting brats, dogs, or whatever you can skewer, and it rotates with the flick of a wrist for even cooking.
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Cabin Socks
These Cabin Socks from Hi-Tec look cozy for a weekend in a log cabin. They have a brushed interior and a gripper sole for wearing around that ski chalet after a day in the cold.
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Altra Timp Middle-Weight Trail Runner
For runners who love the Altra shape, but wished for a middle-weight shoe between the brand’s minimal and heavier offerings, this one should grab attention. The Timp has a stack height of 29mm and should be a sweet spot for many trail runners who like the line.
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Hybrid Puffy
The Voyager Hybrid Jacket from Craghoppers has Gore Windstopper fabric in the arms and shoulders to keep the wind at bay. The body is more breathable to whisk away sweat. An RFID security pocket and four other pockets will keep your belongings safe. The whole thing packs into a small neck-shaped pillow.
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Mystery Ranch Ski Tour Backpack
The 22-liter Saddle Peak is purpose built for ski touring. The brand touts rapid deploy design elements for quick access to avy gear, back panel fabrics with snow-shedding characteristics, and multiple access points to grab internal gear without dumping pack contents in the snow.
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Wooly Woolrich boots
Woolrich introduces proprietary “Fully Wooly” insulation and “Wool Vent” liners in 2017 in new models, including the men’s Fully Wooly Lace, pictured here. The heritage brand appears poised to keep frozen city slickers warm with stylish offerings.
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Osprey SnowKit
Osprey’s new SnowKit duffel organizes ski and board gear. It has a large, ventilated end compartment for ski/snowboard boots. Two more large compartments hold big gear, and an internal mesh organizer pocket holds small items. It holds all the accessories you need to ride, from boots on up.
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Rhone Gold-Infused Clothing
Silver has been used as an anti-microbial in apparel for decades. Startup brand Rhone takes it a step further with gold-infused apparel. It claims a softer, safer, faster-drying, longer-lasting, odor-neutralizing garment. The Sentry Short Sleeve, pictured here, is one of the brand’s new offerings that is indeed pricey at $68.
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Under Armour Coldgear Reactor Exert Jacket
The Reactor Exert is intended for aerobic activity in cold weather. It has thin insulation and a water resistant fabric, stretch sleeves and back panels for enhanced breathability and mobility.
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Mountain Khakis Goes Organic
Mountain Khakis Original Flannel Mountain Pant, the product that launched the company, gets an organic upgrade in fall 2017. The 10.4oz cotton canvas pants are lined with flannel, and fit right at home chopping wood or in business casual settings in many a mountain town. Now made from organic cotton.
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USA-Made Daypack
The Denizen by upstart Flowfold is an American-made backpack that costs under $120. It has a 15″ laptop sleeve, internal zip pouch, and a deep outer pocket for easy access. It’s made with water-resistant fabric, YKK zippers, and weighs just one pound.
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Hemp Astral Shoes
Antimicrobial, breathable, and durable, these hemp kicks from Astral cost $100. The hemp is grown without pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The Donner and Tinker are a fit for casual hikes or trips round town.
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Salomon X-Alp S/Lab ski
The X-Alp is extremely light but stable with a full woodcore made of lightweight Karuba and thin ply reinforcements of basalt/fiberglass. A koroyd tip increases dampening, shock resistance and agility of the ski while cutting weight. A thin layer of basalt runs the full length and width of the ski to absorb vibrations.
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MSR Lightning Ascent
For mountaineering or other aggressive snow travel situations, the MSR Lightning is updated for 2017 with new geometry, thicker construction, and improved crampons.
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Lightweight Mountaineering Jacket
Arc’teryx combines two layers into one to save weight. The Alpha IS replaces a hardshell-plus-midlayer system with a claimed weight savings of 18 percent. It combines two types of hydrophobic insulations with a two-layer Gore-Tex exterior for efficient moisture management in serious mountains.
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Adidas Boa Boot
The Terrex Conrax BOA has a midsole of Boost foam for remarkable energy return and high adaptability on rocky surfaces, Stealth rubber on the outsole grip over ice and snow, and a Boa closure system adjusts with a twist. Finish it off with 200 grams of Primaloft insulation to keep those toes moving.
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Modernized Medical Kit
Adventure Medical Kits re-launches Mountain Series Medical Kits. Drawing from leading experts in the field of emergency medicine, the new series has the most up-to-date guidelines and medical grade products available for wilderness emergencies. Six kits range from the comprehensive Mountaineer, packed with supplies to treat 10 people for 28 days, to the super-compact Day Tripper Light kit, perfect for up to two people on a day hike.
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ThermoNet BUFF
BUFF this year launches its renowned multi-function headwear, hats, and balaclavas made of PrimaLoft ThermoNet. The brand claims it has four times the insulation value of standard BUFF microfiber products. The fabric is 70 percent recycled, and quick-drying.
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Wet Weather Rain Skirt
This might be the first rain skirt we’ve seen, but the idea has merit. The waterproof SKHOOP Kattis Rain Skirt is cut for a woman’s silhouette, and protects from wet weather while giving the breathability only a skirt can deliver. A two-way zipper allows for easy donning anywhere.
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Smartwool Sport Hoody
The Men’s Merino 250 Sport Pattern Hoody from Smartwool has body-mapped merino to keep warmth where you need it and water repellent panels in the shoulders and stomach for weather resistance and durability.
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Topo Athletic Natural Running
The Fli-Lyte 2 is a soft, responsive, and flexible ride. The shape allows the toes to spread and splay, and an updated upper mesh offers additional structure and durability without affecting weight or breathability. The new platform is slightly softer and more flexible than the original. It has a subtle 3mm drop suitable for mid-foot strike runners.
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SPY – Hunt Sunglasses
Spy built its new Hunt line to perform as athletic sunglasses in a casual design. Wear these on the boardwalk, or while running hard. That’s the idea anyway, and with a tough Grilamid frame and SPY’s polycarbonate, hydrophobic and oleophobic Happy Lenses, it likely will be a nice choice as all-around eyewear.
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Ecco BIOM Venture
Ecco touts the BIOM Venture as a shoe for hiking, biking, or running forest trails. It has Gore Surround to help improve breathability while remaining fully waterproof. A rugged outsole is designed for traction off the pavement.
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Alpinist Backpack
Gregory put its Alpinisto through five years of testing to make the upgrades for this 2017 release. The brand claims it is now lighter, stronger, and more comfortable. It has an aluminum frame and hip belt designed for the positions encountered when climbing technical terrain. New tool attachments work with any ice ax, over-sized crampon pockets are tear resistant, and the A-frame ski carry system has wider straps.
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Comfy Recovery Shoes
OOFOS debuts the OOmg High, a shoe with nothing inside except foam. The goal is super comfort for recovery. A stretchy mesh upper and elastic band over the foot help the process a little pressure around the full foam enclosure.
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Secure Footing On Ice
Stabil’s new Icers are aggressive traction devices meant for use with boots on slick terrain. The USA-made product has 14 1/2″ stainless steel cleats for serious grip.
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Thermo-Plastic Snowshoes
Don’t lose them in the snow! Tankr snowshoes from Fimbulvetr come in a stark-white color and are made of a one-piece thermo-plastic the brand touts makes walking in deep snow “remarkably less exhausting.”
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