The first Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, held this week in Denver, will be gear central. Thousands of brands will debut products for the coming year. Here’s our exclusive pre-show peek at some exciting outdoors equipment coming to market for fall – winter 2018-2019.
Dynafit 'Hoji' Ski Touring Boot
Want to ski in Eric “Hoji” Hjorleifson’s boots? Now you can. The Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour ski boot gives 55 degrees of motion in tour mode. But lock it down with the flip of one switch, and you have 11 degrees of forward lean and progressive flex for downhill ripping. Best yet, it weighs just 3.19 pounds, and a short production run will hit the market at select stores this month!
Gordini Blends Knit and Leather Glove
Gordini mixes traditional leather gloves with 3D knit manufacturing in the Camber glove. Enhanced with a hydrophobic treatment, these gloves are designed for durability, water resistance, and mobility.
Push Button, Change Tint
Push a button on your goggles to change the tint of the lenses almost instantly. SPY’s new Ace EC with “One Lens Technology” does just that. The lens cycles through three levels of visible light transmission for use in variable conditions, no lens changes needed.
Revolutionary Ski Binding
This might be the biggest ski-gear story in 2018. The Salmon Shift binding is revolutionary. It allows skiers to use pins on the uphill and alpine-style, step-in bindings on the downhill. It’s like a transformer. You can even use standard alpine bindings in it for in-bounds ski days. Check out our full story here.
Built-In Water Bladder Jacket
Stay hydrated on the slopes thanks to a jacket with a built-in water bottle. The 686 GLCR Hydrastash Jacket has a hydration system that dispenses water through a tiny hose at the collar. We got a sneak peek, and the jacket is sweet. The jacket hides 25 ounces of water in the snow skirt, and the wearer won’t feel its presence much. Overall, the design seems dialed.
G3 ZED Binding
Lighter and more versatile, G3 launches the ZED as an upgrade to the popular Ion tech binding. We got our hands on a pair for a very early test, and found that G3 trimmed quite a bit of material and weight from the Ion. It also makes the brake optional, giving the consumer a choice to add the weight, and cost, of a brake to the binding. Look for a full story very soon!
Biodegradable Jackets
The brand Picture introduces what it calls the “first biodegradable polyamide 6.6 yarn” in the form of the men’s Earthen Jacket and women’s Sience Jacket. While other synthetics may never break down, Picture claims these jackets will fully decompose within five years in a landfill.
Wide-Vision Goggle
Julbo says the Skydome gives the widest field of view of any goggle in its line (195 degrees horizontally, 96 degrees vertically). Looking at the photo, we don’t doubt it! It comes with the awesome Reactiv lens too. So if you want to see what’s coming at you down the slopes, it’s a good one to consider for $180.
Super Skull Helmet
POC calls it the “supercar of helmets,” and the specs will turn heads. The Super Skull Spin is 100 grams lighter than the brand’s previous alpine race helmets, but it’s designed to take repeated, lower-energy blows common in downhill ski racing. SPIN technology protects against rotational forces, and an EPP liner protects against repeated, higher-energy impacts. And it even comes with supercar pricing at $800.
Buff Reinvents the Buff
It’s one of our go-to staples for winter outdoor adventure. Now Buff claims it has reinvented its iconic product with the New Original. The headwear has seamless design, stretch fabric that utilizes recycled plastic bottles, and a “significantly softer and more comfortable feel.”
Zeal Venting Goggles
Skin uphill in goggles that won’t fog when you sweat. Zeal claims you can lift the lens on its Hatchet googles to vent when you sweat. The Hatchet is also Zeal’s first cylindrical goggle with interchangeable lenses.
TNF Ventrix Ski Knickers
Shorts for winter? The North Face gives you the thumbs-up. Wear the Summit L3 Proprius Ventrix Knicker over soft-shells or base-layers for warm thighs and lots of venting. Full-length side zips and dynamic venting insulation that activates with movement give these tech appeal far beyond chopped off denim. Aesthetics remain in the eye of the beholder.
1,000-Mile Arctic Boot
Vibram Arctic Grip soles will keep you from slipping on ice, but the Michigan-made upper will keep you styling. For a very technologically advanced boot (Gore-Tex, Goodyear welt construction), the Wolverine 1000 Mile Arctic Grip Boot ($425) is a handsome product.
Sand Venting Shoes
There are a lot of shoes designed to drain water, but these go a step further. CGear claims the VENTOLATION line of shoes will vent sand, water, and air through channels in the sole. The brand claims it keeps feet clean, comfortable, and dry.
Smith Magnetic Goggles
Sixteen powerful magnets hold the interchangeable lens on the rimless Smith I/O Mag goggle. We’ve put these through the wringer early this winter, and we love the Chroma-Pop lens! Dual locking mechanisms keep the lens secure. But a simple push of one lever at either side of the lens quickly releases the magnets for easy swapping of lenses for varying light and weather conditions.
Airbag-Compatible Snow Pack
Add your own airbag when you need it, ditch it when you don’t. Dakine designed the Poacher RAS Series for compatibility with the Mammut Removable Airbag 3.0 system (sold separately). Dakine claims to have eliminated the weakness created by the standard breakaway zipper, thus ensuring a long product life.
Range Vent 'Sneakerboots'
Did Forsake just go and invent a new footwear category? The Range Vent is the brand’s “sneakerboot.” Call it what you want, it looks rad, with Vibram Megagrip outsole, an extra-wide footprint, and a composite shank for stability on unpredictable terrain.
REI Co-op Magma Down Hoodie Jacket
A $219 jacket with 850-fill down packed into a Pertex shell? Yes, the REI Co-op Magma Down Hoodie Jacket screams value. It weighs just 14 ounces and should pack down tiny.
A Lighter Synthetic Puffy
Helly Hansen teamed up with PrimaLoft to create the synthetic “LifaLoft” insulation for this hybrid puffy. The brands claim the new yarn traps more air than polyester at a lighter weight. The fiber doesn’t absorb water and has inherent water repellency without the need for treatment due to the hydrophobic properties of the Lifa fibers.
Turtle Saving Travel Safe
Save turtles and secure your gear at the same time? Win-win. Pacsafe makes the Travelsafe 3L from abandoned “ghost nets” that pose a risk to sea turtles while drifting through the ocean. The lockable, portable safe can be anchored to any immoveable object.
Folding Sunglasses for Watersports
Fold the Popticals PopH20 small for travel, then open them wide for a day on the water. Wraparound frames with crystal-clear Carl Zeiss Vision NYDEF Nylon lenses give serious coverage for bright days.
Stanley Growls
Coffee, you’re on the bench. Beer, suit up. Stanley, known for vacuum bottles to keep your coffee hot, this year will keep your beer cold with the GO Growler. This 64-ounce growler comes equipped with leak-proof insulated lid that will keep your beer cold for 24 hours. With 18/8 stainless steel along the inside, this growler is BPA free and dishwater safe.
Silverton Component Glove
NeoShell on the outside and Polartec Alpha insulation should make the Seirus Silverton Component Glove a winner for active winter pursuits. The combination of highly breathable, waterproof outer shell and quick-drying insulation will keep hands dry and warm.
Do-All Free Ski Boot
The 3.4-pound Fischer Ranger Free gives skiers 55 degrees of cuff rotation in a 130-stiffness boot. Dynafit inserts, an integrated ski/walk mechanism, and Vibram Gripwalk sole round out what should be a high-performing boot for backcountry skiers.
Aerogel Footbeds
Keep the cold at bay with the world’s most efficient insulator: Aerogel. Sole builds the Thermal footbed with Aerogel insulation, wool, and EVA foam to fend off the cold while providing support.
One Helle Pretty Knife
Gorgeous and useful, Helle’s 85 years of knifemaking tradition shines through in the Trofé. Each Trofé knife goes through more than 45 manual processes to shape, polish, and illuminate natural materials like darkened oak, stag horn, leather, brass, and curly birchwood. The 3.5-inch drop point blade uses Helle’s triple-laminated stainless steel to get the job done and look good doing it.
Hybrid Training Top
Meant for cold weather running and training, the Tech Trainer Hybrid Jacket from Icebreaker combines the warmth and comfort of wool with high-tech weather resistance like Pertex Quantum fabric and reflectivity.
Hard Use River Shoe
Astral built the Rassler 2.0 as an “exceptionally grippy and rugged, yet lightweight boot that dries fast and drains quick.” It does this with a redesigned sole and upper that protect ankles for sports like fly fishing and whitewater rafting.
Sunglasses at Night
You really should wear these sunglasses at night. Vuarnet designed the Nightlynx to “amplify light when levels are low or completely absent.” The brand claims the mineral lenses enhance visual sharpness at night, dusk, and dawn, as well as in rainy or foggy conditions. Use them driving at night to reduce glare on the road.
Ramped-Up Ripsticks
Elan gave three top-selling ski categories a “Black Edition” upgrade, and that means carbon. The Ripstick, Amphibio, and women’s Delight skis get internal carbon “power shells” wrapping the wood core for increased strength at no weight penalty.
Patagonia's 'Most Advanced' Base
Patagonia touts the forthcoming Capilene Air as “the most advanced baselayer that Patagonia has ever made.” That’s a big statement from a brand renowned for base layers. Patagonia uses an “exploded” yarn 3D knitted into a seamless, stretchy garment. Made of 51 percent merino wool and 49 percent recycled Capilene, the Capilene Air offers outstanding warmth for its weight. It also breathes, maintains the natural odor-fighting properties of wool, and improves wicking, durability, and dry time compared to conventional merino base layers.
Streamlined Freeski Pack
Arc’teryx designed the Alpha SK 32 Pack as a minimalist option for backcountry skiers. The sleek design carries backcountry essentials and has a patented strap system that allows for diagonal, A-frame, or snowboard vertical carry setups. A helmet-compatible lid also stashes skins, ropes, and other bulky items to keep them accessible. A side zipper gives access to gear without unloading or removing the pack.
Lighter Leather Hiker
Vasque aimed to create a traditional leather hiking boot at modest weight. With the SAGA LTR GTX, consumers get a leather upper, Gore-Tex waterproofing, soles with Vibram Megagrip traction, and a dual-density midsole all at 3 pounds, 5 ounces.
Under-Toe Sock Seam
Wigwam put the seam of the Peak 2 Pub Mt. Whitney NXT sock underneath the toe instead of on top. The brand claims this reduces the chance of friction from the seam. It also has liner fibers meant to move moisture away from the skin.
World Cup Tech, Freestyle Steeze
Giro this year brings technology from its $600 World Cup helmets into a $140 freestyle bucket. The Giro Emerge MIPS has MIPS Spherical technology in a low-profile shell with a freestyle shape. And the Lucas Beaufort collab model even glows in the dark!
MSR DynaLock Ascent Poles
MSR constructs the new DynaLock Ascent Pole, its lightest-weight offering for fast mountaineering in high alpine conditions, with Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber. The size small weighs in at just over a pound and deploys quickly when folded.
Bug Net for Hammocks
The ENO Guardian DX Bug Net keeps bugs away from your cozy hammock nook. Dual doors allow for ease of entry and increased ventilation. The integrated DAC Featherlite spreader bar and ridgeline construction optimize the interior volume and reduce contact with the mesh, keeping you safe from biting insects.
Alpha Direct Insulator
Go ahead and sweat, this Alpha Direct insulating layer by Strafe will breathe away moisture fast. Alpha Direct earned a Best In Show award last winter for removing impediments to moisture management. Strafe’s Alpha Direct Insulator uses this quick-drying technology and air-permeable Recon Air face fabric to keep your winter exertions dry.
Dynastar Proto Factory
Charge big lines with the ski Dynastar calls a “fall line seeking missile.” But while a rocket in dimensions (145/118/135), the brand claims the Proto Factory maintains a playful inner child spirit, proven by team rider Richard Permin on the deep pow of Japan and steep faces of Alaska.
Flagship Ski Boot
Lange built this 120 flex boot to save weight on a proven design. The Superleggera aims for precision, agility, and power on a 97-mm or 100-mm last proven in the brand’s RX chassis. But the Superleggera is 25 percent lighter than other models in the line.
Rossignol Experience 94 Ti
Rossignol aims for the all-mountain crowd with the Experience 94 Ti. Built as a versatile “quiver of one” for frontside and slackcountry skiing alike, the ski combines race-worthy tech – Line Control Technology (LCT) and a new Air Tip – with a freeride profile that’ll smear, drift, and float.
Stretchy Insulation
Stay warm, stay mobile – Obermeyer bends stretchy elastane into its Men’s Mechano Stretch jacket to enable unencumbered mobility. A DWR nylon insulation helps with moisture management, and a full-length wind guard keeps howling gales at bay.
