Talk to anyone who interacted with Gert Boyle—who passed away on November 3, at the age of 95—and they will give you a familiar line: she was one tough mother to please. And that observation would have amused the outdoor industry pioneer who was so famous for her one-liners. Wander around Columbia Sportswear’s Portland, Oregon, headquarters and you will find what her son Tim Boyle calls “Gert-isms”Ìęall over the building. But there is one snippet of Gert’s zen wit that best explains how she grew an unassuming hat company into a global sportswear giant: “It’s perfect. Now make it better.”Ìę

Gert Boyle was born Gerturde Lamfrom to a Jewish family in Augsburg, Germany, in 1924. Her father owned that country’s largest shirt factory, but in 1937 the Nazis seized the business and the family fled to the United States. The following year, her father bought the Rosenfeld Hat Company, in Portland, which he renamed the Columbia Hat Company. Gert’s husband, Neal Boyle, took over in 1964 when Paul,ÌęGert’sÌęfather, passed away and renamed it Columbia Sportswear, moving beyond hats into outdoor apparel and finding success with a fishing vest that Gert designed.

Neal died suddenly of a heart attack in 1970, at age 47, and Gert found herselfÌęrunning Columbia Sportswear. She was full of passion and confidence, but wasÌęuntrained in basics such as how to manage inventory or undertake daily meetings with employees. She called on her son Tim, then a senior in college, to help. But without business assistance or capital, the pair struggled and the company’s annual sales dropped from a modest $800,000 down to $600,000 in 1971. The banks told them it was time to close up shop and sell.Ìę

Soon after, they found an interested buyer, but after reviewing Columbia’s assets and talking down to Gert in the process, he offered her just $1,400 for the company. Gert cussed him out and told him, “For $1,400, I would just as soon run this business into the ground myself.” Then she slammed the door in his face.Ìę

Gert and Tim went on to build one of the most successful businesses in North America. For 2019, Columbia Sportswear of over $3 billion. The hard-nosed mother of three founded one of the cornerstones of what has become an Ìęin the United States. Alongside male rock climbers and adventurers like Yvon Chouinard, Royal Robbins, and Doug Tompkins, she showed that women could be leaders in the outdoor industry.

“She was a powerful force,” Tim says. “She inspired and frankly gave confidence to so many women. She helped them realize they could be a positive force in life and not hold back.”

MaÌęBoyle,Ìęas she was often known,Ìęmarketed gearÌęto everyday people, not just elite athletes, while still insisting her products could hold up to the worst conditions.ÌęIn 1975, Columbia was the first outdoor brand to use Gore-TexÌęfabric. As the company grew, it focusedÌęon creating its own fabrics, including itsÌę reflective fabricÌęand fully sustainable products. These innovations always came with a dose ofÌęGert’s perfection mantra—and humor.ÌęÌę

“She and Tim did something no one else was even trying,” says Jim Thomsen, co-founder of outdoor brandÌę. “All the other real outdoor companies, including mine, looked at ourselves as so cool, making products for the elite. And we sold them only to the coolest stores. Then along came Gert and Tim and they made really good products, but they did something no of the rest of us would ever think of doing
 they sold products to sporting goods stores,Ìęthose non-cool places that sold to people who didn’tÌęeven know how to climb. And they started selling a lot.”

Gert’s dedication to quality and her sense of humor spoke to consumers and helped propel the company’s wide reach.Ìę, which began in 1984, featured Gert running extreme gear testsÌęon Tim. She would run him over with a Zamboni, cycle him through a car wash, pull him up a cliff. Those spots made Gert an American cultural icon beyond the outdoor industry.ÌęA 1999 ad featuredÌęGert wearing a Columbia jacket sitting in a deck chair in the middle of a snowy landscape with a cup of coffee, giving the camera her trademark “Impress Me”Ìęglare. The text read: “She’d move to Florida but the weather sucks there.” Gert would later comment on the ad: “I got quite a few letters from people who didn’t like a certain word in this ad. In case you are wondering, I don’t mean ‘Florida.’”Ìę

HerÌęreputationÌęgrew even more in 2010 when a robber who tied her up at gunpoint and she outwitted himÌęby setting off a silent police alarm. When help arrived, she criticized the cop’s choice for wearing a North Face jacket.Ìę

Along with the wry laughs, Gert neverÌęforgot her immigrant roots or the importance of the outdoors to all Americans, and the company has been outspoken on those issues. When the President shut down the government and public lands in January, Columbia bought a full-page ad in the Washington PostÌęthat read: “”Ìę

“Gert’s story has been a real immigrant story,” Tim says. “She came here, welcomed into the United States at a time when there was strife around the world
 hopefully we can learn from [her] how much impact immigrants can have today. I’m just amazed by how many people she impacted.”

Gert treated every Columbia employeeÌęlike family. And that idea that she was a tough mother to all rang true in her dedication to the job. Gert made it in to the office through her 95th birthday on March 6, and according to the company, she was still having business discussions last week.

“When people ask me what my plans are for the years ahead, I often answer by telling them I want to be thin, blonde, and sexy. Don’t hold your breath,” Gert Boyle wrote in her 2005 memoir . “What I do look forward to is coming to work and doing what I can to help Columbia remain at the top of our field in terms of quality and creativity. And when my time comes, I might just keep coming to work.”

The post Remembering Gert Boyle, the Legend Behind Columbia appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

It’s a common gripe in the halls of Outdoor Retailer: the trade show is no longer relevant because it happens too late in the buying cycle. It’s not a sentiment that the show organizers take lightly, and they have recently made what appears to be a concerted effort to listen closely to the gripes. Over the past several months, OR has been poring over attendee feedback from past shows as well as responses from a recently completed qualitative survey of key industry brands, suppliers and retailers, conducted by Chicago-based research firm, Stax.

It’s “the deepest and broadest effort to chronicle product development, introduction and cascading sales cycles across multiple categories ever in the outdoor industry and certainly in North America,” said Darrell Denny, executive vice president of sports and apparel and e-commerce at Emerald Expositions, which owns and operates the show.

Outdoor Retailer is poised to launch a web-based survey today to a broader segment of their constituents, with the intent of gauging the wants and needs of these stakeholders, and to ensure that what they are offering is what peopleÌęwant around show platform and timing. It is limited, however, to retailers, reps and exhibitors of the show. (Keep an eye out for it in your inbox, and if you didn’t receive the link but want to respond, email research@outdoorretailer.com.)

The results of the combined of the interviews and web-based survey could very well lead to some big changes.

The show has, in part, already responded to previous attendee and survey feedback. For Winter Market 2016, OR bumped its dates up from the end of January to just after the holidays (and before final ordering deadlines). The shift came with a drop in retailer attendance, however, as well as more grumbling in the aisles and in surveys. “Retailers were very clear in our post-show surveys–and in discussions during this year’s Winter Market–that they wanted the show during the weekdays and not over weekends,” Denny said. That’s partly why OR has made the decision to move the Winter Market dates again for 2017 and cut it down to just three days.

The big question for show attendees, though, is whether these changes, and any potential future changes will make their schedules and show decisions easier . . . or even more complicated.

It Began with the Tribe

There is something inherently tribal about the big trade shows. They are as much festivals as they are open markets to debut and sell product. More and more, as sales become relegated to regional rep shows or even private dealer events, the value of big shows lies in this joining of the tribes. But is that enough? How will trade shows continue to make themselves relevant as the outdoor industry matures, and how can the tribe possibly keep up when it must attend a full calendar of events all year long?

In 1982, the OR show was a brand new idea–a plan to to shift from a California rep show (run by long-term outdoor vet Larry Harrison) and bring together a handful of core brands at exhibition halls in Las Vegas away from the more traditional sporting goods shows where outdoor brands had been lumped. It was to be a gathering as much as a marketplace. At the time, Greg Thomsen–who had worked his way into the industry the way so many aspiring dirtbags do today, as a mountain guide and retail-shop employee and co-founder of the now-cult outdoor brand Wilderness Experience–decided he liked the vision of Outdoor Retailer, a show that brought together brands like his and Yvon Chouinard’s Patagonia that were born from the passion of the outdoors. Thomsen said he bought the very first booth at that inaugural show.

“We had been doing the (now SIA) Snow Show at the time, but this was pure outdoors, like-minded individuals,” Thomsen said. “We switched over to it right away.”

Indeed, everything was simpler and more focused at the time. In the 34 years since, the OR show ballooned from the original 93 exhibitors to a record-breaking 1,555 brands at the 2015 Summer Market. But that’s just the beginning.

OR (twice a year with Winter Market added in 1990) has become just one in a massive circuit of shows requisite for outdoor industry brands. The result? Manufacturers, reps, media, textile vendors, non profits and other businesses are faced with a full calendar of expos that can be time-consuming, expensive, and exhausting.

The philosophy of how sales work at a big trade show has changed, too. In the 1980s most manufacturing was still based in the United States, making for far shorter times to turn product around after order. Over the past three decades, we have seen a systemic shift of manufacturing to Asia (and more recently Central America), which increased dramatically when China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001. That shift has rippled into the sales dynamic at trade shows. The resulting longer manufacturing lead times have led to the rise of regional rep shows where early orders make for easier forecasting for shipments across the Pacific. That shift has built up into a schedule of non-stop trade shows, topped by the big event in the Salt Palace.

“Over the years, the regional rep shows have become so sophisticated and well managed that most of our business is done there, earlier,” said Thomsen, now adidas Outdoor managing director. “OR has become a kind of a culmination of the season where all the managers and PR people can see everything . . . and get a sense for trends. Nowadays, OR is less of a buying show and more of a show where brands can show what they stand for.”

The fact that so much writing of orders gets done earlier creates a constant murmur in the halls of OR, SIA, Interbike, MAGIC and other major national trade shows. The usual complaint is that retailers and manufacturers are wasting resources and budget at these expensive productions that could be more efficiently allocated somewhere with a far better ROI.

“The big question is why even bother with these big over-the-top shows at all?” asked Daniel Abrams, founder of up-and-coming apparel manufacturer Flylow. “I think that regional rep association trade shows could replace the national shows. Why not just have regional shows?”

It’s a good question–and one that OR and SIA (as well as Interbike, SHOT, European shows and others) have made an effort to address–considering that retailers, reps, and manufacturers stare down a full year of often expensive travel and time out of the office. Much like OR, SIA has been proactive in looking at its dates. Starting in December 2017, the Denver-based show is moving from early February to early December. Those shifts in timing don’t change the fact that trade shows are expensive, however.

Thomsen states that OR is his biggest marketing expense of the year. At Summer Market, for example, booth space costs an average of $33.35 per square foot. Plus, exhibitors face the added expenses of the booth itself: building it, storing it, staffing and paying to bring sample product lines out of production and to and from the show. The biggest challenge of all, though, is that trade show attendees have to go through this process over and over again throughout the year at multiple shows.

Moving Targets

The truth is that brands, buyers, reps and even media need what the gamut of shows offer up, whether that be down-and-dirty writing orders while looking at product lines on Spartan walls or getting a sense for the entire line and philosophy of a brand while drinking craft beer at a big show. All these outlets keep a brand viable. But is it even possible to attend all these events? How to pick and choose? What do you miss if you stay at home or look for (possibly cheaper) alternatives? While OR and SIA have engaged in response to attendee needs, changing dates and even more drastic maneuvers are not necessarily panaceas.

“It’s extremely difficult to plan a season of trade shows, especially given the moving targets that the shows have become recently,” said Brian Limoges, senior merchandising manager at online retailer Evo.

He points out that the timing continues to get more and more challenging. Later show dates come too late to really impact plans and buying deadlines, but earlier shows happen before the season has really had a chance to play out.

“We carry product across many categories (ski, snowboard, bike, skate, wake, surf, apparel, footwear) from a few hundred brands so it’s often difficult to get particularly strategic about the planning,” Limoges said. “We need to take into consideration people’s personal lives in addition to travel schedules and due dates during various buying cycles.”

That planning creates headaches for big shops, but the crowded docket of trade shows is even more difficult for smaller operators, who don’t have the staff and reach to be constantly on the road, leaving them squeezed in the process. The criticism from reps sounds much like that of retailers.

“The trade and rep show circuit is tough. And it’s not just the big shows,” said Todd Kerbs, an independent rep for brands including Red Bull Eyewear, Eco Vessel, and Glide SUP. “The WWSRA [Western Winter Sports Representatives Association] has something like 50 regional shows now and they have been very lackluster lately. Going to the shows is all out-of-pocket expense for me, and unless I can make decent sales calls after the shows, they’re not worth it.”

Kerbs also feels that even the smaller shows are skewed to big operators who have the reach and budget to be in more places at once. “The big companies set the deadline date,” he said. “The money they command from shops is crazy and the rest of us independent reps just try to hunt for scraps.”

Regional rep shows–spearheaded by groups like the United States Reps Association (USRA), which bundles together over 2,000 reps at seven shows throughout the year–are where the majority of orders for established brands and retailers get written. Unlike the party and spectacle of booths at OR, SIA or MAGIC which rival retail stores in square footage, the rep shows are no-nonsense, low-budget affairs where buyers and manufactures simply engage in commerce.

“As far as I’m concerned, as a retailer, not a manufacturer or media, early preview shows are great,” said Mike Donohue, co-owner of Burlington, Vermont-based retailer The Outdoor Gear Exchange. “They are focused. They are where the buying work gets done. A larger, national show later in the cycle is great for closing the loop, seeing new vendors and smaller brands, having business meetings and for media buzz.”

Seen in that light, the big shows prove their relevance as the prime-timeÌęevents of the season. But it’s tough to demand retailers spend so much time out of their shops. That means the onus is on both regional and national shows, which are businesses in themselves, to find the best way to serve their customers, a.k.a. show attendees, in a way beyond pure selling.

Constant Change

At Emerald Expositions, Denny, for one, recognizes the potential pitfalls in trying too hard to keep ahead of the curve when it comes to how trade shows and selling cycles continue to evolve. “Industry production and buying cycle shifts have been gradual, not all at once and not all together,” said Denny. “So the market coming to any consensus around the best timing due to these changes has been evolutionary as well.”

Outdoor Retailer and SIA both changed their dates to be more relevant to the needs of their constituents. Now, OR is considering making even more changes in an attempt to sync with attendee cycles. Will that turn the whole system on its head?

Possibly, but for the brands that buy booths, dates are not as important as how many retailers the national shows can bring to the aisles.

“For the last few shows, I’ve been asked by retailers about taking our show spend and redirecting that investment towards other projects that they feel would be more beneficial,” said Bruce Old, Patagonia VP of global wholesale.

But that issue may have more to do with figuring out the timing of the big shows within a patchwork calendar of options, rather than the actual relevance of the show itself. By all accounts, brands do still see relevance at national shows.

“OR is still a great opportunity to see multiple retailers and have productive meetings, all in one place. The conversations that take place at the shows between retailers and exhibitors have great value,” Old added.

In his announcement for the new SIA show dates, incoming president Nick Sargent said: “This decision was made with great care and consideration given to the evolving buy/sell cycle, and an eye on the future growth of the industry. The Show’s purpose is to preview product in the best possible way for retailers to make educated and effective buying decisions when they place their orders at the appropriate time.”

Trying to maneuver too much around selling dates may not be the best solution, however. And there are even some sales-based reasons to believe that the shows do, in fact, work best later in the sales cycle.

“With SIA moving to before Christmas, I do fear some sales will be lost as folks hear what will be coming out a year down the road and decide to hold off on an upgrade this season,” Donohue said. “I know I have buyer’s remorse as soon as I get on skis at the OR demo. Earlier shows focus specifically on previewing product and buying. The grassroots, regional and small shows fill that need well. They already exist.”

And not all retailers go to regional shows. The Southwest doesn’t have them, so retailers from Arizona, for example, are seeing product for the first time and writing orders at OR and other big shows, said Christian Mason, national sales manager at Bozeman, Montana-based Oboz Footwear. “The primary benefit of national shows like OR is to spend quality time with retailers. The majority of our meetings are recaps from earlier shows or they’re marketing related. But there are select territories like the Rockies, Southwest and Southcentral that really benefit from OR since the time of year and location in Salt Lake City work so well for them.”

While Thorlo did pull out of OR due to lower numbers at the winter show and Dynafit notably did not attend SIA this year, very few brands are opting out and major players, such as Columbia Sportswear, have left OR in the past only to return. There’s still a central gravity and community to the big shows that can not be replicated at sales-focused regional affairs.

Beyond finding the perfect dates for everyone, there are other ways that the big shows can still be relevant and help manufacturers and retailers expand their business, and, if nothing else, the shows are working hard to make it easier to attend. Emerald Exposition VP and OR Show Director Marisa Nicholson pointed to the recent additions of the Retail Relations Team—Joe Bustos and Kimberly Aguilar—as steps the show has taken to respond and adapt to the needs of the attending retailers.

“Joe and Kimberly manage targeted buyer outreach and work with the show team to directly enhance the Outdoor Retailer shows by promoting attendance among key regional, national, and international retailers,” Nicholson said. “Their efforts seem to be resonating. They’ve been able to develop deeper relationships with specialty retailers, make face-to-face connections, and support the needs of the community.”

Indeed, building community is still the greatest asset of the national shows. And the attempts of OR, SIA and others to galvanize businesses via social, environmental and other initiatives that go beyond sales, such as The Avalanche Project at SIA and the Inspiration Awards at OR, have been successful.

“At this past Outdoor Retailer show, I was very moved by the attendance and the support for the Inspiration Awards,” said Thomsen of adidas Outdoor, which sponsors the event. “It’s a great way to honor those individuals and companies that inspire all of us, and it made me feel very comfortable with the future ongoing relevance of the OR show and its commitment to honoring the past, highlighting the present and inspiring the future leaders of the outdoor industry.”

For the most part, attendees agree that the OR show has remained vital—and the renewed efforts of OR to accommodate them have led to extra value propositions at the show such as the Venture Out zone, which brings in brands that many classic “outdoor” retailers would not see otherwise.

“In an ideal world, the biggest benefit is to sell product,” said Peter Sachs, general manager of Lowa. “But those days really ended once retailers needed to create SKUs, fill out computer generated PO’s, etc. So today, trade shows are about branding, relationships, marketing and trying to display and merchandise your product in the best light. The SHOT show gives us a huge ROI for sales per square foot; OR provides that ROI when it comes to relationships and branding.” Sachs also explained that the national shows still make marketing directors and product developers happy—with product launches front and center in sexy booths with on-message, highly branded presentation—rather than simply being tacked up on the bland “wall grids” of regional rep and more selling-based shows.

Thomsen agreed, noting, too, that Outdoor Retailer is a chance for adidas Outdoor not just to connect with its top athletes like Kevin Jorgeson of Dawn Wall fame but also to give climbers who may not reach the upper (and small) tier of professional outdoor athletes to break into a career in the outdoor industry. “We want to show them that they can make a living in this industry. They’re starting to learn there are openings beyond being professional athletes. That’s exciting, and trade shows expose a whole new avenue for them. If we give them the opportunity to grow in these areas, we can bring in a whole new generation of managers.”

The Grassroots Movement

One significant change in the industry over the past decade has been the ascendence of the 59-member Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA), which bands together independent retail stores into a significant power block. The organization has been producing the Grassroots Summit show for GOA members only, and in November 2015, the group held its first Grassroots Connect show, open to non-GOA members. GOA, which works in conjunction with Outdoor Retailer and other traditional national shows, does not plan on usurping the big shows.

Instead, the GOA hopes the Connect show—which is limited to just 80 to 100 select exhibitors and a limited number of retailers who are not GOA members, making it far more intimate than Outdoor Retailer—can give both retailers and manufacturers a chance to preview what will be coming down the pipe and refine their lines before the big shows. In a way it’s a throwback to those first, close-knit days of Outdoor Retailer in the early 1980s.

“It was the most efficient show I’ve ever been to,” said Oboz’s Mason. “We visited with several retailers in a short period of time. The decor of the show needs work as the setting was very dark, but the Connect show was very productive during the day, and each afternoon they put on solid receptions. We came prepared and were able to spend quality one-on-one time with our partners.”

The Connect show is laser-focused on specialty outdoor retail—you won’t find the athleisure, electronics, or other out-of-core-industry brands here. “The primary benefit of Connect is that it allows buyers to efficiently see their important brands in an intimate, distraction-free environment with a focus on getting work done, whether that be buying, strategic planning, or discussion,” said Chris Howe, chairman of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and owner of East Coast retailers Trailblazer and Denali.

Obviously, while the success of the Connect show can help brands and retailers dial in their season, it will not solve the problem of too many shows on the agenda. For most attendees, the dream scenario would be for more of the shows to consolidate as they have in Europe. There have been attempts to do that here. Outdoor Retailer tried to bring Fly Fishing Retailer under its awnings (Fly Fishing Retailer and ICAST did end up consolidating, however) and Interbike successfully folded the Health and Fitness Expo into its own aisles in 2014. Attendees have been pleased with the willingness of trade shows to listen to their needs, but they would like to see more changes.

“I think the retailers are starting to speak up about the timing and frequency of the shows, and I’m glad to hear that the shows are listening. We can’t attend every show so I would expect some consolidation, or retailers voting for the best show via their attendance,” said Patagonia’s Old.

Retailers agree.

“Frankly, SIA and OR need to merge into one show. I realize the challenges in trying to incorporate two different business models in two different states with competing interests, but it is best for everyone in the end,” said Limoge at Evo.

Consolidation in North America does not yet seem to be an option, however. In fact, the entire outdoor trade show schedule is somewhat like a chess match—with multiple-players—and it doesn’t appear that it will end any time soon. At least not till OR makes its next move.

“Of course we are concerned about potential overlap with the many important events that take place in the outdoor space,” said Denny. “It’s almost impossible for Outdoor Retailer to move to any time and not conflict with some event somewhere, unfortunately.”

He said that OR’s goal however, is to provide as much advance notice as possible—”hopefully 18 months”—to allow opportunity for some events to respond if needed.

“All key event producers need to communicate and coordinate better going forward, and I expect we will significantly step up and increase meetings among ourselves,” Denny said. “As for whether there is sufficient desire and need for any other events, that is impossible to say and puts the proverbial cart before the horse. Noting that we are going to research whether we should do anything additional is not the same thing as saying we’ve decided to do so. Right now, we are in the fact-finding stage, not in the decision stage.”

When it comes down to it, dates and selling cycles still may not be the most important reasons attendees show up.

“I see shows in a battle to remain relevant and trying to win by being first, earliest,” said The Outdoor Gear Exchange’s Donohue. “I don’t think that’s a good trend or beneficial to anyone. I’d still like to see them go back and look at what their purpose is.”

For his part, Denny, a long-time vet of both the outdoor industry and the trade show business in general, is acutely aware of what really matters.

“All industries embody an element of competitiveness among the companies, retailers, reps and, even, not-for-profit groups and associations,” he said. “However, the outdoor industry is characterized by individuals who, much more often than not, believe in the outdoors and recognize that the best chance to improve participation, access, advocacy, regulation, trade, sustainability, product assessment is to have a meetings of minds. Folks in the outdoor space recognize many of these objectives are difficult to impossible if people in the industry are estranged from each other.”

The overarching mantra? It’s still about the tribe.

The post The Future of Outdoor Trade Shows appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

With a sturdy aluminum wishbone suspension system and independent pivots in the shoulder harness and hipbelt, theÌęÌę($319) is the comfiest big hauler we tested. It’s also brimming with user-friendly features.ÌęOur favorite: the hydration-bladder sleeve, which transforms into a daypack—we found it far more functional than the usual detachable top-compartment lumbar pack. One tester summed it up this way: “It feels as if it were designed by someone who actually goes backpacking.” 5.3 lbs;Ìę

​Comfort: 4.5Ìę
Versatility: 4.5

The post Gregory Baltoro 75 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

For too long, the backpack has been associated with pain. Blame that on the mental residue of long-gone frame packs (which have been back in the spotlight recently, thanks to films like Wild and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) and people who insist on pushing packs past their limits. The truth is, designers have figured out all sorts of ingenious ways to mimic the body’s natural curves. The trick is finding the right shape for you and the right size for your objectives. To help, we divided the packs here into threeÌę categories: multi-day beasts (60-plus liters), overnighters (40 to 50), and daypacks (20 to 30).Ìę
—Doug Schnitzspahn

Ìę

Gregory Baltoro 75

With a sturdy aluminum wishbone suspension system and independent pivots in the shoulder harness and hipbelt, the ($319) is the comfiest big hauler we tested. It’s also brimming with user-friendly features. The reason we liked the Baltoro best? Read the full Gear of the Year review.Ìę

Comfort: 4.5Ìę
Versatility: 4.5

Ìę

Ìę

Cotopaxi Nepal 65

Best For: Keeping it simple.

The Test: A butterfly opening at the top of the main compartment lets you quickly access most of the pack, but we especially loved the side pockets: one has two compartments, making it easy to stay
organized on the trail, while the other gets you straight into the bottom of the pack. Like the Gregory, the ($229) has a hydration-bladder sleeve that pulls double-duty as a handy summit pack. Our only real gripe is that the pocket on the shoulder strap is so tiny that it barely fits anything bigger than a granola bar.Ìę

The Verdict: Not the lightest pack here, but it’s a dependable workhorse. 4.9 lbs;

Comfort: 4
Versatility: 4

Ìę

Osprey Atmos AG 65

Best For: Long-haul backpacking.Ìę

The Test: The “AG” stands for Anti-Gravity, Osprey’s term for the ’s ($260) swath of torso-conforming mesh that allows airflow while providing balance and support. “It fits more like a jacket than a pack,” said one tester. The unique design creates contact with your entire back (read: no pressure points), which, combined with tons of adjustability in the torso and hipbelt and four compression straps, allows you to stabilize loads both large and small. We stuffed it with 55 pounds of gear for a big, sweaty push on California’s John Muir Trail, and it never felt off-balance.Ìę

The Verdict: Ideal for humping loads in hot weather. 4.4 lbs;

Comfort: 5
Versatility: 4Ìę

Ìę

Exped Thunder 70

Best For: The weight conscious.

The Test: The most stripped-down big pack here, the ($289) weighs just 3.5 pounds. (Most packs this size weigh at least four.) It’s not as cushy as the Osprey or Gregory, but the Thunder’s single-aluminum-stay suspension proved adequate, thanks to a quick-and-easy torso adjustment and plush hipbelt. And considering how light it is, the Thunder has an impressive array of features, including tons of pockets (two side, one front, and two hipbelt).

The Verdict: The best big ultralight we’ve seen. If you prize comfort over weight, it’s not for you. But the fast-and-light crowd will love it. 3.5 lbs;

Comfort: 2.5
Versatility: 4

Ìę

Deuter ACT Trail Pro 40

Best For: Overnight sorties.Ìę

The Test: The ($169) just feels right. The anatomical shoulder straps and mesh back panel fit nearly every tester perfectly, and it was practically unfazed by heavy loads. “It seemed to bring the weight down to my center of gravity,” said one tester. Deuter’s trademark ventilation channel, which runs along the middle of the back panel, helps keep you cool, and there are attachments for everything, including an optional helmet holder. And while it looks stripped down, there are wet and dry storage compartments inside and plenty of exterior pockets.

The Verdict: Light, durable, and breathable. 3.4 lbs;

Comfort: 4.5
Versatility: 4Ìę

Ìę

The North Face Shadow 30 + 10

Best For: Summit days.Ìę

The Test: A daypack with the guts to go longer, this compact hauler is basically a sack with straps. Fully extended, the ($149) is just big enough for overnight missions. Rolled down, it keeps smaller loads from shifting around. And while it does feature a few extras, like hipbelt pockets and trekking-pole attachments, we liked it best for what you can remove: strip away the framesheet, hipbelt padding, and internal storage pocket, and you shave off over a half-pound without sacrificing carrying capacity.Ìę

The Verdict: The most versatile minimalist day-plus pack we’ve tested. 2 lbs;

Comfort: 3.5
Versatility: 4

Ìę

Thule Capstone 50

Best For: Smooth operators.Ìę

The Test: We’re huge fans of Thule’s sleek and sturdy travel luggage, so we weren’t surprised by how much testers liked the ($200). The torso-adjustment system moves up and down on a track, making it easy to tweak fit on the fly without futzing around with straps—you just push a button and slide. The fabric is thick Cordura, the suspension system is sturdy, and it’s so well built and comfortable to wear that we’d tell you to go ahead and overload it, except you can’t: the top lid is fixed in place.Ìę

The Verdict: “If Apple designed packs, this is what they’d look like,” said one tester. 3.3 lbs; Ìę

Comfort: 4.5
Versatility: 3

Ìę

REI Trail 30

Best For: Long day hikes; the highly organized.Ìę

The Test: With a light steel frame, built-in rain cover, and thickly padded hipbelt, the ($100) is the most feature-laden daypack here. Plus, unlike most packs this size, it zips all the way open for easy access to buried stuff. “It’s like REI simply shrank one of its big multi-day packs,” remarked one tester. Highly organized hikers will be in heaven, thanks to smartly crafted trekking-pole attachment points and four side pockets (three stretchy and one zippered), which make it easy to keep track of snacks, maps, a water bottle, and gadgets.Ìę

The Verdict: Great price for a daypack with all the fixins. 2.4 lbs;

Comfort: 3.5
Versatility: 4Ìę

Ìę

Black Diamond Nitro 22

Best For: Scrambling; big days in the mountains.

The Test: A light, friction-free steel cable runs through the ’s ($120) shoulder straps, allowing for play when you twist, and a flexible waist belt shimmies up and down along with your hips. It’s a well-designed system that keeps the pack close to your torso and subtly shifts with virtually every step. “I could do Zumba with this pack on,” remarked one tester. Black Diamond did not skimp on the details here, either. There are trekking-pole loops and a near pack-length stuff pocket, and you can access the hydration compartment from the outside.

The Verdict: Take it off-trail. 1.9 lbs;

Comfort: 4.5
Versatility: 4

Granite Gear Virga 26

Best For: Short trips; travel.

The Test: With no framesheet or suspension of any kind, and with minimal padding, the ($120) is amazingly light and rolls up to the size of a burrito when not in use. Which is why one of our testers was flat-out shocked that he was able to carry everything he needed for a bare-bones desert overnight trip. Even more surprising: if you pack it correctly, it’s comfier than it should be. Side straps and load lifters let you fine-tune the position, and the roll-top closure battens everything down into a tidy bundle. One gripe: the Virga is too floppy to support a topped-off hydration bladder.

The Verdict: Best pack this light we’ve ever seen. 1 lb;

Comfort: 3.5
Versatility: 4

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The long answer to that question has more to do with what type of consumers outdoor specialty retailers, traditional “hook and bullet” stores and fly-fishing retailers are courting. Each demographic tends to look for different advice at retail. Most climbers who can help a customer choose the right-sized cams for a particular route, for example, are not well versed in the evening’s caddis hatch. The short answer? They are not being sidelined at all. Many outdoor companies, such as Camelbak and Arc’teryx, have thrived on tactical and military sales, they just don’t promote that face to outdoor retailers, though they do business with military buyers at the show. And many brands increasingly are developing fly-fishing as a new addiction for outdoor customers who seek their thrills via human-powered recreation.

“I think there is a swell of presence from brands with roots in tactical and hunting looking for new distribution and partnership potential, and they are finding that among OR attendees,” said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director.

Outdoor Retailer certainly has been proactive in bridging the gap between these two worlds, especially when it comes to fly-fishing. In 2009, Outdoor Retailer made an attempt to fold the terminally declining Fly Fishing Retailer show into OR, but the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) board stoutly refused. AFFTA since has incorporated its International Fly Tackle Dealer Show into the much larger ICAST show in Las Vegas. That is most likely a good thing for pure fishing retailers, but it has not slowed OR’s effort to bring more fishing under its tent. Starting last summer, the show expanded its focus on fly-fishing, creating a Fly Zone, promoting fly-fishing at the Open Air Demo and even courting fly fishing retailers to visit the halls of the Salt Palace while at the same time hoping to encourage more outdoor specialty retailers to carry fly-fishing (and even, gasp, tactical- or hunting-oriented) product.

Sure Shots

On the bullet side, you won’t find a shooting range out by the Pavilion any time soon, but with military and tactical business on the rise for major companies in the industry, traditional outdoor brands are looking at creating performance technical gear for hunters that goes beyond a camo treatment. Take Slumberjack — a brand under the American Recreation Products umbrella — which will debut its SJK Hunting brand at the show.

“Our outdoor industry has a lot more in common with the hook and bullet industry than maybe a lot of us would like to admit,” said Scott Kaier, spokesman for American Rec.

Beyond the usual outdoor players moving into the hunting game, at least 35 companies are exhibiting at summer market that consider hunting a primary category. Among those are Tenzig (a pack brand that caters to athletic gun and bow hunters), 12 Survivors (a brand that is integrating survivalist and hunting mindsets within outdoor sports) and Mystery Ranch (the Bozeman, Montana brand that speaks to hunters while also selling avalanche air bags). Then there are accessory brands that manage to straddle both worlds: think Gerber and SOG knives or Yeti.

“There’s an upsurge in a greater range of outdoor pursuits, including fishing and hunting, which in reality, are the ‘original outdoors,’” said Rick Wittenbraker, chief marketing officer at Howler Brothers and former head of marketing at Yeti Coolers. “While I don’t think you’ll ever see a rack of firearms at Outdoor Retailer — a lot of people seem to draw the line there — there is definitely room for things like [hunting-oriented] Yeti Coolers and camouflage packs.”

The real bridge between hunters and the outdoor retailer crowd won’t be found in the trade show aisles, however; it lies in conservation, protecting the resource everyone who loves the outdoors enjoys.

“We share the same love of trails and wilderness,” Haroutunian said. “That’s something that can be a strength for the industry. When it comes to negotiating in D.C. or discussing the impact of the recreation economy with lawmakers, there is strength in numbers that is manifested on the show floor.”

Cast In

One impediment to understanding the synergy between the hook-and-bullet and outdoor specialty worlds has been that the emerging market of outdoor retailer consumers looking to fish or hunt has yet to be tracked. Researchers at Boulder, Colorado-based, Leisure Trends Group, which analyzes quantitative data when it comes to outdoor dollars, has not yet been looking directly at the intersection of “hook and bullet” and what senior retail analyst Scott Yaeger called “nut and berry” sales and customers. But one area where he has seen a massive influx of hook-and-bullet customers in the outdoor retail space is paddle sports. “Fishing kayaks are driving recreational kayak growth,” he said.

Indeed. In 2011, fishing kayaks represented 13 percent of all kayaks sold. By 2013, that number jumped to 19 percent, and year-to-date in 2014, fishing kayaks account for 23 percent of the recreational kayak market. Unit sales of fishing kayaks were up 24 percent in 2012-13, with other kayaks up just 2 percent (albeit of a larger market share) and so far this year, fishing kayak unit sales are up a whopping 36 percent. Savvy retailers will realize that their sales force can better explain what an angler needs in a boat than a pure fishing retailer. Those swelling numbers are evident in the Paddle Zone, where nearly every brand is showcasing a fishing kayak, and even some fishing SUPs. Take Wilderness Systems, a brand that has cultivated an image based on long-distance touring, which rolls out the Thresher, a high-performance offshore fishing kayak.

The biggest proof of a synergy between core outdoor and fly-fishing comes from Japan via an iconic outdoor brand. Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard became obsessed with the art of tenkara, a stripped-down form of the sport that requires no reel and is easy to learn. Chouinard is passionate about fishing and the brand has been able to maintain an authentic image with both green-focused outdoor consumers and hardcore fly anglers.

“The more we can expose the sport of fly-fishing to outdoor people in general, not just anglers, the more we can benefit the industry as a whole,” said Bart Bonime, Patagonia’s director of fishing.

This April, Patagonia began selling Simple Fishing Kits — which include a tenkara rod, line, flies, and a book about the sport — in its retail stores alongside alpine climbing apparel and other non-fishing gear.

Tenkara U.S.A. was the first company to bring the form to North America, spearheaded by Daniel Galhardo, a climber who fell in love with the simplicity of tenkara and the way he could bring the outfit into difficult-to-reach canyons, combining climbing and fishing. And tenkara is catching on with non-anglers. Malcom Daly — a veteran climber, former head of Great Trango Designs and executive director of Paradox Sports, and current sales associate at Boulder, Colorado retailer Neptune Mountaineering — will be manning the Tenkara booth at the show alongside Galhardo. Therein lies the future: hook-and-bullet and outdoor don’t have to be two separate categories. They can evolve together into new ways to enjoy the wild.

“It’s about expanding the playground,” Galhardo said. “There’s this idea you need to set aside two full days and drive far to fish, that it takes this huge commitment. But it can be much more spontaneous than that, especially when it’s affordable and quick to set up. You can fish when you hike, raft, backpack [or] climb. Just bring a rod along and if there’s a piece of water, just fish and enjoy that and then continue on.”

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They should have named this pack the Shapeshifter. It quickly expands from 40 to 55 liters without adding top-heavy bulk. Or you can pull out the back support—a foam insert that also serves as a minimalist sleeping pad or emergency splint—and it lightens up to a scant two pounds ten ounces.

Testers found theÌęÌęcomfortable and highly functional in all configurations. “I loved the way it cinched down,” said one. “Even when I had a lighter load, it didn’t feel like overkill.”

Constructed from ultrastrong, high-performance polyethlene fiber, this top-loader easily endured squeezes through Utah slot canyons.

Bottom line: A single bag that acts like three—which explains the price. 3.5 lbsÌę

$499, Ìę

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By employing Cuben fiber, a bantam-weight fabric that’s waterproof and nearly impossible to rip, Maine-based Hyperlite achieves an impressive weight-to-carry-capacity ratio: theÌęÌęoffers up to 70 liters of space but weighs just over two pounds.

Even more impressive: it’s not (completely) stripped down. Three big mesh pockets swallow layers, hip pockets hold snacks, and the roll-top closure is simple to batten down. It’s also comfier than we expected. “The well-cushioned shoulder straps and hipbelt kept me free from bruises, even after 40-mile days,” said one tester. “I fell in love with this pack.”

It’s a dream pack for ounce shavers and a great option for the rest of us. 2.3 lbs

$345,

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Osprey Xenith 88 Pack

With bigger packs, it’s all about suspension and fit. Testers raved about how easy it was to tailor the to their bodies: the pack comes in three sizes, and you can choose between four shoulder-harness and heat-moldable-hipbelt options. The result is downright clingy—in a good way. “She held on to my hips and didn’t let go,” raved a lonely) tester. Little details like a removable top lid, to save weight on day jaunts out of camp, were smart and svelte additions, as were side zips for easy access, roomy hipbelt pockets, and an external hydration sleeve, so you don’t have to wrestle a bladder into a crammed pack. Add it all up and it somehow doesn’t balloon quite as much as you’d think: despite the huge capacity and full array of features, the Xenith still weighs a few pounds less than some of its competitors. 5.5 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 5
VERSATILITY: 3

Arc’teryx Altra 85 Multi-Day Pack

BEST FOR: Gear-intensive adventures.

THE TEST: You could carry the kitchen sink, the blender, and even the microwave in this (relatively light) . Aluminum stays bolstered by a foam back and pivoting hipbelt carried the load with the aplomb of a frame pack, even when crammed to capacity. And the Altra can take a beating: silicone treatment on the ripstop-nylon fabric and straps shed rain and snow like a champ.

THE VERDICT: Expensive but also extremely well built and absolutely humongous. If you can’t fit everything you need in the Altra, you have serious gear issues. 5.7 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 2

Gregory Contour 60 Multi-Day Pack

BEST FOR: The highly organized.

THE TEST: The wishbone wire suspension system on this kept the payload close to our tester’s back during a hairy traverse in Rocky Mountain National Park. And at 60 liters, the Contour easily carried all the basics for a long weekend, plus a bear canister, fly rod, and inflatable pack raft. But what really sold us was the organization system, which separates the pack into three main vertical zones. The first is for stuff you want to grab without removing the pack—water, snacks. The second is for layers and other items you put on and take off frequently during breaks. And the third is for big items you won’t need until you find a campsite.

THE VERDICT: Go vertical and you’ll never go back. 4.3 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 5
VERSATILITY: 4

Deuter Aircontact Pro 70 +15 Multi-Day Pack

BEST FOR: The heftiest loads.

THE TEST: The weighs a bit more than other packs here, but it’s also the most adept at mitigating oversize loads. The secret is in the padding, which hugs the torso but breathes exceedingly well; it’s the same material found in a Mercedes-Benz carburetor—and another reason to believe in German engineering. “Most breathable big pack I’ve ever worn,” said one tester. Little extras—a lid that transforms into a summit pack, a rain cover, trekking pole straps, hipbelt pockets—made a big difference on long outings.

THE VERDICT: The most comfortable suspension system we tested. 7.3 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 5
VERSATILITY: 4

Millet Axpel 42 Overnight Pack

BEST FOR: Alpine scrambling.

THE TEST: Pivoting hipbelts have become the norm, but the brings that pivot up out of the belt and further up the back. The design enables torso-hugging stability when you’re executing athletic moves on technical or uneven terrain. The French climbing guides who tested it for Millet found it 20 percent more comfortable than packs with traditional rotating hipbelts; our data wasn’t as precise, but it was overwhelmingly positive. “Feels extremely nimble,” said one tester, “even when just cruising down the trail.” We also liked the cooling mesh windows in the hipbelt and the removable aluminum stays (we took them out often for smaller loads).

THE VERDICT: The most dynamic pack here. 3.4 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 5
VERSATILITY: 3

Mountainsmith Lookout 50 Overnight Pack

BEST FOR: Weekend backpacking and hut trips.

THE TEST: There’s nothing fancy about the , but that’s a good thing. It isn’t as agile as the Millet, but it’s more versatile, in terms of both adjustability (the Millet’s torso length is fixed) and carry capacity: an expanding lid allows the Lookout to increase in size to 64 liters (read: bring the candles, wine, and kite). An easy-to-adjust, breathable suspension system rounds out this solid pack.

THE VERDICT: Well priced and designed. 4.4 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 3
VERSATILITY: 5

MHM Flatiron 42 Overnight Pack

BEST FOR: Rugged minimalism.

THE TEST: On paper, the is the same size as the more streamlined Millet. In practice, not only were we able to cram in more stuff, but the Flatiron just felt bigger. It’s a pound heavier than the Millet, but you get more of just about everything: more gear loops (eight), more pockets (three in the lid alone), and more padding (the shoulder straps are noticeably plusher). It’s also easier to get at the bottom of the pack, thanks to a zipper that runs the length of one side. Despite those bells and whistles, the Flatiron is still respectably light and impressively tidy. Remove the lid and cinch down the straps and it could easily double as a daypack.

THE VERDICT: A little big pack. 4.5 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 4.5

REI Flash 22 Daypack

BEST FOR: Quick jaunts; traveling.

THE TEST: The doesn’t look like a whole lot. It also doesn’t take up a lot of space. Remove the foam back panel and it rolls up smaller than a bottle of wine. But unlike most ultralight packs, it’s surprisingly capable, with a tiny lid, two good-size mesh side pockets, and 15 gear loops. Just pack wisely: the shoulder straps have virtually no padding, and there are no side compression straps to cinch down small or awkward loads.

THE VERDICT: Considering how much you get out if it, it’s the best $50 you can spend. 1 lb.

HAULING COMFORT: 2
VERSATILITY: 4.5

Eddie Bauer First Ascent Bacon Daypack

BEST FOR: Four-season adventures.

THE TEST: First, be aware that actual bacon is sold separately. What you do get is an impressively versatile and technical ; there are retractable tool loops for ice axes or trekking poles, and the side compression system can even carry skis. Of course, we found it performs just as well on mellower excursions. The hipbelt is more substantial than the REI pack’s but is removable. The only odd feature: when you cinch the hipbelt, the mesh pockets are virtually impossible to access.

THE VERDICT: Goes across continents as well as it goes up mountains. 1.4 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 3
VERSATILITY: 5

Black Diamond Equipment Bolt Daypack

BEST FOR: Athletic endeavors.

THE TEST: The Eddie Bauer and REI packs are extremely pared down and packable; the is cut from different cloth. With a full suspension system, including an aluminum stay, the Bolt is ideal for fast-moving technical forays like slot-canyon exploration, peak bagging, and even mountain biking. And thanks to a smart set of features that include ice-ax and trekking-pole loops and a bike-light clip, it does everything equally well.

THE VERDICT: Overkill for mellow day hikers, but awesome for just about anything else you can do in a 24-hour period. 2.1 lbs.

HAULING COMFORT: 5
VERSATILITY: 5

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Eddie Bauer First Ascent Alchemist 40L

This shape-shifter might just replace every pack you own. Lashed down, the Alchemist is compact enough for one-day summit bagging. Unzip the top wedge and unfurl the hideaway lid, and it morphs into an entirely different beast—a roomy 55-liter hauler with plenty of space for a multi-day trek in Colorado’s San Juans. Smart features abound, like the simple hook system, which allows you to quickly change load size and distribution; and the pack’s foam framesheet can be removed (shucking almost 11 ounces) and used as a bivvy pad or comfy seat. (The hipbelt also comes off.) Finally, the superthick, abrasion-resistant fabric easily fended off sharp rocks and baggage handlers during four months of testing. Other packs scored higher for specific uses, but for sheer day-in, day-out versatility, the proved the best of the bunch. 4 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 5 (OUT OF 5)

Vaude Terkum 74+ 10

BEST FOR: Big dudes hauling serious loads. THE TEST: One reason the 75-plus-liter rides so well is the hipbelt’s Boa system—the same knob-and-wire lacing found in helmets and shoes. We found ourselves microadjusting the belt to keep the weight riding on our hips instead of our shoulders. But there’s more to the Terkum than techy adjustment options. The densely woven Cordura fabric is the toughest we tested, and the pack is loaded with user-friendly features—side pockets that zip away and a removable, stashable rain cover—to make heavy schleps easier. THE VERDICT: It ain’t light, but whether we were hauling rock gear for a technical ascent, a winch for trail work, or the stuff our kids couldn’t fit in their packs, this big bubba swallowed it all. 6.2 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4
VERSATILITY: 1

Adjusting the height of your shoulder-strap system usually involves taking it off and fumbling with a few straps. A self-locking piece of webbing on the Terkum’s hipbelt allows you to make slight changes on the fly

Gregory Savant 58

BEST FOR: Organized living. THE TEST: The 58-liter was obviously designed by folks who spend a lot of time living out of a pack. A big front zipper panel made for quick entry, and the array of accessory pockets—five in all, including a roll-top lid and externally accessed hydration sleeve—never felt like overkill. That type of organization comes in handy when fishing out lunch mid-hike, but we liked it even more when the Savant was pulling double duty as our travel pack: it’s just wide enough that you can lay dress shirts flat. THE VERDICT: It’s not just about order. The Savant’s cushy suspension system earned high marks across the board. Just make sure it fits you right—the shoulder straps are fixed, so you can’t adjust the torso length. 3.4 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 4

Black Diamond Mercury 75

BEST FOR: Multi-day backpackers. THE TEST: Testers couldn’t believe how good this 75-liter behemoth felt on their backs—“Much more comfortable than any pack this size I’ve tried,” was one typical comment. Credit the innovative suspension, pivoting hipbelt, and straps that shift with the torso. On tricky alpine scrambles and teetering creek crossings, that movement kept the load from throwing us off balance. Though the has a clean-looking exterior, there are three pockets, a retractable trekking-pole loop, and a huge zipper into the main compartment. And even on warm days with a big load—in the 70-pound neighborhood—it stayed prettty cool, thanks to an airy back panel. THE VERDICT: Our favorite for full-on backpacking trips. 4.8 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 2

Mile High Mountaineering Salute 34

BEST FOR: Climbers and hikers. THE TEST: We’re not sure the world needed another pack maker. But Denver-based , started by some recent college grads in 2009, has a fresh vibe and, more important, a roster of impressive packs. The 34-liter Salute stands out for its long, swooping zippered panel that snakes across the pack’s entire back for quick access to nearly every nook. The same design also enables you to open the entire pack and lay it almost flat if you need to sort gear or stack a climbing rope. On the trail, the pivoting hipbelt and frame system kept the load tight and close, even when we had to run to escape the rain. Our only gripe: that S-shaped zipper is a bit overbuilt and sticky. THE VERDICT: Impressive debut from a new company. 3.5 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 4

Arc'teryx Kata 45

BEST FOR: Scrambling and peak bagging. THE TEST: With a rolltop closure to tuck everything safely away and few outer pockets, the 45-liter was built for abuse. We slid through slot canyons in Utah’s Escalante region and bushwhacked in tight trees in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, and the pack’s high-denier reinforced Cordura fabric still looked virtually new. The zippered kangaroo pocket in front and dual-pocket top pouch made it easy to grab necessities, though several testers wished for more organizational features. Once everything was inside, however, we agreed that this pack rode the best of any here. One knock: the back panel doesn’t breathe as well as some others. THE VERDICT: Redefines bombproof. 3.7 lbs

HAULING COMFORT:: 5
VERSATILITY: 3

Marmot Odin 50 Plus

BEST FOR: Versatility at a stellar value. THE TEST: Though it isn’t packed with a bunch of fancy features, the 50-liter became our go-to top-loader for everything from back-packing overnights and hut trips to alpine climbs because of its simplicity and no-nonsense hauling capacity. “I stuffed it to the limit—a case of beer, a big tent, a stove, warm clothes,” said one tester, “and it didn’t flinch.” For quicker missions, you can remove the framesheet and the Odin morphs into an impressively tidy daypack. It’s also up for winter jaunts, outfitted as it is with a diagonal ski-carrying strap and loops for ice axes or trekking poles. THE VERDICT: A basic, sturdy backpack that will cover a lot of terrain. 3.5 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 3.5
VERSATILITY: 4

In a hurry? Not carrying a heavy load? As with the Alchemist, the Odin’s framesheet is removable, so you can save a few ounces of weight.

Salomon XA Pro 10+ 3 Set

BEST FOR: Moving fast. THE TEST: touts the XA Pro for trail running. Two quick-draw chest pouches keep snacks at the ready, while the stretchy hipbelt, pliable suspension, and dual body-hugging sternum straps hold the XA Pro snugly in place, even when you’re bounding down steep technical trails outside Boulder. The included 1.5-liter hydration system slides neatly into an insulated sleeve, and the hose is long enough to go over the shoulder or under your arm. Of course, you need not actually trail-run to reap the benefits. This lightweight, bare-bones bag was really all we needed for short hikes; the simple main compartment has just enough room for a shell, map, and other basics. THE VERDICT: A great austerity tool—you could carry more, but why? 1.3 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 4.5
VERSATILITY: 3.5Ìę

Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30

BEST FOR: Keeping it simple. THE TEST: The ultralight (just under a pound) and aptly named is ideal for hardcore one-day pushes. At 30 liters, there’s plenty of space for gear-intensive technical pursuits like climbing, even on iffy-weather days when you need more apparel. And minimalists could push it into overnight use. But the stripped-down Rocket—the hipbelt is a piece of thin webbing, the shoulder straps have virtually no padding—is feathery enough to haul around on smaller trips, too. In fact, when we removed the tiny framesheet, the whole thing was easy to roll into a multi-day pack for summit bids or travel luggage as a just-in-case pack. THE VERDICT: Plenty big but hardly bulky, it’s the ideal minimalist daypack. 14.7 oz

HAULING COMFORT: 2
VERSATILITY: 4

Osprey Escapist 20

BEST FOR: Mountain-biking or hiking in hot climes. THE TEST: With internal pockets designed especially for bike tools, and attachment points for a light and helmet, the 20-liter was made for long-distance mountain biking, but it was so comfy and cool—the back panel and shoulder straps are mostly airy mesh—that it became one of our favorite daypacks, too. Plus, whereas the Summit Rocket eschews almost all creature comforts, the Escapist retains several. The hipbelt has a bit more structure, and the shoulder straps and back panel are well padded. These features and others (tuck-away rain cover, tons of pockets) add weight, but the Escapist is still a respectable pound and a half. THE VERDICT: We defy you to find something you can’t use this for. 1.6 lbs

HAULING COMFORT: 3.5
VERSATILITY: 5

Once the province of multi-day packs, the stow-away rain covers are popping up on more and more daypacks, like the Escapist.

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Geigerrig Hydration Pack

bladder, which comes standard in the brand’s hiking and biking packs (from $90), can be pressurized with a simple pump, so you can drink without sucking. Or squirt it into your dog’s mouth. Or clean out a wound. Or … you get the picture.

Platypus Big Zip SL

The was the most secure (read: no accidental leakage) zip-top bladder we tested—and its giant opening made it one of the easiest to clean and dry.

Hydrapak Shape-Shift

attacked the age-old problem of water sloshing around annoyingly in your bladder with its Shape-Shift reservoir. Zip it up in the middle to create a more dispersed load, or unzip it to max out the amount of water you carry.Ìę

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