The gear editors at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř are a picky bunch. We get scores of emails a day from companies claiming that they have the latest greatest products that we just have to try. The reality is that most of them don’t live up to the hype. So when something does pique our interest, we get really excited. After sifting through hundreds of new products being announced at the 2021 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, these are our Gear of Show winners—the ones we can’t wait to test.

Ignik FireCan ($200)

The appeal of a campfire is simple: it’s warm, it brings folks together, and it is just plain nice to stare at after a long day of adventuring. But fire restrictions (or a lack of wood) get in the way of that simple pleasure—unless you have an Ignik FireCan. The powder-coated steel pit is powered by propane, so you can safely enjoy the heat and light of a traditional campfire without the fear of a stray ember sparking a forest fire. (Still: be sure to check your local regulations to make sure you’re in the clear.) We also love the sleek ammo-box silhouette, which is more packable than other round, portable fire pits. You can use any propane tank as fuel by attaching the included adapter and hose. (The brand also makes our favorite reusable propane tank option.) The FireCan will be released in September. —Jeremy Rellosa, reviews editor

Black Diamond Capitan Kids Helmet ($65)

Our favorite gear innovations aren’t flashy, loud, or earth shattering. They’re the ones that make life easier. Case in point: the new Capitan Kids helmet from Black Diamond. This lid is certified for the impact forces from both climbing (EN & UIAA) and cycling (CE & CPSC), which just means one less helmet I have to buy for my kids. The inside is dual density EPS foam and the outer shell is ABS, a tough composite common in climbing helmets, which translates to a bomber lid (there’s also a MIPS version for $95). My daughter has only been riding bikes for nine months and has already almost completely destroyed her first helmet. She’s wearing this one now and I’m confident that it will last much longer. It has great coverage, with more side and back protection than your standard bike helmet. Dad also likes that it comes with integrated headlamp clips for night missions and—the kicker—a sticker pack so your little can customize their own dome (do not underestimate how much kids love stickers). It’s a winning package. —Will Taylor, gear director

Chaco Bohdi ($95)

There was a time when Chacos were the only shoes I’d wear in the summer. I was fresh out of college and working as a sea kayaking guide on the coast of Maine. The classic river sandals were everything I needed: submersible, quick to dry, supportive, and grippy enough to run laps up and down the seaweed-covered dock shouldering 60-pound boats. The downside is that they’re clunky and heavy—not a problem if you live where you paddle, but a challenge for traveling. So I was excited to hear about the brand’s latest launch, which is 50 percent lighter than the classic Z Sandal. How? The midsole is thinner. But the more visible change is in the webbing, which is slimmed down to just an ankle strap and toe loop with one connecting strip of nylon instead of the usual cross-foot zig-zag. Now that I live in the New Mexican desert, most of my water-sport trips involve either a plane or a long car trip, so I’m personally intrigued by the promise of having a more transportable version of my favorite summer sandal. And I think plenty of other people will be too. —Ariella Gintzler, senior editor

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At şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, we try our best to reserve judgment about gear until we’ve actually tried it. Most of the time, we don’t know how a product will surprise usĚýuntil we’ve taken it out in the field. But sometimes we’re just plain excited. The following three pieces were pitched to us for our Gear of the Show awards for Winter Outdoor Retailer 2021. While they didn’t make that cut, we can’t wait to get our hands on them and put them through some thorough tests.

Salewa Ortles Couloir Ice Climbing Boot

Ice climbing boots need to be stiff. It’s what allows you to kick hard and “stand” up, even when a good portion of your body weight rests on just the front points of your crampons, sunk a half-inch into the frozen flow. But stiffness comes with trade-offs. Ice boots tend to be clunky to walk in, and even the lightest among them are relatively heavy, which means they’re only good for climbing. Salewa’s new Ortles Couloir boot will be the first to truly change that paradigm, resulting in a tool that will be appropriate both for daily wear on alpine expeditions and while swinging tools.

Weighing just 725 grams, the Ortles CouloirĚýwill be the lightest iceĚýand mixed climbing boot on the market when it hits shelves this September. There are plenty of lighter-weight boots for mountaineering, but none that are designed to also scale steep, frozen waterfalls. The Ortles CouloirĚýis a single boot (no separate liner) with a low-cut, lace-up bootie underneath an integrated, stretchy, waterproof gaiter. But the real magic comes from an external carbon-fiber exoskeleton that goes around the back of the boot, up the ankle, and around the gaiter, enabling a stiff andĚýsupportive yet ultralight fit. A super-thin Vibram Litebase outsole lends still more weight savings, while an exaggerated midsole rocker yields a more natural walking stride than most other ice boots. The $1,000 price tag ensures that this is a niche product for an even smaller group of enthusiasts, though over time the technology may trickle down into more affordable boots. Until then, we still can’t help getting excited. —Ariella Gintzler

Elan Voyager Skis

When we saw Elan’s new Voyager ($1,800), a folding all-mountain ski, it immediately raised some questions: why, how, and what could go wrong? It’s not the first folding ski ever, though that title also goes to Elan for the backcountry-ready ($2,000). This version is made with the traveling skier in mind:Ěýalong with the included check-in-compliant roller bag, in theory itĚýmakes storing and getting to the slopes with your equipment easier, since you wouldn’t have to lug a large bag. Our staff’s experienced snow vagabonds, however, are skeptical that this is a major problem: modern ski bags are well designed, oversized luggage typically doesn’t take much longer to arrive at baggage claim, and most ski town–capable cars have plenty of room for gear.Ěý

But for those skiers hell-bent on saving as much space as possible, Elan went the extra mile. The Slovenian company says it spent the past decade honing the Voyager’s folding mechanism to make it bombproof enough for all-mountain use and repeated folding and unfolding, while maintaining a smooth flex despite the underfoot joint. In storage, the integrated binding sits atop the front part of the ski. To lock your sticks into shred mode, unfold, then rotate the bindings 180 degrees to slide them onto a “four-axis mechanism” that straddles the joint and anchors into a carbon-reinforced plate in the ski. Even after seeing how the mechanism works, we weren’t convincedĚýthey would hold up, but carried out by Slovenian ski-cross champion Filip Flisar do make the joint appear rock solid on the slopes.

Speculation only goes so far, though. Come next winter, we can’t wait to test the Voyager’s limits.Ěý—Maren Larsen

GoSun Chillest Cooler

Coolers have come a long way in the past couple decades. High-quality rotomolded coolers like those from changed the game first by extending the life of ice by days. Then, powered coolers like Dometic’s offerings hit the scene and removed ice from the picture completely for those who could afford to buy one. But one thing we hadn’t seen yet was a solar-powered cooler with an integrated battery to power it. GoSun is taking that leap in 2021 with its Chillest cooler, and we’re excited for the possibilities.Ěý

The Chillest can reach freezer temperatures, which will allow you to stick in an ice cube tray full of water and, a few hours later, be able to make proper mojitos. It’s potentially more portable than powered coolers—which often don’t have an onboard battery—thanks to the included 30 watt solar panel and 100 watt-hourĚýbattery, which you can charge at home before you head out and then keep topped up at camp. GoSun claims the battery takes an impressive two hours to reach a full charge from a wall outletĚýand says it will last as long as 18 hours or as little as two, depending on the temperature settings and how warm it is outside.

The coolerĚýcomes with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink list of accessories—aĚýshade umbrella! cutting board! USB for charging your devices!—for $800. This evolution in powered-cooler tech has the potential to give you all the benefits of these boxes—no more soggy sandwiches, no more stops for ice—with fewer downsides. We like the sound of that. —Natalia Lutterman

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During a normal year—remind us what those are like again?—the şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř gear team heads to DenverĚýfor both the Summer and Winter Outdoor Retailer trade shows. We meet with brands in packed booths, raise glasses with public relations reps, and generally get the skinny on what the best new gear will be for the upcoming season. That obviously hasn’t happened in a while (although the show did happen virtually), and to be honest, we miss it like hell. So we emailed all the brands we know and asked them to pitch us anyway. Out of hundreds of products, these are the top three that we want to try for next winter—our virtual Gear of the Show winners.

On Running Cyclon Shoe and Subscription Service

We’re always skeptical when a company claims to “revolutionize” a sport, which is exactly what On Running suggests its latest project will do with running shoes. But we’re cautiously optimistic about , which is both a new shoeĚýand a subscription service. For $30 a month, subscribers receive the brand’s fully recyclable plant-based road shoe, log miles in them until they need a new pair, and return them to On to be turned into new ones. “It’s a novelty in the footwear sector and a huge leap into the unknown,” şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř contributor Tim Sohn wrote whenĚýthe program was announced last fall. We think this model has the potential to have a big positive impact on the shoe industry’s footprint.

The biggest takeaway is how sustainable this model promises to be. On claims the shoe is 100 percent recyclable. It’s undyed, and the upper is made from a single cut of fabric to help reduce manufacturing waste. “Closing the loop”—instead of dumping more shoes in the landfill—is something other active brands are trying but haven’t yet accomplished on a large scale.

While this is an innovative way for runners to address the “environmental footprint of their consumption,” Sohn wrote, a plan like this won’t be successful if the shoe is a dud. On claims that its new seven-ounce, eight-millimeter drop model won’t skimp on performance. It has an aggressive rockerĚýand is intended for uptempo training and racing. With its stretchyĚýsocklike upper, the CyclonĚýreminds me of lightweight shoes like the , a model I loved before it quickly lost its springiness and snap, which led me to discard it.

As I look at the cardboard box in my closet full of old pairs of road runners, the idea of having fresh tires—and a responsible place to send them when I’m done—feels very exciting. —Jeremy Rellosa

Atomic Redster S9 Gen S Skis

Buying nordic equipment is hard. Unlike their alpine counterparts, cross-country skis come in not only different lengthsĚýbut also different flexes. Most of the time, picking the right pairĚýrequires the help of a shop professional who can help you calculate the optimal combination for your height and weight. Now, Atomic is offering a different system.

The brand’s new Redster Gen S ($960) will be the first skate ski to come in just one size, with two flex options—medium and stiff. The 183-centimeter length sits smack in the middle of traditional skate-ski sizing. (These models usually come in increments from 170 to 200 centimeters.)ĚýAtomic gave the Redster an all-new sidecut that’s designed to maximize stride efficiency without the need for a longer or shorter ski based on weight. It’s more exaggerated than usual, with a wider tip and tail. This does two things:Ěýit forces the ski to track inward rather than outward during kickoff, which boosts power,Ěýand it lengthens the glide portion of the stride. At the same time, the 183-centimeter length—which is shorter than usual for anyone over roughly 130 pounds—makes for improved agility. In theory, this means the ski is faster yet easier to maneuver than a traditionally shaped skate ski, and it eliminates the need for multiple lengths to optimize performance based on height and weight.

We haven’t put the Redster to the test yet, but the concept of a one-size-fits-all system that improves the skiing experience is extremely appealing. It could be a win for first-time customers looking for a simple buying experienceĚýand for families—siblings or spouses can now share. —Ariella Gintzler

The North Face Inferno Double Sleeping Bag

We’re big believers in double sleeping bags here at şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř. Why should you forego snuggles in the outdoors if you and your partner both like to sleep under the stars? Well, in the past there have been drawbacks: two-person bags are often bulky, heavy, or both, which limits their utility, especially in the backcountry. (We’re fans of Sierra Designs’ , which weighsĚýfour pounds, ten ounces, butĚýweĚýwish it were a little more packable.)

The holy grail for adventurous couples may arrive with the launch of The North Face’s Inferno Double ($1,000). This 3.1-pound bag was designed with input from high-altitude power couple Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison, who were looking for a sleep system to share on their numerous ski-mountaineering objectives around the globe. It packs down to under 30 liters, thanks to the 800-fill Responsible Down Standard insulation, and will take up much less space than two bags that add up to a similar weight. It’s rated to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and the fully recycled body material features a reflective aluminum coating for improved heat retention. The Inferno Double also features some nice touches likeĚýindividual cinchable hoods, a draft collar between the two sides to retain warmth, a roomy footbox, and a shockcord to secure the bag to your pads.

All this means you won’t hesitate to haul the Inferno Double into the wild for whatever adventure you and your partner have planned. —Will Taylor

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On February 5, founderĚýPeter ArleinĚýstood in front of the Shark Tank’s business tycoons in a full ski kit and pitched his product: a plant-based, petroleum-free ski wax that doesn’t leave nasty chemicals in the snow like traditional waxes. By the time the segment was over, he’d sold 20 percent of the company for $300,000 to two Sharks, Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř awarded MountainFlow a Gear of the Show award at last year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, where we look at hundreds of products pitched to us at lightning speed over the course of a few days. Truly unique products stand out in a sea of conversations about updated membranes and midsoles, andĚýMountainFlow’s story was simple, straightforward, and had the potential to make a big impact on the environment by removing petrochemicals from watersheds. Scouts for the show thought so, too.

Arlein, a passionate skier and former patroller based in Carbondale, Colorado, worked in marketing as he developed numerous ski waxes at night over several years prior to winning the award at Outdoor Retailer. When a cold email from Shark TankĚýproducers laterĚýshowed up in his inbox,Ěýhe almost didn’t answer: he was incredulous that the reality-TV show would be interested in his product.

The odds of getting on air are long: the show receives almost 40,000 applicants a season, and only 88 get on the air, according to . Even fewer get funded (and some of the dealsĚýfall ). Arlein responded to the email, though, and after his first phone call with producers, he understood why a major network would be interested in a new ski-wax technology. “The cool thing about MountainFlow is that you can explain it in ten seconds to anyone, even if they don’t know what ski wax is,” Arlein says. “I think that is where they saw the mass appeal.”

Corcoran, a Manhattan real estate developer and 12-season veteran of the show, was interested in MountainFlow on a personal level, as she’s been an avid skier for over 50 years. (While talking with şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, she became notably animated while describingĚýthe powder she scored on a recent trip to Deer Valley, Utah). “What I really liked about Eco-Wax was that it wasn’t petroleum based,” she says. “I get my skis waxed maybe twice a season, and I never knew that it was a petroleum-based product.”

She also says that she was almost equally interested in Arlein himself. He has a ropey mountaineer’s build and a bushy mustache often accented by a fully committed smile. “That goofy look he had and that outfit was enchanting,” she says. “I bought in right away. I thought, I like that guy.ĚýLikability is a big card in anything.”

Arlein says he’s pitched MountainFlow thousands of times, so once he was in front of the lights in full ski regalia, he went on autopilot. “Once you’re on the set, it just feels like a business conversation,” he says. He concisely explained the impact that petroleum and fluorocarbons have on waterways near ski resorts and the collective damage that can occur whenĚýlarge numbers of skiers shedĚýthese particles. “I had never thought of that,” Corcoran says. “I thought, Whoa, I didn’t mean to ruin the earth—I want to buy that product.”

A few of the Sharks were avid skiers and already knew about the fluorocarbon banĚýhappening in ski racing and took time to explain it to the audience. “It showed everybody that it is a real thing going on, and my company came up with a solution,” Arlein says.

While he found delivering the pitch second nature, the fast math he had to calculateĚýon stage as the investors kept changing their offers proved really difficult. After some back-and-forth exchanges, he took the deal with Corcoran and O’Leary. “Other investors have expressed interest in putting money into the company, but for us, getting these Sharks on board is huge,” Arlein said.

While the $300,000 is a nice boost for the company that was his side gig for many years (he only went full-time last year), he is most excited about the tools these business veterans have to help himĚýgrow. “Now I am getting double the resources. [Corcoran and O’Leary] both have great teams, with smart people that will help issues that come up. That is why I ended up taking the deal with those two,” Arlein says.

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At every Outdoor Retailer trade show, şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř's gear editors sift through hundreds of product nominations to pick the most innovative ones for our Gear of the Show awards. Here are the winners, all of which hit shelves next year.Ěý

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şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s team of gear editors is in Denver this week for the Outdoor Retailer trade show, checking out the equipment coming down the pike for next summer. Of the thousands of products on display, these are the four we’re most excited about.

Leatherman Free P4 Multitool

Leatherman is synonymous with multitools. Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, an engineer and world traveler who desperately wanted an instrument that had both pliers and a knife, the company has continued to lead the multitool universe despite plenty of worthy challengers. How? By continuing to innovate in a field that often feels stagnant.

This year’s Leatherman Free P4—and the entire Free series—is a perfect example of that. The company completely redesigned what was already a very robust and complete lineup of tools to make something better. The main draw of the P4 is complete one-handed operation. Thanks to magnets in the handle, you can just slip your thumb between the two sides of the tool and flip it open to quickly and easily access the pliers, while those magnets also keep the handle closed when you’re using the other implements. There are 20 other instruments on the P4—two blades, four screwdrivers, a can opener, and the other standards you’ll find on other multis—most of which are accessible and stowable with a single hand without opening up the device. Plus, the whole package is sleeker and less bulky than Leatherman’s other offerings, with as many doodads.

The P4 is the big dog in the Free series and is ($140), but there are options with fewers tools (the P2) and ones without pliers (the K4), the latter of which is yet to be released. But they all feature the satisfying magnets and precise, one-handed operation.

Did Leatherman need to make a better multitool? No. But itĚýdid, and we think it’s awesome.

—Will Taylor, gear director

Peak Design Travel Tripod

By nowĚýyou’ve likely heard of Peak Design. The Bay Area company is known for taking somewhat ordinary products, like camera accessories and backpacks, and making them sleeker and more user-friendly while still fully featured. (It also has its fundraising game dialed, with many gangbuster .) Its latest—the —is no different.

Now, to be fair, we haven’t thoroughly tested it yet. But it’s small, folding down to slightly longer than a foot, which Peak Design says is half the size of traditional travel tripods. And to cut down on volume, the company flattened out the legs (many ’pods have cylindrical supports, which don’t lie flush and create wasted space when they’re folded up). The result is a model that can fit in most packs’ water–bottle pockets. Plus, it has a fully adjustable head—not the common screw top—which can even pivot down so that your camera hangs between the legs for low-to-the-ground shots. If you prefer your iPhone over a full-size DSLR, the center column hides a separate compatible mount. Further boosting its portability, the Travel Tripod weighs roughly 3.5 or 2.8 pounds, depending on whether you opt for the aluminum or carbon construction.

At the time of this writing, the Travel Tripod has garnered north of $6 million in backing on Kickstarter, easily eclipsing its $500,000 goal. (And anecdotally, we hear that pro photographer is stoked about it, which bodes well.) It goes on sale in December, and the aluminum version will retailĚýfor $350, while the carbon version will run you $600. If it lives up to its potential and the Peak Design reputation, it could make getting outside (and capturing the memories) easier and more fun. And isn’t that what the best gear is all about?

—Will Egensteiner, senior editor

Black Diamond AirNet Harness

With the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games just one year away, and climbing an Olympic sport for the first time, it’s no surprise that climbing companies are stepping up to design gear specifically for top-level competition. The product we’re most excited about: Black Diamond’s new AirNet harness ($160), an ultrastrong, ultralight 8.3-ounce model.

Black Diamond used Dyneema fiber to make the AirNet strong while shaving weight. It’s not the first company to do this—and the AirNet is certainly not the lightest on the market. (Black Diamond, Edelrid, and Petzl all make lighter harnesses, though not all are geared toward sport climbing.) But two things set it apart. The first is the way the waist and leg loops are constructed. The Dyneema is laid out in a crisscross pattern and then sandwiched in an abrasion-resistant shell. Black Diamond says the netlike structure distributes weight more evenly and enabled designers to make the whole harness more breathable.

The second, and in our minds most significant, detail is the belay loop. Most are stitched from a single length of webbing. The part that’s stitched, called the bar tack, is often bulkier and stiffer than the rest of the loop. It can get in the way while you’re belayingĚýand can cause an unpleasant lurch as the loop shifts on your weighted harness, either as you’re belaying or falling and hanging on the other end of the rope. Black Diamond’s solution was to create a seam-free belay loop from a length of tubular Dynex cut into ovals and wrapped in highly durable thread.

Ultimately, Olympic-specific gear has limited uses. In particular, the application of a seamless belay loop on a competition harness seems ironic, given the fact that most comps have dedicated belayers, so the athletes never have to clip into an ATC or a Grigri. But what we’re excited about is how the technology could find its way into other climbing gear for us non-Olympians.

The seamless belay loop would significantly upgrade other harnesses already on the market. And that construction method could also apply to slings—circular bands of webbing climbers use to make anchors—which are currently constructed using the same bar-tack method. For now we’ll just have to waitĚýand hope.

The AirNet goes on sale January 1.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

Miir Pourigami

Camp coffee is serious business. A well-brewed cup of morning joe can change your day on the trail or performance at the crag.

But for years, the solutions to good java in the wilderness have fallen short of the goal: replicating a standard cup of coffee. Instant packets? No matter how many of those sleeves you pour in, it doesn’t taste the same. Synthetic drip coffee makers? They often leave a plasticky aftertaste. And it’s often impractical to bring along a bulky, multipiece brewing system that fits awkwardly in your pack.

Enter the Miir Pourigami. It’s a portable pour-over coffee dripper that won our hearts with its simple, effective design.

As the name implies, the Pourigami looks like well-crafted origami. It’s made up of three pieces of stainless steel that interlock into a triangle that rests on top of your mug and supports a filter (it’s compatible with the number-twoĚýconical type). At first I was surprised by how good my Pourigami-brewed cup tasted, but then I realized this dripper just has all the perks of a ceramic one—like resistance to chemical reactions during brewing that give your drink unwanted aftertastes—minus the weight and bulk. As long as you have actual coffee grounds, you can make robust, barista-quality java.

Other than its brewing chops, the Pourigami’s calling card is its packability: each piece is credit-card thin. And when it’s time to disassemble, they stack together, and the entire four-ounce package slips into a foldable case, taking up less space in your pocket than an iPhone.

We give Miir bonus points for anĚýelegant, minimalist design that looks as good in the campsite dirt as it does on your kitchen countertop. In fact, the company markets it as perfect for travel—which it is—but it’s become the only way I make coffee now, having replaced my ancient Keurig at home. To top it off, the Pourigami comes at a very reasonable price: $30. Miir’s latest gadget, currently available through , is a perfect example of how sometimes all the best gear has to do is make a task a little easier.

—Jeremy Rellosa, reviews editor

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The şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř gear editors are on the floor at the 2019 Outdoor Retailer andĚýSnow Show this week in Denver. Follow along to see our coverage of the greatest gear coming out next winter, hotĚýtrends in the snowsports industry, and other happenings at the Colorado Convention Center. We’ll be live-blogging throughout the event, with the most recent posts appearing at the top.

The Tecnica Forge Is Winter’s Best Boot

Tecnica’s heat-moldable Forge boot debuted in 2017, followed by the low-top Plasma shoes, which saved my feet at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer as I spent days running back and forth through the convention center. The heat-molding process imbues them with customized support where you need it most, and a dialed-in fit does wonders to prevent blisters.

Tecnica took that tech and implemented it in a cold-weather boot: the Forge Winter. The update here is the Vibram Arctic Grip outsole, which provides excellent traction on ice. In short, the best hiking footwear just got better.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

Order ł§°ěľ±»ĺ˛ąâ€™s Bento Box

Skida makes some of our favorite cold-weather headgear. The Vermont company’s cozy hats, buffs, and headbands come in a variety of prints that run the gamut from bright flowers to toned-down geometric designs. But the new Bento Box pattern is our favorite yet, with tiny illustrated sushi, fish, and chopsticks. It’s playful without being childish and has us feeling like we’re on our way to shred some Japow.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

Nite Ize Unveils the First Toothless Waterproof Zipper

The company is taking a dip into the travel category with its new RunOff waterproof bags. Utilizing a brand-new toothless waterproof zipper, which Nite Ize says is the first of its kind, the travel bags come in six styles, including a wallet and a large packing cube. The bags are tested to withstand submersion up to one meter for 30 minutes—just in case you capsize on the way to your next beach vacation. The RunOff bags will be out this fall, in the price range of $25 to $55.

—Emily Reed, assistant editor

Ecco’s Exostrike Kromatafors Are the Raddest Kicks

Some innovations are significant because they enable us to go farther, faster, harder, and longer in comfort. Others are simply awesome for the sake of being awesome. That’s the case with Ecco’s new Exostrike Kromatafor, made from color-changing leather. When it’s cold, the material is black; as the mercury rises, it reveals a camo pattern. Ecco says it achieved this by tanning the leather twice and treating it with a heat-sensitive chemical in between. Of course, there’s no technical benefit to a shoe that changes colors. But there doesn’t need to be.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

Mountain Hardwear’s Phantom Punches Above Its Weight

We’re big fans of Mountain Hardwear’s down jackets and pants. And the company has outdone itself again with the new Phantom hoodie (the red jacket pictured). It’s simple—nothing flashy here. But its water-resistant 800-fill down and ultralight face fabric come together to make a supremely compressible, breathable, and warm piece that’s ideal for shaving grams on winter climbing trips. We had the opportunity to test out the Phantom for about a month prior to Outdoor Retailer and it hasn’t let us down yet.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

The RMU Tailgate Locker Puts It Together

Although it came out last Summer, we just stumbled upon today. Made to fit over most truck tailgates, the Tailgate Locker is a do-it-all accessory with the main function of protecting your rigs from each other. The padded cover attaches to your gate and straps bikes in place, and it has several zip pockets for tools, gear, and snacks. There’s also an insulated beer cooler with an integrated bottle opener. This rockstar is available now for $250.

—Emily Reed, assistant editor

The Best Gear Displays at Winter Outdoor Retailer

There's a lot of gear on display at Outdoor Retailer, so to stand out, brands get creative. Here are some of our favorite booths.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

United by Blue X Sole Jasper Wool Eco Chukkas Win at Sustainability

Hipster brand United by Blue and shoe manufacturer Sole have teamed up to create what they’re billing as the world’s most sustainable shoe. The Jasper, an insulated mid-height chukka, is made entirely of biodegradable materials that were produced specifically for this shoe. The ReCork midsole comes entirely from post-consumer-recycled wine corks. The BisonShield insulation, which took five years to develop, is a breathable, hypoallergenic material made from bison fiber and recycled polyester. Last but not least, the shoe’s upper is comprised of 80 percent merino wool, and the outsole is made from rice. The Jasper is impressive to say the least, and will launch on Kickstarter on March 1.

—Ben Fox, affiliate reviews manager

SealLine’s Pro Drybag Is a Bottomless Pit

It’s not often you’d need a 120-liter pack for a river trip, but for the times you do, there’s the SealLine Pro drybag. The seam-welded roll top is completely waterproof, and the beefy suspension system and padded back panels look impressively comfortable for a pack of this type. And that’s a good thing if you’re planning on loading it to capacity.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

Upgrade Your Hang Time with the Mammut Diamond Fingerboard

The humble hang board just got high tech. The beautiful walnut-wood Diamond is equipped with weight sensors that communicate with the Mammut training app. Join training programs created by pros, keep track of workouts, and even compete worldwide in a hang contest. The Diamond comes with a hefty price tag of $450, but if you're serious about climbing (or you’re a data nerd), it’s an exciting addition to the world of training tools.

—Emily Reed, assistant editor

Smartwool’s Intraknit Base Layers Are Far from Basic

Seamless-knit construction is all the rage: the technique enables manufacturers to produce garments with varying panels of thick and thin material without cutting and sewing different pieces together, which minimized chafing and reduces factory waste. Smartwool has been using the technique in its socks for years, and now it’s introducing seamless base layers. The new Intraknit tops and bottoms are body-mapped to be thinner in high-heat areas (like the back), thicker in high-abrasion areas (like the elbows), and tighter in areas that need a closer fit (like behind the knees). Men’s and women’s pieces are mapped differently, since the genders tend to produce heat in different patterns—for example in the middle of the back, men run hot vertically and women horizontally. The Intraknit series comes in two weights, mid and heavy, and launches this fall.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

Taxa’s Mantis Is the Brand’s Sweetest Trailer Yet

As I stepped into the Ěýparked in the convention center, I was surprised by how roomy it is inside. Taxa did a great job of fitting plenty of accoutrements and amenities into the trailer without packing it so full that there’s no room to turn around. I’m six foot two, and the pop-up roof allowed me to stand without crouching. The rig comes with a full-size bed and a bench that folds in two places to configure one way for freeing up bike-storage space and another way to create bunk beds, allowing the trailer to sleep four. The optional toilet and shower add-on ($2,485) is a worthwhile luxury if you plan on spending extended time on the road. Taxa laid aluminum panels around the steel frame to save on weight—the whole thing tips the scales at 3,020 pounds. Burly tires and independent suspension can handle dirt roads when venturing off the beaten path. And when you return home, the Mantis can fit inside a garage, so you don’t have to park it on the street for months on end. The Mantis starts at $44,000.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

The Best New Gear Under $50 at Outdoor Retailer

A lot of snow-sports equipment costs more than a season pass. But not everything. Here are our editors’ favorite picks under $50.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

Blundstone’s New Lightweight Boots Are Cool for Summer

Who says Blundstones are just for winter? The Active Series is ready for any hot-weather adventure. Constructed with ultralight and breathable materials, the Active Series has the good looks of the brand’s classic boots but with noticeably less heft. Priced at $155, these will hit stores just in time for summer getaways.

—Emily Reed, assistant editor

Zeal’s Portal XL Goggles Go Big

Zeal’s original Portal goggles featured a two-part lens-change system: rails to slide the lens into place and magnets to lock them in. This was great for fast and secure swaps, but customers noted that the magnets jutted up from the bottom of the frame, cutting slightly into the field of view. Zeal took that feedback to heart. The new Portal XL’s feature a bigger lens and a frame wide enough to house the magnets out of sight. The oversize model may not be ideal for small faces, but it’s a welcome upgrade for those who like big goggles.

—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor

G3 Just Launched the Lightest and Most Packable Skins Ever

We gave the G3 Findr skis a Gear of the Show award, but G3’s new Minimist skins also warrants attention. We often recommend G3 skins for their affordability, strong grip, and good glide. The new Minimist improves on G3’s tried-and-true design by being 30 percent lighter than any other skin on the market and rolling up small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. They achieve this by forgoing all plastic and using carbon-fiber inserts around the tip section, which decreases snow creep without compromising packability. Granted, skins aren’t a super bulky item to begin with, but less weight means an easier time on the uphill and more packability means quicker transitions. Those are two things we can get behind.

—Ben Fox, affiliate reviews manager

Riding the Cake Kalk& E-Motorbike

Last night I got to take this beautiful e-motorbike for a brief spin on the streets of Denver. And boy is it fun to ride. The controls are intuitive—all you have to worry about is setting the torque and engine braking before starting out, then the hand brakes and throttle are just like you’d find on a regular motorcycle. Given that this new model is both trail- and street-legal, I might give up the car and mountain bike.

—Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

The post Outdoor Retailer and Snow Show Liveblog: Day 3 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

The şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍřĚýteam was busy during our first day at the 2019 Winter Outdoor Retailer Snow Show. Here, Emily walks us through the Gear of the Show winners.

The post Our Winter OR Gear of the Show Awards appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

We test a lot of gear every year, from skis and bikes to camping equipment and every shade of technical apparel. Inevitably, certain pieces rise to the top and find their way into our packs day after day. Often, these aren’t the flashiest, most innovative items, but simple basics that fit well, are comfortable, and perform in a variety of situations.

Here are the products şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s gear editors have used the most in 2018.

Skida Tour Neck Warmer ($20)

A lot of companies make the same style of neck gaiter, but in my opinion, are the best. The fabric is hard-faced on the outside and brushed, almost fleecy on the inside. The colorways are more sophisticated than anything else I’ve seen in outdoor apparel—florals, geometric patterns, and eye-popping abstract designs. I’m not one to care about fashion when I head into the mountains, but with the variety of styles and affordable price, I’ve bought several Tours to go with the different outerwear in my closet. —Ariella Gintzler, assistant gear editor

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pants ($250)

Everyone in my life this year is definitely annoyed by how much I’ve talked about the Mountain Hardwear . I wrote about them, I shot a video about them, and I’ve spent most days in them at the crag since the weather got cold. They weigh 0.8 ounces (the material is dainty—be nice to it), pack down super small, and fit so well I forget I have them on. If down pants are the future, I’m already wearing it. —Emily Reed, assistant gear editor

Nordica Enforcer Ski ($700)

Growing up ski racing in Maine, I developed an affinity for heavy, directional skis. The fits this bill and has become my go-to resort ski since I first tested it on an early season day in Taos a year ago. I love its zero-chatter stability at high speeds and unprecedented ability to tear through piles of crud—characteristics that are the result of the wood core, vertical sidewalls, and metal-reinforced construction. My only gripe? Its nearly boundless speed limit leaves my legs screaming after every run. —Ben Fox, affiliate reviews manager

Blundstone 550 Boots ($190)

These rubber-soled leather boots are insanely comfortable, can take a beating, and are the perfect weight for year-round use. They’ve kept my feet warm during a harsh New England winter, performed well as last-minute stand-ins for snowshoeing, and transitioned well into summer for day-to-day life in the hot New Mexico desert. The plush midsole, removable cushioned footbed, and elastic panels along the ankles (for easy on-off) make them comfortable and convenient for long multi-activity days. I take them on most, if not all, of my adventures. —Jeremy Rellosa, assistant gear editor

Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes ($90)

I’ve covered the Momentum, the standout of Black Diamond’s launch into the climbing shoe market. We were excited enough when it debuted to give it a Gear of the Show award at Summer Outdoor Retailer 2017, and it has lived up to the hype. The flat, stiff last is comfortable and supportive—good for smearing and edging on vertical routes and boulder problems. The fit—even for someone with wide feet—is superb, thanks to the engineered-mesh upper that’s tighter around the sides for more support and looser at the top for give and ventilation. The Momentum has proven to be a workhorse over the year-plus I’ve had it, enough to make me ensure it’s in my pack virtually every time I head out the door for the gym. —Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor

The post The Gear Our Editors Used Most in 2018 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

We sent a team of eightĚýeditors to Denver for the 2018 Summer Outdoor Retailer show, where hundreds of brands, politicians, activists, and journalists come together to check out next season’s gear. From July 22 through 26, we prowled the show floor, finding innovative products and talking to the people who created them. Ěý

Our Favorite Camping Gear at Outdoor Retailer

New products to get you outside.Ěý

Hobie’s Mirage Eclipse Is the Most Fun Product at OR

¶Ů´Ç˛Ô’t let the StairMaster aesthetics fool you: this thing can move.Ěý

How Workwear Became Popular

Hefty canvas and denim work apparel is experiencing a resurgence. A panel of experts at Outdoor Retailer explained why.

Meet the Women Leading the Outdoor Industry

Portraits of five powerhouses you should know about.Ěý

The Climbing Industry Tackles the #MeToo Movement

Next month a community initiative will present guidelines for companies on how to define, talk about, and respond to inappropriate behavior.

Five Products Under $50 at Summer Outdoor Retailer

Sometimes the best gear comes in small packages—and at low prices.

Five Ten Resurrects the Five Tennie

The first-of-its-kind approach shoe returns in spring 2019.

Our Favorite Booths at Summer Outdoor Retailer

Brands go to great lengths to make their products stand out. Here are the five wildest examples.

Mammut Unveils Reflective Gore-Tex Pro Fabric

Heavy-duty and highly visible, the Nordwand Advanced HS jacket is making a splash at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

The Best Gear from Summer Outdoor Retailer 2018

Once again, our gear editors head to the industry's largest trade show to scope out the latest, greatest outdoor tools and toys.Ěý

Behind the Scenes at Outdoor Retailer Demo Day

Outdoor Retail Summer Market 2018 is here, and the industry is abuzz about new gear. We hit up Confluence and Commons Parks to get in some testing time.

First Look: Tentsile’s Floating Universe Tent

Essentially a three-person paddleboard base with a mesh tent upper and nylon fly, the Universe is happy on the ground, in the air, and on the water.Ěý

Tepui Brings Swappable Canopies to Its Rooftop Tents

The Zipper Gimp is a small (but important) upgrade.Ěý

First Impressions of the Gearlab Akiak Kayak Paddle

¶Ů´Ç˛Ô’t let the funky shape fool you.Ěý

The post Our Guide to Outdoor Retailer Summer 2018 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.