Award-Winning Product Launches From Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019
Every summer around mid-June, Outdoor Retailer Summer Market takes over downtown Denver and the Colorado Convention Center. Thousands of brands gather for 3 days to showcase their new product lineups, including camping, backpacking, climbing, hiking, water sports, and so much more.
It’s a chance for exhibitors to schmooze, for retail buyers to fill their shelves, and for media to get a sneak peek at next year’s new gear. It’s madness, really. The pace is fast - but it’s exciting. Coffee and beer are staples, laughs are plentiful, and the stoke is always high!
A post shared by Outdoor Retailer (@outdoorretailer) on Jun 19, 2019 at 6:15pm PDT
We were on the showroom floor this summer, meeting with brand reps to scope out the latest and greatest. We tried on shoes, crawled in tents, laid in sleeping bags, and must have "tested" at least 13 insulated cups and mugs! Of the countless products we laid eyes and hands on, a few stood out - and we think you'll be pretty excited about them.
Here are our 19 award-winning products from the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
Note: Some of these items are available for sale now. The remaining items will mostly debut in spring 2020, so read up on our preview now, and check back in a few months for shoppable links.
BACKPACKING
There was a ton of gear at this year's Outdoor Retailer Summer Market that any backpacker will be stoke about. But a few really caught out eye.
Mountainsmith showcased the Andesite Trekking Poles (available in spring 2020 for $99), their newest and lightest ones yet, weighing in at just over 6 ounces per pole! The carbon fiber construction makes these poles as light as a feather, and the price tag is nearlyhalf what you’d spend on a similar product from other brands.
Primus’ new Fire Stick (available in spring 2020 for $90 ) is a canister backpacking stove on steroids. When folded up, the arms click together and encase the burner for protection in transport. When in use, you can rest a heavy pot on its beefier arms, and the recessed burner will protect your flame from wind much better than most other minimalist stoves.
MSR’s new Thru Link In-Line Microfilter (available in spring 2020 for $40) turns your existing water bladder into its own filtration system. Simply fill your reservoir with unfiltered water from a stream or lake, connect the Thru Link between the reservoir and tubing, and drink! It instantly makes water potable, minimizing the extra weight and space that most filters require in your pack, and taking the work out of filtering water!
The new Archeon Backpack is Osprey’s lifestyle travel backpack, well-suited for European cross-country adventures and backwoods exploring. It has all the high-performance features you’ve come to expect from Osprey, but it’s made from recycled materials and has a super clean, minimalist style that doesn’t scream “I CAME TO SUMMIT!”, which we're head over heels about. The Archeon will be offered with men’s and women’s sizes ranging from 25 to 70 liters, with prices ranging from $190 to $340, and will be available in spring 2020.
CAMPING
We here at BestProducts.com are something of camping enthusiasts, so we were more than happy to check out all the latest and greatest offerings in the camping space. We were not disappointed.
One of the first items to catch our eye was Nemo's Aurora 2-Person Tent, which is one of a few of the company's new offerings aimed at making backpacking affordable enough that everyone can get outside. At 4 pounds, 9 ounces, it’s on the heavier end of the scale. But the Aurora has two doors, two vestibules, a massive amount of headroom, and excellent breathability. The footprint is included, too, making this an even sweeter deal for entry-level backpacking. The tent will be available in spring 2020 for $250.
GCI’s Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger Chair, is as comfortable as your dad’s 15-year-old recliner. In Freeform Mode, you can sit upright and elevate your legs. And in Zero Gravity Mode, you can recline into a weightless position. Additional features include a mesh backrest inset, an adjustable headrest, and beverage and phone holders. It’s truly the next level of outdoor relaxation, and comes in at only $90.
FOOD & DRINK
Because the outdoors life would be quite the downer without some good eats and fresh hydration options, we're always looking for the best options available. And the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market delivered.
For any hiker who has ever left their double-insulated water bottle in the car because it’s just too heavy to carry, Hydro Flask has listened! In spring 2020, Hydroflask will release their Trail Series bottles. The 21-ounce Ultralight Titanium Trail Series by Hydro Flask will be the lightest weight insulated bottle on the market, weighing 35% less than their standard bottles, and will retail for $100 in spring 2020. If that's too steep for you, their 24- and 32-ounce Lightweight Trail Series bottles (not titanium) are pretty stellar, weighing 25% less than their standard, and retailing for $45 and $50, respectively.
Patagonia sells trail snacks now, and (of course) they are organic. Their Fruit + Almond Bars are quite tasty, and they're made from organic fruit, almonds, seeds, and fruit juice. Flavors include Inca Berry, Apricot, and Mango. They are shelf-stable, making them the perfect nutritious source of energy, wherever your adventures may take you. They sell some pretty darn delicious smoked salmon and spicy chili, too. Patagonia Provisions are available now!
We know what you’re thinking: “Oh, great, another insulated cup.” But we're pretty excited about the Otterbox Elevation 14 Mug, the company's twist on a camp mug that's perfect for keeping coffee piping hot and cocktails full-ice. The stainless steel is sexy and durable, the lid snaps shut to prevent spillage, and the inside is lined with copper! Go ahead - pour yourself another Moscow Mule. Available in fall 2019 for $25.
FOOTWEAR
Because no one likes wet, cold feet, footwear is one of the most important aspects of taking things outside. And there was plenty to dip your toes in at the Outdoor Retailer Awards!
Hoka One One has yet again upgraded their beloved trail-running Speedgoat with this fourth iteration, available now with different width options. The Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes feature an upper is a mesh that’s as rugged as it is breathable, a midfoot that's more supportive and secure than ever, a wider toe box leaves your little piggies plenty of space, and an outsole that grips the sketchy trails like a mountain goat. The shoes will be available in spring 2020 for $145.
Scarpa’s new Veloce Rock Climbing Shoe is equal parts performance and comfort. These shoes feature a narrow, downturned fit, plus a super sticky rubber sole that gives you confidence on steep pitches with tiny foot holds. But they’re more comfortable than comparably aggressive shoes, with a Pressure Absorbing Fit heel that provides a soft, snug feel that you won't mind wearing. They'll be available in spring 2020 for $139.
FITS Medium Top Drawer Crew Sock is made from a finer thread of merino wool than most of the competition, which makes it softer, higher performance, and overall more luxurious than most. Its shape mimics the contour of your foot, the toe-box is seamless, and exterior nylon reinforcement maximizes durability. The medium weight is ideal for cold-weather hikes or lounging around the house, and its lighter counterpart can handle anything and everything. They'll be available in spring 2020 for $45.
APPAREL
Being outdoors - be it hiking, backpacking, camping, you name it - requires tough gear that'll survive anything, but also has a level of comfort that doesn't leave you dreaming of getting back home to change. There was a ton of apparel at the Outdoor Retailer Show that met this standard.
Here's a fact: 99% of men we've ever met who have tried a pair of Saxx absolutely swears by them! Saxx's new Hyperdrive Compression Underwear features an upgraded, more stabilizing BallPark Pouch, to keep things high and tight during intense workouts. A compression fit helps improve blood flow, while the moisture-wicking and odor-resistant fabric material keep you as dry and fresh as your hygiene habits will allow. The Hyperdrive will be available in spring 2020 for $50.
We especially loved GoLite's just-released ReGreen Windshell, made 100% from recycled polyester! The fabric, which is made from repurposed green bottles that might otherwise end up in landfills, is water-repellent, has a reflective logo for nighttime safety, and packs small enough to stuff it and forget it. Available now in both men's and women's for $100.
Our favorite pants brand just one-upped themselves with its new release: Duer's Weightless Denim. And the name just about says it all - these “weightless” pants are only 7 ounces! Long gone are the days of heavy, stiff denim. These are the perfect summertime pant, with top-notch breathability, making them super versatile for commuting and traveling, and as comfortable as shorts, even on the hottest of days. Available now for $129.
LEISURE & ACCESSORIES
You gotta bring the goods when in the great outdoors.
Kokopelli, for one, has redefined packrafting with the Recon Inflatable Packraft. It’s the toughest packraft material to date, yet weighs only 18 pounds and packs down surprisingly small. Its weight, size, and durability make the Recon the perfect watercraft to keep in your trunk and bust out whenever a rapid catches your eye. Available now for $900.
In days past, camera tripods were either too big and bulky for a backpack, or too small and flimsy for good photography. Peak Design's new Travel Tripod, which raised over $6 million on Kickstarter, is the solution. It packs down with zero wasted space to fit in the nooks and crannies of your backpack, and deploys in just 20 seconds to be a full-sized, professional-level tripod for superb backcountry photography. Available now on Kickstarter for $289.
The Kletten is Helle of Norway’s smallest knife ever, and it’s their first everyday knife, but it boasts the same quality that brand loyalists know and expect. It’s 3.1 inches long when folded, has a 2.1-inch drop-point blade, weighs a measly 3 ounces, and has a razor-sharp Scandinavian flat ground edge. This knife, and you, will be a legend, when your grandkids share stories about this knife’s origins in 50 years. It'll be available in fall 2019 for $199.
Most notable about Nite Ize's Radiant 314 is the runtime: The company claims this USB-rechargeable light can run up to 96 hours on a single charge! It can charge your devices, has multiple different modes, including a lockout to prevent accidental activation, and it pumps out a whopping 314 lumens of adjustable bright light! The light will be available in fall 2019 for $45.
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