While the annual Winter Outdoor Retailer trade show offered up a look at a bunch of cool new outdoor products for 2016, the following are a few of the very best that you might want to add to your gear quiver this year.
Arc’teryx Procline Alpine Boot
Arc’teryx has taken their premier design and manufacturing DNA into new product categories recently, and the Procline Alpine Boot is the current pinnacle of this diversification. The idea behind this boot was to create the ultimate ski mountaineering boot, which would work as effectively going up hill as down. The unique cuff system allows for 360 degrees of movement when in walk mode, while eliminating lateral flex when in ski mode. It offers a full Gortex gator to keep the boot dry, and a Vibram sole for traction on all surfaces. If you need to fine tune this boot even further, two liner systems are offered; one that is much stiffer, providing more control when skiing, and one that offers more flex, providing more comfort during uphill travel. These boots will get you across and up technical ice and snow-covered terrain just as effectively as provide you with full control on steep powder filled ski descents.
MSRP: $750-$900 / Available: September 2016 / Models: Carbon, Men’s & Women’s
Vasque Lost 40 Boot
The Lost 40 is a modern iteration of the traditional cold weather Mukluk, named after the remote and rugged wilderness area in Northern Minnesota, where it’s warmth, durability and comfort would be much appreciated. The boot utilizes high tech materials like AeroGel in the sole for insulation, 200g of Thinsulate insulation in the upper for warmth, an Ultradry membrane for waterproof breathability and a Vibram Overland with Icetrek outsole for traction in cold rugged environments. The boot also utilizes a two-part lacing system to secure the top and bottom of the boot separately, providing the ultimate fit and comfort. The removable 7mm thick felted wool liner is the first layer of comfort and warmth in this ready for the snowpocalypse boot.
MSRP: $180 / Available: Fall 2016 / Models: Mens (Winter Camo, Jet Black) & Womens (Gargoyle/Jasper, Black Olive/Oatmeal)
Saucony Razor Ice+
If you’re a runner, and find that snow and ice keep you in doors during the winter months, you might want to grab a pair of the new Razor Ice+ winter running shoes and head out the door. These shoes are designed for maximum protection from the elements, and extreme grip on cold wintery surfaces. They utilize a fleece lined waterproof gaiter and the new Vibram Arctic Grip rubber compound in the sole, which offers up to 30% more traction on wet ice in extreme cold.
MSRP: $180 / Available: September 2016 / Models: Men’s & Women’s
Danner Mountain 600 Boot
Take the classic Danner Mountain Light hiking boot style and add modern material advancements and you get the all-new Mountain 600. These boots are 35% lighter than the original, at only 37oz per pair, which is crazy light for such a full-featured hiking boot. Durability is built into all levels of this boot, along with full waterproofing and a number of quality Vibram sole technologies, for increased traction, comfort and stability in rugged conditions. The Mountain 600 is a lightweight technical hiking boot that will keep you going in any condition in style and comfort.
MSRP: $180 / Models: Men’s & Women’s
Snowpeak Mini Flame
Bring a little classic candle lantern style to your next camping experience. The new Mini Flame has a fully adjustable flame, and is great for using up that last bit of gas in your fuel canisters that just won’t cook anything on your stove system. Simple, well executed and quality, just what we’ve come to expect from Snowpeak.
MSRP: $40 / Available: July 2016
Power Practical Luminoodle
The Luminoodle is here to take your glamping to the next level. This rope light/lantern is an incredibly versatile light for you’re overland and car camping adventures. It comes in 5 and 10 foot lengths, is USB powered, waterproof and offers two ways to hang, magnets that slide along the silicone tube, or the included Noodle Ties that allow you to hang it from just about anything. Besides using it as a rope style light, you can also use it in the carrying bag as a lantern. With 180-lumen output and low power consumption this light system will keep camp lit up for a long time to come.
MSRP: $20-$100 / Available: Pre-Order Now / Models: 5’ & 10’ with or without 2 battery options
Fjallraven Cap Wool Sweater
Fjallraven introduced a new collection of Cap Wool pieces this year. Cap Wool is a woven fabric that is a combination of a proprietary synthetic fiber called Microloft, woven into the company’s high quality traceable wool. The result is an extremely lightweight and breathable garment that is soft to the touch. Cap Wool Sweaters work great as a mid-layer or all on their own.
MSRP: $150 (for Full Zip) / Available: Fall 2016 / Models: Men’s & Women’s (1/2 & Full Zip)
Leki Trigger S Vertical System
Leki revolutionized the hand to ski pole interface with the Trigger S system, which is basically a ski binding like mechanism for your ski poles. The system makes it crazy easy to attach your hand to a ski pole, while also allowing it to break away in a crash, unlike traditional ski pole wrist straps. Leki has raised the bar again with the Trigger S Vertical, by integrating a simple elastic band into the system and re-shaping the release mechanism, allowing multiple grip positions. This combination now allows you to palm the top of the pole when moving across varied terrain. The system works with the included wrist strap or specific Leki gloves, with the system integrated into the palm.
NiteIze LED Mini Glowstick
Glowsticks are fun for all ages, especially around camp. Now you can have all the fun of the chemical lightstick, without creating all the waste in the landfill from the one time use sticks. NiteIze has created a small LED glowstick like light in a variety of colors. They offer an incredible 60+ hrs of light, and only weigh .07oz! They are waterproof, float and come with an included S-biner to hang from.
MSRP: $2.99 / Available: Now / Models: White, Blue, Red, Green
Dakine Party Bucket
The trusty 5 gallon plastic bucket has served many uses over the years, and probably been used as a cooler more than once. Dakine has taken this idea to a whole new level with the Party Bucket. It basically turns your bucket into an insulated beer and wine cooler, and cup holder. The lid has a mesh pocket for cheese, and other snacks you want to keep cold, while the beer and or wine chills below. Around the outside of the bucket are a number of beer cup holder style pockets, as well as two pockets designed to hold wine bottles.
MSRP: $55 / Available: June 2016
Rumple Down Puffy Blanket
Rumple started an entire outdoor blanket revolution with their original synthetic insulated puffy blankets a few years ago. They are taking it up a notch this year; to stay ahead of the onslaught of competitors, with a DWR coated 20D ripstop nylon 600 fill duck down blanket. This blanket packs down crazy small, 6”x6” when compressed, and is quite lightweight as well, at just 1.12 lbs. This 54”x80” blanket that is ready for your next outdoor adventure, whether that be into the wilds of Alaska or just hanging out in the hammock in the back yard.
MSRP: $225 / Available: March 2016 / Models: Black with Blue Stitching (not green stitching as shown)
Petzel Reactick+ Headlamp
Petzel launched the original Reactik with great success, creating a quality headlamp that is able to adjust its light output based on ambient light conditions, which greatly increases battery life. With the Reactik+ you get all the same great features, now with Bluetooth and a quality phone app. The app allows you to control the light output of the light, and provides duration of battery life at each setting. Need to keep running through the night to complete that ultra trail run, no worries, just set the light output based on battery life in the app, and off you go.
MSRP: $110 / Available: July 2016
HydraPak Seeker
How can you go wrong with an ultra light collapsible water storage container with a lifetime warranty? The Seeker comes in 3 sizes; 1L/2L/3L and only weighs 1.3oz/1.7oz/2.1oz respectively. The thin TPU and RF welded construction creates a crazy strong container which can pack up really small. The Seeker also features a flow-control cap for quick and easy pours.
MSRP: $19, $21, $22 / Available: April 2016 / Models: 1L, 2L, 3L
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