2016 Summer Outdoor Retailer

Each year the world’s top gear manufacturers participate in arguably the largest outdoors gear expo held anywhere in the world: Summer Outdoor Retailer. The expo is held annually during the first week of August in Salt Lake City and features a myriad of amazing new gear that will eventually arrive to the consumer market. As is usually the case, the summer Outdoor Retailer gear convention continued this trend with various outdoor gear which continues to become lighter, more efficient, and environmentally friendly. It is also becoming more versatile and technical too. After spending four days at the show, here are some of the best products that stood out from the crowd by OutdoorX4 Magazine Gear Editor, Kraig Becker.

Outdoor Retailer Gear

Yakima SkyRise Roof  Top Tent
Yakima’s first entry into the roof top tent market looks like a promising one. The SkyRise is reportedly very easy to install, collapses down within seconds, and weighs less than 100 pounds. It comes with an included 2.5-inch mattress, is spacious enough to sleep two to three people depending on the model. It will ship in the spring with prices starting at $999.

The North Face Summit Series FuseForm Pack
Built to haul gear in the mountains, the new FuseForm Pack from The North Face uses a new construction technique that fuses the fabric together rather than using traditional stitching. The result is a pack that is lighter and more streamlined without sacrificing durability. Reportedly the bag will be able to carry up to 50 pounds, but weighs just 2lbs 9oz itself.

Sea to Summit Ultralight Hammock
Tipping the scales at a mere 5oz, the Ultralight Hammock is a dream come true for fast and light backpackers. On top of that, it is capable of compressing down to an incredibly small size, making it highly packable too. Hammock camping has become increasingly popular in recent years, and this looks like it is set to be a hot product for Sea to Summit.

Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad
Klymit introduced a new sleeping pad made specifically with hammock campers in mind. The pad, which is called the Hammock V, uses the company’s signature body mapping technology, as well as non-slip surfaces, to help keep your sleeping bag in place all night long. The Hammock V even has wings built into the side to protect you from the wind and keep you more comfortable on cooler nights.

Nemo Equipment, Inc. Symphony Luxury Duo
Want to snuggle up in the tent with your significant other? The latest sleeping bag from Nemo Equiopment, Inc. has you covered. The two-person Symphony Luxury Duo comes equipped with an integrated sheet, a built-in sleeping pad sleeve, pillow pockets, and an oversized hood. Nemo promises that it is so comfortable that you won’t even miss your bed back home.

Hobie Mirage Eclipse SUP
Stand-up paddleboards continue to be all the rage at Outdoor Retailer, but this year Hobie delivered a SUP with a twist. Designers discovered a way to integrate the company’s Mirage pedal drive system into a board, creating the world’s first stand-up pedal board instead. Integrated handlebars even assist with steering, making this one unusual, but incredibly fun, product.

EnerPlex Kickr FL Solar Panel
The new Kickr FL – which stands for “feather light – shaves half the weight off the preivous model, bringing it down to just 5.1 ounces. It still delivers 6.5 watts of power and has a more efficient regulator as well, making it easier than ever to keep your gadgets charged no matter where you go.

Goal Zero Yeti Lithium Solar Generators
Goal Zero’s solar generators have been a lifesaver in the backcountry for a while now, helping us to keep our gear fully charged while off the grid. But in the spring of 2017 the Yeti 400 and Yeti 1400 models will get significant upgrades in the form of new lithium batteries. This will reduce the weight of both generators by as much as 60% while also increasing their lifespan too. Both models can be recharged in the field via Goal Zero’s solar panels as well.

MSR TrailShot Microfilter
The TrailShot Microfilter from MSR weighs just 5.4 oz and is small enough to store in a pocket, yet it can purify a liter of water in under a minute. Capable of filtering 2000 liters over its lifetime, the TrailShot allows you to drink straight from the source and refill your water bottles just about anywhere, giving you the ability to stay in the field for longer periods of time.

Suunto Spartan Ultra Watch
The latest GPS watch from Suunto includes unprecedented battery life (26 hours!), a bright, color touchscreen, and built-in settings for more than 80 activities including running, cycling, and swimming. A new social feature called “Heatmaps” even provides the most popular workout routes in your area, allowing you to run or ride those same routes and compare your times against others. This could be the ultimate outdoor and fitness watch on the market today.

CamelBak Crux Reservoir
The company that almost single-handily invented the hydration pack market is looking to upgrade it once again. CamelBak is introducing a new reservoir called the Crux that delivers 20 percent more water with every sip and includes a new wide-mouth cap that makes it easier than ever to fill and clean the bladder. Other upgrades include a lever on the bite valve that can be opened and closed with one hand, and a new design that makes fitting it into your pack a breeze.

Mindshift Catch & Release Pack
Designed specifically with the needs of anglers in mind, this backpack includes a beltpack that rotates from back to front to allow access to the pockets at any time. That means you don’t have to take the pack off to get to your gear, making it easier than ever to find what you need. And when you’re done, the beltpack rotates securely back into place without missing a beat.

Columbia OutDry Extreme ECO Shell
This highly waterproof – yet still very breathable – jacket got a lot of attention at Outdoor Retailer, but not just because of its ability to perform well in adverse conditions. The ECO Shell was lauded for being constructed out of fabrics that are made from 100% recyclable materials, are free from harmful PFCs, and are entirely dye-free which saves 13 gallons of water for every jacket made.

Jetboil MightyMo
The original JetBoil was a revolution for lightweight backpackers, but the new MightyMo might be even more impressive. It weighs just 3.3 oz. while still offering 10,000 BTU’s of power. It offers tight control over the flame and promises to be ultra-efficient, even down to temperatures as low as 20ºF.

CotoPaxi Inti 2 Tent
The new Inti 2 tent from Cotopaxi just might be the last backcountry shelter you’ll ever need. Designed to be expandable and highly versatile, it can sleep one or two people comfortably on its own. With the addition of a snap-in alcove it can also quickly and easily expand to sleep four people, making it a great option based on the size of your group.

Tepui White Lightning Hard Shell Roof Top Tent
Yakima wasn’t the only one making noise with their new roof top tent. Tepui introduced the White Lightning, which is the company’s first attempt to make a hard shell, and it looks like a winner. When not in tent mode it folds down to a mere 8 inches in height, but expands to sleep two in a matter of second. Best of all, the top of the White Lightning comes rack ready, meaning you can put another rack on top to carry mountain bikes, kayaks, and other gear.

Mountain Hardwear Scrambler RT 20 Pack
Utilizing OutDry fabrics, Mountain Hardwear’s new Scrambler RT 20 pack is as much a drybag as it is a daypack. Tested in a rain room for more than 24 hours, the Scrambler is built to keep all of your gear and gadgets perfectly safe from water. It features a roll top enclosure for added security, which makes it a great option for hiking, mountain biking, or just commuting in wet conditions.

LED Lenser XEO 19R and Accessories
When it comes to making headlamps for mountain biking, LED Lenser went with the motto “go big or stay home.” The company has introduced the XEO 19R, a rechargeable light with twin, independently focused, bulbs capable of putting out a stunning 2000 lumens. An accessory kit for the lamp includes a mount for helmets, bikes, and tripods, as well as a belt clip for the large battery pack it requires to maintain that level of brightness.

Hi-Tec Navigator Boots
Hi-Tech’s aptly named Navigator Boots feature a pair of tiny pods in their heels that when paired with your smartphone provide navigational cues when traveling from one place to the next. Need to make a right turn to reach your destination? The pod in your right boot will vibrate slightly to alert you to the change in course. Perfect for finding your way around a foreign city without having your nose buried in your phone, these boots feature a custom outsole made by Michelin.

Leki Sub 1 Camp Chair
Weighing just two pounds, Leki’s Sub 1 folding camp chair is one of the lightest on the market today. Built with durable reinforced nylon and using the same high tensile strength aluminum found in the company’s trekking poles, the chair includes a built-in bottle holder and a nylon mesh storage bag that doubles as a pocket for smartphones and books when attached to the chair. You can even fill it up with ice and convert it into an instant cooler.

BioLite BaseLantern
BioLite makes camp lighting incredibly easy with the new BaseLantern, a 500-lumen lamp that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth to unlock a host of functionality. A free app allows you to adjust brightness, set sleep timers, and change the color of the light. Proximity sensors will even turn the lantern on when you get close to your campsite in the dark. You can even use the BaseLantern to recharge you mobile devices, or to power BioLite’s other camp lighting systems.

Look for more on each of these products throughout the remainder of 2016 and 2017 as we do field tests while on our upcoming outdoor adventures.

* OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible 4×4 adventure travel and outdoor recreation