The 2016 Winter Outdoor Retailer show is set to begin later this week in Salt Lake City. Here is a sampling of some of the most interesting products that we expect to see while at the convention.
Petzl NAO+ Headlamp
The new NAO+ headlamp from Petzl promises to be one of the most high tech lights ever, offering enhanced performance thanks to a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone, and a host of sensors that adjust output automatically. Petzl’s app lets you create your own personal profile based on how you use the headlamp, and comes pre-programmed with profiles for trail running, mountaineering, trekking, and bivouacking. The light is capable of putting out up to 700 lumens, with burn times of as much as 12 hours depending on the settings. The battery housing even includes a red light on the back for extra rear safety as well. (Price TBA)
Outdoor Research Centrifuge Jacket
The latest piece of Active Insulation from Outdoor Research combines two different types of Polartec PowerGrid fabrics to create a jacket that is lightweight, highly breathable, and built for intense outdoor activities in cold weather conditions. The Centrifuge incorporates waterproof materials on the front, shoulders, tops of the arms, and in the hood to provide protection from precipitation where it is needed most, while allowing heat and moisture to escape everywhere else. The result is improved performance in adverse conditions. ($180)
Dalbello Lupo Carbon TI Boot
Built for performance in the backcountry, the new Dalbello Lupo Carbon TI boot promises to be significantly lighter than its predecessors, while still improving overall stiffness, rearward support, and power transmission. Designers say that the boot offers a wide range of flex when climbing, and requires no alteration in the lower shell to create a walk mode either, which results in zero loss of performance on the hill. (Price TBA)
Stanley Mountain Vacuum Switchback Travel Mug
Stanley already makes some of the best travel mugs around, but with the new Mountain Vacuum Switchback model they’re looking to improve on the formula. This mug features a rugged finger loop, a durable grit guard, and push-button access to the beverage inside. As with all of the other products from Stanley, hot beverages stay hot, and cold ones stay cold for hours on end. But what really sets this model apart from the crowd is it’s slimmed down design that has reduced the weight substantially. ($30)
SmartWool PhD Outdoor Mountaineering Sock
If you want to create the ultimate sock for alpine pursuits, who better to consult with than Conrad Anker? That’s what SmartWool did when designing the new PhD Outdoor Mountaineering sock. Billed as SmartWool’s most technical sock yet, it features “a bulk free instep, two integrated mesh zones for aggressive venting, and a 20-30 mmHg compression heal cup.” (Price TBA)
Gordini DT Gauntlet Glove
DownTek insulation has been around for a while now, bringing all the benefits of down, without the issues that are generally associated with it when it gets wet. It has become a very popular insulator in jackets and sleeping bags in particular, as its water resistant qualities are exceptional. In the winter of 2016-2017, Gordini will also incorporate DownTek into its gloves and mittens, providing a new level of protection from the elements for all your favorite cold weather pursuits. (Price TBA)
Merrell Copenhagen Featherless Down Jacket
Merrell will be the first company to use Thinsulate’s new Featherless Down insulation when it releases its new Copenhagen jacket in the fall of 2016. This alternate form of insulation is said to offer the same warmth-to-weight ratio as traditional down, creating a lightweight product that is also very warm, and manages to perform well even in wet conditions. (Price TBA)
Salomon S-LAB Minim Skis
When it came time to design their new S-LAB Minim skis, Salomon turned to one of the best mountain athletes in the entire world. Spanish ultra-runner and mountaineer Kilian Jornet is known for going fast and light in alpine settings, so it should come as no surprise that these skis were built with that philosophy in mind. Weighing in at just 720 grams per ski, and featuring a karuba woodcore covered in a full-length layer of carbon and flax, the Minim could be the exact ski that minimalist skiers have been waiting for. (Price TBA)
Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC
Looking for an every-day carry knife that allows you to swap blades at the touch of a button? Than the new Razor-Lite EDC from Outdoor Edge just might be exactly what you need. The company says that this is the strongest and sharpest replacement blade knife available today, offering solid all around performance at an affordable price. ($34.95)
LOWA Innox Ice GTX Mid
Lightweight and versatile, the new Innox Ice GTX Mid boot from Lowa has been built from the ground up for winter outdoor activities. Perfect for fast hiking, snowshoeing, or just wearing around town, these boots feature a highly technical outsole from Vibram, a breathable GORE-TEX lining for repelling moisture, and a Partelana synthetic fleece lining for extra warmth. It will be available for both men and women. (Price TBA)
