If I may speak for the average consumer, there are some companies that are a staple in life. For me two of those companies are The North Face and Camelbak. When I stepped into their booths at Winter OR, I think I heard angels sing, or maybe it was just my brain on overload.
Let me start with Camelbak ,who had two new products that caught my eye. One is a new back country backpack, the Roulette, which is made for men and women. The new pack allows the user to access gear in the main compartment without having to unload everything in it with a splayed bag. The front zipper holds the shovel, and straps on the back stow both helmet and skis. Zip pulls on the bag are wide enough for users to keep their gloves on instead of taking them off and getting their hands cold. The pack holds a 100 ounce hydration bag and will hit store shelves in September of 2010.
Also new is the Powderbak wearable hydration vest. This 70 oz. mid-layer vest is great for winter enthusiasts. By wearing this Camelbak under the jacket, the user is making the reservoir part of the body. Essentially, designers want the wearer to forget they are wearing a Camelbak while wearing a Camelbak. The vest is a full zipper, making it easy to put it on and take it off. With core heat radiating off the body, freeze resistance is enhanced. Hopefully this means the user won’t be stuck with a frozen water tube. Visit Camelbak at www.camelbak.com. Or you can shop Camelbak at Backcountry.com.
Last but not least, The North Face. What’s there to say other than before we know it, most products will be so light we’ll forget we’re even wearing clothes. It seems the new trend is to make everything lighter: running shoes, hiking shoes, jackets, you name it. The women’s Diez jacket is made of 800 fill, compressible down, and weighs less than 10 ounces. It’s made of Pertex Syncro, a new innovative fabric technology that is available exclusively at RAB and The North Face. It’s 20 percent lighter, packs down smaller and is wind, rain, and snow repellent.
The womens Snow Betty Collection is one of the lines that is made from a super lightweight shell. These shoes might look burly and heavy but are in fact light and comfortable for tromping through the snow and slush. They are made of a dual injection EVA lightweight molded shell. The upper is made of a waterproof suede, a “Winter Grip” rubber outsole and 200 g HeatSeeker insulation, which is a synthetic insulation that offers a great warmth to weight ratio with minimal bulk. For more, visit The North Face at www.thenorthface.com. Or you can shop The North Face at Backcountry.com.