The Outdoor Retailer 2010 Summer Market is filled with new innovations in the outdoor gear industry, and it’s exciting to see what products will become available in stores come Spring 2011. On the first day wandering the Outdoor Retailer convention floor, Klymit, Vargo Outdoors, Waterbox and Polarmax did not disappoint.
Klymit
We here at UtahOutside.com have followed Nate Alder and the good people at Ogden-based Klymit ever since they were students at BYU inventing their argon gas insulated clothing, like the Double Diamond Kinetic Vest. How they have grown! They totally have their vests dialed in, and there’s also a line of base layers, shells, and now… a camping pad.
The Inertia X Frame is an anatomically patterned, very light weight (9.1 oz) camping pad that weighs less because they used “body mapping.” This means they cut out the parts that weren’t needed and left the areas where body weight needs support. The “cut out” parts also serve the purpose of being “Loft Pockets,” which reduces the compaction of sleeping bags, lessens conductive heat loss and captures body heat in the dead-air space.
The Intertia X Frame also inflates with only three breaths, yet comes with a tiny hand pump to top off the pad. Plus, if it’s used with a standard camping pad, it acts as a cot to lift you off the ground for even more warmth. I tried out the Inertia X Frame on the Salt Palace floor and it was remarkably comfortable. All the pressure areas that needed to be cushioned like my hips, shoulders and head were cozy, while the rest of my body still remained above ground. It was sort of like floating!
The top of the pad is made from 30D Ripstop Nylon and the bottom fabric is durable 75D Polyester.
In addition, Klymit has solved the problem of needing to buy more argon gas canisters to refill the vests. You will soon be able to recycle your gas insulation with the Klymit Recycle Pump. If you overheat and want to let the gas out of the vest, you can save your argon by reverse-pumping it into the reservoir so you can use it over and over again. The Klymit Recycle Pump should launch at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market.
Vargo Outdoors
Vargo Outdoors is a small company that makes titanium backpacking gear. They started out as a website about backpacking on the Appalachian Trail, and over the years began making and selling their own ultra-lightweight stoves, pots, utensils and more. Their selection is pretty impressive, especially for anyone who likes to pack gear for outdoor survival, like the Hexagon Wood Stove.
The Hexagon Wood Stove is a small, titanium stove that weighs only 4.1 ounces. It can be used to make a fire if you run out of cooking gas, or if you find yourself experiencing an unintended overnight in the woods. It has a hinged door to add fuel, and its conical shape focuses heat upwards for efficient water boiling. It folds flat for storage and fits inside a carrying case.
New this year is the Titanium Pot Gripper. Vargo Outdoors seemed pretty excited about this, and they claim it’s the only pot gripper of its kind in the market. Holding it felt like nothing was in my hand, and since everything else they make is titanium, why not something as utilitarian as pot grippers?
Here’s another new one (at least I’ve never seen it before.) A titanium water bottle. It holds 27 ounces, only weighs 4.6 ounces when empty, and is biocompatible which means it won’t leach harmful chemicals into your water. Light weight backpackers rejoice! It now seems almost everything can be made with titanium, and Vargo Outdoors is making it happen.
Waterbox
Waterbox is a new, local water bottle company based in Park City. Okay, so yet another outdoor gear company that slings water bottles… big deal right? Well, Waterbox has turned their bottles into works of art that are not only nice to look at, but are more functional than your standard plastic bottle.
Waterbox bottles were designed in Salt Lake City, and they all have a unique look from the asymmetrical cap to the boxy bottle with large opening. They come in three categories: Stainless Steel, Eastman Tritan, and Original Art.
The Stainless Steel bottles come in both round or square versions and are made from 18/8 (304) food grade stainless steel so they are totally safe to use.
The Eastman Tritan bottles also come in round, square and canteen versions and are made from BPA-free copolyester that is see-through and dishwasher safe.
The Original Art bottles feature artwork from talented artists who use the bottles as their canvas. They are available in the round, stainless steel bottles.
At Outdoor Retailer this summer, glass water bottles are all the rage, and Waterbox has their own glass version, including this one that is double-walled for insulation and to reduce condensation. It also comes in a single-walled version.
Waterbox wants their bottles to last forever, so if you lose the cap to your bottle, they will replace it for free. They also donate 1% of sales to organizations that protect water, and to children’s art programs that provide underserved and disadvantaged children.
Polarmax
In the outdoor apparel industry, cotton has become like garlic to vampires. Cotton’s poor moisture management made it the bastard step-child of polyester, capeline and wool, and rightfully so. But rather than hide under the stairs while the big kids got to play outside, the cotton industry stepped up and partnered with TransDRY to create a moisture wicking, technical cotton. That’s right… technical cotton.
Polarmax is making baselayers made from this new and improved cotton that dries twice as fast as normal cotton. It’s called “All-Year Undergear” and it gives the wearer the performance of a high-tech layer with the soft feel of cotton. Polarmax had all kinds of underwear on display at Outdoor Retailer, from boxers and briefs, to women’s underwear, and shirts that will be available in 2011.
The Polarmax Men’s Short Sleeve Crew is made from 96% cotton and 4% spandex.
Like all Polarmax underwear, the women’s cami is anti-microbial, odor-resistant, and it fights bacteria while also being quick drying and breathable.
I doubt the Klymit pad would be comfortable enough for me but we’ll have to see. Can’t wait for it to be launched.