The Outdoor Retailer 2014 Winter Market returned to Salt Lake City, and as usual, it all began at the All Mountain Demo at Solitude Mountain Resort. While we didn’t have an opportunity to test out new skis and boots this time around, we did get to check out some new products on hand, and narrowed down our favorites for being innovative, creative or just plain cool.
Snow Gliders by Turning Point Inc.
First up are Snow Gliders from Turning Point Inc. It’s a cross between a cross-country ski and a snowshoe. According to inventor, Eric Darnell, the snow gliders feature rails on the bottom to make it act like a long ski, it has droppable cleats for traction if you don’t want to slide or when terrain gets steep, and they are mounted with a typical cross-country ski binding so you can use your normal boots with them. They look like a lot more fun than regular snowshoeing, and I’m very interested to see if the idea takes off with retailers and winter sports enthusiasts.
Delorme inReach SE
In the event of an emergency, the inReach’s SOS capability provides peace of mind by automatically triggering a remote tracking service and, when paired, allows users to describe and update their situation so proper resources can be deployed.
Also, when used in conjunction with DeLorme’s Earthmate app and Explore website, navigation seems easy with unlimited access to downloadable topographic maps and journey tracking that wirelessly turns a smartphone or tablet into a two-way text-messaging global communications device. This is game-changing stuff and we’d love to get our hands on one for remote backcountry ski adventures in Utah’s mountains.
Check out www.inreachdelorme.com more more information or to purchase.
PowerPot Thermoelectric Generator
And finally, the coolest thing we’ve seen in a long time is the PowerPot Thermoelectric Generator. This device was developed by University of Utah students, and basically lets you charge your devices with your camp stove. Here’s how it works: simply plug in the USB charging cable, pour water into the pot, and place on heat. You then focus the heat in the bottom center of the plate. Within a few moments the green light on the charging cable lights up, indicating you are ready to charge.
You can charge smartphones, mp3 players, GoPro cameras, headlamps, GPS units, water purifiers and more. If the device is USB, it’ll charge with the PowerPot.
The way the magic happens is the body of the PowerPot is made of hard-anodized aluminum. There are thermoelectric modules sealed into the bottom with a water-tight RTV silicone. The charging cable comes out of that and is made of high-temperature silicone with a teflon coating. That thermoelectric generator takes the temperature difference between the water and the heat source, and converts it into electricity. It only needs one side to be cold and the other to be hot. The greater the difference in temperature between hot and cold, the greater the power output.
This is a very cool invention and can even be used over an open fire instead of a camp stove. To see more, check them out online at thepowerpot.com