One of my favorite things to do at Outdoor Retailer is get away from the major brands in the convention center and wander among the small booths in and around the ballroom. The area is filled with small and even brand-new companies that are riding a new idea or have innovative technologies. Often, the brands we see here become the next big thing in a few years. Here are three that caught my eye at this year’s Winter Market.
Rumpl
Ever wished you could just use your sleeping bag at home? I guess you could, but that would only be classy in a dirt bag sort of way. Enter Rumpl. These guys started while shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond (I question their judgement) and realized that blankets are all the same – boring. So they created a blanket for us outdoorsy types who relish snuggling in down and Ripstop Nylon. The result is the Puffy Blanket. It is made from technical materials like the aforementioned 20D Ripstop Nylon with DWR shield and synthetic down. The blanket is designed for both indoor and outdoor use and packs down into a small stuff sack. They call it “Active Homewear.” Visit them at gorumpl.com
Forsake
Ever hear of shoeboots? Think high-top sneakers but with the construction and performance of actual hiking boots. An example of this is the new Lockout. It’s made from Nubuck leather, suede, and Woolrich USA wool. An Ever-DRI waterproof membrane, Ortholite footbed, Ccompression EVA midsole, Peak-to-Pavement outsole, TPU heel stabilizer, and even more technical features round out the construction. What’s also cool is their “High & Dry” laces. Don’t feel like lacing up to take out the garbage? Simply place the end of the lace on the top of the boot where magnets keep them from flopping around on the wet ground. Genius. Many Forsake shoeboots are out now, and The Lockout will be available Fall ’15. MSRP: $139 Visit them at forsake.com
Sunski
You have two choices when shopping for sunglasses – expensive designer shades that cost well over $100, or cheap gas station glasses that scratch and break within a week. The folks at Sunski realized this and decided to fill the gap. The sunglasses feature certified UVA/B/400 protection, and the frames are made with indestructible, bendable Polycarbonate. They will have two new frame styles for 2015 that come in a ton of colors – the fashionable, rounded Dipseas and the more manly Taravals.
Both will have polarized hard-coat lenses, light weight frames, stainless steel hinges, microfiber carry bag, and custom Sunski travel box. The bast part is that Sunski sunglasses MSRP around $50. Take a look at sunskis.com.