The big news from Merrell at Outdoor Retailer is the release of their own line of barefoot shoes. It seems barefoot running is continuing to gain traction, with just about every shoe company jumping on the bandwagon. The difference with Merrell is that their barefoot shoes still look like shoes, as opposed to frog feet. Merrell’s Barefoot Collection is...
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How could anyone not love the Ninja Suit from AirBlaster? I mean, it’s long underwear that makes you look like a ninja for pete’s sake! Svelte young men and women were walking and rock climbing on the Salt Palace floor during the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market in their Ninja Suits. As the buzz...
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I’ve been a fan of Sherpa Adventure Gear ever since I bought a black softshell jacket from them way back in 2003. I still wear that jacket, even though it’s been through the skiing/rock climbing/hiking/every-day living wringer. Sherpa is still going strong these days, and are putting out sweet gear that stands up to...
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It’s a collar, it’s a leash, it’s a Supercollar. New this year at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market was the Supercollar team with their one of a kind dog collar. To show off the collar, the team borrowed a dog from No More Homeless Pets, and had a volunteer walk him around the show (hopefully...
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The furry faces of Ellie May and Peggy Sue, baby alpacas from Montana, made their debut at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market. Their owners, James and Sarah Budd, were also at the show for the first time with their company, Alpacas of Montana. The Budds have over 150 alpacas at their ranch in...
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Wolverine is a brand I had never heard of before the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market, but after visiting their booth and seeing the quality of their boots and shoes, I think it’s a brand that we’ll be seeing a lot more of. Below is just a small sample of their 2011 selection, and a look...
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The Ryders Eyewear booth at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market was pretty much a party atmosphere, and for good reason. The company is celebrating their 25th birthday, and the occasion was marked with neon headbands, mullet wigs, hillbilly teeth, and cheesy music set to a backdrop of a ’70s style basement complete with...
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Cloudveil has undergone a huge transition this past year, after the Jackson, Wyoming-based company was bought by private investors and moved to Massachusetts. The new owners have restructured operations and are now focusing on the basics of outdoor gear with hard and softshell jackets, pants and mid-layers. The new Cloudveil had a presence at...
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It’s a promise made by few, but Darn Tough Vermont guarantees their socks for life. Plus, the guys at the Darn Tough Vermont booth at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market were some of the most darn nice people at the whole darn show. The entire sock making process is done all on site...
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GoLite is going BareTech. Rather than endorsing completely barefoot running, GoLite is meeting the audience half way. They’re offering a stripped down running shoe with a zero drop heel and enough protection to keep your feet safe, and they showed them off at the Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market. They’ve turned tradition shoes inside...
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