Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2016 – Part 9: LIGHTWEIGHT/FUNCTIONAL STANDOUTS

By Will Rietveld

Note: Weights are for men's size Medium unless stated otherwise.

My coverage of the Outdoor Retailer winter market 2016 is a wrap. I featured a diversity of products interesting products this time, something for everyone. At OR, it’s hard to limit my selections to only ultralight gear because it would be a short list, so I open it up to include lightweight gear and useful gear for day tripping.

OR actually isn’t the best place to look for ultralight gear; it encompasses the entire outdoor industry, which is mostly mainstream gear. The exceptions are sleeping bags and clothing, where the larger companies provide some truly ultralight products (among all the heavier stuff). The truly lightweight gear comes from small businesses that sell online and can’t afford to attend OR.

But, perusing all the items I covered this time begs the question: What are the lightweight standouts in this batch of gear, items that really appeal because of their light weight, functionality and versatility? That’s the focus of this wrap-up article; in no particular order I present the items that impressed me the most. That’s from my perspective; I invite you to comment on your picks based on your perspective.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest. This minimalist 3.1 ounce down vest is insulated with 1000 fill-power down and has a 7 denier Ballistic Airlight ripstop nylon shell with sewn-through construction. That’s incredible warmth for the weight and it will make a superlight midlayer. MSRP is $199; available mid August 2016.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka. This jacket is the one I wished for: 1000 fill-power down, 7 denier shell fabric, and twice the fill of the Plasma 1000 jacket. This jacket is a dream come true for shoulder season trips; it contains 3.4 ounces of fill and the jacket weight is just 8.4 ounces, which is amazing considering the jacket’s features: full height front zipper, attached 2-way adjustable hood, hem drawcord, two zippered hand pockets, and elastic cuffs. I could live without some of the features, but I understand why Montbell added features to this one.  The MSRP of $379 is actually a good value; available in mid August 2016.

CAMP Kristal Gaiter. These 16.5-inch tall gaiters weigh just 3.2 ounces/pair, which is really light. They’re made of silicone-coated B-Dry Evo ripstop nylon with taped seams, so they are completely waterproof. Features are a front water-resistant zipper, adjustable Dyneema cords underfoot, and elastic tensioners at the top and lace hook. MSRP is $60; available now.

 

Steripen RealTree UV Water Purifier. The RealTree will be Steripen’s smallest and lightest water purifier. It’s basically the Freedom without the integrated flashlight feature, making it a smidgeon lighter at 2.6 ounces. Like the Freedom, it has a built-in USB rechargeable battery and a lamp that will provide 5000 treatments. It will purify a pint of water in 48 seconds. MSRP is $70, compared to $100 for the Freedom. I didn’t like the flashlight feature of the Freedom anyway; it sometimes came on by itself inside my pack, draining the battery, and I never used it as a flashlight for the same reason. In my opinion, the Freedom’s integrated flashlight is redundant. I don’t care for the camo theme on the RealTree because it makes it easier to lose. I would personally prefer a bright color so I don’t misplace it, so I suggest they offer us that option. Available in June 2016.

Topo HydroVenture Shoe. This is the first shoe to adopt the new eVent DVdry LT membrane and construction. It utilizes a 3-layer construction in the upper, with the membrane on outside. eVent’s DVdry LT construction method reduces the amount of material and number of steps in constructing the shoe, which will increase manufacturing efficiency. The membrane on top is durable, flexible, and highly breathable (a 40% increase), and is protected by a TPU overlay which also provides extra support. I don’t have the weight/shoe, but it is definitely very light. I look forward to testing this shoe when it comes out this spring. MSRP is $120.

Altra Lone Peak NeoShell Mid. A mid-high version will come out in July 2016 that will weigh 11.9 ounces/shoe and cost $159. The unique features about these shoes are they are zero drop (no heel rise), have a wide toe box for foot expansion, and are the only shoes that use a Polartec NeoShell membrane as the outside shell of the shoe, which makes them waterproof-breathable.

  

Kora Shola 230 Zip Top. Kora baselayers are made of Yak wool, which has hollow fibers making it 40% warmer than an equivalent weight of merino wool, and also more breathable and moisture-wicking. Yaks molt in the spring, so there is no shearing. Since Yaks are mostly raised for their milk, meat, and hides, Kora created a market for their wool. I’m intrigued by this top because it’s something I haven’t tried before, and look forward to testing it. MSRP is $160; available now; Sold online at Kora.net.

My Package Icefil Boxers and Saxx Fuse Boxer. I have been wearing both brands and I’m a convert; they really are “Life Changing Underwear”. The new My Package boxers for summer wear contain Lyocell in the fabric to produce a cooling effect. It basically works the opposite of Outlast. MSRP is $45, available April 2016. The Saxx Fuse is 88% polyester and 18% Spandex, which enables the colorful design shown. MSRP is $32. 

CAMP Hotmit’N. This super warm mitt has a windproof membrane and is insulated with 50 grams of premium down. These mitts will be ideal for winter backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, and snow camping as the go-to solution for cold hands. Weight is 6.1 oz/pr and MSRP is XX. Available now.

 

Snowline Chainsen City Slip-On Traction Aid. At 2.2 ounces/pr this is probably the lightest slip-on traction device to be found other than one that fits over the toebox only. The chain and spikes are stainless steel and the band is an elastomer that stays pliable down to -76F. MSRP is $25. Distribution in North America is by CAMP USA.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016: INTRODUCTION AND INDEX

My Winter 2016 Outdoor Retailer coverage is in 9 separate articles. To read them all click on the links below or "Outdoor Retailer" in the topic bar above.

Snow Sports    Camping and Climbing    Food    Technologies   Insulated Clothing    Accessories    Footwear   Baselayers/Midlayers/Shells    Standouts     

Outdoor Retailer is the trade show for the outdoor industry. It happens twice a year in Salt Lake City. The winter show, which was held January 6-10 did not disappoint. It started with an on-snow demo day at the Solitude Ski Area in the Wasatch Mountains, and was followed by 4 days of visiting hundreds of booths at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

At the All Mountain Demo day, held at Solitude Ski Area, there were lots of booths showing mostly gear for snow sports, but lots of other things too. Opportunities abounded to test out new snowshoes and skis, footwear, and even an electric snow bike.

I try to focus my OR coverage on new lightweight gear and new technologies that make gear better. However, I also include versatile gear for day trips as well where light weight is not as important. And some of the gear featured is not new, I missed it at previous OR shows and wanted to include it because it is lightweight gear of interest.

This time I am doing something different to report the many items of interest I found at the show. Rather than one long overwhelming article, I divided interesting items into eight categories: snow sports, camping, food, technologies, insulated clothing, accessories, footwear, and baselayers/midlayers/shells. This helps organize my OR coverage some, but each article is still a potpourri of items. After all of the articles are published I will pick out the items that I feel are most relevant to lightweight backcountry travel, especially backpacking, and present them in a summary article.

Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016: BASELAYERS, MIDLAYERS, and SHELLS

Please note that this article simply highlights new lightweight gear of interest, and by no means is it comprehensive of the category or constitute a review of the item. It’s simply a collection of new interesting gear for lightweight backcountry travel.

Items featured will be available in spring 2016 unless stated otherwise. Weights are for men’s size Medium unless stated otherwise.

Kora Shola 230 Zip Top. Kora baselayers are made of Yak wool, which has hollow fibers.Yaks molt in the spring, so there is no shearing.  Kora buys Yak wool directly from nomatic Himalayan communities and processes it for their baselayers. Since Yaks are mostly raised for their milk, meat, and hides, Kora created a market for their wool. Kora claims that Yak wool is 40% warmer and 66% more breathable than an equivalent weight of merino wool, and is also lighter and softer. MSRP is $160; available now; Sold online at Kora.net.

Mishmi Takin Garamba Jacket. The company and products are named for the national parks in northern India. The Garamba Jacket is made of eVent DVS (Direct Venting Storm), eVent’s most breathable shell fabric. It’s a 2.5-layer construction. The jacket has lots of ventilation: perforated vents in the chin area and top center in back, core vent pocket liners, pit zips under the arms (the first eVent jacket I have ever seen with pit zips), and of course the front zipper. Weight is 14.2 ounces for size Large. MSRP is $275. The jacket is modeled by the company’s founder Kapil Dev Singh.

Montane Power Up Hoodie. This mid- or outer layer is made of Polartec PowerGrid fleece for high breathability and fast drying. It has a full-height front zipper, attached hood, one chest pocket, two hand warmer pockets, and thumb loops. Weight is 10 ounces, MSRP is $179, available now. I included this piece because of its versatility for use on day trips in cold weather.

My Package Icefil Boxers. These boxers for summer wear contain Lyocell in the fabric to produce a cooling effect. It basically works the opposite of Outlast. MSRP is $45, available April 2016.

Saxx Fuse Boxer. The Fuse for summer wear is 88% polyester and 18% Spandex, which enables the colorful design shown. MSRP is $32. The right photo shows Saxx’s built-in technology, which supports  their claim of “Life Changing Underwear”.

Saxx Kinetic Runing Tight and Blacksheep Long John. Saxx will introduce the Kinetic tight (right) in fall 2016. It’s made of 85% nylon and 15% spandex for stretch and moisture wicking; $60. The Blacksheep Long John (left) is merino wool; $60.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016: FOOTWEAR

By Will Rietveld

Please note that this article simply highlights new lightweight gear of interest, and by no means is it comprehensive of the category or constitute a review of the item. It’s simply a collection of new interesting gear for lightweight backcountry travel.

Items featured will be available in spring 2016 unless stated otherwise. Weights are for men’s size 9 unless stated otherwise.

Altra Lone Peak NeoShell Mid. Last year I reported on the Lone Peak NeoShell, which is a low-cut shoe coming out this spring (10.9 ounces/shoe and $149). A mid-high version (right) will come out in July 2016 that will weigh 11.9 ounces/shoe and cost $159. The unique features about these shoes are they are zero drop (no heel rise), have a wide toe box for foot expansion, and are the only shoes that use a Polartec NeoShell membrane as the outside shell of the shoe, which makes them waterproof-breathable.

Baffin Borealis Boot. I didn’t get the weight of this boot but it is a bit on the heavy side. It’s mostly a technology story, as told in the left photo. Two key features of this boot make it appealing: 1) it has an external TPU shell which makes it bombproof, and 2) it has a removable liner that can be used as a cabin shoe. It’s claimed comfortable temperature range is 41F to -22 F. MSRP is $230.

Fox River Adventure Cross-Terrain (AXT) Sock Collection. Socks in Fox River’s Basecamp, Turnpike, and Jasper lines – 13 styles in all – have been updated with a Spandex arch support, elastic on the sides of the heel pocket, mesh ventilation in the midfoot, comfort flat toe seam, and reinforced heel and toe. They’re made of 36% merino wool, 36% acrylic, 26% nylon, and 2% Spandex. MSRP for each is $13, which is a great value for a high-tech durable sock.

Saucony Razor Ice + Running Shoe. These shoes have a waterproof shell over the shoe inside, stitchless construction, and a Vibram Arctic Grip outsole. Weight is 11.6 oz/shoe and MSRP is $180. 

Topo HydroVenture Shoe. This is the first shoe to adopt the new eVent DVdry LT membrane and construction. It utilizes an upper construction that consists only of a three-layer waterproof laminate---the typical internal waterproof bootie has been completely eliminated in this new technology. eVent’s DVdry LT construction method reduces the amount of material and number of steps in constructing the shoe, which will increase manufacturing efficiency. The membrane on top is durable, flexible, and highly breathable (a 40% increase), and is protected by a TPU overlay which also provides extra support. Topo was not at the winter 2016 Outdoor Retailer show, so we will find out more about this shoe when it comes out this spring. MSRP is $120.

Under Armour Fat Tire GTX Boot. These full-height boots feature a Michelin rubber grippy outsole, a well padded midsole, Gore-Tex lining, and Boa closure. The heel rise is 7 mm. Weight is 15 oz/boot, MSRP is $200, available now.

Under Armour Verge Mid GTX Boot. The Verge Mid (left) is lighter than the Fat Tire at 13.1 oz/boot, which is good for a full-height boot. It has a lightweight breathable mesh upper with supportive welded overlays and Gore-Tex lining. The Michelin outsole with Wild Gripper rubber compound provides excellent traction on a variety of terrains. The heel rise is also 7mm, $170, available now.

Vasque Lost 40 Mukluk and Coldspark Boot. The Lost 40 (right) is an extreme cold weather boot, a modern day mukluk constructed of traditional and modern materials. A softshell and suede leather upper, a removable 7mm felted wool liner with 200g of 3M Thinsulate, and a midsole of AeroGel foam ensure feet will be warm and well-cushioned. The Lost 40 assures a snug fit with a unique 2-part zonal lacing system. A quick-lace toggle tightens at the bottom, while a separate lacing at the top with a snap-down garage keeps laces secure. The outsole is Vibram Overland with an anti-slip IceTrek compound. Weight is 3 pounds 1 ounce/pair and MSRP is $180. The Coldspark (left) is a lightweight insulated winter hiker. Using 200 grams of Thinsulate and Vasque’s proprietary UltraDry waterproofing, this boot will keep feet warm on winter hikes. The outsole is ColdHold Compound with harder, sharper lugs on the perimeter while the center lugs remain pliable in cold temperatures. The Coldspark UltraDry is Vasque’s fastest, lightest, most athletic winter boot to date. Weight is 2 pounds 3 ounces/pair and MSRP is $140.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016: ACCESSORIES

By Will Rietveld

Please note that this article simply highlights new lightweight gear of interest, and by no means is it comprehensive of the category or constitute a review of the item. It’s simply a collection of new interesting gear for lightweight backcountry travel.

Bike Touring and Bikepacking by Justin Lichter and Justin Kline. This new Falcon Guide is Trauma’s second book in the last year. He teams up with Justin Kline to produce an informative guidebook for bikepacking. Chapters cover how to choose the proper bike, choosing the right gear, planning a trip, bikepaking overseas, making repairs, and how to survive a long distance trip. USBN #978-1-4930-0968-8, $12.95.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit .3 and Survival Medic Kit. These are two of the lightest kits available from AMK. The first provides medical supplies for one person in a watertight pouch; $14, available now. The second basically provides the “10 essentials” for survival, plus a few first aid items; 4 ounces and $15, available now.

DeLorme InReach Explorer. The InReach Explorer is another step forward in personal location devices. It combines the following functions: GPS, digital compass, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, trip statistics, send/receive messages, tracking, and OK/SOS signaling with confirmation. DeLorme uses the Iridium satellites for communications. The GPS function gives your simple location; it’s not a mapping GPS. However, they have a phone app that will communicate via Bluetooth with the Explorer to provide mapping GPS on your phone. Weight is 6.7 ounces and MSRP is $380. Service is either $11 or $15 per month depending on the amount of messaging you want, and does not require a contract so you can start and stop it as needed.

DryGuy Travel Dry DX Boot Dryer. Slip these units inside your boots, plug them in and their heating element and fan will quickly dry them out. They come with two power adapters – AC 120 volts for use at home and DC 12 volts for use in your car. MSRP is $40 and they are available now.

Eagles Nest Outfitters Moonbeam Headlamp. This 1.8 ounce gem serves as headlamp, magnetic clamp light, and tent light. USB charging with integrated battery. The light unit is easily removed from the headband and magnetically attached to a plastic hanger for use other than a headlamp. $35.

Eagles Nest Outfitters Relay Tote. This handy ripstop nylon tote has loads of pockets to organize your items – the main compartment with a zippered interior pocket and stiffened bottom, two mesh end pockets, one side pass-through sleeve, one side zippered pocket with a key clip inside, and carry handles. It could also be used as a carry-on bag. Weight is 13.6 ounces and MSRP is $35.

Light My Fire Leschi Lantern + Flashlight. This is a handy unit that weighs just 1.6 ounces without battery (one AA). The light puts out 110 lumens; $15 and available now.

Petzl Reactik+ Headlamp. This headlamp is on the cutting edge. It automatically adjusts the beam to user needs depending on the ambient light level, it’s rechargeable, and produces up to 280 lumens. Weighs 4 ounces, $110, and available July 2016.

Sawyer Filtration Accessory Pack. This convenient kit includes everything you need to accessorize your Squeeze Filter and Mini Filter. It includes two 32oz. Squeeze Pouches to use as back-ups or just to have on hand as additional reservoirs, the Fast Fill Adapters so you can fill your hydration pack directly from the Squeeze or Mini Filter, Inline Adapters to turn your Squeeze filter into an inline system on a hydration pack, and the Cleaning Coupling, a new adapter that allows you to backwash your Squeeze Filter with a plastic bottle; $25 and available now.

Snowline Chainsen City Slip-On Traction Aid. At 2.2 ounces/pr this is probably the lightest slip-on traction device to be found other than one that fits over the toebox only. The chain and spikes are stainless steel and the band is an elastomer that stays pliable down to -76F. MSRP is $25. Distribution in North America is by CAMP USA.

Snowline Chainsen Light Slip-On Traction Aid. At 8.2 ounces/pr the Chainsen Light is the next step up in their line of traction devices. It has a more substantial elastomer harness and more and bigger spikes. MSRP is $60. Distribution in North America is by CAMP USA.

dueNorth Everyday G3 Traction Aid and Rubz Massage Balls. The dueNorth Traction Aid has six small carbide points on the bottom side to get a good grip on ice. They weigh about 8 oz/pr, cost only $20, and are available now. The Rubz hand and foot massage balls are designed to mimic acupuncture techniques to relieve plantar fasciitis as well as relieve sore muscles. MSRPs are $6-$13 and they are available now. Both products are distributed by the Sure Foot Corporation.

Sven Can See Lens Anti-Fog and Lens Cleaner. These products do not contain any alcohol or scents. Simply put one small drop of the Anti-Fog on one lens and rub that small amount onto all lens surfaces. The Lens Cleaner has a mini-sprayer to dispense it onto each lens. Each product is $10.95. Available now.

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Outdoor Retailer Winter 2016: INSULATED CLOTHING

By Will Rietveld

Puffy clothing is a favorite category for me and many readers, I suppose because they are cuddly and warm. In this part I cover everything insulated that I found to be of interest from a lightweight or versatility standpoint

Please note that this article simply highlights new lightweight gear of interest, and by no means is it comprehensive of the category or constitute a review of the item.  I do not include anything on downhill skis and bindings, which are not my forte’. It’s simply a collection of new interesting gear for lightweight backcountry travel.

Items featured will be available in spring 2016 unless stated otherwise. Weights are for men’s size Medium apparel.

Berghaus Ramche 2.0 Down Parka. The Ramche 2.0 is as high-tech as a down jacket gets. The insulation is body-mapped to add more down where warmth is  needed most in the torso, and less down in the sleeves. The jacket is insulated with 850 fill-power 16-hour Hydrodown (Nikwax treatment), with sewn-through construction in the sleeves and baffled construction in the torso. The shell is a 70x70 denier fine nylon with DWR. Weight is 16 ounces and MSRP is $450.

CAMP G Comp Wind and G Comp Warm Gloves. The G Comp Wind Glove (right) is a fast-drying synthetic glove for chilly and windy conditions. The orange Windmit’N in the photo normally resides in a pocket on the wrist and can be pulled out to cover the topside of the glove when more wind protection is needed. Weight is 3.5 oz/pr and MSRP is $100. Sizes from S to XXXL. The G Comp Warm Glove (left) is a similar glove but its pull out Warmit’N is insulated with 40 gram Primaloft Gold. The weight is 4.1 oz/pair and MSRP is $120.

CAMP Hotmit’N. This super warm mitt has a windproof membrane and is insulated with 50 grams of premium down. Their specs do not indicate it is waterproof (I suspect it isn’t), or the fill-power of the down. Weight is 6.1 oz/pr and MSRP is $140. Available now.

CAMP Summit’N. The durable Summit’N is insulated with 350 gram Primaloft Gold and has a Hipora 3-layer waterproof-breathable membrane. Weight is 7.8 oz/pr and MSRP is $160. Available now.

Heat Factory Heated Fold-Back Mitten. These mittens are made of a soft fleece-like fabric and are insulated with a bit of Thinsulate according to the label. The unique feature is that it’s both a glove and a mitten; when you put it on, your fingers slip into the fingers of a glove, and then there is a mitten flap that covers the fingers. A chemical hand warmer (included) can be placed in the palm or finger area (or both) for extra warmth. The packaging doesn’t say anything about waterproofness, so these mittens would work best with a shell over them to keep them dry and seal in the heat. Weight for size XL is 4.6 oz/pr; MSRP is $25. Available now.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka. This jacket is an addition to Montbell’s Plasma 1000 line featuring 1000 fill-power down and 7 denier shell fabric. This jacket is a dream come true; it contains 3.4 ounces of fill and the jacket weight is just 8.4 ounces, which is amazing considering the jacket’s features. Sewn-through construction. Features include a full height front zipper, attached 2-way adjustable hood, hem drawcord, two zippered hand pockets, and elastic cuffs. That’s a lot of warmth and features for the weight. MSRP is $379; available in mid August 2016.

Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest. Another addition to the Plasma 1000 line is this 3.1 ounce down vest insulated with 1000 fill-power down. The shell is 7 denier Ballistic Airlight ripstop nylon with sewn-through construction. The only feature is a full-height front zipper; no pockets. MSRP is $199; available mid August 2016.

Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket. This jacket is updated with a new 12 denier shell fabric with DWR and a new Stretch Exceloft synthetic insulation to give the jacket more stretch and breathability. The weight is 8.5 ounces and MSRP is $139; available mid August 2016. An updated Thermawrap Pant will also be available with the same materials; 7.7 ounces and $135.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Jacket. The stretch comes from a new stretch-welded construction (rather than sewn-through seams), combined with a light knit fabric and lining that moves with you. It’s insulated with 750 fill-power Q.Shield water-resistant down. Features include two zippered hand warmer pockets, one zippered chest pocket, two interior drop pockets, 2-way adjustable hem, and elastic cuffs. Available with or without an attached hood. Weight is 17 ounces and MSRP is $250.

Montane Featherlite Down Pro Pullon. This pullover down jacket features a Pertex Quantum CS10 shell, 800 fill-power Eco HyperDry down insulation, 2-way front zipper, zippered front pouch with reach-through pockets over it, inside mesh water flask pocket, and attached hood with stiffened brim and 3-way adjustment. Loads of features and versatility for 16 ounces and $214.

Rab Zero G Jacket. Another standout puffy is the new Rab Zero G featuring 1000 fill-power down (4.5 ounces of fill), Pertex Quantum face and liner fabric, two zippered hand warmer pockets, elastic hem, and an attached hood with one adjustment on the back. Weight is 11 ounces and MSRP is $550.

Seirus Solarsphere Ace Mitt and Gloves and Aura Mitt and Gloves. The new Solarsphere insulation amplifies the temperature inside a glove or mitt up to 10 degrees. The Solarsphere process starts with sunlight being absorbed into the glove or mitt and converted to heat via the Solarsphere insulation. It is made with lightweight, durable, and compressible hollow filament spheres that retain form unlike other insulations. The shell is water-repellent. The Ace mitt and gloves have 3-gram Solarsphere + 60-gram HeatLock insulation with a lightweight shell fabric and an elastic cuff; MSRP is $35. The Aura mitt and gloves have 7-gram Solarsphere + 160-gram HeatLock insulation with a more durable shell and gauntlet cuff; MSRP is $40.

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