The inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show took place in Denver late last month, giving retail buyers, members of the media and outdoor enthusiasts a glimpse into the new apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories slated to hit the market later this year. While the show was loaded with the latest and greatest in outdoor products, five products in particular caught our eye.
Check out these five pieces of gear that we can’t wait to get our hands on this year.
Mountainsmith has been designing high-quality gear out of Golden, Colorado for nearly 40 years, and they don’t have plans to slow down anytime soon. This year, Mountainsmith released their latest innovation: the Scream Series. The series includes four different packs ranging from the Scream 20 up to the Scream 55, and includes the Scream 50 WSD — an ultralight (under 3 lbs) and rugged (thanks to a new 210d Robic HT Nylon material) women’s-specific pack complete with a roll-top closure, front panel zipper and double barrel front panel storage pockets. This pack may just be a game-changer for gals on the trail looking for better support, and a comfortable back panel and waistbelt for those longer hauls.
The snuggle is about to get real with Klymit’s KSB Double sleeping bag and Double V pad combo. Launching in March, this system will quickly become a go-to for couples or families adventuring outside. The 2-person bag has anti-snag, two-way personal zippers and a full-length inner zipper to allow fully customizable warmth levels (while still snuggling with your sweetie or little one). The 650 fill down bag is comfortable to 30 degrees and features draft covers and hood. As for the Double V, buyers can expect all the comfort of Klymit’s Static V — including body mapping technology — but best of all, the Double V slides comfortably into the designated pad sleeve on the back of the KSB Double bag to eliminate rolling off in the middle of the night.
Your favorite everything-vessel just got better. Klean Kanteen’s 2018 collection not only features new, vibrant colors, but every bottle now has the latest “Klean Coat Finish” — a chip-resistant, safer and more durable paint for people and the planet. As a bit of a “crunchy” mountain mama, my stoke for Klean’s Kid Kanteen line (which is still BPA and phthalate-free!) is high, and I can’t get enough of their classic Food Canister products which feature recycled cardboard insulation in the lid.
Chaco Women’s ZX/2 Rocky Mountain
One of the most versatile sandals will soon feature some of your favorite landscapes. Last year, Chaco partnered with the National Park Foundation to feature some of the country’s most beloved national parks on the classic Z2 and Z2 sandals. This year, get ready for more parks, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park on the Z1, Z2 and ZX/2. This lineup delivers everything you love about Chaco — versatility, durability and style — while letting you rock your favorite national park views.
Kuat has been on the leading edge of bike rack designs for years, but this year, the company will undergo an expansion. In Fall 2018, Kuat will add several new cargo and gear carry systems to their quiver, specifically, branching out into the snowsports world with GRIP: a four-six skis/two-four snowboard rooftop rack (depending on model/size). The GRIP’s “slide-out system” gives users an option to load skis/boards while standing on the ground (rather than crawling all over the vehicle) and it features an aerodynamic low profile, and universal fit that accommodates factory and aftermarket crossbars.
