Each summer, outdoor companies, media, retail shop buyers and representatives among so many others come together for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, “North America’s largest trade show in the outdoor industry.” This face-to-face, information-and-gear-soaked experience is an opportunity to check out upcoming product releases; and that’s just what we did at the 2019 Summer Market.
Here are 6 Spring/Summer 2020 products that have this fly fishing, family adventurer’s stoke cranked up to eleven.
QALOxLifekey Silicone Smart Ring
If innovation is happening in the outdoor industry, it is almost certain to be showcased at Outdoor Retailer, so learning about the first silicone smart ring at this year’s Summer Market comes as no surprise. Thanks to a collaboration between QALO (one of the leading rugged silicon ring companies in the country) and Lifekey (a wearable technology company focused on keeping your vital emergency information accessible at all times) carrying emergency personal information just got a little easier.
The smart ring will provide first responders access to medical information, personal health data, and emergency contact information. It also uses one-touch technology for easy check-ins with friends and family via NFC (near field communications), bluetooth, and secure cloud technologies. qalo.com, wearlifekey.com
Darn Tough Sobo Socks
If there are two things I can appreciate in the outdoors, it’s cold beer and warm socks. You know, the little things. While you’ll need to snag your 6-pack elsewhere, Darn Tough’s Sobo Micro Crew delivers all the goods your take-you-everywhere feet need on the trail, the road, or lounging in camp. The feature I am particularly excited about is the Sobo’s Drop Needle Stitch, a technique that results in great aesthetics and performance. This technique gives the merino yarn a stellar color pop, it also while having a lighter feel on foot (i.e., what your feet want on spring hikes after being cooped up all winter). These socks are made in the USA, feature Darn Tough’s unconditional lifetime guarantee and come in three color options. darntough.com
Deso Women’s Azure Shirt
This summer, many of us gals are sporting cute and cozy, pocket-adorned dressed, but what about work shirts? That’s right, California-based, Deso (named for Desolation Wilderness – the place that inspires so many of their great pieces), is releasing the Azure Shirt, a full-performance women’s cut work shirt chock-full of features including utility pockets and made from quick dry/anti-microbial material. Equally comfortable in the field as it is on the water and in camp, the Azure takes technical apparel to a new comfort level. desosupply.com
Patagonia Swiftcurrent Wader Collection
When Patagonia creates a product, they do so with intention. The new Swiftcurrent Wader Collection is Patagonia’s newest lineup with six new durable, puncture-resistant waders for men and women. Checking them out at the show, they were visually beautiful and feature-loaded. While the Swiftwater collection includes all the features users have come to expect (and love), we really appreciate the upgrades including the dynamic boot and women’s drop-seat rear-buckle feature for “quick relief” (i.e., no suspenders dangling when you’re squatting). They’re also lighter, stronger and made with 70% recycled face fabric. patagonia.com
Topo Designs Rover Pack (Tech)
Are you ready for a new spin on a crowd favorite? Topo Designs has upgraded their classic Rover Pack with some exciting tech features. This version of the Rover Pack includes true-to-its-roots features like the spacious and fully-padded main compartment and flat top/dual closure clips while welcoming some new features to help you take it even further down the trail. The Tech version will include a much-appreciated daisy chain loop system (cue the bike lights and other attachable accessories), coated heavy duty zippers, quilted ballistic back panel and paracord zipper pulls with reflective ticking. topodesigns.com
Tentsile Generation 3 Stingray Tree Tent
Adventuring families, this one’s for you! Two of the many things my kids love are sleeping outside and hanging out in hammocks. Thanks to Tentsile, they can do both at the same time! The Stingray is the company’s flagship 3-person (or small family of 4) tree tent and next year, it will feature some great upgrades. Next spring, the Stingray will come standard with four entrances (including a larger central/bottom entryway), increased storage with zipper-adorned internal storage compartments and detachable underfloor storage nets, added ventilation thanks to mesh pole sleeves, and an upgraded ground conversion systems to use when trees aren’t around. tentsile.com
