They came, they played, they showed off and they left. There was nothing small about the 2011 Summer Market, but there was also nothing earth shattering as far as the gear went. Here's a look at some of the items we found while cruising the show.
LumaSpot Rhythm from Kelty
The backpack and tent specialists continue to impress in the lighting category with yet another funky way to illuminate the night. The LumaSpot Rhythm is a Star Trek-like light with a swiveling spotlight. But that is too basic these days. Kelty has added an MP3 player into the unit and, just in case you need more bang for your buck, there is a disco mode multi-colored lighting system to convert your tent or campground into a dance floor. Available in the spring. Suggested retail $64. www.kelty.com
Piggyback Rider toddler carrier
The most basic of kid carriers, the Piggyback allows kids up to 60 pounds to stand on a foot bar attached to the bottom of a shoulder harness (backpack style) from an adult's back. The Piggyback seems perfect for families with toddlers who want to hike with their parents, but may need some help to complete the trip. The unit weighs less than 3 pounds and includes safety shoulder straps for the riders. $79.99, available now. www.thepiggybackrider.com
Stormproof laptop case from Aquapac
Some people just can't leave work at home. If you must take a laptop with you everywhere you go, or if you just want a cool bag for around town, the Stormproof is padded and has a lashtab for secure tie downs and an adjustable shoulder strap. It is made of ripstop nylon and, short of full submersion, should keep your precious laptop dry and dirt free. The bag is $70 and is available now. www.aquapac.net
Whispbar from Yakima
Yakima is billing the high-end Whispbar as the biggest innovation in roof racks for vehicles in 30 years. The rack is sleeker and quieter than older models. Yakima claims it reduces wind drag by up to 70 percent, which should result in fuel savings. Suggested retail for the four models ranges from $349 to $439. Available now through select retailers, everywhere after first of the year. www.yakima.com.
Declination jacket from Woolrich
Several companies attending Outdoor Retailer used the words "vintage" or "throwback" while describing "new" gear at the 2011 show. Woolrich made its blast to the past in the form of the Declination jacket. The pull-over hoody has a massive "kangaroo" front pocket and two hand pockets with zippers. The shell is 65 percent cotton and 35 percent nylon oxford. Woolrich says the jacket is windproof. It comes in indigo, flare and wheat colors and will go for $129. Available Jan. 1, 2012. www.woolrich.com
Pyro Maniac 15/30 sleeping bag from Sierra Designs
One of the most attention-getting items at the show was the two-sleeping-bags-in-one combination from Sierra Designs. The 15/30 stands for a 15 degree rating when a set of baffles is left in the sleeping bag in the chest area and a 30-degree rating when the baffles are removed. The Pyro Maniac weighs 2 pounds, 13 ounces and is designed as part of SD's Core Comfort program. Suggested retail is $319.
Magnetron carabiners from Black Diamond
Excitement about the Magnetron ran rampant in the days leading up to the Summer Market. The patent-pending carabiner lived up to the billing by drawing big crowds to the Black Diamond booth where they saw how magnetic fields create an auto-locking closure. There are no springs in Magnetron carabiners and the design allows for easy single-handed operation. Outside Magazine named Magnetron carabiners as "Gear of the Show." They will hit the market in July 2012. www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/
FireHole 2-burner stove from Primus
Because all campers need to know how long their eggs have been boiling, Primus has added a built-in timer to the FireHole stove. What makes more sense is the light for cooking in the dark. The timer and light are located on the inside of the top of the lid and are easily activated while cooking. Also located under the lid is a storage unit for a utensil prep kit. Primus, of course, still has the features that make it a real player in the camp stove category with 12,000 BTU's per hour from each burner and a durable frame for the stove. The stove runs on propane and will retail for $295. www.primuscamping.com
Sherpa camp table from CampChef
Car campers looking for a simple way to stay organized will find the Sherpa table of interest. Under the table top is a compartment, sort of like a cabinet, designed to hold four removable storage bags. The bags can be filled with food, snacks, cooking utensils, or camp games. One of the bags is designed to hold water and serve as a sink/washbasin, but could also be used as a cooler. Leave two bags at home and a CampChef Mountain Series stove fits neatly in its place. The table breaks down to the size of the storage bag. The Sherpa table runs $134.99 and is available now. www.campchef.com
Wine Carafe from GSI Outdoors
Getting wine into the backcountry as been an age-old dilemma. Sure there are boxes and bottles, but they can be heavy and awkward to carry. GSI Outdoors introduced the 750 milliliter Wine Carafe at the show. The bag includes a cork top for purists. And, if while taking wine into the backcountry you run into fellow connoisseurs, you can share the details of your vintage with a rewritable information bar on the bag. Suggested retail is $9.95. www.gsioutdoors.com.
Nature's Coffee Kettle
Coffee, tea, soup and hot chocolate lovers looking for something hot when camping might want to check out Nature's Coffee Kettle Products — bags with spouts. Pour in hot water to produce four to eight ounces of beverage. Coffee refill packs make the bags reusable as well. Cost is $5.99 to $8.99 with refills $3.99. www.naturescoffeekettle.com.
Backseat Pack Collection from Keen
Not many "ooos" and "aaas" at the show this year, but the Backseat Pack drew some during a group showing. Discussions centered on whether the idea of a built-in and padded camp seat had been seen at the show before — with many remembering that there was — but agreeing that if a company can make it stick, it is Keen. There are three packs in the collection. The Springer is the all around adult version and comes with a hydration compartment and padded air mesh back panel. The Springer weighs 2.8 pounds. The Scamper is for kids between 40 and 80 pounds and weighs 2.5 pounds. The Grasshopper is for kids up to 40 pounds and weighs 1.5 pounds. The Backseat line should be available in January with a $120 sticker price for the adult version. www.keenfootwear.com
Kid Pedometer from GeoPalz
Anything that encourages kids to exercise is all right by us. GeoPalz is a pedometer with incentives. The units, which come in a variety of sport and lifestyle designs, are designed for kids 5 and older. They can be attached to shoes, belts or pants at the waist or the wrist. Each comes with a unique code that is entered on the Web. Recorded steps are turned into "vigorous activity points," which can be redeemed in the form of sports equipment and outdoor toys from the website. Don't worry — they come with an anti-cheat function. GeoPalz go for $25 and are already available.
ICON Carabiner Link Flashlight
The lightweight aluminum body flashlight uses a specialty lens that creates a powerful beam as well as a low-output mode that saves the battery life the single AA battery the unit that comes in black or orange allows. An O-ring makes it waterproof to 1 meter. The light comes with a carabiner clip making it easy to attach to packs, belts or keychains. A less expensive polymer model is also available. Cost is $27.99 for the aluminum model, $14.99 for the polymer. www.myiconlight.com.
SureLock TR-3 trekking pole from MSR
MSR will release the TR-3 in January. It features the SureLock adjustment and a three-pole setup. Changing the length of the pole was fast and easy with one hand — and a little help from your foot when making it longer. The idea is that different lengths are needed depending on the terrain a hiker is using. Steep climbs may require shorter lengths than descents, for example. The poles are made of aerospace-grade aluminum and will run $149.95.
Guide 10 Plus portable solar power pack from Goal Zero
Goal Zero, a company based out of Bluffdale, has not been around long, it just seems that way. These guys are taking the outdoor recreational vehicle and car camper world by solar storm. The Guide 10 Plus is capable of charging smaller electronic devices like iPods and smartphones as well as AA or AAA batteries. The Plus part, an upgrade from the Guide 10, means a new 1-amp output allows charging of an iPad. All this through a USB port. The pack stores power and is also capable of recharging with a solar panel. The Guide 10 Plus will be available as a single unit for $59.99 in September. It can also be purchased as part of the Guide 10 Plus Mobile Kit with the Nomad 3.5 solar panel for $129.99.www.goalzero.com
Timex Expedition Trail Mate
GPS-based watches tend to be pricey and can be difficult to use. This watch tracks distance and pace with an accelerometer that uses the natural swinging motion of the user's arm to detect steps taken, thus measuring distance and pace. It sounds an alert at the halfway point for hikers or runners. It includes a 100-hour chronograph, countdown timer, alarms, two-time zone settings and a night light. It is water-resistant to 100 meters. It is available now. The cost is $64.99. www.timex.com.
Rose outdoor shoes from Bogs
Hardcore hunters, anglers and other outdoor types are quite familiar with Bogs. The boots are waterproof, warm and durable. Bogs has expanded its line way beyond camouflage and boots. The Rose clog for women, available Spring 2012 for $70, is a good example. Bogs also come in rain and snow boots for men, women and children. Folks who need to work outdoors in the cold days of winter should check out the work line. They even have steel-toed boots, with ways to keep your toes warm. www.bogsfootwear.com
Steady multi-tool/camera stand from Gerber
Just when you think you have seen everything from the multi-tool world Gerber throws out the Gerber Steady. This multi-tool has 12 standard Gerber components and a field-ready tripod. It is compatible for point-and-shoot and some SLR cameras, but it does have limitations. The target price is $65. www.gerberbgear.com
Merino silkweight T-shirt from Patagonia
Proving that the company is not just about fleece and jackets, Patagonia is coming out with the Merino 1 silkweight T-shirt in the Spring of 2012. The shirt is a blend of chlorine-free merino wool and all-recycle polyester. The material is woven together for a high tear resistance and little shrinkage. $60. www.patagonia.com
RocketBox Pro from Yakima
The big improvement of this car-top storage unit is the ease of putting it together. It is designed to be put together and installed in less than five minutes with no tools required. The Pro 11, suggested retail of $359, is designed for snow sports equipment, the Pro 12 for sedans and hatchbacks is $379 and the Pro 14 for $439 is designed for SUVs and wagons. www.yakima.com.
