Buzz was enthusiastic and marketing slop was thick today on opening day of Outdoor Retailer’s 2004 Summer Market.

A slew of new products have been released that will spark the interest of lightweight backpackers – everything from apparel, sleeping bags, and shelters to stoves and headlamps – there’s something for everyone. Over the course of the next few days, we’ll be highlighting some of the coolest new gear, as well as smoking out some of the over-hyped duds from their weasel holes (we may save that for Saturday – there’s too much good stuff to cover today!).

M Top Story: New Series of Compact, Lightweight Stoves from MSR

It seems that Jetboil started a trend in ultra-compact, integrated cooking systems. As we expected, MSR is doing it, too, and we expect them to do it better, lighter, and smaller. Introducing a radically retooled XGK (not lighter, but far more stable and packable), a 16-pound version of the Coleman “Big Green Dual-Burner” Redneck Stove, and, for backpackers, new white gas and canister stoves integrated with cooking pots, has retailers wanting fresh saleable hardgoods drooling. Read about the technology behind these new stoves, view detailed photos and specifications, and find out why Alan Dixon thinks these hybrid systems may set new standards for stove efficiency and design. More…

M New Ultralight Waterproof-Breathable Rain Jackets from Marmot, Outdoor Research, Integral Designs, Patagonia, and More

2.5-layer woven nylon rain jackets are getting lighter – waterproof breathable technologies using 15 and 20 denier face fabrics means that twelve ounce jackets are now, well, darn heavy? Consider this: Marmot has broken the nine-ounce barrier, Outdoor Research has broken the eight-ounce barrier, Patagonia has broken the seven-ounce barrier, and Integral Designs introduces an eVENT jacket that comes in at less than ten ounces. Finally, how about this: Tyvek goes commercial – find out who’s making a sub-three-ounce Tyvek jacket that may very well be the lightest rain jacket this side of Hurricane twins Bonnie and Charley. More…

Manufacturers Introduce New Flavors and Recipes

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is a dependable venue for the introduction of new flavors and recipes. The trends we’re seeing: better tastes and textures, more sophisticated recipes, and an emphasis on healthier foods akin to what you might find in a fine dining establishment in a city – without the fuss, mess, and complexity of preparation. More…

Big Agnes 1.5-Wall Tents Blend Hybrid Fabrics and Versatile Designs

Big Agnes makes the Seedhouse SL1 a little bigger and hybridizes the body and fly into a solo shelter that has a single wall rear half and double wall front with a retractable fly. More…