Prospects for 2012: New and Noteworthy Gear

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As we enter a new year, we can’t help but wonder when winter will release its grip, and we can once again replace our titanium crampons with zero drop shoes and leave the handwarmers at home as we begin the process of planning trips for the coming year.

With that trip planning comes a twinge of excitement, perhaps, for what new gear will be released this year, starting with this coming week’s announcements from the Outdoor Retailer Show. Unfortunately, missing from Outdoor Retailer (and rightfully so, considering the massive costs of renting a booth) is news from the cottage industry.

So, here are a few new and noteworthy pieces of gear from smaller manufacturers that were either released late in 2011 or are coming in 2012. Keep these items on your radar as you prepare for the coming season.

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Jan 17, 2012 at 2:02 pm #1284266

Addie Bedford
BPL Member

@addiebedford
Locale: Montana

Companion forum thread to:

Prospects for 2012: New and Noteworthy Gear

Jan 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm #1825904

Ken Thompson
BPL Member

@here
Locale: Right there

Stagnation first. Now new and noteworthy. Ryan, you are toying with us.

keep it up.

Jan 17, 2012 at 2:54 pm #1825906

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

Breathable Cuben. Sounds ridiculous.

Jan 17, 2012 at 4:37 pm #1825937

Travis Leanna
BPL Member

@t-l
Locale: Wisconsin

I like the output of material. I did think the juxtaposition of this and the stagnation article was odd, but I enjoyed reading Ryan's thoughts on the new gear.

Jan 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm #1825981

Luke Schmidt
BPL Member

@cameron
Locale: Alaska

Nice overview Ryan.

I like the thoughts on gear. Seems that in the past BPL would basically just publish the gear and its advertized stats without a lot of commentary. Thats really not much to go on. I like that Ryan pointed out some things like
a. That 950 fill power goosedown may not be all that practical in the real world.
b. The move toward more durablity in SUL packs
c. Pointing out the Big Star may not be as good as its smaller counsins under snow

I like the realism of it. Defintely some cool stuff to get excited about but also some common sense.

No really new comcepts here but I think water resistant down and WP/B cuban are things to watch.

Jan 17, 2012 at 7:33 pm #1826017

Sam Farrington
BPL Member

@scfhome
Locale: Chocorua NH, USA

Great article. Thank you.

Jan 18, 2012 at 7:53 am #1826155

Brett Peugh
BPL Member

@bpeugh
Locale: Midwest

I really like the idea of a dome tent out of cuben. It would be great if it had a mesh inner. Probabaly still be too small for me though but it is nice to dream.

Jan 18, 2012 at 9:20 am #1826205

Kyle Meyer
BPL Member

@kylemeyer
Locale: Portland, OR

It'd be great to see an article devoted to various fill powers and the effects of humidity on it.

Perhaps single baffle chambers of equivalent weights of down could be taken into a bathroom with the shower on and test the lclo. Somewhat compressed down can retain most of it's initial insulation value—has it been tested to see if down in a humid environment doesn't?

Jan 18, 2012 at 9:44 am #1826214

Hamish McHamish
BPL Member

@el_canyon
Locale: USA

Great writeup that offers juicy "insider" info to those of us not so closely connected to the industry, plus insightful personal knowledge (i.e. I didn't know about the unique 900 fill power down problem). Thanks!

Jan 18, 2012 at 9:50 am #1826219

Ceph Lotus
BPL Member

@cephalotus
Locale: California

I'm looking forward to the Zpacks dome tent.

Jan 18, 2012 at 10:51 am #1826250

Ryan Jordan
Admin

@ryan
Locale: Central Rockies

Of everything presented above, I'm most "hopeful" for the prospect of that nanomolecular coating on down fibers actually working. Chemists seem savvy, but I can't wrap my head around the possibility that this may actually work. Like was said above, "it's fun to dream".

Still missing is an ultralight winter tent that can deal with heavy mountain blizzards and blizzard living/cooking. Ah well, maybe next year. Seems like the sweet spot for this one is still hovering around 5 lbs (Nallo GT) for 2 people and 4 lbs for one (Soula). As the market continues to mature, my fondness for what Hilleberg did many years ago grows.

Jan 18, 2012 at 11:27 am #1826268

Huzefa @ Blue Bolt Gear
Spectator

@huzefa
Locale: Himalayas

Ryan, have you considered Warmlite 2C? It weighs 2.59 lb.

Jan 18, 2012 at 12:46 pm #1826305

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

And where exactly are you going to cook inside the Warmlite ?

Jan 18, 2012 at 12:52 pm #1826311

Damien Tougas
BPL Member

@dtougas

I like having a floorless vestibule for cooking and gear storage. The Nallo has the edge over the Warmlite in this regard.

Jan 18, 2012 at 2:10 pm #1826344

Stephan Doyle
Member

@stephancal

The Zpacks tent is intriguing! Joe has a real penchant for affordable cuban shelters, and has an eye for design.

HMG's Traverse is MASSIVE, but their upcharge for cuben is the highest I've seen. Yes, they're known for overengineering their designs, so I have no doubt it'll be all-season worthy, but the $650 pricetag is hard to swallow on this one.

I'm looking forward to Ben Smith (Goosefeet) expanding his product range – he's known for quality, attention to detail, and affordability with the highest quality materials.

Jan 18, 2012 at 8:06 pm #1826501

Luke Schmidt
BPL Member

@cameron
Locale: Alaska

Well I never heard of active sleepers destrying a bivy sack! Guess you can always learn something new. My 6.5 oz Equinox bivy is still going strong. To be fair I think its made of a bit heavier nylon. Or maybe I don't trash around as much.

Jan 19, 2012 at 2:59 am #1826569

Michael Cheifetz
BPL Member

@mike_hefetz
Locale: Israel

Interesting writeup Ryan (indeed somewhat of juxtaposition with the stagnation manifest)..

RE the down – you ruined my day…:) Im looking at new sleeping bags now but waiting for the new and improved wonder material in late 2012 will kill me…have you seen this in real life or is it in the lab still

also re fill power – there seems to be some sect targeting Nunatak's 950FP and general reputation – while Katabatic and Zpacks and goosefeet and PHD use 900+ FP and everyone adores them….
RE Tom's website text (875+ yada yada) its just outdated and knowing the little that i know about him he never bothered to change it.
(Disclaimer – I own some of Tom's stuff but am in no way affiliated)

***Not to be to blunt – but if you guys REALLY think that high FP is NOT the optimal fill why dont I see BPL notables pushing back to 750FP (or at least a more elaborate test and not just the somewhat anecdotal evidence that was presented in one of the threads)
I have seen high FP being pushed by ALL OF US for a few good years and everyone was happy – if you are claiming that there is an optimum that shouldnt be crossed then lets find it!!

Jan 19, 2012 at 3:22 am #1826571

Diplomatic Mike
Member

@mikefaedundee
Locale: Under a bush in Scotland

"And where exactly are you going to cook inside the Warmlite ?"

On the groundsheet. Obviously when i last did this, i died. ;)

The lack of porch is starting to annoy me with my 2R. It may go on the 'Gear Swap' after my Cuben Trailstar arrives.

Re Down. Probably all down above 750(EU) has been processed to gain the extra fill power. As long as you realise your 850 down will likely be 750 down after a few weeks, it isn't a problem. You could just buy 750 down, but that will end up lower too. If you are buying the highest fill power, then in theory you should at least be getting the highest quality.

I'm pretty sure i read of a European manufacturer experimenting with water-resistant down, but i can't remember the details.

Jan 19, 2012 at 6:59 am #1826618

Michael Cheifetz
BPL Member

@mike_hefetz
Locale: Israel

http://uncooped.com/chris-weiss/posts/1506-water-resistant-down-could-be-a-miracle

MC

Jan 19, 2012 at 7:07 am #1826619

Michael Cheifetz
BPL Member

@mike_hefetz
Locale: Israel

while we are at it – has anyone put their hands on the zeroloft aerogel products from champion or shiver shield or what not?

Jan 19, 2012 at 7:19 am #1826625

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

"Well I never heard of active sleepers destrying a bivy sack! Guess you can always learn something new. "

Believe it or not, I have ripped a hole in an UL bivy sack from tossing and turning – right at one of the tie outs. But I am a klutz.

Jan 19, 2012 at 7:23 am #1826627

Diplomatic Mike
Member

@mikefaedundee
Locale: Under a bush in Scotland

Did you use elastic/bungy cord at the loops Dave?

Jan 19, 2012 at 8:19 am #1826641

Ron D
BPL Member

@dillonr
Locale: Colorado

Another article on water resistant down http://gearjunkie.com/hydrophobic-down-sleeping-bags?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thegearjunkie%2Fdd+%28The+Gear+Junkie+-+Daily+Dose%29

Jan 19, 2012 at 8:21 am #1826642

Anthony Weston
BPL Member

@anthonyweston
Locale: Southern CA

I've been using the Western Mountaineering XR Flash jacket (breathable waterproof down jacket) and I really like it. It weighs 11oz and is waterproof. When I got it, I tried it on in the shower. I don't wear it hiking into camp but put it on when I get there. I tend to overheat when I'm packing in and I have not found any gear rain gear that breaths enough that I'm don't feel like I'm in a sauna. I use the Montbell Peak dri tec with extra large pit zips or just a quick drying shirt. The other problem I have is when I get into to camp I tend to freeze, my pilot light goes out, my body doesn't generate enough heat; blame it on an underactive thyroid but it's not going to stop me from getting out. The Western Mountaineering XR jacket helps. It's a pleasure to wear in the rain or wind around camp. The waterproof laminate makes it warmer than most 11oz jackets, maybe not for everyone but it works for me

Jan 19, 2012 at 8:45 am #1826652

David Ure
Member

@familyguy

"Did you use elastic/bungy cord at the loops Dave?"

No I didn't but the idea is brilliant.
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