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Shorts from OR: Tidbits and First Looks at New Backpacking Gear (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
BIVY SACKS. We found two new minimalist waterproof breathable bivys at the show – an 18 oz 3-layer eVENT bag cover from Integral Designs and an ultralight (7.0 oz) PU...
More New Lightweight Shelters Announced (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Lightweight shelters aren’t getting too much lighter, but you’re getting more for your weight. Solo tents from Marmot, Sierra Designs, and YES! Eureka! are getting bigger, smarter, and/or stronger, and...
Atsko Sport Wash First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Washing clothes is definitely not exciting, but using the right cleaning agent could make a big difference in how well your eVENT jacket keeps its water repellency. Atsko launched a...
Trends in Ultralight Sleeping Bags: Mainstream Down AND Synthetic Bags are Breaking the One Pound Synthetic Barrier; Hybrid Down-Synthetic Technologies (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
For the first time since the introduction of the Cat’s Meow, we were more excited about synthetic bags than down ones at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004. It’s not that...
New High-Powered, Lightweight LED Headlamps from Princeton Tec, Petzl, and Black Diamond (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Princeton Tec EOS Princeton Tec is releasing a one watt led headlamp with a lens/collimator. The Princeton Tec “EOS” has current regulation for constant light output for as long as...
Shell Shocked: Raingear and Soft Shells are Getting Lighter and Breathing Better (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
After reporting on sub-10 oz waterproof breathable jackets yesterday, we had a chance for a long talk with Patagonia’s garment R&D team. Now that we understand the physics of it,...
2005 Trekking Pole Trends: Poles for Women? (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Women’s Poles (Not) Have Been on U.S. Market For Longer Than We Think We were interested in women’s specific trekking poles and did a bit of inquiring at the Leki...
Commentary on the State of Declining Backcountry Wilderness Activity Participation by End Users (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
(Salt Lake City, August 13, 2004) – The Outdoor Industry Association released a state of the market report last week that illustrated disturbing trends in wilderness activity participation: less people...
Education as a Means to Foster an Appreciation of Lightweight Strategies for Backcountry Travel (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
It’s no secret that pushing ultralight technique and gear to its limits requires a significant amount of consumer education. Few people simply drop their fifty-pound packs mid-way through a PCT...
OR News – Day 2 Roundup: New Products for Lightweight Backpacking, Hiking, and Camping (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
M Commentary on the State of Declining Backcountry Wilderness Activity Participation by End Users Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) released its state of the market report suggesting that wilderness activity participation...
New Lightweight “Done-in-a-Day” Backpacks Announced (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Trend suggests increase in emphasis on done-in-a-day activities and high action adventure sports such as fastpacking and peak bagging There is a huge crop of light packs in the 30...
Pacific Outdoor Equipment Announces 8 Ounce Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad and Blends Hybrid Self-Inflating and Closed Cell Foam Technology for 2005 (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
One of the biggest innovations in lightweight backpacking gear at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004 comes from Pacific Outdoor Equipment, manufacturer of the Bozeman Mountain Works 10-ounce TorsoLite self-inflating pad...
New Lightweight Backpacking Foods (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Backpacking food manufacturers take advantage of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market to introduce new flavors and recipes for the coming season.
OR News – Day 1 Roundup: New Products for Lightweight Backpacking, Hiking, and Camping (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Day 1 summary of new products from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004.
Big Agnes Sarvis Tents Announced (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
Big Agnes introduces a new line of hybrid single/double walled tents: the Sarvis 1+ and Sarvis 2+ The Big Agnes Sarvis SL 1+ tent: The front rainfly is rolled back...
Integrated White Gas and Canister Stove/Cookware Systems from MSR Unveiled (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
MSR debuted two lightweight backpacking stoves at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004 – one white gas and one canister stove. Both use an integrated windscreen and cooking pot with attached...
New Ultralight Waterproof-Breathable Jackets from Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Marmot, Integral Designs, and More (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004)
New rain jackets introduced at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004.
Travel Channel to Feature Lightweight Backpacking Expert Dr. Ryan Jordan
Dr. Ryan Jordan, a guru of ultralight backpacking in the outdoor industry, will be featured on an upcoming series for the Travel Channel. Jordan, a renowned outdoor enthusiast, engineer, and publisher of BackpackingLight.com, will provide techniques for lightening your load when backpacking. Jordan will appear on the “ultra-lite backpacking” segment of the Travel Gear weekly magazine show, a series of the Travel Channel, at 5 p.m. EDT on August 7. The show will also re-air at 5:30 p.m. EDT on September 18 in the United States and on October 18 in some Asia-Pacific countries.
Suunto X9 Review
Comprehensive review of the Suunto X9 GPS watch.
Hot Weather Hiking – A Family Hike in the Grand Canyon
Our plan took shape in the cool of the Sonoran desert winter. My wife, Karen, and I had been enchanted by the Grand Canyon the previous year when we completed...
Backcountry Hygiene for Ultralight and Long-Distance Hikers
A short primer on the topic of backcountry hygiene to help you minimize the risk of contracting stomach-borne illnesses while in the backcountry.
