Articles (2020)

It’s an interesting frame of mind at this point: on one hand my mind keeps stumbling, on the other I could easily spend another week cruising around. Perhaps it’s best to call it a show and leave on an exhausted but exhilarated note.

Today’s products will focus more on those familiar lightweight to ultralight territory, but I’ll keep a random thing or two in the mix.

Evernew America

I’ve been using the Evernew Ti alcohol stove since its release and have generally been pleased with its performance. It is a very strong, durable design, and I’ve found the stove to be equally as efficient in my Tri Ti as the 12-10 stove. However, after having burn tested five different Ti alcohol stoves in multiple configurations, I’ve found that the top row of jets never light. I’ve tested them on the bench, with a pot on stand above, and in my Tri Ti. Never has the top row of jets lit. Like I said, the stove has still worked well, but it really bothers me that the stove has a row of jets that appear to be nonfunctional. I’m told there is a fuel wick that should get fuel up there, but I’m pretty confident that it’s not working if that’s the case. Evernew swears that the stoves are fine and working properly, but I don’t know how it could be considered to be working properly if half the burner doesn’t light. Maybe there’s some weird thing going on with the top row of jets actually being for air intake and mix? I don’t know.

CAMP

It seems like forum questions come up somewhat regularly about ultralight ice axes or crampons. Though not new, I wanted to mention Camp’s Corsa ice axe that weighs only 7.2 ounces. MSRP is $119.95. They also make a twelve-point aluminum crampon, the XLC 390, that only weighs 13.8 ounces. MSRP is $149.95.

La Sportiva

Hennessy Hammock

I recently tried spending a night in a different company’s ultralight hammock, but was so uncomfortable and verging on unexpected egress that I spent the last half of the night on the ground. When I stopped by the Hennessy booth I jumped in one and tried it out… really comfortable, really stable. I’m psyched. Hennessy Hammock has long been known for their bottom entry velcro, euphemistically referred to as the “birth canal,” but the company has some new developments. They’re now introducing zippered versions in their most popular models. One thing I like about the side-zippered mesh is that it easily flips over the suspension line for the mesh, so you can sit in the hammock without undoing or reconfiguring anything.

Zuke’s

What’s so special? First of all, the ingredients are all fit for human consumption and meet USDA standards. They don’t add random junk or filler to the treats… no corn, no artificial colors or flavors, no added fat or by-products. One example, ingredients in Z-Filets Prime Venison strips: Venison, rice flour, maple syrup, garlic powder, salt, phosphoric acid, sorbic acid (as preservative), mixed tocopherols (i.e. vitamin E). Chicken ‘n Cherryz basically has oats, rice, chicken, cherries, potatoes, and molasses.

The company puts a lot of effort into making the world a better place, too. Their biscuits are made in the U.S. with 100% wind energy, the box is 100% recycled and smaller/more full than competitors, the offices are powered with 100% green energy, and employees are paid to bike commute. A portion of all sales goes to the dog and cat cancer fund. I mean, this company really takes their commitment seriously. Let your four-legged kids give ’em a try! (Honestly, they sound so good I might have to start eating them.)

Metro Magic Air

Inov-8

If you’re not familiar, it helps to know that Inov-8 rates the support of their shoes with a "Shoc-Zone" rating of zero to four (they’re little arrows on the heel). I tried out a couple of their spring 2011 road shoes, too, and felt that both the Road-X 255 (S.Z. 3, 9.5 oz) and the Road-X 222 (S.Z. 1, 6.7 oz) had pretty good potential as uberlight trail shoes. Now, understand that I’m pretty much the last standing boot hold-out. But on a hike last year my feet hurt enough that I ended up backpacking around ten miles in Crocs, no problems. The Inov-8s provide much better but completely unobtrusive support. One of many points of construction interest: many of the shoes (not the 222) feature a Fascia Band that mimics the ligaments on the bottom of your feet (think fingers spreading from heel to toe) to provide biomechanically correct support and maximized natural proprioception.

Nite Ize

Nite Ize makes a ton of great little accessories. Many people I know use the stainless S-Biners to hang food bags. (I use the #1, although its weight rating is for much less than I hang. I haven’t had any problems, but if you try it, it’ll probably break just as a bear wanders through camp.)

Bodyglide

Many of you are familiar with Bodyglide Anti-Chafe. They’re also introducing versions of the same product to better reach other markets, Bodyglide For Her and Chamois Glide. Same product, different marketing… which I think is fine, because it helps consumers realize that the product can be used in different applications.

bluesign technologies

What bluesign has done is develop standards that cover all stages of textile production. In other words, they don’t just evaluate a final product. They consider all inputs from raw materials, water, energy, and chemicals. bluesign also works with products at the chemical/materials suppliers, the textile manufacturers, and the retailers and brands to make sure the standards are upheld throughout product development and sale. From bluesign materials: “The bluesign standard is built around five principles: resource productivity, consumer safety, air emission, water emission, and occupational health and safety.”

They’re trying to increase awareness of the varied types of cost of business. Quotes from bluesign promotional material: “We have to re-learn that quality is more important than quantity… With the help of bluesign technologies, we were able to reduce the cost for electric energy by 1.44 million USD per year… Bring more transparency into the supply chain.” Some little companies involved with bluesign: Patagonia, The North Face, REI, and Deuter, just to name a few.

TrekSta

The company’s motto is “Always Light.” Ya gotta love that! But what do they do? They’ve been around in the Asian market for years, but are just launching in the U.S. with a great line of trail shoes. Most of the time when I see a shoe line and hear reps talking about all of a company’s innovation I think, “Yeah, right.” But TrekSta has a couple of armloads of innovation to share, despite having a pretty small line.

Brooks-Range

These guys have some really killer stuff, especially if you’re into the search and rescue or backcountry EMS kind of thing. But, as Will has noted, they make some awesome down pieces, too. One that caught my attention in a big way is their Elephant Foot Sleeping Bag. This bad boy is made with a 15 denier mini ripstop and (finally, a company that says it this way) “800 power hypoallergenic Canadian goose down.” The elephant foot style is meant to supplement a down parka, so… the bag is 5 feet 1 inch long. As a really tall guy (5’6") I can just squeeze my shoulders under the opening of a 5-foot bag (toes a little crammed, but ah well). The gold beauty weighs 16 ounces and is rated to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. MSRP $249.

Bluewater Kayak Works

You know I’ve gotta get something paddle-related in! As someone who used to kayak paddle, surf, and train on Lake Superior most days of the week, bilge pumps can occasionally be important devices. The problem is, if you need a bilge pump the water’s probably bad enough that you want your hands on the paddle, not on a bilge pump. Years ago I installed a bulkhead-mounted foot-operated bilge on my boat, but the problem with that is I can’t use my feet to brace when, all things considered, I’m using the bilge because the waves are nasty. Enter Bluewater and their electrical bilge pump! This little sucker will pump at a rate of 500 gallons per hour. It uses a 12 volt rechargeable NiMH battery that’s well-protected in a waterproof box; the battery’s good for 1.5 hours. The switch is magnet operated, with a magnetic slider that runs on your deck bungee cord. You can easily start the pump before re-entry, or just slide it on once you’re in and have the skirt sealed. The system works smoothly and remarkably well… it’ll really shoot the water out! It weighs about 3 pounds, which isn’t bad for something like this.

Day to Day Bottles

The bottle in the middle has a really great feel in hand and is a very distinctive, stylized and functional bottle. It’s sort of squared off like an old milk bottle, but more rounded, if you’ll allow me the license. The top is big and rubbery and fits perfectly into the hand. The Waterbox crew did some really, really nice work developing their line. They also have a line of double-walled glass bottles coming out.

Tomorrow: tune in for our closing remarks on a remarkable Outdoor Retailer Show!

Introduction

Emerging new fabric technologies are the engines of innovation in the outdoor industry to a large extent. The fabric manufacturers constantly interact with gear and apparel manufacturers to understand their needs. In many cases, a new fabric construction is created to meet a manufacturer’s specifications; in other instances, a fabric manufacturer will develop a new technology then work with manufacturers to utilize it in one form or another. Often, a particular fabric technology will be translated into dozens of individual fabric constructions. Examples are different face fabrics laminated to a particular membrane, and specific yarn blends and weaving types. What can be confusing is each manufacturer usually comes up with a proprietary name for their particular construction using the technology, so we end up with a lot of different product names for the same technology.

In this article I describe some of the more interesting fabric stories we encountered at this Outdoor Retailer Show.

Columbia Thermal Reflective and Thermal Insulative

This is a technique that bonds an aluminized layer to a fabric. Columbia’s Thermal Reflective technology covers only 30% of the inside surface of a fabric, like in a softshell jacket. The aluminum reflects body heat back, making the garment 20% warmer without adding any additional insulation. And it actively draws heat away during periods of high exertion. Other properties of the fabric, like breathability, are retained.

Thermal Insulative is the same technology applied to the lining in an insulated garment, like a synthetic insulated jacket. Columbia will be introducing a variety of garments using this fabric beginning in fall 2010. Perhaps we will eventually see baselayers with this technology?

Pertex Quantum GL

GL stands for “Gossamer Light.” This is sometimes referred to as the “new Quantum,” as distinguished from the “original Quantum.” It is essentially Pertex’s state-of-the-art in small denier fabrics. It is claimed to be softer, stronger, and less restrictive of garment loft compared to regular Quantum. Quantum GL is double calendared to make it downproof, yet it is fairly breathable because it is so thin.

The rule of thumb to distinguish the two Quantums is: Quantum is fabrics listed as15-20 denier with weights of about 27 g/m², while Quantum GL is 10 denier fabric weighing less than 25 g/m². Currently there are three constructions of Quantum GL: 10d x 7d (24 g/m²), 10d x 10d (25 g/m²), and 10d x 7d double ripstop (23.5 g/m²).

So, why is there still a lot of use of regular Quantum? One reason is that it’s really not the “old” Quantum; Pertex representatives explained that fabrics are continually “refreshed” as new manufacturing processes are adopted. The other reason is Quantum costs about US$2 less than Quantum GL, so manufacturers will tend to use Quantum GL in a jacket shell which uses less fabric, but opt for Quantum in a sleeping bag which uses a lot more fabric.

Polartec Power Shield Pro Fabric

This membrane enables the fabric to block 99% of the wind and creates real water resistance; the remaining 1% circulates within the fabric to greatly enhance moisture vapor transmission. Power Shield Pro also delivers an initial 5000 mm hydrostatic head and remains durably water resistant to a minimum of 3000 mm for lift. Softshell jackets are the ideal application, so Power Shield Pro delivers a highly water-resistant softshell that breathes.

Primaloft Yarn

Following the successful launch of Primaloft Yarn in hiking socks, Primaloft is looking for additional applications. Primaloft fibers are very fine and soft, resulting in a warm and breathable garment. The hydrophobic properties of 100% Primaloft yarn enhance the transfer of moisture away from the skin to keep the wearer dry. When 100% Primaloft is paired with a hydrophilic yarn, like wool, the combination works together to transfer moisture away from the skin to the outside surface of the fabric, keeping the skin warm, dry, and comfortable.

Polarmax Introduces TransDry Moisture Management Technology for Cotton

Thorlo Engineered Variable Density Pad

While merino wool hogs our attention, especially for socks and baselayers, the folks at Thorlo remain committed to acrylic fibers, specifically Thor-Lon. Years ago, the mantra was to wear wool socks in colder temperatures and synthetic socks in warmer temperatures. Now, it seems like the latter has been forgotten.

Thorlo maintains that foot protection is the root cause of comfort. Terry loops in the padding of socks need to absorb impact and shearing forces, basically a back and forth motion. Thick cushioned socks are the best for hiking in rougher conditions.

Cotton, wool, and silk (all natural fabrics) are hydrophilic, meaning they absorb and retain moisture. When socks made of these fabrics retain moisture, the fabric collapses and becomes ineffectual as far as foot protection.

Acrylic yarns are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water, and retain their resiliency for absorbing shock and shear. The condition of your feet and type of activity determine the amount of need for cushioning.

This agrees with my long-term experiences with hiking socks. For long hiking days in warmer temperatures, I much prefer highly cushioned synthetic socks. My feet feel much better at the end of the day.

Conclusion

We look forward to reporting further on these fabric developments and how they perform compared to their claims.

Overview

The final day of the show is a shorter day, ending at 3:00 pm. Attendance is lower as people leave to get home in time for the weekend, and we enjoy the thinner crowds. When 3:00 rolls around, it’s amazing to see how quickly the booths come down and everything is cleared out.

Here are our finds from the final day of the show.

Meet the 3.2-Ounce Powermonkey, a Portable Solar Charger to Power Up iPods, Cell Phones, and More

This deviates from backpacking a bit, but since so many people carry electronic gadgets nowadays, I thought this would be of interest. Whether you are backpacking in a remote location or just forgot your charger on a business trip, there are few things as frustrating as listening to a mobile device beep at you or flash a warning icon as it loses battery power and shuts down. The Powermonkey-eXplorer combination (the eXplorer is a 2.4-ounce/68-g storage device) is capable of holding enough power to provide an additional 96 hours of standby time on mobile phones, 40 hours of playtime for iPods, 48 usage hours on PDAs and 6 hours on MP3 or MP4 players. Equipped with compact solar panels, the Powermonkey-eXplorer can also be used to charge your devices directly from the sun.

New Balance Introduces a Versatile Insulated Boot

Baladéo Introduces 22- and 34-Gram Knives to Establish Itself in the Ultra Lightweight Knife Category

Based on the growing demand for lighter and lighter equipment, the French company Baladéo launches two lightweight pocket knives that do not compromise the essential functionality expected from a fine blade: a flawless edge, a safety catch, easy accessibility, and an excellent grip.

Takeya Debuts Fashionable/Functional Eco-Friendly Glass

Water Bottles

Just when we think we have seen every possible spin on water bottles (including one that reminds you that its time to drink), there comes a new one, this time glass water bottles with a silicone sheath. The product information does not say anything about their being break-proof!

Sole Exhale Slipper Provides Comfort and Insulation Après’ Sport

As the name implies, Sole makes insoles and footwear that mold to your unique feet perfectly. The EVA footbed contours to your unique foot shape without losing its supportive structure. The shaped, EVA phylon midsole ensures that the orthopedic shape is maintained once the footbed layer contours to your feet.

ZebraLight Puts Out 200 Lumens, Weighs 2.1 Ounces (Got your attention?)

This small company exhibiting in a far corner of the Outdoor Retailer show has developed the world’s brightest single AA battery all aluminum headlamp. There are several models shown on their website at www.zebralight.com, but the one that caught our eye is the H51, which runs on one AA battery.

5.3-Ounce Soto Muka Liquid Fuel Stove Does Not Require Priming, Does Not Flare Up, and Does Not Clog When Burning Gasoline

If all these claims are true, the Soto liquid fuel stove could make using a white gas stove much more appealing. The stove burns liquid fuel that is blended with air when ignited, so it starts like a canister stove (no flaring) and burns with a blue flame right after igniting. It’s also claimed to be able to burn unleaded gasoline without creating sludge deposits in the generator. It has a thin flexible fuel line.

The Soto Muka Stove (sorry, we were not allowed to take a photo because patents are still pending) burns white gas or unleaded gasoline, and is claimed to light directly without priming, not flare up, and burn right away with a blue flame. If that’s all true, a liquid fuel stove just got a lot friendlier. The claimed weight is 5.3 ounces (150 g) without the fuel bottle pump. The claimed weight for the pump is 0.73 ounce (21 g), but it seemed to be heavier than that. We did not weigh the stove to verify the weights.

Sawyer Hollow Fiber Membrane Water Filter Weighs 1.7 Ounces, Will Filter 1,000,000 Gallons; Anyone Want to Test That?

This is not a brand new product, and there has been quite a bit of discussion about it on the Backpacking Light forums, but (to my knowledge) it has not formally gotten onto our radar screen. Sawyer mentioned that they expected a lot more excitement over this filter, but to date it has not seen much exposure in the media. The specifications look great: its very lightweight, it filters down to 0.1 micron, it’s easily backflushed on a home faucet to restore it so it will filter up to a million gallons, and it’s versatile (can be used in a filter bottle, inline on a hydration pack, on a home faucet, or a simple ultralight setup with a short straw.

Sawyer’s Hollow Fiber Membrane Filter is derived from technology used in medical dialysis equipment. Its 0.1 micron micro fibrous tubes are claimed to be absolute, meaning they don’t vary. Because the filter can be cleaned by backwashing, Sawyer claims there is no end to its useful life, so they guarantee the filter for life! So, why isn’t this the most popular water filter in the world?? I guess we need to test it to find out if it has any shortcomings… Readers, please weigh in on this!

DriDucks Emergency Poncho Weighs 2.8 Ounces, Costs US$3.99!!

If you’re looking for a really lightweight and really inexpensive rainwear alternative, look no further. Although it’s sold as an emergency poncho, we looked right past that. This is a pretty darn nice, fairly durable, ultralight poncho. It’s not perfect of course, for example there are no snaps to close the sides, no hood adjustment, and it’s not longer on the backside to cover a pack, but what do you want for four bucks?

For hikers who want a more durable and featured alternative, DriDucks also has the UltraLite2 Poncho with waterproof-breathable fabric, side snaps, drawstring hood, and sealed seams. It’s made of the same fabric (ProPore) as regular DriDucks. The weight is 8.2 ounces (232 g) and MSRP is US$12.

Rab Infinity Down Parka and Cirrus Pull-on

Cyclops Micro Mini LED Clip Light

It’s a Wrap!

The Outdoor Retailer Summer 2010 Trade Show is over, and this completes our coverage of individual gear items of interest. Overall, it was a very good show, and we feel successful in finding plenty of good gear items to write about.

Some interesting trends emerged in this OR:

Barefoot Technology Shoes – It seemed like every shoe manufacturer is rolling out a new line of minimalist running shoes. They were everywhere! So, it looks like the manufacturers like the concept; one thing for sure is that they’re capitalizing on the idea! We asked a number of people, including ultra runners, what they thought of these shoes, and everyone was skeptical. All felt that going directly to these shoes, without a transition, is a recipe for injuries. Many felt that it’s a current fad, and will evolve to more mature and lasting technologies. So, right now the technology is like electric cars; the manufacturers are rolling them out, but no one is really sure how well the technology will be adopted.
Sleeping Pads – Several new lightweight sleeping pads surfaced this time, from companies of all sizes. Just a few years ago, we had a relatively limited selection of lightweight pads; we will have quite a few by next year. The gear testers will provide us with some data on how well they perform and end users will determine which ones are their favorites.
Manufacturers Understand What Lightweight Is – Finally, after years of calling 5-pound tents “ultralight,” most manufacturers are dropping the hype (a little of it, anyway) and are developing truly lightweight products in certain categories. They know that lightweight backpacking gear is a growth area, and are developing competitive products in categories like canister stoves, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, packs, rainwear, windwear, water treatments and filters, water containers, baselayers, insulated clothing, handwear, headwear, etc. No one manufacturer produces lightweight versions of everything, rather it’s a hunt and pick situation where the end user needs to research the alternatives and choose the best one.
The Number of Small Companies Making Lightweight and Ultralight Gear is Multiplying and Getting More Competitive – At this stage, I would say the increasing number of online sellers is a really a good sign, and any serious competition does not really exist yet. In general, their products are sufficiently different that they are not directly competing with each other. Rather, they offer hikers more choices so they can match their individual preferences and needs.

Overview

We had a little slower pace on day three of the show – fewer appointments and more time to browse. That’s good because we came up with more unexpected discoveries, and also good because we are starting to wear down. There are over 1400 booths at OR, and about 24,000 people in attendance, so it’s a gigantic treasure hunt.

McNett AquaMira Frontier Pro Water Filter Weighs Just 2 Ounces

The Frontier Pro Ultralight Water Filter provides all the benefits of a larger bottle filter in a compact size. The suction (straw-style) filter attaches directly to water bottles or flasks with a 28-mm threaded opening (such as Platypus, Nalgene, or Evernew flasks). To filter water, you tip the bottle or flask and suck water through the filter’s bite valve. Replacement pre-filters lengthen filter life. Filters up to 50 gallons (189 L). Antimicrobial, removes Giardia, Cryptosporidium and E. coli, but not viruses. Weight is 2 ounces (57 g), MSRP is US$24. Available now.

The beauty of the Frontier Pro is that it can used on a hydration system by attaching the filter to a Platypus flask, and then attaching a drink tube to the delivery end of the filter, so you can filter water as you drink it. It can also be set up as a gravity feed system in camp by connecting another flask hung above the Frontier Pro attached to a delivery flask.

New Lightweight Jetboil Sōl Personal Cooking System Delivers Four-Season Reliability, the Zip PCS is an Economical/Lightweight Alternative, and the Sumo Cup Has Double the Capacity

Several years ago we were excited when the revolutionary Jetboil integrated personal cooking system came out. It’s definitely convenient and fuel efficient, but it weighs over a pound, so it’s not very lightweight. It’s time to get excited all over again with the new ultra-compact Sōl personal cooking system. At 9 ounces (255 g) for the titanium version and 10.5 ounces (298 g) for the aluminum version, this is more like it. In this true four-season upright canister cooking system, Jetboil introduces advanced Jetboil Thermo-Regulate Burner Technology to deliver consistent heat output down to 15 F (-9 C). The downside is that the cup capacity is a bit smaller than the original Jetboil PCS.

The ultralight Jetboil Sōl Ti Personal Cooking System (left) with a titanium cooking cup weighs in at only 9 ounces (255 g). The all-in-one Sōl design offers all of the features and functionality of Jetboil’s trademark convenient cooking systems, including integrated burner base and 0.8 L FluxRing cooking cup. Companion cups will be available. Specifications: weight: 9 ounces (255 g) titanium/10.5 ounces (300 g) aluminum; volume: 27 fluid ounces (0.8 L); boil time: 2 minutes for 16 fluid ounces (0.5 L); water boiled: 12 L per 100-g fuel canister; dimensions: 4.1 x 6.5 inches (10.4 x 16.5 cm). MSRP for Sōl-Ti US$150, Sōl-Al US$120; MSRP for Companion Cups: titanium US$70, aluminum US$40. Available spring 2011. Another new system, the Jetboil Zip PCS (right), offers simplicity and performance in a no frills design with all the essentials of a Jetboil system at an economical price (MSRP US$70). Features include a 0.8 L hard anodized FluxRing cooking cup with insulating cargo cozy, an adjustable burner, drink through lid with pour spout and strainer, and bottom cover which can double as a measuring cup and bowl. The system weighs 11.75 ounces (333 g). Available spring 2011.

Jetboil is also introducing a larger Sumo Companion Cup that holds more than twice the volume of the Sōl or Zip cups with a 1.8 L FluxRing design. Despite its capacity, the Sumo offers similar fuel efficiency to its smaller companions. The Sumo clips directly onto a compatible Jetboil burner base (i.e. Sōl, Zip, or PCS). The Sumo design is large enough to store a 230 g fuel canister and burner base with room to spare, or an entire Sōl or Zip system with 100 grams of fuel. Other features include an insulating neoprene Cargo Cozy with secure nylon handle, a drink through lid with pour spout and strainer, and bottom cover. The Sumo weighs 14 ounces (397 g), and MSRP is US$50. Available spring 2011.

Jetpower CrunchIt

Many hikers shun using a canister stove because they don’t like the throw-away technology of the fuel canisters, which end up in the landfill. Enter the Jetboil CrunchIt, available in January 2011.

Lowe-Alpine Introduces XL (Extra Long) Sizing in Their Hyperlite Backpack Series

Following the 2010 launch of their Hyperlite models, Nanon and Zepton, the collection will become a larger family of packs with the additions of XL (extra long torso lengths) versions in spring 2011. There will also be a ND (Narrow Dimension) for women. All packs use Dyneema fabric which balances weight, durability, and comfort.

Schoeller Introduces Energear, a New Energy Recovery Technology for Fabrics

The reflection of the far-infrared rays is claimed to promote blood circulation and increase oxygen levels in the blood, which can have a number of positive effects on the body: performance enhancement and the prevention of premature fatigue, improved regeneration, faster warm-ups, and increased concentration capacity and general well-being. From a left-brainer’s standpoint, this is starting to sound like magic crystals, so I can’t suppress my skepticism. Perhaps sometime in the future I will get to try out a garment treated with Energear and we will see how much this “specially formulated mineral matrix” contributes to my overall well-being. It couldn’t hurt!

Sierra Designs Launches Backpack Category

Sierra Designs is reinventing backpack performance by addressing the key elements of fit, carry, and ventilation with the new Traverse series backpacks. “Most packs on the market today are designed to either carry heavy loads or weigh next to nothing when empty,” said Sue Edmiston, Sierra Designs marketing director. “We saw a great opportunity to design and build a line of packs that blends weight savings and load carrying into a comfortable mid-weight backpack ideal for the widest range of outdoor enthusiasts.”

All Traverse Series packs also include backpanel and shoulder strap ventilation, trekking pole holders, hydration sleeve, integrated bottle opener, and a variety of pockets for small items. A unique ventilation system keeps the pack closer to the user’s body for better balance while allowing air to circulate freely for improved comfort on warm days. The Revival 50 weighs 3 pounds 14 ounces (1.76 kg) and Jubilee 50 weighs 3 pounds 11 ounces (1.67 kg); the Revival 65 weighs 4 pounds (1.81 kg) and Jubilee 65 weighs 3 pounds 13 ounces (1.73 kg). MSRP is US$200 for the Revival/Jubilee 50 and US$240 for the Revival/Jubilee 65. Available spring 2011.

Sierra Designs Introduces the Lightning HT2 and HT3 Double Wall Tents

In their Ultralight Series, a new member for spring 2011 is the rectangular-shaped Lightning HT2 and HT3, replacing the XT2 and XT3. The XT4 remains.

Petzl Core Rechargeable Battery Pack and OS Software Enable the User to Select Output Levels

Many LED headlamps require three AAA batteries, and most hikers use disposable batteries. The new Petzl Core Rechargeable Battery Pack fits all headlamps in the Tikka2 and Zipka2 series, as well as future Petzl headlamps.

Princeton-Tec Byte: Think Small and Bright

The latest addition to the Princeton-Tec family is the Byte, which is smaller and lighter than the Fuel and Remix, but packs a powerful light thanks to its Maxbright LED.

ICON Irix and Irix II Headlamps are Powerful and Ergonomically Designed

These new headlamps from first time exhibitor ICON (www.myiconlight.com) have several notable differences from conventional headlamps: they are ergonomically designed with a prominent dial on top where it is easy to operate with one hand, use durable regulated LEDs, are weatherproof, and use one AA battery.

Darn Tough Vermont Introduces Seamless Toe Socks

New NEMO OBI Series Tents are Their Lightest Poled Tents

The name makes me think of Star Wars Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi raising the tent using “the Force.” The series consists of the OBI 1P and 2P and OBI Elite 1P and 2P, all double-wall tents. The Elite tents have a 10 denier PU coated high tenacity ripstop nylon fly, the lightest to be found short of Cuben Fiber, and it has a hydrostatic head of 1500, which is pretty impressive. NEMO sets high standards, so it’s a breakthrough that they have found a fabric this light that performs well.

The OBI tents are quite light with minimum weights of 2.3 and 3 pounds (1.04 and 1.36 kg) for the one-person and two-person models, but their fabrics are a bit heavier, so I will focus on the OBI Elite tents which are more remarkable.

GoLite Footwear Bare-Tech Shoes Combine the Best Aspects of Barefoot Technology and Add Protection, Stability, and Traction

One thing that was everywhere at this Outdoor Retailer is “Barefoot Running” or “Minimalist footwear.” Many footwear manufacturers are rolling out their new “barefoot technology” footwear collection with some pretty elaborate launch spectacles. The whole trend was touched off by Chris McDougall’s book, Born to Run. Minimalist Footwear – Is It Ready for Backpackers?? by Damien Tougas explains the technology and how it might be applied to ultralight backpacking. Look for his feature articles later this summer at Backpacking Light.

GoLite Footwear is introducing a new line of Bare-Tech shoes, but they take a more pragmatic approach to the trend. Their Bare-Tech shoes take the best aspects of “barefoot technology” (neutral last – no heel lift, anatomically contoured footbed, no alternation to natural human gait, undercut heel, asymmetrical upper design), and adds the protection, stability, and traction benefits of class I trail runners. They call this their “Humanistic Design Philosophy.” Frankly, this is something I can more easily buy into for backpacking on anything other than a smooth trail.

As you will notice in the photos below, GoLite footwear has evolved considerably. Gone are some of the outrageous features like the “Trail Claw” outsole, but their Soft Against the Ground approach is retained in all of their shoes.

Yaktrax XTR Extreme Provides Mega Traction on Snow and Ice

Adding to their Walker and Pro detachable traction devices, Yaktrax has developed the XTR Extreme to provide maximum traction on snow and ice, short of crampons.

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Finished at 11:30 pm. Tomorrow is the last day.

“Good night John-Boy.”

“Good night Mary Ellen.”

I tried to hit more of the little back halls and hidden places today, and found some pretty great stuff. Some of the bigger manufacturers had newer exciting things, too. And I came across a few products that, although not lightweight, strike me as fitting within many of our lifestyle perspectives.

Marmot

I do have some hesitations, though. When I hear 900 fill and 0.8 oz/yd² Pertex, I think crazy wicked light. But the Plasma 30 comes in at 1 pound 6 ounces and the Plasma 15 weighs 1 pound 14 ounces. Using Western as a benchmark, the 32 degree Summerlite weighs 1 pound 3 ounces and the 20 degree Ultralite weighs 1 pound 13 ounces. The Plasma 30 does have a full draft collar and the Summerlite doesn’t. So the bags are pretty comparable overall… but the Plasma 30 will cost $419 versus $315, and the Plasma 15 will cost $469 versus $385. Maybe some field testing would make it clear that the different features are worth their price?

Portec Outdoor

Portec also had a pack line they’ve just started developing. Their Capacity 55L has dual aluminum stays in a frame sheet, zippered bottom access, and one of the beefiest hipbelts I’ve seen on a lighter pack. The packs weighs 3 pounds 15 ounces and will cost $174.

Honey Stinger

Their product range is… very tasty. And it has really good texture compared to other products within the categories. The flavors are great and eating the bars is surprisingly explorational. Their energy chews are not only edible, but almost like eating a nice soft candy (not at all like the hard rubbery pellets of other companies). Lance Armstrong recently joined the company as a partner and inspired the Stinger waffles, honey sandwiched between two thin waffles. Again, great taste and texture!

Vasque

Yurbuds

The fit is very comfortable and very secure. You’d have to do some crazy stuff to get the earbuds to come out. Yurbuds are designed as an add-on product for the earbuds you already have. They’ll also fit on many Bluetooth headsets. The company also makes Yurphones earbuds, and you can purchase the Yurphones w/enhancers as a package. MSRP for the enhancers is $20, the Yurphones are $10, and the package is (surprise!) $30.

SlingFin

These tents are impossible to miss and irresistibly cool. Now, I do realize that alpine expedition tents aren’t normally our thing, but there’s just no excuse for not sharing this company’s innovation with you. Most of their shelters encase the poles in webby-looking intertwined sleeves (the company descriptively calls it WebTruss technology), making pretty killer Bucky domes. The space : strength : weight ratio is pretty incredible, and options abound.

GoLite

Gear Aid

This is just a little public service type comment. If you go to your favorite local shop looking for McNett Seam Grip, for example, you probably won’t find the familiar packaging. Through a merger and focusing lines, the familiar McNett stuff is now sold as Gear Aid. Same great product, different packaging, no worries.

Cilo Gear

I found SOLID gold at Cilo Gear. The crew was great, the packs were fantastic, and I learned some eye-opening things. Their ultimate pack, the NWD (Non-Woven Dyneema, aka Cuben) 60L WorkSack is pretty much an ultralight tank. The first thing I noticed walking up to the Cilo booth was a wall full of very used packs. Packs that had the distinct patina of having been through the wringer a time or four, but that were obviously still in quite functional condition. Funny-looking, almost translucent white packs. I had to know the story. Had the packs been on a few week-long backpacking trips, or a thru hike, or were they several years old? As it turns out, they had been used for some heinous mountaineering expeditions and climbing trips. The kind of trips that take months to complete and win awards and recognition for their zaniness. I knew Cilo folks were good people when I asked them which pack they wanted me to photograph, thinking of the new packs they had displayed, and they encouraged me to share the, um, well loved packs. The point of all this, of course, is that people are always concerned about the durability of Cuben… and these packs clearly illustrate the pretty bomber durability potential in the fabric.

Glass Bottles

This one is a category, not a company. I’ve found a number of manufacturers launching or promoting their glass bottles. If you’re one of those not comfortable drinking from plastics in your day to day work life, these things could be pretty solid options. The glass itself is exceptionally stout, seemingly Pyrex-ish, and ensconced in protection. The bottles impart no taste at all to their contents and generally run around $20.

SmartWool

Tremont Electric nPowerPEG

Even walking through such an intensely whelming show, even little things just jump right out at you from the booth. Little things that literally make you stop in your tracks, perhaps because of cool factor, perhaps because you have no idea what it is, but it looks like it has potential. The nPowerPEG was such a situation.

Nova Craft Canoe

Barefoot/Minimalist Running

Barefoot/minimalist (here-on referred to as minimalist) running is not a new concept, in fact it has been around as long as humans have had feet. Somewhere along the way it became widely accepted that very specific shoes were required for running, and in fact without those specific shoes, runners would make themselves susceptible to injury. Despite runners’ best efforts to buy the right shoes, one of the biggest issues that plagues runners today is injury. Depending on the source, injury rates for running are said to be anywhere between 60% and 85% in a given year. While shoe manufacturers have attempted to reduce injury by designing a variety of technologies to support, cushion, stabilize, and alter the gait of the runner, the overall picture has gotten worse. Runners are paying more money for shoes, retiring them more frequently, and yet rates of injury have increased. The minimalist perspective is that modern footwear is to blame for these high rates of injury, and that by making shoes more structured, things get worse.

The notion that structured footwear can hinder more than it helps (an idea most recently popularized in Christopher McDougall’s excellent book Born to Run), is not new, but has been relegated to the fringe for quite some time. New research being conducted by various groups (including the military, MIT, and others) is finding that the fringe may in fact be right. If I were to try to summarize all of the theory and research in a nutshell it would be this: one of the biggest causes of running injury is poor form, and one of the biggest contributors to poor form is footwear. Elevated heels promote a heel strike. Thick cushioning dampens sensory feedback, creates instability, and increases shock. Rigid soles are unstable. Rigidity reduces flexibility in the joints, hinders the body’s natural shock absorption, increases stresses in other joints, and weakens foot muscles. Arch supports undermine natural stability, hinder the body’s shock absorption mechanisms, and weaken foot muscles.

Minimalist Footwear for Ultralight Backpacking

Those findings are fine for running, but are they also applicable to ultralight backpacking?

Years ago I used to enjoy spending weekends in the Canadian Rocky Mountains camping, hiking, and experimenting with a little backpacking. I also did some running to keep up my fitness. Then I developed a problem with my left knee that forced me to give up all those activities (at the ripe old age of 27). Months in physical therapy followed by expensive orthotics and expensive shoes helped a little, but didn’t completely solve the problem. I was able to function without pain on a day-to-day basis, but was unable to regain the same level of activity I had enjoyed in the past. I eventually took up cycling and weight training in an attempt to find activities that I could pursue without pain. That worked for a while, but eventually I started to have severe pain between the metatarsals in my left foot and lower back. Through some miracle I got the idea to start experimenting with going barefoot and using minimalist footwear for everyday use. Within a month I was free from pain, and now several years later I am able to hike, backpack, and run (I have since quit cycling) without any pain whatsoever. I wear minimalist footwear almost exclusively for all of my activities.

Based on my experience (and the experience of others) I can say first-hand that yes, minimalist footwear is suitable for backpacking (ultralight or not), and it can have great benefits if utilized correctly. The important principle to keep in mind – like many ultralight backpacking techniques – is that in order to employ this technique effectively, experience and skill are much more important than gear. You need to know your limits and understand the conditions in which you will be travelling. When using minimalist footwear, stability and shock absorption come from the natural strength and structures of the foot. The physical conditioning of your feet will determine whether or not you have a pleasant or painful experience. In order to achieve the greatest benefit (and prevent injury), the conditioning process must be taken slowly just like any other strength building activity. It’s not a quick fix that you can try in a weekend and decide whether or not it works for you, it is something that you have to build on.

When selecting minimalist footwear, the following are my general guidelines. Footwear should enable us to operate in adverse environmental conditions and allow our feet to function as naturally as possible. Its design should be protective, not supportive or corrective. Whenever you put on a pair of shoes, ask yourself what environmental condition they are protecting you from. The goal should be to wear shoes that only provide the protection you need and nothing more. But let’s be clear about environmental risks; support and cushioning are not environmental risks, cold and abrasion are. One thing to be aware of is the perceived risk. That is to say some of the risk may just be in your head in the form of irrational fear – the same fear that leads people to purchase over-built gear. Learn how to separate the irrational fear from the actual risks when determining the level of protection you need.

Minimalist Footwear

The minimalist footwear trend has started to catch on with running shoe manufacturers, and several brands will be introducing new models at OR this year. The bigger brands are a little more tentative in their degree of minimalism while some smaller brands are going all-out. Whether or not these new models will be adequate for backpacking remains to be seen, but there appears to be a lot of potential.

2010 and 2011 look to be interesting years in the barefoot/minimalist space as companies release new products for this growing niche. Stay tuned over the next several months: BackpackingLight will be publishing a series of articles reviewing the current minimalist footwear models on the market in order to determine their suitability for ultralight backpacking.

Overview

After a really productive first day on the floor, it was hard to expect day two to be as fruitful, but it was. We always manage to find lots of new and interesting gear, actually more than we can handle. It gets mind-boggling sometimes. We run on adrenaline and energy bar samples all day at the show, write our stories till midnight, then get up and repeat it again the next day. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s exhausting!

The day’s highlights follow, in no particular order.

Black Diamond Z-Poles Utilize Avalanche Probe Technology

There will be three models within the Z-Pole series: the Ultra Distance is a carbon fiber pole available in four lengths; weight is 8.8 to 9.8 ounces/pair (249-278 g/pair), MSRP US$150; the Distance FL is an adjustable aluminum version in three length ranges, weight is 14 to 16 ounces/pair (397-454 g/pair), MSRP US$120; and the Distance is an aluminum fixed-length version available in four lengths, weight is 11.2 to 13 ounces/pair (318-369 g/pair), MSRP is US$100. Look for a Backpacking Light review of the Ultra Distance pole later this year.

Osprey Flies Super-Light With Hornet

Osprey Packs will introduce the ultra-light Hornet Series in spring/summer 2011. These super-lightweight packs have been stripped down to the essentials for ultra runners, adventure racers, peak baggers or anyone who aspires to move quickly with minimal weight. The Hornet series packs are available in 24L, 36L and 42L capacities and weigh from 1 pound 2 ounces to 1 pound 8 ounces (510-680 g).

Features include: hydration sleeve, highly ventilated and supportive Bio-Stretch harness with sliding adjustable sternum strap, super-light spacer mesh vented backpanel with removable foam pad, Bio-Stretch hipbelt with zippered hipbelt pockets and ErgoPull closure, adjustable overskirt compression strap, 7 mm webbing side compression, front stretch mesh pocket, side mesh pockets with InsideOut compression straps, removable zippered top pocket with under lid mesh map pocket and key clip. Color is crimson, sizes are S/M and M/L, weight is 24 oz (680 g), MSRP is $159. This pack is really sweet and carries very well; look for a future Backpacking Light review.

Terra Nova Introduces the 20-Ounce Laser Ultra 1 – the World’s Lightest Double-Wall Tent – and the Laser Photon 2, a Two-Person Tent Weighing in at a Record Beating 2 Pounds 1 Ounce

Well, it looks like the tent weight wars are on again with Terra Nova delivering the latest salvos. We have reviewed a few of these hyperlight double-wall tents and have found two consistent issues: too small to be comfortable and poor ventilation. Do these new record-beating tents offer any improvement?

The shell is Terra Nova’s Ultra fabric, which (ahem) is Cuben Fiber, and a paper thin version at that. Terra Nova has also addressed several issues we raised on our recent reviews of some of their Laser series tents, namely limited space and high condensation. Regarding space, as noted this tent is quite room for one person, so okay there. Regarding condensation, Terra Nova has redesigned the entry door and ends of the tent so they can be raised “quarter open” to enhance ventilation while shedding rain, but still no high vent. Same for the Laser Photon 2 below.

Big Agnes Introduces a Passel of New Tents, Standouts are the New Fly Creek UL3 and UL4

Thirty-four new tents (!) from Big Agnes, however, the majority of them are heavier car camping type tents. The tents of most interest are the Fly Creek UL 3 and UL4 (three-person and four-person, respectively. Why do I report on these larger tents? Because some readers like to base camp or go on family backpacking trips, and these larger tents are a way to have extra room and still keep your pack weight down to a reasonable level (think: four-person tent with weight less than most two-person tents).

Terra Nova Superlite Ultra 20 Pack Weighs Just 3.5 Ounces!

Spring 2011 Montane Spektr to be the World’s Lightest Super Minimalist eVENT Shell

Features include eVENT three-layer fabric, zip-free, no peak hood, waist cinch. The Tornado roll closure system replaces the front water-resistant zipper, and the jacket is designed to be worn with the Montane Pace Cap. The information on this jacket is incomplete and a bit vague, but we look forward to testing one in the near future so we can give you our evaluation. No MSRP is available at the moment.

Brooks-Range Gives Us What We Asked For – Several Versions of the Alpini Down Jacket for Hikers – Plus Several Other Goodies

In my recent Review of the Brooks-Range Alpini Mountain Anorak, I gave my wish list for revisions that would make it perfect for cold weather backpacking, namely: drop the side zippers, drop the side and cuff Velcro tabs, and correct the sizing. We got all of that and more. In spring 2011 the Brooks-Range Mountain Sweater (sorry no photo available) will be available with a half zip or full zip, hoodless or hooded, and the sizing will be “normal” (it previously ran small). The down has been upgraded to 850+, the cuffs and hem will have a simple elastic binding, and a zippered chest pocket has been added. They did not have a jacket available for us to look at, but my understanding is that the reach-through front pocket has been retained on the half-zip (anorak) version, and the full-zip version has two hand pockets.

• +10F (-12C) Alpini Backcountry Sleeping Bag: 470 grams (16.5 oz) down fill; Regular Weight 26 oz. (756 g), Long Weight: 31 oz. (876 g); MSRP: $287.00
• 5F (-15C) Alpini Sleeping Bag: 510 grams (17 oz) down fill; Regular Weight 28 oz. (796 g), Long Weight 32 oz. (916 g); MSRP: $298.00
• -5F (-20C) Alpini Alps Sleeping Bag: 620 grams (21.8 oz) down fill; Regular Weight 32 oz. (906 g); Long Weight: 36 oz (1026 g); MSRP: $364.00
• -15F(-26C) Alpini Alaskan Sleeping Bag: 735 grams (25.9 oz) down fill; Regular Weight: 36 oz. (1021 g), Long Weight: 40 oz. (1141 g); MSRP: $444.00

New Pacific Outdoor Equipment Sleeping Pads Pack Small and Carry Light

NEMO Also Introduces Lightweight Self-Inflating Sleeping Pads

This is a good Outdoor Retailer for finding new lightweight sleeping pads. NEMO has been making sleeping pads for a few years, but they are not all that light. The new NEMO ZOR Sleeping Pads for spring 2011 are indeed lightweight. The foam insulation in these pads is die-cut to reduce weight, but the design maintains a layer of insulation throughout the pad.

**********************

It’s midnight.

“Good night John-Boy!”

“Good night Mary-Ellen!”

The people behind these products have the inquisitive minds and depth of knowledge that professionals in any industry should have, but frequently seem to lack. I’d just like to send out a much deserved shout out to the people who make our toys happen: Thank you for an amazing amount of work and dedication!

Big Sky International

Exped

Vargo Outdoors

Integral Designs

Lowe Alpine

Big Agnes

Another new option from Big Agnes is a 48-inch Insulated Air Core. C’mon now, you know the IACs. What’s to say? 20 x 48 x 2.5, R-value of 4.1, weight of 16 ounces. If you compared the stats to the new Synmat ULs, Exped would win. But the 48-inch IAC is half the cost, coming in at $69.95.

Brunton

Deuter

Primus

Industry Standards

Confused? Nah, this isn’t some new company. I just wanted to let you know that manufacturers (and BPL!) are concerned about testing and specification standardization in the industry. There are a lot of industry working-group meetings during OR; one of particular interest was about standardizing testing and reporting methods for R-value or temperature ratings on sleeping bags and pads. The stuff isn’t for the faint of heart: we’re talking about size of hot plates, air flow in the testing room, calibration of testing equipment, 3D thermal considerations, mannequin surface area, mass, temperature… and so on. In terms of tents, some companies are interested in adopting the publication of overall tent volume; if you were to consider a Fly Creek 2 and Copper Spur 2, they’re essentially the same floor area. But the reality is that the Copper Spur has nearly double the internal living space. Including tent volume on spec sheets would give consumers a better overall picture of the tent. Other tent standardization considerations include making floor area measurements equivalent between companies. The point is, industry pros know and understand consumer frustrations… and they’re probably even more frustrated by reporting inconsistencies than consumers! But instead of just futzing about it, they’re working toward solutions.

Overview

Wow, what a day! We struck gold right away on our first day visits. Never underestimate people’s creativity and innovation! That’s what the industry is all about – constantly developing new and improved products, staying ahead of the competition, and filling in every niche. And the beneficiaries are us! Actually, it’s a fair trade, we get better gear and they get our money.

Okay, no more horsing around. Here is our daily blog on the interesting gear we found today.

Patagonia Develops the Lightest Down Jacket in the World

“The new Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt is our next step in the process of evolving the insulation business,” notes Tim Bantle, business unit director for Technical Outerwear, “the Ultralight Down Shirt is not just a new product, it’s a new product category.” With a slim fit and minimal silhouette, the Ultralight Down Shirt is engineered for thermal efficiency. Its unique quilted pattern controls any shifting of the 800 fill power European goose down, resulting in optimal loft and warmth. This new quilting technology, with decreased channel sizing, allows for less down to be used in the garment, ultimately lessening the overall garment weight while maintaining warmth.

I have found that jackets with a lot of quilting release small down fragments created from sewing through the down, and the fragments make a mess of a fleece garment worn under or over the down garment. We will see how this one fares…

Featuring Carbon ION poles with AirLock connectors, the Easton Mountain Products Kilo Tent weighs Less Than 1 Kilogram

Weighing less that 1 kilogram (2.2 lb), the two-person Kilo tent packs the most advanced materials and technologies into an ultra-light freestanding tent. “The Kilo incorporates all of the latest and greatest technologies from Easton,” says Marketing Coordinator Rich Packer. “With the Carbon ION poles and AirLock pole connectors, the Kilo is unlike any tent you’ve ever seen before.”

New Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 62 is a Super Comfortable Load Hauler

The 4-pound (1.81-kg) Nimbus Trace for spring 2011 is right at our normal weight limit for an internal frame backpack, but that requires some qualification. We can’t judge a pack by light weight alone. Other factors – such as comfort, load-carrying capacity, adjustability, and useful features, need to be taken into account – and Granite Gear has those attributes in abundance, so the extra weight is justified for many hikers. A Granite gear may weigh a half pound more than similar-sized packs, but the extra weight is pure comfort.

The only deficit I see in these packs is hipbelt pockets, but Granite Gear does have accessory pockets available that attach to all of their packs.

Pentax Introduces the 11th Generation Optio W90

It took several years and several compact digital cameras to make me realize that a waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof digital camera is the way to go for backpacking. The new Pentax Optio W90 (available now) offers enhanced waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and coldproof performance and features an innovative Digital Microscope mode with LED lighting to capture small but intriguing subjects.

Cascade Designs Rolls Out a Passel of New Gear

Cascade Designs – an umbrella company that owns Platypus, Therm-a-Rest, MSR, and SealLine – had literally dozens of new or redesigned gear to show us. I could write our entire daily blog on new gear from Cascade Designs!

The snow flaps on this tent suggest a “cool” application for this shelter: use it for snow camping by setting it up over a dug and packed snow pit with kitchen bench and sleeping platforms. That’s something I have been thinking about for some time and hope to try out next winter.

Outdoor Research Bug Net Cap

GoLite Terrono 70 and 90 L Backpacks are Lightweight Freight Haulers

GoLite is adding a new member to their Adventure Series with their new mega Terrono backpacks. These are completely new packs, designed to carry “any load,” and they back that up with “60 pounds (27.2 kg) is not unreasonable.” Well, that is normally outside our scope, by choice. But there are times when we do need a Mack truck, and when we do we want a lightweight one, like 4 pounds (1.81 kg). Did I mention they have adjustable torso length and hipbelt length?

GoLite Malpais Jacket is Lightweight Gold!

The full name is the Malpais Trinity 3-Layer Liteshell Jacket. It’s shell is Trinity three-layer stretch construction nylon with a polyurethane membrane.

Innovative Klymit Inertia X-Frame Inflatable Sleeping Pad is Full-Length and Weighs Just 9.1 Ounces – More Lightweight Gold!

How about a body-mapped inflatable sleeping pad? Those cutouts save around 3 ounces (85 g) and are also functional; your sleeping bag is compressed less over the voids, so it’s warmer. Another nice feature is it takes only four breaths to inflate it (my wife can do it in three breaths, but that doesn’t surprise me…).

Sea To Summit Sleeping Bags??

When we arrived at the Sea To Summit booth, we were in for a surprise. These folks have a reputation for constantly developing new lightweight, “can’t do without” gadgets and widgets. But we couldn’t believe our eyeballs when we saw sleeping bags! Yes, a new sleeping bag line, and they did their homework too.

There will be four lines of bags: Alpine (warmest), Traverse (full featured), Micro (the lightest), and Trek (budget). These bags are still in development, so details are missing. I would like to provide a full report on the Micro line (the lightest ones), but information is simply not available at this time. However, they did have the Traverse bag on display, and I will report on that one to illustrate.

A unique feature of the Traverse bag is its hydrophobic polyester fiber layer just under the bag’s shell, which acts to trap migrating body moisture, keeping it from dampening the down and keeping it near the bag’s shell where it can be expelled. In cold temperatures, moisture normally migrates toward the outer shell and hits the dewpoint within the bag’s insulation, so it accumulates. This technology is designed to overcome that process. Sounds good in theory, but we need to test it to see if it works.

SteriPEN Adventurer Opti Adds Features and Cuts the Weight Down to 3.5 Ounces

I realized that I’m getting tired of using Aqua-Mira for water treatment – count the drops, wait five minutes for it to activate, add to water container, wait twenty minutes before I can drink it. I should have tried a UV filter by now, but I haven’t. I guess it’s because I usually use a lightweight water bottle or flask with a narrow mouth, which makes it hard to use a UV device for water treatment. But UV water treatment makes so much sense – simply wave the wand in the water while agitating it for ninety seconds and you’re done, and you can drink it right away.

The daily perspective: As an industry vet experiencing OR for the first time, the show is a fantastic all-systems overload. If you’re at all familiar with, say, the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall, I think it’s fair to describe OR as several times more intense. Where to focus?! What to share?! Some of the things I’ve found aren’t the lightest-weight options on the market… but are relevant to those who are more lightweight than UL, or have a great price point, or are just plain cool. Today’s points of interest?

Western Mountaineering

WM is also bringing out a Flash XR Jacket. The new laminate Proloft XR shell fabric is water resistant and breathable, the pockets are zippered, and the back of the hood has a cinch tab. The weight of the Flash XR is 11 ounces, 2 more ounces than the standard Hooded Flash Jacket. But hey, if you’re concerned about water resistance or losing things from your pockets, this could be a great way to go. Suggested retail will be $300.

Montbell

Will has been testing the new Montbell Tachyon Anorak and will be bringing us one of his stellar reviews in the near future. In the meantime I’ll give you the briefest of teasers: the Tachyon is a 2.3-ounce hooded windbreaker, made of wispy 7 denier ripstop nylon. The $89 price tag is pretty good, too.

Kelty

Cascade Designs

Injinji Socks

Cocoon by Design Salt

Aw, shoot. I can’t help it. There’s one completely random thing I’m going to throw out for you worldly travelers. Get this: Cocoon is also introducing aromatherapy travel pillows. Scents include lavender, lavender/chamomile, vanilla, and apple blossom. The 10 x 14 inch pillows weigh 6.5 ounces and are very supportive but pleasantly squishy. If you need to de-stress on de plane, these might be a nifty addition to your carry-on.

Esbit (an AGS brand)

Gregory Packs

Sand Socks, Inc. Grip Socks

I started wearing just socks around camp years ago as an alternative to heavy camp shoes. Then I started sticking my orthotics inside the socks, and it worked… mostly. Admittedly, the pine sap, needles, little twigs, debris, and water that accumulated in the socks were a drag. Enter the Grip Socks, just introduced to the market at Outdoor Retailer.

Dry Case

One thing that immediately impressed me was the top seal… this is no zippered baggie! It seems to be made of an ABS-type plastic and incorporates two rotating, locking seals. You can vacuum seal the pouch just by sucking on the valve, or you can use the 1-ounce suction bulb. As long as you wouldn’t need to change batteries, of course, you could just seal the pouch at the trailhead and leave the bulb behind anyway. The Dry Case has an integrated “belt loop” on the back; you can use the 2.1-ounce buoyant neoprene arm band, or if you’re really trying to save weight, you could just slip it on a belt, a bit of webbing, or into your pack.

Adventure Egg

Really. These are pretty good! I swore off dried eggs decades ago as being a substandard food product substitute, but you can bet Adventure Egg will be joining my food bag. The difference? Adventure Egg spray-dries their eggs over a low heat, which doesn’t alter the protein structure of the eggs like freeze-drying or higher-temperature drying tend to do. The parent company, Henningsen Foods, has been supplying dried eggs to commercial food producers for sixty years, so chances are you’ve eaten these eggs in any number of baked products.

Point 6 Socks

As a long-time buyer in specialty outdoor retail, the words I most dread hearing from a sales rep are “Let me show you our new sock line.” Even if you feel that way hearing about yet another sock company, Point 6 is worth every bit of your attention! This year’s Outdoor Retailer marks Point 6’s first year on the market, and the other shop I work for (in Michigan) has been carrying the line since its launch.

We’ll be writing up a full review on Point 6 in the near future.

Wenonah

Wait… Isn’t this Backpacking Light? Well, yeah. But if you cruise down through the forums you’ll find one dedicated to water travel, and most of the first day/Open Air Demo centered around watersport. So here’s one for the canoeists out there.

Wenonah is also introducing a new Kevlar vessel called the Canak to their line. It’s a 16-foot boat with a hull similar to their solo Prism canoe that blends the better attributes of canoes and kayaks for tripping in lake country. Canoes are far easier to unload and load for portaging, but kayaks can have a bit nicer touring ability. What they’ve done is basically decked the canoe, but left huge fore and aft open portions covered by battened fabric covers. They’re also introducing a portage yoke specially designed to mate with the framework of the sliding seat. My short spin in the 38 pound Canak left a favorable impression; with a bit of adjustment on the foot braces, I could even get a bit of a thigh brace on the cockpit coaming, great for better control when needed. If you like traveling solo in the Boundary Waters, this one’s worth a test paddle.

The Street Strider

Stoic Somnus 30 and 15 Down Sleeping Bags

DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS with SPOT Communicator Combines GPS Communication with Text Messaging and Emergency Communication via Satellite

Tied in with Outdoor Demo we had the opportunity to field test the new DeLorme PN-60w GPS with built in SPOT communicator. This product pairing consists of two separate units: a SPOT Communicator unit that clips onto the top of your pack or pack shoulder strap where it has good exposure to the sky, and the DeLorme PN-60w handheld mapping GPS. Besides the usual set of icons and menus in the GPS, the unit also enables four types of communications sent out by the SPOT: progress tracking, “I’m OK,” emergency/SOS, and text messaging. Its the first GPS that enables type-and-send text messaging via satellite from virtually anywhere in the world to stay connected with family, friends, and emergency services. In the event of an emergency, it allows your group to provide real time information regarding the situation and what your needs are. If you forgot something, if you want to revise your schedule for a re-supply, or if you need repair parts sent in, this device enables you to get in touch with someone on the outside to tell them what you need.

Because messages are conveyed via satellite, and are not dependent on cellular phone coverage, the PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator keeps users reliably connected, even in difficult-access remote locales. Both devices are rugged and water resistant and thus better suited than most cell phones for the rigors of outdoor use.

“Now there’s a completely new way for those who travel off the beaten path to navigate with GPS and also send satellite text messages back home via email and popular social networking sites,” said DeLorme Vice President Caleb Mason. “It’s a thrill to be able to share your excitement when you summit a mountain, kayak through heavy white water, or reach a destination. It’s also a big stress reliever if you can keep loved ones apprised in case of delays, receive nonemergency help if you encounter problems, or send SOS messages in case of a serious emergency.”

The outbound text messages can be distributed to recipients’ cell phones and email addresses, and via social networking sites. In addition, family and friends can track a user’s progress via Google’s free online maps. A special interface on the PN-60w connects it wirelessly with the SPOT Satellite Communicator, which was designed exclusively for DeLorme. Messages are created on the PN-60w’s internal keyboard, then relayed via satellite for delivery using established SPOT technology. The SPOT actually sends tracking messages and “I’m OK” messages three times to ensure they go through; SOS messages are sent continuously.

I found the DeLorme PN-60w to be intuitive and user-friendly; it is a delight to use compared to some GPS units by competitors I have used recently. The display is easy to read in strong sunlight.

The Earthmate PN-60w comes with DeLorme Topo North America GPS maps and desktop software included, for topographic and street coverage of the U.S. and Canada. It also displays DigitalGlobe worldwide high-resolution satellite and aerial imagery, official USGS and Natural Resources Canada topo maps, and NOAA nautical charts, all available from DeLorme via low-cost subscriptions.

The text messaging, track progress, and emergency SOS features are all activated via subscriptions available from SPOT. Regular SPOT service is US$100 per year, tracking is $50, type-and-send text messaging comes with five free custom text messages upon activation. To purchase more type-and-send text messaging capability, the rates are 500 messages for US$50, 100 messages for US$30, and the single message rate is US$0.50 per message.

The DeLorme PN-60w (wireless) model, including the specially designed SPOT Communicator, is expected to be available in late August. The SPOT Communicator cannot be purchased separately; it is only available in the paired configuration. If a Personal Locator Device is all you need, then you should look at the next-gen SPOT 2 (US$150). Alan Dixon is currently working on a review update of the SPOT 2 that Backpacking Light will publish soon.

ACR Electronics Introduces the Next Generation of Personal Locator Beacons – Smaller, Lighter, and now with a Strobe Light and Multi-Use GPS Acquisition Testing

Not to be outdone, ACR Electronics has upgraded the SARLink 406 MHz PLB features to include a new strobe light function and multi-use GPS acquisition testing. The SARLink is one of the smallest, lightest 406 GPS PLBs in the world.

When mated with ACR’s new 406Link.com (www.406Link.com) subscription-based satellite self test service, the SARLink View will also give users the ability to send non-distress messages via text/e-mail to family and friends, letting them know that all is OK.

Housed inside the unit, the Digital Display cannot be touched, bumped, pierced or otherwise damaged by an external force unless the entire PLB is destroyed. The PLB uses an LED type of display to ensure that it is visible when below freezing and in direct sunlight, therefore it does not suffer from the problems associated with LCD displays.

The waterproof SARLink View provides three levels of integrated emergency signal technology – GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz satellite detectable signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability. The SARLink View broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that not only tells rescuers where the sender is, but who they are. An onboard GPS can fix the sender’s position to within 100 meters and then utilizes a powerful 406 MHz signal to relay the distress call to orbiting satellites. As local Search and Rescue is deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guides rescuers to the sender’s exact position.

Specifications: size: 2.3 x 5.8 x 1.5 in (6 x 15 x 4 cm), weight: 9.1 oz (261 g) with lanyard, MSPR US$599.

ACR Products Announces 406Link.com

ACR Products has also announced the launch of a new subscription-based satellite self test service, 406Link.com, now available to current and new owners of 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), and Emergency Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs).

Available in two service plans, 406Link.com now gives those owning 406 MHz emergency beacons the ability to send non-distress messages for the first time via text/e-mail to family and friends, letting them know that all is OK.

Priced from $40 (annual subscription), subscribers to the 406Link.com service, for example, will have access to ACR’s unique thru-the-satellite self-test application for PLBs, ELTs, and EPIRBs, which ensures the beacon is performing properly via transmission and satellite confirmation, ultimately sending a text and e-mail message to the beacon’s owner.

An upgraded service, 406Link Plus, will provide users with the self-test application system described above, plus the added features of multiple text and e-mail messaging, trip planning, and GPS test location (must have the ACR PLB AquaLink View/SARLink View to use this function). The upgraded 406Link.com plan is priced at $60 for an annual subscription.

McMurdo Fastfind 210 PLB

To complete our updated coverage of personal locator beacons, mention needs to be made of the Fastfind. UK-based McMurdo released their Fastfind 210 PLB to the US market in February 2009. Unlike personal signaling products such as the SPOT Satellite Messenger, the Fastfind is a single-purpose device whose sole purpose is to alert rescuers to your location in the event of an emergency; there is no progress tracking, “I’m OK” communication, or text messaging capability. It sends out an emergency message (only) via the standard 406 MHz band of the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system that has been operational since 1979.

Like the SPOT Satellite Messenger, the Fastfind sends a signal with your GPS coordinates to a satellite network, which is then relayed to a ground station to alert authorities to your emergency. Once the Fastfind has been deployed, it must be returned to the manufacturer to be re-activated. However, it doesn’t require a paid service subscription like SPOT, which is a plus. More details on the McMurdo Fastfind can be found in Mike Martin’s article published as part of our summer 2009 Outdoor Retailer coverage.

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Note that a PLB is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is deemed to be grave and eminent, and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. It’s important to note that communication (including messaging) is one-way from you to the outside; you cannot receive acknowledgment or responses from recipients, and there is no real-time confirmation that messages are received. All beacons must be registered. There are no monthly service fees required for 406 MHz beacons.

Overview

Outdoor Retailer 2010 is upon us – August 2-6 to be exact – and Backpacking Light will be there once again to roam through over 1,400 booths to find innovative new lightweight gear and report back to our readers. That’s not an easy task because there’s so much conventional gear to wade through to find the really good stuff – gear that’s new, innovative, and lightweight. We will publish a daily report from the show, starting on Tuesday August 3 and ending on Saturday August 7.

While OR showcases lots of interesting new gear from the big companies (plus some startups), it would be a disservice for us to ignore new gear from the small companies, focused on our specific needs, who sell ultralight gear online and can’t afford the high cost of exhibiting at OR. So, we are once again highlighting new goods from the small companies that design gear expressly for lightweight backpacking. They are definitely an important source of innovative new lightweight gear, and we want to give them equal visibility in our coverage of our industry’s biggest trade show.

It’s interesting to look back to the late 1990s when ultralight backpacking was first taking off: there were very few companies manufacturing ultralight gear, and ultralighters were making much of their own gear out of necessity. Remember the GoLite Breeze pack and Ray-Way gear? Fast forward to the present: we now have a growing number of small companies in the business, plus participation from the big companies, and in fact the lightweight/ultralight gear arena is getting quite competitive. This article is a testimony to that; I was amazed at the large number of new gear introductions from the small companies, it equals or exceeds what we are likely to find from the big companies at OR. Things have changed a lot in a little more than ten years. With that in mind, let’s get started!

Z-Packs Hexamid Tent and Dyneema X Gridstop Backpacks

You should by now be familiar with Z-Packs (zpacks.com) owned by thru-hiker Joe Valesko. Joe started out making silnylon frameless packs and has more recently switched to Cuben Fiber and Dyneema X Gridstop as his fabrics of choice.

Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti-Tri Cone

Trail Designs (traildesigns.com) is the company that invented the Caldera Cone, a cooking system that encloses your cook pot in a cone-shaped windscreen, making an alcohol stove as reliable as a canister stove (but not as fast). The only drawback of the Caldera Cone is that it must be coiled up and inserted in a drink cup to protect it in a backpack, and to protect your gear from any sharp edges on the Cone. Enter the new Sidewinder, a version of the Cone that will fit (coiled, sideways) inside your cook pot. It’s not as tall as the standard Caldera Cone, but for certain pots with the right form factor (wide and shallow), Trail Designs found it possible to design a cone that will fit inside the pot.

Kooka Bay Ultra Light Sleeping Pads and Kookalight Pillow

If you haven’t heard of Kooka Bay gear (kookabay.com), you should check them out. For starters, they offer the lightest inflatable sleeping pads on the market. Their torso-length pad (32 in/81 cm long and tapering from 18 inches to 14 inches / 46 cm to 36 cm wide) weighs just 5.5 ounces (156 g). Got your attention? It certainly got mine! I will be testing a couple of their lightest pads and reporting my findings this fall.

Big Sky International Mirage 2P-BF Tent, New Fabrics, and New Poles

While the Big Sky International (bigskyinternational.com) hybrid Mirage tent is not new, this new version will have a breathable fabric ceiling to enhance ventilation. The breathable fabric used (no fabric description available) is claimed to be as light as generic silnylon and five times more waterproof.

This is also a good time to mention Big Sky’s next gen tent fabrics and poles. Most manufacturers of lightweight shelters research the different types of silnylon and spinnaker fabrics available (there are many different constructions available) and choose the one(s) that meet their requirements. Big Sky has taken it a step further by developing their own versions of silnylon specifically for their tents, which they call SuprSil. Their basic SuprSil is about the same weight as generic silnylon, but is twice as waterproof and four times more tearproof. SuprSil HD used for the tent floors is also similar in weight to generic silnylon but three times more waterproof and four times more tearproof. Finally, SuprSil UL’s weight is similar to spinnaker but is four times more waterproof and tearproof compared to spinnaker.

Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) Introduces New Camino and Epic Backpacks

Adding to their line of lightweight durable backpacks, Chris McMaster, the new owner of ULA (ula-equipment.com) is rolling out the Camino (a panel loader) and the Epic (which is designed to carry a dry bag).

LightHeart Solo and Duo Tents Set Up With Trekking Poles

Have you heard of LightHeart Gear (lightheartgear.com)? They’re another company you should check out. Their Solo and Duo tents set up with trekking poles, which saves a lot of weight, and they’re very roomy.

The weight and floor area specifications for these tents are impressive, but how do they perform in the field in terms of wind stability and storm protection? Ryan Jordan is currently testing the Solo and will report his findings this fall at Backpackinglight.com.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo Ultralight Shelter Systems and Windrider Backpack

Here’s another new company you may not have heard of: Hyperlite Mountain Gear (hyperlitemountaingear.com), located in Kennebunk, Maine, and specialists in Cuben Fiber shelters, packs, and stuff sacks..

This is a true modular system; all of the components can be used separately or together. The one- or two-person Echo Tarp is made of Cuben Fiber and has catenary cut curves, double reinforced tie-outs, Spectra core guy lines, and a bonded felled seam ridgeline that doesn’t require seam sealing. The Echo Insert clips directly into the Echo Tarp. It’s constructed with a mesh ceiling and a Cuben Fiber bathtub floor providing 100% protection from insects and ground water. It can also be pitched separately. And the Echo Beak is a Cuben Fiber vestibule that attaches directly to the front of the Echo Tarp, providing increased protection in heavy wind or driving rain. Backpacking Light will publish a review of the Echo Shelter Systems later this year.

Elemental Horizons Aquilo Backpack and New Accessories

Like other new small companies, it takes us a while to discover them. Elemental Horizons (elementalhorizons.com) began with their Northern Lite internal frame backpack, which is included in Roger Caffin’s lightweight internal frame backpack state-of-the-market report, which will begin publication in early September.

Mountain Laurel Designs Introduces Extra Strong Cuben Fiber Dry Bags and 4.7 Ounce Hammock Tarp

New Ultralight Stuff From Gossamer Gear

A Diversity of New Products from Titanium Goat

Other New Small Companies Selling Lightweight Gear

Some of the companies we contacted did not have new gear for us to report on, but I wanted to mention them in this section to get them on your radar screen.

Katabatic Gear (katabaticgear.com) – Ultralight sleeping quilts featuring 850 fill power down and new Pertex Quantum shell, ultralight bivies made of Pertex Quantum Nano, and down hoods.
Packit Gourmet Trail Foods (packitgourmet.com) – A variety of packaged trail meals, bulk dehydrated foods, cooking and eating gear items.
Enertia Trail Foods (trailfoods.com) – A variety of packaged trail meals and snacks. (I have tried these, and they are really good!)