Every July the international outdoor trade gathers in the little town of Friedrichshafen (pop. 58,000) in southern Germany on the shores of beautiful Lake Constance. Across the lake lies the edge of the Swiss Alps, shadowy rocky peaks rising steeply through the summer haze. The Messe exhibition halls are on the edge of the town close to the Zeppelin museum, Friedrichshafen being the place where these airships were first built. It's not unusual to look up to see a Zeppelin floating above the museum.
Friedrichshafen is set in lovely rolling countryside with many woods, a far cry from downtown Salt Lake City and the Outdoor Retailer show. For the last two years, I've camped at Friedrichshafen in a tipi village provided by Merrell Footwear. The tipis are pitched in a meadow in quiet woods just ten minutes walk from the exhibition halls. It's ironic that at the big U.S. outdoor trade show, I stay in a city in a hotel, but that at the big European one, I camp in a Native American tipi.
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Friedrichshafen & Salt Lake City
Great read, Chris, and for someone who isn't in America and hungers for information about gear that is not American, very interesting. Of course, since it was just a general description the lack of photos only makes me yearn to see more.
One great thing about Japan is that since most gear here comes from overseas the Japanese are always keen for the best of what is out there. Yeti, for instance, sells their sleeping bags here. Other companies that I've seen no where but in Europe, but are sold here are Fjallraven, Haglofs, Eider, Camp, Millet (wildly popular), Norrona, Helsport, Artiach, Mammut, Lafuma, Lowa, Jack Wolfskin… to name just a few. For some reason British kit is rarely present, except Montane, I think perhaps because British clothing and styling rarely fits Japanese physiques. But that doesn't answer why tents and packs are not more represented, of course. I think the Japanese would love the Terra Nova tent range, though they only just catching on to the the joys of the Hilleberg Akto and still haven't grasped outer-pitch first tents yet. The last time I spoke to someone about the Akto they advised me against purchasing it "because the tent doesn't have a floor. There is a good chance you will get wet in our torrential rains."
Every year Japan puts on two great outdoor shows, one in Tokyo and one in Osaka, but unfortunately no one much notices them in America and Europe. Sad, since there is some wonderful gear from Japan and the Japanese are nuts about the outdoors.
Chris,
Yes, looking forward to feedback from both shows. I'd particularly like to hear about the contrasts between the two. While it's great to judge each product/company on its own merits, it would be helpful for you to reserve a few words about whether these new products have any attributes that make them stand out from what is commonly reviewed on BPL, or that they are merely alternatives.
Thanks,
Tom
Chris,
Absolutely agree about that outdorsy feeling in Friedrichshafen.
I point to that difference as well when I compare the major outdoor shows in an article on my web site.
ANATOLY IVANOV / PHOTOGRAPHY / DESIGN / PROSE
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