2014 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

[flyfishexpert]

Well it is that time of year when equipment manufacturers, retail shops, and media converge on Salt Lake city for the annual Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Touted as the largest outdoor sports show of its kind, the OR Summer Market is the place to find next year's hottest items and discover the latest trends in outdoor apparel, equipment, and gadgets. In years past, we have witnessed the explosion of paddle boarding, the evolution of tents, and the launch of start-up outdoor companies. This year's OR Show started on August 5th, with the Open Air Demo, and concluded on August 9th.


OR Show Events


The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is so much more than just companies showing off their latest gear and apparel. Companies use the event to socialize and several events are scheduled throughout the OR Show. This year Krista and I decided to include these in our show coverage to help you get a better feel for what goes on at the show.


Timex Ironman ONE GPS+ Launch Party

Anette S. Olsen, Chairman of Timex Group, talks about Timex's History


This year we started off the Summer Market with Timex's launch party for their new IRONMAN ONE GPS+ watch. Designed in conjunction with Qualcomm and ATT, the IRONMAN ONE GPS+ watch provides GPS fitness tracking, built-in music player, and phone-free communication through a color touchscreen display. The built-in connection to ATT's cellular network provides phone-free messaging and a host of other 'real-time' internet based fitness tracking without the need to connect the watch to a smartphone.

Glenn Lurie, President of Emerging Enterprises and Partnerships for ATT


The IRONMAN ONE GPS+ will be available November 2014 and the base model will retail for $399.95 while the model which includes a heart rate monitor (ONE GPS+ HRM) will retail for $499.95. Both models include one year of mobile service.

Click here to read more about the OR Show events we attended and look for more OR Show coverage in the coming days.

 

[Mitch]

Has the show already passed or is it coming up?

 

[flyfishexpert]

Mitch, great question! The show was August 5-9 in Salt Lake City. I updated the first post to reflect the dates.

 

[Dave]

I'd love to make one of these shows, that Ironman watch is actually a step in the right direction. I'd like to have "one device to rule them all" that was "outdoor proof".

 

[OutdoorX4]

It's a really cool show. There's a TON of cool outdoor gear and not nearly enough time to see it all unless you're there most of the week. The outdoor demo area is pretty cool as well.

 

[flyfishexpert]

2014 Outdoor Retailer: Footwear

We continue our Outdoor Retailer Summer Market coverage with our favorite footwear from the show.

Keen

"Two cords and a sole. Created for your feet." - That is the motto of Keen's new sandal that is, well, UNEEK! Launched earlier this summer, UNEEK tosses out conventional sandal/shoe design principals and and sought to develop an entirely new way to create the upper portion of a shoe.

Using innovative two cord construction, KEEN UNEEK molds to your feet for the perfect fit. The two cords and a simple, free-moving cord junction design allow the upper to move and adapt to the shape of foot. This construction provides freedom of movement while providing security and structure. - Keen's product description
​

UNEEK is currently available for sale, in limited sizes, and retails for $100.


Vibram

Trek Ascent LR (image courtesy of Vibram)​

If you are like me and someone mentions Vibram, two things come to mind - sols for hiking/work boots/shoes and Vibram's Five Fingers running shoes. While their Five Finger running shoes continue to be very popular, Vibram is beginning to diversify their collection and are now including models oriented toward hiking, trail running, and water sports. Their new Trek Ascent LR incorporates a stiffer sole to protect feet from uneven terrain and a leather upper for increased abrasion resistance. The Trek Ascent looks like a great option for those interested in Five Fingers but wish to have more traditional styling. Trek Ascent will be available, nationwide, March 1, 2015.

Click here to read more about our favorite footwear from the OR Show and look for more OR Show coverage in the coming days.

 

[Mitch]

I like seeing more 5 Fingers options. I need to get an updated pair. I still use the first version of their "offroad" model.

I would like to go to this someday. Maybe next year.

 

[flyfishexpert]

Our Favorite Gear

My favorite part of the Outdoor Retailer shows is checking out all of the new gear on display. I am, for better and for worse, a gear junkie and I love seeing all of the cool new product gear manufacturers are coming out with. Here is a selection of my favorite gear from this year's show.


Zippo

Zippo's new '4-in-1 Woodsman™' looks pretty awesome and would be great in the back of our 4Runner. Zippo says:
The 4-in-1 Woodsman™ converts to an axe and bow saw to help cut your way through a jungle of brush and tough limbs fast. A mallet and stake puller helps you set up a pop-up blind and take it down with ease. Carry this product to your campsite and have a mallet, a stake puller, a 15" bow saw that cuts oak up to 4” in diameter, and a hatchet with a 5” blade. Call it a handy camping tool or a survival tool, no tool gives you more capability for the weight or the money.

TravelChair

The new Roo Chair on the left and the original Joey Chair on the right


I love it when companies listen to their users and really innovate. TravelChair did just that this year when they introduced two new ultralight camp chairs. We reviewed their Joey Chair earlier this year (Click here for the review), and we love the design, and were excited to see two new chairs from them, the Roo and Wallaby.

• The Roo Chair is 20% taller, deeper and wider than TravelChair's popular Joey Chair, making it perfect for people wanting a little extra room. It weighs in at 3.25 pounds, supports up to 350 pounds and packs down small with the included stuff sack. MSRP: $109.99
• The Wallaby Chair is the first ultra-light packable camp chair in its class with armrests and a cup holder, and new for 2015, Anti-Sink Disc Feet that prevent sinking in soft ground. It weighs less than 3.5 pounds and packs down small with an included zippered stuff sack. MSRP: $134.99

Click here to read more about our favorite equipment from the OR Show and look for more OR Show coverage in the coming days.