I can’t believe how much gear there really is out there. Trying to decide what I include is a difficult decision, but everything can’t fit. I want to start off with a company that we all are familiar with, McNett. Now saying that name a lot of you are saying, ” I don’t know who that is.” Well they are the one who make Seamgrip and ReviveX. Well they are still making all these great product but they are also adding line called Gear Aid. We all understand the importance of first aid for ourselves, now we can get first aid for our gear. McNett has made it easy for one to fix many common problems while outdoors. Another great resource that they have is their Gear Repair and Care Guide.  Gear Aid comes in many different types from, Guide to soloist. Check them out at their website.The concept behind a Yowie is not new. But they are a company that is growing fast. The price behind the Yowie is nice though. Running  about $8 for a regular Yowie and $10 for an Arctic Yowie. I was able to get an Arctic Yowie and they are very soft to the touch.  They company is also coming out with Stainless Steel Bottles, wallets and Bluetooth headphones.  Check them out and see some demo videos at http://www.outdoortechnology.com

SteriPEN is making it easier to get out and drink safe water. For 2010 they are coming out with a new filter funnel system as well as a new bundled package of the Journey. They are also introducing a new adventurer model.

Talking with the people at Optimus stoves was one of the highlights of the show for me. They have a few different styles of stoves that they make.  Pictured above is the Crux. It is a small stove that has a pivot point to fold up, so it can be stored easier.  You can see this a little better in the next two pictures.

But one of the coolest stoves they have is their Nova. It can be cleaned while it is still running. It is a multi-fuel stove packed with features. These stoves are not new to the market, but I do believe they are worth mentioning. Check them  out here.  As a side note they are the makers of  some pretty sweet water filters. You might have heard of them, Katadyn.

The Outdoor Retailer Show has always been a place to see what new and exciting gear is coming out. This year was no exception. As I said in the previous post, I was able to see and get a lot of information about some of the new gear coming out. So in the next few post I am going to talk about new gear as well as about some of the gear that caught my eye this show that might already be out.

A vest by Klymit is the first piece of gear that I would like to talk about and was one of the coolest new things that I saw at this show. Klymit Kinetic Vest is the first product to use its breakthrough Klymit NobleTek insulation. Klymit NobleTek is the only technology on the market that gives outdoor enthusiasts the power to “Kontrol” and adjust their level of warmth via flexible, gastight yet breathable chambers filled with gas instead of down or fiber. This cutting-edge technology provides insulation that is not only adjustable, but warmer, thinner and lighter-weight than other insulators. NobleTek insulation uses Argon gas, which is better at trapping warmth, is weightless, and retains its loft when inflated. It also stays warm when wet, is windproof and eco-friendly. The gases used by Klymit are non-toxic, non-flammable and completely safe for both the user and the environment. The vest comes in four different styles designed with features specific to most outdoor activities.

“After two and a half years of research and hard work, it’s so rewarding to see the finished product,” says Nate Alder, CEO of Klymit. “With the Kinetic vests, people can finally see for themselves how well NobleTek insulation works. NobleTek is going to change the outdoor industry.”

They are also coming out with a few different shells. You can learn more about all their products at www.klymit.com.

I came across this next product after roaming around the show for a few days. OrthoSole customizable insoles. As you can see in the picture, the insoles have interchangeable insert that can be customized six different ways to give you different support options. Knowing that not all feet are alike, this give you the opportunity to adjust your insole to how you feet are. OrthoSole come with a 90 Day Perfect Fit Guarantee. I was able to score a pair of these insoles and will be giving them a product review in the coming weeks after trying them out at work and play. Stay tuned for the review. If you would like more information on these insoles, head to their website at www.orthosole.com.

The next product isn’t new for this show but it did caught my eye. The Ipood by Sea To Summit is a light weight camp trowel that is collapsible, with a carry-anywhere design and heaps of extra features. The perfect tool for backcountry or outback travel weighing only 3.5 ounces.  A handy hollow handle allows for storing useful items like toilet tissue, hand sanitizer or lighter. Check it out at www.seatosummit.com.

The last product I will talk about in this post is the Geomate.jr.  This little GPS unit is preloaded with 250,000 geocache locations all over the 50 U.S. states. It makes geocaching as easy as turning on the unit and following the display to the nearest geocache.  If you are looking into getting into geocaching this would be a great first step. Read more about it and the optional upgrade kit at mygeomate.com.

Well the last few days I have been roaming around the Salt Palace here in Utah at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Show. It is like a giant candy store for adults who love the outdoors. Over the next week, I will be posting the latest gear that I came across during the show. Some new gear as well as some that just really caught my eye.  I hope you check back and see some of the new and excited gear that will be coming out.

There were a bunch of different bands playing at the show. I caught some of Joey and Rory sing their song “Cheater, Cheater”.

Boulder, Colorado, January 14th, 2010 — Following the earthquakes and tsunamis in Southeast Asia and the attacks on 9/11, the members of Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) responded with an amazing demonstration of support and provided critical supplies for emergency disaster relief.

Outdoor Industry Association, working with AmeriCares (http://www.americares.org/), is once again calling on members to dig deep to support those areas devastated by earthquake in Haiti.

AmeriCares has disaster workers on scene and is planning immediate relief flights and sea shipments from their headquarters in Connecticut. Their immediate product needs are:

Medical Supplies
First Aid Kits
Bandages and Soaps
Face Masks - Medical
Water Purification
Headlamps
Tarps
Work Gloves
Hydration Containers

To donate this urgently needed product/equipment contact: Randy Weiss at AmeriCares at (203) 658-9527 or rweiss@americares.org. All donations will be delivered by air and sea directly to the region by AmeriCares.

Due to the amazing response from the nation, AmeriCares is having trouble replying to everyone in a timely manner, but they will respond.

OIA will continue to publish updated equipment needs throughout the relief effort and is working with the Department of Commerce to explore opportunities to supply outdoor companies incentives to help rebuild Haiti through preferred sourcing and manufacturing programs.

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About Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University®, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer trade shows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.

If anyone is looking for a great opportunity to work with a non-profit company, Leave No Trace has post that they are looking for spring interns. Check it out. http://leavenotracecommunity.blogspot.com/2010/01/were-looking-for-spring-interns.html

At the beginning of each new year, new goals are set. I have been thinking about this coming year and trying to figure out what goals I would like to set for myself. I thought if I posted it here, then I would have others to support, remind, and prod me into reaching my goals. Last year, was the first year that I can remember sitting down and writing out goals. I did fall short in most cases but I know because of a least one goal, I went climbing more. I am good at coming up with excuses at why I can’t reach a certain goal or maybe why I haven’t been able to go outside as much as I would have liked (Kids, work, family, tired). But when it is all said and done, these are just that, EXCUSES. I would love to hear from all of you. What are you planning this year? What goals do you have? Please reply to this post and by doing so we can all help each other succeed.