OR Snow Show 2019: Our Favorite Gear & Technology
There’s nothing quite like seeing that big blue bear peeking in through the windows of the Denver Convention Center right?
Check out some of our favorite gear, news, and overall great finds that we encountered at Outdoor Retailer 2019 Snow Show.
Patagonia – “Responsible Shells”
“Let’s change the way we make our clothes. Together.”
Sustainability among consumers (particularly younger consumers) has brought Patagonia to become the “first” in the industry to make all 62 of their waterproof shells from 100% recycled materials and sewn in Fairtrade Certified Factories. All of this without compromising the integrity and performance of the shell. My dude, THAT’S HUGE!
Reducing their environmental footprint, Patagonia has partnered up with brands such as GORE-TEX® to use recycled materials on their waterproof shells for the Fall 2019 season (in some AMAZING colors inspired by some of our favorite National Parks I might add)! The result? Encouraging consumers to shop responsibly and know their money is going to the people that actually make their product.
We’re excited about Patagonia’s initiative to bring the conversation to other brands at OR and hope it sparks a new step in the right direction for the outdoor industry!
(Learn more about Patagonia’s Fairtrade Certified Products HERE.)
Native Eyewear – “VIGOR AF™”
We got to test out Native Eyewear’s new 2019 frames that you should definitely be checking out if you haven’t already!
One of the big themes for this season is “side venting” for all of their frames.
Our favorite, the VIGOR AF™, is a beautifully designed performance frame for anyone trying to go that extra distance. You think you know what “AF” means? It actually stands for “Advanced Fit”. Re-introduced last December from the original VIGOR™ performance frame, VIGOR AF™ uses adjustable CUSHINOL™ nose pads and temple boots (which are super bendy) to create a custom and comfortable fit for any head shape.
Native frames are made out of a bio castor-resin, so these bad boys are good for the environment AND will last a long time. Manage to break them? They have a great Limited Lifetime Warranty to help ya out!
Check out VIGOR AF™ as well as two other 2019 releases, GRIZ & RAGHORN on the Native Eyewear Website.
Sweet Protection – “The Switcher”
With multiple awards won and more anticipated, we had to stop by the Sweet Protection booth and see what all the hype was about. Let me tell you, it’s a “sweet” story.
We got a look at the newest helmet in the Sweet Protection line, the award-winning Switcher helmet. Offering overall protection and performance, this helmet consists of 20 vents (yes, I said 20) to help regulate the temperature from your head. Add in MIPS technology and the respected lightweight, light volume technology that Sweet Protection has to offer on all of their gear and you have an all-around great helmet for most conditions.
The Switcher helmet is also Audio Ready. All you have to do is add in Audio Chips to the built-in ear-pads and you can listen to whatever you want on the go.
Learn More about The Switcher HERE.
LOWA – “Cold Weather Collection”
LOWA’s Task Force collection is always in demand and we love seeing what’s new in that line, but we were excited to check out their new Cold-Weather Boots including their bold new Ice Expedition and Mountaineering Series. Incorporating MONOWRAP™ technologies and GORE-TEX waterproof insulation, this collection has endless possibilities.
What Caught Our Eyes
• Men’s Glasgow II GTX Mid – Durable and warm and perfect to take out on the town or for a hike.
• Women’s Fiss GTC Mid WS – Luxurious and comfortable. Extra protection from the elements and side zips to get on and off super easy.
• Locarno Ice GTX Mid (Men’s & Women’s) – “Winterized” version of the original Locarno GTX Mid boot from last spring. You’ll feel close to the ground and uses VIBRAM’s Artic Grip® on the soles for a better traction on slippery surfaces.
• Alpine Pro Le GTX (Men’s & Women’s) – Split-leather version of the original Alpine Pro GTX is perfect for alpinists and comes in beautiful colors!
The North Face – “FutureLight”
The North Face launched a brand new fabric at the show called “Futurelight”. A “revolutionary–and sustainable–new breathable and waterproof fabric”. They have been noting that it’s the “most advanced breathable waterproof outerwear material available.”
Constructed using nano-spinning techniques, this allows manufacturers and designers to adjust breathability, weight and even stretch of a material being made. North Face is regarding it as a “tunable textile”.
North Face plans to launch the new fabric Fall 2019 and we are excited to learn more about it before then!
“The Voice” – Publication Launch
“Independent. Unfiltered. Engaged.”
We’ve been amping up to get ahold of the first issue of The Voice at the show since we first heard about it and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
This is exactly what the industry needs right now and it was a breath of fresh air from reading normal publications at the show. A fair balance of hard truth, facts and reality, we wish everyone in the world could read this, not just the outdoor industry. Taking REI head on on the cover page, unloading data about the cost of Outdoor Retailer and even the final results of the “Sexual Harassment Survey” SNEWS did a while back. There’s so much in this issue that we had to go through it several times to take it all in.
Promise me, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on a copy and we can’t wait until the next issue! (Next issue drops on June 18, 2019 for Day 1 of OR Summer Market).
Get a free copy HERE.
Own a piece of gear that you're dying to review? Read our submissions page and let's get it up on the interwebz!
