Trailspace Blog November 2009

McNett offers a full line of of products to maintain, repair, and restore old gear and clothing.

Just about every week, McNett—maker of care and repair products for outerwear, tents, footwear, and other outdoor gear—hears from someone whose cat peed on his down sleeping bag.

“We can fix just about anything. There really isn’t a problem we haven’t seen,” says George Farkas, product and marketing manager at McNett.

In the cat pee case, the solution is to head to the laundromat with some ReviveX Down Cleaner. Then keep the cat away from that big bag of feathers.

Other scenarios they hear about include: the baby vomited in the tent, the oil from the can of tuna fish spilled in the backpack, the milk curdled, the dog met a skunk, and so on. For horrible smells the solution is MiraZyme Odor Eliminator.

Farkas says McNett uses consumer feedback and works with manufacturers' warranty departments to understand what the consistent gear repair problems are. The company then develops products based on the same ingredients and materials used by manufacturers, so users can care for and repair their gear on their own.

“Half of what we do is empower people,” says Farkas. The biggest hang-up for consumers is fear. No one wants to make a fatal cleaning mistake on her three hundred dollar shell or sleeping bag. But, “we can help people be proud of their gear again and help them do a beautiful job,” said Farkas. “You really can do it.”

Want to know how to:

• wash your climbing rope,
• deodorize your tent, or
• repair your sleeping pad?

McNett offers extensive gear maintenance, cleaning, and repair tips in their Repair Guide, available online: http://www.mcnett-outdoor.com/Repair-Guide/122.aspx

The company has several new products available now:

	Tenacious Tapes Made from actual tent fabric in five colors and clear, Tenacious Tape doesn’t leave a sticky residue like duct tape (“The warranty departments hate duct tape,” said Farkas). It’s made for patching holes and tears on tents, tarps, mosquito netting, rain gear, backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. 20" x 3" roll (50 cm x 7.5 cm) 60 sq in (375 sq cm) MSRP: $4.50
	Smart Suds Scent Free Camper’s Soap The first camper’s soap certified by the EPA as “designed for the environment,” Smart Suds biodegrades rapidly through soil microbe action and has Leave No Trace instructions right on the bottle. It does not contain perfumes, dyes, or harsh cleaning agents and can be used to clean hands, face, body, clothing, and dishes. 1.25 oz MSRP: $2.50 4 oz MSRP: $4.50
	ReviveX Leather Boot Care Kit Specifically designed for all full-grain leather footwear, the kit bundles together McNett's ReviveX Leather Gel Water Repellent and Boot Cleaner Concentrate with a specialized boot brush and stain eraser block. Also available as a Nubuck, Suede and Fabric Boot Care Kit. MSRP: $15.95

I’m interrupting our regularly scheduled Outdoor Retailer coverage for this reminder, which we all can stand to hear:

Just because a piece of gear is new, does not necessarily mean it’s good, or good for you. It might be good, it might be great, it might be paradigm-shifting, or it might simply be new.

“New” gear can be noteworthy and interesting, but new alone doesn’t tell you about performance, quality, comfort, reliability. That comes later, when gear gets put through its paces by dedicated backcountry enthusiasts like you.

So, this is where you, our Trailspace community members, come in. Write a gear review and tell all of us about your good, bad, or great gear. Whether you got it last year or last decade, whether it’s been widely heralded, quietly solid and reliable, or a total disappointment, whether it’s glitzy or lackluster, there is someone out there who wants to hear about your gear.

Let's give a shout-out to all of the quality "old" gear out there on the trail, in packs, at the campsite, that allows us to get out there and enjoy the backcountry.

1. Read the gear review tips.
2. Pick out a few of your own time-tested pieces that deserve a nod (don’t forget the stuff you take for granted).
3. Write a gear review and share your experience.

With credit to SNEWS’s “We're too focused on what's new to remember what's good” article: http://snewsview.blogspot.com/2009/01/were-too-focused-on-whats-new-to.html

Today we bring you more gear news and information from Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009, this time in electronics.

	Timex Expedition WS4 Call it an “adventure instrument,” wrist top computer, or watch, the WS4 is distinguished by its widescreen display (approximately 1 5/16"), which features altimeter (range: -1,312 to 29,520 feet), barometer (range: 300 to 1,100 mbar), thermometer (range: 14° to 122°F), and compass measurements. (The WS4 stands for wide screen, four functions.) Developed with the help of alpinist Conrad Anker who tested it in the Himalayas, the WS4 easily toggles between functions, even with mitts on up high, is water resistant to 50 meters, has a chronograph, alarm, timer, and night-mode setting for low-light conditions, and is available with a rubber or elastic strap in six color combos. Weight: 90 g Display Dimensions: 38 mm x 25 mm Case Dimensions: 50 mm x 40 mm MSRP: $199.95 Limited availability starting February 2009, available worldwide in May.
	Lowrance Sierra The flagship of Lowrance’s new Endura line of GPS receivers, the Sierra has both a touch screen and keypad functionality. It features a high-resolution 2.7-inch color touch screen display, 3D digital compass and barometric altimeter, 4GB of internal memory, micro SD expansion slot supporting up to an additional 32GB of storage, and is fully waterproof to IPx7 standard (submersible) Comes pre-loaded with Intermap’s Accuterra high-resolution topographic maps, extensive outdoor trail networks and Points of Interest, and NAVTEQ road network for the contiguous 48 states. Weight: 5.8 oz (165 g) without two AA batteries Dimensions: 5.1" x 2.3" x 1.1" (130 mm x 60 mm x 31 mm) MSRP: $549 Available May 2009
	ACR Electronics MicroFix 12 ACR’s newest personal locator beacon (PLB), the MicroFix 12 is supposed to be smaller and lighter, and will feature a new strobe light function. The one-button activated, emergency signaling device is intended for outdoor enthusiasts heading into remote areas. It has a built-in LED strobe light to increase visibility to Search and Rescue, a 42-channel GPS engine (-144 dBm sensitivity) for faster acquisition, allows up to 12 long GPS acquisition tests, and boasts a more efficient design that uses less power, making it smaller and lighter. MSRP: $650 Available: The MicroFix 12 has not yet been authorized as required by the Rules of the FCC.
	SPOT Assist This tool isn’t for the backcountry, but it might help get you to the trailhead. Like the original SPOT, SPOT Assist uses a GPS receiver to deliver location-based messaging, but this time help comes in the form of 24/7 roadside assistance. Most features work the same as with regular SPOT: “Check In” lets contacts know where you are and that you’re okay. “Track Progress” sends and saves your location. “Alert 9-1-1” notifies an emergency rescue coordination center of your GPS location. However, on SPOT Assist, “Help” notifies a national roadside response center or others (your choice) of your location for roadside towing, auto-accident assistance, tire repair, and other services, provided you’re on a paved road in the United States or Canada. MSRP: $129 Available in the continental United States and Canada April 2009. Expected in other countries later in 2009.

Tele skier and lightweight backpacker Ron Rod beat four other design students in the Project OR competition. Ron designed and completed “The Rocker,” a woman's mid-layer jacket complete with a fully-integrated and working sound system, to win the 48-hour concept-to-prototype contest.

No, we’re not wrapping up our coverage of the new gear we saw at Outdoor Retailer. We’ve got lots more of that to come. So keep on visiting. However, now that we’re back home it seemed like time for a little wrap-up of the show itself.

Outdoor Retailer definitely felt quieter this year due to the economic downturn, about five percent down from last year’s Winter Market turnout according to OR. Many manufacturers and retail buyers scaled back their presence and travel budgets, and presumably many small and new companies opted not to make the trip at all.

However, there was still plenty of outdoor business happening with approximately 16,500 attendees checking out the 330,000 square feet of floor space.

To give you some perspective of the space we cover, I wore a pedometer from the hotel to the show and back each day. Here are the numbers, not counting walks to dinner:

Wednesday, Day 0: 4,570 steps, 1.73 miles (went to pick up media badge)

Thursday, Day 1: 12,732 steps, 4.83 miles

Friday, Day 2: 8,073 steps, 3.06 miles

Saturday, Day 3: 14,698 steps, 5.58 miles

Sunday, Day 4: 14,973 steps, 5.68 miles (not counting a 1 mile sprint, with bags and baby stroller, from Gate K9 in Terminal 3 to C7 in Terminal 1 in O’Hare... whew...)

Grand Total: 55,046 steps, 20.88 miles

The Kids Selk'Bag, with the down and Primaloft bags draped behind.

Lippi Outdoor, the Chilean company that created the Selk’bag, has introduced two updated versions of its wearable sleeping bag and a new kids bag. Essentially, a sleeping bag with arms, legs, and a hood, a Selk’bag allows you to move your legs and arms freely to stand, walk, cross them, or sleep, all while wearing the bag for warmth.

The original Selk’bags, filled with polyester hollow fiber fill, have been updated for fall 2009 with a Primaloft version and an 800 fill down version. Both feature Cordura on the foot bottoms, with extra grip strips, an iPod pocket, zipper vents, improved draft collars, and integrated mittens.

Lippi’s reps told me their original Selk'bag users—found on five continents—have been varied. In addition to hunters and summer campers, they include college students and housewives (and maybe househusbands?) who want a cozy wearable blanket, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and even video gamers.

I tried the new Down Selk'bag on for size.

The updated down and Primaloft bags are expected to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who want mobility with warmth. They also will be comfortable in colder temperatures (though they won't be as warm as a comparable regular mummy bag would be). The new bags are expected to undergo independent lab testing for temperature ratings next week.

The Primaloft Selk’bag will retail for around $295.

The Down Selk’bag will retail for around $400.

Both bags will be available for fall 2009 in three adult sizes.

A kids' version of the original Selk’bag, in two sizes, will be available in late April. It will retail for $99.

Every season, Merrell Apparel challenges its design team to think outside the box and develop a concept piece. For fall 2009 the piece is the NADA (Not Any Dye Applied) Jacket.

Available in both a men’s (Cirque) and women’s (Nanuk) model, the NADA Jacket is made completely dye free. Everything—including its 100-percent polyester fabric, zippers, and labels—is constructed without the usual dye process.

According to Merrell, producing a NADA Jacket uses 59 percent less carbon dioxide, 86 percent less water, 63 percent fewer chemicals, and 59 percent less energy compared to a conventionally-dyed jacket. Or, to be more exact, producing one women’s small jacket NADA-style saves 1.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide, 115.2 liters of water, 0.18 kg of chemicals, and 2.47 kilowatt-hours of energy.

The NADA Jackets feature Merrell Opti-Warm insulation in the sleeves and body for added warmth, and are fully seamsealed and waterproof, using Merrell’s 2-layer Opti-Shell.

The NADA Jackets will retail for $229 in fall 2009.

One thing I like about Outdoor Retailer (in addition to all of the gear, of course), is meeting people and their products I’d never hear about otherwise. Take Joel Clark and his family’s Kodiak Cakes.

Back in 1982, then 8-year-old Joe was recruited by his mom, Penny, to sell lunch sacks full of the family’s whole-grain pancake mix to their Utah neighbors. Young Joe, along with the family sheepdog, walked the neighborhood with his Radio Flyer red wagon full of pancake mixes, sold them all, and even got some reorders.

In 1995 the Clarks started selling an add-water-only version of the recipe, developed by brother Jon, to gourmet markets and gift shops. Now, after 13 years in business, the Clarks sell Kodiak Cakes flapjack and waffle mixes in more than 3,000 stores in 25 states. At OR, the company introduced a stir-n-pour version, which comes in a compostable container, sized and measured for water to be added and mixed within.

One morning this week, Joel made me my own Kodiak Cake pancake with mountain berry sauce on top. Yum. There’s also a brownie mix.

www.kodiakcakes.com

SteriPen, makers of ultraviolet water purifiers, introduced the FitsAll Filter, a 4-micron filter for use before purifying water with a SteriPen.

The FitsAll Filter consists of a flexible cup and funnel and a 4-micron filter cartridge, and is designed for use in a wide range of bottles. In narrow-mouth bottles, like Siggs or canteens, the cup and funnel fit together. On wider-mouth bottles, like Klean Kanteens and Nalgenes, the cup is used alone.

To filter, water can be pored through the FitsAll Filter and its filter cartridge, or the FitsAll Filter and bottle of choice can be immersed together into the water source. For wide-mouth bottles, the FitsAll Filter also works as an adapter for use with the SteriPen Journey and Classic.

SteriPen FitsAll Filter
Weight: 2.3 oz (65 g)
Nesting storage dimensions: 3.5" (88 mm) x 3.7" (95 mm) x 2.8" (72 mm)
Available: April 2009
Retail: $14.95

Ed Volkwein, president of SteriPen, showed us the FitsAll Filter this afternoon:

Love the Jetboil PCS personal cooking system, but want to stand out from the crowd? The new Flash PCS version will come in four colors—black, gold, purple, and blue—and has several new features that reportedly increase the PCS’s performance and ease of use, along with adding some bling.

The new Jetboil Flash PCS will feature:

• thermochromic technology on the PCS cup, that fancy talk means the decorative wave on the outside of the cup changes colors as contents inside heat up (check it out in the video below),
• and a redesigned 1-liter cooking pot that includes a translucent lid to track cooking progress while preventing hot liquid from boiling over.

Ashley Gonnella presented the new Flash PCS to us today, and Lisa Eaton of Jetboil gave us a demonstration in thermochromism:

The Flash PCS canister stove will be available for fall 2009 and will retail for $99.95.

This week CamelBak unveiled their latest hydration system: the ShredBak "integrated hydration vest." Designed primarily for winter sports, the ShredBak is a water-resistant soft shell vest with a built-in 72 ounce hydration reservoir that includes an insulated tube and bite valve.

Jon Austen, CamelBak's director of product management, took some time yesterday to point out the key features and share the story of how the ShredBak was developed:

CamelBak ShredBak vital stats

Capacity: 72 oz./2.1 Liter = 1-2 hours of hydration
Cargo: Chest pocket for bite valve storage; two side pockets for other essentials
Materials: Shell – 100% Polyester, Underlayer – 75% Polymide, 25% Elastane
Availability: Fall 2009 (in select specialty retailers)
Sizes/Colors: Men’s White (S-XXL), Men’s Black (S-XXL), Women’s White (XS-XL), Women’s Black (XS-XL)
MSRP: $200.00

Here's something that caught my eye yesterday, on day one of Outdoor Retailer:

GoMotion, makers of body-mounted LED lights, is introducing the Waist Light Kit for fall 2009. The Waist Light Kit is a light that easily attaches to the front of your current waist hydration or lumbar pack, or any pack with a 1.5" to 2" wide belt, allowing you to run, hike, walk, ski, or snowshoe in low-light conditions without a headlamp.

The GoMotion Waist Light Kit, shown attached to the front of a waist pack.

The Waist Light Kit mounts over the current pack's buckle or belt strap by two Velcro straps, and is easy to adjust or remove. It will come in both a 1-watt model and a rechargeable 3-watt model and features a low-profile Luxeon LED with multiple functions including: a beam whose angle can be adjusted 95 degrees by tilting, adjustable beam width, and three brightness levels.

The light runs on three AA batteries and has a battery life indicator. It will even knock itself down from the highest to lowest setting if you’re running out of batteries, so you won’t get stuck out in the dark.

The 1-watt Waist Light Kit will retail for $59.95.
The 3-watt Waist Light Kit will retail for $89.95.
Both models will be available in September of 2009.

GoMotion also offers a Sternum Light Kit that attaches to backpacks or hydration vests, and light vests and a belt for road and trail runners. For more info on GoMotion: www.gomotiongear.com

This afternoon, Scott Kaier showed us the EtaPackLite, Primus’s newest and lightest two-person EtaPower stove, following the design of the EtaPower EasyFuel and EtaPower MultiFuel stoves.

The EtaPackLite runs on pressurized LP gas and is rated at 80 percent efficiency. It weighs 21 ounces and comes as a complete cook system, including a stove base with burner, wind screen, serving bowl, and a 1.2 liter pot with a lid that doubles as a colander. All components, including a 100-gram fuel cartridge, nest in the pot. The EtaPackLite will be available for Spring 2009 and will retail for $115.

(Note: Sorry for the poor video quality. The camera apparently switched itself to low-quality mode on me without warning.)

A sample of Coghlan's outdoor accessories.

In 1959, Norm Coghlan, who sold and rented camping gear at his Winnipeg gas appliance store, started selling the Camp Stove Toaster to customers who wanted a better way to toast bread on a camp stove.

Fifty years and seven million packages later, Coghlan’s is still selling the Camp Stove Toaster. Oh, and a few hundred other outdoor accessories, like bear bells, whistles, squeeze tubes, fire starters, hot dog skewers, signal mirrors, compasses, and other small gizmos that you've likely noticed in their distinctive green and yellow packages with the red logo.

While the Camp Stove Toaster is still going strong, new camping accessories are added every year.

Here’s what’s new from Coghlan’s for spring 2009:

	Sight-Grid Signal Mirror Highly reflective glass is encased in a shatter resistant acrylic case Signals up to 25 miles on a clear day Grid mesh in center of the mirror allows user to target the beam by framing object 2" x 3" size Lightweight SOS gear MSRP: $12.99
	Cooler Light Provides a focused, smooth beam of light when the cooler is opened Shuts off after 20 seconds regardless if the cooler is closed Water resistant A single LED light reflected through an acrylic lens Secured to the underside of the cooler (or tackle box, toolbox, etc.) with double side adhesive tape MSRP: $8.99

“Who are we? Who are these strange complicated people that call themselves Americans?”

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns says he’s been trying to understand how our country works for thirty years. You never answer the question, says Burns. You deepen it. 

He expands on these questions and others in his new documentary series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. 

Burns gave a sneak peak of The National Parks this morning at the Outdoor Industry Association’s breakfast. During the fifteen-minute opener that was shown, the audience watched raptly as lava flowed into the ocean. Glaciers calved. A lone bison plodded through the snow. A grizzly caught a salmon in mid air.

In a clip from the second episode, a Yellowstone ranger recalls a scene with a herd of buffalo one winter morning while delivering mail by snowmobile. He stops, turns off the snowmobile, forgets the mail, and simply listens. "It was one of those moments when you get pulled outside yourself,” said the ranger. "A moment in a place like Yellowstone can last forever." 

While the documentary certainly contains majestic, inspiring scenery in abundance, it’s about much more than beautiful pictures. In it, Burns examines the history of the national park system—a uniquely American, democratic idea—and Americans’ relationships with that space. “It’s not just the immensity of time, but the intimacy, whose hand you’re holding” during those transcendent moments, said Burns.

“You and I own some of the most majestic mountain scenes. You and I own the grandest canyon on earth,” said Burns. “And the deal is, all we have to do is take care of it.”

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea took six years to film. Burns co-produced it with his longtime colleague, Dayton Duncan.

“I think it’s the best film we’ve done,” said Burns. It will air on PBS in six two-hour parts, starting September 27.

The doors to the Salt Palace open at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) for the Outdoor Retailer trade show.

First up tomorrow, even before those doors open to the masses, is an industry breakfast where Ken Burns will give a sneak peak of The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, his new documentary on the history of America’s national parks. The 12-hour documentary will air in six parts on PBS in September. This should be a real treat!

And that’s just the beginning. We’ve got lots to cover here in Salt Lake City, and we’ll be doing so here on the Trailspace blog. So stay tuned.