by Seth Levy
By the third day of Outdoor Retailer, the show slows down a bit. While the frenetic energy of Days 1 and 2 dissipates, there are opportunities to look at new gear and apparel with fewer distractions.
Here are some highlights from day three on the trade show floor.
The North Face Fuse Uno Jacket
Modern garments demand different high performance fibers for different areas. High wear areas, like shoulders and elbows, call for burly nylons. Other areas may need increased breathability, reflectivity, and other features. Joining those dissimilar fibers usually requires a seam and seam tape, which add weight and restrict movement.
To join fiber interfaces without the use of tapes and stitched seams, The North Face developed FuseForm, a proprietary bonding technology. The result is the amazing Fuse Uno Jacket, an elegant alpine exploration jacket constructed from just a single piece of The North Face's HyVent Alpha waterproof-breathable fabric. Two different yarns are woven into the fabric to increase durability and breathability.
The Fuse Uno is intricately cut from one piece of fabric, folded, and bonded seamlessly with FuseForm.
Weight: 351 g
Available: Fall 2014
MSRP: $399 (approximate)
Princeton Tec Sync Headlamp
A Maxbright LED spot beam, a Maxbright LED floodlight, and an Ultrabright red LED all power Princeton Tec's new Sync headlamp. These lamps make the Sync a flexible and powerful lighting tool, but the user interface is where the product really "shines." The Sync has a bidirectional dial that allows you to choose between six different lighting modes. Rotate the dial to the mode you want. The sixth mode is unique in that it combines both the spot beam and the flood beam for near-field and distance illumination.
Lumens: 120
Burn Time: 120 Hours
Available: Fall 2014
MSRP: $29.99
Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves
For static activities in the cold, like belaying, and activities with massive wind exposure, like winter fat biking, insulation alone doesn't cut it.
To keep hands warmer, Outdoor Research is utilizing a heated glove technology called ALTIheat, which claims to provide 61 percent greater power output than any other heated glove, combined with twice as much heated surface area.
ALTIheat technology is incorporated into Outdoor Research's Lucent Gloves and Mitts and Stormtracker Gloves. Each offers three different heating modes and is powered by rechargeable batteries.
Available: Fall 2014
MSRP: $350 (Lucent); $235 (Stormtracker)
Battery Life: 8 hours (low), 5 hours (medium), 2.5 hours (high)
Outdoor Research Phosphor Mitts
Sometimes you don't need electric elements to stay warm. A solid pair of warm mittens is crucial to every winter backcountry adventure. That's where the OR Phosphor Mitts excel.
These simple, functional mitts are stuffed with 600 fill power down insulation, and have a Gore-Windstopper liner and suede palm. The Phosphor Mitts roll up into a wad the size of an apple for easy packing.
Fill: 600-fill power down
Available: Fall 2014
MSRP: $89
Want more from Day 3? Check out our Day 3: Outdoor Retailer album on Facebook.
And follow us here in the blog, on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and on Trailspace's YouTube channel.
