Trailspace Blog (page 2)

A $2K Tent, Self-Motivated Headlamp, More Gear News

A $2,000 Cuben tent from Easton, a headlamp with "optic motility" from Snow Peak, plus final gear highlights from brands exhibiting at summer Outdoor Retailer.

Fuel Cells, Titanium Frames, and Waterproof Sleeping Bags

PowerTrekk turns water into electricity. Vargo revives the external frame pack with titanium. Montane makes a totally waterproof sleeping bag. Day three of Outdoor Retailer was a parade of technological innovation.

Outdoor Innovators Speak

Outdoor Retailer always promises unique innovations — and plenty enthusiastic product designers, brand managers, and PR reps eager to show them off. Here are just a few of them, in their own words.

Keeping it Light with NEMO, Patagonia, and Sea to Summit

Gear gets lighter every year, but NEMO, Patagonia, and Sea to Summit strike the balance between lightweight performance and comfort with these new products.

OR Day One: Around the Foot, Side, and Kitchen

Day One on the Outdoor Retailer show floor turned up a number of innovations, from breathable footwear to stable hydration and a slick cook system.

2650-Mile Socks, Shapeshifting Shoes, and Packs that Adjust on the Fly

A pack whose torso length can be adjusted without taking it off, a shoe with a unique body, and socks built to endure 2,650 miles of pounding. Day one of Outdoor Retailer brought a parade of wonders.

OR Demo Day: Scorching Stoves, Thermoelectric Power, and Rapid Inflation Pads

Jetboil introduces a scorching 10,000 BTU stove. FlameStower offers another thermoelectric power-generating stove. And Windcatcher promises "rapid inflation technology" with its air pad.

To Write the Best Backpack Reviews Answer 3 Questions

When buying a backpack, people want to know how it will fit, feel, and hold their gear. Give those details, and you'll help other hikers, backpackers, climbers, skiers, trail runners, and paddlers find the right pack for their next backcountry adventures.

11 Tips for the Best Outdoor Gear Reviews

Whether you're reviewing your 20-year-old backpack, the latest solid fuel stove, or any other outdoor equipment, clothing, or footwear, follow these tips to write the best outdoor gear reviews.

Black Diamond Brings Apparel Line for 2013

Iconic equipment manufacturer Black Diamond is launching a new line of technical mountain apparel with high-end fabrics, built-in RECCO reflectors, and classic style.

Inov-8 Adds Apparel to Off-Road Running Lines

Off-road running brand inov-8 launches its first line of trail running apparel for fall-winter 2013. Pair with its minimalist, lightweight shoes and packs for inov-8 from foot to hood.

SteriPen's Ultra UV Water Purifier is All Smiles

SteriPen has expanded its 2013 lineup with the Ultra, which it calls "the most advanced UV water purifer in the world."

Industrial Revolution Lights Camps for 40 Years

Industrial Revolution had its first gear hit with the ever-popular Original Candle Lantern. Forty years later, it's still offering camping lanterns, both candle and LED, under its UCO brand.

Swap Your Vibram Soles with Korkers OmniTrax

Not sure which boots to wear on your next winter hike, or rather, which soles? Swap out your Vibram soles mid-hike for just the right traction with the OmniTrax adaptable system from Korkers.

Terra Nova Offers Cuben Fiber Ultra Glove

Terra Nova takes its Guinness World Record lightweight Laser Ultra 1 tent and makes a Cuben Fiber glove version: the Extremities Ultra Glo winter running glove.

Black Diamond Expands 2013 Ski Offerings

Black Diamond has been busy revamping and expanding its ski offerings for 2013-14 with 11 new skis, two new boots and packs, plus a new beacon from Pieps.

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013 Coverage

Trailspace is at Outdoor Retailer to check out the latest outdoor gear and news. Follow along with us for daily show coverage from the outdoor industry show.

SoloShot Tripod Films You Automatically

Wish you could film yourself skiing or kayaking without your pal to play camera operator? The SoloShot tripod automatically rotates to keep your camera pointed at you, from a distance up to 2,000 feet away.

Tubbs Demos Flex Trek Snowshoe

Sarah Rose demonstrated the updated Tubbs Flex Trek recreational snowshoe with QuickFLEX one-step-close binding and Active Lift heel lift at Outdoor Retailer.

Vasque Arrowhead Keeps Winter Feet Dry, Warm

When cold weather or a few snowflakes won't stop you from heeding the call of the trail, there's Vasque new Arrowhead UltraDry insulated boot for winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Ortovox Introduces Modular ABS Avalanche Packs

Ortovox introduced a new line of modular ABS packs, including two women’s specific models. The ABS avalanche pack line features a removable airbag system for optimum floatation and protection in an avalanche.

Lightweight Racing Snowshoes: Easton, Louis Garneau, Crescent Moon

Lightweight racing snowshoes from Easton and Louis Garneau, were among the standouts at Outdoor Retailer's All Mountain Demo Day. But, what's the lightest weight snowshoes known to man?

Trailspace Top Ten: Your Best Outdoor Gear

For Trailspace's Best Outdoor Gear List, we turned to you, our community members. We've compiled one ultimate gear list from your 24,000 reviews, featuring your best shelter, sleeping bag, stove, water treatment, multi-tool, light, navigation, trekking poles, backpack, and food and drink.

How to Hang Your Bear Bag: Tips from Leave No Trace

Know how to hang a bear bag properly in the backcountry and keep bears (and your food) safe? Leave No Trace gives a refresher on this essential skill.

Gluten-Free Energy Bars for Outdoor Athletes

Outdoor athletes with gluten sensitivities needn't look far to find gluten-free energy and protein bars. Whether you go GF by choice or lifelong necessity, here are some options to fuel your outdoor activities.

Q&A: iRunFar's Bryon Powell on Ultra Running Gear and Inspiration

In a second installment, we catch up with Bryon Powell of iRunFar to talk about his favorite ultra running gear, barefoot/minimal footwear, product testing and reviews, and what inspires him on the trail.

Q&A: iRunFar's Bryon Powell on Ultra Running and "Relentless Forward Progress"

We catch up with Bryon Powell of iRunFar to talk about the growing popularity of trail and ultra running, best and worst ultra moments, picking a first race, coaching tips, and his book "Relentless Forward Progress."

Outdoor Retailer Gear Show Highlights

Here are a few packs, sleeping bags, and other gear highlights we spotted from Lowe Alpine, Mountain Equipment, Gregory, Backpacker's Pantry, Jetboil, The North Face, and more.

Beyond the Gear: Scene at the Show

Outdoor Retailer isn't only about what's new and exciting in outdoor gear and apparel. Here are some highlights of what else we spotted at the show.

Outdoor Apparel Highlights from Outdoor Retailer

Here are a few footwear and apparel highlights we spotted from Keen, Mountain Hardwear, Icebreaker, La Sportiva, Icebreaker, Sierra Designs, The North Face, and DownTek.

Easton and Brooks-Range Offer Light Shelters

While many super light shelters skimp on headroom and livable space, two from Easton Mountain Products and Brooks-Range Mountaineering combine spacious interiors with high tech materials for insane space-to-weight ratios.

Grower's Cup Brews Fresh Coffee Anywhere

Grower's Cup Coffeebrewer, a hybrid between a filter dripmaker and a French press, is filled with a solid dose of pre-ground beans and brews three cups of gourmet coffee anywhere.

Easton Offers Foldable Compact AL5 Poles

Easton's Compact AL 5 trekking poles combine clasp-lock and cord lock technology in the same pole, along with a sliding length adjustment.

Sierra Designs Mojo UFO Weighs Less Than 2lbs

The two-person Sierra Designs Mojo UFO tent weighs a scant 1 pound 11 ounces, uses cuben fiber fabric and carbon fiber poles, and costs a whopping $1,800.

SlingFin Makes Serious Tents for Serious Users

SlingFin doesn't care for bean counters, product managers, or marketing departments. What SlingFin co-founder Martin Zemitis does care about is making serious expedition tents for serious users.

Big Agnes Replaces Tent Zippers with Magnets

Tent zippers can snag, wake your tentmate, and be a warranty issue. So how about a tent without zippers? Big Agnes gives it a shot with the Fishhook SL.

Stoves Burn Up, Canoe Folds Up at Demo Day

With stoves that can desalinate salt water or charge your iPhone, plus a 16.5-foot canoe that packs down into a compact bundle, this Open Air Demo at Outdoor Retailer didn't disappoint.

Paddling, Cooling, Logrolling at Demo Day

Today we checked out paddling and logrolling at Outdoor Retailer's Open Air Demo. Cooled off with polymer action. And checked out the many ways to protect accessories.

All-Natural Hydration from Skratch

Skratch Labs doesn't make "orange" sports drinks. It makes exercise hydration drinks from real oranges, and also from real freeze-dried lemons and limes, raspberries, and pineapples.

Outdoor Retailer: Hiking Gear Preview

Companies offer a plethora of new hiking and backpacking packs. Apparel not only keeps you warm and dry, but can also cool you down. Trekking poles get lighter and more compact.

Outdoor Retailer: Climbing Gear Preview

Companies vie for "lightest helmet ever" honors. Plus, ropes with two diameters and touch-sensitivity, new double-axel cams for tight, tricky placements, a crevasse rescue device (no Z-pulley necessary), and bags to keep all your climbing gear organized.

Trailspace Blog