Outdoor Retailer can seem like a secretive聽business-insider event. So we asked readers聽to send in their聽questions about the show to our . Here, we lay out answers to queries about聽cool new gear, trends for 2019, and the story behind the Big Blue Bear.
What鈥檚 the best new gear you鈥檝e seen so far?
Our annual Gear of the Show picks for Summer OR are聽here. In short, an ultralight tent, a miniaturized sat-comms device, a through-hiker鈥檚 dream sleeping pad, and a koozie that lights up.
What鈥檚 the best approach shoe?
Five Ten is bringing back the Five Tennie!
What鈥檚 the best tent or shelter for an AT through-hike attempt?
If you鈥檙e into shaving ounces, Big Agnes鈥檚 new Fly Creek HV1 Carbon with Dynema is about as light as you can get without resorting to a bivy sack. For the rest of us, the updated MSR Hubba Hubba looks promising. It is getting lighter, stronger, more flexible poles that won鈥檛 snap under high wind.
Are there any off-roading products there?
We saw a LifeSaver jug with a water filter and showerhead built in, so you can travel with large quantities of water for bathing and drinking. Plus, overlanding聽is becoming a big part of the show, with a bunch of tents from brands like Tepui dedicated to the pursuit.
Any major new textiles being released or featured?
Gore-Tex is coming out with a new Pro fabric, shown here on a jacket from Mammut. It鈥檚 completely reflective so you can be聽seen clearly at night.
Who has the best booth?
Well we couldn鈥檛 pick just one, so here are six.
Any previews of trail-running gear?
Dynafit is coming out with a shoe designed specifically for uphill running. The VK (for 鈥渧ertical kilometer鈥) has a new, super-thin outsole from Vibram called LiteBase.
What about new climbing shoes?
The new Scarpa Instinct combines the comfort and flexibility of a moccasin with the support of a technical edging shoe, which means (in theory) that it鈥檚 at home on both vertical faces and slabs. We鈥檙e pretty excited to try it out.
Do you see more brands addressing diversity and inclusion this year?
It鈥檚 increasingly becoming a focus of the industry. For example, on day one聽the American Alpine Club held a panel to discuss its upcoming report on sexual harassment in the outdoors.
What鈥檚 up with the bear statue outside the convention center?
It鈥檚 a work by Denver artist Lawrence Argent. Bone up on your giant blue bear knowledge .