27 Innovative Products from Europe’s Most Important Outdoor Gear Show

There’s still over a month to go before the outdoor industry convenes in Denver to talk shop and reveal all the new technology and products gear geeks have coming their way. But those looking for a sneak peek at what’s to come should turn their gaze to the other side of the Atlantic. OutDoor is Europe’s Outdoor Retailer, a three-day gathering taking place in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where brands finally release projects that have long been held under wraps. Over 330 new products, from hiking packs to Kevlar boots, have been exhibited. Of that number, an expert panel of judges has selected the 11 best. The criteria? Quality, design and sustainability. Without further ado, here are the 11 products that took home the gold in Germany, along with 16 more innovative products from the show.

Gold Award Winners

Garmin inReach Mini

The inReach Mini is a satellite communicator that allows outdoor adventurers to stay in contact no matter where you are. It can send and receive text messages via satellite and can also trigger an SOS signal to alert emergency responders if necessary.

Nordic Pocket Saw

The Nordic Pocket Saw packs down into a tiny package that makes it easy to toss in even the smallest day pack. In a pinch if you get stuck out in the wilderness, the Pocket Saw makes quick work of cordwood for emergency shelters and firewood.

Norrøna Skibotn Gore-Tex Pro Jacket

The Skibotn Gore-Tex Pro shell is designed for mountain biking, specifically enduro and downhill riding, and features the same four-way stretch Gore-Tex material found on Outdoor Research’s highly regarded Infiltrator jacket. The material was originally developed for the US military, and is now making its way into consumer products as well.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Windweave

The Adidas Terrex Agravic Windweave jacket is claimed to be the first truly body-mapped wind jacket. Adidas makes use of a series of different denier yarns strategically placed throughout the jacket to allow some areas to breath better than others.

Salewa Apex Wall Pack

Designed for mountaineering, the Apex Wall pack features an innovative back panel that allows for increased breathability over similar mountaineering packs. It also features shoulder straps with cutouts to allow more airflow as well as a magnetic buckle that can be opened and closed one-handed.

Südwolle Group Jackson Betaspun

This innovative material combines the benefits of merino wool with ultra-soft silk. The material is 88% wool and 12% silk. The silk fiber is spun around the merino wool fiber that improves abrasion resistance and helps reduce pilling.

Ortlieb Atrack

The Ortlieb Atrack is an adventure travel pack designed to be as versatile as possible. It’s waterproof to IP67 standards and features a TIZIP zipper positioned on the backpanel of the pack to allow for easy access and more packing options.

Camp Skimo Total Race

These crampons are designed specifically for ski mountaineering races. They are ultralight, in part thanks to the Dyneema linking straps that allow the crampons to fold into themselves and easily be stashed in a backpack.

OASE Outdoors FjellGuard 60

The FjellGuard 60 is a self-inflating sleeping pad that in addition to the insulation provided by the foam and air of the pad, features 180 grams of MicroThermo Highloft synthetic insulation.

Naglev Unico

Designed as a versatile light hiking shoe, the Unico is constructed from a one-piece Kevlar upper and a wool sock liner. The shoe also features nylon cables sandwiched in the upper for uncreased support and durability.

Salewa Wildfire Edge

With the Wildfire Edge, Salewa improves on its expert-favorite approach shoe. Salewa realized that alpinists want an approach shoe that they can do light climbing in. In the area underneath the big toe of the shoe Salewa implemented what it’s calling an Edging Plate, a stiff patch of smooth sticky rubber.