We’re on the ground at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2018, scouting the best new gear from the outdoor industry launching in 2018 and 2019. Ahead of announcing our annual picks for Editor’s Choice, we’re taking a moment each day of the show to share some of our favorite items from the floor.
Contribution by AJ Powell, Meg Lappe and Tanner Bowden.
Nanga Outdoor Gear
Nanga, a Japanese outdoor brand with a 75-year history of crafting down blankets and outdoor gear is brand new to the US market. The US launch includes down jackets, blankets and a collection of sleeping bags utilizing water-repellant duck down. The colors and design characteristics of the line have a distinctly Americana outdoor vibe.
Wolverine 1000 Mile Wedge Boot
Further expanding on the 1000 Mile line of boots, Wolverine launched the 1000 Mile Wedge boot. The upper is made from a beautiful deep red Horween leather upper which is stitched to a sythetic rubber wedge sole. The boots are available now (and are even on sale currently at Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale).
Tepui HyBox
Overland adventurers have always faced a problem: rooftop tent or cargo box. There isn’t space for both. Tepui is addressing the issue with the HyBox. The HyBox is a two-in-one — it’s a rooftop tent with a platform that expands to create a full-sized sleeping platform and includes a protective awning, and it’s also a rugged cargo box constructed with an ABS hardshell exterior. Now, car-based campers can have their box and sleep in it too.
La Tortuga Setout Divide Backpack
La Tortuga specializes in unique backpacks filled with enough pockets to store all of your belongings, with a streamlined exterior that’s tough enough to survive all of your adventures. The newest backpack is the Setout Divide. It holds 25- to 35-liters thanks to an expandable side. Unzip the middle to unveil a clamshell with enough space for a long weekend’s worth of clothes and gear. One side features a mesh unit, so you can see everything you packed, or let dirty laundry air out, while the other side features compression straps so you can stuff everything inside. The exterior is complete with designated laptop, water bottle and passport pockets. Pack it like a carry-on suitcase, then carry it like a backpack.
Kokopelli Rogue Lite
Whether you’re bike packing, hiking the AT, or just walking around near a river, the newest pack raft from Kokopelli should make the top of your list. At just 4.9-pounds, the Rogue Lite is no bigger than a paper towel roll. It’s suitable for a single human, so you can lounge all day on a quiet lake or cruise down a river. The raft features Kevlar flooring, D-ring placements and a state-of-the-art hull design that’s easy to use and simple to throw in your bag. It’s 85-inches in length (just over 7-feet) and 37-inches in width (just over 3-feet wide).
RovR Rollr 45
When we reviewed RovR’s feature-packed RollR 60 cooler, we had few criticisms of the portable icebox, except that it was a bit heavy. We’re excited to see the company shrink its modular design with the RovR 45, making it more suitable for trips that don’t require as many supplies. It’s equipped with many of the same features as the larger models (puncture-resistant tires, an integrated dry bin, add-on accessories like cup holders and a cutting board) but RovR also added a telescoping handle to allow for more comfortable towing.
Sea to Summit Pack Racks
The Sea to Summit Pack Racks is an inflatable rack system that requires no hardware to bolt to the top of your car. Constructed in a durable, flexible, waterproof and easy to clean 420D nylon TPU coated fabric, the racks are perfect for surfboards, kayaks, stand up paddle boards. They also feature a daisy chain to provide multiple lash points for your tie-down straps. Simply blow them up and strap them to the top of your car to transport whatever you need.
La Sportiva Kaptiva Mountain Running Shoe
The new Kaptiva trail runner from La Sportiva is a fast shoe built to tackle technical terrain on race day. Trail running is a strong category for La Sportiva, and the brand continuously puts out high performing sneakers — we loved the Helios 2.0 for minimalist trail runners — and are excited about this new option. The shoes weigh just 9 ounces (slightly more than the Helios 2.0), but feature a full-length rock guard to protect from tough terrain underfoot. The FiXion XF outsole provides intense traction so there’s no slip concerns during any race — even in rain and snow.
