Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2012

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2012 has officially kicked off, as retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and media from around the globe have gathered at the Salt Palace Convention center in Salt Lake City, UT.

Bobby Riley Founder of Solider Design

OR is by far the most important Outdoor show in North America, and in some cases, the litmus test for new gear, campaigns and technologies. Innovation is the name of the game on the floor, and some emerging trends we have picked up on so far are include: DWR-coated down insulation INSIDE jackets and sleeping bags (Congrats to Sierra Designs for winning Gear of the Show from Outside Magzine), “anti-outerwear” soft-shell jackets with hardshell attributes like water and wind proofing, “frameless” goggles for enhanced visability, hybrid insulated jackets that have breathable, stretch panels for increased range of motion AND modular boot systems that can be modified to “pack down”.

Mountain Hardware

New, upgraded booth at Outdoor Research

OR also welcomed some new brands from the Action Sports sector this year, including Burton, Quiksilver , Von Zipper and Stance…adding an element of edge to the show for sure.

Quiksilver Mountain Division

Here are a few of our top picks from the show so far…stay tuned for a full report in the Active Section ASAP!  – Jeanine Pesce

Patagonia Bivy Down Jacket in Bandana Blue

LOLË  Atelier Jacket in Pearl

Ikat Prints at Prana

Timbuk2 Full Cycle Series

The North Face Diez Insulated Pullover

Lifefactory Water Bottles Flip Top Collection

Moving Comfort Urban Gym Sweatshirt

Mammut Thrill Trip Hardshell

Fjällräven Anorak No. 8

We are also presenting our F/W13 Color + Megatrends on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Marriott (across from the Salt Palace) in Salon A @ 11:00am. Hope to see you there!

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