More Gear From OR!

As promised, I have more gear news and reports from Outdoor Retailer. With as much stuff that is shown at the expo, it is nearly impossible to see it all, even if you're there open-to-close, each day of the event. Instead, we have to content ourselves to relying on the Internet to satiate our gear lust and help us decide how to spend our money.

First, I've written and published a preview of my own today at Gadling.com. It has five of the items that I saw at the OR that were particularly impressive to me. They include a UV water purifier from CamelBak, a tent from Brooks-Range, and some amazing lightweight hiking boots from adidas. (Yes, I said adidas!). Each of these items had a definite appeal to me for one reason or another. For example, the CamelBak All Clear will be perfect for traveling in remote areas and developing countries, while the Foray tent weighs in at just 2 pounds, 10 oz.

Other sites are sharing their favorite bits of gear as well. For example, the Gear Junkie has posted his Best of Show picks, which can be found by clicking here. You'll also find part 1 of Outside Online's OR wrap-up by clicking here. Both lists are very diverse and give you an idea of just how much great stuff is there. I'm not sure if a single item is duplicated between the Gear Junkie, Outside, and myself.

As I make my way through the mound of press material that was handed out at the show, I'll probably be spotlighting a few more items in the days ahead. You can also expect a slew of reviews as well, as I've already heard from a couple of gear companies who are shipping some items out already.

It looks like my gear closest is about to get a bit more full. I may have to organize a gear giveaway of my own!

Outdoor Retailer Wrap-Up

As I mentioned, I spent last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Outdoor Retailer convention in Salt Lake City checking out the latest and greatest gear that is in the works from our favorite gear manufacturers. OR is an interesting event to say the least. It is part-gear nirvana and part-networking meet-up, with a liberal dose of party thrown into the mix. The 3+ days that I spent there were a bit of a blur, as I hurried from one meeting to the next, waving at old friends and new from across the hall as I went.

Today, I'm suffering from Post OR Syndrome in part because for the time that I was there, I was steeped in adventure culture. Everyone is constantly talking about the latest gear, some big trip they have planned, or the peak they just bagged. The attendees, for the most part, are fit, athletic, and excited to be there and shae their experiences. While I was there, I spotted Conrad Anker, met Ueli Steck, and had nice long conversations with both Everest climber Ben Clark and adventure racer Mike Kloser. After a few days in that environment, it is rough to return to normal life where most people are just worried about the weather. (It'll be 105ºF here in Austin today by the way)

While I was at the show, I saw a host of really great gear coming from a bunch of different companies. Over the next few weeks, I'll likely be sharing some of the things I saw there with you so you can put them on your radar for the weeks ahead, when they'll actually be on sale. If you followed my Twitter feed while I was away, you probably already got a glimpse of some of them. Needless to say however, there was a lot of innovative gear on display, some of which we should all be genuinely excited about.

While I didn't have time to post OR updates to my blog while I was there, I did want to offer a couple of websites that have posted some information about what was on display. Check out the Adventure Journal for instance to see a nice overview of a number of products and Trailspace.com did an excellent job, as always, with their coverage as well. You'll find day-by-day updates from them by clicking here. Outside magazine also has their list of the best gear of the show here.

Today, I'm working on catching up on e-mail and getting my feet back under me, while also posting updates from the world of adventure. I'll have more to share from OR in the days ahead, but for now, all I'll say is that if you ever get a chance to go yourself, take the opportunity. It is a complete blast and well worth the trip.

Outdoor Retailer Wrap-Up

As I mentioned, I spent last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Outdoor Retailer convention in Salt Lake City checking out the latest and greatest gear that is in the works from our favorite gear manufacturers. OR is an interesting event to say the least. It is part-gear nirvana and part-networking meet-up, with a liberal dose of party thrown into the mix. The 3+ days that I spent there were a bit of a blur, as I hurried from one meeting to the next, waving at old friends and new from across the hall as I went.

Today, I'm suffering from Post OR Syndrome in part because for the time that I was there, I was steeped in adventure culture. Everyone is constantly talking about the latest gear, some big trip they have planned, or the peak they just bagged. The attendees, for the most part, are fit, athletic, and excited to be there and shae their experiences. While I was there, I spotted Conrad Anker, met Ueli Steck, and had nice long conversations with both Everest climber Ben Clark and adventure racer Mike Kloser. After a few days in that environment, it is rough to return to normal life where most people are just worried about the weather. (It'll be 105ºF here in Austin today by the way)

While I was at the show, I saw a host of really great gear coming from a bunch of different companies. Over the next few weeks, I'll likely be sharing some of the things I saw there with you so you can put them on your radar for the weeks ahead, when they'll actually be on sale. If you followed my Twitter feed while I was away, you probably already got a glimpse of some of them. Needless to say however, there was a lot of innovative gear on display, some of which we should all be genuinely excited about.

While I didn't have time to post OR updates to my blog while I was there, I did want to offer a couple of websites that have posted some information about what was on display. Check out the Adventure Journal for instance to see a nice overview of a number of products and Trailspace.com did an excellent job, as always, with their coverage as well. You'll find day-by-day updates from them by clicking here. Outside magazine also has their list of the best gear of the show here.

Today, I'm working on catching up on e-mail and getting my feet back under me, while also posting updates from the world of adventure. I'll have more to share from OR in the days ahead, but for now, all I'll say is that if you ever get a chance to go yourself, take the opportunity. It is a complete blast and well worth the trip.

Outdoor Retailer Begins Tomorrow!

As many of you already know, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market begins tomorrow, and later today I'll jump on a plane and head out to Salt Lake City, Utah to take part in the bi-annual event. The four day expo is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true, with all kinds of new gear and travel products on display months before they hit shelves.

While at the show, I'll be taking part in a panel that is focused on media in the Digital Age and how things are shifting away from our traditional way of thinking about what "media" is and how social media have changed the way we interact. I'm hoping it will be fun, informative, and interesting, and if you're going to be at the show, you should drop by and say hello. The event is taking place in the SLC Downtown Marriott Hotel at noon in Salon H, and lunch will be included for those who attend.

If you're not fortunate enough to be at OR this year, but would still like to know what is going down there, I encourage you to follow my Twitter account, as I intend to tweet images and thoughts on a variety of new products while I'm walking the show floor and interacting with exhibitors. I think it is a great way to share things in realtime while the show is going on and new products are being unveiled, many of which won't hit store shelves for another few months.

My Twitter account is @KungFuJedi. Feel free to tweet back to me if you have questions or would like me to check something out for you while I'm there.

Outdoor Retailer Begins Tomorrow!

As many of you already know, the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market begins tomorrow, and later today I'll jump on a plane and head out to Salt Lake City, Utah to take part in the bi-annual event. The four day expo is an outdoor enthusiast's dream come true, with all kinds of new gear and travel products on display months before they hit shelves.

While at the show, I'll be taking part in a panel that is focused on media in the Digital Age and how things are shifting away from our traditional way of thinking about what "media" is and how social media have changed the way we interact. I'm hoping it will be fun, informative, and interesting, and if you're going to be at the show, you should drop by and say hello. The event is taking place in the SLC Downtown Marriott Hotel at noon in Salon H, and lunch will be included for those who attend.

If you're not fortunate enough to be at OR this year, but would still like to know what is going down there, I encourage you to follow my Twitter account, as I intend to tweet images and thoughts on a variety of new products while I'm walking the show floor and interacting with exhibitors. I think it is a great way to share things in realtime while the show is going on and new products are being unveiled, many of which won't hit store shelves for another few months.

My Twitter account is @KungFuJedi. Feel free to tweet back to me if you have questions or would like me to check something out for you while I'm there.

Swiftwick Sponsors Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing

Earlier today, Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing and Swiftwick, a company that makes compression socks and sleeves, announced that they are extending their partnership. As part of the deal, all of the racers taking part in the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship in October will receive a pair of Swiftwick socks and sleeves for use during the race. The offer is open for anyone who registers before August 15th, and the gear will be shipped to them ahead of time to it can be throughly tested prior to the October 21st Championship.

Has anyone used compression socks or sleeves in their training/recovery? I first saw the athletes using them at Primal Quest, particularly after race was over, and they all swore by them, but I've yet to invest in a pair for myself. I'd be interested in hearing reports from others who have used them and how they aided you.

Also, this is a good sign that sponsorships are starting to return to adventure racing. The past few years have been lean in that department, but the sport seems to be on a great trajectory at the moment with some excellent races taking part all over the world. Hopefully this bodes well for more sponsors getting on board in the near future.

Swiftwick Sponsors Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing

Earlier today, Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing and Swiftwick, a company that makes compression socks and sleeves, announced that they are extending their partnership. As part of the deal, all of the racers taking part in the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship in October will receive a pair of Swiftwick socks and sleeves for use during the race. The offer is open for anyone who registers before August 15th, and the gear will be shipped to them ahead of time to it can be throughly tested prior to the October 21st Championship.

Has anyone used compression socks or sleeves in their training/recovery? I first saw the athletes using them at Primal Quest, particularly after race was over, and they all swore by them, but I've yet to invest in a pair for myself. I'd be interested in hearing reports from others who have used them and how they aided you.

Also, this is a good sign that sponsorships are starting to return to adventure racing. The past few years have been lean in that department, but the sport seems to be on a great trajectory at the moment with some excellent races taking part all over the world. Hopefully this bodes well for more sponsors getting on board in the near future.

A T-Shirt Only TdF Fans Can Appreciate

Obviously I'm a big fan of the Tour de France, or I wouldn't write stage by stage recaps each day, nor pay for the All Access option so I can watch it where ever I am. Maybe that's why I got such a kick out of the t-shirts that are available from Stomach of Anger (Which is a 2010 Tour reference in and of itself). I'm particularly impressed with the shirt below, which is up for pre-order now and will ship after this year's Tour ends. It is a reference to Johnny Hoogerland, the Dutch rider who crashed into the barbed wire fence on Sunday, spectacularly earning his place in Tour history. Who else wants one of these?

A T-Shirt Only TdF Fans Can Appreciate

Obviously I'm a big fan of the Tour de France, or I wouldn't write stage by stage recaps each day, nor pay for the All Access option so I can watch it where ever I am. Maybe that's why I got such a kick out of the t-shirts that are available from Stomach of Anger (Which is a 2010 Tour reference in and of itself). I'm particularly impressed with the shirt below, which is up for pre-order now and will ship after this year's Tour ends. It is a reference to Johnny Hoogerland, the Dutch rider who crashed into the barbed wire fence on Sunday, spectacularly earning his place in Tour history. Who else wants one of these?

Gear Box: Hiking Socks From Keen and Dahlgren

Remember the old days, when we'd head out on a hike in a pair of basic leather boots and tube socks? At the end of the day, we'd be so happy that we reached our destination, simply so we could kick of our shoes and air out our tired, sore, and usually stinky, feet. A lot has changed since then. Our boots have certainly improved, becoming more comfortable and durable at the same time. Hiking shoes have become high tech wonders, mixing the latest waterproof and wicking fabrics, with Vibram soles and comfortable padding. As a result, our feet are more protected, and pampered, than ever, making it even more enjoyable to be out on the trail.

But boots aren't the only thing that have gotten better, as hiking socks continue to evolve as well. Now days, there are a wide variety of socks to wrap your feet in and keep them well protected from the rigors of the trail. They come in a variety of weights for trekking in the summer heat all the way up to the icy cold of the polar regions, with every conceivable environment in between getting covered as well. I recently had the opportunity to test out new hiking socks from two different companies, and I came away quite impressed with both.

First, I received a pair of Boulder Canyon Lite Sox from Keen. Made from soft, comfortable Merino Wool, these socks were a joy to wear from the moment I slipped them on. They offer a snug fit, in the best possible way, without feeling restrictive in the least. You'll find the usual Keen attention to detail is alive and well in the Bolder Canyon socks as well, as their seamless design ensures that they don't irritate your feet on long hikes either.

One interesting design element in these socks is that there is actually a left and right designation to them. Keen designed them to be extremely comfortable, and that means building them specifically for each foot, and when you have a sock on the wrong foot, you can definitely tell a difference. (I know this because I tested them, not because I wasn't paying attention and put them on the wrong feet. I promise! *Ahem*) Fortunately, Keen was smart enough to put a little "R" and "L" on the socks to help me keep them straight, and when they're worn correctly, they just might be the most comfortable hiking sock I've ever used.

The Boulder Canyons stood up well on my trail tests, keeping my feet comfortable and dry, even in the heat of the Texas summer. And as we all know, dry, comfortable feet don't get blisters and at the end of the day, they're more weel rested as well. After putting in a few miles on a local hike, I was still able to go for an evening run without missing a beat. I think these socks are the just another ploy by Keen to make sure I never put anything on my feet that isn't from their catalog. It might be working.

The Keen Boulder Canyon Sox have an MSRP of $16.95 and they're worth every penny.

The other hiking socks I've been testing are the Ultra Light Trail and Light Hiking socks from Dahlgren. Like their Keen counterparts, these socks also use Merino Wool, but they also mix in fabrics made from the fur of an Alpaca as well. This blend results in a super-soft, yet incredibly absorbent sock that also kept my feet cool and dry on hot weather hikes. I was especially impressed with the "ultra light" version of the socks in this regard, as they are incredibly thin and lightweight, yet still comfortable to wear and just as protective of your feet as the medium weight offerings. Both version breathed well and did a good job of  preventing blisters, although I admittedly rarely suffer from blisters in the first place.

Dahlgren is a company that is serious about socks. In fact, it is the only product they make, and it shows. Their products fit very well, are super comfortable, and definitely do what they're designed to do – namely keep your feet dry. Whether you're on a day hike on a local trail or heading to the Himalaya for a weeks long trek,  Dahlgren has the perfect sock to keep you moving along. The Ultra Light Trail socks carry an MSRP of $18.45, while the Light Hiking Socks will run you $21.45. That may seem a bit on the high side, but these are high quality adventure socks that will last you for a very long time, and they are definitely worth the money as well.

So, if I had to recommend to pick one of these pairs over the other, what would it be? There is no easy answer to that. The Dahlgren Ultra Light socks were absolutely perfect for the triple digit heat we've been experiencing all summer here in Texas, while the Keen Boulder Canyons are super comfy for trails in moderate temperatures. Either way, you can't go wrong, and once you try these socks, you'll wonder why you'd ever use anything else again.

Gear Box: Hiking Socks From Keen and Dahlgren

Remember the old days, when we'd head out on a hike in a pair of basic leather boots and tube socks? At the end of the day, we'd be so happy that we reached our destination, simply so we could kick of our shoes and air out our tired, sore, and usually stinky, feet. A lot has changed since then. Our boots have certainly improved, becoming more comfortable and durable at the same time. Hiking shoes have become high tech wonders, mixing the latest waterproof and wicking fabrics, with Vibram soles and comfortable padding. As a result, our feet are more protected, and pampered, than ever, making it even more enjoyable to be out on the trail.

But boots aren't the only thing that have gotten better, as hiking socks continue to evolve as well. Now days, there are a wide variety of socks to wrap your feet in and keep them well protected from the rigors of the trail. They come in a variety of weights for trekking in the summer heat all the way up to the icy cold of the polar regions, with every conceivable environment in between getting covered as well. I recently had the opportunity to test out new hiking socks from two different companies, and I came away quite impressed with both.

First, I received a pair of Boulder Canyon Lite Sox from Keen. Made from soft, comfortable Merino Wool, these socks were a joy to wear from the moment I slipped them on. They offer a snug fit, in the best possible way, without feeling restrictive in the least. You'll find the usual Keen attention to detail is alive and well in the Bolder Canyon socks as well, as their seamless design ensures that they don't irritate your feet on long hikes either.

One interesting design element in these socks is that there is actually a left and right designation to them. Keen designed them to be extremely comfortable, and that means building them specifically for each foot, and when you have a sock on the wrong foot, you can definitely tell a difference. (I know this because I tested them, not because I wasn't paying attention and put them on the wrong feet. I promise! *Ahem*) Fortunately, Keen was smart enough to put a little "R" and "L" on the socks to help me keep them straight, and when they're worn correctly, they just might be the most comfortable hiking sock I've ever used.

The Boulder Canyons stood up well on my trail tests, keeping my feet comfortable and dry, even in the heat of the Texas summer. And as we all know, dry, comfortable feet don't get blisters and at the end of the day, they're more weel rested as well. After putting in a few miles on a local hike, I was still able to go for an evening run without missing a beat. I think these socks are the just another ploy by Keen to make sure I never put anything on my feet that isn't from their catalog. It might be working.

The Keen Boulder Canyon Sox have an MSRP of $16.95 and they're worth every penny.

The other hiking socks I've been testing are the Ultra Light Trail and Light Hiking socks from Dahlgren. Like their Keen counterparts, these socks also use Merino Wool, but they also mix in fabrics made from the fur of an Alpaca as well. This blend results in a super-soft, yet incredibly absorbent sock that also kept my feet cool and dry on hot weather hikes. I was especially impressed with the "ultra light" version of the socks in this regard, as they are incredibly thin and lightweight, yet still comfortable to wear and just as protective of your feet as the medium weight offerings. Both version breathed well and did a good job of  preventing blisters, although I admittedly rarely suffer from blisters in the first place.

Dahlgren is a company that is serious about socks. In fact, it is the only product they make, and it shows. Their products fit very well, are super comfortable, and definitely do what they're designed to do – namely keep your feet dry. Whether you're on a day hike on a local trail or heading to the Himalaya for a weeks long trek,  Dahlgren has the perfect sock to keep you moving along. The Ultra Light Trail socks carry an MSRP of $18.45, while the Light Hiking Socks will run you $21.45. That may seem a bit on the high side, but these are high quality adventure socks that will last you for a very long time, and they are definitely worth the money as well.

So, if I had to recommend to pick one of these pairs over the other, what would it be? There is no easy answer to that. The Dahlgren Ultra Light socks were absolutely perfect for the triple digit heat we've been experiencing all summer here in Texas, while the Keen Boulder Canyons are super comfy for trails in moderate temperatures. Either way, you can't go wrong, and once you try these socks, you'll wonder why you'd ever use anything else again.