The bi-annual Outdoor Retailer show has kicked off in Salt Lake City today with gear companies descending on the town to give us a glimpse of their upcoming product lines. The four day event gives the manufacturers an opportunity to show off what they have in the pipe-line for later in the year, when the new gear will make its way onto store shelves while outdoor enthusiasts gobble up the latest and greatest innovations.
The Gear Junkie posted a "teaser" for the show a few days back, letting us take an early look at what some of the companies will unveil while in SLC. Some of the equipment that earned a spot on the sneak peek list included an ultra-small headlamp from a company called Light & Motion, a new climber's knife from Wenger that is endorsed by Ueli Steck himself, and new offerings to the Vibram FiveFingers line of barefoot running shoes.
Of course, there will be plenty more to show as well and over the course of the next week or so, we'll probably be inundated with press releases and gear previews that will not only test your patience while you wait for their release, but may send you out in search of a second job to help pay for all the gear you'll want to buy. If you're a gear hound like me, it's like Christmas came a month later. Well, at least the Christmas wishbook came a month later.
I'll be sure to post any interesting items that come out of the show, but expect plenty of incremental updates on backpacks, clothing, shoes, and so on as well. Either way, it's always fun to see what's coming.