Part II of our “Hitting the Shelves Soon” series highlights a stock of quality gear from the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show all aimed at making your adventures more enjoyable and comfortable. (See part I, published here.) From hiking boots to swim goggles with transition lenses to integrated sleeping bag systems, this gear represents some of the best new gear shipping to stores this year.
Breeze 2.0 from Vasque Footwear
The number one, best-selling hiking boot from Vasque, the Breeze, is getting a reboot for 2013. Launched in 2004, the original Breeze boot was lightweight and athletically inclined, unlike many of the mid-weight bombers of its time. Quickly the Breeze became one of the most popular hiking boots throughout the U.S. and still is to this day. For Spring 2013, Vasque is introducing the enhanced Breeze 2.0. Lighter, tougher and more breathable than its predecessor, the Breeze 2.0 is perfectly tuned to the realities of today’s hiking trends where lighter loads and a faster pace rule the trail.
Amphibian Weather Defense Pack from Outdoor Products
Let’s be honest, you can’t always rely on Mother Nature to cooperate. Enter the new Amphibian Weather Defense Pack from Outdoor Products. With a fully waterproof construction and plenty of places to store technical gear, this hybrid backpack is ready for multi-day skiing, hiking and climbing trips or just your next trip down the river. The Weather Defense Backpack is set to ship out in February of 2013.
Thermarest Introduces Complete Line of Sleeping Bags
Your outdoor adventures just got more comfortable. Thermarest is introducing a complete line of sleeping bags designed to work seemlesly with your mattress. The Antares sleeping bag, along with four other sleeping bags in Therm-a-Rest’s new line, features two patent-pending SynergyLink™ mattress connectors to create the most secure, comfortable mattress connection in the industry. The flexible bands create a snug fit around any mattress—up to 25 inches (63 cm) wide—to keep insulation centered and eliminate problems with sliding, twisting and cold spots.
ZOGGS
For triathletes and open water swimmers it can be difficult to pick the right pair of performance goggles for a race that starts in the cool of the morning and ends with the sun blasting rays over the water. Zoggs is introducing the FIRST transition goggles designed to adjust from clear to dark depending upon the sunlight. Patented 4-flex frame technology allows each eyecup of the goggle to move independently, allowing for maximum comfort.
SIGG ActiveTop Bottles
Listed in our Handheld Hydration Highlights, the SIGG ActiveTop system was worth another mention here. SIGG’s unique and innovative ActiveTop system is not only practical in everyday life situations, but also impresses when you’re living life at full speed. At the heart of the development is a rotary disc valve which easily switches from four options allowing the user to choose from open, close, clean (pops the top off for easy cleaning) and our favorite “air” providing pre-aeration so you can carry carbonated drinks without the “explosion worry” factor. The New Active Top bottle will be available at SIGG retailers beginning in October of 2012 and will be offered in 0.4L, 0.6L, 0.75L, and 1.0L sizes.
