Outdoor Retailer Show 2014 - It's Summertime!

Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate than to recap the exciting events of this year's summer OR show in Salt Lake City!

Day 0 always features the newest gadgets and the coolest demos.  So what did we miss?

Great PsicoComp graphic!

OR Newcomers!  First up, the goTenna.  A high tech device that syncs with your smartphone to enable text messages to send without cell signals.  Goodbye expensive SPOT subscriptions, Hello off-the-grid safety!  Next, some new, crazy specific climbing and backpacking equipment from Crux and Lightwave.  These dedicated European companies are creating super special gear for the most hardcore dirtbags.  ThermaCell introduces a  lantern capable of creating a bug-free zone 15 feet by 15 feet.  Sounds like a summertime oasis! How about sunglasses that are unique and eco-friendly? Proof Eyewear has just the thing: sunglasses made from wood and skateboard decks.  Too cool!  And last but not least, some backcountry entertainment.  From Pitkin Sterns International, a soft, roll-up travel version of backgammon and chess.  Pretty awesome!

Engineered Comfort!  Winter is easy. Layers.  But summer can get tricky.  Try a few of these new solutions for battling the heat and you're sure to stay cool in whatever activity you pursue.  The NorthFace FuseForm Dot Matrix, The Brooks-Range Lt. Breeze, The Icebreaker Cool-lite Strike, The Sierra Designs Elite Cagoule, Outdoor Research's Deviator, Ex-Officico Tri-Flex Hybrid, and the Canada Goose Trenton.

Fresh Footwear!  Never let your feet stay cramped up again.  Unleashing breathability and comfort, here are some new gear goodies for your two best friends.  The Icebug Zeal RX9X, Woolrich's Strand, Adidas Jawpaw Lace, Vasque's Trail Bender SST, Wolverine Portage, Zamberlan 132 Air-Round GTX RR Speed Hiker, Columbia Ventrailia, and Salewa Spee Ascent.

Light or Large? Ever have to choose between head room and ounces? Vestibule or wet gear?  Well these companies have come up with some awesome tent solutions that make choosing between a backpacking ultralight tent and a roomy car camping abode super easy.  Here they are: Alps Mountaineering Gradient, Wenzel Ridgeline Insect Armour, Big Agnes MtnGlo Powerhouse 4, Marmot Tungsten, Nemo Blaze, MSR Flylite, Sierra Designs Tensegrity.

Snuggle Up!  Who would have thought that a center zipper on a sleeping bag would be so popular?  A few companies are taking advantage of this current and producing some of the newest, most innovative sleeping systems on the market.  Here are a list of the most creative bags: Kelty ThermaDri Dualist, Mountain Hardwear Hyperlamina, Eureka Spero 20, Marmot Alloy 20, The NorthFace Inferno 0, and of course, Therm-a-rest's new pad, the EvoLite!

Strip Them Down!  Ultralight seems to be this year's theme for sure!  Same goes for this year's backpacks.  Here's the newest lightweight options:Black Diamond Nitro 26, Kelty Caralyst, Osprey Atmos AG, High Sierra Lightning, Mammut Neon Speed, Deuter ACT Trail Pro, Patagonia Crag Daddy, Gregory Baltoro, Marmot Aquifer.

New to Climbing Comfort?  Among some of the newest updates to the climbing scenes gear repotire, is one thing I was super excited to see.  FiveTen made a mid-sized Goretex version of their famous Guide Tennie.  I love this shoe so much and it's super awesome to see FiveTen exploring a broader range of this amazing shoe!

Let's Get Wet!  Some new innovative multi-use water gear?  Yes please!  How about a PFD that's attachable options include a hydration bladder.  That's what you get with the Kokatat Poseidon.  Rad!

What's Unique?  UNEEK, of course.  The newest craze in the outdoor industry since Crocs.  UNEEK sandals by KEEN is... just what they say... unique.  The free-moving two-cord construction is adaptable and comfortable.  Will it catch on? Hey, I still swear by my Crocs....

Tailgating: Great Friends and an Excuse to Get Toasted!