-Exploring Elements 2012 Summer OR Coverage-

The Summer Outdoor Retailer show is a massive show with over 1,400 vendors displaying products that you’d find in your local outdoor store. Gear in such categories as; camping, climbing, paddling, apparel, running, footwear, etc… are all well represented. Many suppliers of all the little things that go into making this gear, think fabric, buttons, buckles, shoe rubber, etc… are also in attendance. All coverage from the show on ExploringElements.com will be oriented from the perspective of an adventure sports athlete who loves to overland and get outdoors, me! There is no way to show you everything that is at the show, but I’m going to try my hardest to dig up all the really cool stuff that you might be interested in:) Expect live coverage on Facebook (Exploring Elements), Twitter (@ExplorElements) and Instagram (ExplorElements) with daily updates from the show on ExploringElements.com. Please leave comments below about what you think of the products being featured, the stories from the show being told and what else you might want to see covered.

HOT PRODUCTS:

GIGERRIG– Guardian & Bike Rig

GeigerRig has a few really hot products coming out in 2013. One of them is the Guardian, an ultra compact, ultra pressurized and impact protection back pack hydration unit that will be great for mountain biking and snow sports. It will fit nicely under winter jackets, which will in turn help insulate the water from the cold. The other product that I belive will get lots of attention is the companies new Bike Rig. This hydration system fits under any bike saddle and runs along the top tube of the bike. It puts the pressurized nozzle in front of the rider for hands free hydration. It is quite streamlined and takes the weight off the rider, while still being able to carry your tools and spare tube. The road and mountain bike crowds are really going to dig the Bike Rig!

Dagger– Jitsu & New Outfitting

Dagger is finally releasing their much anticipated new playboat, the Jitsu. I’ve seen this thing in action at comps all over the country and it looks good! Dagger seems to have worked in the best design elements from many of today’s top boats while keeping the Dagger DNA that we all expect. Besides the new boat the company has all new outfitting this year. It is flashy, functional, light weight and improved in just about every way over Dagger’s current industry leading outfitting. It also looks like Dagger might be one of the few companies to get the sizing right for tall medium weight paddlers, but the jury is still out until I can get it out on the water, which I’m itching so badly to do soon:)

 

 

 

 

Wavesport– Recon & New Outfitting

Wavesport, which is owned by the same parent company as Dagger (Confluence Watersports), has an all new line of creekboats, the Recon series, and all new outfitting. The Recon is the much-anticipated replacement for the aging Habitat in the Wavesport lineup. I’ve been creeking with Bryan Kirk while he paddled the final proto of this design and it looks like its going to be a performer! I can’t wait to add it to The Huge Creek Boat Review after I get some time in the boat on some steep aqua:) The new Wavesport outfitting is an upgrade on the “white-out” outfitting they have had for a few yrs now and is very much in line with the new outfitting in the Dagger boats. For sure one of the best outfitting systems on the market for ease of use, comfort and performance straight off the retail floor. Schools and outfitters are going to love this new system!

Saucony– Virrata

The new speed demo 0 drop 6.5 oz Verrata running shoe from Saucony. I love the Kivarna’s that I currently run in, but these look like they might have to be the next road shoe I put some mileage in. The new Kivarna TR trail running shoes also look REALLY nice!

Pyranha– Carbon Jed & Nano

Robert Pearson, previously of Wavesport fame, is the man when it comes to WW boat design. He is now heading up the efforts at Pyranaha and making some really sweet boats.  The Jed is a sweet playboat to begin with and is now offered in an all carbon lay-up, meaning a super stiff and light boat that will fly sky-high! The carbon seat pan is quite nicely designed as well and something the surf kayak industry should take note of. The Nano is the company’s new creeker and is a new take on the popular Pyranah Ammo kayak. The idea is a super short creeker that is able to play down the river. The boat is characterized by high volume, huge flat planning surface, super hard aggressive rails and lots of bow rocker. Looks like a really fun craft for super tight technical water.

SeasonFive– Crestone/Bianca rain jackets & Slate/Kiowa hoodies

SeasonFive built its reputation on unique fabrics that repel water while still being breathable. Crestone, seen above in Blue, and Blanca 2.5L shells are the companies foray into the rain jacket market. These jackets are super lightweight, super packable, have pit zips, a hood and feature a unique Pack-Pass system (highlighted above) which allows you to buckle your pack inside the jacket, creating less bunching at the front and retaining access to your front jacket pockets. They also have a whole new product line based around their new Atmos LT fabric which has quite the laundry list of quality features: 50% recycled, hydrophobic fabric, odor neutralizing fabric and UPF 50+. The white women’s hoodie, the Kiowa, above is also available in a men’s cut, the Slate, and has a really nicely tailored fit and quite a high quality sporty look.

Salus– Proto Hybrid PFD

Salus has been making high quality PFD and other paddle sports accessories for many years in Canada. A few years ago they went through the process of getting many of their PFD through US Coast Guard certification and jumped into the US market. The prototype vest shown above is a work in progress but shows a ton of promise. The vest is designed to be the one PFD quiver for use in all paddle sports. It features a full rescue harness system, unique back panel hydration system and allows for tons of arm articulation. If you’re looking for that PFD that will allow you to enjoy playboating and also be your go to rescue vest this might be the ticket when it’s released late next spring.

Jackson Kayak– Karma

 

Emily Jackson gives the Karma a little love. The Karma is a new creek boat that Jackson Kayaks is working on that will initially come in a M & L size. The boat has a very flat planning hull, relatively sharp chines, tons of bow rocker and a unique squared off stern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point 65– Freya & Mercury

It was really good to catch up with Nigel Foster, sea kayaking legend, and Point 65 designer. The hottest new products from the company are the Freya expedition kayak and the Mercury break apart sea kayak. The Freya was specially designed in association with Freya Hoffmeister for her circumnavigation of South America. The boat looks quite fast, forgiving and able to carry a large amount of supplies. The Mercury is a sea kayak that can break down into 3 sections, with the nose section able to nest in the cockpit section. The entire boat is small enough to be packed down and fit into a Toyota Prius. The other key feature of the boat is the ability to add sections and make it into a 2, 3, 4, etc… person kayak with ease. Versatility and portability are what this craft is all about!

Random Cool Stuff-

Honey Stinger– Lemon Stinger Waffle

 One word: “Tasty!” Apparently the Stinger Waffle line of products has been out for some time, but somehow I missed it on my radar. The Lemon and Chocolate flavors are new this season and both taste amazing. The idea is that the organic honey keeps a sustainable energy level for any athlete on the go, while only having 160 cal per serving. This the first “energy product” that I’ve had that really tastes AMAZING!

Puma– Wilderness Collection

Puma’s Wilderness Collection has an awesome adventurer style and is designed to give back. The products are made of African sourced materials, by African workers and also used to outfit African guides and outfitters. The Terra Mid Africa boot looks like it belongs behind the pedal of a Land Rover Defender, but is stylish enough to walk down Rodeo Drive. Style and Fair Trade practices collide in this quality collection from Puma.

OR HAPPENINGS OF THE DAY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for live coverage for the rest of the show through: Facebook (Exploring Elements), Twitter (@ExplorElements) and Instagram (ExplorElements) with daily updates from the show on ExploringElements.com.