Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015 Last Preview

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015 is only two days away from the event (or more precisely, the outdoor exhibition will start tomorrow), and this time we would like to share some of the highlights and trends of new products that have already been reported, as well as what happens in Salt Lake City just before the event.

*Quoted from Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015 – Special ORD Day Zero Edition

Backpack

While there has been a trend in pursuit of "weight reduction" over the past few years, it appears that companies are gradually beginning to review other functions that have been originally required of backpacks.

For example Mountainsmith is

We dismantled all the concepts of backpacks and built them again from scratch.

will be releasing a new Mayhem series for camping and trekking starting in 2016, featuring new materials in its lineup .

Patagonia also announced the theme for 2016.

"Improve everything" towards the core lineup that enables wider activities

As a result, announce a new series of multifunctional backpacks in 2016 .

Furthermore, functionally, backpacks tend to be "wearable" gear, improving breathability and comfort, just like apparel.

Osprey expanding its series of backpacks that featured Anti-Gravity Technology, which was released this year and acclaimed by magazines The anti-gravity suspension, which uses this technology, has an innovative fit from the shoulders to the waist, clinging to the body as if wearing clothes, dispersing the load, but it is said the baby carry will be effective.

Granite Gear known for its UL backpack, will be releasing a new series that incorporates more comfort and adjustable features, and Black Diamond's popular series Speed ​​will be renewed with improved comfort around the back. To sum up the overall trend, my expectations are only growing as a fetishist who feels good on my shoulders.

Performance wear

This year's trends in outdoor wear remained significantly different from last year, and as usual, the trend of seeking breathability, durability and light weight remains the same. Furthermore, there is a growing need for clothing (including yoga and clothing) that is not just for workouts, but for items that can be worn on a daily basis as a representation of a healthy, essential lifestyle, and for clothing that is highly functional but never sacrificed stylishness. This major trend in America, known as "Athleisure," appears to have an impact on the entire outdoor business from 2016 onwards, just like the continuing running boom.

Footwear

Last year, "comfort" was one of the themes of "comfort" as typified by trekking shoes (boots) using GORE-TEX Sorround, but this year's trends are "sleek" and "strong". This is apparently due to the trends in the United States of America such as Cross Fit, Ultra Running, and American Ninja Warrior (American SASUKE) that push the limits of explosive power and endurance under harsh conditions. One manufacturer says that removing all the extra elements to maximize performance will be the best, and that 2016 footwear will be simpler, pursuing "traction," "friction," and "lightweight."

This trend towards simple, essential functions is consistent with the major trend in America, as mentioned in Wear, which is reverting to minimal and essential elements, and it is said that this trend will continue in that sense.

tent

This does not mean that the trend of legitimate evolution to reduce the weight without compromising the more livability and durability of technical tents has stopped. However, as before, tents have been required to be usable as functions to withstand harsh conditions (not dying), but the trend of increasingly "design" and "comfort at parties" in recent years is gradually increasing. Simply put, it is a response to the festival and camper culture that is spreading worldwide. The "Glowing Tent" announced by Big Agnes last year is the symbolic one. It appears that several manufacturers will be able to see their evolution this year.

Salt Lake City just before... is it really okay here?

I have been staying in Salt Lake City for two days since I have been traveling here from New York to Chicago to Grand Teton Yellowstone National Park to San Francisco, and I was surprised to see that it is quieter than any other American city I have ever been to. The photo below shows the afternoon of Gateway, the newest mall in the city centre. Well, there's no one there...

It's probably because it's Sunday! Also, of course, the highlight of this city is winter, so this is what summer is like, in other words, it's the same as in Japan's ski resort towns...!

I was a little relieved that there was something that looked like a crowd at the bar. In fact, since I came to this town, I've been having a lot of trouble with both the travel and the hotel, so I haven't gotten used to it at all. I thought I was used to it, but I was in a state where I was like, "Are I really okay?" I'd like to rebuild it from tomorrow. So, next time, we will finally be sharing the actual event!