A summary of interesting gear I came across at OR Summer 2015 - Tents, Sleeping Bags, Mats Edition -
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
The report continues on the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015 , a two-time summer/winter event in Salt Lake City, USA, by thousands of outdoor manufacturers from around the world This is the third time we will be sharing some of the most popular models of tents, mats and sleeping bags that are scheduled to be released next season (spring 2016 onwards). Please note that as usual, the content may change before the release, and that release in Japan has not yet been decided. Let's get started right away.
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2015 Click here to see the highlighted gear for each category
HILLEBERG
Lightweight 3-season tent that you can't wait for release: NIAK 1.5
Hilberg, born in Sweden and popular in Japan as a high-end tent manufacturer that combines excellent durability and thoroughly polished functionality, released in 2016, is a freestanding, three-season tent for 1-2 people! Hillberg's three-season single-person tent is famous for its award-winning masterpiece ENAN. However, since these tents were "non-independent" tents that could not be set up without pegs, it was a bit difficult to use, such as choosing a place to mount in mountains in Japan. However, this time, the lightweight and durable tent, which is spacious enough for a single person, is compacted to 1.6kg, including the pegs, and seems to have enough specs to make it a prediction of a new standard. ...But it must be expensive.
Big Agnes
Self-generating/automatic luminous tent: Krumholtz UL2
As mentioned in this year's preview , tents, which were designed to protect lives from harsh climates, have, of course, been focused on the development of that direction, but at the same time, they have been featured in a largely detailed manner as tools for living comfortably at camps and festivals. The Krumholtz UL2 is a new model that further advances the tent with built-in LED lights (mountain glow tent) that was introduced last year to answer these needs. As you can see, GOAL-ZERO's solar panels can now be installed, and not only has a mame light, but also a lantern and a fan. Honestly, I still have the impression that it's a projectile now, but will the time come when the fly is completely solar paneled and the light inside the tent become commonplace? The future is incredible.
The North Face
Ultra-lightweight & stylish: FUSE MICA FL 2
Although the details are completely unknown, a new, brightly-graded model was on display in the North Face Ultralight Tent MICA FL series. Although it is called Ultra Light, it is very livable with entrances and exits on the left and right, and most importantly, its appearance makes it seem like you'll end up buying it on impulse.
Mountain Hardwear
Single and Double Wall "Good and Child" Tent: Hylo 2
Mountain Hardware's new Hylo is a technical and affordable tent for two people, both single and double walls, that delivers the "good and good" feel to both sides. The poles efficiently connected by hubs are easy to set up without covering fly sheets, making them similar to single-wall tents. The rich ventilation that allows for breathability and effective airflow is also a unique benefit of double wall tents. It is even more interesting that it combines the two advantages, yet also lightweight and highly livable.
SlingFin
Lightweight double wall tent for 4 seasons: WindSaber
Ultra-lightweight or super-robust. Sling Fin, an emerging tent manufacturer with stylish and outstanding quality, has made its debut with WindSaber, a lightweight double-wall tent that can be used in four seasons. Details are also unknown, but from the perspective, I can't help but expect from the perspective of the pole structure, which combines the strengths of sling fins with high wind resistance and livability, and above all, its unique and stylish exterior.
THERM-A-REST
Amazing mat that expands with just a gentle spray: NEO AIR CAMPER SV
Until recently, the evolution of sleeping mats (tent mats) was heavy, easily torn, and it was difficult to put in and take out air in and out is remarkable. The new NEO AIR CAMPER SV from Thermarest, the top-shared brand of tent mats, is not only more comfortable than before, but also features a new inlet, Speed Valve, which allows for surprisingly easy air in and out (photo below). This large valve makes it possible to blow the valve up to 10 times faster than the previous valve ventilated.
When I saw the demonstration, I was surprised that it was so easy and quickly bulging out! Seeing is a worthy of a second thought, so I'll share a reference video.
Kelty
Always allow moderate comfort: TRU. COMFORT
One of the biggest trends in sleeping bags this year was the pursuit of comfort as well as beds. The new product from Kelty, a long-established American outdoor manufacturer, has a classic mummy-shaped shape but has a removable blanket inside. In addition, the shape allows you to move your feet out as needed, and the large head that can hold pillows provide comfort just like you're sleeping in a bed at home. Of course, it is not for mountain climbing that pursues light and compactness, but this trend of adapting parts and customizing the temperature seems to cover the entire sleeping bag, including the Kammok Thylacine
