We got the scoop on exciting new gear before the doors even open at North America's largest outdoor trade show. The Outdoor Retailer Snow Show, held each January, highlights winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and winter exploration.
The show kicks off Wednesday, and we'll have a team of a dozen writers, photographers, and videographers on hand. We'll all scour the show looking for the most exciting new products for the coming season.
Here are a few sneak peeks. These exciting products are mostly coming in fall 2019.
The Patagonia Puff goes Macro! Debuting at the show, Patagonia updates its popular synthetic puffy line with the Macro Puff — a beefier cousin to the Micro Puff. The brand told us it's "the lightest, most packable hi-insulation piece we've ever made." And with features like a helmet-compatible hood and two zippers, the Macro Puff aims to be a proper belay parka.
Mountain Hardwear aims for durability with its new line of outwear, the Boundary Ridge. "Inspired by cat trips, heli drop, and side country storm laps," this lineup is the brand's toughest full-featured ski line to date, available in jackets, anoraks, and bibs for men and women. At the pinnacle, the Boundary Ridge Gore-Tex Jacket has three-layer Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable shell fabric that's reinforced in key areas for the ultimate in durability and wet-weather protection.
The Odin Mountain 3L Shell Bibs for men and women aim at backcountry skiers. They use three-layer, 40-denier fabric with a microporous membrane and a durable woven backer. The brand calls them ideal for high-output stop/start activities in unpredictable backcountry conditions. Strategically placed stretch softshell fabrics offer mobility, leg zippers allow for ventilation, and thigh pockets allow strategic safety beacon placement. Both bibs are designed for gender-specific backcountry relief — a full side zip for men and a drop seat for women.
Picture, a 10-year-old brand focused on sustainable outerwear, launches its first bio-based membrane. DryPlay biosource, made from castor oil, offers a 20K/20K waterproof barrier without the use of petroleum.
Baffles — on the inside. Marmot launches the West Rib Parka with three-dimensional WarmCube construction inside. The design purports to better contour to the wearer's shape, thus better trapping heat next to the skin and retaining warmth. The West Rib Parka uses 800-fill down and is meant for bivvy campers and belayers.
Quiksilver further refines its collection with SpinDye, a radical dying process introduced last year that reduces water use by 85 percent and chemicals by 90 percent. The result is a 15K/10K waterproof/breathable garment made of stretchy recycled polyester. Forty grams of PrimaLoft Black Eco provide warmth. The SpinDye shells will be available in October 2019 for $299.
While it was first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, FUTURELIGHT promises to make a big splash at the OR Snow Show. The new type of waterproof-breathable fabric claims much higher breathability compared with other fabrics on the market, making it a potentially revolutionary material for active sports outdoors. Interested? Read our initial report here.
Tecnica introduces a new low-volume boot. It has an anatomical last and anatomical liner, designed to more precisely match the shape of the foot. The brand claims this results in the "best out-of-the-box fitting boot on the market." Paired with a new plastic shell that shaves weight and Tecnica's customization system, the Mach1 LV aims to be a new benchmark for high-performance, low-volume ski boots.
The all-new S/PRO collection, according to Salomon, "will set new standards for comfort and fit, thanks to a redesigned instep geometry and a Sensifit insert that create an instant, custom, and inclusive fit." The two-piece Coreframe construction creates the perfect balance of power and light weight. The design allows boot fitters to customize of the shell and cuff with Custom Shell HD. It runs a 100mm last package and will be available in men's and women's across a range of flexes.
Meet the world's first single-strap mesh snowshoe binding. The Paragon binding will grace MSR's Lightning Ascent and Revo Ascent snowshoes with an aim to provide a glove-like fit. In all, MSR believes the Paragon will add more security, comfort, and simplicity — great for anyone who's tried lacing up traditional snowshoes for the first time.
Keep your feet cozy but ramp the style up to 100 in Teva's redesigned Ember Mid. Building off the brand's Ember Moc, an insulated slipper, the Ember Mid has a water-resistant upper, lateral zip, and a grippy rubber outsole for easy on/off, warmth, and style. Teva releases the Ember Mid this July for $90.
Hit the beach and be prepared for the storm in the Sanuk Chiba Journey LX. The brand markets the shoe for rugged conditions thanks to a neoprene ankle gaiter, an outsole designed to prevent punctures, and water-resistant construction. The brand uses 100 percent plant-based Yulex rubber for its upper, collar, and outsole. Sanuk's Chiba Journey LX is available on September 1, 2019, for $90.
Attach winter studs to the bottom of the Saucony Mad River TR if the road is icy. And if the trail turns to slush, ditch the studs: The Mad River can drain water with specially placed drainage holes. Saucony launches the versatile shoe this fall.
Salomon revamps its popular QST line for 2019. A full-length poplar wood core with a Ti Power Platform — combined with a tip-to-tail blend of carbon fiber, flax, and basalt — allows for increased stiffness, power, and edge grip. The new addition of cork in the tip and tail improves vibration absorption as well as its stable-yet-damp feel. The new shape is wider in the tip and tail, which provides smoother turn initiation, better floatation, and more confidence at speed on steeper terrain. The QST 99, pictured, is a versatile 134/99/116 shape.
The popular Backwoods board from Weston gets a carbon makeover for the next winter season. The Carbon Backwoods solid and splitboard utilize the same shape with a redesigned core made of Paulownia wood and a carbon top sheet. In the solid, the addition of carbon shaves 1.3 pounds, yet the brand claims it retains the same playful flex, stability at high speeds, and durability that made the original backwoods so beloved. Costs for the solid and split go for $799 and $1,099, respectively.
The Kingpin M-Werks modifies the venerable Kingpin setup from stem to stern. Marker's goal was to save weight and maximize performance for both climbs and descents. Key features include a new carbon reinforced Pintech toe, ergonomic ski/walk lever, updated XXL Power Transmitter, ergonomic climbing aids, and carbon-reinforced heel.
Made in Canada, the new MINIMIST skin line has two main goals: cutting weight and maintaining performance. Up to 30 percent lighter than other skins in the same classes, new low-bulk materials already earned this one an ISPO Gold award. As a bonus, these new materials also save space in a pack.
G3 made an attractive change this year with its FINDr ski. The skis snap together magnetically for easy carry, which is kind of brilliant. We're waiting to learn more about potential interference with avalanche beacons, but at least on the surface, this is an exciting development. Read more about it here.
See more of the mountain with Smith's 4D MAG Goggles, which supposedly increase the field of view by 25 percent. With BirdsEye Vision, a new tech from Smith, the goggles lens extends and curves below the sightline for more view. The goggles come with an update to the brand's MAG technology, that locks the lens in place. The 4D MAG Goggles are available in fall 2019.
Sierra Designs expands its synthetic sleeping bags with the 20-, 35-, and 50-degree Synthesis Mummy. The brand boasts warmth even when wet, a proprietary self-sealing foot vent, and two-way zippers for fold-down, comforter-like temp control. The line will range from $120 to $140.
Who doesn't love a onesie? Well, now a brand is making a baselayer onesie aimed at ski touring! Man, how awesome would this be in the hut? The Ninja Suit Pro has four-way stretch merino blend fabric, YKK zippers, a 350-degree waist zipper for "number 2" moments, and a water-resistant softshell hood. And moreover, it looks rad for kicking it around a wood-burning stove.
It looks like denim and, according to reDEW, wears and feels like denim. But these aren't your dad's jeans. Launching at OR, the Frost jeans lead reDEW's Zero Cotton line with woven wood-fiber denim that requires 7,000 fewer liters of water to produce than traditional cotton jeans. Available in a variety of styles and fits, the Frost jeans will run $149-179 per pair.
Holden implements a new outerwear crafting technology in its 19-20 collection, dubbed Whole Garment, which 3D prints clothing. It does so without seams, less waste, and a lot of flexibility. The 3D yields a perfect garment with each piece of clothing and zero human error. Holden's Whole Garment collection includes a High Neck top, Balaclava Top, and Jogger pant. The prices range from $230 to $250.
Could this be the next generation of environmentally friendly coolers? Igloo wants to shift the "disposable" cooler market (think: single-use styrofoam) into something more sustainable. This biodegradable cooler, dubbed the ReCool, holds 20 cans, holds ice for 12 hours, and keeps cool for five days. And in addition to breaking down naturally, it's also made in the USA.
Hot or cold, keep the water on your back at the right temperature with HydraPak's new IsoBound insulation technology in its Velocity 1.5L IT reservoir. Dubbed the first insulated reservoir, the Velocity keeps fluids colder 38 percent longer compared to standard reservoirs. It uses double-wall construction and open-cell foam to limit heat loss. The Velocity 1.5L IT is available this March for $38.
When atmospheric pressure changes, double-lens goggles can flex due to a pressure differential. So Sweet Protection added a Gore membrane in the new Interstellar Goggles to allow equal pressure at all times as well as preventing moisture between the lens. The carbon-reinforced, co-molded frame creates a rigid structure for the lens and secures optimal vision without distortion. Flawlessly swap between the eight available lens options without touching the field of vision.
Strafe claims its Aero Insulator is one of the lightest midweight puffy jackets on the market. The brand uses new insulating tech, PrimaLoft Gold Cross Core insulation, which, pound for pound, is the warmest insulation on the market. It was originally developed for NASA space suits and utilizes Aerogel. The face fabric is made of water-resistant 10-denier mini ripstop nylon. The jacket packs into the left-hand pocket, making it easy to stow for any adventure.