A few days ago I shared my thoughts on the best gear that I saw at this year's Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. But the half-dozen items that I spotlighted at the time were just a tiny fraction of the new outdoor equipment that was on display there. Here are a few more items that caught my eye and may of interest to you when they hit store shelves over the next few months.

Kelty TraiLogic
One of the more impressive set of products that I saw at OR this year was the new TraiLogic system from Kelty. The company has gone back to its roots, creating a collection of gear that is designed to work well with one another in a very efficient manner. The TraiLogic product line includes a tent, sleeping pad, Dry-down sleeping bag and a backpack that converts from a 50-liter bag designed for backpacking to a 35-liter day pack in seconds. It is difficult to sum up all of the innovation that I saw in the TraiLogic designs but just know that Kelty is focused on making a complete backpacking system that is lightweight and affordable. How lightweight and affordable you ask? The entire collection weighs less than 10 pounds and will cost just $800-$900 depending on which configuration you select. Expect to hear much more about this product as it gets closer to launch next spring.

Adventure Medical Kits Fire Cubes
I've been a big fan of Adventure Medical Kits for years and absolutely love the products they've designed for travel, adventure racing and backpacking. At OR, the company was showing off another new innovative product in the form of their All Weather Fire Cubes. Somewhat resembling small marshmallows, the cubes are designed to help you easily start a fire in the backcountry. They are designed to ignite easily with the included fire sparker, even when wet and they are capable of generating a flame that burns as hot as 1300ºF (704ºC) for about 10-12 minutes. In other words, they burn long enough for you to get your tinder going so you can build a fire when ever you need one. Available in the spring, a $12 bag will include 48 cubes, which can actually be broken down into 8 smaller pieces should the need arise.

Brunton Hydrogen Reactor
One of the more ambitious projects that I saw at the show this year was the new Hydrogen Reactor from Brunton. The device uses hydrogen fuel cells to power our USB-chargeable gadgets such as headlamps, smartphones, GPS devices and so on. The fuel cells are good for approximately six charges of a typical smartphone and when depleted they can be refilled at a local gear store or swapped out for a fresh cell as needed. There will even be a $250 device available to charge you own fuel cells if you find yourself going through them quickly. The point of the reactor is to provide clean, renewable power to our devices from a lightweight and rugged source. The device works great, but Brunton is still building an infrastructure with retailers to support it. You have to commend them for their efforts at the very least.

Mountain Hardwear Optic 2.5 Tent
I'm a big fan of Mountain Hardwear gear so admittedly they can sway me pretty easily with their new products. That said, it is hard to not like the new Optic 2.5 tent that is designed for two people and features a door on both one side and one end. When both are opened you get a nice panoramic view of the landscapes around you that will make you wonder why someone didn't incorporate this design sooner. With a trail weight of 5 pounds, 13 ounces it is a bit heavier than most of the new two-person tents I saw at the show, but it comes with a pretty sweet price tag to help balance it out. The Optic 2.5 costs just $240, which is a great entry level for anyone who wants to buy a Mountain Hardwear tent.

Jetboil Joule Group Cooking System
Jetboil pretty much set the standard for a lightweight cooking system when they released their original
stove a few years back. Since then the competition in this space has gotten stiffer and the company has continued to improve and expand its product line to meet the needs of its customers. The new Joule stove, due in the spring, is large enough to feed 3-5 people and yet still packs down small enough to easily carry with you in your pack. It features a unique design that puts the fuel canister up-side-down which should improve the consistency of performance even as the canister runs low or the temperature begins to drop. The Joule is a cinch to use, heats up extremely quickly and provides ample space for the backwoods gourmet.

Mio Alpha Fitness Watch
If you've ever been to Outdoor Retailer you probably know that some of the more innovative products are often found tucked away in the pavilions that are located across from the main hall. That's where I came across the new Mio Alpha fitness watch which is designed to help athletes train and race better. The watch is capable of monitoring the heart rate of the wearer without the need for a cumbersome and uncomfortable heartrate strap. The watch can then give visual feedback on how much the athlete is pushing him or herself and help them perform better. The watch itself is comfortable and attractive, and can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth for use with some of the more popular fitness apps out there.

I have a few more products I'll probably spotlight in the next few days. As you can see, there were a lot of items to checkout and excellent improvements and innovation from a number of sources. All of this gear may make your wallet groan a bit, but we're living in a time where things are continually improving and we get to reap the benefits.

As many of you know, I spent the better part of last week at the Outdoor Retailer gear convention in Salt Lake City, an event that I like to call "Gearvana." Over the course of three-and-a-half days, I saw lots of great new gear, some not-so-great stuff and some things that were just downright silly. But all in all, it was another good show with plenty of innovations coming in the months ahead. Here is a taste of some of the things I saw that really caught my eye.

New Direction For Sierra Designs
Sierra Designs has been making excellent outdoor gear for a very long time but in recent years their product line has gotten stale, uninspired and massive in scale. At OR they announced a new direction of sorts, nuking their entire catalog and going back to the start. The result are a new line of lightweight backpacking tents, attractive performance apparel and new sleeping bags that are built for convenience and comfort. One of those sleeping bags is even completely zipperless, integrating a built in comforter that seals up the bag as needed. It is a mummy-bag with 800-fill waterproof down that won't be nearly as constraining as others of its kind. It looked so comfortable that I recommended that the company start designing a two-person version ASAP. Once you see it, you'll probably want to snuggle in it.

Customizable Sandals From Keen
It has now been a decade since Keen hit the outdoor market with their iconic Newport sandal and over the years that shoe has continued to improve and evolve. Soon however you'll get to build your own version of the Newport by going online and customizing it to your exact specifications. A new website that is set to go live in the next few weeks will let you select from a dizzying array of colors and apply them to nearly every aspect of the show. Keen reps said there were more than 65 million possible combinations, so the chances of you actually running into someone with the exact same sandal are pretty low.

Switch Eyewear Introduces New Styles
Last year I was very impressed with Switch Eyewear's innovative design that allowed you to swamp out lenses as needed for various times of the day. The lenses and frames use powerful magnet to stay firmly in place and allow endurance athletes to use a single pair of glasses for the length of their competition or training. This year, the company has made some subtle but important design tweaks to improve the over all experience, while also introducing some great new frames to integrate the lenses into. The result is more options and a refined product that is even better than the one I so favorably reviewed after last year's summer OR.

Osprey Goes Ultralight With New Packs

I spent some time in the Osprey booth checking out their great new line of packs that are designed to be lightweight and move fast. Chief amongst them was the new Exo series which will come in 38, 48 and 58-liter sizes. These packs are incredibly svelte with the largest tipping the scales at a mere 2.5 pounds. Still, Osprey didn't scrimp on features or comfort as the packs have some of the best and most innovative shoulder straps I've seen. The company also debuted a new small, ultra-lightweight 6-liter pack designed for trail runners with lots of nice features as well. The Rev line of packs will debut in the spring and are extremely high on my "want" list. I was impressed by the integrated smartphone holder built into the shoulder strap that protects the device while on the go but also grants easy access as needed. 

Snow Peak Mola Headlamp
I'm convinced that the designers over at Snow Peak are zen-master mad scientists. They come up with some of the simplest and coolest designs around, leaving you scratching your head as to why someone hadn't thought of their ideas sooner. One example of this is the new Mola headlamp that is due in the spring. The Mola puts out 90 lumens and weighs a mere 2.5 ounces, but the most innovative thing about it is that it has a built-in accelerometer that will adjust the light's angle based on where you are looking. Glance upwards and the beam will automatically sift and additional ten degrees up. Look down at a map or to tie your shoes and the headlamp will adjust accordingly. It is a simple, yet very effective, design that I'm sure will spark imitators in the headlamp space.

Adventure Earbuds From  Yurbuds
Outdoor athletes who enjoy listening to their music will be happy to hear that Yurbuds is introducing a new line of earbuds specifically to meet their needs. The new designs are rugged, sound great and have been ergonomically tweaked to be more comfortable and fit better. They also feature a set of handy magnets integrated into the back of each earbud so that you can connect them and hold them in place when you're not listening. As a recent convert to Yurbuds, I found the new designs to be very nice and I'm looking forward to putting them through their paces when they become available in a few months.

This is just a small sample of my favorite gear that I saw at OR. I'll share more of my "Best of Show" over the next few days.

Here in the States we're still a couple of weeks away from the Summer Outdoor Retailer show, which will unveil all of the great new gear we can expect to see on store shelves in the months ahead. But across the pond in Europe their big gear show, known as OutDoor Friedrichshafen, just wrapped up with plenty of new products making their debut. Our friends over at EpicTV were on hand to check out the latest gear and they've been posting videos to a YouTube playlist for all of us to enjoy. If you're a gear hound of any kind, you'll probably want to check out some of the videos for yourself. Here's an example of what EpicTV has put together. It's a sneak peak at the new ultralight Exos backpacks coming from Osprey, something I'm looking forward to seeing for myself in a few weeks.

Still looking to add some new gear to your collection this spring? Then Outside magazine has you covered. Outside editors have announced their selection for the best gear for the summer season in their 2013 Gear of the Year awards.

This time out 15 great pieces of outdoor equipment made the list, providing shoppers with some excellent choices in the way of new backpacks, tents, running shoes and more. Each of these items is obviously designed for use the warmer spring and summer months, although much of it is versatile enough to be used all year round.

Earning a spot on the Gear of the Year list this time around is the new Mica FL2 tent from the North Face, which is a lightweight and durable three-season shelter. Osprey's new Xenith 88 pack earns a nod as well. It is lauded for being a big pack that is both comfortable and easy to fit. Salomon's S-Lab Sense Ultra trail shoes is the selection for runners, while the new Rip 9 RDO from Niner comes highly recommended for the mountain bike crowd.

This is just a taste of the items that make the list. There are plenty of other suggestions in the area of footwear, sunglasses, cycling and more. Of course, the ubiquitous GoPro Hero 3 Black edition gets a mention too and at this point we all know how good of a camera that is.

If you're in the mood to spend a little cash, take a look what Outside recommends you add to your gear closet. I'm sure there is something on their you'll find hard to resist.

In the market for some great new gear for your upcoming Spring and Summer adventures? Okay, I know! That's a silly question. We're always in the market for new gear right? Just in time to kick off a new season of outdoor run, National Geographic Adventure is presenting their picks for the best new gear for warm weather fun.

All told, there are 29 items that are given the nod for Gear of the Year, including tents, sleeping bags, packs, shells and more. In fact, no matter what you're outdoor passion is, there is likely to be something on this list that you can not only use but will probably want to add to your gear closet. For instance, the new Ultimate Direction PB Adventure Vest is perfect for long trail runs in warmer weather while the Big Agnes Fishhook UL2 tent will provide plenty of shelter for those camping excursions. The GoPro Hero3 Black Edition gets a mention as well, but considering how ubiquitous that device is these days, it's no surprise it showed up here as well. Columbia's Omni-Freeze Zero line of apparel sounds like it is just the thing for keeping us cool on a warm summer day and the new Patagonia Encapsil Down Belay Parka promises to take down jackets to a new level for any upcoming mountaineering adventures.

This is just a taste of some of the great gear that is finding its way into our favorite gear shops at the moment. There are a host of other great products on the list as well. Spring is the perfect time to head back outdoors and new gear is always a good incentive to do just that.

Now if I could just get my hands on one of everything!

Last August, when I met with the folks from Keen at Outdoor Retailer they were eager to show off their new CNX line of footwear, and with good reason. The new shoes are incredibly lightweight, super comfortable and don't compromise on the famous Keen quality. I have no doubt that the CNX footwear is primed to be a big hit with travelers and outdoor enthusiasts this spring. At that same OR show, the company also introduced a new line of daypacks that are debuting right along side those new shoes. These well-designed packs looked incredibly versatile and ever since I laid eyes on them, I've been waiting anxiously to get my hands on one to test. My patience were rewarded recently when Keen sent one my way and after putting it through its paces over the past few weeks, its clear that it was worth the wait.

The new line of packs includes three models: the 22L Aliso, the 28L Tilden and the 35L Ellwood. I received the Tilden, which I felt was the perfect sweet-spot in terms of size for my personal needs. The smaller Aliso runs the risk of not quite being able to carry all my gear, while the Ellwood is probably a bit too large for my tastes. I'm sure there is a market for both of them, it just so happens that the Tilden was perfect for me.

Keen has fashioned these daypacks to be versatile enough that they can be used for your everyday commute to and from the office or for light-duty use on the trail. Many of the features that are incorporated into the design are able to pull double-duty under either conditions, which isn't exactly an easy thing to pull off. For instance, the thickly padded shoulder straps and the TopoFoam back panel are fantastic for carrying a heavy load, whether that means a bag full of books for university or a day's worth of gear for a long hike. Similarly, an internal sleeve serves equally well as a pocket for a laptop as it does a 2-liter hydration bladder. It is a testament to the talent of Keen's design team that these small touches could have resulted in a daypack that comes across as a bit schizophrenic, but in practice it all works well. The result is a pack that is as close to a jack-of-all trades that you'll find.


Built from recycled polyester fabrics and featuring a weather proof external pocket and bottom panel, this bag is designed to withstand the elements. It is both lightweight and high durable, easily shrugging off the wear and tear that comes with the daily grind. The two large side water bottle holders always come in handy no matter where you're headed and a nicely placed grab-and-go handle make it easy to quickly and easily grab this bag when you're rushing to catch that plane.

Internally the Tilden has plenty of room to carry just about everything you could  possibly need. In addition to the dedicated laptop/hydration sleeve, there is a second one just for an iPad or other tablet and the large main pocket swallows up all kinds of gear. Three organizational pockets help to keep all of our small items under control and within easy reach, while a zippered internal pocket is hidden away inside the front panel. It is clear that Keen wanted to make sure that we had plenty of storage options at our disposal and when they are laid out this nicely, its hard to argue with that approach. I even appreciate the integrated key clip, which always provides peace of mind while traveling or hiking.

After using the Tilden on an almost daily basis I found myself continually impressed with how comfortable it is to wear. This is in large part thanks to the nicely padded back panel and shoulder straps that I mentioned above. It also includes both a waist belt and sternum strap, which aren't all that useful on a daily commute but are indispensable on a hike. It is nice that Keen didn't skimp on those features on a pack that will probably be used more commonly around town than it will be on a serious trek. But the mere fact that this pack can be used in effectively under either scenario is an indicator of just how good it is.

Hardcore hikers will probably want a pack that is more dedicated to those pursuits, but the Tilden will make travelers, business users and occasional hikers very happy. There are few packs that offer so much versatility and built-in features in such an attractive and well constructed package. If you're in the market for a pack that you can carry your laptop and lunch on your way to the office, then serve as a great carry-on for that two-week trip to Europe, the Tilden is a fantastic option. Add in the ability to transition to a trail for a day hike and you have a sense of all of the things this pack can do. Best of all, it comes with an MSRP of just $100, which is a real bargain for everything this daypack brings to the table.

Backpackers and adventure travelers in the market for a high quality, yet cost effective, pack for their next adventure have a serious new contender to consider in the form of the Volt 60 from Osprey. This durable, versatile and lightweight pack is well suited for everything from weekend trips to local trails to weeks long excursions to the far corners of the planet.

As with all packs from Osprey, the Volt is very comfortable to wear and carries a full load quite nicely. Of course, comfort is a relative thing of course but it always starts with getting a good fit. At first glance, it is easy to be intimidated by the Volt's various belts, clips and straps, but once  you pull the pack on, it's a breeze to adjust everything to your liking. Admittedly, I have a lot of experience adjusting a backpack, but even taking that into account, it takes just a minute or two to get the Volt locked in for your body type.

Adjusting the exact fit of the Volt extends to the torso as well, with the length being adjustable just as quickly and easily as the rest of the pack. A quick tug on a velcro attachment allows the back panel to slide more than five inches up or down, making it possible for this one pack to work well for people of a variety of heights. Out of the box, my Volt was far too short for me, but once again I was able to adjust it and find the right fit in a matter of moments.

I happen to be an unabashed fan of Osprey packs but even I was impressed with how thick the Volt's padding is on both the shoulder straps and the hipbelt. That padding helps to make carrying a heavy load much easier and at the end of the day you won't feel quite so sore. The hipbelt also comes with two surprisingly spacious pockets which are perfect for a point and shoot camera, energy bars, GPS device or what ever else you want to keep close at hand.

The interior of the pack doesn't disappoint either providing an ample 60L of storage. Osprey says that's enough for 2-5 of travel, although I've found if you know how to pack properly and don't mind going a bit light, it is enough to go well beyond that. The top pocket on the Volt is large and spacious as well, providing a nice option for storing small but essential items. A dedicated sleeping bag compartment provides access from both the interior of the Volt or through a zippered wide-mouthed access port at the bottom. A mesh pocket on the back is perfect for overflow storage, while two more on the sides serve as bottle holders.

Other features include a hydration sleeve that can accommodate up to a 3-liter bladder, sleeping pad straps, ice axe loops and trekking pole storage. In short, Osprey has hit all of the important points with the Volt, delivering a product that continues the company's legacy of high quality in simple, well designed and compact package.

First time backpack buyers will find the Volt to be a great option, particularly because it comes with a price point that is easy to swallow. Considering everything that this pack delivers, the $179 cost seems like a real bargain. And since it is built with durable, high quality fabrics it should be an investment that will last for many years to come.

That's not to say veteran adventure travelers won't find a lot to love here as well. This is a comfortable, well built pack that can easily carry a heavy load without missing a beat. It has everything that we look for in a backpack and then some.

I happen to love the 60L size, which for me seems to be the sweet-spot for "just enough" storage for a trip. But if you find that is a bitt too confining for your needs, the Volt also comes in a 75L version as well. That pack shares its little brothers quality and comfort with just a bit more storage.

If you have big camping, backpacking or adventure travel plans for the year ahead, and you need a pack to see you through, the Volt is a great choice.

The North Face gear week the Adventure Blog wraps up today with one last review, although this one is a little different from the others I've posted over the past few days. On Monday I shared my thoughts on the TNF Runners Gloves and Pass Through Beanie and I followed that up on Tuesday with a review of the fantastic Flashdry Crew Neck Baselayer. Yesterday I wrote about the excellent Radish Mid-Layer Jacket, which is a great option for nearly any cold-weather outdoor pursuit. Today, I bring you the Talia Tote, a yoga bag for that the ladies are sure to love.

Now, obviously I'm not exactly in the demographic for this bag as it is definitely designed with the active female in mind. The sample tote that the North Face sent my way was a shade of pink that doesn't exactly compliment anything I wear. So, knowing all of this, I passed the Talia Tote onto a female friend to get her opinion of this bag. The verdict: It's a hit!

This yoga bag scored big points with my friend for its spacious interior and numerous organizational pockets. The Talia features a laptop sleeve, mesh internal pockets, a fleece lined outer compartment made especially for smartphones and an absolutely cavernous main pocket. It also has a clip for keeping keys from getting lost at the bottom of the bag, a nicely integrated water bottle holder and a yoga mat sleeve built into the back. Throw in a comfortable shoulder straps and you have the makings of a very versatile tote that will come in handy for travel, as well as trips around town or the gym.

As you would expect from any piece of gear from The North Face, this bag is built to be tough and durable, while remaining very lightweight. The interior of the main pocket is lined with water resistant fabrics that help to keep its contents well protected from the elements, while the exterior fabrics are easy to keep clean and can withstand plenty of wear from day-to-day use.

My friend tells me that she loves that this bag can be used for so many things. She can use it as a large carry-all for excursions around town and later it can pull double-duty with trips to the gym. It also makes a great carry-on bag when traveling, keeping everything she needs organized and close at hand. She lamented the fact that it wasn't stylish enough to take with her on more formal occasions, but other than that, its safe to say she'll be using it often.

Obviously for male readers, this isn't exactly a piece of gear that will get you too excited. But there is a certain holiday coming up soon that the ladies in your life will be hoping you won't forget. (Hint: It's Valentine's Day! February 14th! Don't forget!) If you have an active woman that you need to keep happy this year, then by all means buy her flowers, chocolates and take her out to dinner. But the North  Face Talia Tote makes an  excellent gift as well and she'll love you for finding it for her. With a price tag of $70 it won't make your wallet weep too badly either.