Outdoor Retailer newcomers
Leading up to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2014, SNEWS is previewing some of the top trends and new products you’ll see at the trade show and Open Air Demo in Salt Lake City, Aug. 5-9. You can access all these articles and more in our O.R. Daily Day 0 edition.
Retailers are pretty unanimous when listing their top reason for attending Outdoor Retailer.
They come to the show to see new products, and more importantly, to discover new brands. It’s those newcomers that typically are thinking outside the box with new and different designs of a tent, pack or sleeping bag.
Specialty outdoor retailers want to bring that innovation back to their stores, where they can create some excitement and gain the upper hand with something niche and unique versus the mass retailers.
There are close to 300 new exhibitors slated for Summer Market 2014 (see full list below) and the O.R. Daily will highlight some of the most promising in our Days 1-4 issues live at the show.
Until then, here’s a sneak peek of five new exhibitors we’re tracking early:
goTenna
Hi-tech is hot outdoors and goTenna, founded in 2013, builds gear for off-grid communication — an important safety tool for backcountry adventures.
Its first product is a small device that pairs wirelessly with a smartphone, enabling users to send text messages and share their location with anyone else who also has the device, whether they are back at home or on the outing.
“We’ve thought a lot about how people may use goTenna, and whether it’s hiking on the top of a mountain, out in the middle of a lake fishing, or at the busy finish line of a city marathon, being able to share your location with your friends or people near you when you don’t have service is super important in all potential use-cases,” said co-founder and CEO Daniela Perdomo. “Leveraging the GPS on your smartphone, we’ve built the ability to share and contextualize your location on beautiful, detailed maps that you can access when you’re off-grid — all for free.”
Crux and Lightwave
A steady flow of European outdoor specialty brands continue to debut to American audiences at Outdoor Retailer, and this year you’ll want to check out sister brands Crux and Lightwave.
Both brands, which sell tents, sleeping bags and packs — Crux focuses on climbers, Lightwave on backpackers — were founded in 2002 by New Zealander Carol McDermott, who registered the brands in Britain, but operates them near the Pyrenees in southern France. How’s that for an international background?
McDermott’s philosophy is to create high-quality, core, yet uncluttered designs purely focusing on climbing and backpacking.
“We make no compromises for the sake of satisfying a wider market, nor do we have any desire to make product for the sake of it,” McDermott told UKClimbing.com. “The market for these products is relatively technical and small — not an obvious recipe for commercial success, which is why so few brands today are truly specialist.”
ThermaCell Mosquito Repellents
Spending more time at basecamp unfortunately translates to more bug bites. Add in the growing fears of West Nile Virus and bug protection continues to grow as a category at specialty retail.
Within minutes of turning on ThermaCell’s lanterns and appliances (they’re butane powered), the devices create a 15-by-15 foot area of bug repellency using allethrin, a copy of a repellent that naturally occurs in chrysanthemum flowers. The operation is silent, has no open flame and emits almost zero odor.
“Our products satisfy a unique problem better than any other solution in the marketplace and carry reasonable margins for all levels of distribution,” said President and CEO Steve Hill.
Proof Eyewear
The next fashion trend is tricky to spot at the show, but a sustainable story always plays well with the outdoor crowd.
Proof Eyewar, founded in 2011, specializes in eco-friendly eyewear, using materials such as sustainable wood, skateboard decks and a cotton-based acetate in its frames.
“No two pair are alike and each frame really showcases the nature we all crave,” said co-owner and COO Tanner Dame. “The attention to detail is really what gets me excited whether it be a small wood accent, a unique quote on the inside arm, or a metal-tipped hole on the end of a frame. All of our frames are really unique but offer functionality and style.”
Pitkin Sterns International
As many outdoor enthusiasts lean toward base and car camping, they’re bringing more games and activities that can be enjoyed at the picnic table, in the tent or around the campfire.
Pitkin Sterns was founded in 1990, but is attending OR for the first time, bringing its Sondergut roll-up travel leather board games, including backgammon and chess /checkers.
“Our backpacker friends in Germany came up with the idea,” said President Chris Wootten. “I loved the concept of a high quality, lightweight travel game. There’s a great feel to the suede of the playing board. Yet, it weighs less than 8 ounces and rolls up to the size of a pocket umbrella. The playing pieces all neatly nest into the zippered pocket.”
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Outdoor Retailer New Exhibitors - Booth #
8 Hour Energy Patch - PV2084
Abeo - 29161W
ADK Packworks, LLC - PV2364
Adrenaline Promotions - PV2064
Adventure Lights - PV3235
American Retail Supply - PV2196
Apogee Mapping - PV3351
Aqua Ovo Experience Inc. - PV3264
Aquaz - 40183
Arctic Ice, LLC - PV3378
Armourlite Watch Company - PV3337
Art For All - PV2271
Ascend Software - 32197
AspectSolar - PV3338
Atacama Desert Clothing - PV2371
Athletic Recon - PV2055
Aureate International Co., Ltd. - 355-412
Austrialpin - PV3124
Aveva - PV2146
Babiators - PV1293
BE Headwear - PV2085
Bestbase Europe GmbH - PV2164
Betec Group Limited - 155-204
Beyond Yoga - PV2006
Big Skinny Wallets & Small Goods - PV2334
BiKase - PV1173
Boston Leather Inc - PV2335
Bounce SUP - PV1122
BUTORA - PV3174
Caffe Borsa - PV1296
Caffeinate Labs Inc - PV3365
Camco Manufacturing - PV3070
Canyon Coolers - PV3081
Carr Textile Corp. 355-100
Carroll Companies Inc. - PV2347
Carver Skateboards - PV1060
Chill Skinz, Inc. - PV2175
Chronic Action Sports Limited - PV1050
Coalatree Organics - PV2353
Consorcio Abuchaibe - BR815
COSA KOREA Co., LTD - 255-501
Cova - PV1062
CrazyFootball - 255-501
Creations by Lily - PV2272
Creative Outdoor Distributor - PV3025
Crux & Lightwave USA LLC - PV3288
Dark Energy - PV3051
DICS-Hongnhung Co., Ltd. - PV3385
Dirtball - PV2174
Diyang Merino Textile Ltd. - 355-108
Dolly Varden Outdoor Clothing - PV2261
Dong Guan Best Pacific Textile Ltd. - 155-119
DONGGUAN YD YEAH SPORT CO., LTD. - 155-120
Double Cooler, Inc. - PV3047
Drinktanks - PV3170
DRY ICE Tools - PV3176
Dynamic Discs - PV3387
Ea Shinn Co., Ltd. - 355-119
Eastern Linkage - 355-313
Ecosoulife - PV3366
ENDEMIC WILDLIFE - PV3090
Epicor Software Corporation - PV2092
Epson - PV3353
Eternal Run, Inc. - PV2078
Eun Sung Tex - 255-631
EveryMove - PV2079
FIT Systems, Can 'N Ball - PV3285
Focus SUP Brands - PV1120
Fonegear - PV3336
FRAMED - PV3118
Framis Italia SPA - 155-414
Frank's Campfire Sticks - PV3364
FUGOO - PV3376
Full Color Co., Ltd. - 355-416
Fultex Apparel (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. - 155-107
Galaxy Brands Holding - 39181
Garrity Innovation, Inc. - PV3375
Gerry - PV2044
Glerups / Rust And Salt - 30164W
Golden Valley Natural - PV1395
GoSun Stove - PV3126
goTenna Inc - PV3253
GREAT WALL HARDWARE FACTORY CO., LTD. - 155-117
Greenola Style - PV2270
Grip On Tools - PV3055
GTS Global Inc. - PV3040
Hangzhou Kanghua Boats Co., Ltd. - PV1276
Happegear - PV3053
Hard Tail - PV2230
HeiQ - 355-102
HEX - PV2273
High Top Industry Corp. Ltd. - 155-113
Hinano Tahiti Apparel - PV1109
Hobbs Bonded Fibers - 62047
Hornet Watersports - PV1088
HOWZIT - PV1252
HWA JONG LABEL MFG. CO., LTD. - 355-414
HWANG-YIH TEXTILE - 355-301
Hyde Expedition LLC. - PV1267
IcyBreeze - PV3191
Inergy - PV3154
Infinite Aloe - PV1285
Inventist Inc - PV1287
Jeremiah - PV2267
JETBeam - PV3339
Jia Hao Plastics Factory CO., LTD - 355-114
Jiangsu Acome Outdoor Products Company Ltd. - MR252B
Jitni - PV2065
Joules - 29168W
Just Live - PV2341
Justin's, LLC - PV1396
K3 Company - PV1269
Kajak-Sport Oy - PV1273
Kammok - PV3220
KANAHAS - PV2237
KeHE - PV1195
Kikkerland Design Inc. - PV3083
Kilimanjaro - PV3379
King's Pond - PV3065
Kingdom Climbing LLC - PV3172
Kitson Boards, Inc - PV1168
Knixwear Inc - PV2170
Knog Expose - PV3323
KOR Water, Inc. - BR836
Kymera Body Board - PV1283
kyodan Pro Series - PV2231
Laughing Giraffe Organics - PV1092
Lian Hong Shing Yeh Co., Ltd. - 355-311
LIANYUNGANG SHENGXIN GARMENT CO., LTD. - 155-210
Lightjunction - PV3349
Lily Lotus - PV2014
Living One Love - PV2020
Local Honey Designs - PV2018
Locally Grown Clothing Co. - PV2317
Lunatec, Inc. - PV1274
LVR - PV2012
Manhattan Portage - PV2345
Mediterranean Snacks - PV1090
Mellow Militia - Tiki Toss - PV1265
Meridian Line - 32074
Microban - 250-106
MINDSHIFT GEAR - PV2260
Montana Silversmiths - PV2368
Moso Natural - PV3068
MSKI Corporation - 255-501
Multimat - BR833
MYCANOE Inc. - 255-501
NAAWK - PV2040
Nantong Able Outdoor Products Co., LTD. - 355-201
Nathan Sports - 39177
Nature's Bakery - PV1096
Nike Vision - PV1072
NK Sports Performance for SUP - PV1169
Nocona Outdoor - PV2344
Ocean Ear MINI - PV1076
Olight - PV3256
OPR - 355-117
Original Watermen - PV1279
Outback Flashlights - PV3361
OUTLIFE Co., LTD - 255-501
Parks Project - PV2307
Peet Dryer - PV3019
Peruvian Trading Co., LLC. - PV2265
PetAnchor - PV3188
Pivotal - PV2264
Poiz. Co., LTD. - 255-619
Ponic USA - PV3048
Power Tac - PV3289
PRAWNO - PV2004
ProductAbility - PV2337
PROOF - PV1074
QINGDAO COMEQ INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD - 155-220
Qingdao Tianyucong Cap Manufacturer Co., Ltd. - 155-110
Rainburst, inc. - PV3389
Renovo Water - PV3377
Rogue Pak - PV3276
Royal Canadian Grizzleez - PV2338
S.E. Technologies Limited USA - PV3096
SAILPADDLE COMPANY LLC - PV1272
Sakroots - PV2161
SATORISAN - PV3038
SeaVees - PV3018
Selk'bag USA - PV2213
Setton Farms - PV1186
Sevylor - PV1268
SHAD USA CO. - PV2367
Sheng Yuan Textile Co. Ltd - 355-105
SHENZHEN REANSON PRODUCTS CO., LTD. - 155-214
Showaflops, Bling 2 O - PV3035
Shun Yuan Sportswear Co., Ltd. - 355-406
Sierra Madre Research - PV3073
Sightmark - 38072
Skoop LLC - PV1085
Smith's Consumer Products, Inc. - PV3072
SNT Co., Ltd. - 255-633
SoftScience - PV1140
Sol Paddle LLC. - PV1175
SOLARiCELL - PV3348
Soundcast - TG200
Spa Pleasures LP - PV2262
Spoon Inc. 29178W
Sport Suds - PV2077
Sporty Girl Coolers - PV1280
Spruce New Energy Inc. - PV3341
ST Global Inc - PV1087
Stanley Work Wear - PV2348
Steel-Flex Protective Products - PV3020
Straight Down Clothing - PV2137
Sunbeat Inc. - 41175
Sunbird Solar Ltd - PV3260
Swirlgear - PV2051
SYLVANSPORT - PV3216
Tasklab - BR819
Tec Laboratories Inc. - PV3087
Techniche International - PV3080
Tentree International - PV2002
Texollini Inc. - 355-216
TH Zipper - 355-111
The Mountain - PV2180
The New Primal - PV1284
the Organic Coffee Co/ SFBAY Coffee - PV1089
The Tube - PV2010
Third Wave Power - PV3261
Three Zoom International Inc. - PV3380
TIANJIN TEXTILE GROUP IMPORT AND EXPORT INC. - 155-105
Titan Rod Vault - PV1211
TOP GEAR LEATHER CO., LTD. - 355-404
Topo Designs - PV2245
Torch Paddles - PV1048
Traveling Breeze Leisure Products - PV3067
TravisMathew, LLC. - PV2254
Trustycell Co., Limited - PV3254
Tsuya by Kristi Yamaguchi - PV2220
Turq - PV2076
Two River Textiles - MZ-146
U KOALA bag - PV2366
UltraTech International, Inc. - 250-104
UNIONBAY - PV2248
Urban Xplorer - PV2252
USA Sports Distributor Inc - PV2090
Vertical Design Group - MZ-146
Vertical Source Inc. - MZ-146
Vettec, Inc. - PV3082
VFuel - PV1289
Vimmia - PV2239
Vintage 1946 - PV2351
Vintage Bison USA - 74
VINWELL TEXTILE CO., LTD - 355-130
Voltaic Systems - PV3362
Wavedance Kayaks USA - PV1164
Wei Hai Hifei Marine Co Ltd - PV1082
Wen Feng Textile Taiwan - 355-128
West Coast Sunglasses Inc - PV1039
Wilson Group DBA Wilson Garment Accessories (Int'l) Ltd. - MZ-158
Windhorse Trading - PV2321
Wojo Wallet - PV2067
Wood Underwear - PV2211
Woosung I.B. Co. Ltd. - PV1044
World Knitting Industries Co., Ltd. - 355-305
WUXI QI-AN LIFESAVING & SPORTS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD. - 155-104
XIAMEN CORNA GARMENTS CO., LTD. - 155-218
XIAMEN KINGQUEEN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. - 155-111
XIAMEN STRANGEMICA IMP & EXP CO., LTD. - 155-212
XSories - PV3237
YOGiiZA - PV2053
Yonder - PV3322
Yooper Camp Fire Grill - PV3049
Yumbutter - PV1288
Yuneec USA - PV3142
Zeal Athletic Outfitters - PV2048
ZENFARI - PV2135
ZEROHOUR - PV3344
Zinka, Inc. - PV1068
Ziyu Enterprise Co., Ltd. - 355-303
Zojirushi America Corporation - PV3071
Zubin Axe - PV3189