Outdoor Retailer Winter 2011: Gear Report #2

Here’s our second update of the top eye-grabbing goodies from Outdoor Retailer, the twice-a-year gear expo.

While the sheer variety and volume from the event is always impressive, we’ve made these picks with the northwoods camper in mind. So with no further adieu…

Therm-a-Rest’s All Season NeoAir
The NeoAir is the ultralight sleeping pad that makes hikers swoon like women do over chocolate. Now, Therm-a-Rest is producing a model better suited to cold weather. It still has the same fluffy nougat inside (Reflective Barrier and Triangular Core Matrix,) but with two layers of reflective barriers, not just one. That means a higher r-value when sleeping on the snow. Add to that, a far more durable shell material than the original: A decadent 75 denier polyester shell on top and a 70 denier nylon bottom. Plus, it’s only 19oz – that’s six less than the warm-weather counterpart. Girlfriend, that is sweet indulgence. Via Trailspace.

Genesis Magik 1R Headlamp
A hands-free headlamp is a very good idea when removing your gloves is painfully cold. This new offering from Genesis employs a motion sensor: Wave your hand within 2 inches of the front of the lamp, and it switches on. Wave again, and it’s lights out [insert "The Clapper" jingle here.] It’s still smart enough to not be triggered by branches as you push through the woods. It comes with a manual setting too, and does everything else a good headlamp should do (like dimming smoothly from 100% power to 10%.) Via Backpacker.

Geigerrig Hydration Engine
Gasping for air + sucking for water = needing a better hydration system. Here’s one that employs the same pump used in blood pressure sleeves, to squirt water from the hose. You can even attach a filter ($28) to it and siphon directly from your water source; it’s like your very own drinking fountain! The Geigerrig Hydration Engine flips inside-out for easy cleaning, and is dishwasher safe. Via Backpacker.

Outdoor Research’s Transcendent Beanie
Ever notice how the warmer the hat, the more ridiculous it looks? But that’s not your core concern anyway. This lightweight ripstop cap is stuffed with 650-plus-fill down to keep your noggin toasty. It then packs down to a tiny 4 by 2 inches via an integrated pocket; that’s a helpful thing if you need to quick hide it when friends come around. Via Outside.

Columbia Heated Jackets
We’ve seen heating systems in apparel before, but the difference here is in materials: no more metal wire. Natural-feeling carbon fibers conduct the heating in these jackets. A charge on the batteries (at the low setting) can last up to five hours. You can even use your computer’s USB port to recharge the thing. Neat, huh? The jackets’ pricing – as high as $1,200 – steals some of the warm fuzzy factor, but the technological advancements are noteworthy, and something to watch for more of. And neat, did we say neat? Via Gear Junkie.