Steve Casimiro's 2011 Gear Forecast - Technical Fabrics, Avalanche Packs, Lighter Footwear, and Pastel Colors

By Contributing Editor Steve Casimiro, editor of Adventure Journal. See more of Casimiro's gear recommendations in our must-have gear gallery >>

After five days in Utah at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in search of the best new products from 800 brands and 18,000 attendees, I returned home with a swag count of two pairs of men’s boxer-briefs (unused, clean) and a shot glass with an unprintable word on it (used, dirty). Parsing the tea leaves of free stuff like the best tasseographer, I can only come to the conclusion that wool continues to remain supreme and a salty sense of humor is filtering into this occasionally parched culture.

These trends, however, might or might not be making their way to your nearest outdoor retailer. More significant ones, I should note, are. And while it’s impossible for even the most intrepid reporter to suss out every pulse worth mentioning, here are some of the more intriguing developments:

1. After years of mostly tiptoeing around the 800-pound gorilla of technical fabrics, i.e. Gore-Tex, a slew of companies are lining up to steal Gore’s bananas, including Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, and Polartec, the 800-pound gorilla of fleece. Most of their new fabrics are centered around air permeability, i.e., the movement of air to assist evaporation. Gore-Tex, which is not air permeable, relies on body heat to convert sweat to vapor and push it through the waterproof-breathable membrane. Gore’s new Active Shell is laminated directly to the outer fabric of your jacket or pants, which reduces adhesives and thus increases breathability, it says.

2. Pop goes the weasel to stay on top of the snow: Backpacks that contain inflatable airbags to keep you afloar in event of an avalanche will be much more readily available and in more offerings this fall. The bags, which have been used to great success (and much higher survival rates than victims without equipped packs) in Europe, are going to be offered in the U.S. by Backcountry Access, Snowpulse, ABS, and Mammut. Rumor has it North Face is working on its version, to be launched in 2012.

3. Shoes be getting lighter. Yes, the barefoot trend is continuing, with New Balance, Merrell, and instigator Vibram Five Fingers showing up in force. But every regular ol’ dogs are on a diet. Teva has a line of travel shoes, the heaviest of which weighs 5.4 ounces. And Timberland’s renewed focus on technical footwear has spawned a waterproof-breathable hiking boot that weighs less than many trail runners, 12 ounces.

There was more, of course. Alpine touring gear is sizzling hot, Americana and heritage are big, and, though can only pray these will be a short blip on the radar, Easter egg colors and contrasting zippers are huge. Even the undies are bright. Those boxer-briefs? One’s purple, one’s chartreuse.

Comments

[help for obesity]

Love the barefoot trend. These shoes look fun!

[Mark]

Awesome shoes! Obviously a great conversation starter too. - Might wear them to my favorite watering hole.

[Tigara Electronica]

I love those shoes ! want them asap !

[blogging tips]

Looks awesome and worthy :)...need to save more to have like this one...

[Miami web design]

This is perfect! I've been looking for something where the tounge doesn't keep riding up and i hope this is water proof;-)

[Anxiety Cause]

Great looking outdoor shoes! I bet it feels comfortable wearing those while trekking!

[josephinesteven1972]

During my last trek over at the local Philippine tourist spot, Mt. Pinatubo last Monday, I have seen a lot of these toe shoes. It was more popular than I thought.

I might actually give them a try. However, the price tag needs to lower if only for the sake of "trying them out." I'm not so sure of going head first with it.

[Olive]

These shoes looks so cool and kinda weird at the same time. Will probably try these out.

[ElenaP]

those ones plan to buy Vibram FiveFingers, check this link not to be deceived.
They give ideas how to spot a FAKE

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/counterfeits/how-to-spot-a-fake.html

[Zack]

While I think these shoes are a good idea. I would think 99% of all North American/European people dont have muscles strong enough in their feet to adjust to these shoes. They may be good for some kitesurfing holidays but I would never recommend a novice runner or hiker ever try to use these long term.

[Cliff Manchester]

These shoes look really comfortable. I have a friend at work who has a similar pair and he swears by them as saying they are very comfortable and great to run in. I might consider getting a pair.

[Ivan Malagurski]

They look like Avatar feet :)

[Glenn Parker]

Check this cool website: http://www.lowercholesterolsource.com
/

[Michele]

Those shoes looks so funky! I bet thought they are comfortable!

[Health Blog]

Thank you very much for keeping me up to date.

[AIR MAX 2009]

Wonderful example of use extra comments.

[Pablo Edwards]

Great shoes.. I have heard incredible things.

[Buzz]

"Gore-Tex, which is not air permeable, relies on body heat to convert sweat to vapor and push it through the waterproof-breathable membrane."

Whoa! Somebody drank way too much at the closing party at OR.

Gore-Tex (along with all the WP/Breathable products) obviously is air permeable; that's the whole point of this class of product.

[social bookmarking]

Hey this one is really the great information of the brands. And as you share that barefoot trend is now continuing and that one is really cool for me.