Best Gear from Summer Outdoor Retailer 2015

As many of you know, last week the 2015 Summer Outdoor Retailer convention was held in Salt Lake City, with many gear manufacturers unveiling their latest and greatest products there. Most of those items won't go on sale for weeks – or even months – yet, but as usual OR gave us a glimpse of what to expect in terms of gear trends and new products that will make our outdoor adventures and travel experiences much better.

This year, there was a focus on expanding what defines an outdoor adventure, with many companies debuting products that were designed for both fashion and function. There is definitely a trend in pursuing urban adventure as well, with a lot of products transitioning nicely from trail to town. The outdoor industry is finding that many younger people don't want to spend their days hiking and backpacking a rugged trail, but instead they like to spend time with their friends outdoors at an event such as a concert or festival. Products designed for this market are very different from what we traditionally think of in terms of tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags.

Of course, many of the online gear sites put together their picks for the best new items on display at Outdoor Retailer, not the lest of which was "Best New Gear Awards" that we handed out over at the Gear Institute. I serve as the news editor for the site, and helped in the selection process. Amongst the products that we honored were an amazing water purifier from MSR, a lightweight tent from Mountain Hardwear, and the lightest waterproof jacket available today (3.5 oz) from Berghaus.

We weren't the only site handing out awards however. The Gear Junkie selected his favorite products from Summer OR as well, with several items making a repeat appearance from the Gear Institute list. Outside magazine also weighed in with their thoughts, honoring other impressive gear items from the show as well.

All in all, it was another good Outdoor Retailer, with plenty of gear for us to covet. That said, there were very few items that were revolutionary, but plenty that made incremental improvements that will certainly be welcomed by the outdoor community.

Nat Geo Picks Gear of the Year for Spring/Summer 2015

The National Geographic Adventure Blog has posted its selection for the best outdoor gear for the spring and summer of 2015, turning a spotlight on the very best equipment that is currently available for our outdoor pursuits. As usual, there are a dizzying array of products as part of this round-up, many of which demonstrate just how much the outdoor industry continues to push the envelope in terms of innovation.

Amongst the products that earn a spot in Nat Geo's line-up are the Atmos and Aura backpacks from Osprey. These packs have been winning universal acclaim on many gear sites this year, which is a clear indication of just how good they truly are. Other items include a new camp cooking set from Sea to Summit, an awesome looking multitool from Leatherman, and a cool lighting system for your camp from BioLite. There is also a nice new synthetic sleeping bag from Mountain Hardwear, a bug-repelling lantern from Thermacell, and an ultra-light two-person tent from MSR.

These products are just the tip of the iceberg however, as there are all kinds of other items for gear hounds to drool over. Everything from the best new mountain bike and kayak, to innovative new trail shoes and a watch designed for surfers made the cut. There is even a backpack designed specifically for carrying a drone on the list. In short, there is just about something for everyone.

If you're looking to expand your gear closet this summer, and have been thinking about adding a few more items to your arsenal, this list will certainly have some suggestions on which products are the very best at the moment. As usual, there is far too much excellent gear available, and not enough money to acquire it all. We can always dream though, right?

Backpacker Picks the Best New Gear of Spring 2015

With spring officially here, it is time to start planning some outdoor adventures, with hiking, backpacking, and camping trips on the agenda. It is also a good time to pick up some new gear for those excursions, and Backpacker magazine is here to help in that department.

The outdoor adventure-focused mag has recently published its spring gear guide, providing readers with lots of insights and information on a wide variety of products. For instance, their backpack overview alone covers more than 18 new packs, each of which were put to the test by over 160 different people in the field. Which packs came out on top? The team at Backpacker were especially fond of the new Atmos/Aura packs from Osprey, as well as the Baltoro and Deva from Gregory.

But backpack aren't the only gear items on the slate of products that were tested. The best new hiking boots were also run through the ringer, as were the latest sleeping bags and pads as well. The magazine even took a look at the top shell jackets, as well as the very best tents for the camping season ahead.

If you're in the market for some new backpacking gear this spring, than you'll definitely want to drop by the site and check out what products won the coveted "Editor's Choice" awards. If you're going to be spending your hard-earned dollars on new boots, packs, or tents, you want to ensure that you're selecting the best that your budget allows. As usual, the Backpacker team is very thorough in their methodology, and there is lots of good insight to be gleaned from their testing. Before you head out to your local gear shop, see what they had to say about the products you're considering adding to your gear closet.