Outdoor Retailer: eVent Launches New DVL Waterproof-Breathable Fabric

We’ve liked eVent ever since they entered the market, but they really won us over when they went the anti-Gore Tex route and stopped requiring companies to print their brand on every piece of apparel that used their waterproof/breathable technology. Instead, they decided to work with manufacturers, who could use the eVent tech in any way they desired, becoming an ingredient in a company’s proprietary technology. The end result? More, high-quality waterproof/breathable apparel across the market with a wider price range.

This fall eVent will continue to innovate with gear-makers with the introduction of the eVent DVL textile, engineered for lightweight, high-performance rainwear. The acronym stands for Direct Venting Light, and the first products that will feature this fabric will be unlined garments tailored for high-exertion activities in conditions that don’t demand durable, bomb-proof fabrics. Westcomb’s Focus LT Hoody (pictured, left) comes out this fall. It’ll feature a full-cut design with a Napoleon pocket, an adjustable hood, Velcro cuff closure, and a one-hand-adjustable waist. It’ll weigh 6.8 ounces and retail for $279. And in spring 2013 Rab gets into the game with the Maverick Jacket ($225; for men and women), the men’s Maverick Pants ($180) and the men’s Viper Jacket ($260; pictured, right).

Prices vary.

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Outdoor Retailer: Sherpa Adventure Gear

One of the more successful events at Outdoor Retailer this August also ranks as one of the least noteworthy in terms of headline-grabbing, radical gear innovation. Sherpa Adventure Gear sold more than $5,000 worth of cotton t-shirts from their booth on the convention hall floor, and those proceeds are enough to fund three scholarships for full education through high school for children in the Khumbu Valley. This donation is part of the company’s new nonprofit charitable organization, the Paldorje Education Fund, which streamlines Sherpa Adventure Gear’s ability to channel its contributions toward the education of Sherpa children. Several of the six styles sold for this fund-raising effort (like the Chorten T, pictured above) are part of Sherpa Adventure’s existing line.

Of course that success doesn’t mean that Sherpa Adventure Gear is resting when it comes innovation. The new Asaar Jacket, part of the Khangri Alpine Series, will be released in spring 2013, aimed squarely at core mountaineers. The 2.5-layer soft shell is made of Pertex Shield for waterproof/breathable protection, with a streamlined fit and simple details like a single chest pocket (positioned to not interfere with a climbing harness), nominally elastic cuffs, and elasticized binding in the hood so that it fits snugly over a helmet to create a no-frills go-to high-altitude product. It’ll retail for $159.

The Imja Jacket ($125, pictured above), meanwhile, is part of the new Himal Training collection, which will include products that can be used for trail running, climbing, or cycling. The stretchy fabric and lower rear hem line provide both protection and maneuverability, while stretch-mesh panels under the arms let you keep cool while working out. Expect to also see innovative new apparel for alpine multisport as well as travel/trek-friendly products.

Prices vary.

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Outdoor Retailer: Merrell Preview

This spring Merrell will take the ample lessons learned from their successful Barefoot Trail Glove shoe and apply them to a new line. Dubbed the M-Connect, this series will carry across four key collections (including the Barefoot) to provide minimalist, all-natural fit in fast, flexible designs that cater to the needs of outdoor exercise, from trail running to hiking to aquatic environs. We’re particularly interested in the new multi-hike Proterra line, whose designs originated from insights gleaned from the University of Virginia’s SPEED Performance Clinic and Motion Analysis Lab. Their studies indicate that greater surface contact with the ground improves overall performance. These fast, breathable hiking shoes and boots will have a modest 4mm drop, inverted lugs, a wider mid-foot, and will employ a new technology that infuses the foot cage and the mesh uppers to allow for lightweight, natural movement without sacrificing durability. Other shoes in the M-Connect line include Mix-Master 2, with 4mm drop and 12 to 8mm of cushion and the Bare Access (zero drop, 8mm of cushion).

Merrell will also introduce the Bazaar collection in spring 2013, a group of laid-back, go-anywhere shoes and sandals for men and women that incorporate vibrant fabrics akin to those found in the markets of the world. The evocative line should make for a solid pair of travel shoes, and will likely pair nicely with the continuation of their apparel line, which brings performance-oriented technology into urban, travel friendly designs. We love the looks of the women’s Hawthorne, a poly, DWR-treated jacket with a pleated back for cycle-friendly application, and the Aquatia, a fully-seamed waterproof/breathable jacket with a femme-yet-functional cut and a heathered exterior. The men’s line will mirror this form-function merge, including the commute-friendly Freewheel Short-Sleeved Shirt, the Lake Hood Short, and the streamlined, technical Charlton Shirt. These travel-friendly pieces will be part of the spring 2013 Urban Mobility line, which aim to marry athletic apparel with a touch of style and tech for trail running, hiking, and…pretty much any other active pursuit in which you wear clothes.

Prices vary.

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Outdoor Retailer: Oboz Luna Day Hiking Shoe

Bozeman, MT-based Oboz have been making some of our favorite multisport shoes for a few seasons now, and we’re really looking forward to the new women-specific Luna, slated to hit in the spring of 2013. One of four models with synthetic uppers, this light and nimble shoe will have stitch-free, welded microfiber overlays that will anchor the lacing to help keep the midfoot in place. Large-surface, deep lugs will offer traction on almost any trail, while toothy perimeter lugs will handle the really rough terrain—and the strategic placement of these treads also cuts down on the shoe’s weight. As with the other models in this line, the Luna will have a dual-density EVA midsole, complimented by a three-quarter-length TPU chassis and shank that spans the arch, heel, and ball of the foot for best-in-class stability. The perforated, synthetic uppers should provide some much-needed breathability for hot-weather hiking, while details like all-metal eye loops, a mud flap, and a rubberized toe cap speak to the shoe’s durability. As with all Oboz shoes, the Luna will include a triple-density “BFIT Deluxe” insole—one of the best insoles on the market. It weighs in at 12.6 ounces per (size 7).

$125

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Outdoor Retailer: Outdoor Research Preview

Outdoor Research can’t be accused of putting all their eggs in one basket for spring 2013. A quick glimpse into their future includes a spring-specific glove line for mountaineers and climbers, an overhaul on their storage and dry bags, a new trail-running collection, hybrid jackets that employ both hard and soft-shell technology, an expansion of women-specific products in both the active and travel categories, and a 25 percent expansion of their hat line.

Amidst all this new product, the Sensor Dry Envelope (pictured) could be missed—but it shouldn’t. This touch screen-compatible dry bag offers killer protection for your tablet, smartphone, and other old-school documents. The VaporLock closure protects what’s inside from water, dirt, and dust, while the see-through window lets you easily interact with the devices. It’ll come in three sizes, starting at $15. This new product is part of the full revamp of dry and travel bags, which will be 10 to 40 percent lighter than their predecessors, with greater durability and more features. The Maelstrom Dry Bag ($59 for the five-liter size, the smallest of three) also wins style points; the messenger-style bag should serve nicely as a solid, weatherproof travel piece, at home in a kayak, on a commuter’s back, or tossed around a rain-streaked runway.

On the apparel side, outerwear gets a hearty update, with a variety of different tech materials integrated into the design. The Enchainment Jacket ($199) employs Schoeller soft shell panels for excellent mobility, with waterproof/breathable hard shell fabrics at key locations to keep you protected in 95 percent of the bad weather. They’ll also expand their men’s and women’s sport wear lines, introducing new, stylish shirts and dresses that should be perfect for multifunctional travel wear. And, on the other side of the spectrum, they’ll launch the HighEx collection, targeting ultra-athletes who demand high-quality performance for 16-hour days in the mountains.

Finally, their hat line expands to 85 pieces, addressing a wide array of active and travel needs. Packable hats like the Isla broad-brimmed sun hat ($35) and the Southhampton Fedora ($49) will sit alongside the more exercise-specific lids like the Throttle Cap ($26), which uses mesh panels for breathability and reflective overlays to keep you visible after hours. Hats are one of our favorite ways to indulge our gear addiction without breaking the bank, and OR is poised to be our chief enabler this spring.

Prices vary.

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