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.

(One of the graphics made by local Portland artist that’ll grace Icebreaker t-shirts in spring 2013)

Icebreaker, one of the industry’s seminal merino wool companies, will continue to do what they do best in 2013: making some of the best active and travel wear on the market.  They’re working with Portland-based artists for their spring 2013 releases, introducing some cool graphic t-shirts for their lightweight 150-gram fabrics.  They will also introduce a new fabric weight. Dubbed Featherweight, it’ll be the thinnest merino yet at 120g, with 10 percent nylon woven in to add some durability; wool loses much of its tensile strength at that level of thinness.

This hybrid approach (adding different fabrics into their wool wheelhouse) carries over into other product initiatives.  The Seaker travel short ($120) will be made of 30% cotton.  Little details—like a single belt loop made of reflective material—will appeal to fashion-conscious commuters. They’re also moving into soft shell jackets ($249) and vests ($199), each lined with Bodyfit merino to add the wool’s wicking, no-stink advantages to a weather-resistant outer ’s geared toward the outdoor athlete more than the traveler.

We’re curious to see if this shift from an all-merino focus into other fabrics will trigger new and exciting things for Icebreaker, or if it’ll push them away from what they do so well (read: merino wool) into more of a multipurpose brand.  We’ll be testing this stuff this fall and we’ll let you know.