The Best Gear from Outdoor Retailer Winter 2020
Treeline Review editors Naomi Hudetz, Brandon Lampley, and Liz Thomas at Winter Outdoor Retailer 2020.
Treeline Review’s writers and editors are back from Outdoor Retailer Winter 2020 in Denver, Colorado from January 29th to 31st. After examining hundreds of updates from brands across the outdoor industry, we compared notes to share the gear innovations that we are most excited about.
the lightest backcountry snowshoes: Atlas Helium Backcountry
Snowshoes have been around forever, but ultralight models are relatively new. We are psyched on the new Helium Snowshoe line from Atlas. Atlas’s foray into composite decks really delivers for super weight conscious snow travelers, with a sub 3 lb snowshoe! Yes, that’s right… mountain and backcountry snowshoes at 3 lbs. Hooray!! (For comparison, the MSR Lightning Ascent backcountry snowshoe is 4 pounds 1 oz.)
Liz Thomas (middle) with the Helium Backcountry. Note the strap binding system. Brandon Lampley (right) is holding the Helium Mountain. Note the aggressive cleat and traction rails. Photo by Naomi Hudetz
The lighter Helium Backcountry and the Helium Mountain (which has a more user-friendly binding) were unanimously the coolest thru-hiker-specific innovative thing we saw at Outdoor Retailer.
For the ultralight snow traveler, you can’t go wrong with either model. The Helium BC is a few ounces lighter than the Helium Mountain version. This is largely due to the differences in binding systems. The straps on the Backcountry’s binding system lay flat and the shoes nest together really well. If you are headed on a long long trip and will carry your snowshoes more than wear them, the Helium Backcountry is awesome. Winter Appalachian Trail thru-hike anyone?
For most folks, the Helium Mountain version is going to give you almost all that lightweight benefit of the Helium Backcountry, but be easier to use. It uses a BOA binding system that is intuitive and quick to tighten. All but the most weight conscious will find the BOA system is worth the extra few ounces. The Helium Mountain doesn’t nest together as well as the Backcountry for lashing to your pack. But the BOA bindings are comfortable and super convenient. Both are available in 23 or 26-inch lengths.
-Brandon Lampley, senior editor
Related: The Best Snowshoes of 2020
Treeline editor Brandon Lampley testing the EXOspikes on ice. Photo by Naomi Hudetz
lighter stronger ice traction: Kahtoola EXOspikes
Kahtoola demo’d the latest in their winter traction lineup – the EXOspikes. We tested the EXOspikes side-by-side with the NANOspikes (currently available) on big blocks of ice and connected them together so we could try out the EXOspikes. We were impressed.
With 12 tungsten carbide spikes per foot, the EXOspikes did not slip at all on the ice. The NANOspikes had a slight slip before they bit into the ice. We found the EXOspikes easy to take on and off with a similar fit and system to their beefier model, the MICROspikes. The EXOspikes are meant for both pavement and trails so no need to take them on and off on different terrain. Look for them in fall 2020.
-Naomi Hudetz, online editor
Related: The Best Winter Gloves of 2020
Treeline senior writer Amanda Jameson wearing the Ghost Whisperer on her PCT thru-hike.
updated ghost whisperer down jacket: Ghost Whisperer 2 UL
In the spirit of thru-hiking staples getting upgraded, our recommended ultralight down jacket, the men’s and women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is taking it to the next level. In Fall 2020, Mountain Hardwear launches this update that’s 24% lighter than the current version. The secret? They’re using 1000 fill power down. Up until now, only Montbell was seriously tackling the ultralight insulated jacket market with 1000 fill power down. A key difference between Montbell and Mountain Hardwear’s ultralight jackets is that the Ghost Whisperer will use Responsible Down Certified down from Allied Feather.
The new Ghost Whisperer UL weighs 6.67 oz (compared to the 8.3 oz of the current model). Although the jacket is lighterweight, because the 1000 fill power down is warmer per ounce, it’s actually a warmer jacket. (Quick refresher on fill power: 1 oz of 800 fill power down lofts to 800 cubic inches; 1 oz of 1000 fill power down lofts to 1000 cubic inches). The new Ghost Whisperer, like the current model, also includes a full hood and zip pockets. It doesn’t come out until Fall 2020, but we expect to see a lot of 2021 thru-hikers sporting this jacket.
-Liz Thomas, editor in chief
Related: The Best Down Jackets
Read more: The Best Synthetic Jackets
Backyard Snow Peak Takibi party. Photo by Liz Thomas
Foldable LNT-friendly Firepit: Snow Peak Takibi pack and carry fire kit
With campfire regulations getting stricter on public lands across the Western US, we’re always scouting for new ways to have a campfire experience that are Leave No Trace. The Snow Peak Takibi firepit (available now) lets you build a fire above ground, so there’s no scorched earth.
Snow Peak is known for elegant and useful design, so this fire-grill-stove combo isn’t just functional, but artistically as beautiful as a piece of origami.
The Takibi folds down flat to a small apartment-friendly bag like an origami stove (it actually reminds us a lot of the foldable Oru Kayaks that we’ve tested and reviewed). The system is modular, so you can snap in a grill, table, and cooking workstation. We hope that this packable campfire solution will reduce the number of illegal firerings on campsites on public lands.
-Liz Thomas, editor in chief
Related: The Best Stoves for Backpacking
Read more: Should I buy an Oru Kayak?
New Montbell gloves using GoreTex Infinium. Photo by Naomi Hudetz
New Gore-Tex Fabric Lines for the First Time in 20 years
Gore launched two exciting fabric lines at this winter’s show as well as three updated fabrics in the GoreTex Pro line.
GoreTex Black Label is the new name that will be used for GoreTex’s traditional ‘extreme waterproof fabrics.’ Gore requires brands that use these fabrics to be fully seam-taped garments and pass Gore’s rigorous waterproofing tests before getting to advertise the “Gore” name on these products.
Pro With Stretch is super, well, stretchy.
Pro Most Rugged is burly
Pro Most Breathable uses a very light denier face fabric.
We expect to see all sorts of lightweight rain jackets and pants with a combo of these fabrics soon. For example, a jacket may have a stretchy body, lighter sleeves, and rugged reinforcement panels on the elbows and shoulders. We’re expecting to see these combo-Gore waterproof jackets on the way to design this Fall.
GoreTex White Label will not require brands to seam-tape or pass Gore’s waterproof testing to use the GoreTex name. The White Label also uses a new range, GoreTex Infinium. Like Windstopper from years gone by, Gore is making it so that brands will have no requirement (other than buying fabric from them) to use the White Label name. It’s exciting, especially for gloves and footwear, and will likely bring down costs of some Gore—fabric products.
We did eyeball a whole range of clothing with the new Infinium fabrics and White Label fabrics. We're seeing the fabrics in soft shell jackets, synthetic puffys, ski gloves, and boots with thin insulation. It’s been a long time coming for Gore to produce an awesome laminated membrane fabric. Even better, they’re letting manufacturers invent garments that don’t have to be seam sealed. Woohoo!
-Brandon Lampley, senior editor
Related: The Best Rain Jackets
Read More: The Best Men’s Ski Jackets and The Best Women’s Ski Jackets
The GSI Pinnacle Pro stove folds down to 1.4 inches thick and has two full burners. Photo by Liz Thomas
the thinnest foldable camp stove: GSI Pinnacle Pro Stove
Folks who live in vans or small apartments will rejoice at one of the cleverest innovations we saw at OR: a lightweight and thinner 2-burner camping stove. Folded down, it’s 1.4 inches thick and is ideal for storing. But unfolded, it’s got the same 11,000 BTU propane burners, height, and surface area (20.0 x 12.4 inches) as a traditional 2-burner camping stove like their staple, the GSI Selkirk.
We love this stove because it’s doing for camping what the Oru Kayaks are doing for boating: giving access to outdoor equipment to people who have limited space. They both use clever origami-like design and easy folding systems to significantly reduce the volume gear takes up.
The Pinnacle Pro turned heads at OR, taking home a Gear Junkie Best of Show award. Stove makers from brands across the industry were also stoked saying GSI finally solved the decades-old design conundrum of how to make a camp stove thinner.
-Liz Thomas, editor in chief
Related: The Best Stoves for Backpacking
Read More: Should you buy an Oru folding kayak?
easier Water Purification: CrazyCap
Water purification using UV light isn’t new, but CrazyCap has made the process incredibly convenient, lightweight, and compact. It’s USB rechargeable, (35 liters per charge), weighs 3 ounces, and fits most standard water bottles with 35 mm caps (think personal size soda bottles). The cap also works with bottles you already have by makers such as MIRA and S’well, as well as their own bottles (which looks like a hip designer urban water bottle).
Crazy Cap doesn’t sterilize cloudy water so it won’t work on backpacking trips where water sources are sketchy. However, we see a great use case for international travel and for urban dwellers who frequently fill their water bottles from public sources and are concerned about germs. The CrazyCap may also encourage more people to ditch single-use water bottles – which is a huge win in our opinion.
Bonus: you can use the CrazyCap to sterilize any surface by holding it 4” above the surface.
-Naomi Hudetz, online editor
Related: The Best Water Filters
Treeline writer Katie Brown tests Altras on a trail run in Utah. Photo by David Mitchell
updated altras: Altra Timp 2
The men’s and women’s Altra Lone Peak is the most popular thru-hiking shoe worn by more than 50% of AT and PCT thru-hikers. The Timpanogos Line was designed as a cushier version of the Lone Peak for thru-hikers, runners, and hikers who don’t want to feel the ground beneath them or who are traveling across lava or rocky ground. I wore the Timp 1.5s across the lava-filled trails of Oregon and Northern California on the PCT this past year, so I was thrilled to learn of Timp 2.0 updates slated for July.
The Timps are getting a Quantum midsole that will feel softer and lighter, but is more durable than the midsole on the 1.5s. The shoe is also becoming more flexible with an upper designed for speed. We’ve been warned that thru-hikers may like the old model (the Timp 1.5s) better because it’s looser in the upper than the 2.0s will be.
However, trail runners and those who want to take technical terrain fast will be into the Timp redesign because it has less volume in the upper. Whatever speed you take your trails, if you’re an Altra fan, the Timp is worth exploring (especially as the Timp 1.5s go on clearance to make way for the 2.0s).
-Liz Thomas, editor in chief
Related: The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2020
