Cool New Products from Winter 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show

Klymit

Klymit products feature insulation provided by the nobel gas Argon. This technology originally started in dive suits, and has now been adapted to provide a breathable, lightweight insulting layer for the Outdoor Industry. Visit Klymit's website to see how this technology works. Klymit is currently prototyping this technology with major outdoor manufacturers to create jackets, gloves, pants, ski boot liners and more. Look for Klymit's products in Winter 2010.

Kako -- Ice Trekkers Ultra

Kako's new Ice Trekkers Ultra feature a steel X-BEAD and cable design that provides effective traction on ice and packed snow while being comfortable for all day use. The X-BEAD offers hundreds of cutting edges for multi-directional traction. They are highly durable without being cumbersome. Kako's Ice Cleats are worn by postal carriers, fire fighters and other professionals who rely on high performance traction control. The rubber sling fits over all types of footwear.

Kuru

Kuru's shoes feature the patent-pending KuruSole Midsole Chassis that was developed by a team of certified podiatrists, physical therapists and footwear specialists. The chassis offers anatomically correct support throughout the shoe. In addition to providing a cool line-up of footwear, Kuru believes in effecting social and environmental changes. The Kuru Consumer Empowered Sustainability Program allows customers to allocate a portion of the profit to selected charities who are making important social and environmental changes. Kuru footwear can be found at specialty retailers and at kurufootwear.com.

Locals Have More Fun

Locals Have More Fun is a Park City, Utah based T-shirt design company. The shirts feature cool artwork which depicts characters participating in local outdoor activities. You can select shirts that are made from environmentally friendly materials like: bamboo, recycled cotton and organic cotton. All artwork is created with EPA approved water based inks. Retailers can customize these shirts by adding a shop name or locale to the sleeve. Individuals can purchase shirts on the Locals Have More Fun website.

Snowpulse Airbag Backpack

The Snowpulse features an Airbag that inflates out of your backpack if you pull the rip cord while being swept up in an avalanche. The un-inflated airbag is located in the top pocket of the pack. When you pull the rip cord, a valve on the refillable compressed air cylinder inside the body of the pack opens and quickly inflates the airbag. The pack is large enough to hold the air cylinder and all your avalanche safety gear. The backpack will be available in the US next year for about $1000 USD. This may be a fit for the professional avalanche controller, but may be priced high for the mass market. You can watch a video of the backpack in action here.

ColdPruf -- Base Layer

The COLDPRUF Base Layer product line is an extension of the Indera Mills Company, who have been making circular knit products and thermal underwear products since 1914. The Base Layer line is manufactured in North Carolina, and packaged in Mexico. You'll be able to find this line at all major outdoor retailers. Once nice feature is the Thermachoice guide on the package, which will help you select which baselayer garments to purchase based on your intended activity level. The Men's Extreme Performance base layer is pictured above.