Outdoor Retailer 2012 Summer Market Preview

The 2012 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market gets underway later this week and most of the gear manufacturers will be on hand showing off their latest creations. The bi-annual event is a busy and wild  affair featuring more backpacks, boots and jackets than you could ever possibly hope to see. But it is also an opportunity to mean some very interesting people, network and talk outdoor adventure for a few days. In preparation for the oncoming gear-pocolypse, several websites have begun posting previews of what we can expect in the way of new gear.

Over at Trailspace.com there are previews of new climbing equipment and backcountry camping gear. Amongst the items that will be enticing you to spend money when they hit stores is the new Black Diamond Vapor climbing helmet, which weighs in at just 6.6 oz (187 grams) and a new rope bag from Millet that keeps your gear nicely organized. Campers will be interested in new tent lines from both Eureka and Mountain Hardwear, not to mention a new sleeping bag from Therm-a-Rest who enters that market for the first time.

Trailspace always does a great job of reporting OR news directly from the show so be sure to keep an eye on their Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012 Coverage page.

The Gear Junkie has also posted an early look at some of the gear that will be on display in Salt Lake City this week with some unique and interesting items catching his attention. For instance in his first preview we get a glimpse at Kelty's new air-pole tent that features an inflatable frame to keep it in place and a minimalist hydration pack from Platypus designed for cyclists. Gerber has a new flashlight powered by a crank, while a company called Biolite introduces a cook-stove that generates power to recharge your cell phone as well. GJ's second preview includes other intriguing gear such as  Mountainsmith's new lightweight, three-season tent that uses trekking poles to keep it suspended. We also get a look at new alpine boots from Scarpa – designed by Ueli Steck no less – that promise to shed bulk and weight while remaining comfortable. Granite Gear introduces a new backpack with a host of features that mountaineers are sure to love which will be available later in the year too.

I'll be headed out to Salt Lake City for the show on Wednesday and I'll be there when the doors open on Thursday morning. Like last year I intend to share as much stuff as I can directly from the show floor, so if you're interested in checking out the new gear as it's announced follow me on Twitter at @KungFuJedi. I promise to include photos of the gear as often as I can so you'll have an idea of what to expect when this stuff hits the market in a few months time.