Host of new outdoor products unveiled

It's impossible to cover all the new introductions presented at the Outdoor Retailers Winter Market that came and went from the Salt Palace this week.

There were more than 700 product presenters, and most came into the market with "something new" for next winter. Some were as simple as new colors and more fashionable design.

Some were as technical as a global positioning system built in a watch that also tells time, altitude and barometric pressure.

Suunto brought in its line of watches made popular by their design and functions. The new X9i, lightweight and fashionable, offers a range of functions, including time and date, and a GPS. Included is free software that links up with Google Earth. Says the rep, the users export tracks from their GPS, which allows them to view their adventures anywhere on the globe. It also allows for 3-D flyovers from start to finish.

Staying current with the laptop revolution, backpack and bag companies are introducing packs with custom laptop compartments. Flying Circle Bags is introducing an all-round tote pack with a padded laptop compartment. Kelty is also introducing a pack with a padded laptop sleeve. And, Pacsafe also has a pack with a fully padded notebook pocket.

Going with the "green" theme, Osprey Packs will be offering daypacks and couriers bags made from a minimum of 70 percent recycled materials.

Always coming up with something new are those companies introducing the LED lighted-headlamps and flashlights and bulbs that may soon replace the electric bulb.

Essential Gear/eGear will present a new LED lamp that produces up to 85 lumens and runs on two AA batteries for 15 hours on high and 35 hours on low. FoxFury is introducing a personal light that uses four AA batteries and provides up to 40 hours of light.

SureFire presented a flashlight with adjustable light output, is 3 inches long and weighs under 2 ounces with batteries. Coleman will have an LED lantern that is about the size of a deck of cards when closed and weighs only 8.3 ounces with batteries.

In the sleeping bag market, Big Agnes' Battle Mountain will be offering a bag filled with environmentally friendly bamboo insulation along with goose down, rated at 15 degrees, which weighs only 3 pounds, 12 ounces.

Warm hands were the target of glove makers. Adventive Ideas came up with an ultrathin heated glove liner warmed by batteries. It also is introducing matching heated socks. Auclair Sports will have a thin liner warmed by AA batteries for between six and eight hours.