This winter, I headed to both The Running Event in Orlando, Florida in December and the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah in January to check out the latest offerings in the trail running world and beyond. I’ve already written about the trail running shoe highlights from TRE and Winter OR. Well, now it’s time to share the other gear that caught my eye at those shows… and since I started writing, but never published this same article after Winter OR in 2016, I’ve added two still-relevant pieces from that article/show to this one. Why not?!
So read on to check out packs (from Nathan, Raidlight, Orange Mud, Naked, and RooSport), apparel (from The North Face, Salomon, Drymax, and Kora), lighting (from Petzl), eyewear (from Julbo and Abom), headwear (from Airhole and Icecap), nutrition (from GU), and GPS running watch (from Suunto).
Packs
Nathan VaporHowe/VaporKrar 4L ($150 – Available Now)
The new gender-specific Nathan VaporHowe/VaporKrar 4L bring a more lightweight, more apparel-like fit to Nathan’s running-pack offerings. Without the pair of included 12-ounce ExoShot soft flasks, the packs weigh in at 6.4 ounces (181 grams). In addition to the main flask pockets (which hold up to 22-ounce bottles), there are three additional small stash pockets up front and two more on the sides. The main 4-liter rear-compartment extends halfway down the pack’s back, and is designed to fit up to a 1.5-liter bladder.
There are also 12-liter versions of the VaporHowe and VaporKrar ($180) that weigh in at 12 ounces (340 grams) with the included 1.8L Vapor hydration bladder. The 4L and 12L versions of both packs come in a range of sizes.
The VaporHowe 4L. Photo courtesy of Nathan.
Raidlight Gilet Responsiv 20L ($190 – Available Now)
I first saw a different volume pack in Raidlight’s LazerDry range at the Ultra-Trail Gobi Race a few years ago and was intrigued. Now, the Raidlight Gilet Responsiv 20L, a pack designed with the Marathon des Sables in mind. This roll-top pack made from water-resistant material weighs in at an incredibly light for its capacity 9.2 ounces (260 grams). The main rear compartment holds 20 liters of gear, there are two pole-stowage setups, a pair of 600-milliliter soft flasks with straws, and a dial-based side fit system. The only things I wish this pack had are a bit more front storage and a large rear mesh or cord-stash storage option.
The Raidlight Gilet Responsiv 20L.
Orange Mud Adventure Pack 20L ($145 – late May, early June 2017)
The Orange Mud Adventure Pack 20L is the brand’s foray into the fastpacking category. Unlike the company’s Hydraquiver pack on which you stow the waterbottle in a rear holster, this pack is designed for two soft flasks up front and accommodates either a 2-liter or a 3-liter bladder. My favorite aspect of the pack are the two ‘upside down’ pockets that sit atop the shoulders with front access.
The Orange Mud Adventure Pack 20L.
Naked Running Band ($46 – Available Now)
The Naked Running Band is a waistband style ‘pack’ with a huge 3-liter capacity in its four sections and svelte 2.3 ounces. This running belt also has a pair of external loops with which you could store a windjacket or a pair of trekking poles, an internal key hook, and race-bib attachments. It’s available in six non-adjustable sizes covering from 25 to 36 inches at the height (between the waist and the navel) where you’d prefer to wear the pack.
A Naked Belt. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
RooSport Pockets ($20-$35 – Available Now)
Like to carry a few extra items than your apparel can handle, but don’t like wear a waistpack? Check out RooSport’s pockets that magnetically self-adhere over your waistband. A larger phone-sized pocket sits inside your waistband, while a smaller zipper pocket that can hold a couple gels or their equivalent sits on the outside.
A RooSport pocket. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Apparel
The North Face Touji L/S ($80 – June 25, 2017)
The North Face Touji L/S is a really nice looking (in its simplicity) wool/poly-blend long-sleeve shirt. It’s got thumb-loop cuffs and, my favorite, a little headphone port in front of the collarbone.
The North Face Touji Long Sleeve. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Salomon Elevate 3in1 Raincombi W ($175 – August 2017)
Salomon’s Elevate 3in1 Raincombi W is unlike any piece I’ve seen before in that it’s two outer-layer pieces sold together as a unit. Underneath there’s what I can only call the ‘Provo vest,’ an extra long, windproof vest that also offers a good bit of modesty. The overlay is a hooded water-resistant pullover that ends above the waist. At the least, Salomon gets some points for creativity.
The Salomon Elevate 3in1 Raincombi. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Salomon Fast Wing Hybrid ($150 – August 2017)
While not cheap, the Salomon Fast Wing Hybrid M is more affordable than its $250 predecessor. This full-zip windjacket (with hood and chest pocket) tucks into its own waistband for quick stowage. It’s said to weigh in at 4.7 ounces (134 grams).
The Fast Wing Hybrid M.
Drymax Stephanie and Sharman Socks ($13.50 & $31 – Available Now)
The new Drymax Stephanie Sock, designed for Stephanie Howe Violett, is a crew version of Drymax’s Hyperthin running socks.
Built for Ian Sharman, the Drymax Sharman Sock is a 1/4 crew version of Drymax’s Maximum Protection Trail socks with the PTFE only underfoot, which lowers the price form $33 to $31 dollars.
Kora Apparel
While it’s been out for a little while, this was my first chance to check out Kora’s yak-wool apparel in person and was darn impressed. The fabric feels great and is reportedly 40% warmer than a corresponding weight-per-area Merino-wool fabric. The designs are simple and functional in a pleasing-to-the-eye manner. I’m keen to check out the Shola 230 Zip ($160), a long sleeve with a true half zip (at least) that should provide a great range of temperature control. [This piece is a carry-over from the 2016 Winter OR.]
The Kora Shola 230 Zip.
Lighting
Petzl NAO+ ($199 – Available Now)
Since its launch, the Petzl NAO has been my go-to trail running headlamp. Now, the Petzl NAO+, the third iteration of the lamp, will increase the maximum light output by another 250 lumens to a stunning 750 lumens, all while retaining the same weight and form factor. The latest NAO will also feature bluetooth connectivity to allow for reprogramming on the run.
Petzl NAO+. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Eyewear
Julbo Aerolite ($130-190 – Out Now)
The Julbo Aerolite area lightweight, women’s-specific running sunglasses that’re new for 2017. they’ve got an adjustable nose bridge, great breathability, and accept an optical clip for prescription users.
The Julbo Aerolite. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Abom Goggles
From the take-this-idea-and-run-with-it department, there are Abom Goggles, which feature a small heating element to keep winter-sport googles fog free. I don’t know about you, but no amount of venting keeps my sunglasses fog free when I’m on a steep climb on a damp, cold day. I think it’d be interesting to see a much more streamlined version of this technology in a pair of sunglasses.
Abom Goggles. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Headwear
Airhole Airtube ($20 – September 16, 2017)
I guess Airtube has been around for a few years, but this is the first time I’ve noticed the Airtube and its kin in the company’s lineup. Looks like a nice option for improving breathing when cold temps warrant face coverage.
A couple Airhole products. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Iced Cap 3.0 ($30 – Available Now)
Sure you can tuck some ice under your cap on a hot day, but it tends to fall out and isn’t the greatest option. A much better option is the two-layered drawstring-operated Iced Cap 3.0 that will distribute ice all around your head (not just on top). I can’t wait to try one this summer.
The Iced Cap 3.0. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Nutrition
GU Energy Gels – Ginger Ade (March 2017)
While I generally avoid including nutrition products in our OR roundups, I tried GU’s new Ginger Ade flavor and I really like it. How’s that for subjective! Truthfully, I think this expands the range of gel flavors out there, which is something for which we can all be thankful.
GU Ginger Ade (and Tutti Frutti Roctane). Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
GPS
Suunto Ambit3 Vertical ($469 $369/$519 $419 with HRM – On the Market)
The Suunto Ambit3 Vertical was included in my never-published Winter OR 2016 gear roundup. More than a year later, it remains my everyday GPS running watch. From my viewpoint, the most important update for the Vertical is its form factor. Gone is the large antenna wing that extends below other Ambit3’s screens and the rear of the unit is flush unlike the protruding battery on the Ambit3 Peak. All in all, this means a more comfortable fit with a slight weight savings over the Ambit3 Sport (6 grams) and Peak (15 grams). There are also some new vert-centric features such as daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly vertical-gain tracking along with and in-run elevation-tracking graph. The price of Peak has dropped $100 (w/ or w/o HRM) since launch.
The Suunto Ambit3 Vertical next to the Abmit3 Peak. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
[For our current favorite GPS watches for running, check out our best GPS running watch guide.]
Call for Comments
What new gear has you psyched in 2017?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand that produces gear in one of the above categories, please share that relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
