Climbing Gear from Winter Outdoor Retailer 2017
Every year, industry members and athletes head to Salt Lake City to take part in the Outdoor Retailer. Below is just some of the gear announced for 2017. Be sure to pick up the April/May issue of Gripped magazine for this year’s buyer’s guide. Visit our top 20 list from the summer 2016 show for gear coming out this spring and summer here.
The 2017 show had lots of new gear, but also some controversy. Peter Metcalf, founder of Black Diamond Equipment, wrote a piece in the Salt Lake City Tribune suggesting the trade show should move out of Utah. “The Utah delegation has wasted no time in the first days of 2017 to enact their destructive agenda, and now the outdoor industry, too, must respond boldly and unified while we are here in Salt Lake.” Read the full article here. Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, said similar things, see here for more.
The future of the Outdoor Retailer show is anyone’s guess. In 2016, they announced their 2018 Utah dates, but maybe the recent protests will lead to change. One thing is for sure, there will always be lots of gear to talk about where ever the show takes place. The winter show is focused more on ski and snow sports, but climbing brands often have some surprises in store.
Arc’teryx Men’s Alpha IS: This is a new lightweight insulated piece intended to replace a midlayer and hardshell. It is 18 per cent lighter than having two coats. Arc’teryx also has a new ski touring jacket for women called Airah that weighs 595 grams.
Metolius Mini Tech Footholds: Metolius is a leader in gym climbing holds and equipment. Their newest addition to the indoor scene is the Mini Tech Foothold. They are made of 6061-T6 aluminum and machined with a CNC mill. They are made in five shapes and come in different colours.
Gregory Alpinisto: This has been many climbers go-to climbing pack over the past five years since they hit the market. Gregory has redesigned their popular pack to be stronger and lighter. It uses a new suspension system with a 7001 aluminium frame. New ice tool attachments, big crampon pockets and a strap system to carry skis. It will be available in 35 and 50 litres.
Petzl Sirocco: Every climber knows the Petzl Sirocco because it is only made in orange. Petzl has redesigned the Sirocco and will offer it in white and black. Visit here for more. Petzl also has new headlamps, a cool ice screw clipper and a redesigned SumTec axe.
Julbo Explorer 2: Julbo has become the choice of many climbers over the past few years and have introduced the Explorer 2. The new glacier shades are more ergonomic and have better ventilation with lots of coverage and strong lenses. For more see here.
The North Face L3 Ventix Women’s: A slick new piece in the Summit Series collection. The insulated mid-layer is designed to vent and to keep wind out.
Patagonia Hyber Puff Hoody: Designed for skiing, but will make a great down coat for those out on cold days ice or rock climbing. It has an accordion construction that minimizes dead air between the insulation.
Grivel Stealth G20+: Grivel has long been a leader in ice climbing gear. Their current G20 crampon is many climber’s favourite piece of equipment. Time will tell if the updated G20+ version will be as popular. The G20+ will have a replaceable front point. Grivel is also releasing their new Stealth helmets this month.
Black Diamond Ropes: Black Diamond announced new gear for fall 2017: ski line called Route, a new ski mountaineering ice axe called the Swift, a new big ice screw clipper, a new line of headlamps and word the Fuel tools will have a hammer in 2018. For right now, they just released their new line of ropes. Go check them out here.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
