Day 2 of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009 features the same upbeat energy as the first day of the show.  I do think it was more crowded, and busier all around.  I am really excited about the quality offerings the I was presented with by the companies I was fortunate to visit.  Here are a small percentage of the highlights.

High Sierra Sports Company

The Col 35 is High Sierra Sports newest technical pack.   This medium volume pack (35 liters) that will debut in the Spring of 2010 is suitable for a gear intensive day hike, or a light weight weekend jaunt.   Unlike a lot of High Sierra’s packs,  the Col 35 is a model of simplicity, and the $69.00 price tag reflects it.

Sierra Designs

Sierra Designs has a whole pile of innovative gear in the works for Spring 2010.  A couple of them that caught my eye  are the Mantra Jacket,  and the Strike 2 Tent.

The Mantra jacket is a hardshell, utilizing “Fusonic” technology.  Instead of traditional sewn seams, the seams are welded together, eliminating the thousands of holes that the are needed for the thread and weaken the fabric.

The Strike 2 tent is an incredibly roomy 2-person tent that tips the scales at 3lbs 6 oz with the fly.  Sierra Designs utilized their  new “I-Pole” design to minimize the amount of aluminum required to pitch a stable tent.

Primus

Primus introduced the Eta Solo,  their entry into the modular flux-ring canister stove.  If this stove reminds you of their competitor (Jetboil),  there is a story behind it.  The company behind the Primus stoves was the original manufacturers of the burners that graced the Jetboil PCS.  The new Jetboil Flash has moved on and used a different burner, so Primus decided to utilize their burner design to compete in the category.  It is going to be interesting to see how it performs.

Ruff Wear

Ruff Wear was my Daughters most anticipated meeting of Outdoor Retailer (running close behind was our nervous but fun visit to Go Girl).  Ruff Wear certainly delivered.  One of the neatest products was the warm green fleece for dogs called the Climate Changer.  While our Lab Zeus has no problem regulating his temperature , out Boxer Aurora does not has the same fortitude to the weather.  A well fitting insulated coat would make for a more comfortable outing when the thermometer drops.

Kamik

Kamik footwear is a company that I was previously unfamiliar with.  This company that has been around for decades, based out of Montreal Canada, makes some sweet offroad footwear for kids.  Kamik has the philosophy that their children’s footwear should be multi-functional, and they deliver with shoes that will do as well on the trail as it will with a night with Grandma.

Keen

Keen introduced the Commuter sandal this year, a bicycle sandal based on the their popular Newport design with the addition of a TPU cleat cap plate.  Keen is expanding on the success of these shoes by introducing the “Presidio Pedal”, a casual cycling shoe with the same TPU cleat cap plate.  This shoe can go from saddle to pub without missing a beat.

Don’t forget to add your entry for for the chance at a free High Sierra Sport Sentinel 65 pack right here at Outside San Diego.