Our final day on the show floor was a hit.  We participated in the Leave No Trace Bigfoot Challenge, and won a big old box of really cool outdoor gear.  We also finished the show logging in 28 miles on out our Montrail pedometer.  I think I am on outdoor information overload, but have seen some new gear that I am very excited about. My daughter has a great time checking out all the cool booths, and was excited to try out the bicycle powered smoothy machine at the Timberland Booth .

Here are some highlights from day 3:

Patagonia Footwear

Patagonia is expanding it’s line of trail runners and hikers for the Spring of 2010.  These all vegan shoes come in in a range of styles that are progressively more technical to meet the demands of the casual day-hiker to the hard core trail runner.  All of the shoes have webbing that attach to the shoelaces, and wrap around the bottom of the foot to cradle and support the foot.

Terra-Nova

Terra-Nova made a splash last year with it’s series of Ultra-Light Tents.  These roomy, sturdy hoop style tents took the ultra light market to a new level.  Talking with the folks at Terra-Nova, I did learn that due to fireproofing issues, these tents are not available in California.  This next year, Terra-Nova is introducing a line of ultra-light backpacks as light as 8 ounces.  These packs are very feature rich for their heft.  They have features such as hipbelt pockets that are virtually unknown on comparable packs.

Jansport Packs

Jansport takes the prize for the coolest old pack on the show floor.  The front of their booth proudly displays this flowery external frame pack that was made in the early 70’s.  The pack is not new, and proudly displays the nicks and dings of a well loved backpacking companion.

In the Spring of 2010, Jansport is releasing their “Cloudripper” series of packs.  These light weight feature rich packs range in size from a small daypack to a weekend backpack volume.  Also included in the series is a nice ski pack that is set up to carry skis and snowboards in style.

All of the packs feature an externally accessible hydration sleeves, and progressively more supportive suspension systems, depending on their volume.

Nemo Tents

Capitalizing on the success of their flagship tent, the Morpho AR which I reviewed this last spring, Nemo is introducing a 1-person version of their tent that is a palace for 1 and big enough to squeeze in two in a pinch.  This diminutive version of the Morph AR shaves weight by utilizing  thinner “airbeams” and adding silnylon on the sides of the tent, and only adds their breathable Osmo fabric on the top of the tent.  They make of for the lack of breathability by adding a large window at the foot of the tent.

The new stuffsacks for their tents feature a slot which one can add an optional superlight flat thermometer (similar to those you see attached to an aquarium).  The inside of the stuffsacks have a permanently attached constellation card on the inside.

Gibbons Slacklines

I first became aware of slacklining during the winter Outdoor Retailer, and this summer it seems to be making a big slash with multiple slackline companies among the ranks of exhibitors.  Gibbons Slacklines had an extensive exhibit inside and outside.  Gibbons had a bunch of really impressive staff who were making a very challenging sport look fun.

This is the last day for me at the show.  Day 4 consists of a half-day, and I thought I would get out while the getting is good.  Salt Lake City Airport becomes a zoo on the afternoon of the last day.  My coverage is not over.  Stay tuned for a summary of my most favorite things, as well as my impressions of the show in general.