Thursday, 11 September 2014 13:17

Outdoor Trade Show roundup part 1 - a look at next year's kit

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When it comes to outdoor trade shows Germany leads the way with the annual Friedrichshafen OutDoor and ISPO shows, and while Stoneligh Park on the edge of Coventry and Birmingham is never going to compete with them it's the UK equivalent. Growing year on year the Outdoor Trade Show, or OTS, has become a fixture in the industry diary and this year even attracted a VP of USA brand Sierra Designs for their UK brand launch. The primary target is, of course, buyers but it also provides a great opportunity for journalists to check out next season and next year's kit. We spent a very long day at OTS 2014 checking out the gear you'll see in the shops for autumn/winter this year and spring/summer next year.

OTS 2014 Novel Award Winners

 

Clothing:

When it comes to new clothing the message is firmly on lightweight, continuing the theme that's dominated the sector for the last couple of years. Craghoppers were highlighting a full set of overtrousers, fleece and shell weighing less than a kilo while Sierra Designs launched their UK presence with some very lightweight designs including chaps as an alternative to waterproof trousers. Paramo showcased their new Ciclo, a jacket designed for cyclists

Sierra Designs launched with their new clothing collection fitting on a single rail

 

Paramo's Novel Award nominated Ciclo jacket

 

Last year hydrophobic down was the big news on insulation and it was interesting to see that a year on it's become almost universal in down products and this year the newcomer is blended down/synthetic products. Market leader Primaloft have joined with Montane to announce a new Primino range of baselayers that uses Primaloft Yarn together with merino wool yarn and polyester while also working with Adidas to produce "The World's First Hybrid Insulation" in the form of the Terrex Ice Jacket and Sherpa to make the similarly specified Nangpala. The name given to the new insulation is Primaloft Gold Insulation Down Blend and features 30% high performance PrimaLoft ultra-fine fibers and 70% functional, durable and water resistant goose down.

The Adidas Terrex Ice Jacket uses 70% Goose Down blended with 30% Primaloft.

 

Primaloft Gold Insulation Down Blend is joined by Primaloft Silver Insulation Down Blend, which uses 60% Duck Down and 40% Primaloft, in a new lineup that also sees pre-existing Primaloft brand names changed to:

Previous                              New from AW14/15

 

ONE                                       PrimaLoft Gold Insulation

Sport:                                    PrimaLoft Silver Insulation

Synergy:                              PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Hi-Loft

ECO:                                      PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Eco

 

Along with the news from Berghaus of Hydroshell, earlier in the summer, it looks like 2015 will see more than its share of new fabrics and new technologies. This year's show also featured a wider range of children's clothing, with a waterproof outfit from Kozi Kidz getting a shortlisting in the Clothing category in the Novel Awards.

 

More in this category: « 5 Most Common Mistakes made with outdoor stoves Berghaus launches Hydroshell™ - a new, waterproof, breathable technology »
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