(This story was updated on 9/26/2023.)
At this year’s Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida, the trade show added a new component that included a group of outdoor brands as exhibitors along with its usual offerings.
The Shoreline category offered a hub for brands focused on fishing, boating, wakeboarding, technical apparel, outerwear, camping, and watersports hardgoods as well as gear and accessories.
The Daily walked the floor to speak with the outdoor companies about their new products, checking in with Teva, GCI Outdoor, Kanga Coolers, Hest, Icemule Coolers, Groove Life, and Nomadix.
Teva Hydrotech Sandal
Teva Hydrotech sandal. Photo by The Daily.
Teva’s newest sport sandal offers updated technology on the sole for boating, fishing, and other activities on water. The hexagon pattern on the sole pushes water away from the foot, according to the company.
“Our designer was inspired by tree frogs and the pattern of the webbing on their feet,” said Cole Baviera, field sales manager for Teva.
The pattern will also be used in closed-toe products and for future seasons, but this is the first iteration, Baviera added. The sandal includes the soft top-sole and universal strapping system Teva is known for.
The Teva Hydrotech sandal will be available for Spring ’24 and it retails for $85.
GCI Chair Sunshade
GCI Sunshade. Photo by The Daily.
GCI Outdoor is launching a detachable sunshade that will fit any of its portable chairs, its competitor’s chairs, and even on wheelchairs.
“Anything you’re sitting in,” said Sara Lawhead, vice president of product for Gathr Outdoors, GCI’s parent company. “The clamp mechanism is super rugged but also super easy to use.”
The sunshade is made from UPF 50+ fabric and folds into a carry case with an included carabiner. It comes in gray, royal, and navy. GCI also did a collaboration with Guy Harvey for a beach version.
GCI Chair Sunshade is available in February and retails for $35. The Guy Harvey edition retails for $40.
Kanga Coolers Pouch 24 backpack cooler
Kanga Pouch 24 backpack cooler. Photo by The Daily.
Kanga Coolers has taken its flagship cooler, which is designed to hold a 24-pack of canned beverages and keep it cold for seven hours without ice, and made it more portable.
Aside from the 24-pack, the Kanga backpack cooler can also accommodate loose drinks, with ice. The top flap allows easy access to the cooler’s contents.
“You don’t ever have to unzip the backpack to get into it,” said Billy Howard, events and licensing manager for Kanga Coolers.
The Pouch 24 Backpack comes in black, green, and navy and is available now. It retails for $119.95.
Hest Pillow
Hest’s portable pillow. Photo by The Daily.
Sleep product company Hest‘s portable pillows come in three different sizes – travel, camp, and standard. The memory foam design is made for the outdoors.
The travel cover lets the pillow be stuffed into a smaller size inside the cover to keep the sleeping surface clean.
“This allows you to keep your sleeping surface protected when you’re traveling,” said MJ Carroll, brand manager at Hest. “For camping in the back of the truck or whatever, protected from water or dirt or dog hair.”
The cover is washable and Hest also offers pillowcases.
The Hest Pillow is available now. The travel size retails for $74 and the camp pillow for $89.
Icemule Coolers Handlebar Cooler
Icemule Impulse Cooler. Photo by The Daily.
Portable backpack cooler brand Icemule recently released the Impulse, which triples as a handlebar bag, crossbody tote, and lunch cooler. The 4.5 liter cooler is designed so you can take it with you after you finish your bike ride, said James Collie, CEO of Icemule Coolers.
Collie designed the product after speaking with the editor of Bicycling Magazine, who gave him the idea, saying it would be nice to have a cooler that could be used for shopping after a ride.
“I’ve got three bikes at home and this is on every one of them,” said Collie. He keeps an extra water bottle, his keys and wallet in his when he’s riding.
The Impulse can hold up to three standard 12-ounce cans, plus ice, and comes in three colors including Snow Grey, Turquoise, and DeVoe 3.
The Icemule Coolers Handlebar Cooler is available now and retails for $99.95.
Groove Life Wallet Go
Groove Life Wallet Go. Photo by The Daily.
Groove Life’s Wallet Go is designed with nano suction that attaches to a phone case but doesn’t leave residue.
“It’s built for that versatile person who just wants a small little wallet that they’re carrying around,” said Adam Suttle, vice president of sales for Groove Life. “It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s sleek.”
The wallet has more than 1,000 micro suction points that don’t get dirty and will “literally stick to anything,” Suttle said.
It holds two cards and a money clip.
The Groove Life Wallet Go is available now and retails for $40.
Nomadix Puffer Blanket National Parks Edition
Nomadix Puffer Blanket National Parks edition. Photo by The Daily.
Nomadix, a brand that makes blankets from post-consumer recycled materials, has released a puffer blanket that has several uses and is designed with a map of the U.S. National Parks.
The blankets are sand and water resistant with snap-on sides and anchoring corners. The inner material is recycled polyester fill.
It works as a warm weather sleeping bag and can be worn as a cloak or blanket around the campfire. The blanket’s temperature rating is 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The National Parks design is 74 inches long and 55 inches wide.
The Nomadix Puffer Blanket National Parks edition is available now and retails for $99.95.
Bart Schaneman can be reached at bart@ordaily.outdoorretailer.com.
