Both new and legacy brands showcased apparel, accessories, and gear at Outdoor Retailer last week at Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
Here are some of the brand and product highlights from the show.
Sprints for the Amateur Runner
Madison DiBattista of Sprints. Photo by SESO.
Available in more than 1,000 stores across the U.S., Cincinnati-based Sprints was founded six years ago when co-founder and Designer Madison DiBattista noticed that so much running gear is black, white, and grey.
“That is not how the middle and the back-of-the-pack runner wants to express themselves,” DiBattista said. “We make fun gear for the amateur athlete.”
From its pickle-print hats to car seat cover towels to colorful accessories and apparel, Sprints is connecting with runners who don’t take themselves too seriously. The brand even has an active community of brand ambassadors called the Department of Amateur Athletics that meets regularly on Zoom.
“There aren’t very many people in the industry that really focus on the back-of-the-pack runner and why they run,” DiBattista said, pointing to some of the brand’s designs. “Cheaper than therapy and here for the beer? We really connect with them on that level.”
Staying Hella Dry
Hella Dry’s Jordan Stockton. Photo by SESO.
Grapevine, Texas-based Hella Dry started when co-founder Jordan Stockton had a miserable experience duck-hunting, trying to keep his stuff organized, and most importantly, above water. His first product was a patented utility pole that functions like a coatrack for hunting gear that sticks upright in the mud. During hunting season, Hella Dry – which has expanded into shotgun bags, dry bag accessories, socks, and more – sells thousands of poles, and is also expanding into watersports.
“Now that we’ve gotten into the water group, we’ve got kayakers, whitewater rafters, boaters, and fishermen,” Stockton said.
NOMAD’s North American Launch
NOMAD’s Tom Franklin and Jason Richarz. Photo by SESO.
NOMAD’s new Maku 2 XL Pro tent caught our eye just because of how small it packs down when disassembled. At just 4.4 lbs., it’s super lightweight, although the Dutch brand is also known for its environmentally friendly sleeping bags and packs.
“It’s a 50-year-old brand,” said Jason Richarz, president of Richarz Consulting Group. “They’re very well-known and well-established in Europe. We’re in the process of helping them launch it in North America.”
The North America launch will combine some Amazon listings to drive sales revenue and a separate line that will be placed with retail partners, with no competition from Amazon, to build the brand and build the business, he said.
Grab ‘n’ Go Sling Bottle
Sling’s Angie Willis, Eric Berger, Debbie Berger, and Dean Berger. Photo by SESO.
Bottles by Virginia-based Sling have a retractable leash that neatly coils within the base of the bottle. When extended, it attaches to the top of the bottle to create an easy crossbody way to haul water. Perfect for kids who are prone to losing their reusable bottles, multitasking parents, and anyone who wants a hands-free outdoor experience, Sling introduced their insulated, lead- and BPA-free bottles at Outdoor Retailer.
“My wife and I do trail hiking that way,” said Co-founder Dean Berger. “I can wear this and I have my walking stick. I’ve seen so many people on trails carrying their bottle – it’s like, wow, you don’t have any hands free? You fall.”
No Seat? No Matter
No Matter’s Shawn Willette. Photo by SESO.
Weighing just eight ounces, No Matter’s Anti Matter outdoor chair packs into a small fanny pack that can be worn around the waist or attached to a pack. So far, the chair can be found at ultralight outdoor haven Garage Grown Gear.
“It’s my first show,” said founder Shawn Willette, who is based in Sun Prairie, Wis. “I’m trying to strategically grow with a few small to mid-size retailers that are going to have a clientele that understands that counting ounces matters, that see this and immediately identify a use for the product – going hunting, bike-packing, and ultralight camping.”
Melan’s Clean Sunscreen
Melan’s Brandi Corbello. Photo by SESO.
After being diagnosed with stage three melanoma in 2019, Melan Founder Brandi Corbello realized sunscreen could contain better ingredients that also function as skincare as well as UV protection.
“All of our products are multi-dimensional, so they hydrate and soothe your skin while you use that protection,” Corbello said. “We also don’t use artificial fragrance.”
Tennessee-based Melan is available in approximately 100 doors, mostly small boutiques, and is selling direct-to-consumer and on Amazon.
Waking Up with Dry Brew
Dry Brew’s Angela Arcieri. Photo by SESO.
Dry Brew’s coffee chews, a chewy candy-like food that contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee in one bite, first took off with the tech crowd in the brand’s hometown of San Francisco. Now, Dry Brew is expanding into the outdoor community, which also appreciates a good brew, and can make use of lightweight, waterless option when recreating.
“It makes sense to be outdoors,” said Angela Arcieri, whose cousin co-founded the company. “We’ve done some markets in New Hampshire, and you don’t need to explain it. People get it, and say things like, ‘I wish I had this when I went camping last week.’ It just made sense. It’s lightweight, and every ounce counts.”
Most surprising? The chews actually taste good. Also available in decaf and double shot formats.
Bolotor’s Multi-Use Gear
Bolotor’s Sophia Stein and her dad, founder Michael Stein. Photo by SESO.
From the Bolo Packs to the Bolo Buckets, Texas-based Bolotor makes a diverse range of durable products built for long days outdoors. But the Texas-based brand’s most interesting product might be its Bolo Tarp, which converts from a backpack and can be used as a blanket, a shelter, and a hammock, and can hold accessories and tools in its handy pockets.
“It fits into the pack and most people use it for camping,” said founder Michael Stein’s daughter Sophia.
Four Rabbit’s Helpful Hankies
Four Rabbit’s Arielle Toelke. Photo by SESO.
Brooklyn, New York-based Four Rabbit started because founder Arielle Toelke was frustrated that she couldn’t find a travel jacket for women that wasn’t blue or pink. But when COVID-19 threw a wrench in her outdoor apparel plans, she pivoted to bandanas – gorgeous, hand-dyed designs that double as board games, manuals, or even recipes.
“This is my first outdoor trade show,” said Toelke, who is also a makeup artist for film and television. “I’ve done the Gift market, and I do okay in the Gift market. But I’ve always thought of myself as a travel adventure brand.”
Game, Set, MatchShot
MatchShot’s Dan Sullivan and Alex Posada. Photo by SESO.
MatchShot founders Dan Sullivan and Alex Posada travel frequently for their kids’ soccer tournaments and found themselves needing to keep their families busy in between games. That’s how they came up with MatchShot, which is similar to Cornhole. The initial design is made from wood, but future models will be made with injection molding and can be customized with names and logos.
“For two years we were bringing this around to all the hotels,” Posada said. “Now the kids on the other teams are coming in the lobby saying, ‘Hey, what are you playing?’”
So far, MatchShot is available in select stores in Long Island, where the brand is based.
Kate Robertson can be reached at kate@shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com.
