Ryan Stuart, explore's gear editor

Ryan Stuart's tell all blog spot on his gear addiction and life and times as explore magazine's gear editor

Day 4

What trend's do you see at the OR Show?

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I'm back in Canada again after a four day visit to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. It's where manufacturers show off their new gear for Spring 09. I saw everything from the latest boats to bamboo socks. After walking the show for four days I noticed a few growing trends that should be no surprise to anyone: more recycled content and green packaging and messaging, more natural fibers (bamboo, wool, wood, soy) in shirts and socks, tons of bicycled commuting gear, growth in anything light and fast and developments related to nanotechnology in textiles.

I'm excited to check out a lot of it. One area I heard mixed things about was anything to do with longer trips. Big backpacking boots and packs have been a quiet area for several years. Some companies think this category is about to bounce back. Some think it's still declining. Personally, I don't have time for longer trips, as much as I'd like to take them. What about you? Do you get away for long trips? Is backpacking dead or just taking a breather?

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