Gear Trends and Innovations We Saw at Outdoor Market Alliance Winter 2026
Nine of Treeline Review’s writers and editors met with 56 companies at the Outdoor Market Alliance’s (OMA) Winter 2026 media show in Denver, Colorado.
During our hundreds of meetings, we learned what’s new and exciting in the world of outdoor gear. Now, we want to share our favorite updates and innovations, along with trends we’re noticing, with our readers. From ultralight gear to sustainable materials and practices, to innovative designs and fresh takes on tried-and-true, beloved gear, we walked the floors in search of what Treeline readers really want to know about what’s new.
Here are our takeaways, from trends we’re noticing to what we’re looking forward to testing for spring and summer 2026.
Interested in winter gear trends or gear that will be coming out right now? See our OMA Summer 2025 article.
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Liz’s takes
Gear haulers and organizers
This Outdoor Market Alliance this winter was big on gear organization. From RUX packing systens to Nomadix's new gear totes to THULE’s intriguing mountain bike gear hauler, many brands are leaning into ways to make better use of space and move around gear more easily.
I was stoked to finally see RUX packing system in person. This Canadian gear organization brand is young, but our Squamish, BC-based writer Ebony Roberts has been talking it up for more than a year. These modular, collapsible packing cubes can be used for storage in your garage or to carry your gear in the back of your car. Unlike a lot of gear organizers, I was impressed by how modular everything appears. They're expensive and I had been skeptical. But seeing how waterproof, sturdy, and thoughtfully everything is put together, I've been convinced. They also have a soft cooler that is insulated and collapsible, a major flaw in the soft coolers category. I'm excited to test it and see how it performs.
Tersus Solutions
Following the theme, a major highlight of my OMA trip in general was a tour of the Denver-area Tersus Solutions factory. Tersus does a lot of things, and a major part of that is a state-of-the-art gear cleaning program. They also help facilitate used gear repairs and sales for many brands. Seeing their gear repair program felt like putting together a piece of the broken world. They told us one limiting factor for their reach was getting enough used gear, so it was a good reminder to trade in your old gear and keep the cycle going.
Exciting new gear
Jetboil just dropped their Trail Cook and Flash Java 1.8L, which answered my prayers that the technology from the still new-ish Jetboil Flash 1.0L would get integrated across the entire line. The Trail Cook 1.2 and 2L take the Flash technology and integrate a pressure regulator, so you can simmer, control the flame, and it'll work better in colder temperatures or at altitude. The Flash also gets a windscreen, which is pretty cool, as I had always been led to believe that windscreens won't work with fast boil systems. I was wrong and though I rarely have had problems with the Flash and wind, there was that one time on top of a mountain…
I'm still stoked on the new sub-6-oz Outdoor Research Helium Rain jacket and rain pants. The long-time thru-hiker favorite and winner in our Best Lightweight Rain Jackets guide and Best Rain Pants guide just got lighter and more waterproof. They still aren't out yet but it seems like no matter how many times I see them, I get excited.
I'm intrigued by the Oboz Katabatic Storm winter hiking boots, which are among the first to use Invisible Fit GORE-TEX with Solarcore in a mid hiking boot. The Solarcore is an aerogel insulation designed for aerospace that remains insulating even when compressed. It looks both incredibly lightweight and also incredibly capable in the snow in a way that few, if any boots, are doing right now. We're having Aubri Drake, our East Coast peakbagger test this to report back.
The long-awaited ultralight update to the classic Marmot Tungsten tent is here. The Marmot UL boasts a surprisingly light weight, especially for the price. The Marmot Tungsten has been a winner in our backpacking tents guide and will still be available. The Marmot Tungsten UL will be a version that you could use both camping and backpacking. Similarly, Marmot's Wraptor that we fell in love with during Summer OMA is finally out. Part quilt, part sleeping bag, part poncho, this zipperless sleeping bag feels like a hug and while simple seeming, is actually the first time I've seen something quite like it.
Nomadix is expanding their towel line with something I've wanted for a while: an ultralight version of their poncho towel. They are also coming out with a Turkish-style softer cotton towel and some beach bags that repel sand and allow towels to dry better. It seems like an obvious next step for the brand.
Lastly, for my UL friends out there, as a long-time user of the Gossamer Gear carbon fiber trekking poles back to their very first model, I couldn't be more thrilled to see they're coming out with a folding model. Looking more like a Black Diamond Z-type pole, all the pieces stay together and the twist locks are gone. Gossamer Gear's current three-piece carbon fiber trekking poles are the winner in our Best Trekking poles guide for best ultralight poles, but these are not for everybody! Luckily, they are for me and I can't wait to take them out.
Stasia’s takes
New and improved ski kits
Outdoor Research dropped some exciting news this season: The beloved Skytour ski touring kit is returning, and they’ve made it even better. The updated version will return in the fall of 2026 with a jacket and pants for men and women. It’s lighter and more breathable than the previous version (I’ve already put a few days in testing an early sample!) and I think it’s better suited overall to long backcountry tours, and definitely my top pick for days in Colorado’s backcountry under bluebird skies. It was previously a winner in our Best Men's Ski Jackets and Best Women's Ski Jackets guide and we're excited it will be back.
Helly Hansen has an insulated version of the Emiko jacket dropping next season, which features a boxy cut inspired by Japanese design. It comes in a solid black option (my favorite) that looks rather stylish, and it’ll ring in at a very affordable price to boot. It’s a kit we’ll be looking to test for sure. Helly also will be launching the men’s Sogn Patrol shell kit that’ll be essentially a consumer version of what the brand gives to patrollers on the mountain—burly, durable, weatherproof, and feature packed. For the folks who have always wanted to wear a sturdy patrol kit (or for the people who just destroy gear), this will be for you.
Norrona is switching up one of their popular freeride resort kits, the Tamok. This kit was previously made with GORE-TEX membrane, but given its resort-oriented design, Norrona has decided to go with their own proprietary membrane which will bring the cost of this kit down quite a bit. I’m excited about this and think this will likely wind up being a great option for a stylish and more affordable shell kit for resort riders.
Obermeyer has an adorable and functional looking kid’s kit coming next fall called the Foxtail. The full bibs have an insulating fleece on top with the water resistant and insulated material in the legs. Plus a very cute jacket to match, complete with little foxtail zipper details.
Smaller specs for smaller faces
POC has for a while now made an excellent pair of high-coverage shades for mountain biking and ski touring called the Devour. But as someone with a small face, the name was too accurate: the frames ate up my whole face, and I looked silly in them. Which was sad, because I love their high-end optics and performance. Now, the brand will be offering a small-framed version that’s a lot more reasonable for small heads and faces. They look and fit great, and I’m looking forward to getting a pair out on the singletrack this summer.
I’ll also be testing a small-frame goggle option, the Boondock II RIG, from Norwegian brand Sweet Protection. Just like sunnies, I love having a pair of goggles that offer great coverage without engulfing my face.
In other goggle news, HEAD is launching a pair of goggles with a solar panel that allows the lens tint to change instantly based on light conditions. I’m very excited to check these out and see how well that actually works.
Brain buckets
Sweet Protection has some notable new offerings in the helmet world too. Their popular Switcher ski helmet will be available in a 2VI version this coming season, which includes Sweet Protection’s unique dual material foam in the helmet that helps to reduce impact (that’s what the 2VI is). They’ve also got a reflective version of the Bushwhacker bike helmet coming this fall that looks completely black except for a subtle speckled detailing, but that detail becomes massively reflective when a light shines on it in the dark. Huge points there for style and function meeting in a very happy place.
POC makes one of our favorite bike helmets, the Cularis, which is the best overall winner in our Best Mountain Bike Helmets guide. The helmet isn’t really changing, but they’ll now offer one with a removable and replaceable visor.
Sweet options for schlepping gear
THULE is launching a mountain-bike-specific gear tote that looks very useful for a sport that includes a lot of gear that’s often muddy or dirty. I can be a little skeptical of needing yet another niche bag for some niche purpose, but this MTB tote looks dialed and very useful, with a muddy shoe slot and a tool storage compartment, among many other useful design features.
Nomadix is launching a new line of bags that lean more in the direction of versatility rather than specificity (like the Thule MTB gear hauler). The Day Tripper Tote in particular caught my eye. It’s made with a durable recycled poly fabric and has nice design details, like daisy chain webbing on the side and a cool climbing rope handle. I love the look and envision this being useful for everything from work days at the coffee shop to schlepping diapers and kid gear in style.
Sam’s takes
Ultralight backpacking isn’t going anywhere
Most big brands are pushing comfortable and light backpacking gear. Sometimes, in pushing this comfortable backpacking gear, they implicitly, or sometimes explicitly, claim that going any lighter is going to be a sufferfest.
Don’t get me wrong, comfortable and light is great for people just getting into backpacking, who are hiking a few miles from the trailhead to a lake to set up camp. Honestly, this style of backpacking is also great for many long-time backpackers who simply want maximum comfort. But being comfortable at camp means you’ll have to carry more weight to get there, which limits the distance most people can hike to get to camp.
Mountain Hardwear, on the other hand, has released a couple of new packs made with ultralight ALUULA fabric, the Alakazam 45L and 60L Backpack. These packs have the same running vest-style straps you’d find on a fastpack, but also have a frame and hipbelt. ALUULA is a high-tech laminate material that’s extremely lightweight and waterproof.
While thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail last year, I used another bag made of ALUULA from the Nashville Pack cottage brand, and the material lasted the entire hike. It’s surprising to see a larger brand using this relatively new ultralight material, but apparently Mountain Hardwear thinks it’s durable enough for mass-market use as well. The Alakazam is pretty expensive, though, but for the committed ultralight backpackers, it might be worth a shot.
While not actually a new product, Mountain Hardwear also showcased its Nimbus Tent at OMA. This semi-free-standing tent weighs 1 lb 11 oz (trail weight) in the 1-person version, which is very light for a freestanding tent. Mountain Hardwear quietly released the Nimbus a few years ago, and now that they’ve gotten enough positive feedback from users, they’ve decided it’s time to market this tent more. It seems like a solid, lightweight freestanding tent. We’ll report back after testing on some spring thru-hikes.
Ultralight backpacking brand Outdoor Vitals also released the Carbon Evo Ultralight Backpack this spring, and they had samples at the show to check out. The Carbon Evo is a more durable redesign of their CS40 pack, which they released two years ago.
The CS40 was my go-to framed pack for trips where I needed to carry more weight than a frameless pack can handle. I’ve been testing the Carbon Evo for the past month, and it carries weight as well as the CS40, which means it carries weight really well. But the Carbon Evo has a UHMWPE stretch-mesh outer pocket, making it significantly lighter than the previous stretch-mesh used on the CS40. The Carbon Evo also uses a UHMWPE grid-ripstop fabric instead of the more expensive, less durable Ultra material used on the CS40.
Outdoor Vitals also released a new ultralight puffy, the Zulu Down Jacket, in both women’s and men’s sizing, a welcome addition from this smaller brand that previously made mostly men’s clothing. The Zulu isn’t the absolute lightest down jacket, but it’s light enough for most people and is likely warmer than sub-8-ounce puffy jackets. It also uses a seamless baffle design that prevents holes in the material during construction, making the jacket more wind resistant, durable, and warm.
Hemp is still growing
This year, there were even more brands showcasing clothing made with hemp. Most notably, Terlingua Threads, which our tester Kai also mentions, showcased its entire line of hot-weather sun shirts made from hemp. So far, I’ve gone on one 20-mile run on a 90-degree day in their hemp sun hoodie, and the hemp material is extremely breathable. The fabric is also super comfortable, and hopefully turns out to be as durable as
Royal Robbins is also expanding its hemp clothing options this year with the Hemp Adventure Pants, which only come in men’s, and Hemp Adventure Shorts, in women’s and men’s.
Also, while not hemp-related, the Royal Robbins Salathe Sun Hoodie is now available just in time for summer. I’ve been testing a Salathe Hoodie since last July and have put over a thousand miles on it. This is one of the few sun hoodies that fit loosely and has a ½-zip opening at the neck. These features keep you cooler and make the hoodie more versatile. It also has Mosquito Protection Technology, which prevents mosquitoes from biting through the fabric due to its tight weave. The Salathe sun shirt is also available in short-sleeve and long-sleeve versions.
More Shoes
Lems shoes were a new brand at OMA this year. They make minimalist shoes that look better, as in more stylish, than some other minimalist shoe brands. They have a new mountain bike shoe available now, the Trail Thrasher. They also had a sample of their new 2mm-drop running shoe, the Zenspeed, which will be released this fall.
Something Different
Thacker NYC shook things up at an otherwise run-of-the-mill media show with their visually striking display, which featured mannequins wearing their one-size clothing and gas masks, standing in front of a banner with the Plato quote, “Your silence gives consent.” The founder of Thacker explicitly said this was meant as a political statement against the current administration and that he hopes other outdoor brands might follow suit.
Thacker NYC's design philosophy is to build everything without preconceived notions of what a bag or jacket should be, which is intriguing. But this brand seems more interested in gorpcore fashion than in technical outdoor apparel. However, it was refreshing to see a visually interesting display in a sea of clothing full of new colors for fall.
Sara’s takes
Outdoor gear options that double up as ways to get your art supplies outside
Gossamer Gear has a new sling bag called the Sidequest that is perfect for carrying up to an 8” sketchbook/tablet and pens or ultralight watercolor kit while nature journaling or watercoloring. A core brand in the ultralight backpacking space, I was surprised to see gear that would work for my second favorite hobby, painting outside. Anytime I can combine hiking and art it is a win for me, and this Sidequest bag allows for just that. You can throw it into your daypack or take it on its own for an urban sketching mission. It is light enough to have as a town bag on a thru-hike and features a main zipper pocket with two internal slip mesh pockets for organization. There is one front zipper pocket and a back slip pocket perfect for keeping your cell phone in easy reach. They also have new poles as Liz mentioned above, which are very exciting for UL hikers. Gossamer Gear also showcased a plethora of day packs and travel packs, which we are excited about testing at Treeline Review.
Matador Travel Equipment has new travel bags and accessories which will be perfect for work and travel, especially for artists. I couldn’t help but notice all the organizing pockets that are just screaming to be filled with art supplies, for an urban sketching or plein air painting session. There are a lot of travel bags available with many features perfect for artists on the go, and they even have padded sleeves for an iPad or laptop so you always have your reference photos handy as you create. They aren’t just for artists—travelers who love organization and thoughtful pocket design will enjoy these thoughtfully created packs and bags. In addition to backpacks and bags, they also have an assortment of flatpacks and bags to help organize supplies and gear, and they come in different colors so you can color code your gear and stay organized on the go.
Sticking with the art in nature trend, Nestout showcased their portable batteries and accessories. I was impressed with their FLASH-1 LED Light, which is a flat panel light that goes up to 1,000 lumens with an adjustable angle so you can light up your journal or sketchbook at night while out camping or backpacking. I love lights like this for winter camping, especially since it gets dark so much earlier and I am usually not ready for bed at 4pm. Having a 1,000-lumen light allows for more activities in the tent or campsite and is bright enough to do watercolor paintings and create art. Nestout had more exciting things coming out but we can’t talk about those quite yet. They are definitely a brand I am excited to keep an eye on for future innovations in the outdoor space.
Exciting new gear
COAST, the brand with the voice-activated, hands-free headlamps and lanterns, has so many new mini lights and knives it was hard to keep track of them all. There were lights for everyone and every occasion, including everyday carry mini lights the size of a lip balm tube that can clip onto the brim of a baseball cap in a pinch and double as a headlamp. I was also excited to see a line of lightweight slim pocket knives that could work backpacking to cut almost anything you need on a trip—but most importantly, it would be used to cut slices of cheese off my block of Tillamook extra sharp cheddar for my lunch on trail.
DRYOUT was a new ingredient brand partnering with other brands to create gear that can dry out electronics that are not supposed to get wet. It claims to work 3,464 times better than silica gel packets at drying out and reviving a submerged phone. They also have a storage line to store camera gear and other sensitive electronics and keep them dry over the longer term. I am interested to see what else they make with this product—having dry gear is pretty essential and it would be useful especially if you were living in a humid environment.
Along with keeping things dry, Demerbox is a waterproof speaker and storage system that is made into a pelican case. It works wired or wireless and you can play your music or podcasts from an app on your phone. I liked the idea of this for my gear garage so I can listen to music in my gear space as I organize before or after trips. It is nice to have a durable speaker that you don’t have to worry about getting wet or dirty—you can simply rinse it off or leave it in the garage for your next trip. The pelican case is extra tough and has storage for first aid supplies or whatever else you want to carry around and keep dry. This would also be a nice speaker for boondocking when you are certain that you don’t have neighbors and you want to enjoy some music as you relax in your space.
Speaking of boondocking, Coulee Coffee has a new pour-over brew system coming out this summer that is smaller and can run off an outlet so you can make better-than–coffee-house coffee with the best views. This mini brewer would still work as an at-home system, but has a smaller power requirement and is more portable in size. It is perfect for those people who really want that perfect cup in the morning. My F-150 has an outlet in the cab that is just waiting to be used to make coffee. It will be available just in time for summer camping season and I can’t wait to try it out in the wild.
Outdoor Vitals is finally creating women’s-specific fits. We have been fans of Outdoor Vitals at Treeline Review for a long time, but our one complaint has been the unisex sizing on the clothing. Now they are making a women’s-specific fit block for the new down jacket and we are so excited to try it out. It is the Zulu jacket made with 900-fill muscovy down and has no-stitch fabric where the baffles are woven into the actual fabric.
Terlingua Threads keeps getting mentioned but I will mention it again. They are a new brand creating gear that is designed to perform best when the outside temperatures are above 90 degrees. As someone who feels like 75 degrees is roasting, I am excited to see how this clothing performs over the long term. The idea behind the brand is that the world is getting hotter and we have to figure out ways to adapt to the heat and part of that can be with clothing that we wear. The first release is coming out in April 2026 and I am excited to see this company grow and see what else they come out with in the future.
In addition to Terlingua Threads, there were new sun hoodies from KUHL, Norrona, PAKA, and Royal Robbins, with each brand having a slightly different take on design and fabric choice. Sun hoodies are a staple in the outdoor space and we use them for trail runs, thru-hikes, and looking stylish at music in the park. I am glad to see that more brands are creating new designs to protect us from the sun and look fashionable at the same time, literally keeping us cool.
Nite Ize was a fun stop at OMA, with lots of useful gadgets you wouldn’t know you needed but once you have them you can’t imagine life without them. They had an adorable Radiant NutLit rechargeable lantern, which is shaped like an acorn, making it so fun to be able to light up the outdoors. There was also a new take on ground anchors with their new Orange Screws Ultimate Ground Anchor, which promises to be easy to screw into the hard packed dirt so you can tie out your dog at the campsite or keep your tent grounded in a windstorm. In addition, they also have many other new clips and gadgets that are useful in keeping gear organized and together.
Lems: This was my first introduction to them at OMA and I was impressed with all the stylish options available. There are lots of trendy and classic colors and styles so you can take your barefoot shoes from work, to play outside and even hit up the brewery. Barefoot shoes are not a new concept but Lems is bringing them to a new audience with colors and fabrics that will appeal to the masses.
Becca’s takes
Adventure travel is thriving
We’ve noticed this before at recent OMA shows, and it still holds true: the adventure travel scene is alive and thriving. Many outdoor brands are catering to do-it-all travelers who want versatile packs for their multi-faceted lives, travels, and excursions.
One of the brands I’m most excited about in this realm is Matador Travel Equipment, which offers a variety of travel and adventure packs. The Global Travel Pack, Carry-on Travel Pack, and Adventure Packs in particular all look like great options, and we look forward to testing them for our Best Adventure Travel Backpacks guide.
RTIC, known mostly for their coolers, may not be on your radar for adventure travel, but they have two fully waterproof duffle packs—the 26L Ultra-Dry Backpack and the 60L Ultra-Dry Duffle Pack—that are affordable options for those traveling in very wet environments. We’ve been testing these packs and look forward to continued testing.
While not in the adventure travel backpack realm, both THULE and Rux showcased gear organizing options for those who travel by vehicle. Rux has a 70L modular gear box system for easy, personalized gear organization. THULE has a mountain bike-specific gear hauler you can easily tote and pack in a car—a supplement to their existing ski-specific gear hauler.
Tersus Solutions: the B2B company that’s restoring your gear
If you’ve ever bought outdoor gear or apparel from The North Face’s Renewed, REI’s Garage Sale, or other brands’ versions of second-hand retail or warranty repairs, you may have Tersus Solutions to thank for its good-as-new condition.
When it comes to explaining exactly what Tersus Solutions does, it gets a little complicated, mainly because they do a lot. But essentially, brands that work with Tersus can send in products that need to be repaired and cleaned, either to fulfill a warranty or to be resold.
The cleaning method Tersus uses is particularly interesting, as it doesn’t use water, but rather highly pressurized CO2. This patented method (that Patagonia was an early investor in) is more environmentally friendly in terms of water use, is highly effective (Tersus even cleans firefighting gear to remove carcinogenic materials and things like lithium), and efficient (no water means no dry time).
We toured some of their facilities in Denver and were amazed at the scale and scope of the work. It was incredible to see a warehouse full of gear/apparel that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. And while Tersus Solutions doesn’t repair and clean gear/apparel directly for consumers, they did offer to clean and repair ours to showcase their work. For example, they repaired a snap button that had ripped off one of my hiking dresses and stitched some big seam rips in my wool sweater, and both are as good as new. Getting two beloved articles of clothing back and in new condition felt more exciting than getting brand new gear!
I’m pretty jazzed about Tersus, even though their work is pretty behind the scenes and my explanation of their work is far from comprehensive (I didn’t even mention their down recycling program!). If nothing else, hopefully this makes you feel better about opting for “renewed” gear from one of Tersus Solutions’ partners, especially knowing the cleaning process is thorough enough for firefighting gear.
The growing domination of running: footwear trends
Running has grown in popularity in recent years, and more brands are leaning in, whether for the first time, by expanding their options, or simply by improving on what they’ve already been doing.
La Sportiva isn’t new to the trail running scene, and we’ve already named the Prodigio line as one of our favorite gear items of 2025. New for 2026, though, is the Prodigio 2—an update to the Prodigio we’re really excited to test. With an improved fit at the ankle and a little more cushion in the midsole, we have a feeling we’re going to really enjoy this shoe.
SCAPRA has also extended their tried-and-true trail running line with the new Spin Ultra 2s, which we’re currently testing, and the Golden Gate LTs, which are more of a lightweight crossover shoe option.
Icebug—known for winter footwear-–featured the Myr BUGgrip, a trail running shoe with small metal studs for ice grip. This shoe allows you to traverse trails with varying levels of snow and ice without having to put on and take off traction devices. While the Colorado Front Range didn’t have any snow or ice for us to test them out on, we did shimmy around on a block of ice and found the grip to be very impressive.
Inching their way into the trail running scene, Nomadix has partnered with Brooks to create a line of trail running gear, including a collab on the Brooks Ghost Trail running shoe. While Nomadix’s role in the shoe is in the aesthetic rather than technical realm, it shows a desire for brands to tap into the growing running market.
Teva has also been inching their way into the running world, with new trail running shoes and sandals.
Kizik makes slip-on shoes that span a variety of uses, from casual wear to winter boots, service industry jobs, and running. As someone who recently had hip replacement surgery, I gained a serious appreciation for easy-on shoes (that still look cute), and think this brand could be a great option for folks with mobility limitations, or really anyone who prefers the ease of slip-on shoes. While I’m not planning on testing the running shoes at this time, I do think this brand could shine as a walking shoe option.
Hiking skorts are trending
I’ve been testing hiking dresses and skirts for a couple years now, and previously found it difficult to find many skort options. That seems to be changing. Royal Robbins showcased their new Wilder skort, KUHL showed us the new spring Kush and Freeflex hiking skorts, Norrona has a new hiking skort, and Sherpa Adventure Gear also has a hiking skort, which they didn’t bring to OMA but told me about during our meeting.
I’m not sure if this is an OMA coincidence or a new trend in outdoor apparel, but I am looking forward to testing a couple new hiking skorts. And whether you think a skort is a skirt with shorts underneath, or shorts with a skirt flap across the front, I’m also looking forward to more people telling me my definition is wrong (for the record: both are skorts and I stand by that).
Chris’ takes
One of the greatest things I experienced at the OMA Media Showcase this February was actually a number of items still under embargo. Things us writers and editors can’t quite talk about just yet in a number of different categories, including ski, bike and clothing—but things we’re excited about testing before most people know about them. And items that are, in some cases, potential game changers. It’s one of the reasons these shows are so valuable to us.
Of those that we can talk about, I did get my hands on some pretty interesting new pieces of gear in the mountain bike and ski category. I also saw interesting pieces in hiking, camping and backpacking, but I know others in the Treeline team are covering those items.
One other notable thing to me was that the environmental stories during this show were a little more muted than in the past. I’d say this is likely due to the fact that industry has now had enough time to move beyond the biggest environmental story affecting it in the past few years, waterproofing and PFAS. Newer waterproofing treatments no longer contain those forever chemicals we’ve been hearing about—for what feels like forever (though it’s only been a loud drumbeat for the last few years).
But, on to the new stuff!
SIDI Descentio
I’ve already received our first new set of mountain bike shoes to test, the new flat pedal Descentio from Italian shoemaker SIDI. First impressions: it has a laudably stiff sole for a flat mountain bike shoe, and feels maybe a little stiffer than a 5.10 Freerider Pro. The Matteriis rubber sole feels plenty grippy and SIDI’s BOA-like closure system and hook-and-loop strap feel like they’re going to keep the foot from slipping around in the shoe.
The shoe is part of SIDI’s attempts to modernize its style and fit as it pushes into more markets. And, indeed, with the Descentio’s Millennium fit SIDI has increased its offering of shoes that aren’t akin to sliding your foot into a Venetian gondola. It has a wider toebox and isn’t as long as many Italian shoes tend to be.
It’s most unique feature and the one we’re most eager to test is its D30 padded inside high ankle cuff. The oobleck material, which is used in many of our favorite knee and elbow pads, stiffens on impact protecting the inner ankle from striking the crank arm or frame in a bump or crash. With a lower ankle cuff on the outside, it doesn’t make the upper of the stiffer, which could impede pedaling. It’s an interesting mix and I’m looking forward to getting out in it.
At $256 it’s a premium price that outpaces many other flat mountain bike shoes, but some of SIDI’s top-line clipless mountain bike shoes retail for $570. One other bummer, right now it’s only available in a men’s version.
SCARPA F1 RS
The upcoming SCARPA F1 RS will likely replace the F1 LT—my current ski boot—with a slightly heavier but much stiffer boot with a 115 flex rating in the men’s and 100 in the women’s. I’m looking forward to getting my feet sweaty on the uphills and pushing hard on the downhills in them. SCARPA, as usual, is building on its lineage of leading touring boots that I’ve been a fan of for a long time.
The F1 RS moves further toward the Maestrale and will be a little heavier than the F1 LT—though I didn’t get actual weights. But it’s a definite change from the F1 LT and it’s the first to use what SCARPA is calling its Overlap Flow construction, which co-molds stiff and light Grilamid Fiberglass with Pebax, a softer material. This is to create a stiff boot that still allows for more flexibility in the instep and front of the cuff, while still staying light.
The F1 RS will retail for $849 and should be available for winter 26/27.
Norrona lofoten ACE Avi 15L pack
This 15L avalanche airbag is somewhere between a daypack and a vest. Coming from Norrona, the lofoten ACE Avi sports everything you need for a fast day in avalanche terrain. That includes a dedicated pocket for an avalanche probe and shovel, an Alpride E2 electric airbag system, and just a little bit of storage for gear and snacks.
Rather than fitting like a traditional avalanche airbag backpack, the lofoten is designed like a piece of avalanche armor and zips up like a Kevlar vest, which it also is, using a 180D Kevlar face fabric to increase durability. Yet, it also has a 15L compartment for storing extra equipment like a warmer jacket, water, snacks and more. On the exterior of the vest are loops for attaching ice axes for bigger missions or stowing backcountry poles.
The chest side of the vest also has pockets for a phone, lift pass, a helmet pouch, and other essential equipment for a day in the wild. It’s a compelling piece of kit that blends a lot together.
Like other Norrona products, the lofoten carries a premium price at $2,499, much higher than my favorite current airbag pack, the Ortovox Litric.
Tyrolia Attack Hybrid Ski Bindings
There’s still no perfect ski binding for every situation between the resort and the backcountry, but there’s an increasing number of good options. The Tyrolia Attack Hybrid Ski Bindings might be among them. The bindings allow you to interchange the toe binding from a tech or pin binding to a downhill-specific binding with a high DIN release of up to 14, meaning you can charge hard in the resorts with them.
The pin toes mean you can use them to skin uphill in the backcountry and then convert them to the downhill bindings after you reach your objective. Alternatively, you can also downhill in the pin binding if you forget the downhill toes or choose not to carry the extra weight of both toes. What we liked about the binding was how easy it was to switch between the two toes and the fact that the bindings are designed to work with a broad range of ski boots including those with Alpine, GripWalk and Touring soles. Tyrolia offers them in a 3-11 DIN ($579) or 4-14 DIN ($629) .
Kai’s takes
Hemp might be the new fabric for hot weather
I’ve heard about hemp clothing for years, but this OMA was the first time I noticed multiple brands focusing heavily on the natural fiber.
Terlingua Threads, a new brand whose mission is to design clothes for temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, led the way with hemp-based shirts, hoodies and pants. Royal Robbins highlighted their new Hemp Adventure Collection, which features pants and shorts for active pursuits. While they didn’t have any at the show, Astral also talked up their performance-oriented hemp clothing.
I’ve never tried hemp clothes before, but they’re supposed to be cooling, breathable, and odor-resistant, so I’m eager to test out some pieces to see how they match up against polyester and merino wool.
THULE continues to expand luxury car-based camping
The talk of the show last year was THULE’s Outset hitch tent, which is out now. This year, the brand rolled in with a flashy, hardshell rooftop tent ready for any adventure. After camping with a softshell rooftop tent for a couple of years, I’ve decided I don’t really like rooftop tents. They add wind resistance, which lowers your gas mileage, can be a pain to set up even though they’re quick, and whenever you want to drive away from your site—even for a day hike—you have to break it down. Hardshell tents typically have a lower profile and are faster to set up (no cover to deal with!), so I’m excited to see if THULE’s new offering gets me back on Team rooftop tent.
Balancing quality and affordability
Last year, one of the more intriguing meetings I had was with Exped. They were promoting a new sleeping bag and backpacking backpack that were very lightweight, but didn’t sacrifice comfort (that trend continued this show with a new tent and sleeping pad that have the same motivation). I really liked this move, because it caters to consumers who want good gear, but not necessarily the highest performing gear, at a reasonable price.
La Sportiva seems to also be digging into this trend with two really exciting shoes that are coming soon. The Prodigio 2 trail running shoes look like a less performance-driven version of the brand’s excellent Prodigio Pros. If they’re anything like other Prodigio shoes, they could be a great option for the less technical trail runner.
In the climbing world, La Sportiva is also about to drop the Skwama Lite, a downturned shoe that looks like it can crush intricate boulders, but costs just $139. Whenever brands can truly innovate, but then take what they learned from those elite products and put some elements into more casual versions, I’m always a fan. Let’s see if these mid-tier options are worth the price.
Winter traction is more than just rubber and microspikes
Two brands showcased interesting traction alternatives in the winter boot market. I really thought the best you could get was Vibram rubber and a good lug pattern, but Baffin and Icebug both proved me wrong. And they both did it in different ways.
Baffin has its own proprietary technology called IceBite, which is a weird-feeling rubber compound that provides much more traction than regular rubber. It’s hard to describe what it feels like, almost like a chalkboard, so I really want to spend more time with a pair and test them on some ice.
Icebug takes a completely different direction when it comes to traction, and instead puts small studs into their boots. These retractable studs sink into the sole a little bit, so if you’re walking on normal surfaces like concrete or asphalt, the rubber around them still grips the ground. But when you’re on more slippery surfaces like dirt or especially ice, those little spikes stick out to give you incredible traction. Even though the studs retract a bit, I still felt they made walking on concrete a little bit slippery in my limited testing. I don’t know if I’d want to walk on hardwood floors, but they were incredibly grippy when I walked on a block of ice that Icebug brought to the show.
Dealing with traction devices isn’t too much of a pain, but if I never had to stop to put them on again, I’d be a happier hiker. I’m excited to test both of these winter boots to see which perform better, both on hikes and around town during the winter.
Mary Beth’s Takes
Brands are stepping out of their comfort zones this season
Sometimes it feels like outdoor gear plateaued in the ‘90s when the industry switched from survival to performance. Over the course of many years, brands leaned into the gear they knew was successful, making minimal changes aside from introducing new colorways. But at winter OMA, we saw a lot of daring moves in the name of efficiency and exploration that I’m really excited about.
Nomadix, a brand that’s seen a tremendous amount of success with its towels and blankets, is launching a bag collection in June with features like climbing rope handles and luggage straps.
Lifestraw is continuing to innovate by releasing its Sip straw, which runs $35 and is more compact than any other filtration straw the brand offers, making it feasible to use both on trail and in restaurants. Gordini is transforming itself into a 4-season brand by adding socks to its collection this year. The Orbit Knit Socks came about after the brand 3D mapped the human foot to evaluate how we move. Then the sock was made with movement in mind.
Kizik, which has historically been known for its hands-free shoes, is diving into the world of boots. Jetboil just introduced a new line of precision cookware for those who want powerful stoves that can also accomplish tasks like simmering.
Gossamer Gear packs are getting lighter with the release of the ALUULA-based Mirage 40L (18.4 ounces) and the Murmur 36L (7.9 ounces).
And Bearvault is releasing an “exciting mystery item” (read: embargoed) later this month that just might be a game-changer for folks who spend a lot of time in bear country.
And these weren’t the only brands that were tackling significant gear challenges. I, for one, am really excited to see how a daring attitude will lend itself to better, more efficient gear.
Parting thoughts
As expected, outdoor gear prices increased in the past year and we've seen brands coming up with new ways to keep people engaged in the outdoors.
Most of all, the joy of OMA is not in the gear trends, but in having a chance to gather with some of the Treeline Team. We're proudly a fully-remote company, which means our writers can live where they like playing outdoors. It also means we have fewer chances to give each other high-fives and share plates of nachos (or instant coffee and cheese, as happened at this OMA).
Getting us all together to celebrate the work we do is the best part of OMA and we were thrilled to have another chance to do that this summer.
