Outdoor Retailer 2014 — A Lady’s Eye

by WildSnoGirl
written by WildSnoGirl

Sarah Uhl

Dispatch from the Outdoor Retailer Show. This time a few nifty backcountry items that caught a WildSnow girl’s eye.

Zeal Optic’s goggle line caught my eye. I spoke with their head product designer who gradually moved up through the ranks over the years, starting off in Zeal’s warehouse. These are the Fargos, designed for men or women but intended for those with smaller faces. In order to bring the goggle size down but keep the range of sight (peripheral vision) high, he decreased the depth of the glasses while innovating a proprietary fog resistant lens that changes with the conditions. Quite a feat!

Zeal Optic’s product designer gradually moved up through the ranks after starting off in Zeal’s warehouse. These are the Fargos, designed for men or women but intended for those with smaller faces. In order to bring the goggle size down but keep the range of sight (peripheral vision) high, he decreased the depth of the glasses while innovating a proprietary fog resistant lens that changes with the conditions. Quite a feat!

BD women’s apparel release was impressive and innovative. Bright colors and nice lines made up for a late entry to the scene (behind the men’s line last summer)

Black Diamond's women's apparel is impressive and innovative. Bright colors and flattering lines make up for a late entry to the scene (behind the men’s debut last summer).

BD ski line had some of the prettiest graphics. Rhinestones meet modern art psychedelics.

Black Diamond ski graphics complement their clothing lines with modern art psychedelics.

Goal Zero charger.

Chargers from Goal Zero.


Goal Zero makes planning ahead easy. This lollipop sized charger will revive your iPhone at least once and comes with optional flashlight and fire-starter attachments.

The new speakers can be carried on your pack and re-charged by solar panels when you’re not using them.


Smartwool’s merino line looks as sharp as ever. They paired with artist/skier Anthony Boronowski for the next 3 years yielding some very fashionable new prints.

Smartwool’s merino line looks sharp. To develop even snazzier socks, they will be working with artist/skier Anthony Boronowski for the next 3 years to design new prints.

Stanley is making a louder voice for themselves in the outdoor space with functional containers to pack your food and drink. I especially liked their line of flasks and stainless steel shot glasses so you can pack and share the goods from the peak top.

Stanley is making a louder voice for themselves in the outdoor space with functional containers to pack your food and drink. I especially like their line of flasks and stainless steel shot glasses so you can pack and share the goods from the peak top.

TREW gear, out of Hood River Oregon, is stepping up their game with custom logos on each clothing line and incredible color schemes for both men and women. I spoke with their designer and he was psyched to weave together the best of snowboard and skier styles into a functional and fashionable backcountry touring line.

TREW gear, out of Hood River Oregon, is stepping up their game with custom logos on each clothing line and exciting color schemes for both men and women. I spoke with their designer and he is psyched to weave the best of snowboard and skier styles into a functional and fashionable backcountry touring line.

Ninja undies.

Ninja undies.

Fashionable long underwear seems to be the rage these days. Nina Suit caught my eye with their women’s onesie that might just duo as a disco suit après-ski!

(WildSnow.com Girl, Sarah Uhl, may not have been Rocky Mountain born but she has found her heart here. When she is not climbing mountains or trekking through trade shows for disco suits, she wields words and mixes paint to tell stories of the beautywild.)

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