Outdoor Retailer Summer 2010 show highlights: Sierra Designs, Osprey, The North Face

Sierra Designs Revival

The Jimmy Carter era is the last era that Sierra Designs had packs. In other words, it’s been decades since Sierra Designs released a pack line. That’s about to change in Spring 2011 with the introduction of the Traverse series.

Click here to view the slideshow "Spring 2010 lineup from Sierra Designs, Osprey and The North Face"

The key technology in their Traverse series of packs is what Sierra Designs dubs “Fulcrum Suspension”, a molded composite frame sheet with a single DAC aluminum stay and a custom forged pivot waist belt to allow the pack to move with you when your torso twists and turns while skiing, mountaineering and scrambling.

The new suspension also cuts down on weight without sacrificing load capacity. A molded back panel, dedicated ventilation channels, and die-cut foam shoulder straps, will keep you cool all day.

The Traverse series includes three men’s and three women’s models:

Men: Revival 65, Revival 50, Herald 30
Women: Jubilee 65, Jubilee 50, Rejoice 30

A new addition to the sleeping line is the Pyro 15 with core comfort technology. The 600-fill down bag has a second set of baffles over the core area, for extra warmth. The bag will come in two sizes: regular (2 lbs. 13 oz.) and long (long: 3 lbs., 0 oz.)

Osprey

Osprey is debuting some amazing new packs to hit the stores Spring 2011. If you’re a bike commuter, keep your eyes out for two great new packs designed with you in mind: the Momentum and the Metron.

The Momentum is weather resistant, hydration compatible and laptop friendly. It has a high-visibility reflective graphic to ensure cars see you, an integrated rain cover and a LidLock™ helmet attachment. A few other features include a blinky patch and a U-lock pocket. Side “briefcase” handles easily transition the pack from the bike rack to the office.

Deliverying a more streetwise look to bike commuting, the Metron has a high-visibility raincover that deploys on the fly to keep your gear dry, padded laptop sleeve, smartphone pocket on the shoulder strap, internal organization for mp3 players, pens, and a LidLock™ helmet attachment.

For hikers, the Sirrus series is a women’s-specific technical day pack with women’s-specific harness, hipbelt and three torso sizes to provide superb sizing and comfort. For ultralighters, the Hornet series are superlight packs that have been stripped to the bare essentials for ultra runners, adventure racers, peak baggers—anyone who aspires to move fast with minimal weight. The Hornet comes in three sizes: 24, 32 and 46 liters.

And mountain bikers? Osprey hasn't forgotton you. The Viper (men) and Verve (women) have a streamlined reservoir-to-pack interface and incorporates Osprey’s unique ventilation system.

The North Face

The North Face® image is strongly rooted in winter and snow sports, but they are turning their attention to the warmer months now with a line of mountain biking and running apparel to debut in stores Spring 2011.

Mountain bikers will have a nice selection of shorts, such as the Dusties, Moonrace and Mudbunny. The Dusties has a removable antimicrobial chamois, the Moonrace has a built-in antimicrobial chamois and the Mudbunny is a bring-your-own chamois short. The shorts can be worn with the Wildflower jersey and if the weather looks inclement, they have the Indi Lite rain jacket that tucks into its own pocket.

Do you like running naked? The North Face's Better Than Naked lightweight tank and shorts are made of extra silky polyester to make you feel like you're running au naturale. The tank has bonded ventilation for maximum breathability and comfort and the shorts have an anatomically correct seamless liner.

Then there is the Eat My Dust line with features a running skort with boy short liner and stash pockets (very cute) and a tank with integrated sport bra and impressive ventilation.

Also debuting is the Trailhead app for your iPhone, a free application that provides more than 300,000 climbing, ski, mountain biking, hiking, and running trails and trailheads from around the globe. The app locates trails, hikes and bike routes based on location and users can search by activity, activity length and other user ratings. No word yet if the app is available for ‘droids.

All photos highlighted in the slideshow are just a sampling of the new lines. Many more products from Sierra Designs, Osprey and The North Face are coming your way in the Spring.

If you live in Minneapolis, head over to REI or Midwest Mountaineering to check out the new additions.