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So twice a year used to be the only time coming to OR, but thois year we were already here, so the trek was minimal.  It’s the bi-yearly culmination of outdoor retailers and brands, coming together to share the products which make them both money.  Main themes this year were:

1. Safety: In regards to protective equipment yes, but mostly not stepping too far out of the box for brands, and to offer products in which they knew would be very commercial
2. Grass roots: Making every brand, no matter the fiscal or org size, make it look like a good ol’ start-up.  Good vib
3. Down sweaters: Seriously, enough already.  It’s covered by others, don’t make one if you currently don’t.
4. Open-ness:  The booths seemed much more open this year, inviting more people into each, usually closed, booth space to see what the offerings looked like.
5. Charity: Just about every brand was doing some kind of cause to give back.  Way to go guys.

Here are some highlight pics:

Seriously, down sweaters – covered by Mont Bell

Five Ten had some great new lifestyle apparel and shoes, like slick new sneaks using their tech stealth climbing rubber soles.  Urban climbing in the near future.

Mountain Hardwear showing their heated layering pieces.  Shown without battery, and we really want to see how heavy it really is.

Horny Toad showing their old craftsman workshop motif.  Very nice merchandising

Got to see first hand the 2010 snowboard uniforms made by Burton/Gore-tex.  Fully sublimated pants to look like ripped jeans.  I don’t even want to know how much that cost to do, and how bad the fabric yield was.  Looked truly amazing.

Keen showing off some recycled bags.

Project OR in full swing.  Couldn’t find the hippy version of Tim Gunn though.  Sponsored by our friends alike – Promostyl and Hyperbola

Pro snowboarder Priscilla Levac had her OR debut of her successful Cilla base layer collection.  Best thing about this company is the owners.  Two minutes talking with them, and there’s not a reason in the world you wouldn’t carry the line.  Truly living the lifestyle, and core to the bone.  Product looks amazing none the less.

Our friend Tae had his Alite company out in full swing right across from Cilla, showing off their ever popular Butterfly chair, tent, and exotic sleeping bags.  SF roots.

One great innovative piece we saw was the bias cut sleeping bag from Mont-Bell.  Makes sense, cut on the bias, you will get extra stretch out of the fabric, giving you a more comfortable nights sleep.

Till this summer OR!