In our second report from the Outdoor Trade Show, Alex investigates a few more interesting products that caught his eye
Read our first report yet? Check it out here!
Steripen have long offered an alternative to filters or chemicals when it comes to water purification. The idea is pretty simple: zap suspect drinking water with UV light and pathogens become inactive. However, the Steripen doesn’t work so well on murky or turbid water, and not every storage container has a wide enough mouth to admit the device.
The new Quantum Rapid Purification System aims to solve both these issues by bundling a proprietary pre-filter and 4-litre reservoir with a Steripen unit. The filter removes particles from the water and the reservoir is specifically designed to work with both the filter and the Steripen (which runs on 4x AA batteries). While this setup is heavier and more complex than some competing solutions, it claims to be able to treat four litres of water in only two and a half minutes, which is impressive.
Steripen Quantum Rapid Purification System
New for 2017, the Jetboil Mightymo adds a lightweight but powerful canister stove to Jetboil’s range. It weighs only 94g – that’s a fraction of most full-blown Jetboil systems – yet offers a 10,000 BTU burner and a precision regulator Jetboil claim provides ‘simmer control unlike anything else in the backcountry’. It looks like a good, lightweight option if your cooking needs extend beyond boiling water. Of course, unlike a traditional Jetboil, you have to add your own pan and windshield.
Jetboil Mightymo
Exped had some interesting new items on show. In addition to new backpacks, drybags and sleeping mats, we noticed the Bivy Booty. This is an insulated and waterproof overshoe that looks a bit more suitable to winter wild camping than their established Camp Slipper. The Camp Slipper is now available in new colours and has had a price drop from £32 to £30. Exped also showed us their new Down Socks for use in the sleeping bag.
Exped Bivy Booty
Lowa have released a raft of new footwear products. The new Locarno GTX line of leather boots and shoes will be popular – they have a toned-down, almost casual appearance, but surprisingly techy credentials. However, the product that I found most interesting was the new Alpine Pro GTX mountaineering boot (available in both men’s and women’s versions). These are crampon-compatible mountaineering boots with grippy Vibram soles and highly durable uppers. Lowa claim that a newly designed midsole has a lower profile than a traditional boot and therefore offers greater stability and sensitivity on technical ground.
Lowa Locarno GTX
Lowa Alpine Pro GTX
