No class of products epitomises the outdoor industry more than classic equipment like sleeping bags, rucksacks and tents. This is where outdoor industry puts the lion’s share of its innovation effort. This year they are bringing us more comfortable rucksacks, new warmth-to-weight ratios for sleeping bags, and the world debut of a remarkable tent. The OutDoor (14th to 17th July 2011, for industry and press visitors only) puts the strong innovative spirit in outdoor equipment on display like no other trade show in Europe.
Tents, sleeping bags and rucksacks are the outdoor industry’s core products. Although in terms of revenue these three large product segments have fallen to places 3, 4 and 5, behind clothing and footwear, they nevertheless embody the image of the company that makes them. Rucksacks are a stable revenue earner, with steady growth. Christoph Kirsch, Product Management for Backpacks at Salewa, even expects “continued doubled digit growth – especially for models with capacities under 35 litres”. He bases this expectation on the fact that rucksacks are increasingly seen as one component in a fashionable outfit. “The courage to show colour is one of the trends in the rucksack segment”. At Jack Wolfskin, Gerold Ringsdorf, Director of Equipment sees “a growing need for rucksacks with volumes between 40 and 60 litres for long weekend trips or short trips during the week”. Deuter, on the other hand, sees hiking rucksacks, followed by bike rucksacks, as the strongest categories. After all, “both are Germans’ favourite outdoor sports“, says General Manager Bernd Kuhlmann.
Lightweight is still the trend for 2012. “But not necessarily in the sense of ultralight, with a lot of compromises” says Ringdorf. “The emphasis is still on functional comfort”. That puts him in line with Rob Wylie, Managing Director of Osprey: “Innovation is the key. What that means is making the rucksack lighter, more comfortable to carry, and making storage options smarter. And the perfect fit, of course.”
Lighter, more functional, and a smaller packing size are what the tent market expects of camping tents – but it also demands high standards of comfort. Matthias Kimmerle, Product Manager for Tents at Vaude, notes that “The gap between cheap entry model tents and expensive premium models keeps growing”. The reason is that most people are occasional campers, whereas classical outdoor enthusiasts are interested in more comfort with less weight. That is only possible through high-tech, high quality materials, which simply cost more.
One product is making its world debut at the OutDoor in Friedrichshafen. The English tent manufacturer Terra Nova is presenting the world’s first completely high-frequency welded tent. With a total weight of 1,100 grams, the Voyager Ultra 2 is also the world’s lightest two-person tent. Last year, the company was already offering the world’s lightest one-person tent, earning it an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.
The strongest category in the sleeping bag market remains “most likely for forever, three season models, with a temperature rating of about -5°C” according to Harald Schreiber, public relations manager at Switzerland’s Mammut. Above all, the warmth-to-weight ratio is decisive for sleeping bags. Innovation is also a major priority for German sleeping bag manufacturer Yeti. Only one year after their near-bankruptcy because of flooding on the Oder River, the company from Görlitz is leading the way. Business Manager Kay Steinbach has announced “the first three-season sleeping back truly deserving of the name“. The “Tuner” model, with integrated climate zone technology, covers all temperature ranges from spring to fall.
