Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019: What We Saw
Outdoor Retailer is the largest outdoor-oriented trade show in North America. Brands show off their latest product with much media fanfair. For us, if there was one take-away from OR Summer Market 2019, it's that overlanding is the next big outdoor movement. Traditionally, Outdoor Retailer has been focused on footwear, apparel, climbing gear and outdoor accessories. The inclusion and community that overlanding offers is hard to turn down for outdoor enthusiasts. The outdoor market and overlanding market are becoming synonymous through shared values and sense of adventure.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Until now, OR has been a predominantly camp/hike/climb trade show. This year was the first time that there was a dedicated floor space for overlanding and vehicle-dependent camp brands. Organized in conjunction with Overland Journal, the space was dedicated to camp accessories such as rooftop tents, trailers, racks and fridges.
JUNK IN THE TRUNK NO LONGER
By walking the floor we began to notice how many brands have branched into overlanding or expanded their product lines to include overland product. Toy-hauler rack brands Thule and Yakima now offer rooftop tents, awnings and overland-specific roof racks. This is all good news for enthusiasts; more options to choose from and more ways to customize and personalize your adventure vehicle.
KEEP IT FRESH
Anyone who's backpacked for 2 or more nights knows that food is the hardest thing to pack. Everything needs to be lightweight and take up the smallest amount of space so you end up eating loads of oatmeal and super salty freeze-dried eggs (just me?). Electric fridges have solved that issue for overlanding and their presence at OR was well noted. Who doesn't want to eat spaghetti and meatballs with ice cream for desert after a long day out?
BRING THE KITCHEN ALONG
Cooking convenience and food prep is another growing category for OR and the overland market. Having the necessary heating and prep elements makes all the difference between a meal of hard rice and under-cooked sausage, and a five-star outback dining experience. iKamper debuted its Aioks (All-In-One Outdoor Kitchen System), integrating a cook system, prep surface and table all in one portable crate.
PROTECT THE PLACES WE EXPLORE
Sustainably sourced product, social sustainability movements, clean-up efforts and funding land protection are all ways brands are helping to protect the outdoors. It's now expected that brands do their part to reduce their environmental impact, and for good reason! We all share the places that we play, so to care for them means that we can enjoy the outdoors for years, and hopefully generations, to come.
COMING IN HOT!
We're stoked to see such an overland presence at OR and expect that presence to grow. As the outdoor and overland communities overlap, we have the opportunity to share our experiences and knowledge. Be on the look out for our green beast at the next show!