Sugoi Trixie Short/Jersey

A couple months ago the MountainZone.com team went to Utah in search of inspiration. Were we there for the indie flicks of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City? Heck no! The Mormon Tabernacle Choir? Perish the thought. We were in search of swag, and landed at SLC airport just in time for one of the greatest gear-fests of the year, the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show.

The OR show is a slice of heaven for the mountain enthusiast. Like any good trade show, it features row after row of manufacturers' booths full of boots, clothes, hardware and toys – all made with great outdoors pursuits in mind. We spent several days working the floor, in search of cool new stuff for this spring and fall and, like Letterman, came up with a Top Ten List of gear for the '00-'01 season.

A disclaimer: Just like shows such as Interbike or the Action Sports Retailer show, there was way too much gear on hand to see everything. So we dropped in some tried and true manufacturers to see what they had to offer, knowing that you, the consumer, would have the best chance of finding these products. And so with that said, on to the stuff!

Clothing

Cannondale Convertible Cargo Pant ($90)
Cannondale clothing is almost as good as its bikes, and this new fall entry in the pant category is no exception. Like the slew of convertible hiking pants appearing this season, Cannondale's cycling Cargo Pant features zip-off legs for varying weather conditions. But these pants come with a removable Lycra inner short, featuring a seamless chamois. Made from wind and waterproof ripstop nylon, this dark gray pant has articulated knees, stretch crotch gusset and is, in a word, a winner.

Sugoi Trixie Short/Jersey ($55 & $70)
Women get a special nod from Vancouver-based Sugoi clothing this season, their Spring Trixie line of cycling gear is made for a girl's sense of style and performance. The Trixie Fitted Conrad Short is a surf short with a built-in "Women's No Hype" chamois liner, is made of nylon and comes in four colors - all with the cute sublimated flower motif. The Trixie Fitted Matrix Jersey is a Polyester/Spandex blend, has an 8-inch zipper and a single back pocket. Five colors available.

Outerwear

North Face Trigger Mitt ($115)
The North Face makes so much good mountain gear, we could write a whole feature just on its product line. But in looking at the new product for fall '00, we noticed an entry useful for so many activities - the Trigger Mitt. While not the first mitten with a separate index finger, it may be the driest and warmest thanks to a Gore-Tex Direct Grip insert and a removable fleece liner. The outside is articulated, with leather palms and padded fingertips - using a 500D Cordura shell. Great for snowboarders, hikers and - of course - ice climbers.

Polo RLX Cosmonaut Jacket ($375)
NASA inspired the look of this new RLX jacket, and we think it's kewl. Modeled after an actual spacesuit which Ralph Lauren borrowed for his designers, the Cosmonaut Jacket comes in three colors, but we prefer the New Cream for that spacey look (just don't expect to be found in an avalanche).

Features include a plastic window for your altimeter/watch and an ergonomically angled chest pocket. We also like the articulated elbows, Polartec inner collar and especially the use of Primaloft - the latest and greatest insulation material. This jacket isn't for everyone but, especially when combined with matching pants, is great for us Zoners.

Pack

Kelty Origami Pack ($75)
We were instantly taken with this new pack from Kelty, and some of us don't even own a climbing rope! Designed to open like a flower on its own little ground cover, the Origami is a brilliant idea for all sorts of applications, including adventure racing, snowboarding and even school. It includes a daisy chain for racking and a removable, burrito-like rope bag. Capacity is 2200 cubic inches and weight is 2 lbs., 8 oz.

Shoes

Polo RLX Trail Cat BC Shoe ($125)
This shoe is our second entry from Polo, just because we like their innovative ideas for 2000. The Trail Cat is special in that it has a removable bootie - perfect for aprés hike when you don't want to bring muck into the tent. The mountain bike-inspired tread wraps around to a rubber sidewall, and a gusseted tongue keeps debris out. The bootie liner is made from climate-control wicking material and has a rubber sole – it's like getting two shoes for the price of one.

Timberland White Storm GTX ($110)
Timberland, best known for its extensive line of boots and shoes, enters the trail running category for this fall with a versatile new shoe, the White Storm. Featuring a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, this shoe was designed for the worst conditions, adding hydrophobic materials to keep your feet as dry as possible. A multi-density sole grips better on surfaces, and uses what Timberland calls its "Independent Suspension Network." We just think they're comfy.

Salomon Powderclog & Powderspike ($75 & $135)
Winter is upon us right now, which makes us look forward to these two new items of footwear from Salomon. In the photo (click over there on the right), the shoe on the left is a new women's version of the wildly popular Snowclog, the slip-in shoe that is perhaps the most copied footwear of the season. The Powderclog has a less aggressive sole than the snowclog, and for the ladies comes in three new colors – while both feature a waterproof leather upper, fleece lining and stretch fabric.

The boot on the right is the Powderspike, with this new yellow color for fall '00. Built for hiking and snowshoes, the Powderspike features a waterproof nubuck leather upper, with a Climadry bootie, QuickFit Kevlar lace, and Thinsulate lining rated to -20 degrees.

Fabrics

Pearl Izumi X-Sensor fabric
The race for the latest and greatest fabric is a never-ending one, luckily for us consumers. X-Sensor fabric from Pearl is a prime example. Is it fad or revolution? We don't know yet, but are intrigued. Combining a new X-Static fiber with their proven Ultrasensor microfiber, Pearl has developed a new fabric with three distinct characteristics: anti-odor, thermal reflectivity and thermal conductivity. The secret is a silver-coated textile fiber that conducts heat better and naturally reduces odor due to its antimicrobial properties (the silver inhibits the growth of fungus and bacteria). The silver also spreads electrical charges out, reducing static shock, and the metal also spreads heat across the fabric.

Tactel Ispira fabric
Not to be outdone, DuPont has its own new fiber dubbed Tactel Ispira, which uses two fused yarn filaments to create a stretch fabric. Companies like Burlington will weave the yarn into fabric, and resulting garments will appear in lines from L.L. Bean and The North Face. An adventure racing team, formally known as Stray Dogs is now sponsored by Tactel, and will race in The North Face clothing and be called Team Tactel Ispria. The yarn was developed to stretch in one direction, be breathable, quick drying and durable. If it works as billed, it could be an answer to Lycra-based fabrics, perfect for climbing and hiking where moderate flexibility is needed.

— Ari Cheren, trolling the aisles of gear for MountainZone.com.