If there was any kind of ‘theme’ to the show this year, it would have been Environmental Sustainability. Several companies were announcing new environmental initiatives and renewable supply chains. In addition, the Outdoor Industry Association was asking every person to offset their CO2 emissions created during their travel to the show. There would be a monetary value placed on the emissions, and people could donate this money to the carbon neutrality project. The money was going to the building of new wind turbines. For my round trip flight from San Jose, a $12 donation would cover the cost of the wind power needed to offset my CO2 emissions.
More after the jump.

Don’t worry, I’m getting back to the gear. Several companies were offering incentives to participate in the carbon neutrality project. By donating the $12, I got a new pair of Hi-Tec boots, the V-Lite Quick Zips. These are incredibly lightweight mid-height hikers. In fact, they weigh less than the trail runners I was wearing around the show. But the thing that makes these boots unique is the zipper. The idea is that once the boots are tied and secured, they can still be easily removed by simply unzipping the ~6 inch zipper that curves down from the top of the boot along the inside ankle. It was sure easy to wear them through airport security! I’m looking forward to trying them out on the trail.
Patagonia had a big media event on Sunday night to announce the next goal of their Common Threads Program. By 2010 they will be operating in a ‘closed loop’ system – their supply chain will be made of recyled materials, and everything they make will be recycleable. They have been recycling their Capilene base layers for a couple of years now, but the other big announcement was that they will be expanding this to include any Polartec fabrics, including fleeces made by their competitors. They took an obvious pleasure in stating that your old North Face fleece could one day be recyled into a new Patagonia top.
I’m still compiling gear notes from the show – check back later for more goodies!