As I’ve gained experience as a backpacker, one thing I’ve learned is that it isn’t always the big ticket items that make a trip – it is often the smaller, inexpensive pieces of gear that shine and become indespensible. A good example is my Buff, which is a $20 item that fulfills 4-5 needs while on the trail and in camp.
This year’s OR Winter Market seemed to be all about the small goodies. Innovation and exciting things seem to be happening on a smaller scale, or maybe I just noticed it more this year. The big ticket items were the same as always; I saw no particularly exciting tents, sleeping bags, or packs. Many companies had newer, improved versions of their best sellers, but nothing blew my mind. But there is one notable exception, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir.
Note: I didn’t bring my camera along this year, so all photos were taken with my Blackberry. Sorry for the less-than-good quality.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir sleeping pad is probably the most exciting thing to be hitting stores in 2009 for backpackers. Rumors have been circulating about this thing for years, and several winters ago I got to see a prototype, proving to me that it did indeed exist. Since that moment I’ve been waiting for them to come out. Well, it’s finally ready for production and it is *awesome*. Check out these stats:
Small: 20×47 inches, 9 oz
Medium: 20×66 inches, 13 oz
Thickness: 2.5 inches
R-value: 2.5
That’s a thick, comfortable, and warm pad at about half the weight of the one I’ve been (happily) using. I don’t compromise on a comfortable night of sleep when shaving weight from my pack, so this is a huge dent I’ll finally be able to make in my base weight.
The NeoAir is currently in production and will be hitting stores in early April. But you’ll have to be in line behind me.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, the next posts will details some of the other goodies found among the crowded aisles of the Salt Palace.
i know you’re a total geek, but i don’t think you inserted these clever punchlines on purpose:
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such a HACKER!
Is this NeoAir sleeping pad made by Neoair Industries? I’m confused
@moya ahhh! Yeah, I was hacking around with a plugin and forgot to deactivate it. Not ready for prime time, lets just say.
@robert – no, it’s made by Cascade Designs (Therm-a-Rest). I don’t know where they came up with the NeoAir name.
when it comes to sleeping bags, polyester sleeping bags with cotton padding are the best that you can buy ‘