The curtain closed on the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Though not before the final act on Friday. I closed the show out with a visit to a handful of top outdoor gear companies that featured original products.

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market will barrel to a screeching halt on Friday but not before some innovative and unique products are introduced to retailers and consumers.

Columbia Sportswear Company opened the second day of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market with an announcement that will continue to change the waterproof design of the company's gloves and footwear. Columbia has signed an agreement to acquire OutDry brand and related business from Nextec S.r.l. The acquisition is expected to close during the third quarter of 2010.

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is rolling along, and I had a chance to get a glance at some new and soon-to-be released outdoor gear and apparel. Getting a glimpse at these was second to talking to some of the great outdoor pros that get these products from development to store shelves. Here are a few highlights from the first day.

image/Sony Pictures

A teaser of the upcoming movie, 127 Hours, is being shown at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. I was one of the first to see it on the eve of the convention.

The story is about Aaron Ralston and his tragic five day ordeal while mountaineering in Blue John Canyon near Moab, Utah in 2003. While canyoneering, a boulder dislodged itself and trapped Ralston’s right arm against the rock wall. Ralston amputated the lower half of his own arm with a knife to free himself. Ralston then had to fight the immense pain and the trek ahead to receive emergency assistance.

Oboz, a outdoor footwear company based in Bozeman, Montana, announced two new trail running shoes which will be on display at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. The Lightning and the Flash have the following advertised features:

La Sportiva is introducing the latest footwear in their Mountain Running line – Electron and Quantum – at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

Both of these trail running shoes launch La Sportiva’s MorphoDynamic. A technology that is advertised as addressing the need for lighter footwear that is lower to the ground and well cushioned. La Sportiva is reporting that the MorphoDynamic technology has been in development for two years.

North Face has announced the Spring 2011 release of the Verto Jacket and Verto Pack. North Face is promoting these as advanced technical pieces. And from the look and description from the company's press release, it looks to be true.