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.

CamelBak has redefined their approach to hydration packs with their Octane line. CamelBak has taken the reservoir and move it to your lower back. This allows the weight to rest more on your hips and will seem to create a more natural and comfortable fit. The newly-designed Antidote reservoir that accompanies the Octane has a wider mouth allowing easier cleaning. The Octane has a suggested retail price of $89 and will be at retailers in October.

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.

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is about a week away. It runs the week of August 2nd at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hi there! I hope you are enjoying the outdoor gear reviews on OutdoorInformer.com.

We bring reviews on a diverse number of outdoor products ranging from gear for hiking to skiing from socks to cameras.

If it's gear, if it's for the outdoors and if it is top of the line, then we are reviewing it!