Contents www .sgboutdoor .co.uk


Industry 4 News


Hopefully the recent successes seen at tradeshows both in the UK and across the world must give us all reason to be cheerful.


Record exhibitor numbers are presenting to record visitor numbers all over the place, which points towards definite positivity in the outdoor market.


First WordsFirst Words H


Contents


Industry 4 News


OTS/Tent Show to merge in 2012 – Powertraveller sets sights on US market – Whitby & Co adds to product portfolio – Distributors make developments


6 Andrew Denton 6 Analysis


ello, I’m Alex Fordham and it is a privilege to introduce myself to you as the new editor of SGB Outdoor.


There is certainly plenty happening out there if the recent Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) is anything to go by, as well as ISPO way back at the start of the year and also OutDoor.


While I couldn’t attend OTS myself, both ISPO and OutDoor showed me the vibrancy that exists in the market, whether new products using new technologies, those maximising tools that already exist, such as the Txt2buy m-commerce technology (see page 12), visitors engrossed in finding out about Teva’s latest sole technology or crowds cheering and applauding as they watch slackliners do their thing.


Speaking to someone like Andrew Denton, OIA’s new chief executive, only reinforces the opinion that the outdoor market is a good place to be right now.


Full of energy and optimism, Denton comes across as a man that can help the UK outdoor market unite, grow and develop a strong voice in corridors of power that will open the door on countless opportunities.


To do this, he needs the support from across the board, from independent retailers to multinational manufacturers, so that OIA can become a representative trade association working on behalf of the whole industry, not just a select few.


In the coming months, I have strong ambitions for SGB. Both our sister publication SGB Sports and this magazine will be undertaking a facelift but retaining what has made us respected in the industry- that of industry-leading news, features and editorially driven analysis. Please also keep a regular eye on the website which will be updated on a more regular basis along with our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Like many of you, Denton is a man with history in the outdoors, both professionally and personally, but he is one of the most passionate people on the subject that I have had the pleasure to speak to, and I can only see good things for OIA under his stewardship.


I am keen to receive as much feedback as possible from you the reader about the direction you feel the magazine should be going in. Please feel free to contact me at afordham@datateam.co.uk.


David Pittman, editor, SGB Outdoor


Have a great month. Alex Fordham, editor, SGB Outdoor


ISSN : 1757-7276 ISSN 1757-7276


afordham@datateam.co.uk dpittman@datateam.co.uk


Editor: David Pittman - dpittman@datateam.co.uk Contributor: Jon Bruford Journal Manager: John Andrews +44 (0) 1622 699135, +44 (0) 7811 185477, jandrews@datateam.co.uk Publishing Director: Paul Ryder pryder@datateam.co.uk Production Editor: Brian King Subscriptions & Circulation: Sheila Skinner sheila@yourresponse.co.uk


Editor: Alex Fordham - afordham@datateam.co.uk Contributor: Paul Lester Journal Manager: John Andrews +44 (0) 1622 699135, +44 (0) 7811 185477, jandrews@datateam.co.uk Publishing Director: Paul Ryder pryder@datateam.co.uk Production Editor: Brian King Subscriptions & Circulation: Sheila Skinner sheila@yourresponse.co.uk


Register for your copy of SGB at www.sgb.sports.com/registration


Datateam Business Media Ltd, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY. Tel: 01622 687031 Fax: 01622 757646


Datateam Business Media Ltd, London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY. Tel: 01622 687031 Fax: 01622 757646


My background is fairly untypical to the outdoor industry having studied politics at university and subsequently working in a variety of political PR roles. I have already learnt from my short tenure here how friendly and passionate everyone is within the Outdoor community and let me tell you how refreshing this is after working within the stuffy world of politics!


I am particularly excited at my change in career path. From camping at Glastonbury to the dog taking me for a walk, I am a keen advocate of the great outdoors and plan to use this new appointment to experience other activities that this green and pleasant land of ours has to offer.


8 Climbing


David Pittman speaks to the new OIA chief executive Andrew Denton on his hopes and aspirations for the association


Simon Brown reports on the importance of climbing to outdoor retailers


10 Aquapac 12 Txt2buy


Products 8 Launch Pad


Patagonia and Sebago open fl agship stores - Magellan launches UKs largest GPS treasure hunt are just two of the stories found on our news pages this month


SGBO talks to three suppliers to the snowsports industry: Roger Morrison of Tecnica representing ski boots and skis, Peter Rostron of Haglofs representing clothing and Steve Couper of Sidas UK representing boot fi tters


Two years on, Aquapac recounts its rebranding experience


We present some great new products 10 Cover Story


12 Wind and water proof clothing Water proof gear


Products16 Tri-Bikes


SGB takes a look at performance kit aimed squarely at the triathlete


16 Cooking Equipment Focus 18 Climbing Equipment Focus 20 First Aid Focus


24 Reviews SGB Outdoor and GearWeAre.com review products from Ultimate Survival, Edelrid, Lifesystems, Mountain House, MRS, myBunjee, Outwell and Nite Ize


help of gearweare.com


23 Tech Rep John Taylor looks at the new collection from ASICS


featuring lightweight natural running shoes with propulsion technology


26 OTS Review Report and comments from exhibitors and visitors 29 Tech Rep


What goes into a good first aid kit? We look inside Care Plus’s offerings to find out


18 Baselayers We look at a range of apparel designed to offer


comfort and support whatever the weathers


21 Reviews We look at a range of outdoor equipment with the


Text payment service Txt2buy sees big opportunities for the retail community to benefit from technology already at the fingertips of the masses


Powertraveler showcase a range of new products at ISPO Munich


COVER STORY See pages 14-15


OUTDOOR NOV11 Cover.qxd:SGBUK OCTOBER Cover 16/11/2011 13:09 Page 1


www .sgboutdoor .co.uk November 2011


www .sgboutdoor .co.uk October 2011


Annual Subscriptions £76.00 (UK); £82.00 (Europe); £118.00 (Air Mail); Single Copies: £6.50 (inc.p+p) Subscriptions include SGB Sports and Outdoor Guide to the Trade, the only annual directory published for the UK sports and outdoor industry. Subscribers to SGB Sports and Outdoor are entitled to receive SGB Sports and Outdoor Newsline free of charge, to the weekly emailed news service, instead of paying £180 per annum.


Datateam Business Media Ltd . All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, fax, email, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Datateam Business Media Ltd.


Register for your copy of SGB at www.sgb.sports.com/registration Annual Subscriptions £76.00 (UK); £82.00 (Europe); £118.00 (Air Mail); Single Copies: £6.50 (inc. p+p) Subscriptions include SGB Sports and Outdoor Guide to the Trade, the only annual directory published for the UK sports and outdoor industry. Subscribers to SGB Sports and Outdoor are entitled to receive SGB Sports and Outdoor Newsline free of charge, to the weekly emailed news service, instead of paying £180 per annum. Datateam Publishing Ltd 2002. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, fax, email, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Datateam Publishing Ltd.


Cover Story See Pages 10-11


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course exclusively given by Ray Mears himself on a location within the UK.


Inside this month: Industry: Analysis: Snowsports Products: Wind and Waterproof Clothing, Baselayers, Tri-Bikes, T


ech Rep: Asics


www.powertraveller.com www.511tactical.com


Inside this month: Industry: Climbing, Aquapac, Txt2buy


Products: Cooking, Climbing, First Aid, OTS Review


echRep www


, Andrew Denton Interview , T


www.sgboutdoor.co.uksports.com


www.sgb-outdoor.co.uk 33


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