No longer a subevent within The Running Event, Switchback officially opened its doors to brands, retailers, and media for its first-ever standalone outdoor trade show.
While it was nowhere near the grandeur or size of the halcyon days of Outdoor Retailer, Switchback evoked much of the same buzz and anticipation that long rallied the industry into one place. Speakers, seminars, breakout rooms, and exhibition halls each attracted outdoor professionals chasing their own slice of “what’s next.”
GearJunkie beelined it for the booths lined with the latest gear. While smaller in stature (brands were limited to booths no larger than 400 square feet), the hall was still jam-packed. Here’s the most noteworthy of what we saw, and a few items we only barely caught glimpses of due to time restraints.
Latest Outdoor Gear From Switchback
Is Dyneema’s Reign Over? Mountain Hardwear Alakazam Packs
The “it” material in ultralight for the last several years has been Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). It’s stronger than steel, so light it floats on water, and is waterproof.
What could be better?
Well, it might be ALUULA (pronounced “ah-loo-la”). It shares many of the positive traits of DCF — ultralight, strong, abrasion resistant, and waterproof — but because it’s made by fusing technical films to UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene), it will never delaminate and does not need stitching.
So in theory, it can reduce weight and boost longevity. Oh, and it’s 100% recyclable.
Mountain Hardwear is not the first to market with ALUULA (Arc’teryx, Black Diamond, and select others have tiptoed into it), but the California brand seems to be marketing it the most heavily. Its 45L and 60L Alakazam technical hiking/mountaineering packs ($575 and $595, respectively) were front and center.
Callouts include an articulating hip belt that pivots with you as you walk, modular compression straps you can tighten down while you walk, and running vest-style shoulder straps. The Alakazam packs launch in spring 2026.
Better With Age: Altra Lone Peak 9+, Olympus 275, Wild 3
Don’t call it a comeback; the hits just keep coming. Altra, once a long-mile darling for its pronounced wide toe box, has continued to evolve its brand in an effort to keep pace with the ever-crowding running shoe market. From modifying the last to reduce the polarizing “clown shoe” look to adding a line of shoes with a 4mm drop (a departure from its zero-drop roots), the Utah shoemaker has not shied away from trying new things.
In that vein, Altra showed some notable performance upgrades to both longstanding and relatively new models. First, the Lone Peak 9+ GTX. Probably the brand’s most iconic shoe, the Lone Peak has a devout following among runners and hikers.
For 2026, Altra will add Vibram MegaGrip to the outsole to enhance traction and a GORE-TEX membrane for waterproofing. Altra will carry over the EGO foam midsole and 25mm stack height from the existing LP9.
Next, Altra builds on its “Experience” collection of 4mm drop shoes with the Wild 3. This 32/28mm stack trail shoe uses the brand’s newest foam, EGO P35. Softer than the previous midsole, the Wild 3 should have a more cushioned feel without losing energy return, according to Altra.
And for those who just need something new right now, the Olympus 275 (men’s, women’s) launched this spring exclusively at REI. The super-plush trail runner has a tall 33mm (zero-drop) stack, Vibram MegaGrip outsole, and scree sleeve to help prevent rock intrusion.
But the bigger story here might be the highly abrasion-resistant Matryx upper upgrade. The Olympus 275 is available at REI now for $185.
Coconut Insulation: Nutshell Coolers
This wouldn’t mark the first time GearJunkie left a trade show wowed by a more sustainable cooler. But this might just be the most high-performance and eco-conscious offering yet. Launched only in the last few years, Nutshell’s namesake insulation innovation is made from pressed coconut husk fibers.
Derived from waste created by coconut meat processing, the “FORTUNA Coconut Fiber Insulation” will keep ice frozen for up to 2 days, which the founders boast is just as long as a YETI Hopper 18. The 17L soft-sided Nutshell cooler will hold 30 cans, 15 beer bottles, or six bottles of wine (no ice) and is foldable for easier storage.
But the sustainability story goes further, as Nutshell uses deadstock material for the removable liner (easy cleanup) and fully recycled 600D polyester and PFAS-free water repellent on the outer. The latest iteration, available now for $190, has a familiar flip-top zippered lid.
Adaptive Gear That’s Awesome for All: The North Face Universal Collection
While the Universal Collection from The North Face comprises a tent, sleeping bag, and pack with designs to better accommodate individuals with mobility needs, visual impairments, and varied ability levels, its design ideas give way to gear that could appeal to anyone.
Two big redesigns update the Wawona 3 tent and the brand’s highly regarded The One sleeping bag. Start with the Wawona — this car camping tent now uses poles of the same length and gauge, so they’re easier to place for the visually impaired and in the dark. And the entryway is lower, so the tent is easier to enter. Plus, the Wawona has an integrated, roll-up rainfly, so it’s simpler to deploy and makes for easier pack-up.
Meanwhile, The One sleeping bag — a versatile option that can change configuration to alter its temp rating — receives a zipper-free makeover. While the previous sleeping bag swapped through insulation layers with color-coded zippers, the Universal One utilizes magnet-infused FIDLOCK toggles. So the bag closures can pull apart easily and snap together when the two layers are aligned properly.
Keg for Clean Water: LifeStraw Escape
LifeStraw pushes further into off-grid water filtration with the Escape, a 5.25-gallon pump-to-pressurize jug. The brand markets it for emergency preparedness, overlanding, and car camping.
The Escape utilizes three-stage filtration — a pre-filter, 0.02-micron ultrafilter, and activated carbon/ion exchange filter — to provide water that’s free from 99.99% of viruses and even more 9s’ worth of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and other impurities.
It’s not the first 5-gallon water filtration solution we’ve seen (or tested — see the Lifesaver Jerry Can), but the escape targets a more familiar, easy-to-fill form factor that can dispense up to 1 L per minute of clean H2O. According to LifeStraw, the Escape takes 15-20 pumps to get up to pressure (a relief valve prevents over-pressurization).
The activated carbon/ion exchange filter lasts up to 600 L before needing to be backwashed, while the ultrafilter effectively filters up to 18,000 L. The Escape will launch in August for $330.
Trail Racer: Arc’teryx Sylan 2
Arc’teryx continues to build and iterate its summer footwear. The race-focused Sylan 2 will launch in spring 2026 with more technical chops than before.
The mesh upper contributes to greater breathability, while a pared-down rocker profile and added carbon plate provide greater stability. The shoes are also lighter than previous models, weighing about 270 g (about 9.5 ounces) per shoe for a sample size 9.5.
The Sylan 2 also receives a super-critical foam midsole for greater cushioning and energy return. It will retail for $220.
Trapezoidal Baffles: Rab Mythic Sleeping Bag
Rab found new ways to improve its pinnacle sleeping bag, the Mythic. This super-light bag has been in GearJunkie’s Best Sleeping Bag roundup for years (and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere). And to its credit, Rab does not seem to want to fix what ain’t broken.
But while the titanium, heat-reflective coating (TILT technology), 900-fill down, and sub-2-pound weight remains, this bag takes on a slightly unique look. For the first time, the bag will sport alternating trapezoidal baffles that — according to Rab’s testing — prevent down migration better than ever before and help reduce pack size.
Look for the Mythic spring 2026 in three temp ratings — 32-, 20-, and 10-degree — in regular and long, ranging from $525 to $800.
SCARPA Rebel 10 Hunting Boots
Years ago, the Italian alpine brand SCARPA partnered with the American hunting brand KUIU to create a technical boot that eyed a sweet spot between weight and muscle. The collab ran its course, and for a while, it seemed like a one-off. Now, SCARPA jumps back into the hunt space with both feet — all on its own.
Marketed as a “backcountry field boot,” the Rebel 10 is a 10-inch-tall, waterproof boot that weighs under 2 pounds per boot. The mostly synthetic upper is a blend of PU leather, PU Tek, and suede with an HDry backing and PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation.
Underfoot is a Vibram Total Traction sole with its Mont mountaineering rubber compound. GearJunkie’s hunt editors were instantly intrigued by the specs — particularly the weight — and will have these in testing as soon as possible. The Rebel 10 will launch in spring 2026; pricing information was not immediately available.
Go-Anywhere Smokeless Flame: PACKFIRE Foldable Fire Pit
Unfortunately, I did not have time to stop into the PACKFIRE booth, but I saw a demo unit on display and made a point to inquire about the brand. Think of the PACKFIRE as the fire pit’s response to the backpack cooler. Where once this category was defined by unwieldy but highly sought-after products, the next evolution is all about easier transport and portability through design innovation.
Launched just this month, the PACKFIRE is a foldable, flat-packing, full-size smokeless fire pit. Its hinged slat design allows the rounded fire pit to fold down and fit in the included backpack. The ringed base also has fold-flat legs.
The pit is made from stainless steel and aluminum, has a 17-inch diameter, and a height of about 22 inches. The whole setup, stowed within the pack, weighs 35 pounds.
PACKFIRE launches on Kickstarter in July. It will retail for $400, but you can reserve one now for 25% off with a $1 deposit. Learn more on the PACKFIRE launch page.
Pingora Flow Series Running Vests
One other brand that caught my eye from afar was Pingora. An upstart that has quickly caught on for technical, innovative designs and a commitment to sustainable manufacturing (we awarded Pingora Best in Show at Outdoor Retailer 2024), Pingora announced a line of running vests coming in spring 2026 that “fix the bounce problem,” according to co-founder Mike May.
To do this, Pingora uses mono mesh as the base and cinch cords along sides — and, notably, does away with sternum straps in favor of its own “Balance Harness system,” which centers adjustment at the waist. The slim-profile vests will be available in 1L, 5L, and 8L capacities and use deadstock in the construction. No word on pricing yet, but our trail run testers are keen to try out the no-bounce claims and novel adjustment system.
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