Big Gear Show 23: Innovation

Big Gear Show 23: Innovation

One of the best parts about trade shows like the Big Gear Show is seeing all of the new products that are coming out. Some of the innovations are new to the market. Some are just new to me. All of them are a cool way to improve or fix a problem we all have. Here is a look at the Big Gear Show Innovation in 2023.

Big Sky International

Big Sky International is no stranger to innovation. The have been doing it for years! It starts with the way that they make their tents. Big Sky uses a silicone coated nylon (silnylon) on the walls of their tent. What makes them different is that a lot of the tents made these days only use a silicone coating on the exterior but Big Sky uses it on both sides to greatly improve the strength of the tents.

While they also have the more traditional mesh nets. Big Sky also has a breathable fabric available. The breathable fabric keeps the tent warmer and helps prevent any sand or spray from getting into your tent. Just a couple of ways that Big Sky International is innovating in the tent space but those aren’t their only innovations.

Big Sky International Tube Steaks

One really cool product that Big Sky had on display was their tent stakes, also know as the Tube Steaks! The “Steaks” are amazingly light weight. Both the 18 inch and 20 inch come in at under 0.5 ounces. Despite the light weight, the Tube’s are incredibly strong. They can get hammered into a board if you are so inclined. Which is great if you live in area’s with tough ground or are hiking in semi frozen areas.

Another innovative feature in the Tube Steaks is the way you can remove them. The Tube Steaks come with a loop of cord just under the head. That way as you are pulling them up you don’t run the risk of pulling the head off the steak. The loop allows tension without putting added stress on the Tube Steak which should give you a longer life on your stakes.

Big Sky Freezer Bag/Cooking Coozie

If you have ever tried to cook your ready meals in the bitter cold or a winter or high elevation camp, you know that by the time the food can cook it might already be cold. Well Big Sky has a solution for that. The insulated Cooking Coozie keeps your food warm while it is cooking in the bad so you don’t have to eat cool food anymore. And when you are done, the bag folds back up and fits in a pant pocket. The bags are made with recycled or upcycled materials and is double non-woven fabric and insulated.

Now when the bag is insulated it can keep things warm or nice and cool. There are certain people who like to carry a tasty (adult) beverage with them to enjoy on the peak. Well nothing tastes better than a nice cold beverage after a long hike! Big Sky even has a bag that can carry up to six tasty beverages to enjoy with friends. Even the large bag can fold down into a small profile to make your trip down the mountain nice and light.

Big Sky Bike Camping Tent

One of the new trends in camping is in bike camping. It allows to get a little further out into the back country and to that perfect spot. Just like the ultra-light campers, weight and size matters when you are bike camping. Big Sky has that covered. Not only do the have a line of ultra-light tents but even a two person version that fits between the handle bars saddle bag. This frees up more space to carry gear to the campsite.

Oru Kayak

Kayaks look like a lot of fun but if you are like me and have a smaller car that aren’t always a practical idea. There are the inflatable versions but then you have to worry about bringing a pump with you and that is just more weight. Oru Kayak has come up with an innovative way to make kayaking more accessible.

What Oru Kayak has done is develop a folding system. The 1 person, Lake version of the kayak can fold down to a weight of just 17 pounds with easy to carry handles. Or the kayak can fit into a special backpack that has shoulder straps and a hip belt to make bringing the kayak to a far away a lake a possibility.

The smallest size of kayak takes only 1 minute to assemble its 9×32 frame. Oru also has a heavy surf version, the Coast, that assembles in 15 minutes and weighs in at 32 pounds. Overall, Oru offers six different size and options of foldable kayak that can be assembled in 15 minutes or less giving you options for different water conditions and even includes a tandem version.

Afro Blonde

From the land down under comes Afro Blonde. Afro Blonde uses canvas from trucks and road trains and truck tires to create hates, bags, shoes and accessories. Not only are the products all made from recycled materials but each product is custom made and one of a kind.

Afro Blonde says on their website that one of the canvases they used had over a million miles on the road before being turned into products that are guaranteed for another million miles. The Canvas naturally protects against wear and weather. The hats come in different styles, such as a baseball cap, digger, wire rim, and bucket. For the boots, upcycled truck tires are used to make the soles while canvas makes up the rest of the boots.

They also had some great messenger style bags and wallets available as well as belts. It is great to see so many products being made out of material that could otherwise end up in a landfill or on the side of the road. Nice to see so many custom and hand made products that becomes treasure, born from another’s trash.

More from the Fatman

For a list of other products that I have reviewed you can check my Product Review page here. If you have any products you would like me to review or any comments you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com. Or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!