Here are some brand new 2015 whitewater products making their debut at Outdoor Retailer this week:
Bomber Gear
We can’t wait to try the brand new Palguin Drysuit (pictured above) from Bomber Gear. The company’s recent partnership with Polartec is introducing a fabric called NeoShell to the watersports world for the first time. NeoShell is super soft to the touch, lightweight, breathable and durable. Other Bomber Gear products we’ve tried fit like comfortable clothing instead of bulky equipment and the Palguin looks like it follows this trend by eliminating any unnecessary bulk. It’s unique leg entry system zips up the leg and down the other, removing any movement-restricting zippers from the shoulder and torso area and adding a convenient relief zip for men and women.
Shred Ready
The brand new OSK helmet from Shred Ready is bringing new technology to the watersports world. The Koroyd Hybrid technology is found in some snowsports helmets and now Shred Ready is using it to make lighter, tougher helmets with better drainage for whitewater paddlers. They’re also reintroducing retro design—OSK means Old School Kool—with a small removable brim for extra protection that comes in three interchangeable colors with each helmet. It has a thin shell that disperses impact, removable accessory ear pads, and a Boa Closure System at the back to dial in fit.
Immersion Research
Immersion Research is displaying their updated line of skirts at Outdoor Retailer. The fabric is super stretchy which they say makes them easier to put on and makes skirt implosions almost impossible—the fabric stretching will help keep the rand in place on your kayak’s cockpit. The rand also has an extra flap of fabric around the outside to keep any water from seeping in around the edges, making these new skirts dryer than ever.
Jackson Kayak
Jackson’s popular Fun series is getting an update for 2015. The Fun series has always combined features for both river running and play boating, and while the last version of the Fun leaned more towards the playboating side of things, this new generation has more of a river running focus. With more volume in the stern and a slightly narrower bow, it’s still built to do both well. The outfitting has a new backband feature that let’s you adjust it up and down to the perfect height. The 2015 Funs are shipping soon in the 4 Fun and Fun sizes (medium and large), and a smaller 2 Fun is soon to be added to the fleet.
Kokatat
Responding to customer requests for a rescue vest with more storage, Kokatat is launching the Maximus Centurion for 2015. The vest is essentially an updated version of their Maximus Prime, with a removable front pouch for storage. The pouch has three pockets and blends sleekly into the design of the vest—when attached, it looks like an integrated part of the PFD. The pouch and attachment clips can be removed to slim down when storage isn’t required. The Maximus Centurion comes with a quick release belt and other handy rescue features, such as a shoulder storage spot for your knife that keeps it conveniently tucked away but always within reach.
