Outdoor trends and innovations - Outdoor Friedrichshafen

Trade fair for outdoor leisure equipment

outdoor is a trade fair for leisure equipment and outdoor leisure activities. In 2017, it took place from June 18 - 21 at the exhibition grounds in Friedrichshafen, one month earlier than in previous years. The start of the trade fair on a Sunday was intended to give retailers the opportunity to visit the trade fair without losing a sales day.

The outdoor trade fair trends 2017

In 2017, the focus was on the 4 trends of microadventure, sustainability, tailrunning and bouldering. Half of sales in the outdoor industry are generated in the clothing segment. In terms of sustainability, compostable T-shirts, jackets and pants made from recycled plastic bottles, some with a membrane made from recycled material, shoes made from natural wool and sports shoes that do not use environmentally harmful colors were on display at the trade fair stands. For the popular sport of trail running, the range extended from extremely lightweight road running shoes to extremely robust, cushioning running shoes with good grip tread soles. The exhibitors also had a wide range of climbing shoes for the booming sport of bouldering. And, of course, many manufacturers also had the perfect equipment for a short trip at the weekend. This outdoor trend of incorporating short outdoor adventures into everyday life has established itself under the term micro-adventure.

Sports and fashion brands step up sustainability efforts

A white running shoe caught our eye at the Adidas stand. The Terrex Zero Dye collection does not use any dye and is made from recycled materials. LOWA attaches great importance to producing its classic mountain shoes in Germany, and the manufacturer also presented breathable trekking shoes and a total of 6 different categories of sports shoes. At Euro Schirm, we saw the most stable umbrella in the world, with a lightweight 208gr, perfect for trekking. The traditional company Deuter, known for its backpacks for 100 years, presented the new Futura series with improved design, form, function and features. Mountain Hardwear presented special waterproof rucksacks for alpinists, while Skylotec presented the Rider 3.0, an Industry Award-winning via ferrata set. In the textile sector, Jack Wolfskin offered a world first in the Texapore Ecoshere jacket collection, where both the outer fabric and the waterproof membrane are made from recycled material. Schöffel presented new PFC-free alpine pants with sun protection. Water sports enthusiasts were interested in the stand-up paddle boards from JOBE, while cyclists inspected the waterproof bike bags from ORTLIEB. Swiza and Leatherman had useful utensils such as multi-tools on hand for those who are out and about.

Great media interest, international exhibitors at Outdoor

The Messe.TV team took the opportunity at outdoor 2017 to interview outdoor and alpine expert Olaf Perwitzschky from Alpin magazine. He was very impressed by the enormous range of extremely lightweight equipment, from jackets and rucksacks to shoes, and was looking forward to the big outdoor party at the exhibition grounds with a good 3,000 people. Mr. Stefan Reisinger, the division manager of outdoor Friedrichshafen, told us about the international significance of outdoor in Friedrichshafen, as evidenced by the 965 exhibitors from 40 nations and trade visitors from 90 countries. He was also pleased about the great response from the media in the first few days of the trade fair. In the run-up to the fair, 120 journalists had already gathered on Saturday for a tour of the new products.

Trailer for OutDoor 2017 at the Friedrichshafen trade fair

Equipment for microadventures and flexible outdoor experiences

Short trips into nature and spontaneous breaks from everyday life were very much in vogue in 2017. The right equipment for this should be lightweight, space-saving, and versatile—ideal for weekend tours, trekking days, or urban nature experiences. The trade fair showed how functional design and compact construction can be combined.

• Ultra-light backpacks with clever compartments
• Foldable cooking systems for on the go
• Multifunctional sleeping systems for varying weather conditions

Textile innovations and new materials for a sustainable outdoor lifestyle

Outdoor Friedrichshafen 2017 was characterized by new developments in the clothing segment. Sustainability was not just a buzzword, but was reflected in numerous product concepts and material innovations. Bio-based fabrics, recycled fibers, and ecological production processes played a central role.

• Clothing with fully recycled outer and inner materials
• No critical chemicals used in impregnation
• Textiles with integrated UV protection and high breathability

Water sports, trail running, and urban outdoor activities on the rise

In 2017, the trade fair expanded its range of topics to include sporting leisure activities that had previously received less attention. Trail running, water sports, and urban outdoor use were specifically highlighted—with suitable equipment for dynamic forms of movement and changing areas of use.

• Running shoes with special sole profiles for rough terrain
• Waterproof backpacks and bags for sporting activities
• Outdoor accessories for everyday use in the city