If you’re unfamiliar with OR, it’s a tradeshow with a name that’s an acronym Outdoor Retailer. Take SIA, yank everyone’s skate shoes off, stick them in a pair of trail runners, slap the PBR out of their hand and replace it with an IPA — what you get is OR. That was a lot of acronyms.

We’re at OR right now drinking IPAs, trying to blend in in our skate shoes. While we’re here, we figured we’d give you a look at some new products we’ve seen.

Voile_OR_Day1_Buck_00329Voilé’s David Grissom with the Spartan — not to be confused with a Trojan.

First up is Voilé. The profile of their new Spartan sort of resembles a condom, but what the Spartan protects you against is paying too much for a splitboard.

Voile_OR_Day1_Buck_00330The little things add up in cost of produciton, and a black base free of graphics is part of what keeps the price down on the Spartan.

Voilé’s new split is freestyle-oriented, with a medium flex and a tight and short sidecut great for maneuvering in trees. A minimal topsheet graphic and an all black base, let the Spartan slide in at $550.

Voile_OR_Day1_Buck_00321Voilé’s Speed Rail — no pin required.

Voilé also has a new binding, which utilizes a hyper-efficient system that lacks a pin to engage or remove it from touring mode. Voile calls this the Speed Rail —  not to be confused with the speed rails you were doing in the 80s — and it operates on the same system as K2’s Quicker Technology.

Voile_OR_Day1_Buck_00331Flip the blue lever up and the binding easily slides off the pucks. Flip it down, and you’re locked in.

Another convenient feature of Voile’s new binding is the accessibility of the screws that attach the pucks.

Smith_OR_Day1_Buck_00352Available on the Squad (pictured), I/O7, I/O, I/O women’s, I/OS and I/OX, ChromaPop™ lenses up the pricetag by about $30-40, and are available in Storm, Everyday and Sun options.

Smith is now offering ChromaPop™ on their goggles. Previously, the technology which is designed to enhance clarity and natural color, allowing you to see more detail across across a greater range of conditions, was only offered on Smith’s sunglasses.

Smith_OR_Day1_Buck_00354Both the men’s and women’s I/O frames are updated this season, but remain compatible with traditional I/O lenses.

Smith gave the goggle that pioneered the concept of a quick-change lens a facelift. The new I/O boasts a wider field of vision and a sleek look thanks to updated sidearms.

Smith_OR_Day1_Buck_00355The updated sidearms rotate out to accommodate helmets.

Smith_OR_Day1_Buck_00356In terms of the lens-change system, nothing changes on the new I/O.

The new I/O uses the same lens it always has, so if you’ve amassed a collection of lenses for the classic I/O  frame, they’ll work in the new one as well.

TheNorthFace_OR_Day1_Buck_00347The new Brigandine jacket is ‘quieter’. Turn down.

The North Face has revamped their popular Brigandine jacket with an updated FuseForm fabric, described to us as “quieter.” That’s probably the best adjective to use, but basically the fabric lacks that crunchy Doritos bag feel that some technical shells have.

TheNorthFace_OR_Day1_Buck_00346No seams, no problem.

The new Premonition jacket utilizes a single-fabric technology that TNF refers to as “engineered woven.” Basically one piece of fabric splits into two at each baffle — where the insulation is — then comes back together, and repeats at the next baffle. Typically, each baffle on a micro-puff jacket like this either sewn or glued together. The lack of glue or stitching increases durability and longevity. It also makes the jacket four ounces lighter than a previous and similar style from The North Face. Just think how much faster you’ll be able to do things without those four pesky ounces getting you down!

Electric_OR_Day1_Buck_00340Jeremy Jones is hyped on the Electrolites. I guess this girl is too.

Electric has a new frame made of foam. It’s called the Electrolite, and it’s fuckin’ light.

Electric_OR_Day1_Buck_00333Move over, Gatorade; there’s a new way to get your Electrolites.

The Electrolite uses an easily adjustable silicone strap that looks different than anything we’ve seen and should do a good job staying put on your head.

 

Electric__Electrolite_Goggle_OR_Day1_Buck_00339Picking out a pair of Electolites is like picking out a sports drink from the cooler at 7-Eleven.

That’s all we’ve got. I’m gonna slam the rest of this hoppy-ass beer and see if I can score a pair of toe shoes.