Lastest dry bags keep out water and dust to protect technology

Throughout the next month, SNEWS will recap its coverage of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012 with select stories from the O.R. Daily we published at the show Aug. 2-5. It’s an opportunity for you to catch up on stories you might have missed in O.R.D., and for us to update and upload the articles to our searchable archives.

 

This SNEWS Outdoor Retailer Summer Market recap is brought to you by Cordura:

Outdoor companies aren’t content to tread water when it comes to innovation, and they’re finding fresh ways to protect gear. The latest dry bags and cases are doing double and triple duty, keeping items dry as well as free of the dust and dirt that can damage electronics.

Outdoor Research comes out swinging with several new drybags on offer, including a line of 30 percent lighter Airpurge Dry Compression Bags (MSRP $33-$49); the easy-to-see-through/easy-to-slide-in Vision series (MSRP $29-$59); and the new Sensor Command Deck Bag (MSRP $159), which mounts quickly and easily on sea kayaks or stand-up paddleboards and comes with a dry compartment on top with touch-screen compatibility for tablets or GPS devices, a second dry compartment for layers, and a third for quick, one-handed access.

Outdoor Research Sensor Command Deck Bag

Pioneering radio frequency seam welding, Seattle Sports debuts its new Autopurge valve system in the Hydralight Tote (MSRPs $40-$50), available in two sizes for 2013. The value automatically releases air as the bag is rolled down, without letting water in. The result: increased capacity and protection.

Seattle Sports Hydralight Tote

Durability and form also continue to drive design, as evidenced by Sea to Summit’s heavy-duty Hydraulic Dry Bags (MSRPs $17-$85), made from 600-denier, TPU-laminated fabric with welded construction for snag-free seams. Larger sizes (65, 90 and 120 liters) come with an optional shoulder harness. Shapewise, the new bag line features an oval base to resist rolling.

Sea to Summit Hydraulic dry bag

Storage tech also comes to the small electronics front, with an emphasis on maintaining the user’s ability to operate the device while it’s protected. Advanced Elements debuts its TechPouch (MSRP $28), a roll-top, flexible case that clips to D-rings for kayak/canoe/raft attachment and fits devices up to 5.75 inches wide. Bonus: An adjustable support arm allows upright positioning on deck.

Advanced Elements TechPouch

Lifeproof targets the iPhone 4/4S with a new waterproof, dustproof, snowproof and shockproof case (MSRP $80) that form fits and lets you use any feature on the phone. It comes with a double, anti-reflective coated, camera-grade glass lens for shooting photos and videos, as well as full flash operation and a patent-pending sound enhancement system.

Drybag stalwart Watershed enters the electronic protection arena with its Clutch (MSRP $135), featuring enough space to accommodate 8.5-by-11-inch documents in addition to passports, smartphones and more. TiZip technology allows for submersion up to 16 feet, internal pockets to separate items, an adjustable ITW caterpillar snap that adjusts to accommodate contents and a clear window enables smartphone functionality.

–Eugene Buchanan