Our intrepid reporters have returned from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, UT. Outdoor Retailer is a huge tradeshow that happens in summer and winter, where outdoor-specific companies show off their items and services for the following year.

Every possible outdoor activity is covered at this huge expo, as those who sell meet those who buy and are watched by those who write/blog/talk about it! You’ll see lots of famous folk there, like Lynn Hill and Alison Gannett, but it’s the new gear that keeps your attention! Here are a few of the items that caught the eye of Michelle and Karina…

Michelle:

The coolest thing I saw at the show was the iControl Timex watch. The watch looks like your normal Timex running watch…but it’s really super techy. Clip your iPod to your waist or attach it with an arm band and when a slow ballad comes on when you need some rock and roll to get you up the hill, just push a button on your iControl Timex sports watch to change tracks. Yep. The iControl wirelessly talks to your iPod to change songs or adjust the volume. And, it comes in some nice hues too.

Karina:

Injinji socks These are not your rainbow toe socks of yesteryear. Cool max, or wool fabrication and seamless toe construction make these a performance sock. I was so excited about them, I have already been on a trail run in them and was impressed at first glance!

SylvanSport Go Trailer My eyes lit up when I saw the green and grey contraption in front of the Salt Palace. This trailer can do it all. It is a pop up tent that can configure to a king size bed platform, or two twins. When not in use the bed panels serve as the dinner table! Kelty designed the tent in addition to the sleeping pads that come with it. It can tow your ATVs, motorbikes, kayaks, mountain bikes, or lumber! The water proof, lockable storage bin with drain holes can double as an ice chest. It has a super low profile and weighs only 700 pounds, so any car or ATV can tow it and any weakling can hitch it! Check out their website at www.sylvansport.com

Stay tuned - maybe I can squeeze a few more swag details out of M & K!

Now, I know it’s WAY too early to start thinking about fall. Let’s all stick our fingers in our ears and chant “summer will never end” about a million times! But, even here in the Midwest, we’ve had a few cool mornings this summer and it’s nice to start out on a run or ride with something very light to keep my core warm until I work up a sweat. Mountain Hardwear’s Women’s Ghost Vest fits the purpose very nicely, thanks.

At just 3 ounces, it’s extremely light and packable into a pocket or seat bag. It’s form fitting, so I wasn’t bothered with any bagginess or ballooning in the wind. I really liked the mesh back because it lets you get your temperature regulation fine tuned as you unzip the front a bit and, joy of joys, it has a little right-hand zip pocket! I’ve complained for ages that there’s no point in making a vest or jacket without some sort of key pocket at least. I generally tend to fall off my bike if I try to wiggle an arm under a jacket to reach my jersey pocket for a gel.

I wouldn’t change a thing about this vest — it’s a welcome addition to my seat bag. Now, if I could just remember that I’ve got it with me when I start out down the road…

Mountain Hardwear Women’s Ghost Vest: msrp $70.00, available in green/gray, blue/light blue, and orange/gray.

This little jersey is a love-it or leave-it addition to PI’s summer 2007 lineup. When it came time to pick a jersey for our commuter bike gear review back in May, we debated for a while about which jersey would transition from bike to coffee shop the best. The PI Urban Jersey almost won out, but some felt its look was too “un-cycling.”

Since that time, I’ve been wearing my Urban Jersey for my daily commute to work and really liking it. It’s a little western-looking, and fitted — perfect for stopping by the grocery after work. Pearl Izumi’s UltraSensor fabric does its excellent work at wicking and keeping me as cool as possible on muggy 90F afternoons. It even has a discrete zip pocket on the right hand side for little stuff (my mp3 player is in there most days) and a breast pocket (usually an allen wrench floating around in there).

The only nitpick is the length. It’s designed to look cute rather than to cover the territory unless you’re riding in the most upright position, so remember your sunscreen or expect an interesting tan on your back.

Added bonus: A couple of the jersey colors coordinate with PI’s excellent Symphony short, which features a colored pipping along edges. If you’d rather be in a mountain bike style short for city travel, try the PI Urban Short or Capri (unlined).

Pearl Izumi msrp: $49.99. Available in mint, blue, mango and red.