Hits and misses from the 2007 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

Out There went to the largest winter gear expo in the world, which, for five days every January, attracts about 15,000 gear manufacturers and buyers from around the globe. Established companies use it as a chance to show off their latest stuff. Up-and-comers use it as a chance to gain exposure.

Here's a sampling of what was hot, and what was not, at this year's show.

HOT

Vibram's new FiveFinger shoes. Yes, they look ridiculous, but so do Crocs and look how big they are. The idea with these is the freedom of being barefoot without the danger of cutting your foot.

NOT

The hiking boot with the flippable ice cleat. Flip to the metal cleats when it's slick. Flip to the regular sole when it's not. It's like built-in Yaktrax. But the flimsy look had lots of buyers saying "no thanks."

HOT

The retro-stylings of Patagonia's new "Freebox" jacket. Apparently the irony of naming an expensive boutique jacket after Telluride's communal hand-me-down box on Main Street doesn't hurt the allure of this sleek coat. It would look great with a "No Nukes" shirt.

NOT

The space blanket stylings of the Solatech aerovest. This 2 oz emergency vest made of mylar inflates until it looks like a Martian's down jacket. It's small and easy to store. Too bad it looks like it should be stored under a seat on an airplane.

HOT

Drinking tubes that give your Nalagene or other water bottle all the advantages of a Camelbak, without the floppiness. We saw these all over the show

NOT

Sleek looking Sigg water bottles. The European company rolled out some great graphics, but we don't think these aluminum bottles will ever catch on. It feels too much like drinking out of a fuel bottle. Yuck.

HOT

Everything you could possibly stick an LED light on. These waterproof baubles that can be used as a zipper pull, or attached to just about anything you need to see in the dark.

NOT

Wedding cake mountaineers. OK, it's kind of cute, but figures on the cake are sooo cheesy. Real mountaineering couples get married on distant summits, where there are no cakes, hence no figurines.

HOT

Socks made of corn. You can't eat these. The corn has been changed into polyester fibers. But, with Fox River Socks, you can wear them with the comfort that they weren't made using foreign oil, so you're helping the American farmer (corporate or not), not a distant despot.

NOT

The much touted new telemark ski binding system from Rottefella, humbly called the NTN, or New Telemark Norrm. This binding was all the hype at the show, but testers gave it a lukewarm review. It's heavy. It's hingy. It's expensive. And with Black Diamond releasing it's own step-in, releasable telemark binding next year, it may be the Beta of the free-heel world.

HOT

Smith Optics helmet, goggle, phone, iPod integration systems.

Smith's goggles fit perfectly with its helmets. Even the vents line up. If that wasn't cool enough the new Skull Candy audio system allows you to have headphones in your helmet that are connected to your music and your phone. The phone rings, the music automatically turns down. Hang up, the volume goes up again. Yowza.