Outdoor Trade Show opens its doors

3,000 products from 300 brands will be on show at the eighth Outdoor Trade Show (OTS), opening its door at Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre this month.

Also incorporating over 700 tents and awnings for the ‘largest outdoor tent display area in Europe’, OTS will preview new spring/summer 2014 ranges, as well as product for top up orders for delivery pre-Christmas from exhibitors such as 1000 Mile; 9Point9; Buffera; Burton McCall; Dalesman; Keela; Lyon; Madison; Odlo, Oxford Products; SealSkinz; Silva and SueMe.

“Following what has been another tough year for retailers and manufacturers alike, we are delighted to have taken over 125 bookings from such a fantastic mix of brands,” said OTS organiser Marta Williams.

“As retailers are looking for additional cross-over products, the show has become very relevant for cycling brands that want to present their range to a new customer base, and for bike industry retailers to see what is on offer.” 

The show runs from Sunday 8th to Tuesday 10th September 2013 (indoors and outdoors), and Wednesday 11th September 2013 (outdoors only).

The OTS Novel Awards are back for 2013, sporting a brand new voting system, which has allowed retailers to vote for their favourite products across seven categories. The online voting process determined the three finalists in each category and will be announced to the industry during the first week in September and on display in a dedicated area at the show. A panel of judges comprised of industry experts will then choose the winners, which will be announced at the show on Monday September at 6pm 9th in the link area between the two halls.

Product PREVIEW
ODLO (stand 40f) will showcase its Evolution X-Light collection, designed specifically for warm temperatures and intense activity. Blending technical expertise with fashion, the collection offers a variety of coloured tops and bottoms tailored to both men and women, including the pictured short sleeved crew neck shirt (RRP £35). These cool, extra-lightweight tops have integrated ventilation zones for optimum moisture transport to deliver a high level of comfort, breathability and functionality.

ODLO’s own ‘Zoned Function’ design means that each zone on the garment has a different thickness to aid moisture transportation for maximum body climate control. Constructed using a 3D knitting technique, these zones are seamless for maximum comfort. As with ODLO’s other underwear collections, the Evolution X-Light range features – thanks to the silver ions woven into the material, it ensures odour prevention and a permanent day long fresh feeling.

Oxford Products (stand 39b) is one familiar cycle trade name appearing at the 2013 Outdoor Trade Show. The brand has been selling cycle products since the 1980s and now has a comprehensive range of over 3,000 parts and accessories. According to the company it now sells every component on a bicycle other than the frame itself.

Amongst the highlights appearing at OTS are Oxford’s bright eye LEDs, featuring two bright LEDs, three modes and a Silicone Strap Mount which retail at £7.99.

Also appearing is the brand’s Combi Chain Lock 10. Constructed from stainless steel, the lock sports a rust resistant body and deadlock mechanism. It’s also available as a 9.5mm chain lock, is bolt cropper resistant and has 10,000 potential combinations. RRP for the 1.5m version is £49.99.

The newly redesigned F21 Helmets have a full in-mould shell and features dial fit retention, a mesh to keep out insect, lightweight shell for an RRP of £34.99.

Also in Oxford’s show line-up is the Velcro Wedge Bag, featuring a Velcro strap fitting LED loop, reflective strip and increased storage via an expandable section. Oxford has tools covered too: The Mighty 14 Torque Tool is touted as a precision engineered tool for on-the-go and workshop use, for a wide variety of repair tasks. It includes Allen keys, No.2 Cross Head and 5.5 Flat head, T25 Torx tool, spoke keys and chain tool, all for an RRP of £19.99. 

Sealskinz (stand 4) has a couple of key products for exhibitors at OTS – a Cycle Over Sock and rugged Waterproof Cable Knit Beanie.

The Over Sock incorporates SealSkinz’s waterproof, windproof, breathable technology. That breathability is a key benefit because – SealSkinz says – there’s “no other completely breathable overshoe on the market today” so cyclists can have truly dry feet when they’re working hard, without getting sweaty.

Pitched as ideal for early morning rides in the wet when it’s particularly cold and for everyday commuting, the Over Socks are versatile enough to protect in the worst weather but also keep shoes clean all year round – even in dry and dusty conditions. The close fitting, high stretch material slides over cycle shoes and the close, smooth fit means cleaner lines and less wind resistance. Furthermore, they fold up and wash just like a pair of socks – compact and easy to clean. They are available in sizes S-M, L and XL.

The Waterproof Cable Knit Beanie has been created in response to trade feedback on SealSkinz’s top selling waterproof beanies. The brand is launching a range of three unisex Cable Knit beanies, which are versatile for all occasions but particularly as an everyday hat for when it’s cold out. It’s available in sizes S-M, L-XL and XXL.

Silva’s Trail Speed Elite is a high performance 660 lumen light with a minimalist design. Two high power LEDs provide the dazzle and incorporate Silva’s Intelligent Light System. A tough aluminium body keeps the weight down to 62g and helps dissipate heat quickly.

It is equally at home on a headband, handlebar or helmet – an integrated rubber strap wraps securely around the handlebar to fix the light in place so no extra tools are needed. Transferring the light between bikes or from bike to helmet or headband is quick and simple and a large on/off button makes it easy to operate, even with gloves in cold wet conditions. SRP is £209.99.

Exhibiting alongside Buffera (stand 11), SueMe’s (stand 11a) latest catalogue worth of product will be available to peruse by the attendees at Stoneleigh Park. That range starts right from the bottom with its underwear Tree Trunks and Beech Shorties to its Nomad Tees, designed for everyday life and activity, using Bamboo pulp. The tees have been designed to have minimal material flapping around, are longer in body while the bamboo (mixed with organic cotton) has a number of properties well suited to active wear – from odour resistance, softness and relaxes with moisture and heat, allowing for an element of custom fit.

Others exhibitors include key outdoor trade distributors like Burton McCall (stand 59) and Whitby & Co (stand 66), as well as names well known in the cycle trade, including 9 Point 9 (2pure sister company, stands 40b and 40c), ActSmart (stand 14) and Madison (stand 65b).

Find the full exhibitor list at www.outdoortradeshow.com

Where: Stoneleigh Park Exhibition Centre, Warwickshire

Opening Times: Sunday 8th September 10am – 5pm (halls open until 6pm) indoor & outdoor

Monday 9th September 9am – 6pm (halls open until 7pm) indoor & outdoor

Tuesday 10th September 9am – 5pm: indoor & outdoor

Wednesday 11th September 9am – 5pm: outdoor only

2012 Attendance:
1,294 (1,265 in 2011)

2012 Exhibitors:
128 + tents (135 in 2011)

Tickets: Trade visitors can register to attend via www.outdoortradeshow.com by filling in one online form. Once this form has been completed, visitors will receive an email with their free-of-charge badge to print and take along to the show.

Entrance to the event is free and includes free on-site parking.