The Outdoor Trade Show has just wrapped up for another year. Staged amid the bustle of Liverpool, OTS has fast grown to become the essential date in the calendar for outdoor brands big and small, a place to catch up with what's going on in the industry and check out all the latest gear. After a few quiet years post-Covid, 2025 saw a strong showing for truly new ideas and interesting products.

Fuelled on pizza and coffee, our trade show team wore out their shoe rubber over the three days of the show to bring you word of the shiny new kit due out in 2026. We'll be featuring all of this in our upcoming show report videos. But as ever, there were some products that particularly caught our eye; so here are our favourites of the show - the gear we're going to be fighting over come review time...

Montane Gecko running packs

Montane's Gecko series of running packs/vests has been a favourite among the review team for several years, thanks to its great fit and well-thought-out design, so we were genuinely excited to see the range receive an update for spring/summer 2026. 

The new versions have an improved harness, perhaps a slight niggle in the previous iteration, with an interesting 'central' adjustment point (as per the picture above) that makes for an even and better-balanced fit. The big 20L pack has also received some tweaks to boost its load carrying ability. Other welcome changes include the addition of bottle retainers, and slightly deeper pockets for extra security. Polygiene fabrics help bust the smell - after all, your vest will get as sweaty as the t-shirt you wear under it - and the mesh on the back system is now lighter than before. In fact, size for size, new Geckos are a fair bit lighter than much of the opposition.

With the familiar 5L, 12L and 20L sizes, plus the super-minimalist VP+, and a waist pack, the Gecko range has you well covered for running at pretty much any distance. And the best news? Prices remain unchanged from this year, ranging from £120-£150 for the packs.

Wild Country Friends

The Hoover of the climbing world, its brand name so long established that it's often used as a generic term for camming devices, the original cam has been through many guises since its introduction nearly 50 years ago. Due out in 2026, the upcoming iteration boasts several upgrades on the current model.

How often do you get in a fankle with the sling extender of your current cams? It happens to us at the worst times. With new Friends this snag stress should be reduced to near zero, thanks to its 'magic cord', a practically seamless loop of cord in place of the usual sewn sling extender. This has the added benefit of high abrasion and UV resistance, offering a lifespan of 14 years that is significantly longer than the textile parts of rival cams.

Ergonomics are great, with a smooth and positive-feeling trigger action and a nice big thumb loop, while sizes 4 upwards feature a nifty spring-loaded locking system so units can be racked in 'closed' position to reduce bulk on your harness. The hollow double axle design saves weight, with larger sizes slightly lighter than previously; and overall a full set of Friends is lighter than the equivalent set of Camalot C4s or Dragons. New Friends look the business, too.

Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2

Straddling the grey area between walking footwear and running shoes - with clear influences from the Ribelle running range - the original Ribelle Cross offered the support and durability of a boot with the sort of forgiving fit and light weight you'd normally associate more with a trail shoe. While the original model didn't really seem to take off in the UK, that might well be set to change in 2026 with the Ribelle Cross 2, a shoe we'll definitely be keen to get on our feet.

With its high tech laminated upper, it's an eye-catching model that will come in either low-cut shoes or a mid-height boot, both featuring a Gore-Tex liner. Underfoot you'll get a chunky sole with an aggressive 6mm tread, and a supportive level of stiffness for rough ground and heavy load carrying. Coming in at £160 for the low and £175 as a boot, we can see the Ribelle Cross 2 being a hit for mountain walking, long wet crag approaches, backpacking and even - within reason - scrambling.

Petzl Swift LT torch

Many of us will have used a Petzl Bindi, a mini torch that aspired to be a bit more than just an emergency backup. The Bindi succeeded in this to the extent that its tiny battery allowed, but was always going to hit limits when it came to day to day (or night to night) use. Its replacement in Petzl's lighting range, the Swift LT, takes this emergency torch-plus-a-bit concept to a new level.

With a max output of 380 lumens compared to the Bindi's 200 it's a comparative powerhouse in the light provided, giving you a much more capable get-out-of-jail card when benighted on a hill or crag. Battery life matters just as much, and at 2 hrs on max and a very handy 6-7 hrs in mid range, the Swift LT won't only get you all the way home in extremis, but packs enough juice to be genuinely usable as an all-round torch. Operation is commendably simple, with just three output levels (plus red), and the minimalist headband looks pretty decent. For short, bright northern summer nights, we might well consider it as our primary lighting.

And given its increased capability, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that, at 43g, the Swift LT is only 8g heavier than a Bindi. There really will be no reason not to carry one.

Unparallel Orbit

Check out that front end! The first thing that struck us about the Orbit was its radical steep toe profile - real fighting talk from Unparallel.

Made to be worn with the toes knuckled right down, this performance rock shoe should prove to be a powerful edging machine, particularly for bouldering on edgier rock types. Supportive and stiff at the front, softer at the rear, and with a medium-broad width and volume, this may be a shoe that requires less of that bedding in period for those with feet at the chunkier end of the scale. When it comes to releasing new models at pace, Unparallel don't mess around. The Orbit hits the shelves as early as next month, so watch this space for a review.

MSR Hubba Hubba LT 

Lightweight, but far from flimsy; spacious and livable yet capable of standing up to plenty of weather: we love our Hubba Hubbas. For 2026 this popular tent range gets a major revamp. Gone is the NX model, to be replaced by two alternatives, each with a slightly different emphasis: Hubba Hubba LT (light) and Hubba Hubba HD (heavy duty).

In terms of weight, your LT is marginally lighter than the old NX. Boasting more mesh on the inner for maximum ventilation, this is the model to go for if you're out in warmer conditions or particularly looking to shave grams from your pack. Meanwhile the HD comes in a tad heavier thanks to its more robust fabric. With an increased hydrostatic head and a hefty reduction in mesh inside to make it a much warmer place to hang out in cold climes, this looks like the sweet spot for more robust UK 3-season use.

Both Hubbas feature a broad rectangular footprint, and a cross-bar 10cm longer than previous models to maximise headroom and interior space, making them notably bigger tents than formerly. Each version still comes in three sizes, 1, 2 and 3 person, with loads of room to accommodate big rectangular mats inside - in fact MSR tell us you'll get four Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft pads side by side in the three-person tent. Hubba Hubbas have always been a byword for livability, and it looks like that just got better still.

Edelrid Omega

Few hardware brands are as consistently innovative as Edelrid. The original Ohm single-handedly established an entirely new category of hardware, addressing a safety need that had barely before been considered - that tricky situation when a lead climber is significantly heavier than their belayer. The Omega develops this weight compensation concept further.

As with an Ohm, this is a device designed to be used for indoor leading and sport climbing, clipped to a bolt low down to add friction when needed to prevent the belayer being whisked dangerously into the air should the heavier leader take a fall. While an Ohm offers just one level of resistance, the Omega's can be customised to suit a weight range, with settings for 10, 20 and 30kg of differential. In theory an Ohm might lock up if the rope is pulled too fast, thus short-roping the leader; but the spring-loaded cam of the Omega disengages as soon as the rope is released, reducing that possibility. These changes more or less render the original Ohm obsolete!

Rab Syclon XP

From day walks to alpine climbing, running to backpacking, Rab's pack output has been going from strength to strength in recent times. And here's a cracking new one to add to the collection in the fast-and-light walking category that's becoming more of a thing year on year. If Rab's Muon hiking packs and Veil XP running packs had a baby, the result would be the new Syclon XP. Fans of these established lines will find a lot to love here, with familiar features including its running-influenced carry system and profusion of useful external pockets.

Fully seam-taped like the Veil XP, and made from a lightweight siliconised fabric for added water repellency, the Syclon XP is purpose built for the sort of mixed (but let's face it, usually rainy) weather we do so well in the UK. While you'll be stashing your kit in dry bags in a Muon, the Syclon XP eliminates that need. Though the pack itself is made for the wet, its back system is clearly designed for hot weather comfort too, with a suspended mesh for maximum air flow, and a steel sprung frame for load carrying support. Ranging from 767g - 850g, these are genuine lightweights, yet come with the sort of feature set you might expect in a much heftier pack. Best of both worlds?

Offered in four sizes: 28ND (narrow dimension); 30; 38ND; and 40, the Syclon XP is aimed at minimalist one or two night trips, or uses such as hut-to-hut hikes where camping gear and dinners won't be carried. And at a price of £160 - £170, this is a pack that goes reasonably light on your bank balance as well as on your back.

OMM Aether jacket

In general we were not wowed by the clothing at this year's OTS, but one piece that really did stand out was OMM's Aether. This waterproof shell demolishes the received wisdom that says you can have a light jacket or a tough jacket, but not both.

Thanks to the addition of Bio-Dyneema to its ripstop fabric, the Aether offers the sort of durability and protective feel you might usually associate with a burly mountain shell, but at just 215g in size M it does this at the sort of weight that's unlikely to trouble your average hill runner or minimalist backpacker. And there is no compromise on performance, with 20:20 figures for waterproofness and breathability that compare just fine with competitors.

OMM have not skimped on features in pursuit of a lighter headline figure, either, giving you a roomy hood, water resistant zips, two pockets, and a drop tail that's designed not to ride up when the hem cord is cinched. The Aether is already to be found out in the wild, at a cool £380 (quality and innovation not coming cheap), and our only raised eyebrow is that the limited initial production run has already sold out. Want one!

DMM Wisp

At a barely credible 22g, this is the lightest full-strength carabiner that DMM have ever made: but while it's certainly small, it's not a fiddly miniaturised novelty item, but remains a carabiner at a genuinely usable size.

Like a stripped-down Phantom, with a similar gate radius, it's designed with trad and alpine climbing uppermost in mind, offering substantial weight saving on a full rack whether you're pushing your grade and in need of every advantage, or going fast and light in the mountains. Its thin back should make it great for racking cams on a harness, since a set of Wisps will sit close together on your gear loop, and for that purpose it'll come in a range of colours. Quickdraws will also be available, at 12, 18 and 25cm as well as a 60cm alpine draw.

Boreal V6

Boreal have gone from strength to strength in recent years. Their recently released models have been really good, each topped off by a vastly improved rubber compound. We've got the Synergy and Mutant in for review at the moment, and so far they've really impressed us. This year Boreal announced the V6, a strong offering at the opposite end of the market.

Aimed at the big up-and-coming demographic in climbing, novice indoor boulderers, this shoe is built on the forgiving and ever-popular Joker last, which provides a remarkable level of technicality through the toe whilst still maintaining a decent level of comfort. On trend with modern developments it features a large toe patch, featuring both soft and sticky rubber. On the base it uses 4-4.5mm of Zenith Quattro 2 rubber (depending on the size). This is Boreal's harder wearing compound, and is ideal for indoor use. It's still sticky, but isn't so sticky it's going to wear out within five minutes.

The V6 comes in at £95, which - in the year 2025 - represents really good value for money. Long term, the aim is to expand the V range from 3 up to 15, reflecting different levels of performance, and on the strength of this first foray into the range we'll be looking out for those with interest.

Sea to Summit Ultralight XR mat

Building on Sea to Summit's extensive range of camping mats, the new Ultralight XR is the toastier version of the real lightweight in the collection, the Ultralight Air.

The key difference is in their relative thermal performance. While the Ultralight Air has an R-value of just 1.1, making it a summer-only option (and you'd want a warm summer), the new Ultralight XR adds insulation and a heat-reflective foil layer to boost things to 3.6, a level of warmth much more conducive to a good night's sleep in 2-3 season UK use.

Weighing 415g in size Regular, the Ultralight XR's warmth:weight really is pretty decent, especially considering the relatively painless price tag (£150 size Reg); while you can get inflatable mats that are both warmer and lighter, you will be lightening your wallet considerably more in the process. For its affordable quality, respectable weight and thermal performance, the Ultralight XR looks a real contender.

La Sportiva alpine packs

La Sportiva are not known for producing packs, but as the Italian footwear brand expands into other areas, such as clothing, it was perhaps only a matter of time. And their first bespoke rucksack range looks like a real statement of intent.

With two models in the lineup, the Granite and the Challenger, the range hits the ground running, drawing on the expertise of a design team with pedigree to offer some real contenders in the crowded alpine/climbing market. Flagship is the Challenger, which pulls no punches in its use of a mega abrasion-resistant sailcloth material incorporating dyneema-like fibres said to have 15 times the tensile strength of steel. With all the requisite features for mountaineering and ski touring, and a stripped-down weight of just 780g, it's the techy all-rounder that's built to take a lifetime of abuse. And at £295 for a 28L pack, you'd hope so too.

If this statement piece threatens to dent your bank statement too hard, look to the more crowd pleasing Granite range, which comes in 22 or 32L sizes at a much more accessible £100 - £155. Lighter in weight, though still pretty darn tough thanks to a ripstop in that steel-beating fibre, these neat little packs are tweaked a bit more towards alpine climbing and mountain rock, and again can be stripped down to the bare minimum to give you weights of just 510g-700g depending on size.

This may be the first we've seen of La Sportiva packs, but it probably won't be the last.

Ron Hill Reverence

We had our first glimpse of Ron Hill's footwear collection - the Freedom and Reverence - at OTS last year, and were mightily impressed. Rob has subsequently gone on to use the Reverence and has really rated it, using it out of choice on two separate 24hr rounds. We'd say it has a great blend of grip, comfort, cushioning and durability.

At this year's show Ron Hill were exhibiting the Reverence SL, which its lighter weight cousin. Whilst the original was designed as an all-rounder, this is very much oriented towards racing. Outwardly it looks very similar to the original, but once you start digging into the details it becomes apparent that it's actually a very different shoe. In terms of fit, it's lower volume, with the aim to lock your foot in place more precisely whilst you're running hard. It's also a bit narrower than the original, both at the front and back; however, it's worth noting that the original was quite wide at both, so realistically the SL is going to sit somewhere in the middle (neither particularly narrow, nor particularly wide).

The sole unit has been updated too. It's still got a lot of grip, but that's been streamlined a little in order to shave some weight. The midsole has also been stripped back so you're closer to the ground.

We hope to get a sample pair ahead of their release next year - assuming we can prize Rob out of his original Reverence shoes.

Deuter's new Guide packs

Like a Dr Who of the rucksack world, the Guide series seems as if it's been around forever, regenerating every few years to keep up with the times. How do you update a classic without risking what made it special? The latest iteration of the Guide is something of a return to its roots as a solid and dependable load carrier - great to see if, like us, you're a longstanding fan.

The 2026 edition, which comes in four sizes (32+6 SL - slimline; 34+6; 42+6 SL; and 44+6) utilises a lighter fabric than its predecessor, but promises to sacrifice nothing in terms of the durability for which we've come to know and love this pack over the years.

While the basic design carries over from the previous model, the updates together represent some small but significant improvements. For load carrying support you now get an anatomically shaped back panel reinforced with steel rods; and if you're bivvying on the Cuillin Ridge or lugging a load of winter climbing gear up to The Ben you'll probably thank Deuter for beefing up the back system. The lid now features a single buckle closure rather than the slightly more fiddly two, while the axe holders are elastic instead of velcro. Lid and hip belt are both removable, boosting the Guide's versatility if you want to go lighter.

Overall we think it's looking really promising. The only question now is which of the review team will get their hands on it. 

Nikwax Stain Scrub

Here's one that does very much what it says on the bottle: nothing fancy or exciting, but in an age when aftercare for your shell is becoming increasingly important, it's unassuming products like this that will make a difference.

No matter how often you wash and re-treat your shell, ground-in dirt and grime can be a problem, particularly in high-wear areas like the cuffs. A pre-wash stain treatment with an applicator brush, Stain Scrub should be your friend here. Free from all nasty chemicals - as you'd hope from Nikwax - it lifts stains without harming a garment's DWR, and is designed to be used on a wide variety of products from waterproofs to insulated jackets, tents to down sleeping bags.

Available now, in 125ml bottles.  

Primus Lite Ultra

These days there are a lot of stove systems to choose from. Primus' Lite Ultra sets out to fulfill the niche of those looking for something slightly more compact, and slightly more versatile.

In spite of its smaller size it's still fully featured, with a piezo ignitor, handle, and lid that has a hole for sipping and another for straining. It's also got a decent burner on it too, which has the ability to vary its output, meaning that unlike with some more power-oriented systems it's not just a case of boiling stuff - you can cook on it too. You can also adapt the burner into one that would take a separate pan, courtesy of the three screws that Primus provide, therefore meaning you're not just limited to the pan that's provided - a nice touch that boosts the system's versatility.