Outdoor Retailer Summer 2024, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, brought together top North American outdoor brands and emerging innovators in the tent industry. Spanning three exhibition halls, the tent sector showcased major advancements in modular design, fast-pitch systems, and thermal regulation.
Big Agnes impressed attendees with its new Copper Spur HV UL series, which features redesigned zippers, reflective guy lines, and fly ventilation panels for better airflow. The tents also utilize solution-dyed fabrics that reduce CO2 emissions and water consumption during manufacturing. Meanwhile, newcomer EcoPitch Tents, a startup from Oregon, presented collapsible family tents with removable insulation liners made from hemp and recycled PET.
Therm-a-Rest introduced its updated TentLink™ system allowing campers to connect shelters into a multi-room setup. This modular approach was praised for adaptability in family or group camping settings. REI Co-op also unveiled its collaboration with Cotopaxi to design colorful dome tents using upcycled remnants from apparel production.
Expert-led panels explored supply chain resilience in tent production and the integration of bio-based coatings. Many booths incorporated augmented reality (AR) demos to allow buyers to simulate weather impacts on tent materials.
Outdoor Retailer 2024 reaffirmed the North American market’s focus on sustainable innovation, user-centered functionality, and brand collaborations in tent development.
