
Favorite Festy Finds from the 2022 Denver Outdoor Retailer Show
The Best New Products at 2022 Denver Outdoor Retailer Show
Favorite Festy Finds: Outdoor Products and Brands for Music Festivals and Concerts
The Outdoor Retailer Show in Denver, Colorado, is North America’s largest trade show in the outdoor industry. Held at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center, the Summer OR Show is known for presenting the newest, best, and most creative products and brands in outdoor adventure, gear, gadgets, style, and fashion. Held for 3 full days, the Outdoor Retailer is full of educational sessions, panels, demo opportunities, happy hours, and many other ways for industry leaders to discover and connect with one another.
For Festy GoNuts, the Outdoor Retailer Show is an exciting opportunity to connect with new brands and discover new products that we can then share with you!
The OR show and its exhibitors are geared toward outdoor adventure enthusiasts, and some of the best products are sleek, functional and tough – built for hardcore adventure. Like camping at a multi-day music festival!
BUT, we also know how important style is at a festival. As we wandered the Outdoor Retailer show, we were drawn into booths and attracted to products and brands that caught our eye – with fresh designs, bright colors, and funky patterns.
And the applications are not limited to camping festivals – the concert tailgating potential (think: Red Rocks!) for some of these finds is amazing!
There’s a reason why we focus on music, culture, and adventure.
So check out some of our Favorite Festy Finds from the 2021 Denver Outdoor Retailer (Guaranteed to help you Be Your Fest Self!) :
Favorite Festy Finds: Denver Outdoor Retailer Show 2021
We were drawn into the Poler display by the fun patterns and colors on their products.
Based in Portland, OR (one of our favorite places), Poler makes “fun and practical outdoor gear and apparel for everyday adventures and everyone.”
We were particularly impressed with the Poler “Cozy Stuff” – Napsacks, Ponchos, and ‘Campaforter’ Blankets – all perfect for those chilly festival late nights/earlier mornings!
We’re not promoting shadiness or anything, but who doesn’t like a hidden stash pocket?
After a day at the OR and literally saying “how many different water bottles can there possibly be?”, we stumbled into bindle.
They added a hidden stash compartment to the bottom of their sip & stash bottle. Answering our question with a resounding‘ “at least one more!”
We all get tired of festy food eventually. That’s why a kick-ass camp kitchen can totally change your fest game. (Adulting 101)
We really liked the compact designs of the Camp Chef cookware and stoves.
We were also attracted to their line of propane fire pits. Living in Colorado, we rarely can have an open fire these days, making a good propane kit an essential for any camping festival.
We couldn’t resist the apparel at California Cowboy.
Not only is their clothing comfortable and stylish, but they also have features like bottle pockets and sunglass loops.
Plus, terry cloth linings?!
If you know the type of festivals we gravitate towards, you know how nice that feature is! (think, Tico Time, Strings & Sol, Jam Cruise!)
EXPED is very well known for the Mega-Mat, and for good reason – it’s been making “luxurious sleep a reality” for tent and car campers for over a decade.
But while talking to the fine folks at EXPED, we were introduced to their line of backpacks – specifically the waterproof collection – and were really blown away.
Lightweight, packable and stylish, these waterproof packs are perfect for concerts and festivals, and we are already anticipating our next trip to Red Rocks with one of these!
We highlighted UCO Gear (UCO=Utility, Comfort, Originality) in last season’s OR show review, because of their lightweight but durable camping products and their fun and funky colors.
We’ve got a ton of use out of our UCO mess kits and utensils in the past year, and highly recommend them for camping and music festivals.
But our favorite new product we saw from UCO at this year’s OR show – the StakeLight. An LED tent stake.
This is one of those products that just makes you wonder why it took so long, and how quickly can you replace all of your tent stakes?!
We fell for Puffin at first glance last year at the OR show, and after using this amazing drinkwear all year, we still can’t get enough.
We see plenty of fun can koozies in the festival world, but never have we seen ones that give our drinks so much … personality.
No longer does your beer need to sit on the sidelines – now, with flannels, parkas, and vests, your drink may safely join you on any adventure.
And these new Puffin bottle robes (coming soon) will be perfect for JamCruise and Strings & Sol!
Little Kamper won the Innovation Award at the 2022 Outdoor Retailer. And for good reason.
What camper doesn’t have a garage shelf full of empty portable propane tanks?
Little Kamper is aiming to eliminate that, with a simple propane exchange system. It’s really a no-brainer.
Sherpani gets our initial attention as a Boulder, CO-based company (as we are!), but they keep us interested with their high-quality products.
They are also a responsible company – stating on their website many ways that they source responsibly and generally try to operate with a minimal footprint.
But, most importantly, they make bags that function well and look good!
Last year we raved about the amazing drinkware from Orca, and we are still in love with the “OrcaTini” stainless martini glass – perfect for a festival or tailgate.
This year we focused on their incredible line of coolers.
They’re American-made, keep your ice from melting for an incredibly long time, and come in a variety of funk colors. Plus Orca Coolers have some great features, including attached mesh storage pockets, and, we are excited to share – a rolling version coming in 2023! (We checked it out and it is legit!)
Favorite Festy Finds: 2022 Outdoor Retailer Show
We searched high and low and up and down the Colorado Convention Center during the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show to discover the best in Favorite Festy Finds! These are the music festival camping and concert tailgating items that you can’t live without.
Because at Festy GoNuts we understand that there are plenty of decisions you need to make in order to be your fest self. Going to a concert or festival unprepared can lead to a less than perfect time. So check out these products and step up your festy game!
Thanks for reading – see you next year, Outdoor Retailer!

Greensky Bluegrass Announces Fall Tour, NYE Shows
Greensky Bluegrass announces 2022 Fall Tour, including Thanksgiving and New Years runs, and several PNW and California shows.
The Heron Music Festival Goes “Beyond The Blue” with Summer Series
“Beyond The Blue” music festival series will take place in Sherman, NY at The Heron Farm and Event Center throughout the summer of 2022.
Celebrating 30 years of High Sierra Music Festival
The 30th High Sierra Music Festival was held June 30th – July 3rd, 2022 in Quincy, California. Headliners included Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Greensky Bluegrass, The Disco Biscuits and Goose.
PREMIERE: Acoustic Syndicate’s new song, “Bright Lights” [LISTEN]
LISTEN to the PREMIER of Acoustic Syndicate’s new song, “Bright Lights” from the forthcoming new album, “All In Time.”
DelFest 2022 Review: The Past and Future Come Together in Cumberland, MD
DelFest 2022 brought together the past and future of bluegrass and Americana music in Cumberland, MD.
Rhythms on the Rio Full Lineup Adds Molly Tuttle, George Porter Jr., Bill Nershi and More
Rhythms on the Rio Music Festival announced its full 2022 lineup, adding Molly Tuttle, George Porter Jr. and more.
Annapolis Baygrass Festival Announces Full Lineup: YMSB, Cabinet, Larry Keel, more…
Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival announced the full lineup for the inaugural festival in Maryland, including Yonder Mountain String Band, Cabinet, Larry Keel and more…
Women Take The Spotlight At Tico Time Bluegrass Festival 2022
The women of Tico Time Bluegrass Festival took charge, threw down and dumped it out for an amazing weekend to kick off festy season.
PREMIERE: Tray Wellington’s “Nightfall Rendezvous” [LISTEN]
[LISTEN] The Premiere of Tray Wellington’s “Nightfall Rendezvous” from the debut album “Black Banjo.” Featuring Jon Stickley, Wayne Benson, Kevin Kehrberg and more.