January marked the kickoff of the outdoor industry’s biggest trade shows, with the SHOT Show taking over Las Vegas from January 21-24 and the ATA Show lighting up Indianapolis from January 8-10. These premier events showcased the latest innovations across shooting sports, archery, and outdoor recreation.
Air Gun Innovation Takes Center Stage
While many manufacturers presented new products at the SHOT Show, Air Venturi emerged as a clear leader in new product development.
New Products
- Air Venturi dominated the air gun segment with multiple groundbreaking releases. The revolutionary OmniStorm breakbarrel features adjustable gas piston technology, allowing velocity adjustment from 550 to 1000 fps. At just $200, it includes the rifle, hand pump, and scope. Hatsan also made waves with their new Surge compressor, offering one hour of continuous runtime at an accessible $500 price point.
- Hatsan presented their new portable compressor, Surge, and their competition-grade PCP, TacBoss.
- Crosman introduced the Vapor Max, a multi-shot multi-pump.
Hot Trends
The air gun market continues its steady growth trajectory, particularly in the PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) segment. Modern air guns are gaining popularity for their minimal recoil, quiet operation, and increasing power, making them suitable for small game and predator hunting.
Archery Advances
Some major manufacturers made significant waves at the shows with their magnesium alloy compound bows. These magnesium risers deliver a stronger and lighter bow than traditional aluminum bows.
New Products
- Bear Archery showcased an extensive lineup of new products from their Legends Series: Persist 33, Whitetail INT, and Legend 30. All the compound models feature significant technology improvements.
- PSE made an impact with their flagship release, the Mach 33 DS. This advanced hunting bow represents a major evolution from their Mach 30.
- Barnett released several new products in their Hyper Raptor Series designed for smaller diameter arrows, HyperFlite 20″.
Hot Trends
Target innovation is surging, with Rinehart leading the charge. Their new Speed Unlimited Target, developed in partnership with SpyderWeb, is engineered to handle high-velocity crossbow bolts while ensuring easy arrow removal.
Broadheads
Rage introduced the Hypo 2 series, featuring a massive 2″+ cutting diameter and innovative keyed shock collar design. The broadheads are available in both standard and crossbow-specific versions.
Outdoor Gear Evolution
The outdoor gear segment at SHOT Show demonstrated innovation across multiple categories, with manufacturers focusing on enhanced functionality and user experience.
New Products
- Tethrd presented their Carnivore 2P tree saddle with dual panel construction.
- Several brands introduced new hunting blinds, making them blend better into nature and add comfort for users.
- Several other brands showcased their innovative trail cameras, providing clearer imaging and more storage.
Hot Trends
Outdoor gear is getting more sophisticated; everything is becoming more geared to comfort and usability. As more people embrace outdoor adventures more and more, the products and selection will keep getting better and better.
The outdoor industry continues to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences, with a clear emphasis on performance, sustainability, and versatility across all segments. As we move further into 2025, these January trade shows have set the stage for an exciting year of product development and market growth.
What are you looking forward to the most this year?