So you think you’ve got what it takes to come up with the next great thing in outdoor gear. You just arent sure what exactly it is yet. 
I can give some advise that i had to learn the hard way while working on the Linelight idea entered in the ‘08 CoLab contest,... less-is-more.

Backpacking:
  Its about being lightweight
            small
            strong
            multifunction
            ultimately utilitarian

Cyclists:
  Its about being lightweight
            strong
            smart (looking)
            highly specialised function (you may need to have a graduate degree in
                                        design or CAD engineering!)

Climbing:
  Its about being lightweight
            strong
            highly specialised/engineered

The point is that smaller, lighter, stronger, and smarter looking will account for about 80% of your “new” idea. So maybe like Nick suggests in the intro, remaking the wheel is not necessary, but start looking at your gear with these ideas in mind.  Then when you figure out some wild “what if” way of reducing weight on your backpack, tent or stove you may have just stumbled upon a simple idea thousands of people would be interested in buying if it was taken to market. The really bright ideas that ive seen while searching the web for new product designs usually take an existing product, and think hard about what is “really” needed for that product to work. Eliminating the rest in a strong, smart, and lightweight way may make for a novel product.
Good luck, and hope this helps for that first step.
-derek

Milton Glaser once said “just enough is more”

What i understand from this statement is that when you keep taking away there comes a point that your not adding to the product anymore. So you need to know this tipping point. I guess instead of light is right, just light enough is just right.

Cheers

Nick

Read more here, his “Ten Things I Have Learned"Part of AIGA Talk in London November 22, 2001
This is something i wish i had read when i was 18

http://www.miltonglaser.com

I am more interested in “Does it work” and “Reliability”

As a hill walker those are my main concerns, on the bike commuting work its more about the reliability. My Gourdon 30 has withstood 5 massive downpours only to reveal it’s contents to be as dry as a bone.