Take a peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Explore the grid or click through for a slideshow.
Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam Sleeping Pad
Made from more than 60% sugarcane extract, this Big Agnes TwisterCane BioFoam Sleeping Pad ($50) is a fully renewable solution to reducing outdoor brands’ dependence on EVA. The pad is durable, warm, a half-inch thick, and rolls for easy strapping and packing. The sugarcane is sourced using Proforest standards and helps contribute to reduced greenhouse gases by capturing CO2.
Merrell Undyed Collection
Merrell’s latest sustainable venture is trail runners made without dyes. The Skyfire Undyed ($110) is made with recycled uppers, laces, and TPU reinforcements, a 40% recycled lining, and a 6mm drop. Lightweight, grippy, and better for the planet — what’s not to love? It’s available in men’s and women’s sizes.
tentree x PATH Tree Planting Water Bottle
Apparel brand tentree is thrilled to debut a co-designed, recyclable tree-planting water bottle ($10) in partnership with PATH, the first brand to introduce reusability in the beverage industry with its line of infinitely refillable and 100% recyclable aluminum bottles. Ten trees will be planted for each bottle purchased.
Skullcandy Protect Our Winters Indy Earphones
Skullcandy’s new Indy POW Earphones ($80) can last up to 30 hours on total battery. They have a 6mm driver size, an IP55 rating (sweat-, water-, and dust-resistant), and are designed with an ergonomic fit and touch control buttons for controlling music, answering calls, changing settings, and more. Ten percent of proceeds from this product go to Protect Our Winters.
Helly Hansen Mono Material
In honor of Earth Day, Helly Hansen is donating 5% of all North American online sales to The Conservation Alliance — an organization focused on protecting wild and public lands. To pair with the brand’s sustainable effort, check out the Mono Material Insulator ($200) and Rain Coat (from $185), made from 100% polyester and recycled insulation. Helly’s “mono materials” reduce energy output and waste as well as expedite the recycling process. Donations will run until April 27.
Cannondale ReGrip Bike Cage
This bike bottle cage contains a unique material. Cannondale’s ReGrip Bottle Cage ($16) is made from recycled abandoned fishing nets (in an effort to fight ocean plastic pollution) and is light at just 38 g. The cage has elongated mount holes for fine-tuning the position, and it fits all standard 74mm-diameter bottles. It’s also available in right-entry and left-entry configurations.
Salomon Index.01 Recyclable Shoe
Announced late last year and finally on the market is Salomon’s Index.01 ($200) — a fully recyclable shoe that extends the lifespan of gear and eliminates waste. The shoe is made from two materials: recycled polyester and nitrogen-infused, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam. This shoe is pretty unique — in fact, its built so that Salomon can disassemble it and recycle it into say, ski boots, at the end of its lifespan.
Chaco x Fat Tire Carbon-Conscious Sandals
New Belgium and Chaco are back at it again with a beer-themed sandal. The Fat Tire x Chaco Z/Classics ($105) are made on-demand in Michigan to reduce overproduction and waste, and they’re made with just eight components. Fat Tire marks the first certified carbon-neutral beer, and now Chaco’s taking the cue. For each pair sold, the brand will purchase carbon offsets to reduce this shoe’s carbon footprint. Choose from men’s and women’s sizes.
Freitag Recycled Bike Bags
Freitag and Brompton’s latest venture is a bag made out of recycled truck tarp. The bike bag ($440) can also magnetically clip right onto your Brompton ride. It’s double-zippered, has a padded main compartment made of recycled PET fabric with laptop compartment access, and an extra-long key strap. Because they’re made from recycled tarps, each bag is completely unique in color and design.
Tifosi Optics Clarion Red Lens
Tifosi Optics made its Clarion Red Fototec lens ($80) for athletes on the go. The new lens uses photochromic technology to adapt to changing light environments. In low light, the Fototec lens is mostly clear, filtering up to 64% of light. In bright light, the lens transitions to a gray-red tint with a reflective mirror, filtering light down to 14%. The lens is hydrophobic and available on three models: Sledge, Sledge Lite, and Tsali.
frescopod Sustainable Coffee Method
The frescopod can turn any type of coffee into sustainable single-serve. Like K-Cup coffee pods (but non-plastic and better), the frescopod ($68 MSRP) consists of a metal ring and biodegradable and compostable filter papers for sustainable brewing and hassle-free cleanup. Its coffee cups are compatible with Keurig 1.0, 2.0, Mini, Mini Plus, Select, Cuisinart, Chefman InstaBrew, and more single-serve coffee machines. In addition, the frescopod unit itself will be made with all recycled materials.
Wilson Naked Series Tennis Racket
Wilson Sporting Goods is partnering with tentree to make its tennis rackets better for the planet. The Wilson Naked Series Rackets ($500) feature design enhancements like swapping out paint and dyes for a water-based protective coating, bio-based bumpers and grommets, a biodegradable PU grip, and recyclable packaging. In addition, Wilson is pledging to plant 125,000 trees — plus an additional 2,500 trees from the sale of each racket — as part of its commitment with tentree.
Skagen Aaren Naturals Watches
Danish brand Skagen’s new Aaren Natural Watches ($125) are made from “pro-planet” materials. Each watch strap is made with a leather alternative —mulberry bark, cork, and even apple — and the cases are made with stainless steel and recycled components. See the full collection here.
PopSockets Plant-Based PopGrip
PopSockets’ new plant-based PopGrip Plant ($15) is made with corn starch, canola oil, and castor beans. Seventy-five percent of the grippy accessory’s components are plant-based. The plant-based PopGrip is compatible with all PopSockets accessories. And the rest of PopSockets’ products can be recycled through the national program TerraCycle.
