Every time I think we’ll have a slow week of new gear, the outdoor industry proves me wrong. That’s not to say there’s always a reinvention of the wheel, but design happens incrementally — and this is where we zoom in on each improvement.
Those improvements can mean many different things. Sometimes, it’s about sustainability, like Thousand rereleasing its classic bike bags, but this time made from recycled billboards. Other times, it’s a niche item, like Rumpl’s rugged, lightweight blanket for backcountry adventures. Then there are the big swings for something original, like a virtual dog leash.
Find the outdoor industry’s latest and greatest ideas right here in Emerging Gear.
Brio Kitchen Box
If you want to level up your camp cooking, this looks like a strong contender. Brio Outdoors has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its latest product, the Brio Kitchen Box, an all-in-one camp cooking setup that breaks down into a durable box.
This “kitchen box” comes with organized storage compartments, adjustable legs, and expandable wings with hooks and hangers for a customizable setup. A T design will help campers set up quickly and stay organized, the brand said. Early bird prices for the Kickstarter campaign start at $430.
Porsche x Almond Surfboard
What’s not to love about a Porsche-themed surfboard designed with Costa Mesa-based Almond Surfboards?
The famous carmaker partnered with Almond on a limited-edition collection of custom-made surfboards, paying homage to 1960s Southern California surf culture. The boards — designed in iconic Porsche 911 colors including Bahama Yellow, Irish Green, Polo Red, and the legendary Pink Pig racing livery — are handcrafted at Almond’s Costa Mesa facility. Each surfboard is individually numbered and customizable with a racing number.
The collection includes two board sizes: the 7’10” Cash-Yew II ($4,500) and the 9’11” Surf Thumb longboard ($5,500). Each is built with polyurethane foam, basswood stringers, and fiberglass wrapping. The boards come with a custom wooden wall bracket for display and a hand-foiled fiberglass single fin featuring the racing number “63” in honor of the first Porsche 911 launched in 1963.
Rumpl Backcountry Puffy
I don’t know if it’s Rumpl’s new puffy, but this guy looks like he’s got it all figured out. Rumpl just dropped a Backcountry Puffy Blanket, which the brand calls a lighter, warmer option for adventurers concerned about size and packability.
Weighing 25% less and offering 20% more warmth than the Original Puffy Blanket, the backcountry version is ideal for camping, tailgating, and overlanding, according to Rumpl. It also packs down to 5.5″ x 10″, making it 25% more packable than its sister product.
Made with 37% plant-based NanoLoft insulation, this weather-resistant blanket will sell for $150 for the one-person size.
Heel Virtual Dog Leash
Outdoorsy dog owners might be interested in this one — though it sounds quite futuristic. Nascent brand Heel has made what it calls the Virtual Dog Leash – Roam 350. Designed to keep up to three dogs near their owners while on the move, it supposedly allows for freedom and control — without a physical tether.
The electronic collar provides tone or vibration corrections when dogs approach a preset boundary and optional static corrections when they exceed it. It’s an advancement of the e-collar that basically sends automatic corrections when the dog gets too far away.
Owners can change the radius of the boundary, with adjustable lengths ranging from 10 feet to 750 feet. Developed in the USA, the system doesn’t require cellular, GPS, or Wi-Fi. The virtual leash is available in medium and large sizes. It costs $400 for one collar, $700 for two, or $1,000 for three.
45NRTH Oland Boot
It’s hard not to imagine winter cyclists salivating over these beauties as much as I do. 45NRTH just launched the Oland winter cycling boot, and the gorgeous leather shoes will likely turn heads on and off the bike. The boots, compatible with both flat pedals or two-bolt cleats, have a waterproof leather construction and 100g of PrimaLoft insulation.
They’re meant to keep your feet cozy in temperatures ranging from 15 to 40 degrees F. They have a rubber outsole and anti-slip Microglass inserts. They’ve also got some reflective accents for added visibility on the road. The Oland boots cost $260.
Leatherman ARC Obsidian
We liked the Leatherman ARC when it debuted last year. GearJunkie Editor-in-Chief Adam Ruggiero said it “serves as a fantastic multitool that everybody would enjoy. But its premium steel and thoughtful design elements are more likely to be appreciated by serious DIYers and EDC enthusiasts.”
Evidently, we weren’t the only ones who dug this multitool. Leatherman just dropped the limited-edition ARC Obsidian. Available October 1, the ARC Obsidian ($275) has a sleek, matte black coating with champagne accents, a satin finish, and a heritage-inspired sheath. It’s essentially an aesthetic upgrade of the functional original, which includes 20 tools.
Traeger x Made In Enameled Cast Iron Braiser
If you’re feeling this release, take action when this limited-edition cookware drops next week.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Made In and Traeger will launch the Enameled Cast Iron Braiser ($280), available exclusively through Made In. Designed for Traeger’s “signature low-and-slow cooking,” only 1,000 units will be produced in the initial run, the brands said.
This collaboration combines Traeger’s expertise in wood pellet grilling with Made In’s dedication to chef-quality cookware. The 3.5-quart Braiser has slanting side walls and a Cloud Cover Lid for moisture retention. It should work just fine in both smokers and regular ovens and comes in a Matte Black finish with a custom Traeger x Made-In knob.
Osprey Camera Bags
Osprey launches a new capsule of Photo Accessories for outdoor photographers this fall. The highlight of the collection is the Camera Chest Rig ($95), for those who want their camera within immediate reaching distance during rugged adventures. It has flexible carry options, like attaching directly to a pack harness or hipbelt, and a harness to keep it stable during active movement.
Other accessories in the collection include the PhotoLid ($120), a padded camera case that replaces the top lid of most Osprey packs. There’s also the Camera Cubes ($75-95), which can transform any Osprey pack into a camera bag with durable, adjustable dividers.
Thousand Crossbody Handlebar Bag
Thousand is relaunching its first Crossbody Handlebar Bag in a more sustainable design, created in collaboration with B-corp Certified bagmaker Rareform. The bags are now crafted from thousands of recycled billboards that Rareform diverts from landfills every month. As a result, each bag has unique color and pattern variations.
Features include a water-repellent nylon outer shell, a main pocket with an internal mesh pouch for larger items, a front pocket for smaller essentials, ergonomic zipper pulls, and a reflective front logo for increased visibility. The bag can be worn as a crossbody or attached to bike handlebars using removable hardware.
Altra FWD VIA
Altra just launched its new FWD VIA road shoes, which aim for everyday runners and fans of the VIA Olympus model. With a soft, max-cushion experience and roomy toebox, it’s perfect for training runs, the brand said.
It’s got the new Altra EGO FLO midsole, a 4mm low drop and rocker shape geometry, and a spacer mesh upper. The FWD VIA weighs 8.3 ounces for women’s size 8.5 and 9.5 ounces for men’s size 10.5. It’ll set you back $160, which isn’t too crazy for a brand-new pair of running shoes.
LowDown Ski Helmets
LowDown Helmets, a family-owned company based in Carbondale, Colo., provides some classy protection for those hitting the slopes this winter.
Founded by siblings Courtney and Steve Eaton, the brand draws inspiration from classic Italian motorcycle helmets, creating a full-coverage design that also meets modern safety standards, the brand said. Each helmet is handcrafted in Italy and meets Class A safety certifications, according to LowDown.
You can currently pick from four styles — Stoked, Drifter, Outtasight, and Stellar — each priced at about $300. They’ve got a quick-release buckle, adjustable chin strap, and an integrated venting system. They can also accommodate various goggles and sunglasses.
Disco Disco Travel Coffee
Say hello to the latest offering in on-the-go caffeination: Disco Disco.
Any self-respecting coffee lover knows that instant coffee is always a compromise, leading brands like Disco Disco to offer alternatives that fall between the disappointment of drinking Nestlé instant and the delicious experience of fresh, French-pressed joe.
So they’re offering pour-over coffee packs, similar to the Kuju Coffee featured in our Best Coffee for Camping round-up. With Disco Disco, you simply tear open the filter, place it on a mug, and pour hot water for a fresh brew.
I tried some of these on a recent camping trip, and I find it a pungent, highly drinkable brew. (I have to be pretty desperate to consent to instant coffee these days.) With coffee sourced from a family farm in El Salvador, each $20 pack includes five 8-ounce servings.
